Here's ABC's fall schedule press release. The CW release will follow later today. Check back for updates.

ABC UNVEILS 2008-09 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE

New Series Include "The Goode Family," "Life on Mars," "Opportunity Knocks," "Scrubs"

And "Untitled Ashton Kutcher/Tyra Banks Project"

Stephen McPherson, president, ABC Entertainment, today outlined ABC's plans for next season and unveiled the network's 2008-09 fall schedule before the advertising and media communities at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall.

Scheduled to debut this fall are new drama "Life on Mars," and new alternative series "Opportunity Knocks" from executive producer Ashton Kutcher.

Returning series on the fall schedule are "America's Funniest Home Videos," "Boston Legal," "Brothers & Sisters," "Dancing with the Stars," "Desperate Housewives," "Dirty Sexy Money," "Eli Stone," "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," "Grey's Anatomy," "Private Practice," "Pushing Daisies," "Samantha Who?," "Supernanny," "Ugly Betty," "Wife Swap" and "20/20."

In addition, "Saturday Night College Football" will return for a fourth season.

New series for midseason include "The Goode Family," "Scrubs" and "Untitled Ashton Kutcher/Tyra Banks Project."

Other returning series include "According to Jim," "The Bachelor," "Lost" and ABC News' "Primetime: What Would You Do?"

"We're returning our dominant core group of shows from last fall," said McPherson. "The few openings we had we've filled with the kind of quality programming viewers have come to expect from ABC, and we have a very strong bench. As always, our focus is on delivering the best stories and most memorable characters on TV every day of the week, every week of the year."

For the 2007-08 TV season, ABC holds second place to an "American Idol" and "Super Bowl"-driven Fox among Adults 18-49. The ABC airs 6 of the Top 15 TV shows this season in the key Adult 18-49 sales demographic, including 3 of the Top 5 scripted series with "Desperate Housewives" (No. 1), "Grey's" (No. 3) and "Lost" (No. 5). In addition, 4 of the Top 6 most-watched television shows are on ABC. ABC claims 5 of the Top 10 freshman series this season, including the No. 1 new comedy in "Samantha Who?" (also the most-watched new scripted series this season). For the 3rd straight season the Network remains a top destination for affluent viewers, delivering 5 of the Top 10 highest-rated TV series and each of the Top 3 scripted shows among Adults 18-49 in homes w/$100K+ annual income.

ABC was a standout performer during Fall '07, prior to the strike-related scheduling disruptions, leading its nearest competition (CBS) from the start of the season through the end of November by 11% on average in Adults 18-49. Furthermore, ABC delivered the No. 1 position among young adults on 7 of the first 10 weeks this season, and ranked either first or second on 6 of 7 nights of the week throughout the fall. ABC won the November Sweep in Adults 18-49, its third consecutive year to hold the top spot for the month in the key sales demo.

Editors please note: Shows picked up but not listed on the schedule will debut later in the 2008-09 season. Photographs are available on www.abcmedianet.com.

ABC's fall primetime schedule is as follows (all times listed are Eastern, with new shows in bold):

DAY TIME SERIES

MONDAY: 8:00 p.m. "Dancing with the Stars"

9:30 p.m. "Samantha Who?"

10:00 p.m. "Boston Legal"

TUESDAY: 8:00 p.m. "Opportunity Knocks"

9:00 p.m. "Dancing with the Stars the Results Show"

10:00 p.m. "Eli Stone"

WEDNESDAY: 8:00 p.m. "Pushing Daisies"

9:00 p.m. "Private Practice"

10:00 p.m. "Dirty Sexy Money"

THURSDAY: 8:00 p.m. "Ugly Betty"

9:00 p.m. "Grey's Anatomy"

10:00 p.m. "Life on Mars"

FRIDAY: 8:00 p.m. "Wife Swap"

9:00 p.m. "Supernanny"

10:00 p.m. "20/20"

SATURDAY: 8:00 p.m. "Saturday Night College Football"

SUNDAY: 7:00 p.m. "America's Funniest Home Videos"

8:00 p.m. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"

9:00 p.m. "Desperate Housewives"

10:00 p.m. "Brothers & Sisters"

NEW FALL SERIES

DRAMA

"LIFE ON MARS"

"Life on Mars" is based on the BBC series created by Matthew Graham, Tony Jordan and Ashley Pharoah. The series revolves around Sam Tyler, a modern-day police detective who, after a car crash, mysteriously finds himself transported back to 1973 and still working as a detective.

"Life on Mars" stars Jason O' Mara as Sam Tyler, Rachelle LeFevre as Annie Cartwright, Colm Meaney as Gene Hunt, Stephanie Jacobsen as Maya, Lenny Clarke as George Randall, Patrick Wenk-Wolff as Colin Raimes and Richard Benjamin as Milton Kornboll.

The series is produced by Twentieth Century Fox Television and ABC Studios. Josh Applebaum, Andre Nemec, Scott Rosenberg, Jane Featherstone, Stephen Garrett and David E. Kelley are the executive producers. The pilot episode of "Life on Mars" was executive-produced by David E. Kelley, Tommy Schlamme, Bob Breech, Jane Featherstone and Stephen Garrett, and was produced by David E. Kelley Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television.

