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Fall TV Preview

ABC fall TV 2011 schedule predictions: Comedy block tinkering, fresh dramas

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May 10, 2011 7:49 PM ET

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abc-schedule-prediction.jpgABC will unveil its 2011-12 lineup on Tuesday, May 17, and it will probably feature at least five new shows -- if not more than that. The network has several holes to fill since most of its new dramas this season performed poorly, and it's reportedly looking at establishing another comedy block as well.

Keeping that in mind, below is the schedule we'd put together if we were running ABC. It's based on shows that are already renewed, our sense of what will be canceled, advance word about which pilots are doing well at network screenings and, frankly, a little bit of guessing. This is what we would do -- let us know how you would schedule the network in the comments. (New shows are in italics, all times Eastern.)

Monday

8:00 "Dancing With the Stars"
10:00 "Castle"

No need to mess with a good thing here.

Tuesday

8:00 Untitled Tim Allen comedy
8:30 "Suburgatory"
9:00 "Dancing With the Stars" results
10:00 "Body of Proof"

The Tim Allen comedy -- a family show about a guy who's trying to stay a man's man in a family full of women -- is said to have strong support inside the network and could lead off the night. "Suburgatory" is another family show that could match up well. If ABC feels like it needs to give the new comedy block a little support, it could move the "DWTS" results to 8. "Body of Proof" has performed solidly this spring, but moving it to another night might be risky at this point.

Wednesday

8:00 "The Middle"
8:30 "Cougar Town"
9:00 "Modern Family"
9:30 "Don't Trust the B***h in Apartment 23"
10:00 "Once Upon a Time"

"Cougar Town" gets bumped up to 8:30 to give the "Modern Family" launchpad to "Apartment 23," the network's buzziest comedy (the pilot for which, incidentally, was directed by frequent "MF" helmer Jason Winer). Fantasy drama "Once Upon a Time" tries to reverse ABC's 10 p.m. Wednesday curse.

Thursday

8:00 "Charlie's Angels"
9:00 "Grey's Anatomy"
10:00 "Private Practice"

Thursday at 8 has been a problem spot for ABC the past couple seasons. The network is said to be high on "Charlie's Angels," which has built-in name recognition and could be a fun, light way to kick off the night

Friday

8:00 "Shark Tank"
9:00 "Secret Millionaire"
10:00 "20/20"

We're kind of grasping at straws here. If ABC decides to try scripted shows here, procedurals "Identity" and "Poe" (which is set in the 1840s and has some supernatural overtones) could be contenders.

Saturday

8:00 "Saturday Night College Football"

Already locked in.

Sunday

7:00 "America's Funniest Home Videos"
8:00 "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"
9:00 "Desperate Housewives"
10:00 "Brothers & Sisters" OR "Good Christian B***hes"

We have a feeling "Brothers & Sisters" will get a shortened final season, but we're not sure whether ABC would run it in the fall or at midseason. If the network holds off on "B&S," "Good Christian B***hes" -- or whatever it ends up being called -- seems like a natural fit with "Desperate Housewives."

Other contenders: "Mr. Sunshine" and "Happy Endings" are tossups to return next season, while it feels like "V" will get left out. If the network sticks with unscripted fare on Fridays, "Identity" and "Poe" could be midseason shows. The Shonda Rhimes-produced "Damage Control" (aka "Scandal") probably shouldn't be counted out either, if for no other reason than it's produced by Shonda Rhimes. Dramas "The Revenge" and "Hallelujah" also have some support.

What would you like to see ABC put on its schedule for the fall?
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Photo/Video credit: Getty Images, ABC
 
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 |  Comments (32)

I personally think ABC needs to take more risks instead of just filling in the blanks. Have they ever tried a fully scripted Sunday? I think it's worth a shot! As for the pilots I'd like to see on the schedule my 4 drama picks are Charlie's Angels, Pan Am, Hallelujah and Poe; placing them Sunday @ 7, Sunday @ 8, Sunday @ 10 and Monday @ 10 respectively.
On the comedy side, I'm thinking 3 new comedies. My picks would be Suburgatory,Apt. 23, and Tim Allen's new show; placing them Tuesday @ 8.30, Wednesday @ 8.30 and Wednesday @ 9.30.

Sophie | May 10, 2011 8:03 PM

Rooting for "Happy Endings." It's a long shot, but I love it.

Larry | May 10, 2011 8:05 PM

I want Mr. Sunshine to come back. Period. One of the few ABC shows I watched.

hosue-draven | May 10, 2011 8:19 PM

I've quit watching new ABC shows because every one I watch they cancel! Refuse to watch anything they put on the air because they never give them any time to develop. Still watch DH and B&S because they've had them on a long time.

David | May 10, 2011 8:51 PM

I really hope they can find a place for "Better With You" and "Happy Endings".

Shannon | May 10, 2011 9:02 PM

HAPPY ENGINGS AND BROTHERS & SISTERS! BEST SHOWS ON ABC!

BB | May 10, 2011 9:14 PM

Charlie's Angels versus The Big Bang Theory is definitely a great timeslot showdown on Thursday nights. Talking about "Beauties and the Geeks".

kevin | May 10, 2011 9:18 PM

Detroit 187 deserves to come back.

Steve | May 10, 2011 10:21 PM

ABC would be in 4th place 18-49 with that schedule for sure. No back and forth with NBC. Some of it is on, but they need new shows at 10PM Thurs and Sunday. Also, no Pan Am! Really? Also, Missing and Bad Mom.

Lucky | May 10, 2011 10:23 PM

I love "The Middle"," Better with You" and "Modern Family" just where they are. Poe sounds interesting.

Robotboy1 | May 10, 2011 10:34 PM
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