Photo Credit: ABC/Heidi Gutman
Upfronts Week is here! I’ve talked about NBC and Fox so far. For ABC, keep reading!
Firstly, I am thrilled that Quantico and American Crime are coming back for another season. Both you need to put on your must watch list if you are not yet watching these. The Catch was renewed for season two and I have yet to catch the first season so perhaps I’ll watch over the summer to decide if it holds a place in my fall schedule.
More exciting news, ABC is developing a live musical. Finally. They should have been the first to do this with all of the material they have. Smh. Anyway, I’m thrilled that they’re finally taking the plunge. I’d be lying if I said they better blow all of the others out of the water. Let’s do this, ABC! Also, the incredible David Blaine is back and there’s an Ali special in the works but it’s unclear if these will air in the summer, fall, or mid-season.
Thoughts On Cancelled Series:
Galavant didn’t have the ratings so I knew that was going to get cancelled but it was just so fantastic so it was still a really big punch to the gut. Thankfully, Galavant is coming to the stage! So Galavant lives on!
As soon as it was announced that Stana Katic was not going to be a part of Castle Season 9, I knew there wasn’t going to be a Castle Season 9. Yes, the show is called Castle and is designed to follow the main character, Castle. But when you’ve set up a romance with Castle, two becomes one and the show which was never just about Castle is cemented to never be just about him again – unless you plan on killing off the other half which would not have gone well with the fans. It’s not like this is a huge ensemble where there’s so much more ground to cover. This show is pretty basic. And the romance they created is the heart of the show. So. Kill or be killed.
Nashville‘s cancellation did come as a surprise but I think it’s a blessing in disguise as Hayden Panettiere no longer has to worry about fulfilling her contract for the show and can worry about her health 100%. I’d rather all of the actors be genuinely happy than juggle work and sacrifice xyz to entertain the masses when they can afford to walk away from a paycheck. Health comes first. Obviously not everyone working for the show is rolling in dough so I do hope that those behind the scenes find work soon if they haven’t already.
The Family is a show that I had meant to watch but never got around to watching so I’m neutral on this. Marvel’s Agent Carter was good but there were some POC issues that I had with the show and it never really sat well with me so I never watched more than the first season but I know that this show meant a lot to a lot of people so this one is a kicker.
Rookie Blue was a show that I always wanted to watch but never got around to really diving into. I’m still going to watch this show so I can watch it to the end.
I really enjoyed Blood & Oil more than I thought I would but I’d be lying if I said the concept were anything original and exciting enough to get other people to watch. Hence nobody watching because I’m sure the few of us out there watching all thought the same thing. Wicked City was solid but solid isn’t enough. It wasn’t engaging enough and that ultimately led to its downfall. Can’t say I’ll miss this one.
Also Cancelled: The Muppets (Don’t care. Not a fan), The Astronaut Wives Club (I was flip flopping on my interest in this show and whether or not to check it out, so now I’m neutral), The Whispers (As to be expected), Of Kings and Prophets (I forgot this show was on)
Thoughts On New Series:
As far as the dramas go…Designated Survivor starring Keith Sutherland is easily my most anticipated new ABC drama. This concept with this actor? This has no choice but to be anything but phenomenal. And it looks phenomenal. I am SO excited. Kevin Williamson takes on H.G. Wells in Time After Time which I am also highly anticipating. I love the concept just as much as I love Kevin’s work so this should be an easy show to love!
Shondaland’s Romeo & Juliet sequel, Still Star-Crossed is not something that I would want to watch if it weren’t under the Shondaland umbrella. You see, I’m not a romantic. So right away, this doesn’t move me at all. But looking at the trailer, I see that this is moreso an epic family drama (but not necessarily family friendly for the younger families) than super heavy on the romance aspect so I’ll watch to support Shondaland and I’ll see how long it takes for me to love this show or quietly let it go.
Notorious starring Piper Perabo who I loved on White Collar, among other roles and Daniel Sunjata who I loved on Rescue Me, among other roles, looks solid and given the concept, there’s no question that this show can go on for a very long time. I just hope that it’s not only as good as it looks but even better and gains an audience. Otherwise, this could sink to the cancellation floor sooner than some other shows I would expect to sink faster. Conviction is not really for me. Been there, seen that concept wise. It’s so boring to me so I can’t see myself watching this but it does look solid!
As for the comedies… American Housewife is the only comedy that shows promise though its writing has to be really sharp, otherwise this will not turn out well at all. I do love Katy Mixon’s comedic talent so this show does intrigue me slightly. Speechless stars Minnie Driver who I am not a fan of, so I will not be watching this. Even though it does look decent enough to consider watching. Imaginary Mary and Downward Dog surely have their niche audiences (both of which I can’t say that I’m a part of), though I find it really bizarre that these shows were picked up when surely, surely, there were good realistically diverse comedies pitched to the network. ABC has done so well with diversity so I just wonder if they think they’ve done enough (I’ll answer that: no) and can therefore order shows with an imaginary friend and a dog as a main character. Honestly, if just one of these shows had been picked up and it actually looked good, I wouldn’t be offended but TWO shows that don’t look great are taking the coveted spots of some comedies I’m sure were better than these that got passed over. So. That concerns me. Don’t take one step forward, ten steps back, ABC. We’re all rooting for you! That said, they cancelled Galavant but they ordered this %*@!??? I can’t even. It’s say to say that I’m not excited about any of the new ABC comedies this fall.
