Channel Surfing: ABC Clarifies Lost Wreckage Shots, Julie Benz to Return to Dexter, Friday Night Lights Heads to ABC Family and More

Welcome to your Wednesday morning television briefing.

The Los Angeles Times's Maria Elena Fernandez is reporting that the final shots of the Oceanic Flight 815 wreckage that accompanied the closing credits of the series finale of Lost were not placed there by Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, but rather by ABC executives who wanted to "soften the transition from the moving ending of the series to the 11 p.m. news and never considered that it would confuse viewers about the actual ending of the show," according to Fernandez. ABC went on to release a statement to confirm this fact. "The images shown during the end credits of the Lost finale, which included shots of Oceanic 815 on a deserted beach, were not part of the final story but were a visual aid to allow the viewer to decompress before heading into the news," said an ABC spokesperson in a statement. [Editor: I am hoping this finally puts an end to the misread of the series' ending, as some have taken to believing that the passengers of Oceanic Flight 815 died in the initial plane crash, despite the presence of some lengthy exposition from John Terry's Christian Shephard that spelled out about the nature of the purgatory that they had created... and stated that everything that happened on the island, happened in real life.] (Los Angeles Times' Show Tracker)

[Editor: elsewhere, Movieline attempts to solve as many of the 100 "unanswered" questions from Lost, as raised by a recent College Humor video called "Unanswered Lost Questions."]

SPOILER! Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello is reporting that Julie Benz is set to reprise her role as Rita in the first episode of Season Five of Showtime's Dexter but that Benz won't be playing Rita as a ghost. Confused? "We’re not going to do some ghostly thing with her," said executive producer Chip Johannessen. "We reserve those for Harry," executive producer Sara Colleton told Ausiello. "If you have too many things like that it becomes gimmicky." So just how will the writers bring her back from the dead? That's them mystery, although a Showtime spokesperson told Ausiello that Rita's presence will "help Dexter deal with his newfound feelings of loss and grief — emotions he has never really felt before." So interpret that as you will. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

Looks like Friday Night Lights is heading to ABC Family. The cabler has acquired basic cable rights to all five seasons of Friday Night Lights, which airs on DirecTV's Channel 101 (and has a second window on NBC), and plans to launch repeats of Season One in September. "Friday Night Lights is a perfect fit for ABC Family's sensibility for the modern day family program," said Bruce Casino, senior vp of cable sales at NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution, in a statement. "ABC Family will introduce this award-winning show to a whole new audience segment where the series can thrive in its new environment." (via press release)

TNT has ruled out saving Law & Order, according to a statement released to The Los Angeles Times. "We are not in current talks, and we are not interested in a Season 21," said the cabler in a prepared statement. News comes even as creator Dick Wolf attempts to find a savior for the cancelled NBC procedural drama. (Los Angeles Times's Show Tracker)

Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello is reporting that ABC drama Castle will relocate to Wednesdays this summer, a temporary move before it reclaims its Monday night timeslot this fall. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

Brett Davern (Desperate Housewives) and Beau Mirchoff (Case 219) have been cast in MTV drama pilot That Girl, about a high school student who becomes the center of attention when she's involved in an accident that everyone believes was a suicide attempt. (Hollywood Reporter)

Variety's Cynthia Littleton takes a look at MGM's television business, which includes the twelve-episode order for drama Teen Wolf at MTV and its This TV movie channel. (Variety)

CBS has announced launch dates for several of its summer series, including Big Brother (July 8th), Flashpoint (June 4th), and the burn-off of medical drama Three Rivers (June 5th). (Hollywood Reporter)

Meanwhile, international co-production The Bridge, which stars Battlestar Galactica's Aaron Douglas, will premiere on CBS on Saturday, July 10th at 8 pm ET/PT. (via press release)

UK's Channel 4 has commissioned a fifth season of comedy The IT Crowd as creator Graham Linehan prepares to assemble a team of writers. (Broadcast)

Style Network has given a series order to docuseries Too Fat for 15, which will center on "four extremely overweight teens and one preteen whose parents bring them to Wellspring Academy, a weight-loss boarding school in North Carolina." Series will debut in August. (Hollywood Reporter)

Warner Bros. Television has expanded the oversight of executive Lisa Gregorian, who will now serve as both chief marketing officer and EVP. The former title was created specifically for Gregorian. (Variety)

Elsewhere, former Channel 4 executive Simon Andreae has been hired as West Coast SVP of development and production for Discovery Channel. (Variety)

Stay tuned.

CW Unveils Fall Schedule, Moves Supernatural to Fridays, 90210 to Mondays

Welcome to the Day Four of network upfronts 2010 as the annual gathering of advertisers wraps up today.

CW this morning announced its plans for fall, unveiling a schedule that includes two new scripted dramas Nikita and Hellcats.

Among the changes made by the CW, 90210 will move to Mondays at 8 pm, where it will be paired with Gossip Girl, and Supernatural is heading to Fridays (paired with the final season of Smallville), while One Tree Hill and Life Unexpected, both previously on the bubble, will hold down Tuesdays. The two new series will see support from lead-ins America's Next Top Model on Wednesdays (Hellcats) and The Vampire Diaries on Thursdays... which means that new drama Nikita will be competing with FOX's Fringe on Thursdays at 9 pm ET/PT.

"After just four short years as a network, The CW will premiere our strongest schedule ever this fall, with a combination of hit shows and exciting new series giving us all-original programming five nights a week for the first time," said Dawn Ostroff, President of Entertainment, The CW. "We've been growing this network one hit at a time and we're poised for a great 2010-11 season. This year The Vampire Diaries was a smash out of the box for us, and another freshman show, Life Unexpected, also opened strong and began building an intense, loyal following. On the heels of breaking Gossip Girl and 90210 the last two seasons and the enduring popularity of Smallville, Supernatural, One Tree Hill and America's Next Top Model, we had more strong program development and believe we have the goods once again with Nikita and Hellcats, two shows that are fun, fast and loud, and will enable us to make noise in the marketplace this fall. These hot new dramas will extend The CW brand and our hold on the coveted young female demographic, with international action-film star Jackie-Chan protege Maggie Q starring as Nikita, an empowered woman fighting for justice, and Ashley Tisdale of High School Musical and Aly Michalka of Bandslam in Hellcats, a lively new series about a pre-law student whose life turns upside down when she joins the cheerleading team at a major Southern university.

"Additionally, we're excited about two new reality series coming to The CW. First up in summer 2010 will be original programming from Plain Jane, with each week featuring a full-blown makeover for a young woman including a style transformation, new wardrobe and confidence-building assistance from the show's host, British fashion expert, Louise Roe. In addition to this powerful fall schedule, you can expect more news on original programming for next season down the line as we continue to grow our business. We're also as committed as ever to utilizing online, social media and new technologies to attract 'Generation Digital,' the passionate and highly engaged young viewers who get their CW fix whenever and wherever they want it."

UPDATED: CW's full fall schedule can be found below, along with the official press release from the network, descriptions for the new and returning series, and photography for the netlet's two new series.

THE CW’s 2010-2011 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE

MONDAY
8:00-9:00 PM 90210 (New Night)
9:00-10:00 PM GOSSIP GIRL

TUESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM ONE TREE HILL (New Night)
9:00-10:00 PM LIFE UNEXPECTED (New Night)

WEDNESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL
9:00-10:00 PM HELLCATS (New Series)

THURSDAY
8:00-9:00 PM THE VAMPIRE DIARIES
9:00-10:00 PM NIKITA (New Series)

FRIDAY
8:00-9:00 PM SMALLVILLE
9:00-10:00 PM SUPERNATURAL (New Night)

New Series: Nikita, Hellcats

Renewed:: 90210, America's Next Top Model, Gossip Girl, Life Unexpected, One Tree Hill, Smallville, Supernatural, The Vampire Diaries

Cancelled/Ending: The Beautiful Life, Blonde Charity Mafia, Melrose Place

Scheduling Changes: 90210, Supernatural, Life Unexpected, One Tree Hill

Midseason Launches: N/A

THE CW ANNOUNCES 2010-2011 SCHEDULE

NEW FALL SEASON PREMIERES WITH TEN HOURS OF ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING TWO NEW SERIES, "NIKITA" AND "HELLCATS"

ORIGINAL SERIES TO AIR IN EVERY TIME PERIOD, WITH ESTABLISHED FRANCHISES ANCHORING THE 8:00 HOUR ACROSS THE SCHEDULE

West Coast Meets East Coast When Dramas "90210" And "Gossip Girl" Take Up Residence on Monday Nights

Tuesday Night Brings "One Tree Hill" and "Life Unexpected" Together for a Night of Heartfelt Drama

Wednesday Pairs Hit Reality Series "America's Next Top Model" With New Pumped-Up Cheerleader Drama "Hellcats" With Stars Ashley Tisdale and Aly Michalka

On Thursday, Red-Hot Hit "The Vampire Diaries" Teams with New Action-Packed Drama "Nikita," starring International Star Maggie Q

In The Tenth and Final Season of "Smallville," Clark Kent Reunites with The Winchester Brothers When "Smallville" and "Supernatural" Team Up on Friday Nights

Transformational New Reality Series "Plain Jane" Premieres in Summer

Emmy-Nominated Singer/Songwriter Katy Perry Opened the Upfront with her hit singles "California Gurls" and "Hot N Cold"

May 20, 2010 (New York, New York) - The CW Network unveiled the schedule for its 2010-2011 season today at a presentation for advertisers, affiliates and national media in the Theater at Madison Square Garden, where singer Katy Perry rocked the house to open the show. The announcement was made by Dawn Ostroff, President of Entertainment, The CW.

"After just four short years as a network, The CW will premiere our strongest schedule ever this fall, with a combination of hit shows and exciting new series giving us all-original programming five nights a week for the first time," said Ostroff. "We've been growing this network one hit at a time and we're poised for a great 2010-11 season. This year 'The Vampire Diaries' was a smash out of the box for us, and another freshman show, 'Life Unexpected,' also opened strong and began building an intense, loyal following. On the heels of breaking 'Gossip Girl' and '90210' the last two seasons and the enduring popularity of 'Smallville,' 'Supernatural,' 'One Tree Hill' and 'America's Next Top Model,' we had more strong program development and believe we have the goods once again with 'Nikita' and 'Hellcats,' two shows that are fun, fast and loud, and will enable us to make noise in the marketplace this fall. These hot new dramas will extend The CW brand and our hold on the coveted young female demographic, with international action-film star Jackie-Chan protege Maggie Q starring as 'Nikita,' an empowered woman fighting for justice, and Ashley Tisdale of 'High School Musical' and Aly Michalka of 'Bandslam' in 'Hellcats,' a lively new series about a pre-law student whose life turns upside down when she joins the cheerleading team at a major Southern university.

"Additionally, we're excited about two new reality series coming to The CW. First up in summer 2010 will be original programming from 'Plain Jane,' with each week featuring a full-blown makeover for a young woman including a style transformation, new wardrobe and confidence-building assistance from the show's host, British fashion expert, Louise Roe. In addition to this powerful fall schedule, you can expect more news on original programming for next season down the line as we continue to grow our business. We're also as committed as ever to utilizing online, social media and new technologies to attract 'Generation Digital,' the passionate and highly engaged young viewers who get their CW fix whenever and wherever they want it."

On Monday, the Left Coast/Right Coast pairing of 90120 and GOSSIP GIRL will cover a lot of ground with viewers, providing cutting-edge drama, the latest in high fashion and backstabbing betrayal with the beautiful beach-set of 90210 from 8:00-9:00 p.m. and the powerful and privileged Upper East-siders of GOSSIP GIRL from 9:00-10:00 p.m. Despite tough competition last season, 90210 became the most DVR'd show on television, with Live-Plus-7-Day ratings that more than double its women 18-34 audience. Together, 90210 and GOSSIP GIRL have the highest concentration of women 18-34 on network television, and GOSSIP GIRL continues to be one of the most buzzed-about shows on the planet. Next season's premiere will take Serena (Blake Lively), Blair (Leighton Meester) and Chuck (Ed Westwick) to the City of Lights - Paris, France.

On Tuesday, ONE TREE HILL, the show loyal viewers demanded back, finds a new home in the 8:00-9:00 p.m. hour, followed by the second season of LIFE UNEXPECTED, last season's critically acclaimed show about a young girl who reunites with her birth parents after growing up in foster care. LIFE UNEXPECTED has a rapidly growing audience, and the two series are already a tried-and-true teaming, since LIFE UNEXPECTED, premiered at midseason behind ONE TREE HILL with strong audience retention.

On Wednesday, AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL will be back in its successful 8:00-9:00 p.m. timeslot. During its recently completed 14th cycle, TOP MODEL added a new judge, fashion editor Andre Leon Talley, and the show was number one in its time period with women 18-34 and adults 18-34. Last week's cycle 14 finale episode won the 8:00 p.m. hour in women 18-34, adults 18-34, females 12-34 and female teens.

The models give way to cheerleaders when the new drama HELLCATS premieres in the 9:00-10:00 p.m. hour. HELLCATS is a pumped-up drama about a young pre-law student (Aly Michalka, "Bandslam") whose world is turned upside-down when she loses her scholarship and has to join the college's competitive cheerleading squad. This fun, energetic series is a behind-the-scenes look at the drama, politics and pressure surrounding the football program at a Southern university. Ashley Tisdale ("High School Musical") also stars as a young woman who is totally committed to the cheerleading squad to realize her dreams.

The CW broke a major hit on Thursday nights last fall with THE VAMPIRE DIARIES, now the network's top-rated show. The vampires, witches and mere mortals of Mystic Falls will remain in the 8:00-9:00 p.m. timeslot, providing the perfect jumping-off point for the non-stop action and international intrigue of the drama NIKITA from 9:00-10:00 p.m.

NIKITA stars international action-film star and martial arts expert Maggie Q ("Mission Impossible III") in the title role as a spy and assassin for a top secret U.S. government agency, who rebels against the system that created her and will stop at nothing to bring their powerful operation to an end. Shane West ("E.R.") and Lyndsy Fonseca ("Kick Ass") also star.

On Friday, two rock solid hits, SMALLVILLE and SUPERNATURAL, reunite for a great two-hour block. In its explosive tenth and final season, SMALLVILLE will remain in the 8:00-9:00 p.m. timeslot, where it gave the CW its best numbers ever in the time period with scripted programming last year. The series will bring Clark Kent's epic journey to a conclusion worthy of a superhero. In the 9:00-10:00 p.m. hour, the Winchester Brothers continue their heroic battle to ensure that good triumphs over evil, no matter what the personal cost may be to the brothers themselves. Last season, SUPERNATURAL's ratings were up year-to-year with women 18-49.

MONDAY

8:00-9:00 P.M. "90210"

The third season of 90210 welcomes the West Beverly kids to their senior year of high school. It's the time of college acceptances and lovers' rejections, the time of prom dates and promises betrayed, the time of spring break, break-ups and make-ups - but as is always the case in Beverly Hills, it all happens in a world of sun and fun, palm trees and warm sea breezes, success and excess. From the very beginning of the school year, the lives of the West Beverly group will be shaken up in a way none of them could ever imagine. And from this new starting point, their journeys will take them to staggering new heights and terrifying new depths. We'll see the rise of a pop sensation and the fall of a group of friends, the beginning of a new love and the end of a professional dream, the creation of an unlikely family and the demise of another. And that's just the first week of school... It's now or never for the students of West Beverly, and they're not going to waste a moment of time. Expectations are high, hormones are raging, and scandals are hiding around every corner. From the brightest moments of love and happiness to the darkest hours of shame and fear, senior year at West Beverly promises to be an unforgettable journey into the lives, hopes and dreams of those lucky few who call 90210 home. The series stars Lori Loughlin as Debbie Wilson, Shenae Grimes as Annie Wilson, Tristan Wilds as Dixon Wilson, AnnaLynne McCord as Naomi Clark, Ryan Eggold as Ryan Matthews, Jessica Stroup as Silver, Michael Steger as Navid Shirazi, Jessica Lowndes as Adrianna Tate-Duncan, Matt Lanter as Liam Court, Trevor Donovan as Teddy Montgomery and Gillian Zinser as Ivy. 90210 is produced by CBS Television Studios with executive producer Rebecca Sinclair ("Gilmore Girls") and Dave Rosenthal ("Gilmore Girls," "Men in Trees").

9:00-10:00 P.M. "GOSSIP GIRL"

High society and low blows are back as GOSSIP GIRL, a one-hour drama about the scandalous lives of Manhattan's elite, returns for its much-anticipated fourth season. Season three ended with a BANG! as a heartbroken Chuck Bass lay bleeding in the streets of Prague while Blair Waldorf and a newly-single Serena van der Woodsen jetted off to Paris for a fabulous summer abroad. Meanwhile, Nate Archibald fresh off his painful breakup with Serena, decided to take a page out of Chuck's playboy playbook just as Dan Humphrey discovered he was going to have to settle down and be a father - to Georgina Sparks' baby! Season four will open with a radiant Serena and Blair enjoying their grand and romantic summer in Paris... until Chuck mysteriously arrives in town with a new girlfriend and a new identity. Blair swore off Chuck forever but will this changed man woo Blair into having a change of heart, or will Queen B set her sights on ruling Columbia University? And as for that baby... ? The series stars Blake Lively as Serena van der Woodsen, Leighton Meester as Blair Waldorf, Penn Badgley as Dan Humphrey, Chace Crawford as Nate Archibald, Taylor Momsen as Jenny Humphrey, Ed Westwick as Chuck Bass, Jessica Szohr as Vanessa Abrams, Kelly Rutherford as Lily van der Woodsen and Matthew Settle as Rufus Humphrey. Filmed in New York and based on the popular series of young-adult novels by Cecily von Ziegesar, GOSSIP GIRL is from Fake Empire and Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios with executive producers Josh Schwartz ("Chuck," "The O.C."), Stephanie Savage ("The O.C."), Leslie Morgenstein ("The Vampire Diaries"), Bob Levy ("The Vampire Diaries") and Joshua Safran.

TUESDAY

8:00-9:00 P.M. "ONE TREE HILL"

After a seventh season that saw ONE TREE HILL continue to grow and break new ground, the show enters season eight with more than 150 episodes under its belt. The new season finds Brooke Davis happier than ever. Recently engaged to Julian, her wedding will be the captivating affair one might expect from a young, beautiful, successful fashion designer. As Nathan Scott prepares for his second season in the NBA, the Scott family is expecting their second child and Haley feels as though the baby will be a girl. How will she balance her pregnancy while raising Jamie and pursuing her music career? Also, Quinn and Clay's lives hang in the balance, the victims of a brutal attack which affects all of their friends and family. Season eight of ONE TREE HILL will explore the delicate balance that contemporary twenty-somethings face as they endeavor to build and define what their lives will be, while overcoming difficulties and embracing the good things that they sometimes take for granted, shrouded in the pursuit of someday. It will be a celebration of the most important things, among them the quest for love, laughter, health, friends, career and family: timeless pursuits that have always mattered, and matter now, in a place called Tree Hill. The series stars James Lafferty as Nathan Scott, Sophia Bush as Brooke Davis, Bethany Joy Galeotti as Haley James Scott, Robert Buckley as Clay Evans, Austin Nichols as Julian Baker, Shantel VanSanten as Quinn James and Jackson Brundage as Jamie Scott. ONE TREE HILL was created by Mark Schwahn and is executive produced by Schwahn, Joe Davola, Greg Prange, Mike Tollin and Brian Robbins. ONE TREE HILL is a Mastermind Laboratories and Tollin/Robbins Production in association with Warner Bros. Television.

9:00-10:00 P.M. "LIFE UNEXPECTED"

Returning for a second season, LIFE UNEXPECTED is a coming-of-age family drama that centers around 16-year-old Lux, who was given up for adoption at birth but never adopted. When she is put back into the custody of her estranged-since-high-school birth parents, radio show host Cate and bartender Baze, the three form an unlikely family, complicated by the fact that Cate is engaged to her co-host, Ryan. Cate and Baze struggle with becoming insta-parents and raising a daughter they are only now getting to know, while Ryan must deal with the fact that Cate's feelings for Baze aren't entirely in the past. Lux, meanwhile, tries to reconcile her past with her present, often torn between her old friends from foster care and her new family. As the unlikely trio begins to grow up together, Lux encourages Baze to reveal what she already knows - that he is in love with Cate, just like a part of Cate is in love with him. Baze tries to stop Cate's wedding, but when he's too late, Cate marries Ryan. Heading into next season, our unlikely threesome become a foursome as Ryan joins the family. The series stars Shiri Appleby as Cate Cassidy, Kristoffer Polaha as Nate "Baze" Bazile, Britt Robertson as Lux, Austin Basis as Math and Kerr Smith as Ryan Thomas. LIFE UNEXPECTED is produced by CBS Television Studios and Warner Bros. Television in association with Mojo Films with executive producers Liz Tigelaar ("Brothers and Sisters," "What About Brian") and Gary Fleder ("October Road").

WEDNESDAY

8:00-9:00 P.M. "AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL"

Returning with its fifteenth and sixteenth cycles, the runaway runway hit series stars Tyra Banks. The show gives real people an opportunity to prove that they can make it in the high-stress, high-stakes world of supermodeling. With mentoring by Tyra Banks and exposure to high-profile fashion-industry gurus, young women of various backgrounds, shapes and sizes must endure a highly accelerated modeling boot camp and face weekly tests to determine who will make the cut as they vie for a professional modeling contract. The executive producers are Ken Mok ("Making the Band"), Tyra Banks and Laura Fuest. The series was created by Tyra Banks and developed by Mok and Kenya Barris. AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL is produced by 10 by 10 Entertainment in association with Bankable Productions.

9:00-10:00 P.M. "HELLCATS"

HELLCATS is a coming-of-age story about Marti Perkins, a young, pre-law student at Lancer University in Memphis, Tennessee. Marti is cool, hip and alt, but her world flips upside down, literally and figuratively, when she loses her scholarship, and realizes the only way she can stay in school is by reigniting her dormant teen gymnastic skills to win a place on Lancer's legendary cheerleading team, The Hellcats. Against her every instinct, Marti goes for it and makes the squad, and is thrust into a world of camaraderie, backstabbing and the intersection of sports, backroom academia and big money. Marti's new roommate, Savannah Monroe, a petite, peppy Texan, is among the diverse cast of athletes, undergrads, family and friends, all set on the sprawling campus of a powerhouse college football program in the deep South. The series stars Aly Michalka as Marti Perkins, Ashley Tisdale as Savannah Monroe, Heather Hemmens as Alice Verdura, Robbie Jones as Lewis Flynn, Matt Barr as Dan Patch, with Sharon Leal as Vanessa Lodge and Gail O'Grady as Wanda Perkins. HELLCATS is from Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Tom Welling Productions, Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios with executive producers Kevin Murphy ("Desperate Housewives"), Tom Welling ("Smallville") and Allan Arkush ("Heroes," "Crossing Jordan"). The pilot was directed by Allan Arkush.

THURSDAY

8:00-9:00 P.M. "THE VAMPIRE DIARIES"

Returning for its second season, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES is the story of two vampire brothers obsessed with the same beautiful girl, and battling to control the fate of an entire town. During season one, Stefan and Damon Salvatore returned to their hometown of Mystic Falls, Virginia, for very different reasons - Stefan was determined to get to know Elena Gilbert, who bears a striking resemblance to Katherine Pierce, the beautiful but ruthless vampire the brothers knew and loved in 1864, while Damon was intent on releasing Katherine from the tomb where he believed she was trapped by a witch's spell all those years ago. At the end of season one, Elena's uncle set a plan in motion that brought the Founder's Day celebration to an end amid chaos, destruction and death, and saw the return of the vengeful Katherine Pierce. Next season, the appearance of the villainous Katherine in Mystic Falls throws a wrench into the love triangle between Stefan, Elena and Damon, and the other residents of Mystic Falls must choose sides as they fall victim to a new breed of danger. New and unexpected friendships will be forged, allies will become enemies, and hearts will be broken. Stefan and Damon will be forced to face a villain more evil and diabolical than they ever believed possible. And they'll take their shirts off. Frequently. The series stars Nina Dobrev as Elena Gilbert, Paul Wesley as Stefan Salvatore, Ian Somerhalder as Damon Salvatore, Steven R. McQueen as Jeremy Gilbert, Sara Canning as Jenna Sommers, Katerina Graham as Bonnie Bennett, Candice Accola as Caroline Forbes, Zach Roerig as Matt Donovan, Michael Trevino as Tyler Lockwood and Matt Davis as Alaric Saltzman. Based on the series of books by L. J. Smith, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES is from Bonanza Productions Inc., cptfc Outerbanks Entertainment and Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios with executive producers Kevin Williamson ("Scream," "Dawson's Creek"), Julie Plec ("Kyle XY," "Wasteland"), Leslie Morgenstein ("Gossip Girl," "Private") and Bob Levy ("Gossip Girl," "Privileged").

