ABC revealed some major changes to its comedy lineup today, and maybe the biggest news of all is that the network will be challenging NBC head-on by launching a Thursday comedy block of its own.
Starting March 26, Samantha Who? will air at 8 p.m. Thursdays, followed by the new comedy In the Motherhood. That means Samantha will be battling My Name is Earl, while Motherhood will have a head start on its major competitor, the new Amy Poehler show, which premieres April 9. The new comedy block means Ugly Betty will take a hiatus (though ABC says it will return once the comedies have finished their runs).
There are a couple of other changes in the works, too: Scrubs will move to Wednesdays at 8 p.m. starting March 18, leading into the new series Better Off Ted at 8:30 p.m. (That makes way for the Dancing with the Stars results show to take over Tuesdays in the Spring.)
What do you make of the news? Do you think ABC's comedies can take on NBC's? And will you miss Betty?
Photos copyright 2008 ABC, Inc.
Paul & Joe
Nooo, I love Ugly Betty. I really hope that ABC keeps its promise and brings Betty back but I can't say I' m very optimistic about it.
1I'm sick of everything being switched around! Just when I think I've got the hang of the schedule, they go and change it on me!
2Ugly Betty's been kind of off for me this season. I think this show fell under the de-gaying hand of ABC Standard & Practices ever since writer Marco Pennette was let go, Rebecca Romijn's tranny character was demoted to recurring (and as of yet unseen since her last episode) and Marc's boyfriend was written off so the show could focus on the more hetero-looking Marc/Amanda friendship--the same hand that wrongfully sacked Brooke Smith and literally de-gayed Melissa George's character. Kevin Walker should be scared.
3is that horatio sanz from SNL?
4i'm SO sad about ugly betty!!!
5this is NOT acceptable!
I'm not an Ugly Betty fan & I will still be watching Samatha Who? online because I don't think I can convince the BF to miss My Name is Earl. Sorry ABC. But I am really excited that Samantha Who is still around!
6I'm kind of ticked about it. Seriously, I agree with Phil- ever since ABC started de-gaying, it hasn't been the same... And what the heck is with all of the flip flopping? That's the reason Scrubs came to ABC from NBC- because NBC did so much flip flopping that you didnt know when to catch Scrubs. AND what the heck will happen to Grey's and Private Practice once Thursdays turns into comedy night???
7I was over Ugly Betty a long time ago...
8I'm curious about Grey's too...are they moving that time since it's comedy night?
9ABC has been ridiculous this year...cancelling Pushing Daisies and mixing around the TV schedule, now Ugly Betty may not come back? Ugh I'm pissed.
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