ABC ORDERS BACK NINE OF TWO TOP-10 SERIES; "DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES" AND "LOST" GET FULL SEASON PICK-UPS

The ABC Television Network has picked up two of the season's most successful freshmen series-"Desperate Housewives" and "Lost"-for the full season, it was announced today by Stephen McPherson, president, ABC Primetime Entertainment.

"'Desperate Housewives' and 'Lost' each bring something unique to the table, and we're thrilled that audiences responded from day one," Mr. McPherson said. "Creatively, these two shows only continue to get better."

Added Mark Pedowitz, president, Touchstone Television: "Success in our business starts with creators who are passionate about an idea. That vision is then embraced by hundreds of people who help bring it to life week-in and week-out. I am so proud of everyone associated with 'Lost' and 'Desperate Housewives,' for all their hard work and support, and we're ecstatic that viewers have responded so positively to their efforts."

A primetime soap with a truly contemporary take on "happily every after," "Desperate Housewives" takes a darkly comedic look at suburbia, where the secret lives of housewives aren't always what they seem.

On each of its broadcasts, ABC's "Desperate Housewives" has been the No. 1 TV program on Sunday night in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. The program is also the No. 1 new TV series of the new season in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. On its most recent telecast (10/17/04), the show hit new highs across the adult demos: Adults 18-34, Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54. On its series debut (10/3/04), "Desperate Housewives" attracted the largest audience for any ABC series debut in eight years and was its most watched drama debut in 11 years - since 9/17/96 ("Spin City") and 9/21/93 ("NYPD Blue"), respectively. In its three airings, "Desperate Housewives" is bringing ABC 124% more Total Viewers (20.8 million vs. 9.3 million) and 131% more Adults 18-49 (9.0/21 vs. 3.9/9) to the time period than at a same point a year ago.

"Desperate Housewives" stars Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer, Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, Marcia Cross as Bree Van De Kamp, Eva Longoria as Gabrielle Solis, James Denton as Mike Delfino, Nicollette Sheridan as Edie Britt, Steven Culp as Rex Van De Camp, Mark Moses as Paul Young, Ricardo Antonio Chavira as Carlos Solis, Cody Kasch as Zach Young, Andrea Bowen as Julie Mayer, Jesse Metcalfe as John and Brenda Strong as Mary Alice Young.

Marc Cherry ("The Golden Girls") is executive producer and creator of the series. Michael Edelstein ("Threat Matrix") and Tom Spezialy ("The District," "Ed") are executive producers, Kevin Murphy ("Reefer Madness") is co-executive producer and Charles Pratt Jr., ("Melrose Place," "General Hospital") is consulting producer of the series, from Touchstone Television.

From executive producers J.J. Abrams (creator of "Alias"), Damon Lindelof ("Crossing Jordan") and Bryan Burk ("Alias") comes an action-packed adventure that will bring out the very best and the very worst in the people who are "Lost."

Stripped of everything, the 48 survivors of a horrific plane crash scavenge what they can from the plane for their survival. Some panic. Some pin their hopes on rescue. A few find inner strength they never knew they had. The band of friends, family, enemies and strangers must work together against the cruel weather and harsh terrain if they want to stay alive. But the island holds many secrets, including the intense howls of the mysterious creatures stalking the jungle, which fill them all with fear. Fortunately, thanks to the calm leadership of quick-thinking Jack and level-headed Kate, they have hope. But even heroes have secrets, as the survivors will come to learn.

For four weeks in a row (all four of its telecasts), "Lost" has been the No. 1 program in its hour among viewers and young adults. On its most recent telecast (10/13/04), "Lost" ranked as the No. 1 TV program of the night in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. In addition, on the ame night the new drama drew its largest overall audience since its debut episode (9/22/04) and hit series highs in Adults 18-49, Adults 18-34, Teens 12-17 and Kids 2-11. Compared to the first four weeks of last season, "Lost" has improved the hour for ABC by 6.1 million viewers (17.6 million vs. 11.5 million) and by 40% in Adults 18-49 (6.6/18 vs. 4.7/13).

"Lost" stars Naveen Andrews as Sayid, Matthew Fox as Jack, Jorge Garcia as Hurley, Maggie Grace as Shannon, Josh Holloway as Sawyer, Malcolm David Kelley as Walt, Daniel Dae Kim as Jin, Yunjin Kim as Sun, Evangeline Lilly as Kate, Dominic Monaghan as Charlie, Terry O'Quinn as Locke, Harold Perrineau as Michael and Ian Somerhalder as Boone.

"Lost" was created by Jeffrey Lieber and J.J. Abrams & Damon Lindelof. Abrams, Lindelof and Bryan Burk serve as executive producers. Jack Bender and David Fury ("Angel") are co-executive producers. "Lost," which is filmed entirely on location in Hawaii, is from Touchstone Television.