ABC Shows Faith In New And Returning Series

Remember back before the writers strike? Yeah, me neither. It really feels like it’s been going on for my entire life. Anyway, back when we had a TV season, we had lots of new shows, with some of the best calling ABC their home. ABC recognized this and gave full-season pickups to most of them, including two of my favorites, Pushing Daisies and Samantha Who?. Now while it looks like most of those shows won’t ever see their promised back nine, we do have more good news from the Alphabet network. Nine series are being given the green light for next season.

Leading the pack of those picked up for another year are the usual suspects, Grey’s Anatomy, Desperate Housewives and Lost (which has already been picked up for the next three seasons). ABC is also showing faith in a couple of sophomore series, bringing Brothers & Sisters and Ugly Betty back for third seasons. Rounding out the list are four brand-new shows with sadly truncated seasons. Pushing Daisies, Private Practice, Samantha Who? and Dirty Sexy Money are all receiving a second shot next year.

Of the new series, Samantha Who? and Dirty Sexy Money are reported to have a few pre-strike episodes in the can that we may be able to see this season. The folks over at Pushing Daisies, however, say that we won’t be seeing any of the gang over at The Pie Hole until the fall. As of now, there’s no word on whether or not we’ll see more of Addison’s California adventures on Private Practice this season.

Not on the pickup list are Boston Legal and Men in Trees; the latter of which has something like 27 unaired episodes that ABC has inexplicably not been showing. Last year, ABC only picked up seven scripted series for the 07-08 season and they did it all in one fell swoop. If last year’s behavior is any indication, that does not bode well for these two shows.

Having never watched an episode of Boston Legal or Men in Trees, I’m concentrating on the awesomeness of Pushing Daisies being around for a full 22 episodes next season. Combined with the strike ending tomorrow, it looks like this is going to be a pretty good week in TV.