Another Voice
Charter Member of The Element
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2000
With Spring in the air and with hope for sun filled days ABC has announced its new Fall schedule with the perennial pronouncements that nothing but fresh, blue skies ahead.
In the words of ABC President of Entertainment Susan Lyne, For the coming season, ABC is embracing the idea of being America's broadcasting network, and with that, introducing scripted programming that reflects the lives and values of our viewers. While many networks have struggled with comedy development, we believe we've found our comedic voice We've brought the same focus to our drama development this year. We looked for stories and characters that our viewers can relate to, characters they'll want to get to know better.
Lloyd Braun, Chairman, was quoted in the press release, We are confident today's new schedule will continue our upward ratings momentum, build on our success in comedy, and introduce a new generation of signature dramas.
Whereas last years surefire, cant miss formula for success and corporate survival was comedy, this year the formula is drama. While most of the new comedies from last year have been renewed, the network also renewed their older dramas (NYPD Blue, The Practice) and most of their development effort is towards hour-long dramas. The two series already announced as mid season replacements are both dramas. And if that doesnt work there are still plenty of reality shows.
Some of the highlights of the new season:
- The return of the TGIF comedy line-up. The George Lopez Show and Life with Bonnie will bookend two new shows to create a two hour comedy block.
- The Tuesday night line remains pretty much intact with one new show and one comedy moved into a new time slot.
- The Wonderful World of Disney is moving to Saturdays (the least watched night of television). Its decades long traditional spot on Sundays will be filled with Americas Funniest Home Videos.
- Drew Carey has been banished to the ABC Family Channel.
- The next Bachelor will be contestant Bob The Funny One Guiney from The Bacherloette. ABC will air a mini-series documentary of the wedding of 'The Bachelorette's' Trista On Minute Fourteen of Fame Rehn and Ryan Tabloid Fodder Sutter. I would be remiss in my duties to the Rumors Board if I did not say there are plenty of rumors going around about the real nature of this romance.
- The Practice has been renewed, but Disney halved the fees it pays for the show. Except fewer episodes, a reduced cast and fewer guest stars. The show moves to Sunday at 10:00pm.
- In good news for many people here, Alias has been renewed. In bad news, Extreme Makeover will become a full fledged series. And Dragnet has also been renewed.
Now: The Schedule:
(Ive put the names of the new shows in italics)
MONDAY:
8:00 p.m "Primetime Monday"
9:00 p.m "Monday Night Football" (through January)
8:00 p.m "ABC Movie of the Week" (in January after football)
TUESDAY:
8:00 p.m "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter"
8:30 p.m "I'm with Her"
9:00 p.m "According to Jim" (new time period)
9:30 p.m "Less Than Perfect"
10:00 p.m "NYPD Blue"
WEDNESDAY:
8:00 p.m "My Wife and Kids"
8:30 p.m "It's All Relative"
9:00 p.m "The Bachelor/The Bachelorette Wedding Special"
10:00 p.m "Karen Sisco"
THURSDAY:
8:00 p.m "Threat Matrix"
9:00 p.m "Extreme Makeover" (new day and time)
10:00 p.m "Primetime Thursday"
FRIDAY:
8:00 p.m "George Lopez" (new day and time)
8:30 p.m "Back to Kansas"
9:00 p.m "Hope & Faith"
9:30 p.m "Life with Bonnie" (new day and time)
10:00 p.m "20/20"
SATURDAY:
8:00 p.m "The Wonderful World of Disney" (new day and time)
10:00 p.m "L.A. Dragnet" (new day and title)
SUNDAY:
7:00 p.m "America's Funniest Home Videos" (new day and time)
8:00 p.m "10-8"
9:00 p.m "Alias"
10:00 p.m "The Practice" (new day and time)
Directly from the ABC press releases, here are the descriptions of the new shows:
"10-8" (one-hour drama, Sundays at 8:00 p.m., ET)> -- Brooklyn bad boy Rico Amonte was sliding into a life of crime. Then his policeman brother caught him in the act and hauled him off to Southern California to get him on the straight and narrow. Two years later, Rico is a graduate of the Los Angeles Sheriff's academy a Deputy Sheriff trainee about to hit the streets in uniform, and with a gun and a badge.