ALTERNATIVE

"OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS"

"Opportunity Knocks" is a new show that breaks the mold of typical game and reality shows. We will be showing up on America's doorstep and testing how well they know their family. Our mobile team will arrive at "Anywhere, America" in a semi-truck that is full of flat screen TVs, new furniture and big cash prizes that the family can win right there. We will take the action of a game show directly into our contestants' homes, setting up shop in a family's front lawn. The instant our host, JD Roth, knocks on the front door, the game will begin. Hollywood will invade a suburban neighborhood, and each week one lucky family will play the game of a lifetime in front of all their friends and neighbors.

The host poses trivia questions to family members based directly on their lives, each other and articles found in and around their home. If they're able to prove they know their family inside and out, they'll win the prizes of their dreams.

Executive producers for "Opportunity Knocks" are Ashton Kutcher, Jason Goldberg, Karey Burke, J.D. Roth and Todd A. Nelson. "Opportunity Knocks" is produced by Katalyst Films and 3 Ball Productions.

RETURNING FALL SERIES

DRAMA

"BOSTON LEGAL"

Led by an Emmy Award-winning cast, "Boston Legal" returns for a fifth season to tell the professional and personal stories of a group of brilliant but often emotionally-challenged attorneys. Fast-paced and wildly comedic, the series confronts social and moral issues, while its characters continually stretch the boundaries of the law.

"Boston Legal" stars James Spader as Alan Shore, John Larroquette as Carl Sack, Christian Clemenson as Jerry Espenson, Gary Anthony Williams as Clarence/Clarice Bell, Tara Summers as Katie Lloyd, Saffron Burrows as Lorraine Weller, Taraji P. Henson as Whitney Rome, with Candice Bergen as Shirley Schmidt and William Shatner as Denny Crane.

"Boston Legal" was created by David E. Kelley. Kelley and Bill D'Elia are executive producers. The series, which premiered October 3, 2004, is produced by David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television.

"BROTHERS & SISTERS"

"Brothers & Sisters" continues to follow the California-based Walker family through the complicated maze of American life today. The compelling one-hour drama series is about a collection of five enmeshed and somewhat damaged adult siblings and their strong but passionately devoted mother, Nora Holden (Oscar and Emmy Award winner Sally Field).

The Walkers' lives have not been without challenge; romance, parenting, divorce, infidelity, addiction, war and even death have pushed each of them to the limit, but they continue to work toward living their lives as individuals, while loving each other unconditionally and trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy after the loss of their larger-than-life family patriarch, William Walker.

"Brothers & Sisters" stars Dave Annable as Justin Walker, Maxwell Perry Cotton as Cooper Whedon, Kerris Lilla Dorsey as Paige, Sally Field as Nora Holden, Calista Flockhart as Kitty Walker, Balthazar Getty as Thomas Walker, Rachel Griffiths as Sarah Whedon, Rob Lowe as Senator Robert McCallister, Sarah Jane Morris as Julia Walker, Matthew Rhys as Kevin Walker, Ron Rifkin as Saul Holden, Emily VanCamp as Rebecca Harper and Patricia Wettig as Holly Harper.

The series is executive-produced by Ken Olin ("Alias," "thirtysomething"), Greg Berlanti ("Dirty Sexy Money," "Everwood"), Monica Owusu-Breen ("Lost," "Alias") and Alison Schapker ("Lost," "Alias"). It's produced by ABC Studios.

"DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES"

A primetime soap with a contemporary take on the "happily ever after," "Desperate Housewives" takes a darkly comedic look at suburbia, where the secret lives of housewives aren't always what they seem.

"Desperate Housewives" stars Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer, Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, Marcia Cross as Bree Van De Kamp, Eva Longoria Parker as Gabrielle Solis, Nicollette Sheridan as Edie Britt, Brenda Strong as Mary Alice Young, James Denton as Mike Delfino, Doug Savant as Tom Scavo, Ricardo Antonio Chavira as Carlos Solis, Andrea Bowen as Julie Mayer, Shawn Pyfrom as Andrew Van De Kamp, Joy Lauren as Danielle Van De Kamp, Rachel Fox as Kayla Huntington, Dana Delany as Katherine Mayfair, Lyndsy Fonseca as Dylan Mayfair, Zane Huett as Parker Scavo and Brent and Shane Kinsman as Porter and Preston Scavo.

Marc Cherry is executive producer and creator. Sabrina Wind, George Perkins, Larry Shaw and David Grossman are executive producers. "Desperate Housewives" is produced by ABC Studios and is the winner of both the 2005 & 2006 Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series -- Musical or Comedy.

"DIRTY SEXY MONEY"

Power, privilege and family money are a volatile cocktail. Living proof of this are the Darlings of New York City, so absurdly wealthy, they put the "upper" in Upper East Side. This preeminent family are always getting mixed up with the wrong people and finding themselves in the middle of bad situations. It'll take a miracle to take care of the legal and sometimes illegal needs of the Darlings. That miracle comes in the form of Nick George.

