or


[04/08/03 - 12:00 AM]
Cable Upfront Presentations: ABC Family
By Brian Ford Sullivan (TFC)

CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- ABC Family will try and shake its reputation of being "ABC Repeated" as network executives unveiled the channel's 2003-04 slate to advertisers late last week. Among the plans are two new reality series, a new daytime block, plenty of specials, original movies and of course, repurposed ABC programming.

The network also announced that it will go forward with a second go around of "My Life Is a Sitcom," however it will not order a third season of "The Last Resort." In addition, the channel hopes to go forward with a new scripted series to begin airing in January 2004. Also continuing on the schedule will be repurposed episodes of "The Bachelor," with additional commentary and factoids not seen on its original ABC run.

Here's a rundown of the projects that were announced by ABC Family president Angela Shapiro:

RETURNING ORIGINAL SERIES

MY LIFE IS A SITCOM -- ABC Family has also ordered a second season of the reality series "My Life Is a Sitcom" from Bruce Nash. The series will feature stay-at-home-dad Joe Mozian from the first installment as he travels the country in search of people whose lives may be funny enough to inspire a sitcom pilot. Once Joe has uncovered some of America's funniest people, he will escort them to Los Angeles to meet with executive producers, who will then determine if any of Joe's recruits really are funny enough to star in their very own sitcom pilot.

NEW ORIGINAL SERIES

DANCE FEVER (premieres July 13) -- Based on the hit nostalgic series launched in 1979 and created by Merv Griffin, ABC Family revives the beloved variety series "Dance Fever" for a whole new generation of dance enthusiasts to experience. DANCE FEVER will be produced jointly by Merv Griffin Entertainment and Nash Entertainment ("Meet My Folks," "My Life Is A Sitcom," "Before They Were Stars"), with Merv Griffin and Bruce Nash serving as executive producers.

PERFECT MATCH: NEW YORK (premieres July 27) -- A single person must place their love life into the hands of those who know them best to succeed in finding their ideal mate. Based on the critically acclaimed UK series produced by RDF Productions and executive produced by Michael Davies, producer of, "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."

NEW PRIMETIME SPECIALS

ABC FAMILY MUSIC SPECIALS (working title) -- Produced by David Saltz, the original specials will feature artist interviews, never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage, new DVD release bonus tracks, in-concert performances, and insights into the artist's personal special interests and charities.

TYING THE KNOT: THE WEDDING OF MELISSA JOAN HART AND MARK WILKERSON (six episodes, premieres July 27) -- Six unscripted specials will follow Melissa Joan Hart and capture every moment in the wedding planning process, culminating with she and Mark Wilkerson pledging their "I do's" in Italy. Ms. Hart's Hartbreak Films will produce the specials for ABC Family. Ms. Hart and Paula Hart will serve as executive producers. Ken Koch ("Sabrina The Teenage Witch," CBS's "Beauty and the Beast," NBC's "Blossom") is producer, and will also co-direct with Paula Hart.

NEW DAYTIME SERIES

A new weekday teen-centered block airing from 3-6 p.m. eastern will consist of the following series:

THE BRENDAN LEONARD SHOW (premieres May 26) -- Based on a cable access show from Chicago, THE BRENDAN LEONARD SHOW will be produced, directed, starred in, edited, filmed and written entirely by Brendan Leonard. 19-year-old Brendan and his six teenage buddies bring their unique perspective to a national audience.

SWITCHED (premieres May 26) -- Two teens simultaneously trade lives during a four-day weekend adventure in a stand alone half-hour episode. The challenge is to see how each teen will cope in a new environment, dealing with a different family, school, friends, activities, and everything involved in trading a life with a counterpart somewhere else in the US.

Both projects will join a to-be-determined set of comedy repeats this summer.

