or


[05/15/12 - 11:04 AM]
Lee: Look for All-Star "Dancing With the Stars"; "Hulk" Still in the Works
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC)

LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- "Why just watch, when you can feel?" will be the question ABC asks its audience during today's upfront presentation. Said tagline was underscored by ABC Entertainment Group President Paul Lee following the announcement of the network's 2012-13 schedule. "That really encapsulates this brand," the executive told reporters. "Everything we do is about an emotional connection: great stories, great characters and real emotion."

Other notable developments from today's press call with the ABC chief:

-- "We're going to do something different this fall, we're going to do an all-star edition of 'Dancing With the Stars,'" Lee confirmed. "We're going to be bringing back fan favorites from the last 14 seasons." When asked about who specifically will return, Lee would only say "we can't talk about the casting yet but I would love to see some of the fan favorites from the last seasons come back. And we have many favorites over the 14 seasons... fingers crossed, we are casting now."

-- "I think it's time for Friday night to be a destination again for broad family entertainment," Lee said about the move of "Last Man Standing" to Fridays. He likewise defended his decision to shift "Happy Endings" and "Don't Trust the B----" to Tuesday night: "Of our shows, those are two of our most passionate audiences so we believe those audiences will move to find those shows."

-- Aside from its comedy plans on Tuesdays at midseason, Lee also revealed that "'Mistresses' is a show that we're going to be launching after 'The Bachelor' franchise, probably in May."

-- On the company's Marvel properties: "We did do some development this season, not just with ourselves but also with FOX... Of course you know 'The Hulk' is in development, it wasn't going to be ready for this season but we hope we'll be ready for next season." Beyond "Hulk" Lee said, "We've got some in development but none that I can talk about at this point." As for "AKA Jessica Jones," which was penned by "Red Widow's" Melissa Rosenberg, the executive indicated it won't be moving forward. "We have other development which probably is further at the front of the queue."

-- Lee also indicated they're open to year-round development. "It's much easier to develop midseason [but] it's difficult to break the mold," he said. "In many ways it's easier in terms of casting and staffing up. It's not impossible that we'll make a couple of moves in the next few months." As for whether any of their current pilots are being rolled, Lee said, "Nothing that comes to mind."

-- The executive likewise confirmed a few episode orders. "The intention is to have 'Revenge' absolutely do 22 episodes," Lee said about the Sunday-bound drama. He also indicated "Body of Proof" indeed has a 13-episode commitment for midseason.

-- As for its rollout plans, Lee said, "We did launch two or three shows right at the beginning of the fall last year, we're probably going to continue to do that." Adding, "Staggering show launches works for us, it's been a successful strategy and I think we're going to continue to do so."

-- After the conference, a network spokesperson confirmed to us that "Million Dollar Mind Game" and "You Deserve It" are indeed canceled. As for "Nightline Prime," we're told the series isn't considered something that is picked up or cancelled in the usual sense as it's possible that title could be used again.

-- And finally, TVGuide.com reports that ABC has picked up "Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition" for a third season of 15 two-hour episodes. The Alphabet made the pickup early - in advance of its season two launch on June 3 - due to the year-long production cycle needed to create the show. Chris Powell will return as host while various show alums will serve as "weight-loss ambassadors" next year. In addition, Walmart has joined as a sponsor.





  [may 2012]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


· BACHELOR, THE (ABC)
· BACHELORETTE, THE (ABC)
· BODY OF PROOF (ABC)
· DANCING WITH THE STARS (ABC)
· DON'T TRUST THE BITCH IN APARTMENT 23 (ABC)
· EXTREME WEIGHT LOSS (ABC)
· HAPPY ENDINGS (ABC)
· INCREDIBLE HULK, THE (ABC)
· LAST MAN STANDING (FOX)
· MARVEL'S JESSICA JONES (NETFLIX)
· MILLION DOLLAR MIND GAME (ABC)
· MISTRESSES (ABC)
· NIGHTLINE PRIME (ABC)
· RED WIDOW (ABC)
· REVENGE (ABC)
· YOU DESERVE IT (ABC)





[08/13/26 - 10:00 AM]
Video: First Look at New Supernatural Series "Coven Academy" Conjures Up Drama, Premiering Oct. 1 on Freeform and Next Day on Disney+ and Hulu
In the haunted heart of New Orleans, "Coven Academy" follows three teenage witches and their dangerously charming warlock peers at an elite magic boarding school where power is currency, secrets are lethal and attraction is a liability.

