ABC's "TGIF" is Back
RELATED ABC7LA ARTICLES: Pressure on ABC As It Posts Fall Schedule | Kelly Ripa Gets New Show
RELATED WEBSITE: ABC.com | ABC 2003-2004 Fall Schedule | ABCNEWS.com

(NOTE: Each link opens in a new window)
ABC Premieres its New 03-04 Schedule

NEW YORK — ABC will revive its "TGIF" Friday night lineup this fall and hopes to similarly revive its fortunes by airing more comedies than any of its broadcast rivals.

ABC will introduce four new comedies and three new dramas in September.

ABC's fall lineup will have 10 comedies, probably expanding to 12 in the following months, said Lloyd Braun, ABC entertainment chairman.

The new "TGIF" lineup will include the returning series "George Lopez" and "Life with Bonnie" and two new shows.

ABC executives said they heard a constant refrain at public appearances, particularly at colleges: "Whatever happened to 'TGIF?"'

"It was destination television," said entertainment president Susan Lyne, "and when we realized how much affection there was for the brand and for the idea of good comedies on Friday night, it was a no-brainer."

 

Kelly Ripa will co-star with Faith Ford in the new ABC sitcom Hope & Faith.

One of the Friday comedies will be "Hope & Faith," starring Kelly Ripa as a washed-up soap star going back to live with her sister, played by Faith Ford.

ABC is also keeping "The Practice" on the air, and moving it to Sunday. In something of a surprise, "Dragnet" also returns, but will be renamed "L.A. Dragnet" and introduce several new characters.

ABC News gets a third newsmagazine, "Primetime Monday," to air before Monday Night Football. The network also said John Stossel will become Barbara Walters' co-host on "20/20," replacing John Miller, who left the network.

"The Wonderful World of Disney" will move from Sunday to Saturday. ABC will air more adult movies on Mondays after football ends.

"The Bachelor" returns for a fourth attempt at matchmaking. ABC will broadcast the two-hour wedding of former bachelorette Trista Rehn and beau Ryan Sutter as a special in the fall, with a two-hour preamble.

"Extreme Makeover" will be back, as ABC tries reality series in the tough Thursday 9 p.m. time slot. Lyne made viewers one promise, though.

ABC's other new series:

  • "10-8," a drama about rookie cops in Los Angeles that will air on Sunday nights.
     
  • "Back to Kansas," a comedy starring Breckin Meyer as a New Yorker who moves to Kansas to be near his wife's large family.
     
  • "I'm With Her," a comedy about a high school teacher who dates a movie star, created by Chris Henchy _ a relative unknown who's married to Brooke Shields.
     
  • "It's All Relative," a comedy about a woman, whose parents are two gay men, marrying a man with blue-collar parents.
     
  • "Karen Sisco," a drama based on the character portrayed by Jennifer Lopez in "Out of Sight," about a sexy U.S. marshal in Miami.
     
  • "Threat Matrix," a high-tech drama about the Homeland Security Agency.                     BACK TO THE TOP