"Dirty Sexy Money" stars Peter Krause as Nick George, Donald Sutherland as Tripp Darling, William Baldwin as Patrick Darling, Natalie Zea as Karen Darling, Glenn Fitzgerald as Rev. Brian Darling, Seth Gabel as Jeremy Darling, Zoe McLellan as Lisa George, with Blair Underwood as Simon Elder, and Jill Clayburgh as Letitia Darling and Lucy Liu as Nola Lyons.

"Dirty Sexy Money" was created by Emmy-nominated Craig Wright ("Brothers & Sisters," "Lost," "Six Feet Under"). Wright, Greg Berlanti ("Brothers & Sisters," "Everwood"), Oscar and Golden Globe-nominated Matthew Gross ("Day Break," "Across the Universe"), Bryan Singer ("House," "Superman Returns," "The Usual Suspects") and Daniel Cerone ("Dexter") are executive producers. The series is produced by ABC Studios.

"ELI STONE"

Eli Stone is a partnership-track associate lawyer with a beautiful fianc??e and a forgotten dream to change the world, when one day a vision of George Michael singing his song "Faith" leads him to a case defending the rights of a college sweetheart and her son. Propelled on a journey of self-discovery and guided by more mysterious visions, Eli is either suffering from delusions associated with a brain aneurysm???or receiving a call from God to become a modern-day prophet.

"Eli Stone" stars Jonny Lee Miller as Eli Stone, Victor Garber as Jordan Wethersby, Natasha Henstridge as Taylor Wethersby, Loretta Devine as Patti, Sam Jaeger as Matt Dowd, James Saito as Dr. Chen, Matt Letscher as Nathan Stone and Julie Gonzalo as Maggie Dekker.

Greg Berlanti ("Brothers & Sisters," "Dirty Sexy Money," "Everwood") and Marc Guggenheim ("Brothers & Sisters," "Law & Order," "The Practice") are co-creators and executive producers. Chris Misiano

("The West Wing") also serves as executive producer and director. The series is produced by ABC Studios.

"GREY'S ANATOMY"

"Grey's Anatomy" is the recipient of the 2007 Golden Globe Award for Best Drama Television Series and multiple Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series for the past two years.

The doctors of Seattle Grace Hospital deal with life-or-death consequences on a daily basis -- it's in one another that they find comfort, friendship and, at times, more than friendship. Together they're discovering that neither medicine nor relationships can be defined in black and white. Real life only comes in shades of grey.

"Grey's Anatomy" stars Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey, Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd, Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang, Katherine Heigl as Isobel "Izzie" Stevens, Justin Chambers as Alex Karev, T.R. Knight as George O'Malley, Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey, James Pickens, Jr. as Richard Webber, Sara Ramirez as Callie Torres, Eric Dane as Mark Sloan, Chyler Leigh as Lexie Grey and Brooke Smith as Erica Hahn.

"Grey's Anatomy" was created and is executive-produced by Shonda Rhimes ("Introducing Dorothy Dandridge"). Betsy Beers ("Casanova"), Mark Gordon ("Saving Private Ryan"), Krista Vernoff ("Law & Order"), Rob Corn ("Chicago Hope") and Mark Wilding ("Jake: 2.0") are executive producers. "Grey's Anatomy" is an ABC Studios production.

"PRIVATE PRACTICE"

Having left behind Seattle Grace Hospital for Los Angeles and a new life full of promise, Addison Montgomery has joined the medical team at Oceanside Wellness Center, where the doctors are dedicated pros; it's their private lives that need a little practice.

"Private Practice" stars Kate Walsh as Dr. Addison Forbes Montgomery, Tim Daly as Dr. Pete Wilder, Audra McDonald as Dr. Naomi Bennett, Paul Adelstein as Dr. Cooper Freedman, KaDee Strickland as Dr. Charlotte King, Chris Lowell as William Dell Parker, with Taye Diggs as Dr. Sam Bennett and Amy Brenneman as Dr. Violet Turner.

"Private Practice" was created and is executive-produced by Shonda Rhimes ("Grey's Anatomy," "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge"). Betsy Beers ("Grey's Anatomy," "Casanova"), Mark Gordon

("The Hoax," "Saving Private Ryan"), Mark Tinker ("St. Elsewhere," "NYPD Blue"), Robert Rovner and Jon Cowan are executive producers. "Private Practice" is an ABC Studios production.

"PUSHING DAISIES"

From Bryan Fuller ("Heroes," "Wonderfalls") and Barry Sonnenfeld ("Men in Black") comes a series with an unprecedented blend of romance, fantasy and mystery, "Pushing Daisies," a forensic fairytale about Ned, a young man with a very special gift. As a young boy Ned discovers that he can return the dead briefly back to life with just one touch. But his random gift isn't without deadly consequences??? as he soon finds out. In its first season, this critically-acclaimed series received three Golden Globe nominations.

