Monday, March 07, 2011
ION Adds Late Night Hours; ABC Family Schedules Original Series Dates for Summer 2011
Sorry to report that nothing new is being added to these new hours, but hopefully something new will come soon rather than just more Ghost Whisperer, Without a Trace or Criminal Minds. ION Television did announce they have acquired crime drama Flashpoint, though. They have rights to all existing episodes, including up to 18 originals which are currently in production and scheduled to air later this year. Additionally, the network has the right to continue original production for season five and beyond. Stay tuned for more info when it is scheduled on the actual schedule.
We gave you updates on ABC Family's four new original series pick-ups, now we have premiere dates for all of them! For the first time in its seven-year history of original programming, the network's slate will be expanded to offer viewers three nights of original programming this summer, including four new original series, three returning hit series and original movies, in addition to showcasing blockbuster theatrical acquisitions.
The Secret Life of the American Teenager will returns on Monday, March 28 with 24 all-new episodes and will premiere throughout the summer on Mondays at 8:00PM ET/PT. It will be finishing off its third season episodes from March 28 to June 6, then it will start on its fourth season episodes. Not sure how many of the season four episodes they plan on airing, but it does look like the second half of season three (11 episodes) will go right into the start of season four! Perhaps the first 13 of season four will air after the final 11 of season three, for a total of 24 all-new episodes?
Airing right after The Secret Life will be new drama Switched at Birth at 9pm starting Monday, June 6. The series will air for 10 straight weeks in the timeslot. The series tells the story of two teenage girls who discover they were accidentally switched as newborns in the hospital and stars newcomer Katie Leclerc as Daphne Vasquez; Vanessa Marano as Bay Kennish; Constance Marie (George Lopez as Regina Vasquez; D.W. Moffett (Friday Night Lights) as John Kennish; Lea Thompson (Caroline in the City) as Kathryn Kennish; Lucas Grabeel as Toby Kennish; and newcomer Sean Berdy as Emmett. Marlee Matlin guest-stars as Melody. Switched at Birth will succeed Make It Or Break It, which wraps up its second season a week before on Monday, May 30.
Moving to Tuesdays, ABC Family's big hit Pretty Little Liars will move back to Tuesdays for its second season, where it aired last summer for the first half of its first season. Currently, the series is airing the second half of its first season on Monday nights at 8pm through March 21. The second season premieres on Tuesday, June 14 at 8pm. The second season premiere will lead into new drama The Nine Lives of Chloe King at 9pm, which follows Chloe King, who is looking forward to celebrating her birthday with her friends and single mother, just like every other year...that is until she starts developing heightened abilities and discovers she's being pursued by a mysterious figure. The drama stars Skyler Samuels (The Gates) as Chloe King; Amy Pietz (The Office) as Meredith King; Grey Damon (True Blood) as Brian; newcomer Grace Phipps as Amy; Benjamin Stone (10 Things I Hate About You) as Alek; Alyssa Diaz as Jasmine; and Ki Hong Lee (The Secret Life of the American Teenager) as Paul. It is unclear how many episodes the series as, but it is likely 10 episodes, like Switched at Birth. It is also unclear if Pretty Little Liars season two will be split up into two batches or run throughout, but it is probably the former.
ABC Family will add Wednesdays to its original series night this summer. Melissa & Joey, the hit comedy starring Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence, will return to complete its first season on Wednesday, June 29, at 8:00pm! The series has a first season order of 30 episodes and 12 aired last summer/early fall. So that means 18 will air this summer. If it airs weekly, that should have it last through the end of October, similar to last year. Following the sitcom will be a new sitcom, The Great State of Georgia, a new a half-hour multi-cam comedy series starring Raven-Symoné as Georgia, an aspiring actress with a larger than life personality, and her science geek best friend, who try to make headway in New York City. The series also stars Majandra Delfino (Roswell) as Jo and Loretta Devine (Grey's Anatomy) as Aunt Honey. It is unclear how many episodes have been ordered, but it is likely 10. And if it does well, I'm sure more will be ordered, like how Melissa & Joey was extended.
Finally, when new drama Switched at Birth completes its 10-episode run, another new drama, The Lying Game, will premiere at 9pm starting Monday, August 15. The drama follows Emma, a kind-hearted foster kid who learns she has an identical twin sister, Sutton. Sutton, unlike Emma, was adopted by wealthy parents and is seemingly living an ideal life. The series stars Alexandra Chando (As The World Turns) as Emma/Sutton; Andy Buckley as Ted; Helen Slater as Kristin; Blair Redford as Garrett; Sharon Pierre-Louis as Nisha; Kirsten Prout (Kyle XY) as Char; Alice Greczyn as Mads; and Allie Gonino (10 Things I Hate About You) as Laurel. The series is based on the novel by author Sara Shepard (Pretty Little Liars). No idea also how many episodes have been ordered, but it seems like 10 episodes. If The Secret Life ends its summer run in early September, then this would mean The Lying Game will probably air for over a month without The Secret Life as its lead-in. If it has 10 episodes, it will air through mid-October.