ORIGINAL MOVIES

THIS TIME AROUND (airs June 22) -- What would you do if you had the opportunity to get back at the guy who humiliated you in junior high? Now Mel has that chance when she is assigned to handle publicity for a new restaurant owned by Drew, her crush from all those years ago. She and her best friend devise a plan to win Drew over so Mel can break his heart just as he did to hers. Starring Brian A. Green, Carly Pope and Sara Rue. Doug Barr ("Sex, Lies & Obsession") will direct, with Joel Rice ("One Kill," "About Sarah") executive prodcuing.

LUCKY SEVEN (airs in July) -- A mother leaves her daughter a timeline for finding Mr. Right and marrying him. All of her predictions come true in this touching story exploring the power of destiny and enduring love.

SEE JANE DATE (airs in August) -- Based on the best-selling book of the same name, a girl goes on a dating spree in search of a boyfriend. From a script written by Sheila Lawrence ("Gilmore Girls," "Friends").

PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT

US MAGAZINE QUARTERLY SPECIALS -- ABC Family teams with US Magazine for a regular series of four quarterly specials offering the latest inside scoop on Hollywood news and gossip.

MARY-KATE & ASHLEY OLSEN SPECIALS -- Young entrepreneurs Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen will executive produce an original movie and executive produce and star in four fashion-related specials. ABC Family will also have the exclusive rights to the world broadcast premiere of their latest direct-to-video movie "The Challenge."

BACHELOR PADS -- This special will take viewers inside some of their favorite famous bachelor's homes for an exclusive look at their "pads," as well as surprise bachelor pad makeovers.

KNOCK FIRST -- A new reality series following teens who will pull all-nighters to redecorate their bedrooms with the help of friends and a professional designer. Out of the watchful eyes of their parents, who will be sent to a hotel for the night, teens will have the opportunity to give their rooms an exciting new look, sometimes finding creative ways to update their bedrooms without completely letting go of the stuffed animals and craft projects of their childhood. When they return the next day, parents will either be horrified or pleasantly surprised by the fun and funky new look of their teen's room.

1001 DATES -- This uniquely formatted half-scripted/half-reality series will follow the adventures of a fictitious matchmaking service run by two-person man and woman team - a fictitious service that will actually send real people out on real dates. This half-hour series was written by Josh Goldstein ("American Dreams," "Arliss," "The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air"). ABC Family is in negotiations with the team of Greenblatt & Janolarri ("Six Feet Under," "The Hughleys") to executive produce with Josh Goldstein.

TWENTYNOTHINGS -- An updated version of "Friends," this half-hour scripted series follows the lives, trials, tribulations and romances of a group of twenty-something friends living in Michigan. ABC Family will develop this series from a script written by young novelist Molly Jong-Fast and Flynt Waynes. James Burrows ("Taxi," "Cheers," "Will & Grace") is in interested in producing and directing the project.

This article was updated on April 14 with additional press release information.





  [april 2003]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


· 1,001 DATES (ABC FAMILY)
· AMERICAN DREAMS (NBC)
· ARLI$$ (HBO)
· BACHELOR, THE (ABC)
· DANCE FEVER (ABC FAMILY)
· FRIENDS (NBC)
· GILMORE GIRLS (CW)
· HUGHLEYS, THE (UPN)
· LAST RESORT, THE (ABC FAMILY)
· LUCKY SEVEN (ABC FAMILY)
· MEET MY FOLKS (NBC)
· MY LIFE IS A SITCOM (ABC FAMILY)
· ONE KILL (CBS)
· PERFECT MATCH: NEW YORK (ABC FAMILY)
· SABRINA, THE TEENAGE WITCH (WB)
· SEE JANE DATE (ABC FAMILY)
· SEX, LIES AND OBSESSION (LIFETIME)
· SIX FEET UNDER (HBO)
· THIS TIME AROUND: THE MOVIE (ABC FAMILY)
· TWENTYNOTHINGS (ABC FAMILY)
· TYING THE KNOT: THE WEDDING OF MELISSA JOAN HART (ABC FAMILY)
· WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE (ABC)
· WILL & GRACE (NBC)





[05/26/26 - 02:16 PM]
Tubi's New Original Weekly Talk Show Series "The Other Football" Hosted by Rob Gronkowski & Jameis Winston Set to Premiere on Wednesday, May 27
Upcoming guests for the series include: Tom Brady, Keegan-Michael Key, Brendan Hunt, Weston McKennie, Matt Turner, Jermaine Eluemunor, and Darren Lewis.