9:00-10:00 P.M. "NIKITA"

When she was a deeply troubled teenager, Nikita was rescued from death row by a secret U.S. agency known only as Division, who faked her execution and told her she was being given a second chance to start a new life and serve her country. What they didn't tell her was that she was being trained as a spy and assassin. Ultimately, Nikita was betrayed and her dreams shattered by the only people she thought she could trust. Now, after three years in hiding, Nikita is seeking retribution and making it clear to her former bosses that she will stop at nothing to expose and destroy their covert operation. For the time being, however, Division continues to recruit and train other young people, erasing all evidence of their former lives and turning them into cold and efficient killers. One of these new recruits, Alex, is just beginning to understand what lies ahead for her and why the legendary Nikita made the desperate decision to run. The series stars Maggie Q as Nikita, Lyndsy Fonseca as Alex, Shane West as Michael, Aaron Stanford as Birkhoff, Ashton Holmes as Thom, Tiffany Hines as Jaden, with Melinda Clarke as Amanda and Xander Berkeley as Percy. NIKITA is from Warner Bros. Television in association with Wonderland Sound and Vision, with executive producers Craig Silverstein ("Bones," "K-Ville"), Danny Cannon ("CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "Chuck"), McG ("Supernatural," "Chuck," "The O.C.," "Charlie's Angels"), and Peter Johnson ("Supernatural," "Chuck"). The pilot was directed by Danny Cannon.

FRIDAY

8:00-9:00 P.M. "SMALLVILLE"

Entering its explosive tenth and final season, SMALLVILLE culminates in the epic rise of the world's ultimate hero - Superman. Finally working alongside the intrepid Lois Lane at the Daily Planet, Clark Kent had accepted his destiny as the guardian of Metropolis when General Zod arrived, challenging Clark's authority and power. Just when the romance between Clark and Lois began to bloom, Clark was called into duty by the legendary Justice Society and his own burgeoning league of heroes to fight the gathering dark forces. As season nine drew to a close, Clark sacrificed himself to save the world from Zod. Season ten promises the classic reuniting of the timeless romance between Clark and Lois, and brings Clark face-to-face with his destiny as he overcomes his final trials and forges the iconic identity that will be known for all time. The series stars Tom Welling as Clark Kent, Erica Durance as Lois Lane, Justin Hartley as Oliver Queen and Cassidy Freeman as Tess Mercer. SMALLVILLE was developed for television by Alfred Gough & Miles Millar ("Shanghai Noon," "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor"), based on the DC Comics characters. Kelly Souders & Brian Peterson serve as executive producers, along with James Marshall, Mike Tollin, Brian Robbins, Joe Davola and Tom Welling. The series is produced by Tollin/Robbins Productions, Millar/Gough Ink and Warner Bros. Television. SUPERMAN was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

9:00-10:00 P.M. "SUPERNATURAL"

Returning for its sixth season, this haunting series follows Sam and Dean Winchester, two brothers bound by tragedy and blood to their dangerous, other-worldly mission. This past season, Dean and Sam faced their toughest foe yet: the Devil himself. As the Apocalypse raged on around them, the brothers, aided only by a dwindling band of fellow hunters and rebel angel Castiel, sought a way to stop Lucifer and save the planet. Ultimately, they discovered a way to force Lucifer back into Hell and end the Apocalypse - but at tremendous cost: Sam's life. Season six will be a season of mystery and shadow. Heaven and Hell have been left in complete disarray since the apocalyptic events of season five. And now, monsters, angels and demons roam across a lawless and chaotic landscape. And so Dean Winchester, who has retired from hunting and sworn never to return, finds himself being pulled back into his old life - pulled back by none other than Sam Winchester, who has escaped from Hell. The two reunite to beat back the rising tide of creatures and demon-spawn, but they quickly realize that neither are who they used to be, their relationship isn't what it used to be, and that nothing is what it seems. The series stars Jared Padalecki as Sam Winchester, Jensen Ackles as Dean Winchester and Misha Collins as Castiel. SUPERNATURAL is from Warner Bros. Television in association with Wonderland Sound and Vision, with executive producers McG ("Nikita," "Charlie's Angels," "The O.C."), Eric Kripke ("Boogeyman"), Robert Singer ("Midnight Caller"), Sera Gamble, Ben Edlund and Phil Sgriccia.

SUMMER

"PLAIN JANE"

PLAIN JANE is a new summer reality series that transforms one woman from the inside out to reveal a brand new woman. Each of the eight episodes will feature a new "Jane" searching for the change of a lifetime. With the help of British fashion expert Louise Roe ("Fashion Police: The 2009 Grammy Awards"), each Plain Jane will receive a head-to-toe style transformation, including new wardrobe and confidence-building exercises. Once the transformation is complete, the formerly Plain Jane will surprise her unsuspecting crush with the new look and reveal her true feelings to him. A love connection is - or isn't - made. Hosted by Louise Roe, PLAIN JANE is executive produced by Allison Grodner ("Big Brother"), Rich Meehan ("Big Brother") and Amy Palmer ("You're Cut Off") for Fly on the Wall Entertainment. The series is distributed by Sony Pictures Television.

CBS Unveils Fall Schedule, Moves The Big Bang Theory to Thursdays, CSI: NY to Fridays

Welcome to the Day Three of network upfronts 2010.

CBS this morning announced its plans for fall, a few hours ahead of its official upfront this afternoon, unveiling a schedule that includes several new scripted series, including dramas Hawaii Five-O, The Defenders,, the untitled Criminal Minds spinoff and comedies Mike & Molly and $#*! My Dad Says.

"We believe television's #1 network just got stronger," said Nina Tassler, President, CBS Entertainment. "New series will be launched behind proven hits and key scheduling moves will help grow nights. Two of the dramas, Hawaii Five-0 and The Defenders, continue our successful evolution in the drama form - character driven with great humor. The third new drama, Blue Bloods, introduces a police drama with a unique family spin. Our two new comedies will definitely make some noise. $#*! My Dad Says is based on a distinctly loud and funny Twitter feed - led by a larger-than-life star in William Shatner. Mike & Molly is a comedy on the romantic side, featuring the trademark humor of TV's reigning king of comedy, Chuck Lorre. And, the best news is that these new series join a schedule deep with hits and leadership in every program genre."

The big news is that CBS is moving Monday night juggernaut The Big Bang Theory to Thursdays at 8 pm, where it will go head to head with NBC's Community as the Eye looks to launch a new comedy toehold on Thursdays. Survivor meanwhile moves to Wednesdays and Fridays will now serve as the home for Medium, CSI: NY, and new drama Blue Bloods.

No additional series were ordered beyond those that CBS formally announced over the weekend, though the network did order four new drama series and two new comedies.

UPDATED: CBS' full fall schedule can be found below, along with the official press release from the network, descriptions for the new and returning series, and photography for the network's new series.

CBS TELEVISION NETWORK
2010-2011 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE
(N=New, NT=New Time, all times ET/PT)

MONDAY
8:00-8:30 PM HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
8:30-9:00 PM RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
9:00-9:30 PM TWO AND A HALF MEN
9:30-10:00 PM MIKE & MOLLY (N)
10:00-11:00 PM HAWAII FIVE-0 (N)

TUESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM NCIS
9:00-10:00 PM NCIS: LOS ANGELES
10:00-11:00 PM THE GOOD WIFE

WEDNESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM SURVIVOR (NT)
9:00-10:00 PM CRIMINAL MINDS
10:00-11:00 PM THE DEFENDERS (N)

THURSDAY
8:00-8:30 PM THE BIG BANG THEORY (NT)
8:30-9:00 PM $#*! MY DAD SAYS (N)
9:00-10:00 PM CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION
10:00-11:00 PM THE MENTALIST

FRIDAY
8:00-9:00 PM MEDIUM (NT)
9:00-10:00 PM CSI: NY (NT)
10:00-11:00 PM BLUE BLOODS (N)

SATURDAY
8:00-9:00 PM CRIMETIME SATURDAY
9:00-10:00 PM CRIMETIME SATURDAY
10:00-11:00 PM 48 HOURS MYSTERY

SUNDAY
7:00-8:00 PM 60 MINUTES
8:00-9:00 PM THE AMAZING RACE
9:00-10:00 PM UNDERCOVER BOSS
10:00-11:00 PM CSI: MIAMI (NT)

New Series: Hawaii Five-O, The Defenders, $#*! My Dad Says, Untitlcd Criminal Minds Spinoff, Mike & Molly

Renewed: 48 Hours Mystery, 60 Minutes, The Amazing Race, The Big Bang Theory, Criminal Minds, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, The Good Wife, How I Met Your Mother, Medium, The Mentalist, NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, Rules of Engagement, Survivor, Two and a Half Men, Undercover Boss

Cancelled/Ending: Accidentally on Purpose, Cold Case, Gary Unmarried, Ghost Whisperer, Miami Medical, The New Adventures of Old Christine, NUMB3RS, Three Rivers

Scheduling Changes: The Big Bang Theory, CSI: NY, Survivor, CSI: Miami

Midseason Launches: Untitled Criminal Minds Spinoff

America's Most Watched Network Adds Five New Series to Its Top-Rated Lineup

New Dramas Include a New HAWAII FIVE-0, Comedic Drama THE DEFENDERS and a Family of NYPD's Finest BLUE BLOODS

Comedies Include a Series Based on a Twitter Feed and a New Show From Chuck Lorre About a Couple Who Find Love at an Overeaters Anonymous Meeting

18 Current Series Return

CBS Unveils Four Key Time Period Moves to Grow Nights and Spread Strength Across the Schedule

THE BIG BANG THEORY Launches New One-Hour Comedy Block Thursday at 8:00 PM

SURVIVOR to Open Wednesdays at 8:00 PM

CSI: NY Moves to Friday at 9:00 PM and CSI: MIAMI to Sunday at 10:00 PM to Power Two Key Time Periods

CBS announced today its new 2010-2011 primetime schedule and the addition of five new series, including three dramas and two comedies, and key scheduling moves to enhance America's most watched lineup.

The new series includes an updated take on the classic series HAWAII FIVE-0; comedic drama THE DEFENDERS starring Jim Belushi and Jerry O'Connell as colorful Las Vegas defense attorneys; drama BLUE BLOODS about a family of NYPD cops starring Tom Selleck and Donnie Wahlberg; a Twitter-inspired comedy, $#*! MY DAD SAYS, starring William Shatner as a father who spouts politically incorrect observations on daily life; and the romantic comedy MIKE & MOLLY, starring Billy Gardell and Melissa McCarthy as a cop and teacher who find love at an Overeaters Anonymous meeting.

"We believe television's #1 network just got stronger," said Nina Tassler, President, CBS Entertainment. "New series will be launched behind proven hits and key scheduling moves will help grow nights. Two of the dramas, ‘Hawaii Five-0' and ‘The Defenders,' continue our successful evolution in the drama form - character driven with great humor. The third new drama, ‘Blue Bloods,' introduces a police drama with a unique family spin. Our two new comedies will definitely make some noise. ‘$#*! My Dad Says' is based on a distinctly loud and funny Twitter feed - led by a larger-than-life star in William Shatner. ‘Mike & Molly' is a comedy on the romantic side, featuring the trademark humor of TV's reigning king of comedy, Chuck Lorre. And, the best news is that these new series join a schedule deep with hits and leadership in every program genre."

The freshman series will be joined by 18 returning shows including the season's #1 drama/scripted program - NCIS; #1 comedy - TWO AND A HALF MEN; #1 new series - UNDERCOVER BOSS, the #1 news magazine - 60 MINUTES, the #1 new drama - NCIS: LOS ANGELES, plus the #1 scripted series in key demos (18-49 and 25-54) - THE BIG BANG THEORY, along with two franchise reality series - SURVIVOR and the seven-time Emmy Award winner THE AMAZING RACE.

Also returning are: HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, THE GOOD WIFE, CRIMINAL MINDS, CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, THE MENTALIST, MEDIUM, CSI: NY, 48 HOURS MYSTERY and CSI: MIAMI.

A spin off of the hit drama CRIMINAL MINDS, starring Forest Whitaker, has been ordered for midseason.

The new 2010-2011 schedule:

On Monday, CBS adds a new Chuck Lorre comedy to television's top-rated comedy block and a big new drama to cap the night. From 8:00-9:00 PM, the established duo of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER and RULES OF ENGAGEMENT returns. Television's top comedy TWO AND A HALF MEN remains at 9:00 PM, serving as a lead-in for the new comedy MIKE & MOLLY, starring Billy Gardell and Melissa McCarthy at 9:30 PM. HAWAII FIVE-0 rides the wave into 10:00 PM.

On Tuesday, CBS's top-rated night remains intact with the #1 rated scripted series, NCIS, at 8:00 PM followed by the #1 new drama, NCIS: LOS ANGELES, at 9:00 PM and the #2 new drama, THE GOOD WIFE, at 10:00 PM.

On Wednesday, CBS makes two strategic time period changes to bookend the night. SURVIVOR provides a potent lead-off hitter at 8:00 PM. The sixth-year hit CRIMINAL MINDS remains at 9:00 PM, providing a strong lead-in to the new drama THE DEFENDERS, starring Jim Belushi and Jerry O'Connell, at 10:00 PM.

On Thursday, CBS opens a new one-hour comedy block on TV's biggest night. THE BIG BANG THEORY, the fastest growing series on television, kicks off the line-up at 8:00 PM, serving as a powerful lead-in for the irreverent new comedy $#*! MY DAD SAYS. The rest of the night remains unchanged with the popular drama block CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION and THE MENTALIST from 9:00-11:00 PM.

On Friday, CBS adds a New York/New York tandem from 9:00-11:00 PM. Veteran drama MEDIUM leads off the night at 8:00 PM. Proven hit CSI: NY moves from Wednesday to serve as the tent pole at 9:00 PM, flowing seamlessly into the NYPD police drama BLUE BLOODS at 10:00 PM.

Saturdays will feature CBS's CRIMETIME programming from 8:00-10:00 PM, followed by the popular true crime series 48 HOURS MYSTERY at 10:00 PM.

On Sunday, a winning crime drama moves to 10:00 PM to anchor one of TV's biggest nights. The perennial #1 news magazine, 60 MINUTES, kicks off its 43rd season at 7:00 PM. The seven-time Emmy Award-winning series THE AMAZING RACE returns at 8:00 PM followed by the first full season of UNDERCOVER BOSS, TV's #1 new show at 9:00 PM, keeping intact a powerful reality block. CSI: MIAMI provides the night's strongest 10:00 PM anchors in years.

The New Comedies are:

$#*! MY DAD SAYS, based on the popular Twitter feed by Justin Halpern, stars Emmy Award winner William Shatner as Ed Goodson, a forthright and opinionated dad who relishes expressing his unsolicited and often wildly politically incorrect observations to anyone within earshot. Nobody is immune from Ed's rants, including his sons, Henry, a struggling writer-turned-unpaid blogger; and Vince (Will Sasso), the meek half of his husband/wife real estate duo with domineering Kathleen (Nicole Sullivan). When Henry finds he can no longer afford to pay rent to his pretty roommate -- and secret admirer -- Sam (Stephanie Lemelin), Ed reveals a soft spot and invites Henry to move in with him. Henry agrees, knowing that the verbal assault will not abate and now there will be no escape. Describing their father/son relationship is tricky - but Ed will easily come up with a few choice words. Emmy Award winners David Kohan and Max Mutchnick are executive producers for Warner Bros. Television. Emmy Award winner James Burrows directed.

MIKE & MOLLY is a comedy from Chuck Lorre ("Two and a Half Men," and "The Big Bang Theory") about a working class Chicago couple who find love at an Overeaters Anonymous meeting. Officer Mike Biggs (Billy Gardell) is a good-hearted cop who sincerely wants to lose weight. Mike's partner, Officer Carl McMillan (Reno Wilson), is a thin, fast-talking wise-guy, who despite his teasing encourages Mike on his road to slimness and romance. While speaking at an O.A. meeting, Mike meets Molly Flynn (Melissa McCarthy), an instantly likeable fourth-grade teacher with a healthy sense of humor about her curves. For Molly, focusing on smart choices isn't easy because she lives with her sexy older sister, Victoria (Katy Mixon), and their mother, Joyce (Swoosie Kurtz), both of whom flaunt their healthy appetites and slender figures. Mike also faces temptation at the diner he and Carl frequent, where they've become friends with the Senegalese waiter, Samuel (Nyambi Nyambi), who finds trying to eat less a foreign concept. For Mike and Molly, thanks to their mutual love of pie and the desire to resist it, finding each other may have been worth the "weight." Chuck Lorre and Mark Roberts are executive producers for Chuck Lorre Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.

The New Dramas are:

HAWAII FIVE-0 is a contemporary take on the classic series about a new elite federalized task force whose mission is to wipe out the crime that washes up on the Islands' sun-drenched beaches. Detective Steve McGarrett (Alex O'Loughlin), a decorated Naval officer turned cop, returns to Oahu to investigate his father's murder and stays after Hawaii's governor persuades him to head up the new team: his rules, her backing, no red tape and full blanket immunity to hunt down the biggest "game" in town. Joining McGarrett is Detective Danny "Danno" Williams (Scott Caan), a newly relocated ex-New Jersey cop who prefers skyscrapers to the coastline but is committed to keeping the Islands safe for his 8-year-old daughter; and Chin Ho Kelly (Daniel Dae Kim), an ex-Honolulu Police Detective wrongly accused of corruption and relegated to a federal security patrol, who is also a former protégé of McGarrett's father. Chin's cousin, Kono (Grace Park), is a beautiful and fearless native, fresh out of the academy and eager to establish herself among the department's elite. McGarrett vows to bring closure to his father's case while the state's brash new FIVE-0 unit, who may spar and jest among themselves, is determined to eliminate the seedy elements from the 50th state. Peter Lenkov, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci are executive producers for CBS Television Studios.

THE DEFENDERS stars Jim Belushi and Jerry O'Connell in a comedic drama about two colorful Las Vegas defense attorneys who go all-in when it comes to representing their clients. Nick and Pete are the local go-to guys with an eclectic client list who are still looking to hit their own jackpot. Leading the law firm of Morelli & Kaczmarek are Nick Morelli (Belushi), an earnest, hard-charging attorney who represents his clients to the best of his ability, no matter how big or small the case, and his partner, Pete Kaczmarek (O'Connell), whose passion for the law is matched only by his love of fast cars, beautiful women and expensive clothes. Joining them in their growing law practice is new associate Lisa Tyler (Jurnee Smollett), an enthusiastic young attorney looking to put her exotic dancing days behind her; and their young assistant, Sophie (Tanya Fischer), a spunky and sweet ingénue who is eager to please her bosses. As Lady Luck shines on their legal careers, the partners have their hands full when it comes to their personal lives. While Pete is busy cruising the Vegas Strip for his latest romantic conquest, Nick is focused on repairing his fractured marriage to his estranged wife, Jessica (Gillian Vigman), while remaining present in the life of their young son. No matter the offense, Nick and Pete aim to prove that when the stakes are high they're willing to bet the house on the clients they defend in Sin City. Carol Mendelsohn, Niels Mueller and Kevin Kennedy, Joe and Harry Gantz, and Davis Guggenheim are the executive producers for CBS Television Studios.

BLUE BLOODS is a drama about a multi-generational family of cops dedicated to New York City law enforcement. Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck) is the New York Chief of Police and patriarch of the Reagan brood, which he heads as diplomatically as he does the force, even when dealing with the politics that plagued his unapologetically bold father, Henry (Len Cariou), during his stint as Chief. A source of pride and concern for Frank is his eldest son Danny (Donnie Wahlberg), a seasoned detective, family man and Iraqi War vet who on occasion uses dubious tactics to solve cases. The sole Reagan woman in the family, Erin (Bridget Moynahan), is a N.Y. Assistant D.A. and newly single parent, who also serves as the legal compass for her siblings and father. Jamie (Will Estes) is the youngest Reagan, fresh out of Harvard Law and the family's "golden boy." However, unable to deny the family tradition, Jamie decided to give up a lucrative future in law and is now a newly minted cop, a career change seemingly supported by his beautiful girlfriend, Sydney Davenport (Dylan Moore), a first year lawyer. Jamie's life takes an abrupt turn, however, when he's asked to become part of a clandestine police investigation even his father knows nothing about, and one that could impact the family's legacy. Emmy Award winners Mitchell Burgess, Robin Green and Leonard Goldberg are executive producers for CBS Television Studios.

The Midseason Series:

CRIMINAL MINDS SPINOFF stars Academy Award-winner Forest Whitaker in a drama about an elite team of agents within the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit who use unconventional methods of investigation and aggressive tactics to capture the nation's most nefarious criminals. Unit chief Special Agent Sam Cooper (Whitaker) is a mentally and physically fierce natural leader who is not afraid to put his career on the line in order to stand by his convictions. Cooper strives to avoid political bureaucracy and has handpicked an eclectic group of profilers to work outside the confines of Quantico: Former British Special Forces soldier Mick Rawson (Matt Ryan), confident and handsome, works as a highly-skilled marksman with an undiluted eye for rooting out evil; John "Prophet" Sims (Michael Kelly), a former convict with a street-smart edge and a calm, Zen-like presence, who is determined to make amends for past sins; and Gina LaSalle (Beau Garrett), an attractive, tough agent armed with a cunning sense of perception. This exceptional group of FBI operatives is strong in their beliefs and steadfast in their mission to bring the country's most dangerous criminals to justice. Chris Mundy, Edward Allen Bernero, Mark Gordon and Deborah Spera are executive producers for ABC Studios in association with CBS Television Studios.

ABC Announces Fall Schedule, Holds V Until Midseason, Slots No Ordinary Family on Tuesdays at 8 pm

Welcome to the Day Two of network upfronts 2010.

ABC this morning announced its plans for fall and midseason, a few hours ahead of its official upfront this afternoon, unveiling a schedule that includes several new scripted series, including dramas No Ordinary Family, Detroit 1-8-7, My Generation, Body of Proof, Off the Map, and The Whole Truth and comedies Better Together, Happy Endings, and Mr. Sunshine.

“Our passion for great storytelling is at the core of everything we do,” said Stephen McPherson, president, ABC Entertainment Group. “Finding and supporting writers, directors, producers and actors who share that passion is critical to our success. Our shows are the product of these collaborations, and we are thrilled to add 10 new series to our schedule next year.”

While much of the schedule remains intact, new series No Ordinary Family and Detroit 1-8-7 will take over Tuesdays, with the Dancing with the Stars Results Show taking over the 9 pm timeslot from current occupant Lost, which wraps its run this weekend. Serialized sci-fi drama V will return in midseason, though executives indicated that the Warner Bros. Television-produced drama could show up on the schedule as early as November.

No additional series were ordered beyond those that ABC formally announced last week, though the network did order six new drama series and three new comedies. On Wednesdays, the current comedy block will be joined by Better Together at 8:30 pm, with The Middle sliding to 8 pm to kick off the night.

UPDATED: ABC's full fall and midseason schedules can be found below, along with the official press release from the network, descriptions for the new and returning series, and photography for the new series.