New York's streets were dangerous, but nothing has prepared Rico from the hazing he gets from his own department. His training officer, John Henry Barnes, is the meanest, toughest veteran on the force and is determined to hammer Rico into a by-the-book officer of the law -- or break him in the process.
This edgy, humorous and very real take on the lives of rookie cops is based on the experience of Sheriff Paul Pietrantoni.
Cast: Danny Nucci, Ernie Hudson, Indigo, Scott William Winters, Mercedes Colón, Travis Schuldt
"Back to Kansas" (working title -- half-hour comedy, Fridays at 8:30 p.m., ET) -- In Tom's marriage to Susan Kelly, everything is relative. Everything. Tom, an only child, quickly learns that Susan's family is not only larger-than-life... it's larger than most. Now his toughest challenge is fitting in without freaking out.
Tom and Susan moved from New York to Kansas to be closer to the quirky, tight-knit Kellys. But it's a little too close for Tom's comfort. The in-jokes, the family quirks... every get-together tests Tom's nerves, but nothing compares to his worst nightmare game night. From befriending Susan's weird, bug-collecting brother to schmoozing with her smug, condescending uncle, Tom tries his best to become one of the family... whether he likes it or not.
From exec-producer Brad Grey ("The Sopranos," "Just Shoot Me") comes a family-sized comedy with a super-sized heart. It's the show about a mild-mannered guy discovering that in a big family, it's all for one... and every man for himself.
Cast: Breckin Meyer, Meredith Monroe, Sam Anderson, Nancy Lenehan, Emily Rutherfurd, Josh Braaten, Derek Waters.
Hope & Faith" (half-hour comedy, Fridays at 9:00 p.m., ET) -- Stay-at-home mom, Hope (Faith Ford, "Murphy Brown"), leads a busy, family-centered suburban life with her husband, children and live-in father. Her celebrity sister, Faith (Kelly Ripa, "Live with Regis and Kelly," "All My Children"), has been living the high life in Hollywood as a daytime soap opera diva. But when Faith's character is suddenly killed-off on "The Sacred and the Sinful," she flees Tinseltown and the relentlessly inquiring minds of the tabloid press, and seeks refuge in suburbia with Hope.
In a flash, Hope's sensible, down-to-earth world goes star-struck. Raising three kids including a rebellious teen girl has never been easy. But with trendy, theatrical Faith at the dinner table, parenting turns into crisis management for Hope.
"Hope & Faith" is a comedy about what happens when the fast lane collides with the carpool lane. It's about the moments that make you want to hug your sister... and the times you want to write her out of your life.
Cast: Faith Ford, Kelly Ripa, Josh Stamberg, Harve Presnell, Macey Cruthird, Brie Larson, Slade Pearce.
"I'm with Her" (working title -- half-hour comedy, Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m., ET) -- Writer Chris Henchy's real life marriage to Brooke Shields is the inspiration for this fresh romantic comedy: He's an average guy living with a woman who can't even pick up their dry cleaning without being asked for an autograph! Which means he's got plenty of funny stories to bring to this series about a high school teacher who falls for a movie star.
On the day that would change his life, delightful young everyman Patrick Owen is drinking his mid-morning latte when he's bitten by love. Literally. The gnashing jaws belong to Monroe, the easily-excited puppy of movie star Alexandra Young. When she tries to apologize and when Patrick recognizes her famous face he's awestruck, dumbstruck, and so very charming.