[08/13/26 - 09:31 AM]
Paramount+ Begins Production on Thriller "Discretion" Starring Nicole Kidman, Elle Fanning and Josh Lucas
Joining the previously announced cast as series regulars are Golden Globe and Emmy nominee Stephan James and Colton Ryan.

[08/13/26 - 09:31 AM]
Pack Your SPF! "Arizona Hot" Is Turning Up the Temp in New Netflix Reality Show
The new reality series follows a group of ambitious twenty-somethings fresh out of college and eager to carve out a space for themselves in the Grand Canyon State.

[08/13/26 - 09:01 AM]
Emily Hampshire, Edvin Ryding, Robert Naylor, Sabrina Jalees, and Priyanka Join the Cast of "Heated Rivalry" Season 2
New lineup just dropped.

[08/13/26 - 08:48 AM]
"Crystal Lake" Arrives October 15 on Peacock
Some family traditions never die.

[08/13/26 - 08:31 AM]
PBS Announces Season Two of Nature Docuseries "Hope in the Water"
The three-episode season, coming to PBS in 2027, traces a single, powerful idea: that the future of food is being written right now, by ordinary people making extraordinary choices.

[08/13/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Mom Knows Best?" - Official Trailer - Netflix
In this new reality show format, nine mothers secretly bet on the choices their adult children will make, putting their familial bonds to the test.

[08/13/26 - 08:01 AM]
Netflix's "The Altruists" - Date Announcement & First Look
The story of Sam Bankman-Fried and Caroline Ellison, two hyper-smart, ambitious young idealists who tried to remake the global financial system in the blink of an eye - before they were accused of stealing $8 billion and became Gen Z's own Bonnie & Clyde.

[08/13/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: Trailer & Key Art Debut - "Chad Powers" Season 2
Chad Powers is a superstar on the field but his odd behavior off it has everyone suspicious - especially Coach Hudson and Gerry.

[08/13/26 - 07:31 AM]
Video: "Death of the Pastor's Wife" - Official Trailer - Netflix
What happened to Mica Miller? This documentary series retraces her promising life, toxic marriage and the mysterious circumstances of her death.

[08/13/26 - 07:01 AM]
"Passenger" Makes Exclusive Streaming Premiere on Paramount+ August 20
Starring Jacob Scipio, Lou Llobell and Melissa Leo, "Passenger" follows a young couple who, after witnessing a gruesome highway accident, soon realize they did not leave the crash scene alone.

[08/13/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Again?" - Official Trailer - Netflix
The couples reunite for the destination wedding of Marcus and Angela's daughter, bringing drama old and new as they ask, "Why did we get married again?"

[08/13/26 - 07:01 AM]
Meet the Wolves of the Canadian High Arctic in Disneynature's "Wolf," Streaming Exclusively on Disney+ on Earth Day 2027
There's no better day than International Wolf Day to introduce the pack.

[08/13/26 - 07:00 AM]
"Megan and Cupcake Ready for Preschool," A New Hybrid Live-Action and Animated Series, Is Coming to Disney Jr. and Disney+
The series is currently in production and will debut on Disney Jr. and stream on Disney+ later this fall.

[08/13/26 - 06:01 AM]
Video: Paramount+ Unleashes "MobLand" Season Two Official Trailer
Produced in association with Paramount Television Studios and 101 Studios, season two of the original crime drama features Tom Hardy returning as loyal fixer Harry da Souza, alongside Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren as the unscrupulous heads of the Harrigan family, Conrad and Maeve.