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ABC and CBS Unveil Their New Fall Television Schedules

© F. Colin Kingston

The major television networks have concluded their presentations to media members and advertising executives for their new fall schedules. The big trend this year is the return of the dramatic program and the reduction of situation comedies.

Over the next few weeks we will examine the new shows on all of the major broadcast networks. This week we focus on the new series being offered by ABC and CBS. More information will be forthcoming as press information becomes more readily available.

ABC: The ABC Television network is adding three new dramas and two comedies to their fall schedule. Here they are. For additional information, please see http://www.abc.com. ALIAS This action/adventure series stars Jennifer Garner as a college student who works for the CIA. (The CIA is big this year as there are several series based on the lives of secret agents.)

BOB PATTERSON This comedy stars SEINFELD alumnus Jason Alexander as a motivational speaker with all kinds of problems in his personal life.

THE COURT This series, about law clerks who work at the Supreme Court, is scheduled to premiere after MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL ends in January. Sally Field stars as a liberal justice.

THE DAD Jim Belushi stars in this comedy about "a regular, beer drinking guy with two kids." Sounds an awful lot like KING OF QUEENS, doesn't it?

OCEAN CHALLENGE James Cameron (TERMINATOR) and Jean-Michel Cousteau team up for a series of undersea-adventure specials.

PHILLY From producer/writer Steven Bochco, this series stars NYPD BLUE alumnus Kim Delaney as a tough Philadelphia defense attorney.

THE RUNNER This "reality" show was created by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. One contestant has 28 days to complete eight tasks without being caught by a viewer. Viewers can register as "agents" via the Internet. (Honest!)

THIEVES John Stamos (FULL HOUSE) and Melissa George star as thieves who are caught and forced to work for the FBI. (Shades of IT TAKES A THIEF.)

THE WAYNE BRADY SHOW The comedian from WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY gets his own variety/comedy show.

CBS

CBS is unveiling five new dramas, one reality series and two comedies. For more information, please see http://www.cbs.com. Here they are:

THE AGENCY This ensemble drama follows the lives of several CIA agents.

AMERICAN WRECK Daniel Stern (THE WONDER YEARS narrator) stars as a single father of two teenagers who runs the neighborhood community center.

The AMAZING RACE This "reality series" features 11 teams competing in contests during a worldwide journey.

CITIZEN BAINES James Cromwell (BABE) stars as a recently defeated three-term U.S. Senator who returns to private life.

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