Alex sets her sights on Patrick, but he's unprepared for the add-ons that come with this little flirtation. His anonymity and privacy go up in the flash of a hundred paparazzi cameras. And he's an overnight sensation with his young male students, for reasons that have nothing to do with his brilliant classroom banter. All of which makes him wonder if it's possible to find true love in the hot spotlight of the media.
From the producers of "Smallville" comes a unique look at a guy dating out of his league. Way out of his league. This comedy proves nice guys don't always finish last. Sometimes they go the distance.
Cast: David Sutcliffe, Teri Polo, Danny Comden, Rhea Seehorn
"It's All Relative" (working title -- half-hour comedy, Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m., ET) -- So you think Romeo and Juliet had family issues? Listen to this.
Bobby's a bartender the only son of gregarious, salt-of-the-earth Irish Catholic parents from Boston. His fiancée, Liz, is a toney Harvard student and she's Protestant (no, that's not the problem). Liz has two dads, not one, and they're a worldly pair of well-heeled gay men.
The moment Bobby popped the question to Liz, they knew their families would have to meet. And the first time they brought his Mom and Dad together with her Dad and Dad... well, things did not go well.
Aside from the obvious, there's a culture gap between these in-laws-to-be that makes the Grand Canyon look like a seam in the sidewalk. Liz's parents are devotees of the arts. Bobby's are devotees of the Red Sox. Liz's parents are into St. Laurent. Bobby's parents swear by St. Patrick. Did we mention that Bobby's sister, Maddy, loves throwing gasoline on the fire?
From Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, acclaimed producers of the Oscar-winning "Chicago."
Cast: Reid Scott, Maggie Lawson, John Benjamin Hickey, Chris Sieber, Lenny Clarke, Harriet Harris, Paige Moss.
"Karen Sisco" (one-hour drama, Wednesdays at 10:00 p.m., ET) -- Smart. Sexy. Tough. Karen Sisco is a United States marshal on Miami's Gold Coast. In pursuit of dangerous fugitives, Karen must pick her way through the dark underbelly of South Beach nightlife and the sunshine and glitz of Palm Beach highlife... while she struggles to win the respect of her supervisor and fellow officers.
Karen is a barely concealed weapon who can take down a suspect twice her size. The only man she truly trusts is her father a retired marshal with a wealth of life experience and street smarts. He's Karen's confidant, counselor, confessor and her rock when her confidence waivers... which it does every time she tries to connect romantically with a man.
Based on the character portrayed by Jennifer Lopez in Elmore Leonard's "Out of Sight," "Karen Sisco" is that rare combination of action and character-drama, with a fresh and original young lead.
Cast: Carla Gugino, Robert Forster, Bill Duke
"Threat Matrix" (one hour drama, Thursdays at 8:00 p.m., ET) -- Our nation is a target. Al-Qaeda and other deadly enemies are determined to destroy our way of life. An attack could come at any time, from anywhere around the globe.
Against this rising threat, the Homeland Security Agency has created a highly specialized, elite task force trained and equipped to counter anyone or anything that threatens our nation. The head of this super-secret team is Special Agent John Kilmer. He reports only to the President and has authority to call upon the technical skills, firepower and the specialist agents of the FBI, CIA and NSA.
Working with cutting-edge technology and vast stores of chutzpah this clandestine team fights the many faces of terror to keep America safe. The one wrinkle in Kilmer's dream-team is his ex-wife, Frankie. She's as beautiful as she is fearless and lethal. Together they've averted disasters of all kinds, except their marriage.
With stories ripped from headlines, "Threat Matrix" is a drama with a ticking clock in an arena as deep and complex as today's world.
Cast: Jamie Denton, Kelly Rutherford, Will Lyman, Kurt Caceres, Mahershalalhashbaz Ali, Melora Walters, Anthony Azizi, Shoshannah Stern
"Line of Fire" (working title -- one-hour drama, midseason replacment) -- Strap on your weapon and try to survive another day on the streets. It's the same on both sides of the law. If you want to make it to the top, you've got to learn the ropes, outwit the competition and take down your enemies.