ABC Fall Primetime Schedule

(new shows noted in bold)

MONDAY:
8:00 p.m. “Dancing with the Stars”
10:00 p.m. “Castle”

TUESDAY:
8:00 p.m. “No Ordinary Family”
9:00 p.m. “Dancing with the Stars the Results Show”
10:00 p.m. “Detroit 1-8-7”

WEDNESDAY:
8:00 p.m. “The Middle”
8:30 p.m. “Better Together”
9:00 p.m. “Modern Family”
9:30 p.m. “Cougar Town”
10:00 p.m. “The Whole Truth”

THURSDAY:
8:00 p.m. “My Generation”
9:00 p.m. “Grey’s Anatomy”
10:00 p.m. “Private Practice”

FRIDAY:
8:00 p.m. “Secret Millionaire”
9:00 p.m. “Body of Proof”
10:00 p.m. “20/20”

SATURDAY:
8:00 p.m. “Saturday Night College Football”

SUNDAY:
7:00 p.m. “America’s Funniest Home Videos”
8:00 p.m. “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”
9:00 p.m. “Desperate Housewives”
10:00 p.m. “Brothers & Sisters”

New Series: No Ordinary Family, Detroit 1-8-7, My Generation, Body of Proof, Off the Map, The Whole Truth, Better Together, Happy Endings, Mr. Sunshine

Renewed: 20/20, America's Funniest Home Videos, The Bachelor, Brothers & Sisters, Castle, Cougar Town, Dancing with the Stars, Desperate Housewives, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Grey's Anatomy, The Middle, Modern Family, Private Practice, Saturday Night Football, Supernanny, V

Cancelled/Ending: Better Off Ted, The Deep End, Eastwick, Find My Family, FlashForward, The Forgotten, Hank, Happy Town, Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, Lost, Romantically Challenged, Scrubs, Shark Tank, Ugly Betty

Scheduling Changes: The Middle, V

Midseason Launches: Mr. Sunshine, Off the Map, Happy Endings

NEW FALL AND MIDSEASON SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

DRAMA:

“BODY OF PROOF”
Dr. Megan Hunt (Dana Delany) was in a class of her own, a brilliant neurosurgeon at the top of her game. But her world is turned upside down when a devastating car accident puts an end to her time in the operating room. Megan resumes her career as a medical examiner, determined to solve the puzzle of who or what killed the victims. Her instincts are sharp, but she’s developed a reputation for graying the lines of where her job ends and where the police department’s begins. It turns out her career isn’t the only thing that will need to be rebuilt; Megan’s family has taken a backseat to her ambition, and now she’s discovering there’s a lot of work to do when it comes to dissecting her relationships with the living.

Dana Delany stars as Dr. Megan Hunt, Jeri Ryan as Dr. Kate Murphy, Geoffrey Arend as Dr. Elliot Gross, John Carroll Lynch as Detective Bud Morris, Windell Middlebrooks as Dr. Curtis Brumfield, Nic Bishop as Peter Dunlap and Sonja Sohn as Detective Samantha Baker.

“Body of Proof” is from ABC Studios. Christopher Murphey wrote the pilot, which was directed by Nelson McCormick. Murphey and Matt Gross serve as executive producers.


“DETROIT 1-8-7”
What does it take to be a detective on America’s most dangerous streets? Get ready to be part of the action when a documentary crew rolls with some of Detroit’s finest, offering an insider’s glimpse behind the curtain of a Homicide Unit. The cameras unearth the crisis and revelation, heartbreak and heroism of these inner city cops -- moments of raw exposure when they address us directly, as well as private moments when they forget they’re being filmed.

There’s the damaged but driven Detective Louis Fitch, a wily homicide vet who is the most respected -- and most misunderstood -- man in the division; Detective Damon Washington, Fitch’s new partner, who finds the first day on the job is a trial by fire, complicated by the imminent birth of his first child; Detective Ariana Sanchez, sexy, edgy and beautiful, who has emerged from a rough background to become a rising star in the department; Narcotics undercover cop John Stone, a streetwise smooth talker, clever and quick with a smile made for the movies, who is teamed with Sanchez -- a combustible pairing rife with conflict and sexual tension; Sergeant Jesse Longford, a 30-year veteran struggling with his impending retirement from the force and the city he loves, who, together with his partner, Detective Aman Mahajan -- a fully Americanized son of Indian immigrants -- form an amusing mismatch of experience and enthusiasm, intellect and instinct, old school and new world, but whose combined skills have never encountered a case that couldn’t be cleared; and all are headed by Lieutenant Maureen Mason, a strong-willed single mom struggling to balance home and work.

The men and women of Detroit Homicide are as smart and tough as they come. They have to be, working the neighborhoods of the once and future Motor City, a rebounding bastion of middle America still saddled with the highest murder rate in the country.

“Detroit 1-8-7” stars Michael Imperioli (“The Sopranos”) as Detective Louis Fitch, Jon Michael Hill as Detective Damon Washington, James McDaniel (“NYPD Blue”) as Sergeant Jesse Longford, Aisha Hinds (“True Blood”) as Lieutenant Maureen Mason, Natalie Martinez as Detective Ariana Sanchez, D.J. Cotrona as Detective John Stone and Shaun Majumder as Detective Aman Mahajan.

The series is produced by ABC Studios. The pilot was written by Jason Richman. Executive producers are Richman, David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman and David Zabel. Jeff Nachmanoff directed the pilot.

“MY GENERATION”
What a difference ten years can make. In 2000, a documentary crew follows a disparate group of high schoolers from Greenbelt High School in Austin, TX as they prepare for graduation, then revisits these former classmates ten years later as they return home to rediscover that just because they’re not where they planned doesn’t mean they’re not right where they need to be.

These students couldn't wait to graduate and head out into the real world. But the world they were entering got very real very fast. As these classmates return home to revisit their old hopes for their future, they'll discover that, even if you don't get exactly what you thought you wanted out of life, it’s not too late to get what you need.

“My Generation” stars Michael Stahl David as Steven, Kelli Garner as Dawn, Jaime King as Jacqueline, Keir O’Donnell as Kenneth, Sebastian Sozzi as Falcon, Mechad Brooks as Rolly, Anne Son as Caroline, Daniella Alonso as Brenda and Julian Morris as Anders.

“My Generation” was created and written by Noah Hawley (“The Unusuals,” “Bones”), who is also an executive producer, along with Warren Littlefield, Henrik Bastin, Patrick Magnasson and Martin Piersson. Craig Gillespie directed the pilot. The project is from ABC Studios.

“NO ORDINARY FAMILY”
The Powells are about to go from ordinary to extraordinary. After 16 years of marriage, Jim and Stephanie’s relationship lacks the spark it once had, and their family life now consists of balancing work and their two children, leaving little time for family bonding. During a family vacation set up by Jim in an attempt to reconnect, their plane crashes into the Amazon River. But this is where the fun starts for the Powells, as they soon discover that something’s not quite right. Each of them now possesses unique and distinct superpowers. But saving and savoring their family life will be equally important, as they try to find purpose for their new powers and embark on a journey to find out what defines and unifies them. The Powells are a totally relatable family who happen to be a little bit amazing.

Michael Chiklis (“The Shield”) stars as Jim Powell, Julie Benz (“Dexter”) as Stephanie Powell, Romany Malco (“The 40-Year-Old Virgin”) as George St. Cloud, Tate Donovan (“Damages”) as Mitch McCutcheon, Autumn Reeser as Katie Andrews, Christina Chang as Yvonne Cho, Kay Panabaker as Daphne Powell and Jimmy Bennett as JJ Powell.

The pilot was written and executive-produced by Jon Feldman. The series is executive-produced by Feldman, Greg Berlanti, Morgan Wandell and David Semel, who also directed the pilot. Joe Hartwick, Jr. serves as producer. “No Ordinary Family” is from ABC Studios.

“OFF THE MAP”
Executive producers Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers (“Grey's Anatomy,” “Private Practice”) and creator Jenna Bans (“Grey's Anatomy”) bring you an uplifting medical drama that explores how far you have to go to truly heal.

Welcome to “la ciudad de las estrellas” (the city of stars), a tiny town in the South American jungle which has one understaffed, under-stocked medical clinic. That’s where idealistic young Dr. Lily Brenner just landed, along with fellow doctors Mina Minard and Manny Diaz. All of these young doctors are running away from personal demons, but they aren’t the only ones with emotional baggage. Take the legendary and enigmatic Ben Keeton, who was the youngest Chief of Surgery at UCLA. He walked away from it all to found the clinic. Together with his right-hand doctor, Otis Cole, he’ll teach these newcomers how to save lives in the most challenging environment they’ve ever worked in.

In this ensemble drama, five doctors who have lost their way will go to the ends of the earth to try to remember the reasons why they wanted to become doctors in the first place.

“Off the Map” stars Martin Henderson as Ben Keeton, Caroline Dhavernas as Lily Brenner, Enrique Murciano as Manny Diaz, Mamie Gummer as Mina Minard, Jason George as Otis Cole, Valerie Cruz as Zita (Zee) and Jose Julian as Charlie.

“Off the Map” is executive-produced by Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers, and created/executive-produced by Jenna Bans. The series is from ABC Studios.

“THE WHOLE TRUTH”
This unique legal drama chronicles the way a case is built from the perspective of both the defense and prosecution. Showing each side equally keeps the audience guessing, shifting allegiances and opinions on guilt or innocence until the very final scene.

Kathryn Peale, the product of a New England background and a sheriff father, is the Deputy Bureau Chief in the New York State District Attorney's office. Jimmy Brogan, born and raised in Hell's Kitchen and a friend of Kathryn's since their days at Yale Law School, is one of New York's rising criminal attorney stars. Buoyed by their respective teams, these evenly matched lawyers — each with a strong streak of competitiveness, a fervent belief in their clients and an equally intense passion for the law — go about creating two different stories from the same set of facts. As this up-close, behind-the-scenes look at the legal process mirrors the excitement of a championship match, it becomes evident that truth has nothing to do with innocence or guilt — at the end of every trial, the only thing that matters is what the jury believes.

“The Whole Truth” stars Rob Morrow (“Numb3rs”) as Jimmy Brogan, Joely Richardson (“Nip/Tuck”) as Kathryn Peale, Eamonn Walker (“Oz”) as Sr. ADA Terrence “Edge” Edgecomb, Sean Wing as Chad Griffin, Anthony Ruivivar as Alejo Salazar and Christine Adams as Lena Boudreaux.

The series is produced by Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Jerry Bruckheimer Television and Warner Bros. Television. The pilot was written and co-executive produced by Tom Donaghy, and the executive producers are Jerry Bruckheimer and Jonathan Littman. Alex Graves was executive producer and director for the pilot, and KristieAnne Reed serves as a co-executive producer.

COMEDY:

“BETTER TOGETHER”
Maddie and Ben have been dating for nine years. They know each other inside and out, a relationship marked by contentment and affection, seeing their commitment to one another as a “valid life choice,” something they proclaim often — and often loudly. Maddie’s younger sister, Mia, has been dating Casey for seven weeks. With a shared c’est la vie attitude, Mia and Casey are smitten with each other, and thrilled to explore the oh-so-many things they don’t know about each other yet. But when they announce they’re getting married and having a baby, it’s news that throws Maddie for a loop. Surprisingly, the girls’ parents, Vicky and Joel, couldn’t be more pleased. Married 35 years, they have recently adopted a carpe diem sort of philosophy, rather like Mia’s, maybe because they’re getting older and lost a good portion of their savings when the economy tanked. With three very different relationships tightly intertwined in one family, will it be free thinkers vs. over-thinkers, or will each couple begin to see things a little bit differently?

“Better Together” stars JoAnna Garcia as Mia, Jennifer Finnigan as Maddie, Josh Cooke as Ben, Jake Lacy as Casey, with Kurt Fuller as Joel and Debra Jo Rupp as Vicky.

The series is from Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Silver and Gold Productions and Warner Bros. Television. Shana Goldberg-Meehan is executive producer and writer. The pilot was directed by James Burrows.

“HAPPY ENDINGS”
Forget who gets to keep the ring – when a couple splits, the real question is, who gets to keep the friends? In this modern comedy, a couple’s break-up will complicate all of their friends’ lives and make everyone question their choices. When life throws you for a curve, hold on tight to the people you love. Every circle of friends has someone who’s the gravitational center. For years, perfect couple Dave and Alex drew their friends in and held them together. Now that they’ve split, does this group have the stuff to stay together? Or do Max, Brad, Jane and Penny have to choose sides? Suddenly every event is a negotiation… like, who gets to go on the annual ski trip? There are a lot of big questions to be answered, but this group has been together so long, somehow, little by little, they’ll figure out how to hold on, even though their center is split up. It helps that Dave and Alex have agreed to stay friends. But there will definitely be other complications down the road – like Penny’s long-suppressed feelings for Dave. What is the waiting period for dating a friend’s ex? This show isn’t afraid to ask the embarrassing personal questions that inevitably arise in every long-term, close-knit group of friends.

“Happy Endings” stars Elisha Cuthbert (“24”) as Alex, Eliza Coupe as Jane, Zachary Knighton as Dave, Adam Pally as Max, Damon Wayans, Jr. as Brad and Casey Wilson as Penny.

From executive producers Jamie Tarses, Jonathan Groff, Anthony & Joe Russo, and co-executive producer David Caspe, “Happy Endings” examines the complex network of long-term friendships. The pilot was written by David Caspe and directed by Anthony & Joe Russo. The series is from Sony Pictures Television and ABC Studios.


“MR. SUNSHINE”
Matthew Perry stars as Ben Donovan, the self-involved manager of a second-rate San Diego sports arena who begins to re-evaluate his life on his 40th birthday. Working alongside him is his boss and arena owner, Crystal -- attractive, powerful and highly erratic; Alice -- the cute, tomboyish marketing director and Ben’s friend with benefits; Alonzo – a former basketball player, handsome and unbelievably happy; Ben’s assistant, Heather – pretty, sweet, but terrifying because she once lit a boyfriend on fire; Crystal’s son, Roman – sweet-faced, clueless and Ben’s newest employee; and a hapless operations crew whom Ben refers to collectively as the “Steves.”

“Mr. Sunshine” stars Matthew Perry (“Friends”) as Ben, Allison Janney (“The West Wing”) as Crystal, Andrea Anders as Alice, James Lesure as Alonzo, Nate Torrence as Roman and Portia Doubleday as Heather.

Matthew Perry, Alex Barnow, Marc Firek, Jamie Tarses and Thomas Schlamme are executive producers. The Pilot was written by Matthew Perry and Alex Barnow & Marc Firek and directed by Thomas Schlamme. “Mr. Sunshine” is a Matthew Perry Production, Shoe Money Production, Barnow and Firek Production and FanFare Production, in association with Sony Pictures Television.

ALTERNATIVE SERIES:

“SECRET MILLIONAIRE”
“Secret Millionaire” is a one-hour alternative series that follows some of America’s wealthiest people for one week as they leave behind their lavish lifestyles, sprawling mansions and luxury jets, conceal their true identities, and go to live and volunteer in some of the most impoverished and dangerous communities in America. Surviving on welfare wages, their mission is to discover the unsung heroes of America -- deserving individuals who continually sacrifice everything to help those in need. Throughout this incredible experience, the Secret Millionaires will attempt to remain undiscovered, coming face to face with extraordinary and amazing people battling the odds every day of their lives. On the final day, in an emotional and dramatic climax, they reveal their true identities. Ultimately, the millionaires will each give away at least $100,000 of their own money, changing lives forever.

Executive producers of “Secret Millionaire” include Grant Mansfield, Claire O'Donohoe and Leslie Garvin. Co-executive producer is Paul Osborne. It’s directed by Bruce Ready and is an RDF USA Production.

RETURNING SERIES:

DRAMAS:

“BROTHERS & SISTERS”
“Brothers & Sisters” heads into its fifth season as executive producers Ken Olin, Greg Berlanti and David Marshall Grant continue to follow the California-based Walker family through the complicated maze of American life today. The compelling one-hour drama series is about a collection of five enmeshed and somewhat damaged adult siblings and their strong but passionately devoted mother, Nora Walker (Oscar and Emmy Award winner, Sally Field). The Walkers’ lives have not been without challenge; romance, parenting, illness, politics, divorce, infidelity, addiction, arrest, war and even death have pushed each of them to the limit, but they continue to work toward living their lives as individuals, while loving each other unconditionally and trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy after the loss and lies of their larger-than-life family patriarch, William Walker.

“Brothers & Sisters” stars Dave Annable as Justin Walker, Maxwell Perry Cotton as Cooper Whedon, Kerris Lilla Dorsey as Paige, Sally Field as Nora Holden, Calista Flockhart as Kitty Walker, Balthazar Getty as Thomas Walker, Rachel Griffiths as Sarah Whedon, Luke Macfarlane as Scotty Wandell, Gilles Marini as Luc Laurent, Matthew Rhys as Kevin Walker, Ron Rifkin as Saul Holden, Emily VanCamp as Rebecca Harper and Patricia Wettig as Holly Harper.

The series is executive-produced by Ken Olin (“Alias,” “thirtysomething”), Greg Berlanti (“Dirty Sexy Money,” “Everwood”), David Marshall Grant, Sarah Caplan and Molly Newman. It’s produced by ABC Studios.

“CASTLE”
When viewers first met Richard Castle -- a famous mystery novelist and divorced father raising his teenage daughter, while being kept grounded by his Broadway diva mother -- he was creatively blocked. But when the NYPD questioned him in connection with a series of murders staged to imitate crime scenes from his books, Castle found inspiration in NYPD Detective Kate Beckett, a bright and aggressive homicide detective with a fascination for odd and offbeat cases stemming from the years-old unsolved murder of her own mother. Though they instantly clashed, sparks of another sort began to fly, leading both to danger and a hint of romance as Castle stepped in to help find the copycat killer. Once that initial case was solved, Castle and Beckett continued to investigate strange homicides in New York, combining Castle’s writer’s intuition and Beckett’s creative detective work. With Beckett as his muse, Castle used his newfound experience in the field as fodder for his latest novel and bestseller, Heat Wave.

During this past season, Castle and Beckett’s relationship has grown stronger as they’ve dodged bullets, captured killers, and solved countless murder cases in their unorthodox partnership. But by the Season Two finale, Beckett’s new relationship with a robbery detective has pushed Castle away, forcing them both to confront their feelings for one another. When Castle leaves to finish writing his second Nikki Heat novel, Naked Heat, Beckett has to watch him walk away, unable to express her true feelings and unsure whether he will return to the precinct.

The series stars Nathan Fillion as Richard Castle, Stana Katic as Detective Kate Beckett, Ruben Santiago-Hudson as NYPD Captain Roy Montgomery, Tamala Jones as Medical Examiner Lanie Parish, Jon Huertas as NYPD Detective Javier Esposito, Seamus Dever as NYPD Detective Kevin Ryan, Molly Quinn as Alexis Castle, with Susan Sullivan as Martha Rodgers.

“Castle” is produced by ABC Studios. Andrew Marlowe serves as executive producer/writer, along with executive producers Rob Bowman, Laurie Zaks and Armyan Bernstein.

“DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES”
The primetime soap with a truly contemporary take on the “happily ever after,” “Desperate Housewives” returns for its seventh season. After losing her business, Bree (Marcia Cross) begins the process of rebuilding her life by telling Gaby (Eva Longoria Parker) a secret that could end their friendship; Lynette (Felicity Huffman) and Tom (Doug Savant) face a rough road ahead as they welcome a fifth child to their ever growing brood; and Susan (Teri Hatcher) and Mike’s (James Denton) financial woes have forced them to rent out their house and leave Wisteria Lane. But when Paul Young (Mark Moses) mysteriously returns to the neighborhood as the new tenant, suspicions will rise.

“Desperate Housewives” stars Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer, Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, Marcia Cross as Bree Hodge, Eva Longoria Parker as Gabrielle Solis, Ricardo Antonio Chavira as Carlos Solis, Doug Savant as Tom Scavo, Kyle MacLachlan as Orson Hodge, Brenda Strong as Mary Alice Young, James Denton as Mike Delfino, Kathryn Joosten as Mrs. McCluskey, Charlie Carver as Porter Scavo, Max Carver as Preston Scavo, Joshua Logan Moore as Parker Scavo, Kendall Applegate as Penny Scavo, Madison de la Garza as Juanita and Mason Vale Cotton as MJ Delfino.

Marc Cherry is executive producer and creator. “Desperate Housewives” is produced by ABC Studios and is the winner of both the 2005 and 2006 Golden Globe® Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy.

“GREY’S ANATOMY”
“Grey's Anatomy” is the recipient of the 2007 Golden Globe® Award for Best Television Series – Drama, and multiple Emmy nominations, including two for Outstanding Drama Series.

The doctors of Seattle Grace Hospital deal with life-or-death consequences on a daily basis -- it’s in one another that they find comfort, friendship and, at times, more than friendship. Together they’re discovering that neither medicine nor relationships can be defined in black and white. Real life only comes in shades of grey.

“Grey’s Anatomy” stars Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey, Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd, Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang, Justin Chambers as Alex Karev, Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey, James Pickens, Jr. as Richard Webber, Sara Ramirez as Callie Torres, Eric Dane as Mark Sloan, Chyler Leigh as Lexie Grey, Kevin McKidd as Owen Hunt, Jessica Capshaw as Arizona Robbins and Kim Raver as Teddy Altman.

“Grey’s Anatomy” was created and is executive-produced by Shonda Rhimes (“Introducing Dorothy Dandridge”). Betsy Beers (“Casanova”), Mark Gordon (“Saving Private Ryan”), Krista Vernoff (“Law & Order”), Rob Corn (“Chicago Hope”), Mark Wilding (“Jake: 2.0”) and Allan Heinberg (“The O.C.) are executive producers. “Grey’s Anatomy” is an ABC Studios production.

“PRIVATE PRACTICE”
From Shonda Rhimes, the Golden Globe®-winning creator of “Grey’s Anatomy,” comes a story about finding a way to begin the rest of your life. Renowned neonatal surgeon Addison Forbes Montgomery moved from Seattle to Los Angeles to reunite with old friends, Naomi and Sam Bennett, and join their medical practice, Oceanside Wellness Group. In the years since Addison’s arrival, the practice has undergone enormous changes, with financial turmoil and personal tragedies taking their toll; Naomi is now at the helm of the competition, Pacific Wellcare, and the doctors split down the middle between the two practices. Their bonds were further tested as friends ran into the unexpected arms -- and beds -- of others for support and comfort. Through it all, these tight knit doctors have worked together to find solutions to their patients’ needs, encountering medical cases that challenge their abilities and their ethical and moral ideals. Now they must deal with the biggest tragedy the practice has ever faced -- the death of one of their own, Dell. These doctors may be pros in the hospital; it’s their private lives that need a little practice.

“Private Practice” stars Kate Walsh as Dr. Addison Forbes Montgomery, Tim Daly as Dr. Pete Wilder, Audra McDonald as Dr. Naomi Bennett, Paul Adelstein as Dr. Cooper Freedman, KaDee Strickland as Dr. Charlotte King, with Taye Diggs as Dr. Sam Bennett and Amy Brenneman as Dr. Violet Turner.

“Private Practice” was created and is executive-produced by Shonda Rhimes. Betsy Beers, Mark Gordon, Mark Tinker, Craig Turk and Steve Blackman are executive producers. The series is produced by ABC Studios.

“V”
Appearances were deceiving in “V,” the thrilling new drama series about the world’s first alien encounter. Simultaneously appearing over every major city in the world, the Visitors (or V’s) arrived offering wonders of technology and promoting peace. While the world quickly embraced the V's as saviors, an FBI Counter Terrorist Agent -- and others making up the resistance group called The Fifth Column -- discovered that the Visitors are not who they said they are. Will humanity stop being fooled and realize the Visitors’ true intentions before it's too late and they take over Earth?

“V” stars Elizabeth Mitchell as Erica Evans, Morris Chestnut as Ryan Nichols, Joel Gretsch as Father Jack, Lourdes Benedicto as Valerie, Logan Huffman as Tyler Evans, Laura Vandervoort as Lisa, with Morena Baccarin as Anna and Scott Wolf as Chad Decker.

“V” is produced by HDFilms in association with Warner Bros. Television. Scott Rosenbaum, Steve Pearlman and Jace Hall are executive producers.

COMEDY:

“COUGAR TOWN”
Courteney Cox stars as Jules Cobb in her Golden Globe®-nominated role as a recently divorced mom in her forties facing the often humorous challenges, pitfalls and rewards of life’s next chapter. Along for the journey are her teenage son, her ex-husband and friends, who together make up her dysfunctional yet supportive and caring extended family... even if they have a funny way of showing it sometimes.

“Cougar Town” stars Courteney Cox as Jules, Christa Miller as Ellie, Busy Philipps as Laurie, Dan Byrd as Travis, Josh Hopkins as Grayson, Ian Gomez as Andy and Brian Van Holt as Bobby.

Bill Lawrence (“Scrubs,” “Spin City”) serves as executive producer/writer/director, Kevin Biegel (“Scrubs”) as writer/co-executive producer, and Courteney Cox and David Arquette are executive producers. The series is produced by ABC Studios.

“THE MIDDLE”
Patricia Heaton stars in this warm and witty single-camera comedy about raising a family and lowering your expectations. Frankie Heck is a superhero. Well, no, not an actual superhero — not unless you count getting her kids out the door for school every morning as a superfeat. Middle-aged, middle class and living in the middle of the country, this harried wife and working mother of three uses her wry wit and sense of humor to try to get her family through each day intact. Frankie and husband Mike raise their kids with love and solid Midwestern practicality. Axl is the oldest, a teenage jock who eats the family out of house and home and walks around in his underwear. Then there’s Sue, their extraordinarily ordinary pre-teen daughter who fails at everything she tries with great gusto. Brick, the youngest son, is an odd kid whose best friend is his backpack. Together, they’re putting THE MIDDLE on the map.

