ABC Unveils 12 New Series, Including ‘Grey’s’ Spinoff

NEW YORK, NY (May 15, 2007) — ABC has announced its primetime schedule for the 2007-08 television season, which features twelve new series and a lot of big stars — including Kate Walsh in the highly anticipated “Grey’s Anatomy” spinoff, “Private Practice,” and Oprah Winfrey’s foray into primetime reality TV, “Oprah’s Big Give.”“We’re heading into the new season with a strong lineup of returning shows that we’ve developed and nurtured over the past few years,” said ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson. “That solid foundation will help us launch an exciting development slate as we continue our forward momentum this fall. We’re dedicated to working hard week after week to deliver the best stories and most memorable characters on TV.” Returning Series Include “Brothers & Sisters,” “Men in Trees,” “Ugly Betty,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Lost,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Boston Legal,” “October Road,” “Notes From the Underbelly,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” “The Bachelor,” “Supernanny,” “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and “Wife Swap.” Included in the new slate are seven dramas: “Big Shots,” “Cashmere Mafia,” “Dirty Sexy Money,” “Eli Stone,” “Private Practice,” “Pushing Daisies” and “Women’s Murder Club.”

“Big Shots” stars Michael Vartan (“Alias”) and Dylan McDermott (“The Practice”) in the story of four high-powered executives who take refuge in their friendship, discussing business, confiding secrets, seeking advice and supporting each other through life’s surprising twists and turns. “Cashmere Mafia” tells the story of four ambitious and sexy women who’ve been best friends since business school, trying to balance their glamorous and demanding careers with their complex personal lives in New York City. The series marks the return of Lucy Liu to a regular role on primetime TV.“Dirty Sexy Money,” a soapy drama about a wealthy New York family, stars “Six Feet Under” star Peter Krause along with Donald Sutherland , William Baldwin and Jill Clayburgh.“Eli Stone” stars Jonny Lee Miller (“Melinda and Melinda”) as a big-shot lawyer who experiences hallucinations. When he discovers an aneurysm in his brain, he wonders if his condition is truly medical or if perhaps he now has a higher calling.

“Grey’s Anatomy” star Kate Walsh gets the spotlight in “Private Practice,” a spinoff that finds her character, Dr. Addison Montgomery, heading to Los Angeles for sunnier weather and happier possibilities. Reunited with her once-married, newly divorced medical school friends, Naomi and Sam, Addison joins their chic private practice. Featuring an all-star cast including Amy Brenneman, Tim Daly and Taye Diggs, “Private Practice” tells the story of a woman unafraid of change and willing to begin a new life.

“Pushing Daisies,” from Bryan Fuller (“Heroes”) and Barry Sonnenfeld (“Men in Black”), blends romance, crime procedural and high-concept fantasy in a forensic fairytale about a young man with a very special gift — bringing dead things (including people) back to life.

Angie Harmon (“Law & Order”) returns to TV in “Women’s Murder Club,” based on James Patterson’s bestselling novels. Four working women in San Francisco – a detective, a district attorney, a medical examiner and a reporter – use their expertise and unique talents to solve murder cases.

Four new comedies are coming to ABC:

“Carpoolers,” about four working men who share a car to work, stars Fred Goss (“Sons & Daughters”), Faith Ford (“Hope & Faith”), Jerry O’Connell (“Crossing Jordan”), and Jerry Minor (“Arrested Development”).

“Cavemen” features the modern cavemen from the Geico Insurance commercials struggling to find their place in the world.Judy Greer (“Two and a Half Men”) stars in “Miss/Guided” as a woman who returns to her alma mater as a high school guidance counselor.Christina Applegate stars in “Sam I Am,” about a woman who awakens from a coma with amnesia, and must face her past with a clean slate. Jennifer Esposito (”Related”) and Jean Smart (”24”) also star.And finally, the reality show “Oprah’s Big Give” centers on the competition, drama and emotion as millions of dollars are given away to make a difference in people’s lives across the country. Each week contestants will face a “big twist” that will test their nerve, drive, ingenuity and passion.8:00 PM – “Dancing with the Stars” 9:30 PM – “Sam I Am” (new comedy series)10:00 PM – “The Bachelor”

TUESDAY: 8:00 PM – “Cavemen” (new comedy series)8:30 PM – “Carpoolers” (new comedy series)9:00 PM – “Dancing with the Stars the Results Show”10:00 PM – “Boston Legal”

WEDNESDAY:8:00 PM – “Pushing Daisies” (new drama series) 9:00 PM – “Private Practice” (new drama series)10:00 PM – “Dirty Sexy Money” (new drama series)

THURSDAY: 8:00 PM – “Ugly Betty”9:00 PM – “Grey’s Anatomy”10:00 PM – “Big Shots” (new drama series)

FRIDAY:8:00 PM – “MEN IN TREES”9:00 PM – “Women’s Murder Club” (new drama series)10:00 PM – “20/20”SATURDAY: 8:00 PM – “Saturday Night College Football”

SUNDAY:7:00 PM – “America’s Funniest Home Videos”8:00 PM – “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”9:00 PM – “Desperate Housewives”

“Cashmere Mafia,” “Notes from the Underbelly” and “October Road” will premiere after “Dancing with the Stars” and “The Bachelor” conclude their fall seasons. Shows not listed will premiere at a date TBD.