Welcome to the war between the FBI and organized crime. One side enforces the law as the other breaks it, but brains, brawn and intimidation are often the tools of both trades. The Richmond-based Malloy Crime Syndicate is run by Jonah Malloy, a charismatic but dangerous father figure. The Richmond FBI branch has its own dynamic leader in Special Agent-In-Charge Lisa Cohen. Like any business, they must justify operations and produce results while wrangling lieutenants who are as flawed as they are hard-working.
This fast-paced drama is a gritty look at a world that viewers have only imagined. These titanic organizations work side-by-side, completely aware of each other, but are unable and often unwilling to completely destroy the enemy that stands in their way.
Cast: Leslie Bibb, Anson Mount, David Paymer, Leslie Hope, Jeffrey Sams, Brian Goodman, Michael Irby, Julie Ann Emery
"Stephen King's Kingdom Hospital" (drama, Thursdays at 9:00 p.m., ET, beginning in January) -- Using the Danish miniseries "Riget" (a.k.a. "The Kingdom") as a point of inspiration, master of horror Stephen King gives this story a unique and menacing American touch. King himself describes it as "ER" crossed with "The Shining."
Kingdom is a hospital whose bizarre population includes a brilliant surgeon who lives in the basement, a nearly blind security guard and a nurse who regularly faints at the sight of blood. But when patients and staff hear the voice of a girl crying through the halls and a patient destined for life as a paraplegic miraculously recovers, they are dismissive of any suggestion of mysticism or unseen powers... at their own peril. (no cast is listed).
Media Networks ABC, ESPN and cable is Disneys largest business unit in terms of revenues, but Disneys theme parks continue to contribute more to the corporate bottom line. With promises to Wall Street of 20% growth this year it will be interesting to see which business unit will be asked to contribute the most. Based on the schedule, I wont be expecting four chicken fingers in my meal any time soon.
The media kit for the new season is on-line at http://www.abcmedianet.com/specials/upfront_2003/ .
In the words of ABC President of Entertainment Susan Lyne, For the coming season, ABC is embracing the idea of being America's broadcasting network, and with that, introducing scripted programming that reflects the lives and values of our viewers. While many networks have struggled with comedy development, we believe we've found our comedic voice We've brought the same focus to our drama development this year. We looked for stories and characters that our viewers can relate to, characters they'll want to get to know better.
Lloyd Braun, Chairman, was quoted in the press release, We are confident today's new schedule will continue our upward ratings momentum, build on our success in comedy, and introduce a new generation of signature dramas.
Whereas last years surefire, cant miss formula for success and corporate survival was comedy, this year the formula is drama. While most of the new comedies from last year have been renewed, the network also renewed their older dramas (NYPD Blue, The Practice) and most of their development effort is towards hour-long dramas. The two series already announced as mid season replacements are both dramas. And if that doesnt work there are still plenty of reality shows.
Some of the highlights of the new season:
- The return of the TGIF comedy line-up. The George Lopez Show and Life with Bonnie will bookend two new shows to create a two hour comedy block.
- The Tuesday night line remains pretty much intact with one new show and one comedy moved into a new time slot.
- The Wonderful World of Disney is moving to Saturdays (the least watched night of television). Its decades long traditional spot on Sundays will be filled with Americas Funniest Home Videos.
- Drew Carey has been banished to the ABC Family Channel.
- The next Bachelor will be contestant Bob The Funny One Guiney from The Bacherloette. ABC will air a mini-series documentary of the wedding of 'The Bachelorette's' Trista On Minute Fourteen of Fame Rehn and Ryan Tabloid Fodder Sutter. I would be remiss in my duties to the Rumors Board if I did not say there are plenty of rumors going around about the real nature of this romance.