Golden Globe nominee Lee Pace ("The Good Shepherd," "Soldier's Girl"), Golden Globe nominee Anna Friel ( the upcoming "Land of the Lost," "Rogue Trader"), Chi McBride ("The Nine," "Boston Public"), Tony nominee Ellen Greene ("Little Shop of Horrors"), Emmy and Tony winner Swoosie Kurtz ("Huff," "Sisters") and Tony winner Kristin Chenoweth ("The West Wing") star in the visually stunning series from the Jinks/Cohen Company, in association with Warner Bros. Television. Tony winner Jim Dale, reader of the "Harry Potter" series of audio books, is the narrator.

In addition to Fuller and Sonnenfeld, Dan Jinks & Bruce Cohen (Academy Award winning producers of "American Beauty") and Peter Ocko serve as executive producers.

"UGLY BETTY"

In the superficial world of high fashion, image is everything. Styles come and go, and the only constants are the super thin beauties who wear them. How can an ordinary girl from Queens possibly fit in?

If you took a moment to get to know Betty Suarez, you'd see how sweet, intelligent and hard-working she is (if a bit fashion-challenged). When publishing mogul Bradford Meade handed the reigns of Mode, the bible of the fashion industry, over to this son, Daniel, he specifically hired Betty as his son's new assistant -- mostly because she was the only woman Daniel wouldn't sleep with. Both outsiders in their own way, Daniel and Betty form an unlikely team, each helping the other navigate the choppy waters of NYC's fashion scene.

"Ugly Betty" stars America Ferrera as Betty Suarez, Eric Mabius as Daniel Meade, Tony Plana as Ignacio, Ana Ortiz as Hilda, Ashley Jensen as Christina, Becki Newton as Amanda, Mark Indelicato as Justin, Michael Urie as Marc, Judith Light as Claire Meade, Christopher Gorham as Henry, Rebecca Romijn as Alexis and Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina Slater. Freddy Rodriguez is a recurring guest star as Gio. Lindsay Lohan will appear in a five-episode arc as Kimberly.

Based on "Yo Soy Betty La Fea," the groundbreaking Colombian telenovela that became an international phenomenon, "Ugly Betty" is from ABC Studios. This past two seasons the series has been awarded three Emmy Awards, two GLAAD Awards, as well as Golden Globe, Peabody, DGA, NAACP, ALMA, CDG and Imagen Awards. Academy Award-nominee and Emmy Award winner Salma Hayek is executive producer, along with Jose Tamez ("The Maldonado Miracle"), Silvio Horta ("Urban Legend") and Joel Fields ("Dirt").

COMEDY

"SAMANTHA WHO?"

What if you had the chance to start over, to do it all again? For Samantha Newly (Christina Applegate), this fantasy becomes a reality after a hit-and-run accident leaves her in an eight-day coma. When she awakens in the hospital, she is surrounded by family and friends. The only problem is that she has no idea who they are -- or who she is. In medical terms, Sam has retrograde amnesia, which allows her to fully function in the world but leaves her with no personal memories. Most people would deem this disorder a curse. But Sam has come to call it a miracle.

"Samantha Who?" won the People's Choice Award for Favorite New TV Comedy, and Applegate was nominated for a Golden Globe and SAG Award for her role.

"Samantha Who?" stars Christina Applegate as Samantha, Jennifer Esposito as Andrea, Kevin Dunn as Howard, Melissa McCarthy as Dena, Tim Russ as Frank, with Barry Watson as Todd and Jean Smart as Regina.

"Samantha Who?" was created by Cecelia Ahern and Donald Todd. Todd and Peter Traugott serve as executive producers. "Samantha Who?," which is filmed in Los Angeles, is from ABC Studios.

ALTERNATIVE

"AMERICA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS"

Currently in its 18th season, and the longest-running primetime show in ABC history, "America's Funniest Home Videos" features adults, children, pets and even inanimate objects at their spontaneous best. Tom Bergeron is the host. In its 18 seasons to date, "America's Funniest Home Videos" has given away over $10 million in prize money and evaluated more than half a million videotapes from home viewers.

Vin Di Bona is executive producer, with Todd Thicke and Michele Nasraway serving as co-executive producers. "America's Funniest Home Videos," which premiered on January 14, 1990, is from Vin Di Bona Productions.

"DANCING WITH THE STARS"

Hosted by Tom Bergeron ("America's Funniest Home Videos") and Samantha Harris

("E! Entertainment"), celebrities perform choreographed dance routines which are judged by renowned Ballroom judge Len Goodman and dancer/choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.

"Dancing with the Stars" is the U.S. version of the international smash hit series, "Strictly Come Dancing." ABC's version is produced in America by BBC Productions. Conrad Green serves as executive producer.

"EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION"

Put together one very run-down house, a deserving family, several opinionated designers, seven days and what do you get? The answer is "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." The show has won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Reality Program, as well as the People's Choice Award for Favorite Reality Show/Makeover and the Family Television Award for Best Alternative/Reality Program.

Beginning this season, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" began featuring green elements on every episode with eco-friendly, low energy and recyclable sources being incorporated into the builds. Concluding the show's two-year, 50-state tour will be a two-hour Season Finale on May 18 featuring three homes for a family (all on the same lot) and a church in Louisiana. In a first-ever effort to put together a coalition of past builders from all over the country, the show has called on the Building Industry to join forces and help with what might be the toughest challenge yet. In addition, the popular Australian vocal group, The Ten Tenors, will pay musical tribute to the builders at the church reveal, performing an emotionally charged version of "Here's to the Heroes," the title track to their most recent album.

