PREMIERE

FREDDIE PRINZE, JR. STARS AS FREDDIE, A SUCCESSFUL CHEF WHOSE LIFE IS COMPLICATED BY THE WOMEN IN HIS FAMILY -- WHO ALL LIVE WITH HIM -- ON THE PREMIERE OF "FREDDIE," TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12 ON ABC

Freddie Prinze, Jr. makes his television series starring debut in this offbeat family comedy from the team behind "The Drew Carey Show" and "George Lopez," on the series premiere of "Freddie," WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Editors please note: This program was originally scheduled to air on October 5. It now replaces "Pilot," which moves to October 19.

Freddie Moreno (Prinze) had finally escaped from the raucous house of women with whom he grew up. Having achieved some success as head chef at a trendy Chicago restaurant, he's ready for love and everything else that single life has to offer, including hanging out with his best friend and neighbor, Chris (Brian Green, "Beverly Hills 90210"). Unfortunately, there's one slight hitch: After the death of his older brother and the collapse of his sister's (Jacqueline Obradors, "NYPD Blue") marriage, goodhearted Freddie took in his impulsive sister-in-law (Mddchen Amick, "Twin Peak"), his pragmatic sister with her 13-year-old daughter (Chloe Suazo, "The Comeback") and their irascible grandma (Jenny Gago, "Coach Carter"), who refuses to speak English and only responds in Spanish -- even though she understands every word. But while the members of this unconventional brood may test Freddie's patience endlessly, they also support and take care of one another, just as they always have. Now all Freddie has to do is figure out how to maintain his thriving bachelor lifestyle in a house overflowing with estrogen.

The premiere episode, "Rich Man, Poor Girl," finds Freddie and Chris taking a new approach to meeting women. After a series of unsuccessful dates with spoiled rich girls, the two decide to find "down to earth" women at a laundromat in their old neighborhood. Freddie runs into Gina, a nice girl from high school, and Chris meets Krystal, a girl easily impressed by his money. But when Freddie dates the woman he and his family think could be a perfect match for him, he ends up learning more about himself than he bargained for.

"Freddie" is inspired by Freddie Prinze Jr.'s real life, growing up in a house filled with women (his mother and Puerto Rican grandmother). His life-long friend, Conrad Jackson, co-created this series with Prinze, along with executive producers Bruce Helford and Bruce Rasmussen. The friendship between Freddie and Chris in the show is loosely based on their lives. Prinze stars in the new sitcom, which he has co-created and will write.

"Freddie" stars Freddie Prinze, Jr. as Freddie Moreno, Jacqueline Obradors as Sofia, Brian A. Green as Chris, Mddchen Amick as Allison, Jenny Gago as Grandma and Chloe Suazo as Zoey.

Guest starring are Charles Fleischer as Adam, Ana Ortiz as Gina, Valeria as Krystal, Retta as Joan, April Bowlby as Sydney and Marisa Petroro as Trish.

"Rich Man, Poor Girl" was written by Lori Kirkland Baker and directed by John Pasquin.

Bruce Helford, Deborah Oppenheimer, Bruce Rasmussen and Freddie Prinze, Jr. serve as executive producers. "Freddie," which is filmed before an audience, is from Warner Bros. Television.

"Freddie" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP. This program carries a TV-PG,D,L parental guideline.