“The Middle” stars Patricia Heaton as Frankie, Neil Flynn as Mike, Charlie McDermott as Axl, Eden Sher as Sue, Atticus Shaffer as Brick and Chris Kattan as Bob.

“The Middle” is created and executive-produced by Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline, and is a production of Warner Bros. Television.

“MODERN FAMILY”
Today’s American families come in all shapes and sizes. The cookie cutter mold of man + wife + 2.5 kids is a thing of the past, as this comedy takes a modern and often hilarious look at the complications that come with being a family today.


“Modern Family” stars Ed O’Neill as Jay, Sofía Vergara as Gloria, Julie Bowen as Claire, Ty Burrell as Phil, Eric Stonestreet as Cameron, Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell, Sarah Hyland as Haley, Ariel Winter as Alex, Nolan Gould as Luke and Rico Rodriguez as Manny.

The Golden Globe®-nominated and Peabody Award-winning series is produced by Twentieth Century Fox Television in association with Levitan Lloyd Productions. Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd are executive producers/co-creators.


ALTERNATIVE

“AMERICA’S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS”
“America’s Funniest Home Videos” will celebrate its 21st season when it returns in the fall. Hosted by Tom Bergeron, the series is the longest-running primetime show in ABC history and has been entertaining viewers for decades by showing what happens when adults, children and even inanimate objects are at their spontaneous best. “America’s Funniest Home Videos” has given away over $11 million in prize money and evaluated more than half a million videotapes from home viewers. Viewers wishing to submit home videos to “America’s Funniest Home Videos” should visit www.ABC.com for details.

Vin Di Bona is executive producer, with Todd Thicke and Michele Nasraway serving as co-executive producers.

“THE BACHELOR”
ABC’s “The Bachelor” is the original primetime romance reality series that offers one lucky man and 25 lucky women the unique opportunity to find true love. This season the hit series will feature its 15th edition with the new Bachelor getting to know 25 women via a series of social gatherings and exotic, romantic dates – some in groups, some individually. He will introduce some of the women to his family and will visit their hometowns for a slice of their lives in an effort to determine the woman with whom he is most compatible. At the end of the journey, filled with drama and surprises, the Bachelor may quite possibly have found true love. But the big question is: After all of this, will he pop the question, and will she say yes?

“The Bachelor” is hosted by Chris Harrison and produced by Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television. Mike Fleiss and Martin Hilton are executive producers.

“DANCING WITH THE STARS”
Hosted by Tom Bergeron (“America’s Funniest Home Videos”) and Season 7 champion Brooke Burke, “Dancing with the Stars” challenges celebrities from the worlds of Hollywood, sports and beyond to perform choreographed ballroom routines ranging from the Foxtrot to the Cha-cha-cha. Celebrities are paired with some of the top professional ballroom dancers in the world, and their live televised performances are judged by renowned ballroom judge Len Goodman and dancer/choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.

“Dancing with the Stars” is the U.S. version of the international smash hit series, “Strictly Come Dancing.” This version is produced by BBC Worldwide Productions. Conrad Green serves as executive producer and Rob Wade is co-executive producer. Alex Rudzinski directs.

“EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION”
Put together one very run-down house, a deserving family, several opinionated designers, seven days and what do you get? The answer is “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” Joining the series for Season 8 will be Jillian Harris (a successful designer for restaurants, residences, furniture and fashion who previously was featured as “The Bachelorette” in Season 5), Xzibit (a tireless performer in music, film and television) and Leigh Anne Tuohy (also a successful interior decorator, best known for being portrayed by Sandra Bullock in this year’s Oscar-winning film, “The Blind Side”). All three were “Get on the Bus” celebrity volunteers during Season 7 and were so incredibly moved by their experiences they asked to join the design team.

Each episode is self-contained and features a race against time on a project that would ordinarily take at least four months to achieve, involving a team of designers, contractors and several hundred volunteer workers who all have just seven days to totally rebuild and decorate an entire house – every single room, plus the exterior and landscaping. The result should be a decorator’s delight…if it can be done in time. And continuing for Season 8, “Get on the Bus” will feature more big-name celebrities as volunteers – last season, Mary J. Blige, Tyler Perry, David Cook, Usher, Jewel, Sheryl Crow, Christian Slater and Jessica Alba were among the many stars who helped out on the builds.

The show has won two Emmy Awards® for Outstanding Reality Program, plus two People’s Choice Awards, the Family Television Award for Best Alternative/Reality Program, an NAACP Award as Outstanding Reality Series, and a Service to American Leadership Award presented by The National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation.

The returning designers include team leader Ty Pennington, with Paul DiMeo, Paige Hemmis, Michael Moloney, Ed Sanders, Tracy Hutson, Eduardo Xol and John Littlefield. “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. David Goldberg is Chairman, Endemol North America. The executive producers will be Brady Connell and George Verschoor.
“SUPERNANNY”
“Supernanny” kicks off its seventh season with Jo Frost criss-crossing America, taking on some of its toughest parenting challenges. She can tame the wildest toddler, soothe the savage six-year-old and get the most difficult child to overcome problems with behavior, sleep, mealtime, potty training and other challenges that have vexed parents around the world for centuries. The series debuted in America in early 2005 and captivated the country with Jo’s practical, no-nonsense style, honed over 20 years of nannying. “Supernanny” is now an international phenomenon; it airs in 172 territories, almost all of them with Frost as Supernanny. The series was nominated for a People’s Choice Award.

Nick Powell is the creator and executive producer of both the American and British versions of the show. Nick Emmerson and Stephanie Schwam are executive producers of the American version. “Supernanny” is produced by Shed Media US.

“20/20”
ABC News’ acclaimed series “20/20” has distinguished itself as one of the most esteemed news programs in broadcast journalism. Amid the heated, competitive environment of primetime entertainment, “20/20” has demonstrated its ability to consistently attract a significant segment of the viewing audience by offering viewers more choices and more chances to learn about the world around them. For over three decades, “20/20” has continued to combine hard-hitting investigative reports, newsmaker interviews and compelling human interest and feature stories that have changes lives.

The program is co-anchored by the broadcast team of Elizabeth Vargas and Christopher Cuomo, both award-winning journalists.

FOX Announces Fall and Midseason Schedules, Glee Moves to 8 pm (Gets Post-Super Bowl Spot), Dramas on Fridays

Welcome to the first day of network upfronts 2010.

FOX this morning announced its plans for fall and midseason, a few hours ahead of its official upfront this afternoon, unveiling a schedule that includes several new scripted series, including dramas Lonestar, Ride-Along, and Terra Nova and comedies Bob's Burgers, Raising Hope, Running Wilde, Traffic Light, and Mixed Signals.

Among the scheduling decision unveiled this morning by FOX: con man drama Lonestar will get the post-House slot vacated by 24, while Glee will slide to 8 pm ET/PT on Tuesdays, followed by a one-hour comedy block comprised fo Raising Hope and Running Wilde. Fridays look to be a place where FOX is looking to gain some traction with first-run dramas Human Target and The Good Guys landing at the end of the week. (Whether they will prove to be more successful there than say, Dollhouse or Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles remains to be seen.)

Shawn Ryan's Ride-Along, animated comedy Bob's Burgers, and comedy Mixed Signals will be held for midseason, along with the return of American Idol.

Good news for Thursdays: FOX is keeping the lineup of Bones and Fringe intact. (Whew.)

"FOX has been the No. 1 network for six consecutive seasons not only because our programs are hits, but also because they're the most engaging shows on television," said Peter Rice, Chairman, Entertainment, Fox Networks Group. "We're very excited to add a full slate of creative, original new series next season that will help us continue to capture imaginations and draw people back to FOX week after week."

"Last season, we did what FOX does best: we took some risks that paid off. Now we're going to up the ante with an even more diverse and creative roster of programs for next year," said Kevin Reilly, President, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. "With three daring new dramas, a fresh new animated series and three new live-action comedies, we're positioned to rebuild the FOX comedy brand, introduce the next generation of unique characters and deliver an even more compelling experience for our viewers next season."

UPDATE: FOX's full fall and midseason schedules can be found below, along with the official press release from the network, descriptions for the new fall and midseason series, and photography for the new series.

FOX FALL 2010 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE
(All Times ET/PT)

MONDAY
8:00-9:00 PM HOUSE
9:00-10:00 PM LONESTAR (new)

TUESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM GLEE
9:00-9:30 PM RAISING HOPE (new)
9:30-10:00 PM RUNNING WILDE (new)


WEDNESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM LIE TO ME
9:00-10:00 PM HELL’S KITCHEN


THURSDAY
8:00-9:00 PM BONES
9:00-10:00 PM FRINGE


FRIDAY
8:00-9:00 PM HUMAN TARGET
9:00-10:00 PM THE GOOD GUYS


SATURDAY
8:00-8:30 PM COPS
8:30-9:00 PM COPS
9:00-10:00 PM AMERICA’S MOST WANTED


SUNDAY
7:00-8:00 PM THE OT (NFL post-game)
8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS
8:30-9:00 PM THE CLEVELAND SHOW
9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY
9:30-10:00 PM AMERICAN DAD


FOX MIDSEASON 2011 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE

(All Times ET/PT)


MONDAY
8:00-9:00 PM HOUSE
9:00-10:00 PM LONESTAR (new) / RIDE-ALONG (new)

TUESDAY
8:00-9:30 PM AMERICAN IDOL Performance Show
9:30-10:00 PM RUNNING WILDE (new) / MIXED SIGNALS (new; spring)


WEDNESDAY
8:00-8:30 PM RAISING HOPE (new)
8:30-9:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL Results Show
9:00-10:00 PM GLEE


THURSDAY
8:00-9:00 PM BONES
9:00-10:00 PM FRINGE


FRIDAY
8:00-9:00 PM HUMAN TARGET
9:00-10:00 PM KITCHEN NIGHTMARES


SATURDAY
8:00-8:30 PM COPS
8:30-9:00 PM COPS
9:00-10:00 PM AMERICA’S MOST WANTED


SUNDAY
7:00-7:30 PM THE SIMPSONS (encores)
7:30-8:00 PM AMERICAN DAD
8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS
8:30-9:00 PM BOB’S BURGERS (new)
9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY
9:30-10:00 PM THE CLEVELAND SHOW

New Series: Bob's Burgers, Raising Hope, Lonestar, Ride-Along, Running Wilde, Mixed Signals, The X Factor

Renewed: American Dad, American Idol, America's Most Wanted: America Strikes Back, Bones, The Cleveland, COPS, Family Guy, Fringe, Glee, Hell's Kitchen, House, Human Target, Kitchen Nightmares, Lie to Me, The Simpsons

Cancelled: 24, Brothers, Dollhouse, Our Little Genius, Past Life, Sit Down, Shut Up, Sons of Tucson, 'Til Death, The Wanda Sykes Show

Scheduling Changes: Glee, Lie to Me

Midseason Launches: Bob's Burgers, Ride-Along, Terra Nova, Mixed Signals

FOX ANNOUNCES PRIMETIME SLATE

FOR 2010-2011 SEASON

FOUR NEW COMEDIES, THREE NEW DRAMAS JOIN SCHEDULE

FALL TUESDAY COMEDY BLOCK TO FEATURE

NEW FAMILY COMEDY “RAISING HOPE”

AND NEW ROMANTIC COMEDY “RUNNING WILDE”

STARRING WILL ARNETT AND KERI RUSSELL

COMPELLING NEW DRAMA “LONESTAR” TO DEBUT IN FALL

NEW ACTION-ADVENTURE FAMILY DRAMA “TERRA NOVA”

SLATED FOR MIDSEASON

NEW ANIMATED COMEDY “BOB’S BURGERS”

AND NEW FAST-PACED DRAMA “RIDE-ALONG” TO PREMIERE MIDSEASON

NEW ENSEMBLE COMEDY “MIXED SIGNALS”

TO DEBUT IN SPRING

Special Episode of GLEE to Air Following SUPER BOWL XLV
Sunday, February 6, 2011
New York (Monday, May 17, 2010) – Peter Rice, Chairman, Entertainment, Fox Networks Group; and Kevin Reilly, President, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company, today unveiled the FOX primetime schedule for the 2010-2011 television season to the national advertising community during its annual Programming Presentation at The New Beacon Theatre.

“FOX has been the No. 1 network for six consecutive seasons not only because our programs are hits, but also because they’re the most engaging shows on television,” said Rice. “We’re very excited to add a full slate of creative, original new series next season that will help us continue to capture imaginations and draw people back to FOX week after week.”

“Last season, we did what FOX does best: we took some risks that paid off. Now we’re going to up the ante with an even more diverse and creative roster of programs for next year,” said Reilly. “With three daring new dramas, a fresh new animated series and three new live-action comedies, we’re positioned to rebuild the FOX comedy brand, introduce the next generation of unique characters and deliver an even more compelling experience for our viewers next season.”

GLEE, the No. 1 new series of this season among Adults 18-49 and key demos, returns for its sophomore season to anchor a new Tuesday comedy block. Premiering this fall is RAISING HOPE, the new family comedy from Emmy Award winner Greg Garcia (“My Name Is Earl”), starring Lucas Neff (“The Beast”), Martha Plimpton (“How To Make It In America”), Garret Dillahunt (“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”) and Academy and Emmy Award winner Cloris Leachman (“Malcolm In The Middle”). The sweet, offbeat comedy follows Jimmy Chance (Neff), a well-meaning screw-up trying his best to raise his infant daughter with the help of the eccentric family who did a less-than-stellar job of raising him.

Also debuting this fall is RUNNING WILDE, the new romantic comedy from “Arrested Development’s” Jim Vallely, Mitch Hurwitz and Will Arnett. Starring Arnett (“30 Rock”) and Keri Russell (“Waitress,” “Felicity”), the comedy centers on a lovable, but immature playboy (Arnett) trying desperately to win (or buy) the heart of his childhood sweetheart (Russell), the über-liberal humanitarian who got away.

LONESTAR, a sophisticated and provocative drama set against the sprawling backdrop of big Texas oil, will premiere this fall. From Chris Keyser and Amy Lippman (“Party of Five”), writer Kyle Killen and directed by Marc Webb (“(500) Days of Summer”), the compelling series stars newcomer James Wolk as a charismatic and brilliant schemer who has entangled himself in a deep, complex web from which he can’t break free. He’s caught between two very different lives and two very different women.

TERRA NOVA, an epic family adventure 85 million years in the making, is the new event drama slated for midseason from executive producers Steven Spielberg (“Jurassic Park,” “The Pacific”), Peter Chernin, Brannon Braga (24, “Star Trek: Enterprise”) and David Fury (24, “Lost”). The action-adventure series follows an ordinary family on an extraordinary journey back in time to prehistoric Earth as a part of a massive expedition to save the human race.

Joining the Sunday ANIMATION DOMINATION lineup in midseason is BOB’S BURGERS, a new animated comedy series from creator Loren Bouchard (“Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist”) about a man, his family and their floundering burger joint. Despite the greasy counters, lousy location and occasionally spotty service, Bob and his lovable and quirky family are convinced their burgers are their ticket to success.

The new drama scheduled for a midseason debut is RIDE-ALONG. From creator Shawn Ryan (“The Shield,” “The Unit”), the fast-paced series, shot on location in Chicago and starring Jason Clarke (“Public Enemies”), Jennifer Beals (LIE TO ME) and Delroy Lindo (“Kidnapped”), will take audiences on an unflinching and unpredictable ride through the streets of Chicago to navigate crime and corruption with the most respected – and notorious – cops in the city.

MIXED SIGNALS, scheduled for a spring premiere, is a new relationship comedy created by Bob Fisher (“Wedding Crashers”) about three longtime friends and their attempts to balance their committed relationships with their desire for freedom. The ensemble comedy stars Nelson Franklin (“I Love You, Man”), David Denman (“The Office”), Kris Marshall (HUMAN TARGET), Liza Lapira (“Dexter”) and Alexandra Breckenridge (FAMILY GUY) and reveals how friendships and romances enhance – and further complicate – the lives of men and the women who love them.

It was also announced that a very special GLEE will air following SUPER BOWL XLV on Sunday, February 6. GLEE, the most award-winning series of the year, will then make its spring premiere Wednesdays following AMERICAN IDOL.

Other FOX series returning in 2010-2011 include: AMERICAN DAD (Season 6), AMERICAN IDOL (Season 10) AMERICA’S MOST WANTED (Season 24), BONES (Season 6), THE CLEVELAND SHOW (Season 2), COPS (Season 23), FAMILY GUY (Season 8), FRINGE (Season 3), THE GOOD GUYS (Season 1), HELL’S KITCHEN (Seasons 7 and 8), HOUSE (Season 7), HUMAN TARGET (Season 2), KITCHEN NIGHTMARES (Season 3), LIE TO ME (Season 3), THE SIMPSONS (Season 22) and SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (Season 7). Specials returning to the FOX schedule include NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE and TEEN CHOICE 2010.

NEW SERIES SYNOPSES
The following new comedies will premiere this fall on FOX:

RAISING HOPE

RAISING HOPE is a new single-camera family comedy from Emmy Award winner Greg Garcia (“My Name Is Earl”) that follows the Chance family as they find themselves adding an unexpected new member into their already terribly flawed household. At 23 years old, JIMMY CHANCE (Lucas Neff, “The Beast”) is going nowhere in life. He skims pools for a living, parties every night and still lives at home with his family, including his MAW MAW (guest star Academy Award and Emmy Award winner Cloris Leachman); his mother, VIRGINIA (Martha Plimpton, “How to Make It in America”); his father, BURT (Garret Dillahunt, “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles,” “Damages”); and his cousin, MIKE (Skyler Stone, “The Mentalist,” “Dollhouse”). Jimmy’s life takes a drastic turn when a chance romantic encounter with LUCY (guest star Bijou Phillips, “Choke,” “Almost Famous”) goes awry once he discovers she is a wanted felon. Months later, when Jimmy pays a visit to the local prison, he discovers Lucy gave birth to their baby, who he is now charged with raising. At home with his new daughter, Jimmy’s family is less than enthusiastic about a new addition to the household. His parents, who had him when they were 15, never knew anything about raising a child and have no interest in trying again. If Jimmy can work up the nerve to ask her out on a date, he might get some help from SABRINA (Shannon Woodward, “The Riches,” “ER”), a sardonic checkout clerk he met at the supermarket. Cousin Mike is only concerned about how the baby is going to affect their social life, and out-of-touch Maw Maw is no help either. But Jimmy is determined to take care of his baby – whom Virginia thinks they should name HOPE. With very few useful skills but their hearts in the right place, will the Chance family be successful when they step into the unpredictable and immensely challenging world of parenting?

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Amigos de Garcia Productions, 20th Century Fox Television

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/WRITER: Greg Garcia

DIRECTOR: Michael Fresco

CAST: Garret Dillahunt as Burt, Lucas Neff as Jimmy, Martha Plimpton as Virginia, Skyler Stone as Mike, Shannon Woodward as Sabrina

GUEST CAST: Cloris Leachman as Maw Maw, Bijou Phillips as Lucy

RUNNING WILDE

From the Emmy Award-winning creator and the star of the critically acclaimed FOX series “Arrested Development” comes RUNNING WILDE, a romantic comedy starring Will Arnett (“Arrested Development,” “30 Rock”) as STEVE WILDE, a filthy-rich, immature playboy trying desperately to win (or buy) the heart of his childhood sweetheart, EMMY KADUBIC (Keri Russell, “Waitress,” “Felicity”), the über-liberal humanitarian who got away – all told through the perspective of a 12-year-old girl. Steve Wilde has never performed a selfless act. But why should he – he’s rich! The son of an oil tycoon, Steve hasn’t had to work a day in his life and has always gotten everything he’s wanted – with one exception: the love of Emmy. The daughter of a former Wilde housekeeper, Emmy is an earnest do-gooder who has spent her adult life trying to save the world. And though Emmy is content living with an indigenous tribe in the Amazon rainforest, her 12-year-old daughter, PUDDLE (Stefania Owen, “The Lovely Bones”), just wants to be a normal kid experiencing her adolescence in a normal place. And she would speak up except for the fact that she hasn’t spoken in years. When Wilde Oil’s expansion in the rainforest threatens her adopted tribe, Emmy decides to attend Steve’s self-thrown “Humanitarian of the Year” award ceremony in hopes of convincing him to help her cause…and also maybe because she still has a thing for Steve. But same-old Steve is unwilling to help because fighting Wilde Oil (a/k/a Dad) means putting his meal ticket in jeopardy. Rather than run the risk of letting Emmy slip away again, Steve pulls out all the stops to win her heart. To do so, he enlists the only other people in his life who can help: MIGO SALAZAR (Joe Nuñez, “Superbad,” “Prison Break”), Steve’s employee/sidekick/errand-boy, and GERTIE STELLVERTRETTER (Jayne Houdyshell, “Law & Order”), Steve’s nanny-turned-head-of-security as well as the biggest protector of Steve…and her own job. Despite having everything he ever wanted, Steve knows he can’t buy love and happiness, which falls in sharp contrast to Emmy, who has nothing but love and happiness. So with Emmy committed to doing good for nothing, and Steve being a good for nothing, will this hopelessly mismatched pair ever be able to reconcile their differences?

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Tantamount Studios, Five Hole Pictures, Principato-Young Management, Lionsgate Television
CREATORS/WRITERS: Mitch Hurwitz, Jim Vallely, Will Arnett
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Mitch Hurwitz, Jim Vallely, Will Arnett, Eric Tannenbaum, Kim Tannenbaum, Peter Principato, Paul Young, Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

DIRECTORS: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
CAST: Will Arnett as Steve Wilde, Keri Russell as Emmy Kadubic, Stefania Owen as Puddle Kadubic, Joe Nuñez as Migo Salazar, Jayne Houdyshell as Gertie Stellvertretter


The following new drama will debut this fall on FOX:

LONESTAR

From Chris Keyser and Amy Lippman, the creators of “Party of Five”; Marc Webb, the director of “(500) Days of Summer”; and creator Kyle Killen, comes LONESTAR, a provocative soap set against the backdrop of big Texas oil. ROBERT/BOB ALLEN (newcomer James Wolk) is a charismatic and brilliant schemer who has meticulously constructed two lives in two different parts of Texas. He’s juggling two identities and two women in two very different worlds – all under one mountain of lies. As “Bob,” he lives in Houston and is married to CAT (Adrianne Palicki, “Friday Night Lights”), the beautiful daughter of CLINT (Jon Voight, 24, “Midnight Cowboy”), the patriarch of an ultra-wealthy Texas oil family. More than 400 miles away in the suburban west Texas town of Midland, he’s “Robert,” living a second life with his sweet, naïve girlfriend, LINDSAY (Eloise Mumford, “Mercy,” “Law & Order: SVU”). In Midland, he plays the perfect boyfriend while secretly bilking local investors of their savings. In Houston, he’s a devoted husband, charming Cat and her family to cement his position in the rich family business he aims to clean out. Bob has lived both lives successfully for years without arousing any suspicions…so far. While one brother-in-law, DREW (Bryce Johnson, “Popular,” “The Mentalist”), admires Bob, his other brother-in-law, TRAMMELL (Mark Deklin, “Nip/Tuck,” “Desperate Housewives”), is suspicious of his motives. Bob begins to fear his secret lives may unravel. With the cons closing in on him, Bob is divided by his love for two women; his loyalty to his father and mentor, JOHN (David Keith, “An Officer and a Gentleman,” “The Class”); and his respect for his father-in-law, Clint. Now as he tries to hold his two lives together, while fending off angry investors and the suspicions of those around him, Bob puts it all on the line hoping he can beat the odds, leave the schemes behind and keep two separate relationships afloat.