The design team includes team leader Ty Pennington, with designers Paul DiMeo, Paige Hemmis, Michael Moloney, Ed Sanders, Tracy Hutson, Tanya McQueen, Eduardo Xol, John Littlefield, Rib Hillis and Didiayer. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. David Goldberg is President of Endemol USA. The new season will be executive-produced by Anthony Dominici. The series premiered December 3, 2003, on the ABC Television Network.

"SUPERNANNY"

Jo Frost criss-crosses America taking on some of its toughest parenting challenges. Hailed by the New York Times as "fascinating" and "required viewing," praised by Oprah Winfrey, David Letterman and Kelly Ripa, acclaimed by such publications as Newsweek, Hollywood Reporter and The New Yorker, and lauded by parents and nannies across America, "Supernanny" is a hit. Jo Frost, as Supernanny, can tame the wildest toddler, soothe the most savage six-year-old and get even the most difficult child to overcome problems with behavior, sleep, mealtime, potty training and other challenges that have vexed parents around the world for centuries. After just three episodes of the show aired in the U.K. in summer 2004, Jo Frost became Britain's hottest new TV star and a godsend to desperate parents who were dazzled by her amazing results with unruly children. She debuted in America in early 2005 and captivated Americans as well with her practical, no-nonsense style, honed over 20 years of nannying. "Supernanny" is now an international phenomenon; it airs in 58 territories, almost all of them with Frost as Supernanny. The series was nominated for a People's Choice Award, and fans loved her first two books, Supernanny: How to Get the Best from Your Children -- a national bestseller -- and

Ask Supernanny. Her new book, Jo Frost's Confident Baby Care: What You Need to Know for the First Year from America's Most Trusted Nanny, was published in May 2008.

Nick Powell is the creator and executive producer of both the American and British versions of the show. Nick Emmerson and Holly Wofford are executive producers of the American version. "Supernanny" is produced by Ricochet, Ltd.

"WIFE SWAP"

"Wife Swap," the critically-acclaimed unscripted reality show that takes us into the intimate heart of the American family home, revealing the extraordinarily different ways families live their lives, is currently airing its fourth season.

Each week from across the country, two families with very different values are chosen to take part in a two-week long challenge. The wives from these two families exchange husbands, children and lives (but not bedrooms) to discover just what it's like to live another woman's life. It's a mind-blowing experiment that often ends up changing their lives forever.

In the first week of the swap, the wives move in with their new family and adopt their very different lifestyle. They agree to follow a manual written by the departing wife that sets out the rules of their new household -- how they parent, shop, do the housework, manage their budgets and their social life. But then, in the second week, everything changes. The new wives take charge. They introduce their own set of rules and get to run the new household their way. It's a radical shock to both families. The results are explosive, enlightening and often very funny. This is a show about the things that really matter to families across America.

NEW MIDSEASON SERIES

COMEDY

"THE GOODE FAMILY"

A new animated series from Mike Judge, creator of "King of the Hill." "The Goode Family" is obsessed with doing the "right" thing, whether it's environmentally, politically or socially. Unfortunately their efforts often have unintended comic consequences.

"The Goode Family" is voiced by Mike Judge as Gerald, Nancy Carell as Helen, Dave Herman as Ubuntu and Abby Elliot as Bliss.

Executive producers for "The Goode Family" are Mike Judge, David Krinsky, John Altschuler, Michael Rotenberg and Tom Lassally. The series is produced by MRC and 3 Arts Entertainment.

"SCRUBS"

"Scrubs" focuses on the strange experiences of Dr. John Dorian, or "J.D.," a medical resident, as he continues on his healing career in a surreal hospital, crammed full of unpredictable staffers and patients -- where humor and tragedy can collide at any time.

"Scrubs" received two consecutive Emmy nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2005 and 2006. In its debut year, "Scrubs" was nominated for two Emmy Awards and a People's Choice Award. It has received a total of 10 Emmy nominations, and in 2005 the series won the Emmy for Outstanding Multi-Camera Picture Editing. In 2004 "Scrubs" was honored with a prestigious Humanitas Prize. Beginning that same year, the series received three consecutive Producers Guild Award nominations from 2004-2006.

"Scrubs" stars Zach Braff as Dr. John "J.D." Dorian, Donald Faison as Chris Turk, Sarah Chalke as Elliot Reid, Judy Reyes as Carla Espinosa, John C. McGinley as Dr. Perry Cox, Ken Jenkins as Dr. Bob Kelso and Neil Flynn as The Janitor.

"Scrubs" executive producer and creator is Bill Lawrence. The series is produced by ABC Studios.

ALTERNATIVE

"UNTITLED ASHTON KUTCHER/TYRA BANKS PROJECT"

A beauty pageant unlike any you've ever seen, from executive producers Ashton Kutcher and Tyra Banks.