Movie wise, they announced a new new original two-hour movie, Teen Spirit, premieres on Sunday, August 7, at 8:00pm, during the network's annual summer programming event, "Campus Crush" (Sunday, July 31 through - Tuesday, August 9). The movie stars Lindsey Shaw (Pretty Little Liars) and Cassie Scerbo (Make It or Break It). The network will also present a special summer Harry Potter marathon from Thursday, July 7 through Sunday, July 10, showcasing the first five installments of Warner Bros. Pictures’ hit film franchise, leading into its highly anticipated theatrical release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 2 (in theaters on July 15, 2011). Additionally, the Walt Disney Pictures film G-Force will make its network television premiere on ABC Family in September 2011.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Wednesday, April 17
The Conners - "Toilet Hacks and the Management Track" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
After feeling the cafeteria staff could use some organization, Darlene seeks to be manager of food services at Mark’s college. Elsewhere, Dan teaches housewives the basics of DIY home projects to make some extra money toward paying off the house.
Not Dead Yet - "Not You Yet" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Nell, Lexi and Cricket take Sam out on a "divorce day" to celebrate her singlehood, while Nell makes plans for her future.
Abbott Elementary - "2 Ava 2 Fest" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Ava Fest is back, and with the help of the teachers, Ava’s set on outdoing last year by any means necessary. After Janine accepts the offer for a full-time position at the district, she just has to check off one last thing to make it official.
Animal Control - "Bunnies and Veggies" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
When Frank gets frustrated trying to meet women on dating apps, he asks Emily to set him up on an old-fashioned meet-in-person date; Shred and Patel decide to start renovations on their investment property themselves.
Family Guy - "Faith No More" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
When Brian becomes romantically interested in someone and it inspires him to use Stewie's time machine, strange consequences result from their journey.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of April 15)
Wednesday, April 17
- Rob McElhenney (Mythic Quest/It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) - Watch Rob on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- John Lithgow (Trial & Error/Twenty Good Years/3rd Rock from the Sun) - John appears on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Betsy Sodaro (Ghosts/Duncanville/Disjointed) and Utkarsh Ambudkar (Ghosts/White Famous) - Betsy and Utkarsh are guests on After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
- Max Greenfield (The Neighborhood/New Girl) - Max appears on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10:15pm on Bravo.
- Pam Grier (Bless This Mess) - Pam is a guest on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10:15pm on Bravo.
- Dulcé Sloan (The Great North) - Dulcé hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
- Zendaya (K.C. Undercover/Shake It Up) and Idris Elba (Turn Up Charlie) - Zendaya and Idris are guests on E! News at 11pm on E!.
- Nicole Richie (Great News) - Nicole is chatting with Drew about her new nephew, being a mom to a teenage girl and being a huge fan of the original film she's now starring in on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Candace Cameron Bure (Fuller House/Full House) - Candace discusses her new film Unsung Hero on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
- George Takei (Supah Ninjas) - George talks about My Lost Freedom on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
- The Cast of A Different World - ABC's The View has the 35th-anniversary reunion with the cast of A Different World, including Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Dawnn Lewis, Cree Summer, Darryl Bell and Debbie Allen at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
New on DVD/Blu-ray
12/05 - Father Knows Best - The Complete Series
12/05 - The Odd Couple - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/12 - The Dick Van Dyke Show - The Complete Series
12/12 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)
12/12 - That Girl - The Complete Series
12/15 - Letterkenny - Season 11
12/19 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Official Restored Complete Series
12/22 - Three's Company - The Official 40th Anniversary Collection (includes The Ropers and Three's a Crowd)
01/09 - South Park - Seasons 11-15 (Blu-ray)
01/16 - Ghosts (UK) - Season Five
02/13 - Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/27 - The Really Loud House - Season One
03/12 - Ghosts (UK) - The Complete Series
03/12 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 3 (Blu-ray)
03/12 - Rick and Morty - Season 7 (Blu-ray Steelbook) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
04/03 - Too Close for Comfort - The Complete Series (VEI)
04/08 - Check It Out! - The Complete Series (VEI)
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