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: 20th Century Fox Television, Depth of Field Productions, Keyser/Lippman Productions
CREATOR/WRITER: Kyle Killen
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Kyle Killen, Kerry Kohansky, Paul Weitz, Chris Keyser, Amy Lippman
DIRECTOR: Marc Webb
CAST: James Wolk as Robert/Bob Allen, Eloise Mumford as Lindsay, David Keith as John Allen, Adrianne Palicki as Cat Thatcher, Mark Deklin as Trammell Thatcher, Bryce Johnson as Drew Thatcher, Jon Voight as Clint Thatcher


The new animated comedy joining the FOX schedule in mideason is:

BOB’S BURGERS

BOB’S BURGERS is a new animated series about a man, his family and a burger joint. A third-generation restaurateur, BOB BELCHER (H. Jon Benjamin, FAMILY GUY, “Archer”) runs Bob’s Burgers with the help of his wife and their three kids. Bob has big ideas about burgers, condiments and sides, but only a few thoughts on customer service and business management. Despite his greasy counters, lousy location and occasionally spotty service, Bob is convinced his burgers speak for themselves. Even though business is slow, Bob gets to work with his family. His wife, LINDA BELCHER (John Roberts, “The Christmas Tree,” “Jackie & Debra”), supports Bob’s dream through thick and thin (but truth be told, she’s getting a little sick of the thin). Their eldest daughter, TINA (Dan Mintz, “Important Things with Demetri Martin,” “The Andy Milonakis Show”), is a 13-year-old hopeless romantic with minimal social skills. Middle child GENE (Eugene Mirman, “Flight of the Conchords,” “Aqua Teen Hunger Force”) is an aspiring musician and a prankster who serves up more jokes than burgers. Their youngest, LOUISE (Kristen Schaal, “Flight of the Conchords,” “Modern Family”), is the most enthusiastic about her dad’s business, but an off-balance sense of humor and her elevated energy level make her somewhat of a liability in the kitchen. Beyond the restaurant is a city rich with character. Next door to Bob’s is It’s Your Funeral Home and Crematorium; down the street is Wonder Wharf, the oceanside amusement pier; and a few blocks away is Wagstaff Middle School, where Bob and Linda’s kids go to school. And across the street is Jimmy Pesto’s Pizzeria, Bob’s Burgers’ main competition and the thorn in Bob’s side.

PRODUCTION COMPANY: 20th Century Fox Television
CREATOR: Loren Bouchard
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS/WRITERS: Loren Bouchard, Jim Dauterive
DIRECTOR: Anthony Chun
VOICE CAST: H. Jon Benjamin as Bob Belcher, John Roberts as Linda Belcher, Kristen Schaal as Louise Belcher, Eugene Mirman as Gene Belcher, Dan Mintz as Tina Belcher


The two new dramas slated for midseason debuts are:

TERRA NOVA

From executive producers Steven Spielberg, Peter Chernin, Brannon Braga (24, “Star Trek: Enterprise”) and David Fury (“Lost,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) comes an epic family adventure 85 million years in the making. TERRA NOVA follows an ordinary family embarking on an incredible journey back in time to prehistoric Earth as a small part of a massive experiment to save the human race. In the year 2149 the world is dying. The planet is overdeveloped, overcrowded and overpolluted. With the majority of plant and animal life extinct, devotion to science has brought mankind to the brink of destruction, but has also provided its only hope for salvation. Knowing there is no way to reverse the damage to the planet, a coalition of scientists has managed to open up a fracture in the space-time continuum, creating a portal to prehistoric Earth. This doorway leads to an amazing world, one that allows for a last-ditch effort to save the human race…possibly changing the future by correcting the mistakes of the past. The series centers on the Shannon family as they join the tenth pilgrimage of settlers to TERRA NOVA, the first colony of humans in this second chance for civilization. JIM SHANNON, a devoted father with a checkered past, guides his family through this new land of limitless beauty, mystery and terror. Jim’s wife, ELISABETH SHANNON, is a trauma surgeon chosen through a global lottery as a new addition to Terra Nova’s medical team. JOSH SHANNON is their son, mourning the girl he left behind, as he’s torn between two role models – his father and the charismatic COMMANDER FRANK TAYLOR, the leader of the settlement, and the heroic first pioneer through the time portal. MADDY SHANNON, Jim and Elizabeth’s teen daughter, is as independent and adventurous as her parents, but her distrust of authority soon leads her on a dangerous path. In addition to blue skies, rolling rivers and lush vegetation, TERRA NOVA offers new opportunities and fresh beginnings to its recent arrivals, but the Shannons have brought with them a familial secret that may threaten their citizenship in this utopia. Additionally these adventurers soon discover that this healthy, vibrant world is not as idyllic as it initially appears. The areas surrounding Terra Nova are filled with dangerous dinosaurs, and other prehistoric threats, as well as external forces that may be intent on destroying this new world before it begins. But perhaps even more threatening than what lies outside the protective walls is the Shannons’ realization that something sinister may be happening inside TERRA NOVA as not everyone on this mission has the same intentions of how best to save mankind.

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: 20th Century Fox Television, DreamWorks Television, Kapital Entertainment, Chernin Entertainment

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Steven Spielberg, Peter Chernin, Craig Silverstein, Kelly Marcel, Brannon Braga, David Fury, Aaron Kaplan, Katherine Pope, Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank

RIDE-ALONG

The city of Chicago is a paradox that serves as the setting for RIDE-ALONG, a new drama from Shawn Ryan (“The Shield,” “The Unit”). During a ride-along, a civilian spends a shift in the passenger seat of a squad car, observing the work day of a police officer. But in this series, the audience is the passenger, taking an unpredictable ride through the streets of Chicago and navigating crime and corruption with the most respected – and notorious – cops in the city. JAREK WYSOCKI (Jason Clarke, “Public Enemies,” “Brotherhood”) is a local legend and larger-than-life veteran of the Chicago Police Department. Like the city of Chicago, Jarek is razor blades and brass knuckles wrapped in politeness and egoless charm – a man who throws away partners the way others throw away tissues. TERESA COLVIN (Jennifer Beals, LIE TO ME, “The L Word”) arrived at the pinnacle of the Chicago Police Department in a short period of time. She’s determined to implement changes before the mud that is Chicago politics clogs her office. As a result of Teresa’s difficult choices, she has made some powerful enemies along the way, including two street gangs, the police officers’ union and a city alderman who proves to be a dangerous adversary. Jarek’s new partner, CALEB EVERS (Matt Lauria, “Friday Night Lights”), is a smart and observant young detective who desperately wants to prove himself. He is savvier and more observant than most people give him credit for, and just might make the perfect yin to Jarek’s yang. Also in Jarek’s charge is his niece, VONDA WYSOCKI (Devin Kelley, “Tease”), a rookie beat cop whose father, Jarek’s brother, was killed in the line of duty when she was young. Jarek keeps close tabs on her and is less than thrilled to discover she’s falling for her partner, ISAAC JOINER (Todd Williams, “In Plain Sight,” “CSI”), a charismatic cop who takes unnecessary risks on the job that land him and Vonda in some dangerous situations. ALDERMAN RONIN GIBBONS (Delroy Lindo, “Kidnapped”) is a building-magnate-turned-politician who has ruled his ward with a velvet glove for three decades. Jarek and Teresa are convinced Gibbons and his cohorts, including LIAM HENNESSEY (Billy Lush, “The Black Donnellys”), an Irish tough guy in Gibbons’ construction empire, are dirty to the core, but they’ve never had the evidence to prove it. When a murder investigation leads them to Gibbons, they are determined to bring him to justice and clean up Chicago – if that’s even possible.

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: 20th Century Fox Television, MiddKid Productions
CREATOR/WRITER: Shawn Ryan
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Shawn Ryan, Charles McDougall
DIRECTOR: Charles McDougall
CAST: Jason Clarke as Jarek Wysocki, Jennifer Beals as Teresa Colvin, Matt Lauria as Caleb Evers, Devin Kelley as Vonda Wysocki, Todd Williams as Isaac Joiner, Billy Lush as Liam Hennessey, Delroy Lindo as Alderman Ronin Gibbons


The following new comedy will premiere in the spring:

MIXED SIGNALS

MIXED SIGNALS is a new comedy series about three longtime friends and their attempts to reconcile the irreconcilable: to balance their relationships with their need for freedom. The series reveals how friendships and romances enhance – and further complicate – the lives of men and the women who love them. ETHAN (Kris Marshall, HUMAN TARGET, “My Family”) is the perpetual bachelor. He loves women, and when he’s in, he’s all in – at least for three weeks. Charming, genuine and hopelessly independent, Ethan is finding out that as he gets older, the pool of women who are willing to take things day by day is rapidly evaporating. ADAM (Nelson Franklin, “The Office,” “I Love You Man”) recently moved in with his girlfriend, CALLIE (Alexandra Breckenridge, FAMILY GUY), and is learning how vastly different “she comes over a lot” and “she lives with me” really are. Adam is discovering there isn’t much “me” time any more, there’s only “us” time. MIKE (David Denman, “The Office”) is a married lawyer still trying to figure out the male-female dynamic. He wants nothing more than to be a good family man to his wife, LISA (Liza Lapira, “Dexter,” “Dollhouse”), and his infant son, but he’s also trying to carve out a little space for himself. Currently that space is in his car, where he watches action movies in 15-minute chunks while telling his wife he’s stuck in traffic.

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: 20th Century Fox Television, Keshet Broadcasting Ltd.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Bob Fisher, David Hemingson, Avi Nir, Ran Sarig, Adir Miller, Elad Kuperman

DIRECTOR: Chris Koch

WRITER: Bob Fisher

CAST: Alexandra Breckenridge as Callie, David Denman as Mike, Nelson Franklin as Adam, Liza Lapira as Lisa, Kris Marshall as Ethan

NBC Unveils Fall Schedule, Bumps Parks and Recreation to Midseason, Slots Undercovers on Wednesdays, Mondays Now Action Evening

Welcome to the unofficial first day of network upfronts 2010.

NBC this afternoon announced its plans for fall, ahead of its official upfront tomorrow, unveiling a schedule that includes several new scripted series, including dramas Undercovers, Chase, The Event, Law & Order: Los Angeles, Outlaw, Outsourced, Love Bites, Harry's Law, and The Cape, comedies Friends With Benefits, Perfect Couples, and The Paul Reiser Show, and reality series School Pride and America's Next Great Restaurant.

Having already made the bulk of their pickup announcements over the last two weeks, the word from the Peacock wasn't all that surprising in terms of new content, though the vast majority of the ordered series will sit on the shelf until midseason, with only  Law & Order: Los Angeles, Undercovers, The Chase, The Event, Outsourced, Love Bites, and Outlaw earning spots on the fall sked.

What is surprising was that NBC would shift Law & Order: Special Victims Unit out of the 10 pm hour and would hold critical darling Parks and Recreation until midseason, rearranging the Thursday night comedy lineup to bump 30 Rock behind Community at 8:30 and giving new comedy Outsourced the post-Office slot at 9:30 pm, despite having gone into production on Parks and Rec's third season straightaway to accommodate Amy Poehler's pregnancy.

NBC also defied expectations by positioning J.J. Abrams and Josh Reims' new espionage dramedy Undercovers on Wednesdays at 8 pm ET/PT, rather than on Mondays, as had been the conventional thinking. (Though it's worth noting that the move splits up action-comedies Chuck and Undercovers, both produced by Warner Bros. Television, rather than stacking the similarly-themed programs on the same night.)

And Chuck will stay put on Mondays at 8 pm ET/PT, where it will hold onto its timeslot come this fall. While NBC has only reportedly ordered thirteen episodes of the action-comedy, it's possible that the Peacock will revisit  the episodic order later on in the game once it sees the numbers for the first part of Season Four.

“This new schedule brings NBC back to basics with its commitment to quality scripted programming,” said Jeff Gaspin, Chairman, NBC Universal Television Entertainment. “Our new shows are distinctive and feature a combination of the biggest talent, the brightest new stars and the strongest auspices in television. With this new schedule, we're poised to take the next step toward our long-term goals with a lineup that has stabilized and has been building solid momentum through the second half of the season.”

“Our team has been working tirelessly to achieve our ambitious goals and we are so pleased to see that these new series demonstrate tremendous upside for NBC,” said Angela Bromstad, President, Primetime Entertainment, NBC and Universal Media Studios. “We feel that this development season introduces shows that will become part of the great programming legacy of our network.”

UPDATED: NBC's full fall schedule can be found below, along with the official press release from the network and photos and descriptions for the new fall and midseason series.... and now video as well.

NBC's Fall 2010 Schedule
(New series noted in bold.)

MONDAY
8-9 pm: Chuck
9-10 pm: THE EVENT
10-11 pm: CHASE

TUESDAY
8-10 pm: The Biggest Loser
10-11 pm: Parenthood

WEDNESDAY
8-9 pm: UNDERCOVERS
9-10 pm: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
10-11 pm: LAW & ORDER: LOS ANGELES

THURSDAY
8-8:30 pm: Community
8:30-9 pm: 30 Rock
9-9:30 pm: The Office
9:30-10 pm: OUTSOURCED
10-11 pm: LOVE BITES

FRIDAY
8-9 pm: Who Do You Think You Are?/SCHOOL PRIDE
9-10 pm: Dateline NBC
10-11 pm: OUTLAW

SATURDAY
8-11 pm: Drama Repeats

SUNDAY
7-8:15 pm: Football Night in America
8:15-11:30 pm: NBC Sunday Night Football

SUNDAY (beginning March 2011)
7-8 pm: Dateline NBC
8-9 pm: Minute to Win It
9-11 pm: The Celebrity Apprentice

New Series: Undercovers, Chase, The Event, Law & Order: Los Angeles, School Pride, Outlaw, Outsourced, Love Bites, The Cape, Friends With Benefits, Perfect Couples, Harry's Law, The Paul Reiser Show, America's Next Great Restaurant

Renewed: 30 Rock, The Apprentice, The Biggest Loser, Chuck, Community, Football Night in America, Friday Night Lights, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Marriage Ref, Minute to Win It, The Office, Parenthood, Parks and Recreation, Saturday Night Live, The Sing-Off, Sunday Night Football, Who Do You Think You Are?

Cancelled: Heroes, The Jay Leno Show, Law & Order, Mercy, Trauma

Scheduling Changes: Parks and Recreation, The Marriage Ref, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Midseason Launches: The Cape, Friends With Benefits,
Perfect Couples, Harry's Law, The Paul Reiser Show, America's Next Great Restaurant

NBC UNVEILS 2010-11 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE ACCENTED BY FIVE NEW COMEDIES, SEVEN NEW DRAMAS AND NEW ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM
The New Fall Schedule Features All-Drama Lineups on Mondays and Wednesdays and All Comedies on Thursdays, Plus Unscripted Programming into Compatible Dramas on Tuesdays and Fridays

New Comedies Include “Friends With Benefits,” “Outsourced,” “Perfect Couples," “Love Bites” and “The Paul Reiser Show”

New Dramas Are “Undercovers,” “The Event,” “Chase,” “Law & Order: Los Angeles,” “Outlaw,” “The Cape” and “Harry’s Law”; And New Alternative Show “School Pride”

NEW YORK CITY -- May 16, 2010 - NBC announced today its 2010-11 primetime schedule that is highlighted by five new comedies, seven new drama series and one new alternative program, including shows from such innovative hit-makers as J.J. Abrams, Jerry Bruckheimer and David E. Kelley, among others.

The high-quality series include new comedies such as “Outsourced," "Love Bites," “Perfect Couples," "Friends With Benefits" and “The Paul Reiser Show." The new dramas are “The Cape,” “Harry’s Law,” “Outlaw,” “Undercovers,” “The Event,” “Chase” and “Law & Order: Los Angeles.”

The schedule features all-drama lineups on Mondays and Wednesdays and five comedies on Thursdays. Tuesdays will continue to combine the similar appeal of "The Biggest Loser" with "Parenthood," and Fridays will team "Who Do You Think You Are?" and the new series “School Pride” with "Dateline NBC" and the new legal drama "Outlaw."

NBC will also broadcast a 35th anniversary “Saturday Night Live” special that will celebrate the iconic late-night series’ long and eventful run on NBC since 1975.

The announcements were made by Jeff Gaspin, Chairman, NBC Universal Television Entertainment, and Angela Bromstad, President, Primetime Entertainment, NBC and Universal Media Studios.

“This new schedule brings NBC back to basics with its commitment to quality scripted programming,” said Gaspin. “Our new shows are distinctive and feature a combination of the biggest talent, the brightest new stars and the strongest auspices in television. With this new schedule, we're poised to take the next step toward our long-term goals with a lineup that has stabilized and has been building solid momentum through the second half of the season.”

“Our team has been working tirelessly to achieve our ambitious goals and we are so pleased to see that these new series demonstrate tremendous upside for NBC,” said Bromstad. “We feel that this development season introduces shows that will become part of the great programming legacy of our network.”

On Mondays (all times ET), NBC leads off with “Chuck” from 8-9 p.m., followed by two new and intense hour-long dramas - “The Event” (9-10 p.m.) and “Chase” (10-11 p.m.). Then on Tuesdays, NBC returns with its powerful stories from the hit alternative series “The Biggest Loser” (8-10 p.m.) and finishes the night with the acclaimed family drama “Parenthood” (10-11 p.m.).

NBC's Wednesday night features three hours of drama programming beginning with the new series “Undercovers” from J.J. Abrams (8-9 p.m.), “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9-10 p.m.) and the new “Law & Order: Los Angeles” at 10-11 p.m. concludes the night.

Primetime Thursdays feature wall-to-wall comedy as this season’s freshman sensation “Community” continues at 8-8:30 p.m. followed by the Emmy Award-winning “30 Rock” (8:30-9 p.m.). The Emmy-winning “The Office” continues 9-9:30 p.m. and will be followed by the new comedy “Outsourced” (9:30-10 p.m.). Now NBC’s comedy fans get an extra round of laughs when the new, hour-long comedy “Love Bites” debuts at 10-11 p.m. “Parks and Recreation” will return to Thursdays later in the season to give the night more original programming.

Fridays come alive with a fresh mix of reality, news and a new scripted drama as the popular “Who Do You Think You Are?” returns at 8-9 p.m. where it shares the time period with “School Pride” -- a new, proactive and inspiring series about rebuilding a community’s schools. “Dateline NBC” continues at 9-10 p.m. with its compelling personal stories. The workweek ends with “Outlaw,” a new courtroom drama featuring Emmy winner Jimmy Smits as a former U.S. Supreme Court justice.

The wildly successful “NBC Sunday Night Football” reigns supreme again on Sundays (8:15-11:30 p.m.) preceded by “Football Night in America” (7-8:15 p.m.).

Sundays beginning March 2011, the popular competition series "Minute to Win It" returns (8-9 p.m.) followed by "The Celebrity Apprentice" (9-11 p.m.)

The new series “The Cape,” “Friends With Benefits,” “Perfect Couples,” “Harry’s Law" and “The Paul Reiser Show" will premiere later in the season along with a new version of “The Apprentice” “The Marriage Ref” and the new series “America’s Next Great Restaurant” -- starring acclaimed celebrity chef/restaurateur Bobby Flay.

Series Descriptions:

New Dramas

‘THE EVENT’ -- "The Event" is an emotional, high-octane conspiracy thriller that follows Sean Walker (Jason Ritter, "The Class"), an Everyman who investigates the mysterious disappearance of his fiancée, Leila (Sarah Roemer, "Disturbia"), and unwittingly begins to expose the biggest cover-up in U.S. history.  Sean's quest will send ripples through the lives of an eclectic band of strangers, including: newly elected U.S. President Martinez (Golden Globe nominee Blair Underwood, "Dirty Sexy Money"); Sophia (Emmy Award nominee Laura Innes, "ER"), who is the leader of a mysterious group of detainees; and Sean’s shadowy father-in-law (Scott Patterson, "Gilmore Girls").  Their futures are on a collision course in a global conspiracy that could ultimately change the fate of mankind.  Ian Anthony Dale ("Daybreak") and Emmy winner Željko Ivanek (“Damages”) also star in the ensemble drama.  “The Event” is a production of Universal Media Studios and Steve Stark Productions. Stark (“Medium,” “Facing Kate”) serves as executive producer, Nick Wauters ("The 4400," "Eureka") is creator/co-executive producer and Jeffrey Reiner (“Friday Night Lights,” “Trauma”) is the director/executive producer; Evan Katz (“24”) also is an executive producer.

‘UNDERCOVERS’ – Acclaimed writer/producer/director J.J. Abrams (“Star Trek," "Fringe," "Lost," "Alias") serves as co-writer, executive producer – and also directs – his first direction of a TV series pilot since “Lost” in “Undercovers” with executive producer/writer Josh Reims (“Brothers and Sisters”).  “Undercovers” is a sexy, fun, action-packed spy drama that proves once and for all that marriage is still the world's most dangerous partnership.  Outwardly, Steven Bloom (Boris Kodjoe, “Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Family Reunion,” “Soul Food,” "Resident Evil: Afterlife") and his wife, Samantha (Gugu Mbatha-Raw, “Doctor Who,” “Bonekickers”), are a typical married couple who own a small catering company in Los Angeles and are helped by Samantha’s easily frazzled younger sister, Lizzy (Jessica Parker Kennedy, “Smallville”).  Secretly, the duo were two of the CIA’s best spies until they fell in love on the job five years ago and retired.  When fellow spy and friend Nash (Carter MacIntyre, "American Heiress") goes missing while on the trail of a Russian arms dealer, the Blooms are reinstated by boss Carlton Shaw (Gerald McRaney, "Deadwood") to locate and rescue Nash.  The pair is thrust back into the world of espionage as they follow leads that span the globe -- and Steven and Samantha realize that this supercharged, undercover lifestyle provides the excitement and romance that their marriage has been missing.  Also starring is Ben Schwartz (NBC’s “Parks and Recreation”).  "Undercovers" is from Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Bad Robot Productions and Warner Bros. Television.  The pilot was written by J.J. Abrams & Josh Reims and directed by Abrams.  Abrams, Reims and Bryan Burk ("Fringe," "Lost, "Alias") are the executive producers.



‘THE CAPE’ – "The Cape" is a one-hour drama series starring David Lyons ("ER") as Vince Faraday, an honest cop on a corrupt police force, who finds himself framed for a series of murders and presumed dead. He is forced into hiding, leaving behind his wife, Dana (Jennifer Ferrin, "Life on Mars") and son, Trip (Ryan Wynott, "Flash Forward"). Fueled by a desire to reunite with his family and to battle the criminal forces that have overtaken Palm City, Faraday becomes "The Cape" his son's favorite comic book superhero -- and takes the law into his own hands.  Rounding out the cast are James Frain ("The Tudors") as billionaire Peter Fleming -- The Cape's nemesis -- who moonlights as the twisted killer: Chess; Keith David ("Death at a Funeral") as Max Malini, the ringleader of a circus gang of bank robbers who mentors Vince Faraday and trains him to be The Cape, Summer Glau ("Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles") as Orwell, an investigative blogger who wages war on crime and corruption in Palm City; and Dorian Missick ("Six Degrees") as Marty Voyt, a former police detective and friend to Faraday.  "The Cape" is a Universal Media Studios and BermanBraun production from executive producer/creator Thomas Wheeler (“Empire”), executive producer/director Simon West (“Con Air”), the executive producing team of Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun (NBC’s “Mercy), and executive producer Gene Stein (“Accidentally on Purpose”).

‘CHASE’ – “Chase” is a fast-paced drama from Emmy Award-winning executive producer Jerry Bruckheimer (“CSI” franchise, “The Amazing Race,” “Pirates of the Caribbean” films) and executive producer Jennifer Johnson (“Cold Case”) that drops viewers smack into the middle of a game of cat-and-mouse as a team of U.S. marshals hunts down America's most dangerous fugitives.  Kelli Giddish (“Past Life”) stars as U.S. Marshal Annie Frost, a cowboy boot-wearing deputy whose sharp mind and unique Texas upbringing help her track down the violent criminals on the run.  Cole Hauser (“K-Ville”), Amaury Nolasco (“Prison Break”), Rose Rollins ("The L Word”) and Jesse Metcalfe (“Desperate Housewives”) also star as members of Frost’s elite team.  “Chase” is produced by Bonanza Productions Inc., in association with Jerry Bruckheimer Television and Warner Bros. Television.  Bruckheimer, Jonathan Littman (“CSI” franchise, “The Amazing Race,” "Cold Case”) and Johnson serve as executive producers, while KristieAnne Reed is co-executive producer.  David Nutter (“The Mentalist,” “Without a Trace” “The X-Files”) directed and is executive producer of the pilot that was written by Johnson.



‘OUTLAW’ -- Starring Emmy Award winner Jimmy Smits ("NYPD Blue," "The West Wing"), "Outlaw" is a new drama from executive producer John Eisendrath ("Alias," "Felicity," "Playmakers").  Cyrus Garza (Smits) is a U.S. Supreme Court justice who abruptly quits the high-level position.  A playboy and a gambler, Garza had always adhered to a strict interpretation of the law until he realized the system he believed in was flawed.  Now that he’s quit the bench and returned to private practice, he’s determined to represent “the little guy” and use his inside knowledge of the justice system to take on today’s biggest legal cases -- and he's making plenty of powerful people unhappy along the way.  Jesse Bradford ("The West Wing"), Carly Pope ("24"), Ellen Woglom ("Californication") and David Ramsey ("Dexter") also star.  “Outlaw” is a Universal Media Studios production along with Conaco productions. Eisendrath is executive producer along with Terry George ("Hotel Rwanda," "Reservation Road"), Conan O'Brien, Jeff Ross and David Kissinger ("Andy Barker, P.I.").  "Outlaw" is written by Eisendrath and directed by George.



