|
|
|
|
|
ABC spells out strategy to challenge NBC Thurs. ABC presented a 1999-2000 fall schedule Tuesday with the fewest number of new shows the network has introduced in a decade and its first attempt in years to attack NBC's Thursday comedy dominance. Six new shows will debut in the fall. Like NBC execs at their presentation a day earlier, ABC Entertainment chairman Stu Bloomberg and division president Jamie Tarses stressed the stability of their schedule, an apparent response to viewer confusion that has increased as choices are added to the television landscape. The executives also told the audience of advertisers at the New Amsterdam Theater that they are encouraged by the critical praise ABC has received for a number of its current series. "We don't just love TV, we love water cooler TV," Bloomberg said. ABC will find out if Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place can hold its own as an anchor show when it moves to Wednesday at 8pm. Midseason entry Norm slides into the 8:30pm slot, followed by The Drew Carey Show at 9pm. Oh Grow Up, a new comedy about three men and a baby -- albiet a grown-up one -- from Greenblatt-Janollari will try to hold onto the strong male lead-in it will get from Drew Carey. 20/20 holds onto the Wednesday 10pm hour.
--Stephen Battaglio |
