ABC FAMILY ANNOUNCES PICK-UP OF THREE PILOTS
Three Pilots Receiving 10-Episode Orders Include:
"Perfect 10," a One-Hour Scripted Drama Starring Peri Gilpin ("Frasier"),
Making Her Return to Series Television
"10 Things I Hate About You," with Director Gil Junger, Executive Producer and
Writer Carter Covington, and Starring Ethan Peck (Grandson of Gregory Peck),
Lindsey Shaw ("Aliens in America"), Meaghan Jette Martin ("Camp Rock")
and Larry Miller (Reprising His Film Role)
"Ruby and The Rockits," Starring Alexa Vega ("Spy Kids"), David Cassidy
and Patrick Cassidy, and Executive-Produced by Shaun Cassidy
Hit Original Series "Greek" to Return in Summer 2009;
"Lincoln Heights," the Only African-American Family Drama on Television,
Also Set to Return in Summer 2009
New Original Movies Include: "Au Pair 3 Adventure in Paradise," Starring Gregory Harrison and Heidi Saban, Premiering in March 2009; As-Yet-Titled Movie
Starring Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence to Premiere in April 2009
Burbank, CA (Monday, February 2, 2009) - Paul Lee, president, ABC Family, today announced the pick-up of three pilots including the one-hour scripted drama "Perfect 10," the single camera half-hour "10 things I Hate About You," based on the 1999 hit film, and the multi-camera half-hour "Ruby and The Rockits." Each has been given a 10-episode order. In addition, original series "Greek" and "Lincoln Heights" will return in summer 2009. The network also has two original movies, "Au Pair 3 Adventure in Paradise," starring Gregory Harrison and Heidi Saban, and another as-yet-titled original movie starring Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence, both to debut in early 2009.
"ABC Family is coming off its best year ever, including the summer breakout hit "The Secret Life of the American Teenager," said Lee. "We're thrilled to be adding three new original series, drama and comedy, all of them the sort of great optimistic Millennial storytelling that ABC Family does best."
"Perfect 10," is a one-hour scripted drama, created and written by Holly Sorensen, who also serves as executive producer. The pilot was directed by Steve Miner ("Wildfire"). Set in the world of competitive gymnastics, "Perfect 10" follows a group of teen Olympic hopefuls as they train and prepare for their day in the spotlight. The cast includes Chelsea Hobbs as gymnastic newcomer 'Emily Kmetko,' Ayla Kell as top gymnast 'Payson Keeler,' Josie Loren as the beautiful gymnast 'Kaylie Cruz,' and Zachary Burr Abel as the gym's resident hottie, 'Carter Anderson.' Peri Gilpin ("Frasier") returns to series television in the role of 'Kim Keeler,' the mother of one of the female gymnasts.
"10 Things I Hate About You" is a half-hour, single-cam series with director Gil Junger (who also directed the 1996 "10 Things I Hate About You" feature film) and executive producer and writer Carter Covington ("Greek"). Based on the hit movie, the Stratford sisters, Bianca (Meaghan Jette Martin) and Kat (Lindsey Shaw), are two very different people, which is evident as they start at their new high school with very contradictory goals. Kat is a strong-willed, in-your-face feminist who is looking to save the world and get out of high school as fast as she can. Bianca is a social butterfly whose only concern is that she is popular, at any cost. As they both start a bumpy year at Padua High, can each girl get what she wants in the end, as they navigate the popular crowd, boys and their over-protective Dad? The original series will also star Larry Miller, who reprises his film role as the girls' father, and Ethan Peck (grandson of Gregory Peck) has been cast in the role of 'Patrick" (portrayed by Heath Ledger in the film).
"Ruby and The Rockits" is an ABC Studios half-hour multi-cam comedy series executive-produced by Shaun Cassidy ("Invasion") and Marsh McCall ("Carpoolers"). "Ruby and The Rockits" follows Patrick Gallagher, a former teen idol who has chosen to lead a quiet life with his wife and two sons. But when his former Rockits band mate and brother, David, shows up unexpectedly with his new-found teenage daughter in tow, the Gallagher family's life becomes anything but normal. David, who refuses to give up his past glory days, comes to Patrick for help raising Ruby while he continues to perform. Patrick must now put the past with David behind them in order to help raise Ruby and keep order within the rest of the Gallagher clan. "Ruby and The Rockits" was written by Shaun Cassidy and Ed Yeager, with teleplay by Ed Yeager (the pilot was directed by Ted Wass). Alexa Vega ("Spy Kids"), Austin Butler ("Zoey 101"), Patrick Cassidy ("Smallville") and former teen idol David Cassidy ("The Partridge Family") star.
Additionally, both "Greek" (20 episodes) and "Lincoln Heights" (10 episodes) are set to return in summer 2009.
Also, coming up this March is the premiere of ABC Family original movie "Au Pair 3 Adventure in Paradise," starring Gregory Harrison and Heidi Saban. The Caldwell family returns in the third installment of the hit movie franchise as the family hits the tropical beaches of Puerto Rico. But just as they reach the tropical paradise, it becomes clear that all Caldwell family members have different agendas for the vacation. Can the family pull together in time before the vacation becomes a complete disaster?
In April 2009 is the premiere of an as-yet-titled original movie starring Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence. Oil and water get along better than Jennifer (Melissa Joan Hart) and Vince (Joey Lawrence), who meet at a friend's wedding. But when they see the haul of presents and cash their friends receive, the cash strapped duo resolve to join forces and come up with a plan. They decide to fake a relationship, engagement and wedding - and stay together long enough to make it look authentic. But real feelings get in the way when these two actually start to fall for each other.
Part of the Disney-ABC Television Group, ABC Family, distributed in over 95 million homes, features original movies, series and specials reflecting today's families and entertaining and connecting with adults through relevant stories about today's relationships, all told with diversity, dysfunction, passion, humor and heart. ABC Family's programming is a mix of quality acquired series and theatricals as well as original movies and scripted dramas. ABC Family is also the destination for Holiday events with "13 Nights of Halloween" and "25 Days of Christmas" branded programming events. ABC Family. A New Kind of Family.
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