ABC ORDERS BACK NINE OF TWO FRESHMAN COMEDIES; "RODNEY" AND "COMPLETE SAVAGES" GET FULL SEASON PICK-UPS

The ABC Television Network has picked up two of its freshman comedies -- "Rodney" and "Complete Savages" -- for the full season, it was announced today by Stephen McPherson, president, ABC Primetime Entertainment.

"'Rodney' and 'Complete Savages' are great additions to our Tuesday and Friday comedy blocks," Mr. McPherson said. "Creatively, these series continue to get better."

Added Mark Pedowitz, president, Touchstone Television, which produces "Rodney": "The series speaks to the heartland of America, and we're thrilled that audiences are responding."

"Rodney" stars successful standup comedian Rodney Carrington as a family man and would-be comic trying to balance his home life and fledging career. Rodney Hamilton is a down-to-earth guy's guy who, with his own heartland intelligence, is never afraid to speak the truth. In the middle of real, everyday America, Rodney's life revolves around his family -- wife Trina and their two boys, Jack and Bo, his longtime friend, Barry, and his man-hungry sister-in-law, Charlie, a frequent visitor to the Hamilton house.

Season-to-date, "Rodney" is the No. 1 series in its time period among Adults 18-49 (3.8/9). The ABC family comedy also ranks first against regular competition in the half-hour among Adults 25-54 (4.4/10) and Kids 2-11 (1.4/6). In the key Adult 18-49 sales demographic, "Rodney" is ABC's second-highest-rated Tuesday night show, behind only "According to Jim." On average, the freshman comedy holds 90% of its "According to Jim" lead-in across each of the key men demographics: Men 18-34 - 92% retention, Men 18-49 - 91% retention, and Men 25-54 - 90%.

"Rodney" stars Rodney Carrington as Rodney Hamilton, Jennifer Aspen as Trina Hamilton, Amy Pietz as Charlie, Nick Searcy as Barry, Oliver Davis as Jack Hamilton and Matthew Josten as Bo Hamilton.

The series is created by Don Reo & Damon Wayans ("My Wife and Kids") and Ric Swartzlander ("Ellen," "Hidden Hills"). The half-hour series is executive-produced by Ric Swartzlander and David Himelfarb ("My Wife and Kids"). The series is produced by Touchstone Television.

"Complete Savages" chronicles the amusing and chaotic trials and tribulations of a father single-handedly raising five teenage boys. Nick Savage (Keith Carradine) faces the daunting challenge of trying to control the mayhem. A career firefighter, he finds running into a burning building a relaxing break from his parental duties with his five willful and creative sons.

So far this season, "Complete Savages" is retaining 100% of its "8 Simple Rules" Adult 18-49 lead-in (2.1/7), while building on its lead by +7% among Adults 18-34 (1.5/6 vs. 1.4/6) and by 15% among Teens 12-17 (1.5/7 vs. 1.3/6). In recent weeks the show has seen its Adult 18-49 delivery increase, hitting series highs in the key demo on each of its last three broadcasts. The freshman comedy leads its time slot among Teens 12-17, ranking as the second-highest-rated program broadcast on Friday night this season.

Starring in "Complete Savages" are Keith Carradine as Nick, Andrew Eiden as Sam, Shaun Sipos as Jack, Erik von Detten as Chris, Evan Ellingson as Kyle, Jason Dolley as T.J. and Vincent Ventresca as Jimmy.

"Complete Savages" was created by Julie Thacker-Scully and Mike Scully. Julie Thacker-Scully, Mike Scully, Mel Gibson and Bruce Davey are executive producers. The series is produced by Nothing Can Go Wrong Now Productions and Icon Productions in association with NBC Universal Television.