OTHER RETURNING SERIES

DRAMA

"LOST"

Awarded the 2005 Emmy and 2006 Golden Globe for Best Drama Series, "Lost's" action-packed mystery and adventure continues to bring out the very best and very worst in the people who are lost.

"Lost" stars Naveen Andrews as Sayid, Henry Ian Cusick as Desmond, Emilie de Ravin as Claire, Michael Emerson as Ben, Matthew Fox as Jack, Jorge Garcia as Hurley, Josh Holloway as Sawyer, Daniel Dae Kim as Jin, Yunjin Kim as Sun, Evangeline Lilly as Kate, Elizabeth Mitchell as Juliet, Terry O'Quinn as Locke and Harold Perrineau as Michael.

"Lost" was created by Jeffrey Lieber and J.J. Abrams & Damon Lindelof. Abrams, Lindelof, Bryan Burk, Jack Bender and Carlton Cuse serve as executive producers. "Lost," which is filmed entirely on location in Hawaii and premiered on September 22, 2004, is from ABC Studios.

COMEDY

"ACCORDING TO JIM"

"According to Jim" returns for its eighth successful season as the macho "Everyman" who adores his family.

Jim (Jim Belushi) has it all: a gorgeous wife, Cheryl (Courtney Thorne-Smith), whom he challenges with his stubborn manliness but contagious charm; three precocious kids, Ruby (Taylor Atelian), Gracie (Billi Bruno) and Kyle (Conner Rayburn); and his brother-in-law, Andy (Larry Joe Campbell), his best friend, business partner and "partner in crime."

"According to Jim" stars Jim Belushi as Jim, Courtney Thorne-Smith as Cheryl, Larry Joe Campbell as Andy, Taylor Atelian as Ruby, Billi Bruno as Gracie and Conner Rayburn as Kyle.

Executive producers are Jim Belushi, Warren Bell, Suzanne Bukinik, Jonathan Stark, Marc Gurvitz, John D. Beck, Ron Hart, John Peaslee and Judd Pillot. "According to Jim" is from ABC Studios.

ALTERNATIVE

"THE BACHELOR"

ABC's "The Bachelor" is the original primetime romance reality series that offers one lucky man and 25 lucky women the unique opportunity to find true love.

The new Bachelor will get to know 25 women via a series of social gatherings and exotic, romantic dates -- some in groups, some individually. He will introduce some of the women to his family, and will visit their hometowns for a slice of their lives in an effort to determine the woman with whom he is most compatible.

The series follows a gradual process of elimination each week, until the Bachelor ultimately decides on the one woman who has captured his heart. However, at any point along the way, should a woman decide that she is no longer interested in him, she may reject his invitation to continue dating. At the end of the journey, this gentleman will quite possibly have found true love. But the big question is: After all of this, if he pops the question, will she accept?

Hosted by Chris Harrison, "The Bachelor" is a production of Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television. Mike Fleiss, David Bohnert and Martin Hilton are the executive producers.

ABC NEWS

"PRIMETIME: WHAT WOULD YOU DO?"

Using hidden cameras, "Primetime: What Would You Do?" sets up everyday scenarios and then captures people's reactions. Whether people are compelled to act or mind their own business, John Qui??ones reports on their split-second -- and often surprising -- decision-making process.

People often talk about how they think they would act in a difficult situation, but this series looks at how they actually do in the face of everyday dilemmas that test their character and values. According to the Columbia Journalism Review essay, "Primetime: What Would You Do?" is "the flip side of reality TV???rather than show how people act in manufactured situations when they know they're being watched, they show us how people act when they don't."

David Sloan is the executive producer of "Primetime: What Would You Do?." Robert Lange is the senior producer.

The CW's fall schedule press release will be posted here later today.

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How can we tell Fox's decision to cancel Pittsburgh-set "Back to You" was a surprise? The network's publicity department sent out Wednesday's season finale for review, something they wouldn't have done if they knew the show was toast.

In a phone interview today, "Back to You" executive producer Steven Levitan said he'd been assured as recently as Friday morning that the show would be picked up. Friday night they were told the show had been canceled.

"We were surprised, but not shocked," he said. "Nothing surprises me with [Fox Broadcasting] anymore."

Levitan conceded that "Back to You" was never a good match for Fox, something TV observers have been saying since first seeing "Back to You" a year ago.

"We've been on the wrong network from the start," he said. "We got talked into it. That was our blunder."

While in development, CBS and ABC had also expressed interest in airing "Back to You."

"Fox had the better deal and lots of big promises they didn't keep," Levitan said. "And the one person who didn't bid on it was Kevin Reilly at NBC, and then he came over to run Fox."

Levitan and the Fox studio, which produced the show for sister-company Fox Broadcasting, are now shopping the series to other networks, particularly CBS, where it would seem to be a natural fit.

"It's always a long shot, but they took 'JAG' from NBC and that turned out to be a hit for them for years," he said, "so it's not unprecendented. But it is a long shot."

(Although ABC is poised to pick up NBC's "Scrubs," there's corporate financial incentive for ABC to do so: ABC's sister-studio produces "Scrubs." That sort of connection doesn't exist in the "Back to You"-to-CBS scenario.)