‘HARRY’S LAW’ – Emmy Award-winning creator David E. Kelley (“The Practice,” “Boston Legal”) brings his unique storytelling to “Harry’s Law,” a series about fate and the people it brings together, starring Academy Award winner Kathy Bates (“Misery,” “About Schmidt”).  Harriet (Bates), Matthew (Ben Chaplin, “Me and Orson Wells”) and Malcolm (Aml Ameen, “Kidulthood”) couldn’t be any more different.  Harriet is a curmudgeonly ex-patent lawyer who, having just been fired from her cushy job, is completely disillusioned with her success and looking for a fresh start.  Her world unexpectedly collides with Malcolm’s -- a young man trying to figure out life. When he finds out Harriet is a lawyer, he begs her to represent him in an upcoming criminal case.  Matthew, a dreamer at heart and also recently fired from his job as a high school teacher, is introduced to Harriet through Malcolm, a previous student of his. When these three cross paths, they realize they’re all looking for a fresh start.  Now, the most unlikely of people are starting a law practice in the most unlikely of places--a rundown shoe store.  “Harry’s Law” also stars Brittany Snow (“Hairspray”) as Harriet’s assistant, Jenna Backstrom and Beatrice Rosen (“Dark Knight”) as Eve, a high school French teacher.
“Harry’s Law” is produced by Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with David E. Kelley Productions and Warner Bros. Television.  David E. Kelley (“Boston Legal,” “The Practice”) and Bill D’Elia (“Boston Legal,” “The Practice”) serve as executive producers. D’Elia also is the director.



‘LAW & ORDER: LOS ANGELES’  – The new “Law & Order: Los Angeles” is a procedural crime drama that will follow the theme and storylines similar to the “Law & Order”-brand series on the streets of Los Angeles.  The series, from executive producer Dick Wolf and Blake Masters “(“Brotherhood”), is a Wolf Films production in association with Universal Media Studios.  Casting and pre-production work are continuing.

New Comedy Series
‘PERFECT COUPLES’ -- “Perfect Couples” depicts the misadventures of three engaging couples as they struggle to find out what makes the ideal relationship -- and how to maintain it through humorous trial-and-error.  The series explores their heroic journey in search of the perfect relationship without destroying each other in the process.  Dave (Kyle Howard, “My Boys”) and Julia (Christine Woods, “Flash Forward”) are the relatable, normal couple, but Julia's hope of remaining the cool, low-maintenance chick is tested by Dave’s attempts to keep both his wife and his needy best friend Vance (David Walton, “Heist”) equally happy.  Vance, along with the neurotic Amy (Mary Elizabeth Ellis, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”), are the high-passion, high-drama couple who bring out the best and worst in each other.  The third duo features Rex (Hayes MacArthur, “She’s Out of My League”), a reformed party guy, and, and his wife, Leigh (Olivia Munn, “Attack of the Show”), who considers herself as the group’s mother hen.  Believing that they are relationship experts, Rex and Leigh have attended every class and seminar on relationships -- and regard themselves as the “perfect couple.”  Jon Pollack (“30 Rock”) and Scott Silveri (“Friends”) are the executive producers while Andy Ackerman (“Seinfeld,” “The New Adventures of Old Christine”) is the director.  The series is produced by Universal Media Studios.



‘OUTSOURCED’ – “Outsourced” is a comedy where the Midwest meets the exotic East in a hilarious culture clash. The series centers on the all-American company Mid America Novelties that sells whoopee cushions, foam fingers and wallets made of bacon -- and whose call center has suddenly been outsourced to India. Todd Dempsy (Ben Rappaport, off-Broadway's “The Gingerbread House”) is the new company’s manager who learns that he’s being transferred to India to run the operation.  Overwhelmed, Todd discovers that his new staff needs a crash course in all things American if they are to understand the U.S. product line and ramp up sales from halfway around the world. But as strange as America seems to his eclectic sales team, Todd soon realizes that figuring out India will be more than a full-time job. Rizwan Manji (“Privileged”), Sacha Dhawan (BBC’s “Five Days II”), Rebecca Hazlewood (BBC’s “Doctors”), Parvesh Cheena (“Help Me Help You”), and Anisha Nagarajan (Broadway’s “Bombay Dreams”) also star as members of Dempsy’s off-shore team; Diedrich Bader (“The Drew Carey Show”) and Jessica Gower (Network Ten’s “The Secret Life of Us”) additionally star.  “Outsourced” is produced by Universal Media Studios. Robert Borden (“The Drew Carey Show” and “George Lopez”) is executive producer/writer. Ken Kwapis (“The Office”) developed the project through his company, In Cahoots, and serves as executive producer/director. Alex Beattie serves as co-executive producer.



‘THE PAUL REISER SHOW’ -- “The Paul Reiser Show” is a new single camera comedy from Emmy and Golden Globe nominated comedian-author-producer-actor Paul Reiser (“Mad About You”) and writer-producer Jonathan Shapiro (“Life”).  The show stars Paul Reiser as…Paul Reiser.  It's been a few years since Paul's hit TV series went off the air. Since then, he's been enjoying the quiet life at home with his lovely wife and kids and generally minding his own business.  Lately, however, Paul has been thinking that it's time he did something new, something meaningful.  As to what that next thing might be, he has no idea.  In his quest to figure it out, Paul is helped and hindered by his new "friends."  Like most men his age, Paul didn't choose these friends.  They're the husbands of his wife's friends, the dads of kids that his boys go to school with. Thrown together by circumstance, Paul and his friends form an unlikely comradeship -- and a horrible basketball team.  In addition to Reiser, Ben Shenkman (“Angels in America”) stars as Jonathan, Omid Djalili (“The Infidel”) as Habib, Duane Martin (“All of Us”) as Fernando, Andrew Daly (“MADtv”) as Brad, Amy Landecker (“A Serious Man”) as Claire, Brock Waidmann as Zeke and Koby Rouviere (“Greenberg”) as Gabe. The pilot is executive produced and written by Reiser and Shapiro, produced by Craig Knizek (“Mad About You”), Merri Howard (“Cold Case”) and Peter Safran (“Heist”), and directed by Bryan Gordon (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”).  “The Paul Reiser Show” is a production of Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Nuance Productions and Warner Bros. Television.



‘FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS’ -- From Oscar and Emmy winner Brian Grazer (“A Beautiful Mind,” “Arrested Development”), “Friends With Benefits” is a half-hour comedy revolving around a group of twenty-something singles as they navigate the difficult, and often confusing, world of dating.  Ben Weymouth (Ryan Hansen, “Party Down”) is on the hunt for the perfect woman who meets his unique set of standards, while his best friend, Sara Maxwell (Danneel Harris, “One Tree Hill”), is just looking for a man to settle down with and raise a family.  Ben and Sara have fallen into the habit of turning to each other for moral and physical support as they wait for Mr. and Ms. Right to arrive.  Their friend Aaron (Fran Kranz, “Dollhouse”), a romantic at heart, doesn’t approve of Ben and Sara's complicated friendship, but he, along with womanizer Hoon (Ian Reed Kesler) and straight shooter Riley (Jessica Lucas, “Cloverfield”), are all distracted with their own dating trials and tribulations.  David Nevins (“Lie to Me,” “Arrested Development”) joins Grazer as executive producer for Imagine Television.  Also serving as executive producers are David Dobkin (“Wedding Crashers”), who directs the pilot, writers Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber (“(500) Days of Summer”), and Jeff Kleeman.  “Friends With Benefits” is a production of 20th Century Fox Television, Imagine Television and Big Kid Pictures.



New One-hour Comedy Series
‘LOVE BITES’ – From Emmy Award-winning writer-producer Cindy Chupack (“Sex and the City”), “Love Bites” is an hour-long romantic comedy anthology series featuring three loosely connected, modern stories of love, sex, marriage and dating. Each episode contains multiple vignettes, all illuminating the theme of love with an edgy, irreverent spin.  Becki Newton (“Ugly Betty”) stars as Annie and Jordana Spiro (“My Boys”) stars as Frannie, the last two single girls standing after all of their friends get married. Annie is an infectiously bubbly optimist and Frannie is an always-a-bridesmaid realist. Their story will anchor the series, while other romantically-challenged characters will come and go each week.  The pilot's guest cast includes Jennifer Love Hewitt (“Ghost Whisperer”), Greg Grunberg (“Heroes”), Craig Robinson (“The Office”), Jason Lewis (“Sex and the City”), Lindsay Price (“Lipstick Jungle”), Larry Wilmore (“The Daily Show”), Charlyne Yi (“Knocked Up”), Pamela Adlon (“Californication”), Stacy Galina (“Hidden Hills”), Brian Hallisay (“Privileged”), Kyle Howard (“My Boys”) and Steve Howey (“Bride Wars”).  “Love Bites” is a production of Universal Media Studios and Working Title Television, which is a new division of Working Title Films (the U.K. production company behind box office hits including “Love Actually,” “Bridget Jones's Diary” and “Four Weddings and a Funeral”). Chupack is creator, executive producer and writer. Emmy Award-winning producer-director Marc Buckland (“My Name Is Earl”) also is executive producer and directs the pilot. Eric Fellner, Tim Bevan and Shelley McCrory from Working Title Television are executive producers. “Love Bites” is Working Title Television’s first U.S. commission.



New Alternative Series
‘SCHOOL PRIDE’ – From executive producers Cheryl Hines ("Curb Your Enthusiasm") and Denise Cramsey ("Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and "True Beauty"), “School Pride" is a proactive, alternative series that tells the stories of communities coming together to renovate their aging and broken public schools.  While transforming the school, the community also restores its sense of value and school pride.  The cameras follow students, teachers and parents as they roll up their sleeves and rebuild their own schools, concluding with the unveiling of a brand new, completely transformed school.  They are motivated by a quartet of community organizers and personalities -- SWAT Commander Tom Stroup, interior designer Susie Castillo (“House of Payne”), comedian and former substitute teacher Kym Whitley (“Til Death”) and political correspondent Jacob Soboroff ("AMC News”).  Together, the team of experts will lead the community through the makeover process.  Months later, cameras will revisit the school to discover the lasting effects of the transformation -- a renewed sense of school pride and an increase in student achievement scores.  "School Pride" is produced by Horizon Alternative Television.

"True Blood" Returns to HBO in June!

Mark your calendars for another trip down south to Bon Temps.

HBO today announced a start date for Season Three of vampire drama series True Blood, which will return to the pay cabler this summer for another season of blood-stained murder, mischief, and mayhem.

The Alan Ball-executive produced supernatural drama series will launch its third season on Sunday, June 13th. Twelve episodes are on tap for this summer, as we learn just who or what kidnapped Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer) from the restaurant where he and Sookie (Anna Paquin) were having a romantic dinner.

In other words: get ready to sink your fangs into this summer.

BBC America Announces Season Two of "Survivors," New Night

BBC America's post-apocalyptic thriller Survivors will live on... on Tuesday nights.

The Adrian Hodges-executive produced Survivors, which wrapped up its second season in the UK earlier this year on BBC One, will conclude its first season Stateside on Saturday, March 20th... before the digital cabler launches Season Two just three days later on Tuesday, March 23rd at 9 pm ET/PT.

Given that Survivors had previously aired on Saturdays, the move could mark a return for the network to scripted drama series during the week. (Fingers crossed.) In recent years, the network has programmed mostly reality series during the week with a few notable exceptions such as Skins, The Inbetweeners, and Gavin & Stacey... though it's worth noting that the series will now go up against ABC's Lost.

Here's how BBC America described Season Two of Survivors:

"Season Two shows the group now struggling not just against the difficulties of day to day life amid the ruins of the post-virus apocalypse, but also against the threat of other emerging communities and the machinations of the sinister Lab. Returning for this high octane second season alongside Abby is: Greg, a loner, hiding the pain of his past; Anya, a doctor who has seen too much; Al, a playboy who became a surrogate father to young and headstrong Najid; Sarah, a hedonist used to getting her own way and Tom Price – handsome, dangerous and a high security prisoner before the virus hit.

As the season unfolds and the tension mounts, the threat of danger, concealed secrets, lies and violence is eternally present, and the group is forced time and again to ask themselves: are they in it together, or is it each man for himself?"

The full press release from BBC America can be found below.

SURVIVORS CONTINUES WITH THE U.S PREMIERE OF SEASON TWO
NOW ON TUESDAYS
The U.S. premiere season of BBC AMERICA’s thrilling new series, Survivors has viewers glued to their screens and on the heels of season one’s upcoming explosive finale comes the U.S. premiere of season two. TV Guide called Survivors, “down-to-earth sci-fi at its gritty best” while Variety said “Post-apocalyptic visions have been all the rage of late, but BBC AMERICA's Survivors finds a sweet spot in the midst of such mayhem...” Survivors season one finale airs Saturday, March 20, 9:00p.m. ET/PT and season two premieres on a new night, Tuesday, March 23, 9:00p.m. ET/PT.

From the co-creator and writer of Primeval, Adrian Hodges, season one introduced viewers to a bewildered but resilient group of survivors led by Abby Grant (Julie Graham). They all experienced the similar devastating loss of family and friends when a mystery virus killed almost the entire human race. Abby left London to discover whether her son Peter, who was on a school adventure holiday, had survived. On her way, she came across the other survivors, some of whom bonded into a group. But without the rule of law she never knew if the next person she encounters would prove friendly or hostile.

Season two shows the group now struggling not just against the difficulties of day to day life amid the ruins of the post-virus apocalypse, but also against the threat of other emerging communities and the machinations of the sinister Lab. Returning for this high octane second season alongside Abby is, Greg, a loner, hiding the pain of his past; Anya, a doctor who has seen too much; Al, a playboy who became a surrogate father to young and headstrong Najid; Sarah, a hedonist used to getting her own way and Tom Price – handsome, dangerous and a high security prisoner before the virus hit.

As the season unfolds and the tension mounts, the threat of danger, concealed secrets, lies and violence is eternally present, and the group is forced time and again to ask themselves: are they in it together, or is it each man for himself?

BBC AMERICA brings audiences a new generation of award-winning television featuring news with a uniquely global perspective, provocative dramas, razor-sharp comedies, life-changing makeovers and a whole new world of nonfiction. BBC AMERICA pushes the boundaries to deliver high quality, highly addictive and eminently watchable programming to viewers who demand more. It is available on digital cable and satellite TV in more than 67 million homes.

BBC America Announces US Launch Date for Season Five of "Doctor Who," Two Weeks Behind UK Broadcast

BBC America today announced the launch date for Season Five of British sci-fi series Doctor Who.

Those hoping that BBC America would air Doctor Who within a few days of the BBC One broadcast may be slightly disappointed. The cabler has announced a launch date of Saturday, April 17th for Season Five of Doctor Who, a full two weeks behind the UK broadcast, which launches on Easter Saturday, April 3rd.

The new season of Doctor Who features a new head writer--Steven Moffat--who takes over showrunning duties from former executive producer Russell T. Davies, as well as a new cast as Matt Smith takes over the mantle of the Doctor from former star David Tennant. He'll be joined in the TARDIS by Karen Gillan, who plays new companion Amy Pond. (Guest stars this season include FlashForward's Alex Kingston, Hotel Rwanda's Sophie Okonedo, and 24's Tony Curran.)

"Britain has a tradition of reinventing its iconic characters, like James Bond and Sherlock Holmes - and Doctor Who," said Richard De Croce, Senior Vice President Programming, BBC America, in a statement. "In introducing the Eleventh Doctor, writer Steven Moffat is opening the show to a whole new audience, while serving fans with an exciting mix of inter galactic, time travelling adventures. We can't wait to meet his new Doctor!"

BBC America describes Season Five of Doctor Who as thus: "Travelling both through time and space, the new series has the mysterious Doctor and Amy Pond together exploring sixteenth century Venice, France during the 1890s and the United Kingdom in the far future, now an entire nation floating in space. The first three episodes of the 13-episode series have been confirmed as 'The Eleventh Hour,' written by Steven Moffat, 'The Beast Below,' also by Moffat and 'Victory of the Daleks' by Mark Gatiss."

The full press release from BBC America can be found below.

THE NEW DOCTOR WHO ARRIVES ON BBC AMERICA IN APRIL
Starring Matt Smith with lead writer Steven Moffat

New York - February 25, 2010 - BBC AMERICA announced today that the new era of the BBC’s iconic BAFTA-winning drama, Doctor Who, will make its U.S. premiere on Saturday, April 17, 2010, soon after the UK broadcast.

Doctor Who, BBC AMERICA’s highest rated series ever, continues its tradition of rebooting with new lead actors and creative team. Matt Smith debuts as the new, Eleventh incarnation of the famous Time Lord alongside a new travelling companion, the enigmatic Amy Pond (Karen Gillan).

“Britain has a tradition of reinventing its iconic characters, like James Bond and Sherlock Holmes - and Doctor Who. In introducing the Eleventh Doctor, writer Steven Moffat is opening the show to a whole new audience, while serving fans with an exciting mix of inter galactic, time travelling adventures. We can't wait to meet his new Doctor!" comments Richard De Croce, Senior Vice President Programming, BBC AMERICA.

BAFTA-winning writer Steven Moffat, creator of some of the most frightening and award-winning Doctor Who episodes to date, takes over as lead writer and executive producer. Writers for the new series include Richard Curtis (The Boat that Rocked, Love Actually), Chris Chibnall (Law & Order UK, Torchwood), Toby Whithouse (Being Human, Torchwood), Mark Gatiss (The League of Gentlemen, Sherlock) and Simon Nye (Men Behaving Badly, Hardware).

Guest stars include SAG Award winner Alex Kingston (ER, Flash Forward), Oscar nominee Sophie Okonedo (The Secret Life of Bees, Hotel Rwanda) and Tony Curran (24).

Travelling both through time and space, the new series has the mysterious Doctor and Amy Pond together exploring sixteenth century Venice, France during the 1890s and the United Kingdom in the far future, now an entire nation floating in space. The first three episodes of the 13-episode series have been confirmed as The Eleventh Hour, written by Steven Moffat, The Beast Below, also by Moffat and Victory of the Daleks by Mark Gatiss.

Moffat’s work includes the hit comedy Coupling, the critically-acclaimed thriller Jekyll, the new BBC series Sherlock and along with Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish, the screenplay for The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn - which is being directed by Steven Spielberg.

Piers Wenger (Ashes to Ashes) and Beth Willis (Ashes to Ashes) are the executive producers. It is a BBC Wales production for BBC ONE and distributed by BBC Worldwide.

NBC Unveils New Post-Leno Primetime Schedule

Remember when NBC announced that they were going to cut the 10 pm hour out of their primetime schedule and fill it with a cheaply-produced talk show hosted by Jay Leno? We all scratched our heads.

Flash forward about seven months to the present as NBC has announced that it's pulling Jay Leno out of the 10 pm hour and now filling it back up with a mix of scripted and unscripted offerings. Yes, you might be scratching your head as to how everyone but the Peacock seemed to see that this was a doomed strategy from the first place.

NBC yesterday lifted the curtain on its primetime midseason schedule, which includes reality series The Marriage Ref, The Celebrity Apprentice, and Minute to Win It (formerly known as Perfect 10) and drama series Parenthood, Friday Night Lights, and Trauma.

The full NBC midseason schedule can be found below.

Monday
8-9 pm: Chuck
9-10 pm: Trauma
10-11 pm: Law & Order

Tuesday
8-10 pm: The Biggest Loser
10-11 pm: Parenthood

Wednesday
8-9 pm: Mercy
9-10 pm: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (repeat)
10-11 pm: Law & Order Special Victims Unit

Thursday
8-8:30 pm: Community
8:30-9 pm: Parks and Recreation
9-9:30 pm: The Office
9:30-10 pm: 30 Rock
10-11 pm: The Marriage Ref

Friday
8-9 pm: Who Do You Think You Are?
9-11 pm: Dateline NBC

**Note: Friday Night Lights will take over at 10 pm ET/PT beginning Friday, April 30th.**

Saturday
8-9 pm: The Biggest Loser (repeat)
9-10 pm: Law & Order (repeat)
10-11 pm: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (repeat)

Sunday
7-8 pm: Dateline NBC
8-9 pm: Minute to Win It (formerly known as Perfect 10)
9-11 pm: The Celebrity Apprentice

What do you make of the Peacock's new lineup? Does it work for you? Or would you have rather they just kept Southland this season instead of sending it off to TNT? Discuss.

AMC Announces Season Three Start for "Breaking Bad"

Time to take another walk on the dark side.

AMC has finally announced a launch date for Season Three of critically-acclaimed drama series Breaking Bad.

The cabler will launch the third season on Sunday, March 21st at 10 pm ET/PT and will offer a "best of Breaking Bad" marathon on Friday, March 19th.

The full press release from AMC can be found below.

AMC ANNOUNCES “BREAKING BAD” SEASON THREE PREMIERE SUNDAY, MARCH 21 AT 10PM ET/PT

Back-to-Back Emmy® Winner Bryan Cranston Directs Season Premiere
“The Best of Breaking Bad” Marathon Begins Friday, March 19 at 8pm

“Top 10 Baddest Moments” and Other Exclusive Content on AMCTV.com

New York, NY – January 11, 2010 – AMC will premiere the highly anticipated third season of “Breaking Bad” on Sunday, March 21 at 10pm ET/PT. Back-to-back Emmy® winner Bryan Cranston will serve double duty as director of the premiere episode, “No Mas.”

Leading up to the highly-anticipated new season will be a “Best of Breaking Bad” Marathon, featuring six of the series’ best episodes, on Friday, March 19 beginning at 8pm ET/PT. In addition, season two will be available On Demand beginning in February.

“Breaking Bad” season three will also be complemented by a variety of exclusive online material at AMCTV.COM. Among the special digital content is a “Top 10 Baddest Moments” video special, counting down some of the series most outrageous scenes to date; an interactive graphic novel game, in which users can grill a suspect; all-new “webisodes;” Inside “Breaking Bad” videos; and a Criminal Aptitude Test.

Created by acclaimed writer/producer/director Vince Gilligan (“The X-Files”), “Breaking Bad” follows Walter White (Cranston), a milquetoast high school chemistry teacher who discovers he is dying of lung cancer. Desperate to secure his family's financial future, Walt teams up with a former student, Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), to turn a used RV into a mobile drug lab.

Filmed on location in Albuquerque, NM, “Breaking Bad” season three stars Emmy® Award winner Bryan Cranston, Emmy® nominated Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, Betsy Brandt, RJ Mitte, Bob Odenkirk, Giancarlo Esposito and Jonathan Banks. “Breaking Bad” is produced by Sony Pictures Television is association with AMC.

BBC America Announces Launch Date for "Survivors"

BBC America has announced the launch date for post-apocalyptic drama series Survivors.

The much-delayed Survivors, which is an adaptation of the cult classic 1970s series (itself based on Terry Nation's novel), will have its US premiere on Saturday, February 13th at 8 pm ET/PT, before shifting to its regular timeslot at 9 pm ET/PT the following week.

The series tracks the adventures of a group of people who survive a global viral holocaust that wipes out 99 percent of the human race's population and who struggle to stay alive in the face of unspeakable odds following this global catastrophe.

In the official scheduling announcement, BBC America refers to the "twelve-episode season" of Survivors, which is a sign that the digital cabler intend to air the first two UK seasons of Survivors back-to-back. Season One, which aired in the UK in 2008, was comprised of six episodes and the second season of Survivors will launch early next year in the United Kingdom.

This version of Survivors, overseen by Adrian Hodges (Primeval), boasts a cast that includes Julie Graham (Bonekickers), Paterson Joseph (No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency), Freema Agyeman (Doctor Who), Max Beesley (Hotel Babylon), Phillip Rhys (Nip/Tuck), Zoë Tapper (Demons), Nikki Amuka–Bird, Shaun Dingwall, and Chahak Patel.

"Survivors is about what it means to be human, said Hodges. "It asks questions about our nature and confronts us with our deepest fears. When everything else is stripped away, would we band together and find the best in ourselves, or would we fall apart and retreat into barbarism and savagery?"

The full press release from BBC America announcing the scheduling can be found below.

ONE VIRUS. MILLIONS DEAD. ALL THAT’S LEFT IS HOPE.

