ABC has opted to give nine scripted series early renewals this season, including Lost (guaranteed two additional seasons after the series' current fourth season), Brothers & Sisters, Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, and Desperate Housewives.These series will all return next season for a place on ABC's fall schedule and have each received a full season pickups for the 2008-09 season.
"The strength of our schedule this fall was unprecedented and speaks for itself," said ABC Entertainment president Stephen McPherson in a statement. "We're looking forward to building on that success."
The Alphabet also granted reprieves to three first-year dramas and one freshman comedy; Pushing Daisies, Dirty Sexy Money, Private Practice, and Samantha Who? will join the above series on the schedule next season.
Good news, right? Well, yes, I am happy that they've gotten another shot on the ratings merry-go-round but as of right now Pushing Daisies and these other returnees have only been granted thirteen episode orders from the network.
Additionally, the three first-year dramas will not return with new installments this season and any produced episodes will be added to their run this fall. (Samantha Who? is the sole freshman series which will air new episodes before May.)
As for the fate of Boston Legal and Men in Trees, neither of which were mentioned by McPherson in the press release, the jury is still out. But it doesn't bode well for either series that they didn't rate a mention... or a renewal.
Meanwhile, Ugly Betty may be returning to the airwaves later this season, but not everyone on the ABC dramedy's staff will be returning to work.
The Hollywood Reporter has reported that executive producers Marco Pennette and James Hayman were let go from Ugly Betty... on the same day that the series snagged a third season pickup.
ABC wouldn't comment on the exits but the series has faced several exits in recent months, such as when five writers were let go between its first and second seasons.
It is expected that Ugly Betty will produce around five new episodes this season.
Stay tuned.
What's On Tonight
8 pm: NCIS (CBS); Biggest Loser (NBC; 8-10 pm); Reaper (CW); Just for Laughs/Just for Laughs (ABC); American Idol (FOX; 8-10 pm)
9 pm: Big Brother 9 (CBS); One Tree Hill (CW); According to Jim/Carpoolers (ABC)
10 pm: Jericho (CBS); Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC); Boston Legal (ABC)
What I'll Be Watching
8-10 pm: Last Restaurant Standing on BBC America.
Suffering from Top Chef withdrawal? Try this addictive British import in the meantime, in which nine couples compete for the chance to open their own restaurant with famed restaurateur Raymond Blanc. (Reviewed here.) On the first episode, each couple has a week to open their own restaurant and go head to head with the other teams while Raymond's inspectors follow their every move. In the second, the bottom three couples face off in an elimination challenge in which they have 48 hours to put on an event. Sharpen your knives...
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