[05/26/26 - 01:02 PM]
Production Underway in Ireland on Second Season of Acorn TV's Mystery Drama "Irish Blood," Starring and Executive Produced by Alicia Silverstone
First-look images from season two, which consists of six, hour-long episodes and is filming in and around Dublin, were also released.

[05/26/26 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10: Week of May 18 - In Ruthless Pursuit, "Nemesis" Steals No. 1 in This Week's Top 10
Retirement in "The Boroughs" is anything but sleepy as the Duffer Brothers-produced sci-fi series took No. 2 on the list with 5.6 million views.

[05/26/26 - 11:14 AM]
TLC Announces Season Two of "Jay & Pamela" as the Couple Embraces Life's Next Chapter
The series returns Tuesday, June 30 at 10 PM ET/PT on TLC.

[05/26/26 - 11:00 AM]
"Dutton Ranch" Is the Biggest Original Series Debut in Paramount+ History
In addition to its record-setting performance on Paramount+, "Dutton Ranch" is also the #1 streaming series according to Nielsen based on average audience for the week of May 11 according to preliminary data.

[05/26/26 - 10:01 AM]
Video: "Calabasas Confidential" - Official Trailer #2 - Netflix
Fresh out of college, a tight-knit group of friends, exes and rivals returns to hillside SoCal luxury and unfinished drama in this opulent reality series.

[05/26/26 - 09:41 AM]
Paramount+ Turns Up the Drama This Summer with the Return of "All the Queen's Men" and "Ruthless"
"All the Queen's Men" premieres its fifth and finale season on Wednesday, June 10; and the eagerly awaited sixth season of "Tyler Perry's Ruthless," returns on Tuesday, June 30.

[05/26/26 - 08:31 AM]
Video: "AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy" - Sneak Peek - Netflix
The special honors one of the most influential and beloved figures in film, celebrating a career that has redefined comedy and left a lasting impact on global audiences.

[05/26/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "The Root Of The Game" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Brazil lives, breathes and exports várzea. This series delves into the stories behind the beautiful game - one with the power to change lives.

[05/26/26 - 07:00 AM]
AMC Global Media and Palomo Launch Capsule Collection Inspired by "The Vampire Lestat"
The collection consists of 16 unique pieces and reinterprets some of Palomo's most recognizable looks, incorporating the themes and aesthetic of the series with a contemporary vision of gothic romanticism, drama and sensuality.

[05/26/26 - 05:01 AM]
Video: "The Ribbon Hero" - Official Teaser - Netflix
Brought to life by a powerhouse team of creators, this new anime film arrives August 8, 2026, only on Netflix.

[05/26/26 - 12:01 AM]
Video: "Norway: The Dark Horse" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Hope and history collide as an elite Norwegian squad fights to end a 26-year wait and earn a place at the 2026 World Cup in this rare-access documentary.

[05/25/26 - 01:08 PM]
MLB on ESPN Schedule Updates: Seattle Mariners Visit Baltimore Orioles on June 11; Defending World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers Host American League-Leading Tampa Bay Rays on June 15
Commentator assignments for both games will be announced soon.

[05/25/26 - 12:01 PM]
Heading to OKC! ESPN Presents Exclusive Coverage of the NCAA Women's College World Series
The final two teams face off in the best-of-three series, beginning on June 3.

[05/25/26 - 08:32 AM]
Netflix Announces Five New Brazilian Productions and Expands Its Presence at Rio2C 2026
Netflix will participate in five panels throughout the event, bringing together executives, creators and partners to discuss topics such as the future of audiovisual production in Brazil and Latin America, sports storytelling, and models of collaboration and financing for Brazilian cinema.