Imagine what would happen if a virulent disease scoured the planet, wiping out 99% of the human race. It kills every member of your family, your lovers, friends, neighbors and probably everyone you have ever known. Imagine the world stripped of all the conveniences of the 21st Century – no law, no shops, no communications, no transport, no electricity, no clean water. This is the apocalyptic scenario facing the heroes at the center of this chilling new drama series, brought to you by the co-creator and writer of Primeval. Set in the present day, Survivors focuses on the world in the aftermath of a virus where only a lonely few are left to start over in a devastated world where everything that was once safe and familiar is now strange and dangerous. The 12 episode season of Survivors premieres Saturday, February 13, 8:00p.m. ET/PT - subsequent episodes premiere at 9:00p.m. ET/PT.

In the middle of the story is a bewildered but resilient group of survivors led by Abby Grant, a woman whose strength comes from a burning need to find out if her young son is still alive. Other members of the group include Greg (a good man who hides the pain of his past), Anya (a doctor who has seen too many people die) and Al, a former playboy who becomes surrogate father to streetwise urchin Najid. Then there is Tom, outwardly handsome and charming, but actually a dangerous and ruthless man who, unbeknown to the others, was a high-security prisoner before the virus hit.

This brave new world brings an opportunity for new beginnings, but also terrible dangers – not just the daily struggle for food and water, but also a deadly threat from other survivors. The cast includes Julie Graham as Abby Grant, Paterson Joseph as Greg, Freema Agyeman as Jenny, Max Beesley as Tom Price, Phillip Rhys as Al, Zoë Tapper as Anya, Nikki Amuka–Bird as Samantha Willis, Shaun Dingwall as David and newcomer Chahak Patel as 11-year-old Najid.

“Survivors is about what it means to be human,” says award-winning writer and executive producer Adrian Hodges (co-creator and writer of Primeval). “It asks questions about our nature and confronts us with our deepest fears. When everything else is stripped away, would we band together and find the best in ourselves, or would we fall apart and retreat into barbarism and savagery?”

Hodges’ Survivors is a re-imagining of the classic ‘70s BBC drama series, and is based on the novel by Terry Nation. Hodges adds: “Survivors is about adventure, fear, love, loyalty and friendship. But above all, it’s about new hope.”

BBC AMERICA brings audiences a new generation of award-winning television featuring news with a uniquely global perspective, provocative dramas, razor-sharp comedies, life-changing makeovers and a whole new world of nonfiction. BBC AMERICA pushes the boundaries to deliver high quality, highly addictive and eminently watchable programming to viewers who demand more. It is available on digital cable and satellite TV in more than 65 million homes.

NBC Announces Midseason Plans, Slates Dates for "Parenthood" and "The Marriage Ref"

NBC today unveiled its midseason plans, announcing launch dates for drama series Parenthood and reality series The Marriage Ref, as well as return dates for The Celebrity Apprentice and The Biggest Loser.

Drama series Parenthood will launch on Monday, March 1st at 9 pm ET/PT while the Jerry Seinfeld-produced reality series The Marriage Ref will join the schedule on Sunday, March 14th at 8 pm ET/PT.

Returning reality series The Celebrity Apprentice and The Biggest Loser kick off respectively on Sunday, March 14th at 9 pm ET/PT and Tuesday, January 5th from 8-10 pm ET/PT.

And Chuck, of course returns with a two-hour third season premiere on January 10th at 9 pm ET/PT, before moving into its regular timeslot the following evening (January 11th) at 8 pm ET/PT.

Interestingly, no mention was made of sci-fi "miniseries" Day One, which saw its commitment reduced from an initial thirteen episodes to a head-scratching four hours (which NBC indicated would be aired as two two-hours), comedy 100 Questions, or of NBC's fourth season run of Friday Night Lights, which will likely be held until the summer.

The full press release from NBC (and the network's full midseason schedule) can be found below.

NBC ANNOUNCES NEW MID-SEASON PREMIERES FOLLOWING THE WINTER OLYMPICS AS ‘PARENTHOOD’ AND ‘THE MARRIAGE REF’ DEBUT WHILE ‘THE CELEBRITY APPRENTICE’ AND ‘THE BIGGEST LOSER’ RETURN

"Parenthood" Debuts Monday, March 1 (9-10 p.m. ET) While "The Marriage Ref" Premieres on Sunday, March 14 (8-9 p.m. ET)

"The Celebrity Apprentice" Premieres Sunday, March 14 (9-11 p.m. ET) and "The Biggest Loser" Begins a New Season on Tuesday, January 5 (8-10 p.m. ET)

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – December 14, 2009 --- NBC revealed its mid-season and post-Winter Olympics schedule today as the new drama "Parenthood" debuts Monday, March 1 (9-10 p.m. ET) while "The Marriage Ref," a hilarious comedy panel series from Jerry Seinfeld about marriage, premieres on Sundays (8-9 p.m. ET) beginning March 14.

In addition, "The Celebrity Apprentice" returns in its third installment with an all-star lineup of celebrity candidates on Sunday, March 14 (9-11 p.m. ET). Likewise, the ninth edition of the popular "The Biggest Loser" kicks off on Tuesday, January 5 (8-10 p.m. ET) with 11 family teams of two ready to transform their bodies, their health and ultimately their lives. Other January programming includes "The 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards" hosted by Ricky Gervais on Sunday, January 17 (8-11 p.m. ET) and "The AT&T U.S. Figure Skating Championships" on Saturday and Sunday, January 23-24 (9-11 p.m. ET).

"Parenthood," from Oscar winners Ron Howard and Brian Grazer along with fellow executive producers Jason Katims ("Friday Night Lights") and David Nevins, is inspired by the box-office hit of the same name and features a star-studded cast. The series assumes the Monday (9-10 p.m. ET) time slot beginning March 1 following the season finale of "Heroes" on Monday, February 8 and NBC Universal's exclusive coverage of the Winter Olympics from February 12-28. "Chuck," as previously announced, will return with a two-hour premiere on Sunday, January 10 (9-11 p.m. ET) before moving to its regular day and time Monday, January 11 (8-9 p.m. ET).

The new mid-season additions to NBC's program schedule grid follows (all times ET).

MONDAYS
8-9 p.m. -- "Chuck" (begins January 11; two back-to-back season premiere episodes on January 10 from 9-11 p.m.)
9-10 p.m. -- "Parenthood" (premieres March 1)
10-11 p.m. –"The Jay Leno Show"

TUESDAYS
8-10 p.m. – "The Biggest Loser" (new season premieres on January 5)
10-11 p.m. – "The Jay Leno Show"

WEDNESDAYS
8-9 p.m. – "Mercy"
9-10 p.m. – "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"
10-11 p.m. – "The Jay Leno Show"

THURSDAYS
8-8:30 p.m. – "Community"
8:30-9 p.m. – "Parks and Recreation"
9-9:30 p.m. – "The Office"
9:30-10 p.m. – "30 Rock"
10-11 p.m. – "The Jay Leno Show"

FRIDAYS
8-9 p.m. -- "Law & Order"
9-10 p.m. -- "Dateline NBC"
10-11 p.m. – "The Jay Leno Show"

SATURDAYS
8-11 p.m. -- Encore Dramas

SUNDAYS
7-9 p.m. -- "Dateline NBC" (through March 7, then moves to 7-8 p.m. beginning March 14)
8-9 p.m. – "The Marriage Ref" (debuts March 14)
9-11 p.m. -- "The Celebrity Apprentice" (premieres Sunday, March 14)

Other special programming includes (all times ET):

SUNDAY, JANUARY 17
7-8 p.m. – "The 67th Annual Golden Globe Red-Carpet Show"
8-11 p.m. – "The 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards"

SATURDAY, JANUARY 23
9-11 p.m. – "The AT&T U.S. Figure Skating Championships"

SUNDAY, JANUARY 24
9-11 p.m. -- "The AT&T U.S. Figure Skating Championships"

BBC America Announces January Plans: "The Inbetweeners," "Last Restaurant Standing," "Demons," "Top Gear"

BBC America has today announced their scheduling plans for January 2010, unveiling new programming additions and the return of several series to the lineup. (Sadly, still no mention of Season Two of Ashes to Ashes, however.)

The digital cabler has announced launch dates for comedy The Inbetweeners, drama Demons, and unscripted competition series Last Restaurant Standing, as well as the launch of Season Thirteen of Top Gear.

Having seen the first two seasons of comedy The Inbetweeners, from creators Damon Beesley and Iain Morris, I can tell you that you'll likely be bowled over as much as I was by this raucous teen comedy when it finally premieres Stateside on Monday, January 25th at 9 pm ET/PT. Two back-to-back episodes will air in its initial outing before it relocates to its regular timeslot on Wednesday evenings. (You can read my advance review of the first two seasons of The Inbetweeners here.)

Culinary competition series (and Televisionary obsession) Last Restaurant Standing returns with its third season on Tuesday, January 5th at 9 pm ET/PT as restaurateur Raymond Blanc puts a new batch of couples through their paces with the opportunity to partner with him on a new restaurant.

Missing Life on Mars' and Ashes to Ashes' Philip Glenister? You're in luck as he stars in supernatural drama Demons, which launches Saturday, January 2nd at 10 pm ET/PT. Here's how BBC America describes the series: "The battle against the dark underworld of half-lives, monsters and in-humans lie deep beneath the streets of modern-day London in the U.S. premiere of Demons. This contemporary spin on the character of Van Helsing features Luke Rutherford (Christian Cooke) as an average teenager, but with the arrival of his dead father’s best friend Rupert Galvin (Philip Glenister, Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes), Luke’s life is about to be flipped upside down. Galvin is a straight-talking, headstrong American who has come to tell Luke his secret destiny - he’s the real-life great-great grandson of Abraham Van Helsing, the vampire hunter in Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Luke’s destined to inherit the family mantle as a warrior in the coldest of cold wars against the supernatural entities behind every myth and legend from vampires to werewolves and all things that go bump in the night."

The full press release from BBC America, with full series descriptions and TX info, can be found below.

RING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH U.S. PREMIERES OF TOP GEAR, THE INBETWEENERS, LAST RESTAURANT STANDING AND FRIDAY NIGHT WITH JONATHAN ROSS

TOP GEAR SEASON 13 – U.S. PREMIERE
Top Gear skids, roars and explodes its way back to BBC AMERICA with a new season of man versus machine experiments, exhaustive road tests of the latest cars, weekly power tests featuring the world’s most exotic super-cars and a surprise revelation. Their adventures this season include testing the new Lambo Murcielago, a terrifying French ice race, filming their own Volkswagen commercial and in a television first, the mysterious Stig reveals his true identity. All the Top Gear faves are back including Star in a Reasonably Priced Car featuring celebrities such as Jay Leno, actress Sienna Miller, Stephen Fry and Olympic Gold sprinter Usain Bolt.
Top Gear premieres Monday, January 25, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT

THE INBETWEENERS – U.S. PREMIERE
Written and created by Damon Beesley and Iain Morris (Peep Show, Flight of the Conchords) and named the best new sitcom of 2008 at the British Comedy Awards, The Inbetweeners offers a painfully funny take on the squirming humiliations of teenage life. It begins with the new kid in town, Will (Simon Bird), who has unwillingly had to move, change schools and, as a result, make new friends. He soon meets Simon (Joe Thomas), Jay (James Buckley) and Neil (Blake Harrison), who are neither that cool nor that credible. The four friends get drunk too quickly, ride roller coasters and crush on the girl next door. Simon’s the first to throw Will a line—reluctantly agreeing to show him around school. He then meets Jay, who’s constantly lying about his sexual conquests and daring feats, and Neil, who’s really just out to lunch and often the butt of cruel jokes. The four of them will together try to make it through the trials of growing up in middle-class suburbia.
The Inbetweeners premieres with back to back episodes Monday, January 25, 9:00p.m. ET/PT. All future episodes premiere on Wednesdays, 9:30 p.m. ET/PT

DEMONS – U.S. PREMIERE
The battle against the dark underworld of half-lives, monsters and in-humans lie deep beneath the streets of modern-day London in the U.S. premiere of Demons. This contemporary spin on the character of Van Helsing features Luke Rutherford (Christian Cooke) as an average teenager, but with the arrival of his dead father’s best friend Rupert Galvin (Philip Glenister, Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes), Luke’s life is about to be flipped upside down. Galvin is a straight-talking, headstrong American who has come to tell Luke his secret destiny - he’s the real-life great-great grandson of Abraham Van Helsing, the vampire hunter in Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Luke’s destined to inherit the family mantle as a warrior in the coldest of cold wars against the supernatural entities behind every myth and legend from vampires to werewolves and all things that go bump in the night.
Demons premieres Saturday, January 2, 10:00 p.m. ET/PT

LAST RESTAURANT STANDING SEASON 3 – U.S. PREMIERE
World-renowned chef and restaurateur Raymond Blanc with his industry experts Sarah Willingham and David Moore return to BBC AMERICA with another season of Last Restaurant Standing in which nine couples battle it out for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to open a restaurant with him. But in the current economic climate, Blanc is searching for a couple who proves they can tough it out in the harsh realities of working in the restaurant trade. The couple must have strong ideas, impeccable cooking skills and strong partnerships to win the ultimate prize. From their first meeting with Blanc the couples are in at the deep end facing a series of increasingly tough challenges like pitching their restaurant ideas, running a famous UK chain restaurant, making dishes to sell at a farmer’s market and even serving afternoon tea for 100 guests, to test the creativity and practical skills they need to get keys to their own restaurants. But getting the keys is only a start. Tough times on the high street means Raymond Blanc is not in the market for dreamers, and the pressure is on to show him they have what it takes to survive.
Last Restaurant Standing premieres Tuesday, January 5, 9:00 p.m. ET/PT

FRIDAY NIGHT WITH JONATHAN ROSS – U.S. PREMIERE
Friday night’s are back with a new season of Friday Night with Jonathan Ross. Jonathan Ross, one of the BBC’s best known personalities, continues blending humor and pop culture every week with America and Britain’s brightest A-list celebrities and musical performances. Last season, Jonathan welcomed Ricky Gervais, Vince Vaughn, Christopher Walken, Gerard Butler, Shakira and Jay Z as well as musical legends Barry Manilow and Barbara Streisand and this season continues the excitement with exclusive interviews and guest musical performances.
Friday Night with Jonathan Ross premieres Friday, January 22, 9:00 p.m. ET/PT

MOVIES
THE BIRDS – BBC AMERICA PREMIERE
Alfred Hitchcock's most popular film, The Birds, is a powerful, terrifying study of paranoia and hysteria in the wake of unexplained chaos. A beautiful, strong-willed socialite (Tippi Hedren) travels to the coastal town of Bodega Bay to hook up with a guy (Rod Taylor) she’s only just met. Once there, however, bizarre things start happening and the birds start behaving strangely.
The Birds premieres Sunday, January 3, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT

PYSCHO – BBC AMERICA PREMIERE
Nominated for four Academy Awards, Psycho, made people think twice before stepping into the shower and Psycho remains one of the most shocking and frightening movies of all time. Anthony Perkins delivers a chilling performance as the nervous but amiable proprietor of the Bates Motel whose trouble with his mother and obsession with a beautiful guest leads to murder. Janet Leigh earned an Oscar nomination for her supporting role as the ill-fated traveler.
Psycho premieres Sunday, January 10, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT

VERTIGO – BBC AMERICA PREMIERE
Silver screen legend James Stewart with Barbara Bel Geddes team with the Master of Suspense to play a detective who falls in love with a tortured, beautiful woman (Kim Novak) he is hired to follow. The detective lapses into obsession and desperation against the backdrop of a haunting San Francisco.
Vertigo premieres Sunday, January 17, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT

REAR WINDOW – BBC AMERICA PREMIERE
Academy Award winning screen legends James Stewart and Grace Kelly star in the story about an injured photojournalist confined to his tiny, sweltering courtyard apartment with nothing to do but look out on his unsuspecting neighbors through the film's titular portal. It's all harmless voyeuristic fun until during one hot, restless night he thinks he witnesses a man murder his wife. Grace Kelly plays the fashionista girlfriend who helps him solve the crime.
Rear Window premieres Sunday, January 24, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT

STUNTS
KITCHEN NIGHTMARES SUNDAY
Gordon Ramsay heats up the kitchen both sides of the pond by helping struggling ventures all on the brink of collapse. Kitchen Nightmares Sunday features the newest shows with five back-to-back episodes.
Kitchen Nightmares Sunday airs Sunday, January 3, starting at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT

DEMONIC SUNDAY
Catch up on the first three episodes of Demons as Luke (Christian Cooke) and Rupert (Philip Glenister, Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes) battle good and evil with monsters, vampires and all creatures that go bump in the night.
Demonic Sunday airs Sunday, January 17, starting at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT

GET YOUR MOTOR RUNNING TOP GEAR MARATHON
Gear up for a new season of Top Gear and relive the adventures and laugh-out-loud moments
from seasons past. Top Gear Marathon is just in time for the new season of Top Gear which
premieres the very next night.
Top Gear Marathon airs Sunday, January 24, starting at 1:00 p.m. ET/ 10:00 a.m. PT

ALFRED HITCHCOCK MOVIE MARATHON
Enjoy a Sunday marathon of Alfred Hitchcock’s most thrilling and terrifying films, including Rear Window, Vertigo, Psycho, and The Birds, starting first thing Sunday morning and continuing deep into the night.
Alfred Hithcock Movie Marathon airs all day Sunday, January 31

BBC WORLD NEWS AMERICA - NEW YEAR’S DAY SCHEDULE
Please note that BBC World News and BBC World News America will not air Friday, January 1.

ONGOING PREMIERES
Other series that continue to premiere new episodes in January include:
Tuesdays: Britain’s Missing Top Model
Wednesdays: Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares
Fridays: Friday Night with Jonathan Ross
Saturdays: The Graham Norton Show

BBC AMERICA brings audiences a new generation of award-winning television featuring news with a uniquely global perspective, provocative dramas, razor-sharp comedies, life-changing makeovers and a whole new world of nonfiction. BBC AMERICA pushes the boundaries to deliver high quality, highly addictive and eminently watchable programming to viewers who demand more. BBC AMERICA is distributed by Discovery Networks. It is available on digital cable and satellite TV in more than 65 million homes.

FX Announces Midseason Schedule, Launch Dates for "Damages," "Archer," "Justified," "Louie"

FX has today announced its midseason schedule, including return dates for Damages and Nip/Tuck and series launches for Timothy Olyphant-led drama Justified (formerly known as Lawman) and comedies Archer and Louie.

Season Three of Damages will kick off on Monday, January 25th at 10 pm ET/PT. (The series previously aired on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings during its first two seasons.) Series regulars Glenn Close, Rose Byrne, Tate Donovan, and Ted Danson are all set to return for the third season, which will also feature new regulars Campbell Scott (Joe Tobin) and Martin Short (Leonard Winstone) and guest stars Lily Tomlin (Marilyn Tobin), Keith Carradine (Julian Decker), and Len Cariou (Louis Tobin).

Elsewhere at the cabler, Nip/Tuck will launch its final season on Wednesday, January 6th at 10 pm ET/PT and animated comedy Archer begins on Thursday, January 14th.

Looking further afield, Justified will premiere in March and comedy Louie will debut later in the spring.

The full press release from FX announcing their schedule can be found below.

FX SETS MIDSEASON LINEUP

Final Season of Landmark Series Nip/Tuck Begins on Wednesday, Jan. 6

New Animated Comedy Series Archer Debuts on Thursday, Jan. 14

Award-Winning Damages Returns on Monday, Jan. 25

New Drama Justified (formerly Lawman) Starring Timothy Olyphant Premieres in March

New Comedy Louie Slated for Spring Launch

Plus Primetime Movie Lineup Features
of The Simpsons Movie, Superbad, Spiderman 3, Live Free or Die Hard

LOS ANGELES, December 1, 2009 – FX’s midseason schedule features a lineup of new and returning original series, kicking off 2010 with the final season of the Emmy® and Golden Globe® award winning drama Nip/Tuck on Wednesday, January 6; the new animated comedy Archer debuting on Thursday, January 14; and the third season of the Emmy and Golden Globe award winning drama Damages on Monday, January 25. FX’s new drama Justified (formerly Lawman) starring Timothy Olyphant debuts in March, and the new comedy Louie, starring Louis C.K., will launch in the spring.

Nip/Tuck, The Final Season, premieres on Wednesday, January 6. The final nine episodes of the groundbreaking series’ seventh season will air consecutively on Wednesday nights at 10:00 PM ET/PT. The series finale – Nip/Tuck's 100th episode – will air on Wednesday, March 3, 2010. Guest stars for the final season include Melanie Griffith, Joan Rivers, Mario Lopez, Frances Conroy, Donna Mills and Joan Van Ark.

FX will debut its new animated comedy series Archer on Thursday, January 14 at 10PM E/P. Archer is an animated, half-hour comedy set at the International Secret Intelligence Service (ISIS), a spy agency where espionage and global crises are merely opportunities for its highly trained employees to confuse, undermine, betray and royally screw each other. The series features the voices of H. Jon Benjamin as suave master spy “Sterling Archer,” whose less-than-masculine code name is "Duchess”; Jessica Walter as his domineering mother and boss, “Malory”; Aisha Tyler as his ex-girlfriend, “Agent Lana Kane”; George Coe as his aging-but-loyal butler, “Woodhouse”; Chris Parnell as ISIS comptroller and Lana’s new love interest, “Cyril Figgis”; and Judy Greer as Malory’s lovesick secretary, “Cheryl/Carol.” FX has ordered 10 episodes.

Damages, FX’s acclaimed series starring Glenn Close, will premiere its third season on a new night, Mondays, beginning January 25 at 10 PM ET/PT for 13 weeks. The show brings back its award-winning cast with Close, Rose Byrne, Tate Donovan and Ted Danson. Standout series regulars joining the cast are Campbell Scott (Joe Tobin), Martin Short (Leonard Winstone), and guest stars Lily Tomlin (Marilyn Tobin), Keith Carradine (Julian Decker) and Len Cariou (Louis Tobin). Damages is produced by Sony Pictures Television and FX Productions. The show is executive produced by Todd A. Kessler, Glenn Kessler and Daniel Zelman, and co-executive produced by Mark A. Baker and Aaron Zelman.

In Justified, which debuts in March (date TBD), Olyphant plays the lead role of Deputy U.S. Marshal “Raylan Givens.” Givens is a modern-day 19th century-style lawman, enforcing his brand of justice in a way that puts a target on his back with criminals and places him at odds with his bosses in the Marshal service. Justified was developed by Graham Yost (Boomtown, Speed) and is based on the popular character featured in several books and short stories by famed novelist Elmore Leonard. Yost wrote the pilot and will serve as Executive Producer/Showrunner of the series. Leonard is Executive Producer, along with Sarah Timberman (Kidnapped), Carl Beverly (Kidnapped) and Michael Dinner (Karen Sisco), who directed the pilot episode. Produced by Sony Pictures Television and FX Productions. FX has ordered 13 episodes of the series, which is shot in Los Angeles.

Louie, starring comedian Louis C.K., will premiere in the spring (month/date TBD). Louie is a comedy filtered through the observational humor of Louis C.K. and his daily life as a successful stand-up comedian and newly single father helping to raise his two daughters in New York. His recent credits include Parks & Recreation and the Emmy nominated Showtime comedy special Chewed Up. Louis C.K. serves as executive producer, writer and director, and Dave Becky and 3 Arts are executive producers. FX has ordered 13 episodes which will be shot in New York.

Preceding Archer’s premiere on January 10 at 8PM ET/PT will be the FX premiere of the smash-hit feature The Simpsons Movie. The following week on January 17 at 8 PM ET/PT will be the FX premiere of Superbad. Other movie highlights in early 2010 are Spiderman 3 and Live Free or Die Hard.

FX is the flagship general entertainment basic cable network from Fox. Launched in June of 1994, FX is carried in more than 95 million homes. The diverse schedule includes a growing roster of distinctive original series and films, an established film library with box-office hit movies from 20th Century Fox and other major studios that run in prime time and an impressive lineup of acquired hit series.

Reincarnation Sleuths, Child Geniuses, and Show Choristers: FOX Announces Midseason Schedule

FOX today announced their midseason plans for 2009-2010, unveiling a lineup that includes giving reincarnation drama Past Life the post-Bones slot on Thursday evenings (current occupant Fringe will be going on a prolonged hiatus for seven weeks), bringing Kitchen Nightmares back (on Friday nights this time around) and giving the post-American Idol slot to new reality series Our Little Genius.

MONDAYS: The network announced that it had given a full season pickup to drama series Lie to Me, though the Shawn Ryan-produced series will take a breather on Mondays, which will be taken over by House and 24 come January. There's no return date yet for Lie to Me but the pickup ensures that the series will eventually return to the schedule at some point during the season.

