PREMIERE

THE STAKES ARE HIGH, THE FAMILIES ARE REAL AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD WILL NEVER BE THE SAME, AS NEIGHBORS DECIDE WHICH FAMILY WILL MOVE INTO A DREAM HOME, ON THE SERIES PREMIERE OF ABC'S "WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD"

When the neighbors living in a quiet, picturesque suburban community get to choose the family who'll move in next door to them, their belief systems gets rocked as they try to get past their own pre-conceived notions and prejudices, and the idea that a neighbor should look and think just like them. Their choice doesn't get any easier when they meet the seven very diverse families, including a family covered in tattoos, a homosexual couple with an adopted child and a family who practice Wiccan, a pagan religion. Will the resident neighbors be able to see past their own ideals and accept all of the families as people instead of stereotypes? Eventually some eyes and hearts open up, opinions change and a community is transformed, in the six original, unscripted one-hour episodes of "Welcome to the Neighborhood," premiering SUNDAY, JULY 10 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

At the same time that the neighbors are trying to adjust, the competing families also begin an emotional journey that puts their physical and psychological limits to the test, as they all vie for a beautiful dream home on the perfect suburban cul-de-sac. But to determine who will win the luxuriously furnished and opulently appointed house, they first have to win over the very people who will be most affected by that ultimate decision -- the next-door neighbors.

In the premiere, "Episode 101," the seven families arrive at the dream home - a 3300-square-foot house with four bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms located on a prime piece of real estate in the recent development of Circle C Ranch, near Austin, Texas. The competing families, each in its own unique way, enthusiastically meet and greet the three opinionated resident families who have a vested interest in who'll move into the house.

Each week, the competing families participate in a challenge made up by the judging neighbors that will show just how well they might fit into the close-knit community. In the first challenge, the families must build their own Circle C Ranch booth -- complete with a theme, prizes and a lot of creativity -- for a carnival that will be attended by the whole neighborhood. The winning family will be determined by whose booth earns the most money. That family will receive an all-important "free pass," thereby escaping -- for that episode -- being sent packing. By episode's end, one of the remaining families will be eliminated by the ever-watchful neighbors.

The seven house-hungry families who will be trying to impress their potential neighbors are:

* The Crenshaws -- A religious, African American family * The Eckharts - A Caucasian, pagan family that worships several gods * The Gonzalezes - A loud, boisterous Hispanic family * The Lees -- An Asian family that runs a sushi restaurant * The Morgans -- A Caucasian family that looks picture-perfect, except Mrs. Morgan has a little secret * The Sheets - Defying all stereotypes, this Caucasian family is covered in tattoos and are staunch Republicans * The Wrights - A Caucasian homosexual couple who have adopted an African American boy

The three families who have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to choose their new neighbors are:

_ The Stewarts -- The super-opinionated Mr. Stewart, who is considered the "governor" of the cul-de-sac, is very protective of his community and will be looking at the competing families through a microscope

_ The Bellamys - Mr. Bellamy is a staunch Republican and would challenge any potential neighbors with politically different views. But the three Bellamy kids would welcome new neighbors who are different

_ The Daniels - A devoted Christian family, they would like their new neighbors to have a similar focus and direction in their lives

"Welcome to the Neighborhood" is from MGM, New Screen Concepts and the Jay and Tony Show Productions, with Rob Lee, Chuck Bangert, Lou Gorfai, Jay Blumenfield and Tony Marsh serving as executive producers.

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