- The Practice has been renewed, but Disney halved the fees it pays for the show. Except fewer episodes, a reduced cast and fewer guest stars. The show moves to Sunday at 10:00pm.
- In good news for many people here, Alias has been renewed. In bad news, Extreme Makeover will become a full fledged series. And Dragnet has also been renewed.
Now: The Schedule:
(Ive put the names of the new shows in italics)
MONDAY:
8:00 p.m "Primetime Monday"
9:00 p.m "Monday Night Football" (through January)
8:00 p.m "ABC Movie of the Week" (in January after football)
TUESDAY:
8:00 p.m "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter"
8:30 p.m "I'm with Her"
9:00 p.m "According to Jim" (new time period)
9:30 p.m "Less Than Perfect"
10:00 p.m "NYPD Blue"
WEDNESDAY:
8:00 p.m "My Wife and Kids"
8:30 p.m "It's All Relative"
9:00 p.m "The Bachelor/The Bachelorette Wedding Special"
10:00 p.m "Karen Sisco"
THURSDAY:
8:00 p.m "Threat Matrix"
9:00 p.m "Extreme Makeover" (new day and time)
10:00 p.m "Primetime Thursday"
FRIDAY:
8:00 p.m "George Lopez" (new day and time)
8:30 p.m "Back to Kansas"
9:00 p.m "Hope & Faith"
9:30 p.m "Life with Bonnie" (new day and time)
10:00 p.m "20/20"
SATURDAY:
8:00 p.m "The Wonderful World of Disney" (new day and time)
10:00 p.m "L.A. Dragnet" (new day and title)
SUNDAY:
7:00 p.m "America's Funniest Home Videos" (new day and time)
8:00 p.m "10-8"
9:00 p.m "Alias"
10:00 p.m "The Practice" (new day and time)
Directly from the ABC press releases, here are the descriptions of the new shows:
"10-8" (one-hour drama, Sundays at 8:00 p.m., ET)> -- Brooklyn bad boy Rico Amonte was sliding into a life of crime. Then his policeman brother caught him in the act and hauled him off to Southern California to get him on the straight and narrow. Two years later, Rico is a graduate of the Los Angeles Sheriff's academy a Deputy Sheriff trainee about to hit the streets in uniform, and with a gun and a badge.
New York's streets were dangerous, but nothing has prepared Rico from the hazing he gets from his own department. His training officer, John Henry Barnes, is the meanest, toughest veteran on the force and is determined to hammer Rico into a by-the-book officer of the law -- or break him in the process.
This edgy, humorous and very real take on the lives of rookie cops is based on the experience of Sheriff Paul Pietrantoni.
Cast: Danny Nucci, Ernie Hudson, Indigo, Scott William Winters, Mercedes Colón, Travis Schuldt
"Back to Kansas" (working title -- half-hour comedy, Fridays at 8:30 p.m., ET) -- In Tom's marriage to Susan Kelly, everything is relative. Everything. Tom, an only child, quickly learns that Susan's family is not only larger-than-life... it's larger than most. Now his toughest challenge is fitting in without freaking out.
Tom and Susan moved from New York to Kansas to be closer to the quirky, tight-knit Kellys. But it's a little too close for Tom's comfort. The in-jokes, the family quirks... every get-together tests Tom's nerves, but nothing compares to his worst nightmare game night. From befriending Susan's weird, bug-collecting brother to schmoozing with her smug, condescending uncle, Tom tries his best to become one of the family... whether he likes it or not.
From exec-producer Brad Grey ("The Sopranos," "Just Shoot Me") comes a family-sized comedy with a super-sized heart. It's the show about a mild-mannered guy discovering that in a big family, it's all for one... and every man for himself.
Cast: Breckin Meyer, Meredith Monroe, Sam Anderson, Nancy Lenehan, Emily Rutherfurd, Josh Braaten, Derek Waters.