Now for the Fall 2016 Schedule…
New series are in CAPS.
SUNDAY
7pm America’s Funniest Home Videos
8pm Once Upon a Time
9pm Secrets and Lies / TIME AFTER TIME (Mid-season)
10pm Quantico
MONDAY
8pm Dancing with the Stars
10pm CONVICTION
TUESDAY
8pm The Middle
8:30pm AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE
9pm Fresh Off the Boat
9:30pm The Real O’Neals
10pm Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
WEDNESDAY
8pm The Goldbergs
8:30pm SPEECHLESS
9pm Modern Family
9:30pm Black-ish
10pm DESIGNATED SURVIVOR
THURSDAY
8pm Grey’s Anatomy
9pm NOTORIOUS / Scandal (Mid-season)
10pm How to Get Away with Murder / The Catch (Mid-season)
FRIDAY
8pm Last Man Standing
8:30pm Dr. Ken
9pm Shark Tank
10:00pm 20/20
SATURDAY
8pm Saturday Night Football
NEW DRAMAS:
Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor Kiefer Sutherland (“24”) returns to primetime in a conspiracy thriller as Tom Kirkman, a lower cabinet member who unexpectedly becomes president after a devastating attack on Washington. He will struggle to prevent the country and his own family from falling into chaos, as he is thrust into one of the most difficult presidencies in history.
“Designated Survivor” stars Kiefer Sutherland as Tom Kirkman, Natascha McElhone as Alex Kirkman, Maggie Q as Hannah Watts, Kal Penn as Seth Wheeler, Adan Canto as Aaron Shore, Italia Ricci as Emily Rhodes, LaMonica Garrett as James Ritter, and Tanner Buchanan as Leo Kirkman.
“Designated Survivor” is from The Mark Gordon Company and ABC Studios. David Guggenheim is creator and executive producer. In addition to Guggenheim, the series is executive produced by Simon Kinberg, Kiefer Sutherland, Mark Gordon, Nick Pepper, Suzan Bymel, and Aditya Sood. Paul McGuigan directed the first episode.
Based on the novel and movie “Time After Time,” executive producer/writer Kevin Williamson (“The Vampire Diaries,” “Scream” franchise, “Dawson’s Creek”) delivers a fantastical cat and mouse adventure through time when famed science fiction writer H.G. Wells is transported to modern day Manhattan in pursuit of Jack the Ripper. Once H.G. arrives in New York City, he finds a world he never thought possible and a young woman who captivates him.
The series stars Freddie Stroma (“Harry Potter” films) as H.G. Wells, Josh Bowman (“Revenge”) as John Stevenson/Jack the Ripper, Genesis Rodriguez (“Big Hero 6”) as Jane and Regina Taylor (“Dig”) as Vanessa Anders. “Time After Time” is from Outerbanks Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television Williamson and Marcos Siega (“Blindspot,” “The Following”) are executive producers. Siega directed the pilot. Williamson wrote the teleplay. “Time After Time” is based on the novel written by Karl Alexander.
“Still Star-Crossed,” a period drama from Shondaland, picks up where the famous story of Romeo and Juliet ends, charting the treachery, palace intrigue and ill-fated romances of the Montagues and Capulets in the wake of the young lovers’ tragic fate. The series is based on the book by Melinda Taub.
“Still Star Crossed” stars Wade Briggs (“Home and Away”) as Benvolio Montague, Anthony Head as Lord Silvestro Capulet, Zuleikha Robinson as Lady Guiliana Capulet, Lashana Lynch (“The 7.39”) as Rosaline, Ebonee Noel as Livia, Sterling Sulieman as Prince Escalus, Medalion Rahimi as Princess Isabella, Grant Bowler as Damiano Montague, Susan Wooldrigde as Nurse, Torrance Coombs as Paris and Dan Hildebrand as Friar Lawrence.
Heather Mitchell (“Scandal,” “Grey’s Anatomy”) is writer and executive producer, Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers, and Michael Goldstein are executive producers. Michael Offer is executive producer and director of the pilot, from ABC Studios.
“Notorious” is inspired by the true-life stories of famed criminal defense attorney Mark Geragos and cable news producer Wendy Walker, who serve as executive producers. The series is a provocative look at the unique, sexy and dangerous interplay of criminal law and the media. Josh Berman (“Blacklist,” “Bones,” “CSI”) is writer and executive producer, and Allie Hagan (“Suri’s Burn Book”) is writer and co-executive producer.