Although I've had my issues with some aspects of "Back to You," I've enjoyed the show more than I haven't, not because of the Pittsburgh connection, but because it's just a good comedy with two hugely talented stars in the leading roles. I hope CBS will seriously consider giving the show another chance.

Levitan acknowledged that "Back to You" is probably a more expensive show to produce than its lower-rated lead-in, " 'Til Death," which did get renewed, but he said Fox Broadcasting executives never asked them to reduce the show's expenses.

"Back to You" was hurt by pre-emptions during the writers' strike and Fox's decision to move the show to different time slots and never air more than five episodes consecutively.

"We were on a network that appealed to a different kind of people than we're aiming for," Levitan said. "Fox has a lot of people who tune in for 'American Idol' and then they tune out."

In its place, Fox will announce Thursday it has picked up a sitcom called "The Inn" from "Back to You" writer and Washington, Pa., native Abraham Higginbotham. Levitan said he thinks the network saw "The Inn" as more compatible with "'Til Death" than "Back to You."

"I'm very happy for him. In fact, we helped him with his show, so if it's gonna go to somebody, I'd rather it go to him," Levitan said.

"Back to You" goes out on a high note Wednesday (8:30 p.m., WPGH) with a strong, consistently funny episode about news anchors Chuck Darling (Kelsey Grammer) and Kelly Carr (Patricia Heaton) telling their newsroom colleagues that Chuck is the father of Kelly's daughter, Gracie (Lily Jackson). Their plan is complicated when the station unveils a new promotional campaign with a tag line that becomes a dirty joke with the revelation about Gracie's paternity.

Levitan said the recent recasting of Gracie was the network's call.

"They thought [the first actress] was 'too TV,'" he said, reluctantly, not wanting to hurt the actresses' feelings. "I think the new girl we have is really great and the old girl was really great."

As for the decision to dump weathercaster Montana (Ayda Field), Levitan said they initially cast an Hispanic actress in the part but replaced her the week of filming the pilot last year. He said Field is not Hispanic and producers always intended to reveal Montana wasn't a minority either, which came out in her swan song episode last week.

"Basically, we were having trouble writing for that character," he acknowledged of the decision to phase her out. Their intent was to make the new station manager, Ginger Ko (Suzy Nakamura), a series regular.

"The network really wanted us to bring in another minority character," he said. "We love Ayda, but our cast was a little homogeneous. ... All these changes came from the network, and we did everything they asked us to do, sometimes begrudgingly, but sometimes we thought if we don't do it, it will give them an excuse not to pick us up."

CBS will announce its fall schedule Wednesday, although CBS executives could ponder picking up "Back to You" beyond this week.

"If we had been on Monday nights on CBS at the start, we'd be in a different place right now," Levitan said. "We have bruised shins from kicking ourselves about this all weekend."

Meanwhile, a fan campaign to save the show has begun with a petition and discussion about the campaign on a message board. Here's a link to the campaign site.

In a nod to last year's "Jericho" nuts campaign, fans plan to send bottled water to CBS executives, encouraging them to pick up "Back to You." On last week's episode of the sitcom, the new WURG station manager slashed the budget, including bottled water.

UPDATE: Deadline Hollywood Daily reports a fan memorial was erected outside the Fox studios in L.A. Series star Kelsey Grammer stopped by for a visit.

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The eighth book in author Charlaine Harris' "Southern Vampire" series, "From Dead to Worse" ($24.95, Ace), is now in stores chronicling further adventures of telepathic, Bon Temps, La., barmaid Sookie Stackhouse.

Harris will be in town to sign copies Saturday at 10 a.m. at Mystery Lovers Bookshop, 514 Allegheny River Blvd., in Oakmont.

And coming in the fall, specifically Sept. 7, Harris told me, is the premiere of "True Blood," the new HBO series based on the Sookie novels. I asked Harris about the future of her work on TV.

Rob: What was your first reaction when you heard someone wanted to make the Southern Vampire series into a TV show?

Charlaine Harris: Well, it wasn't the first offer. I'd had others. I'd had a movie option before and when that was about to expire, I had three more choices waiting on the table. The idea wasn't new to me, but when I found out it was Alan Ball, I was very excited.

Rob: Ball created "Six Feet Under" and wrote the film "American Beauty." Were you a fan of those?

CH: Oh, yes.

Rob: What did you think of the casting for the TV series, which stars Anna Paquin as Sookie, Stephen Moyer as Bill Compton, Ryan Kwanten as Jason Stackhouse and Sam Trammell as Sam Merlotte.

CH: Well, some of them I had not heard of before and some of them I was a little surprised, but I thought Alan Ball is an expert at casting. If he thinks they can do it, then they can do it.

Rob: Have you seen the pilot?

CH: Not yet. I'm going to pretty soon, I hope. They're actually filming the eighth episode now. I visisted the set last week.

Rob: What was that like?

CH: It was wonderful. I got to meet a lot of the production people and I got to see how the location area was organized a little bit and got to see Alan again, which is always pleasant because he is the nicest guy. And I got to meet a few of the actors. It was a great day. I filmed an interview with HBO for the "Making of" feature they run before their shows.