Hope & Faith" (half-hour comedy, Fridays at 9:00 p.m., ET) -- Stay-at-home mom, Hope (Faith Ford, "Murphy Brown"), leads a busy, family-centered suburban life with her husband, children and live-in father. Her celebrity sister, Faith (Kelly Ripa, "Live with Regis and Kelly," "All My Children"), has been living the high life in Hollywood as a daytime soap opera diva. But when Faith's character is suddenly killed-off on "The Sacred and the Sinful," she flees Tinseltown and the relentlessly inquiring minds of the tabloid press, and seeks refuge in suburbia with Hope.
In a flash, Hope's sensible, down-to-earth world goes star-struck. Raising three kids including a rebellious teen girl has never been easy. But with trendy, theatrical Faith at the dinner table, parenting turns into crisis management for Hope.
"Hope & Faith" is a comedy about what happens when the fast lane collides with the carpool lane. It's about the moments that make you want to hug your sister... and the times you want to write her out of your life.
Cast: Faith Ford, Kelly Ripa, Josh Stamberg, Harve Presnell, Macey Cruthird, Brie Larson, Slade Pearce.
"I'm with Her" (working title -- half-hour comedy, Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m., ET) -- Writer Chris Henchy's real life marriage to Brooke Shields is the inspiration for this fresh romantic comedy: He's an average guy living with a woman who can't even pick up their dry cleaning without being asked for an autograph! Which means he's got plenty of funny stories to bring to this series about a high school teacher who falls for a movie star.
On the day that would change his life, delightful young everyman Patrick Owen is drinking his mid-morning latte when he's bitten by love. Literally. The gnashing jaws belong to Monroe, the easily-excited puppy of movie star Alexandra Young. When she tries to apologize and when Patrick recognizes her famous face he's awestruck, dumbstruck, and so very charming.
Alex sets her sights on Patrick, but he's unprepared for the add-ons that come with this little flirtation. His anonymity and privacy go up in the flash of a hundred paparazzi cameras. And he's an overnight sensation with his young male students, for reasons that have nothing to do with his brilliant classroom banter. All of which makes him wonder if it's possible to find true love in the hot spotlight of the media.
From the producers of "Smallville" comes a unique look at a guy dating out of his league. Way out of his league. This comedy proves nice guys don't always finish last. Sometimes they go the distance.
Cast: David Sutcliffe, Teri Polo, Danny Comden, Rhea Seehorn
"It's All Relative" (working title -- half-hour comedy, Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m., ET) -- So you think Romeo and Juliet had family issues? Listen to this.
Bobby's a bartender the only son of gregarious, salt-of-the-earth Irish Catholic parents from Boston. His fiancée, Liz, is a toney Harvard student and she's Protestant (no, that's not the problem). Liz has two dads, not one, and they're a worldly pair of well-heeled gay men.
The moment Bobby popped the question to Liz, they knew their families would have to meet. And the first time they brought his Mom and Dad together with her Dad and Dad... well, things did not go well.
Aside from the obvious, there's a culture gap between these in-laws-to-be that makes the Grand Canyon look like a seam in the sidewalk. Liz's parents are devotees of the arts. Bobby's are devotees of the Red Sox. Liz's parents are into St. Laurent. Bobby's parents swear by St. Patrick. Did we mention that Bobby's sister, Maddy, loves throwing gasoline on the fire?
From Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, acclaimed producers of the Oscar-winning "Chicago."
Cast: Reid Scott, Maggie Lawson, John Benjamin Hickey, Chris Sieber, Lenny Clarke, Harriet Harris, Paige Moss.
"Karen Sisco" (one-hour drama, Wednesdays at 10:00 p.m., ET) -- Smart. Sexy. Tough. Karen Sisco is a United States marshal on Miami's Gold Coast. In pursuit of dangerous fugitives, Karen must pick her way through the dark underbelly of South Beach nightlife and the sunshine and glitz of Palm Beach highlife... while she struggles to win the respect of her supervisor and fellow officers.