“Notorious” stars Piper Perabo (“Covert Affairs”) as Julia George, Daniel Sunjata (“Graceland”) as Jake Gregorian, Sepideh Moafi as Megan Byrd, Kate Jennings Grant as Louise Herrick, Ryan Guzman as Ryan, Kevin Zegers as Oscar Keaton, J. August Richards as Bradley Gregorian and Aimee Teegarden as Ella Benjamin. “Notorious” is from Sony Pictures Television and ABC Studios. Michael Engler, Kenny Meiselas, Jeff Kwatinetz and Josh Barry are also executive producers. Michael Engler directed the pilot.
Lawyer and former First Daughter Hayes Morrison (Hayley Atwell, “Marvel’s Agent Carter”) is about to accept a job offered from her sexy nemesis, NY District Attorney Wayne Wallis, to avoid jail time for cocaine possession and avoid hurting her mother’s Senate campaign. Working with his team at the new Conviction Integrity Unit will let her use her brilliant mind to turn over cases where there is credible suspicion of wrongful conviction, and give her a chance to turn things around with her high-powered political family.
In addition to Atwell, “Conviction” stars Eddie Cahill as Wayne Wallis, Shawn Ashmore as Sam Sullivan, Merrin Dungey as Maxine, Emily Kinney as Tess Thompson, Manny Montana as Franklin “Frankie” Rios and Daniel DiTomasso as Jackson Morrison.
Co-created by writer Liz Friedman (“Elementary,” “Marvel’s Jessica Jones”), and director Liz Friedlander (“The Following”), “Conviction” will be executive produced by Mark Gordon (“Criminal Minds,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Saving Private Ryan”). “Conviction” is from The Mark Gordon Company and ABC Studios.
NEW COMEDIES:
Katie Otto (Katy Mixon, “Mike and Molly”), a confident, unapologetic, plump wife and mother of three, raises her flawed family in the wealthy town of Westport, Connecticut, filled with “perfect” mommies and their “perfect” offspring. She lets us in on her deepest, most unfiltered thoughts through voiceover as the she lives her life as the second fattest housewife in Westport.
The series stars Katy Mixon as Katie Otto, Diedrich Bader as Jeff Otto, Johnny Sequoyah as Taylor, Daniel DiMaggio as Harrison, Julia Butters as Anna-Kat, Carly Hughes as Angela and Ali Wong as Doris. American Housewife is written by Sarah Dunn (“Spin City,” “Bunheads”) and produced by Kapital Entertainment and ABC Studios. Aaron Kaplan, Rick Weiner and Kenny Schwartz are executive producers and directed by Ruben Fleischer, also an EP.
Maya DiMeo (Minnie Driver, “About A Boy,” “The Riches,” “Good Will Hunting”) is a mom on a mission who will do anything for her husband Jimmy, her kids Ray, Dylan, and JJ, her eldest son with special needs. As Maya fights injustices both real and imagined, the family works to make a new home for themselves, and searches for just the right person to give JJ his “voice.”
“Speechless” stars Minnie Driver as Maya DiMeo, John Ross Bowie (“The Big Bang Theory”) as Jimmy DiMeo, Mason Cook as Ray DiMeo, Micah Fowler as JJ DiMeo, Kyla Kennedy as Dylan DiMeo and Cedric Yarbrough as Kenneth.
Scott Silveri (“Friends”) writes and is executive producer of the show, along with “Fresh Off the Boat’s” Jake Kasdan and Melvin Mar. The series is from Twentieth Century Fox Television and ABC Studios.
Alice (Jenna Elfman, “Dharma & Greg,” “Friends With Benefits,” “EDtv”) is a fiercely independent career woman whose life is turned upside-down when she meets the love of her life – a divorced father with three kids. This triggers even more upheaval when the slightly unhinged imaginary friend she created as a child suddenly reappears to help her navigate the transition from single girl to a woman ready for a family. The series stars Jenna Elfman as Alice, Stephen Schneider as Ben, Rachel Dratch as Mary (VO), Nicholas Coombe as Andy, Matreya Scarrwener as Dora and Erica Tremblay as Bunny.
The live action/CGI hybrid comes from “The Goldbergs” team Adam F. Goldberg (writer/executive producer), David Guarascio (writer/executive producer) and Doug Robinson (executive producer). Mary CG animation is designed by Patrick Osborne (creator of Academy Award- winning animated short, “The Feast”), who is also executive producer. The pilot was directed by Shawn Levy (“Night at the Museum,” “Cheaper by the Dozen”), who is also executive producer. The series is a co-production with Sony Pictures Television, Happy Madison and ABC Studios.
Based on the web series, “Downward Dog” is about a struggling millennial, Nan (Emmy nominated Allison Tolman, “Fargo”), from the point of view of her lonely and philosophical dog, Martin. One session at obedience school already makes them realize that even at their worst, they may be the best thing for each other.
The series stars Allison Tolman as Nan, Lucas Neff as Jason, Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Jenn, Barry Rothbart as Kevin and Mo Collins as Kim.
“Downward Dog” creators/writers Samm Hodges and Michael Killen will executive produce with Mosaic Media Group’s Jimmy Miller and Sam Hansen, and Animal’s Kathy Dziubek. Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky were executive producers of the pilot. The series is from Legendary Television and ABC Studios.