Rob: Were you on the set in Los Angeles?

CH: No, they were shooting on location in Lake Bistineau, La.

Rob: Do you have a sense if they'll follow the story you've plotted in the books or if they'll do what "Dexter" did and use the characters but take the story in a different direction?

CH: It's my feeling that they're going to follow the story fairly closely but, of course, the books are in the first person so they're going to have to expand the other characters and invent new things for them to do to fill up the hour.

Rob: If they do follow the books, how much will be covered by the show's first season?

CH: I believe the first book is the first season.

Rob: Did they ask for your input on the scripts?

CH: No, that's not my area of expertise. Alan doesn't tell me how to write my books and I don't tell him how to write scripts.

Rob: When you're in town, will you be reading from your latest book?

CH: Usually I don't do a reading from the book because I hate to do that. I will if people really want me to, but I usually do a question and answer session before a signing.

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Hollywood trades -- Variety, The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline Hollywood Daily -- are reporting that Fox has canceled the Pittsburgh-set sitcom "Back to You" after a single season.

That decision comes as a surprise. Fox renewed lead-in sitcom "'Til Death," even though it got lower ratings. "Back to You" regularly improved on the household ratings of its lead-in.

Despite some midseason tinkering with the cast -- one actress was let go, another role recast -- Fox seemed high on "Back to You," which starred Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton, was created by Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd and was directed by James Burrows. The trades suggest it was those marquee names on-screen and behind-the-scenes that pushed the show's cost up to a point that even its ratings superiority relative to "'Til Death" no longer mattered.

No comment from Fox. I'm attempting to reach Levitan, but not optimistic that he'll be eager to talk about the cancellation.

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I don't think I've ever enjoyed "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" more than the first half of Thursday night's episode, scripted by the writers of the CBS comedy "Two and a Half Men."

I wrote last week about the writers of "Two and a Half Men" and "CSI" trading writing assignments for an episode. Monday's "Two and a Half Men" was OK, but the comedy went down better in the drama than the drama did in the comedy.

"Men" writer Chuck Lorre worked on "Roseanne" and "Cybill" and it's clear he brought his experiences to bear on this script, which begins as knowing fun but veers off into unrestrained Chucklesville before the end.

Annabelle (Katey Sagal) is the nutjob sitcom star who treats her writers and co-star terribly. Rachael Harris plays the co-star Megan Kupowski, which sounds a good bit like "Cybill" co-star Christine Baranski.

Like Roseanne, Annabelle has a dim-witted former bartender boyfriend from middle America (clearly a gloss on Tom Arnold).

All the roman-a-clef stuff works great, but then the bad jokes begin. When the CSI team suspects a writer was hiding in a closet, Nick (George Eads) says, "Looks like a comedy writer came out of the closet."

"I doubt if it's the first time," Catherine (Marg Helgenberger)chimes in.

There are references to "Two and a Half Men" (and a blinked-and-you-missed-it cameo by the show's stars), "Valerie's Family" and a bizarre bit with a mime.

And then there are the puns:

"A mime is a terrible thing to waste."

"What we have here is a failure to coagulate."

"So the clot doesn't thicken but the plot does."

It all began as a successful trade, but by the second half of this week's "CSI," the episode veered wildly off course. Oh well, it was still a fun experiement to watch Lorre exorcise his sitcom diva demons.

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Perhaps it says something about how society is evolving that fans of ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" (10 p.m. Sunday, WTAE) are far less concerned about the gay romance and pending nuptials of Kevin (Matthew Rhys) and Scotty (Luke MacFarlane) than they are about the budding romance between Justin (Dave Annable) and Rebecca (Emily Van Camp), who until recently believed they were half-siblings. Turns out they are not related but they have behaved as if they were for the past year.

Fans are divided into two camps, those who think the idea of romance between these two is icky and those who think it's just swell. Personally, I can see both sides.

As Justin's older brother, Tommy (Balthazar Getty), notes, "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see you two have connected."

Indeed, the actors have great chemistry and were rumored to be dating off-screen at one point. But the upshot of the writers' decision to not make Rebecca a Walker sort of invalidates much of what viewers invested in last season and requires the writers to jump through still more hoops Sunday with a new revelation that may send the show spinning into even soapier terrain come fall.

I'll admit I had no sympathy when series creator Jon Robin Baitz was let go and vented about his experience working on the show. He comes off as insufferable. In the first season "Brothers & Sisters" surely needed the more accessible and lighter touch executive producer Greg Berlanti brought to it. But I also can't help but think that Baitz would not have allowed the show's plots to veer so far from reality.

He also wouldn't have allowed Saul (Ron Rifkin) to become such an underused character, reduced to a comical coming out in Sunday's season finale.

"God, this is the gayest week of my life," Justin mutters after Saul comes out around the time of Kevin and Scotty's committment ceremony.

Perhaps it's a tribute to Baitz that the Kevin and Scotty story is the most believable and resonant on the show these days. Maybe, for that same reason, their relationship hasn't elicited the hue and cry that's greeting Justin and Rebecca

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