Karen is a barely concealed weapon who can take down a suspect twice her size. The only man she truly trusts is her father a retired marshal with a wealth of life experience and street smarts. He's Karen's confidant, counselor, confessor and her rock when her confidence waivers... which it does every time she tries to connect romantically with a man.
Based on the character portrayed by Jennifer Lopez in Elmore Leonard's "Out of Sight," "Karen Sisco" is that rare combination of action and character-drama, with a fresh and original young lead.
Cast: Carla Gugino, Robert Forster, Bill Duke
"Threat Matrix" (one hour drama, Thursdays at 8:00 p.m., ET) -- Our nation is a target. Al-Qaeda and other deadly enemies are determined to destroy our way of life. An attack could come at any time, from anywhere around the globe.
Against this rising threat, the Homeland Security Agency has created a highly specialized, elite task force trained and equipped to counter anyone or anything that threatens our nation. The head of this super-secret team is Special Agent John Kilmer. He reports only to the President and has authority to call upon the technical skills, firepower and the specialist agents of the FBI, CIA and NSA.
Working with cutting-edge technology and vast stores of chutzpah this clandestine team fights the many faces of terror to keep America safe. The one wrinkle in Kilmer's dream-team is his ex-wife, Frankie. She's as beautiful as she is fearless and lethal. Together they've averted disasters of all kinds, except their marriage.
With stories ripped from headlines, "Threat Matrix" is a drama with a ticking clock in an arena as deep and complex as today's world.
Cast: Jamie Denton, Kelly Rutherford, Will Lyman, Kurt Caceres, Mahershalalhashbaz Ali, Melora Walters, Anthony Azizi, Shoshannah Stern
"Line of Fire" (working title -- one-hour drama, midseason replacment) -- Strap on your weapon and try to survive another day on the streets. It's the same on both sides of the law. If you want to make it to the top, you've got to learn the ropes, outwit the competition and take down your enemies.
Welcome to the war between the FBI and organized crime. One side enforces the law as the other breaks it, but brains, brawn and intimidation are often the tools of both trades. The Richmond-based Malloy Crime Syndicate is run by Jonah Malloy, a charismatic but dangerous father figure. The Richmond FBI branch has its own dynamic leader in Special Agent-In-Charge Lisa Cohen. Like any business, they must justify operations and produce results while wrangling lieutenants who are as flawed as they are hard-working.
This fast-paced drama is a gritty look at a world that viewers have only imagined. These titanic organizations work side-by-side, completely aware of each other, but are unable and often unwilling to completely destroy the enemy that stands in their way.
Cast: Leslie Bibb, Anson Mount, David Paymer, Leslie Hope, Jeffrey Sams, Brian Goodman, Michael Irby, Julie Ann Emery
"Stephen King's Kingdom Hospital" (drama, Thursdays at 9:00 p.m., ET, beginning in January) -- Using the Danish miniseries "Riget" (a.k.a. "The Kingdom") as a point of inspiration, master of horror Stephen King gives this story a unique and menacing American touch. King himself describes it as "ER" crossed with "The Shining."
Kingdom is a hospital whose bizarre population includes a brilliant surgeon who lives in the basement, a nearly blind security guard and a nurse who regularly faints at the sight of blood. But when patients and staff hear the voice of a girl crying through the halls and a patient destined for life as a paraplegic miraculously recovers, they are dismissive of any suggestion of mysticism or unseen powers... at their own peril. (no cast is listed).
Media Networks ABC, ESPN and cable is Disneys largest business unit in terms of revenues, but Disneys theme parks continue to contribute more to the corporate bottom line. With promises to Wall Street of 20% growth this year it will be interesting to see which business unit will be asked to contribute the most. Based on the schedule, I wont be expecting four chicken fingers in my meal any time soon.
The media kit for the new season is on-line at http://www.abcmedianet.com/specials/upfront_2003/ .