TUESDAYS: Which brings us to Glee. We all knew that the musical comedy would go on hiatus after its initial thirteen-episode commitment and that there would need to be some time for scripting and production and that it would get a post-Idol slot. Glee will shift to Tuesday nights beginning April 13th (following the conclusion of Our Little Genius), where it will do battle with ABC's Lost, entering its sixth and final season. (As I mentioned on Twitter, if I am forced to choose between the two, Lost wins with no contest.)

WEDNESDAYS: The Idol juggernaut continues on Wednesdays, where it will lead into new unscripted series Our Little Genius beginning January 13th for a week before moving to Tuesdays and giving the timeslot to new action drama Human Target. (I wasn't crazy at all about the pilot for Human Target and, unless the producers have completely altered the format and structure of the series, I won't be tuning in.)

THURSDAYS: The biggest headscratcher is why FOX wouldn't move the struggling sophomore drama series Fringe off of Thursdays. Fringe will instead have its "winter finale" on February 4th and will return seven weeks later with new episodes on April 1st. In between those dates, FOX will give over the timeslot to Past Life. Having seen the pilot for the reincarnation drama, I would be amazed if FOX kept it around for all eight episodes. (FOX will launch the series with a two-hour premiere on February 11th.)

FRIDAYS: Kitchen Nightmares returns in midseason and lands the Friday night at 9 pm timeslot, taking over for the cancelled Dollhouse, which wraps up its run on January 22nd. However, it's likely a good thing that FOX is choosing to rest Hell's Kitchen for the time being. I assume they'll wait to bring the format back until summertime and I hear that they have two cycles of the reality competition cycle already in the can.

SUNDAYS: Sunday nights remain more or less intact after the start of 24's two-night launch on January 17th, with The Simpsons, The Cleveland Show, Family Guy, and American Dad remaining as is from the current schedule. Come March 14th, new live-action comedy Sons of Tucson will take over the 8:30 pm slot and The Cleveland Show will shift to 9:30 pm for the remainder of the season.

And, oh, FOX was generous enough to make sure we all knew that unkillable comedy 'Til Death would return to the schedule at "a later date."

The full press release from FOX announcing their midseason lineup and the night-by-night schedule (with launch dates) can be found below.

FOX ANNOUNCES 2009-2010 MIDSEASON SCHEDULE

“AMERICAN IDOL” RETURNS WITH TWO-NIGHT SEASON PREMIERE
TUESDAY, JAN. 12 AND WEDNESDAY, JAN. 13

NEW UNSCRIPTED SERIES “OUR LITTLE GENIUS” DEBUTS
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 13

NEW ACTION DRAMA “HUMAN TARGET” PREVIEWS
DURING EXTENDED PRIMETIME SUNDAY, JAN. 17 AND
MAKES ITS SERIES PREMIERE WEDNESDAY, JAN. 20

“24” STARTS THE CLOCK DURING TWO-NIGHT, FOUR-HOUR EVENT
SUNDAY, JAN. 17 AND MONDAY, JAN. 18

CELEBRATE THE “BEST. 20 YEARS. EVER.” OF “THE SIMPSONS”
WITH “THE SIMPSONS 20TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL: IN 3-D! ON ICE!”
AND MILESTONE 450TH EPISODE SUNDAY, JAN. 10

GORDON RAMSAY’S “KITCHEN NIGHTMARES” TURNS UP THE HEAT
FRIDAY, JAN. 29

NEW THRILLER “PAST LIFE” EMERGES THURSDAY, FEB. 11
AND NEW COMEDY “SONS OF TUCSON” DEBUTS SUNDAY, MARCH 14

“GLEE” ROCKS ITS FALL FINALE WEDNESDAY, DEC. 9
AND RETURNS WITH ALL-NEW EPISODES TUESDAY, APRIL 13

“FRINGE” AIRS WINTER FINALE THURSDAY, FEB. 4
AND RESURFACES WITH ALL-NEW EPISODES THURSDAY, APRIL 1

“LIE TO ME” PICKED UP FOR THE BACK NINE EPISODES BRINGING
THE ORDER TO A FULL SEASON

FOX is announcing premiere dates of new and returning series as well as revisions to its 2009-2010 midseason schedule. FOX also has ordered a full season of the sophomore drama LIE TO ME.

January starts off on a high note when the ninth season of AMERICAN IDOL, television’s No. 1 series, begins with a two-night premiere Tuesday, Jan. 12 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Wednesday, Jan. 13 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). Immediately following AMERICAN IDOL on Jan. 13 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), FOX unveils the not-to-be-missed series debut of OUR LITTLE GENIUS, a new unscripted series that features America’s most gifted kids as they are tested with some of the most challenging and difficult questions that only a remarkable little genius could answer.

A special extended primetime event on Sunday, Jan. 17 kicks off with the NFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF (4:00 PM-CC ET live/1:00 PM-CC PT live), which leads into the explosive series preview of HUMAN TARGET (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), the new full-throttle, action-packed drama about a unique private contractor (Mark Valley) who will stop at nothing – even if it means becoming a human target – to save his clients. The special primetime event concludes with the first installment of the pulse-pounding two-night, four-hour premiere of 24 (9:00-11:00 PM ET/PT). The season premiere of 24 clocks in for two more hours of action Monday, Jan. 18 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), and the season premiere of HUMAN TARGET airs Wednesday, Jan. 20 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) following AMERICAN IDOL (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT).

On Sunday, Jan. 10, FOX presents a special SIMPSONS event beginning with the animated series’ milestone 450th episode, “Once Upon a Time in Springfield” (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT), in which BART (Nancy Cartwright) and MILHOUSE (Pamela Hayden) try to help KRUSTY (Dan Castellaneta) regain his popularity after network executives force him to restructure the format of his television show by hiring a female sidekick, PRINCESS PENELOPE (guest voice Anne Hathaway). Then, Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Morgan Spurlock (“Super Size Me,” “30 Days”) will present THE SIMPSONS 20TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL: IN 3-D! ON ICE! (8:30-9:30 PM ET/PT). The documentary special examines the global phenomenon that is THE SIMPSONS and serves as the momentous conclusion to the “Best. 20 Years. Ever.,” a year-long global celebration of THE SIMPSONS that launched in January 2009.

Chef Gordon Ramsay steps out of his own kitchen to serve up a new season of KITCHEN NIGHTMARES on Friday, Jan. 29 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). Each week, Chef Ramsay will try to help turn around some of the most unsanitary and unsuccessful restaurants in New York, New Jersey, Florida and California on the verge of closing their doors forever.

PAST LIFE, a new drama series inspired by the book “The Reincarnationist” about detectives who investigate the world of the unexplained, will bow with a two-hour series premiere Thursday, Feb. 11 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and will make its time period premiere Thursday, Feb. 18 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).

SONS OF TUCSON, the new family comedy from Emmy Award winner Todd Holland (“Wonderfalls”) about three young brothers who hire a charming, wayward schemer to stand in as their father when their real one goes to prison, debuts Sunday, March 14 (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT).

AMERICAN IDOL sings on Tuesdays (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) when it makes its time period premiere Jan. 19 followed by the time period premiere of OUR LITTLE GENIUS (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), and 24 syncs up for its time period premiere Monday, Jan. 25 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).

After its fall finale Wednesday, Dec. 9 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), GLEE returns from its interlude with a score of all-new episodes on a new night beginning Tuesday, April 13 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). FRINGE delves into its winter finale Thursday, Feb. 4 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and then resurfaces with new cases beginning Thursday, April 1 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). Joss Whedon’s DOLLHOUSE goes out with a bang with its series finale Friday, Jan. 22 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).

RECAP – FOX 2009-2010 MIDSEASON SCHEDULE
(All times ET/PT except as noted)

MONDAY
Monday, Jan. 4:
7:30 PM-CC ET TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL (LIVE)

Monday, Jan. 18:
8:00-10:00 PM 24 (2-Night / 4-Hour Season Premiere, Part 2)

Mondays, beginning Jan. 25:
8:00-9:00 PM HOUSE
9:00-10:00 PM 24 (Time Period Premiere)

****************************

TUESDAY
Tuesday, Jan. 5:
7:30 PM-CC ET FEDEX ORANGE BOWL (LIVE)

Tuesday, Jan. 12:
8:00-10:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL (Season Premiere, Part 1)

Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 19:
8:00-9:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL (Time Period Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM OUR LITTLE GENIUS (Time Period Premiere)

Tuesdays, beginning April 13:
8:00-9:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL
9:00-10:00 PM GLEE (Time Period Premiere)

***************************

WEDNESDAY
Wednesday, Jan. 13:
8:00-9:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL (Season Premiere, Part 2)
9:00-10:00 PM OUR LITTLE GENIUS (Series Premiere)


Wednesdays, beginning Jan. 20:
8:00-9:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL
9:00-10:00 PM HUMAN TARGET (Series Premiere)

***************************

THURSDAY
Thursdays, beginning Jan. 14 (no change to lineup):
8:00-9:00 PM BONES (All-New Episodes)
9:00-10:00 PM FRINGE (All-New Episodes)

Thursday, Feb. 4:
8:00-9:00 PM BONES
9:00-10:00 PM FRINGE (Winter Finale)

Thursday, Feb. 11:
8:00-10:00 PM PAST LIFE (Two-Hour Series Premiere)

Thursdays, beginning Feb. 18:
8:00-9:00 PM BONES
9:00-10:00 PM PAST LIFE (Time Period Premiere)

Thursdays, beginning April 1:
8:00-9:00 PM BONES
9:00-10:00 PM FRINGE (Time Period Premiere)

***************************

FRIDAY
Friday, Jan. 1:
8:00 PM-CC ET ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL (LIVE)

Fridays, beginning Jan. 8:
8:00-9:00 PM BONES (Encore Episodes)
9:00-10:00 PM DOLLHOUSE (All-New Episodes)

Friday, Jan. 22:
8:00-9:00 PM BONES (Encore Episode)
9:00-10:00 PM DOLLHOUSE (Series Finale)

Fridays, beginning Jan. 29:
8:00-9:00 PM HOUSE (Encore Episodes)
9:00-10:00 PM KITCHEN NIGHTMARES (Season Premiere)

**************************

SATURDAY
Saturdays (no change to lineup):
8:00-8:30 PM COPS
8:30-9:00 PM COPS
9:00-10:00 PM AMERICA’S MOST WANTED
11:00 PM-Midnight THE WANDA SYKES SHOW
Midnight-12:30 AM SIT DOWN, SHUT UP

***************************

SUNDAY
Sunday, Jan. 10:
8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS (450th Milestone Episode)
8:30-9:30 PM THE SIMPSONS 20TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL: IN 3-D! ON ICE!
9:30-10:00 PM THE CLEVELAND SHOW

Sunday, Jan. 17:
4:00 PM-CC ET NFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF (LIVE)
8:00-9:00 PM HUMAN TARGET (Series Preview)
9:00-11:00 PM 24 (2-Night / 4-Hour Season Premiere, Part 1)

Sunday, Jan. 24:
6:00 PM-CC ET NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (LIVE)

Sundays, beginning Jan. 31 (no change to lineup):
8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS (All-New Episodes)
8:30-9:00 PM THE CLEVELAND SHOW (All-New Episodes)
9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY (All-New Episodes)
9:30-10:00 PM AMERICAN DAD (All-New Episodes)

Sunday, March 14:
8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS
8:30-9:00 PM SONS OF TUCSON (Series Premiere)
9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY
9:30-10:00 PM THE CLEVELAND SHOW (Time Period Premiere)

[EDITOR’S NOTE 1: LIE TO ME will return to the schedule in the late spring, and ‘TIL DEATH will return to the schedule at a later date.]

[EDITOR’S NOTE 2: THE CLEVELAND SHOW takes over the timeslot previously held by AMERICAN DAD, which will return to the schedule at a later date.]

[EDITOR’S NOTE 3: THE SIMPSONS milestone 450th episode and THE SIMPSONS 20TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL: IN 3-D! ON ICE! special, which were previously announced to air Thursday, Jan. 14, are now scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 10.]

Chuck Me, It's Real: Launch Date for Season Three of "Chuck" FINALLY Announced

You've been demanding it.

Yes, true believers, Season Three of Chuck finally has a start date.

NBC today announced that Chuck will return on Sunday, January 10th at 9 pm ET/PT with two back-to-back episodes (comprising an awesome two hour season premiere).

But that's not all. Chuck will then be back the following night (January 11th) with a brand-new episode in its regular timeslot of Mondays at 8 pm ET/PT. (Whew. I was worried NBC would move Chuck to a new timeslot altogether.) Which means, a three-hour, two-night spectacular of Chuck goodness.



Guest stars on tap for the third season of Chuck include Angie Harmon, Brandon Routh, Steve Austin, Kristin Kreuk, Armand Assante, Robert Patrick, and Vinnie Jones.

"Josh (Schwartz) and Chris (Fedak) and the writing team are doing a great job this season, and we think the loyal fan base for this show will be happy to see it back on the NBC schedule," said Angela Bromstad, President, Primetime Entertainment, NBC and Universal Media Studios, in a statement.

Happy now, Chuck fans?

The full press release from NBC, announcing the Chuck scheduling, can be found below.

'CHUCK' RETURNS TO NBC ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 10 WITH ALL-NEW MISSIONS AND ACTION-PACKED BACK-TO-BACK PREMIERE EPISODES BEFORE MOVING TO REGULAR DAY AND TIME (MONDAYS, 8-9 P.M. ET) BEGINNING JANUARY 11

'CHUCK' GUEST STARS INCLUDE ANGIE HARMON, BRANDON ROUTH, ROBERT PATRICK, KRISTIN KREUK, ARMAND ASSANTE, STEVE AUSTIN AND VINNIE JONES

In Addition, Special Two-hour Episode of "Heroes" to Be Broadcast on Monday, January 4 (8-10 p.m. ET) Before Series Moves to Its New Time Slot of Mondays (9-10 p.m. ET) Starting January 11

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – November 19, 2009 – NBC's action-comedy series "Chuck" returns to the NBC lineup on Sunday, January 10 with all-new missions and two action-packed, back-to-back original episodes in its season premiere (9-11 p.m. ET) before the series -- starring Zachary Levi in the title role -- moves to its regular day and time (Mondays 8-9 p.m. ET) beginning January 11.

In addition, "Chuck" returns with guest stars galore in its third season. These include: Angie Harmon (NBC's "Law & Order"), who will play Sydney, an enemy operative; Brandon Routh ("Superman Returns"), who is set to play CIA Agent Daniel Shaw; Robert Patrick ("Terminator 2: Judgment Day") will play Colonel Keller, a soldier and spy from Casey's past; Kristin Kreuk ("Smallville"), who will portray Hannah -- a potential love interest for Chuck; Armand Assante ("Judge Dredd") as dictator Premier Goya, who is the target of an assassin; Steve Austin ("WWE Smackdown!") will portray Hugo Panzer, who becomes entangled in Chuck's first solo mission; and Vinnie Jones ("Snatch") will play Carl Stromberg, an arms dealer.

In other programming news, a special two-hour episode of "Heroes" will be broadcast on Monday, January 4 (8-10 p.m. ET) and then the series moves to its new time slot of Mondays (9-10 p.m. ET) starting January 11.

"Josh (Schwartz) and Chris (Fedak) and the writing team are doing a great job this season, and we think the loyal fan base for this show will be happy to see it back on the NBC schedule," said Angela Bromstad, President, Primetime Entertainment, NBC and Universal Media Studios.

In "Chuck," the world's nerdiest secret agent is back in the one-hour action-comedy series. Chuck Bartowski (Levi, "Less Than Perfect") continues as the Buy More electronics store computer geek, who unwittingly becomes the government's most vital secret agent. Chuck is transformed into the Intersect 2.0 after another data download into his brain. This time, he not only knows government secrets, but he is also well equipped with deadly fight skills. Chuck has the potential to become a real agent, but he has one problem -- his emotions. Now he faces the battle of keeping his emotions in check in order to protect himself and the people around him.

The ever stoic Colonel John Casey (Adam Baldwin, "My Bodyguard") returns with partner Sarah Walker (Yvonne Strahovski, "Gone"), one of the CIA's top agents and Chuck's dream girl. As Chuck assumes his new role as the Intersect 2.0, Casey and Sarah need to protect him but also help him become the agent he is destined to be.

Also starring are: Joshua Gomez ("Without a Trace") as Morgan Grimes -- Chuck's best buddy; Sarah Lancaster ("What About Brian?") as Chuck's ever-supportive sister Ellie; Ryan McPartlin ("Living with Fran") as Devon Woodcomb (also known as "Captain Awesome"), Ellie's husband. Chuck's Buy More team consists of Big Mike (Mark Christopher Lawrence, "The Pursuit of Happyness") and the Nerd Herd, which includes Lester (Vik Sahay, "Time Bomb") and Jeff (Scott Krinsky, "The O.C.").

Fans of "Chuck" can catch up on full episodes from the series' recent second season, watch original web series and share with fans on the official "Chuck" website on NBC.com.

"Chuck" is co-created and written by Josh Schwartz ("The O.C., "Gossip Girl") and Chris Fedak, and is executive-produced by Schwartz, McG ("Charlie's Angels," "We Are Marshall"), Fedak, Allison Adler and Matthew Miller. "Chuck" is produced by College Hill Pictures, Wonderland Sound and Vision, in association with Warner Bros. Television.

"Lost": The Final Season Begins...

The final season of Lost finally as a start date.

ABC will launch the sixth (and sadly last) season of Lost on Tuesday, February 2nd at 9 pm ET/PT. in a two-hour season premiere following a one-hour clip show at 8 pm that will get viewers up to speed on the the last five seasons.

Following the premiere, the series will move into its regular timeslot of Tuesdays at 9 pm ET/PT.

Are you happy with the new timeslot? Glad that there will be something to watch on Tuesday nights at 9 pm in the winter? Talk back.

The full press release from ABC, announcing the scheduling of Lost's final season, can be found below.

ABC ANNOUNCES THE PREMIERE OF THE SIXTH AND FINAL SEASON OF “LOST,”
WITH A SPECIAL ALL-NIGHT EVENT ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2

ABC announces the premiere of the sixth and final season of “Lost,” with a special all-night event on Tuesday, February 2. A recap special will kick off the night from 8:00-9:00 p.m., ET, followed by the much anticipated two-hour premiere from 9:00-11:00 p.m.

The series will then air in its regular time period – Tuesday nights from 9:00-10:00 p.m., ET – beginning the following week, on February 9.

“Lost” stars Naveen Andrews as Sayid, Nestor Carbonell as Richard Alpert, Emilie de Ravin as Claire, Michael Emerson as Ben, Jeff Fahey as Frank Lapidus, Matthew Fox as Jack, Jorge Garcia as Hurley, Josh Holloway as Sawyer, Daniel Dae Kim as Jin, Yunjin Kim as Sun, Ken Leung as Miles, Evangeline Lilly as Kate, Terry O’Quinn as Locke and Zuleikha Robinson as Ilana.

“Lost” was created by Jeffrey Lieber and J.J. Abrams & Damon Lindelof. Abrams, Lindelof, Bryan Burk, Jack Bender, Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz, Jean Higgins and Carlton Cuse serve as executive producers. “Lost,” which is filmed entirely on location in Hawaii and premiered on September 22, 2004, is from ABC Studios.

BBC America Announces US Airdate for "Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars"

Following up this morning's Doctor Who story, BBC America has announced that it will air Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars on Saturday, December 19th at 9 pm ET/PT.

The news comes on the heels of BBC One's announcement that they will debut the David Tennant special, the first of three final Doctor Who installments featuring the Tenth Doctor, on Sunday, November 15th at 7 pm GMT, a full month ahead of the US transmission.

Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars, written by Russell T. Davies and Phil Ford, will star David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor and Rome's Lindsay Duncan as Adelaide. The plot finds the Doctor arriving on Mars at the Bowie Base One where not everything is as it seems as the base falls under attack from a deadly water-based threat. ("Mars, 2059. Bowie Base one. Last recorded message: don't drink the water. Don't even touch it. Not one drop.")

US airdates for the final two David Tennant Doctor Who specials will be made public in early December. As fans of the British sci-fi series are aware, Tennant will depart Doctor Who at the end of the year before Season Five returns in 2010 with the Eleventh Doctor, to be played by Matt Smith.

The full press release from BBC America, announcing the scheduling, can be found below.

THE DOCTOR WHO SPECIALS ARE LANDING ON BBC AMERICA

"Mars, 2059. Bowie Base one. Last recorded message: don't drink the water. Don't even touch it. Not one drop."

New York, NY – October 30, 2009 - The BBC today announced the imminent arrival of the final Doctor Who episodes starring David Tennant as the Doctor. Television’s longest running science fiction series, shot in HD, has just three episodes to go before a new Doctor arrives on screen next year.

The next special, Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars airs on BBC AMERICA, Saturday December 19, 9:00pm ET/PT. It stars Tennant and British stage and screen actress Lindsay Duncan (Rome, Langford) as Adelaide, his cleverest and most strong-minded companion.

All will be revealed as the Doctor and his companion Adelaide face terror on the Red Planet in one of the scariest adventures yet. Peter O’Brien (Casualty, Neighbours) guest stars as Ed, Adelaide’s second-in-command at the base.

The Waters of Mars is written by Russell T Davies (Torchwood, Queer as Folk) and Phil Ford and directed by Graeme Harper. The executive producers are Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner (Torchwood, Life on Mars).

The remaining episodes, starring Tennant, will air over the holiday season as a two-part special. Airdates will be released in early December. Tennant shot a total of four specials before exiting the role - Planet of the Dead was the first one to air, last July, on BBC AMERICA.

The BBC will release The Waters of Mars and the two-part finale on DVD and Blu-ray, Tuesday, February 2, 2010. Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead is already available on DVD and Blu-ray. Releasing on February 2 are:
· Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars – DVD SRP: $14.98/BD SRP: $19.89
· Two-part special (2-disc release) – DVD SRP: $24.98 / BD SRP: $29.99
· Doctor Who: Specials Collection (5-disc release) – DVD SRP: $49.98 / BD SRP: $59.99 - contains The Next Doctor, Planet of the Dead, Waters of Mars and the two-part finale

The iconic sci-fi series originally aired on the BBC from ‘63 – ‘89 and ran on over 400 PBS stations in the ‘80s. This slick re-imagination of Doctor Who, created by Russell T Davies puts a fresh spin on the adventures of the iconic Time Lord and his feisty companions - who travel across the universe to protect Earth from dangerous aliens and terrifying monsters.

Doctor Who has received 67 awards in total - two BAFTAs, including Best Drama Series in ‘06, three Hugo Awards for Best Dramatic Presentation: Short Form in ‘06, ’07 and ’08 as well as the Saturn Award for Best International Series in ‘08. Doctor Who has two hit spin-off series - Torchwood, which gets its name from an anagram of Doctor Who, and one for children, The Sarah Jane Adventures.

AMC Announces Launch Date for Limited Series "The Prisoner"

Cabler AMC has announced that its six-hour limited series event The Prisoner, starring Jim Caviezel and Ian McKellan, will launch on Sunday, November 15th at 8 pm ET/PT.

The cabler will air three two-hour installments over three consecutive nights, with subsequent installments airing on Monday, November 16th and Tuesday, November 17th.

In this remake of the classic British cult series, Jim Caviezel (The Passion of the Christ) plays Number Six, a man who finds himself the unwitting titular prisoner of The Village, a strange and surreal settlement overseen by the nefarious Number Two, played by Ian McKellan (Lord of the Rings). The Prisoner also stars Jamie Campbell-Bower (The Twilight Saga: New Moon) as Number 11-12, Hayley Atwell (Brideshead Revisited) as Number 41-5, Lennie James (Jericho) as Number 147, and Ruth Wilson (Suburban Shootout) as Number 313.

The Prisoner was written by Bill Gallagher (Conviction) and directed by Nick Hurran (Little Black Book).

Here's how AMC describes the six-hour limited series:

"The Prisoner tells the story of a man, "Six" (Caviezel), who wakes up to find himself inexplicably trapped in a mysterious and surreal place, The Village, with no memory of how he arrived. As he frantically explores his new environment, he discovers that Village residents are identified by number, have no memory of any prior existence, and are under constant surveillance. The Village is controlled by one man - the sinister and charismatic "Two" (Ian McKellen). Throughout the series, "Six" and "Two" are locked in a battle of wits, as "Six" challenges the oppressive nature of The Village and struggles to learn the truth behind it."

AMC's nine-minute clip reel for The Prisoner, shown this summer at San Diego Comic-Con, can be found below.



The Prisoner launches November 15th at 8 pm ET/PT on AMC.