ABC Elects "Commander" for Fall Lineup

Perhaps ABC network execs have never heard that old cliché that when it ain't broke, you don't fix it.

Because for a network that is about to close one of the biggest single-season turnarounds in TV history, ABC sure is heaping on the changes to its 2005-06 prime-time plan.

At its annual upfront presentation Tuesday in New York, the Alphabet net announced that it will add a dozen new series to its schedule next season--five comedies, six dramas and one reality series--more than any of the other, more ratings-challenged networks that have already announced their schedules. The network is particularly high on new drama Commander-in-Chief, starring Geena Davis as the first female President of the United States (this despite Davis' last stab at TV, in the form of her eponymous ABC sitcom, flopped in the 2000-01 season).

ABC, which moved from a dismal fourth-place ratings stance last season to a very competitive third place this season, is also making a few surprise time-slot switches for its existing shows. Spy chick drama Alias, which has enjoyed a ratings spark from its Wednesday night post-Lost spot, will move to Thursday nights at 8, perennially one of the toughest prime-time homes thanks to competition from CBS' Survivor and, with the WB's announcement earlier Tuesday, a relocated Smallville, which competes for a similar demo.

The move, coupled with Alias star Jennifer Garner's real-life pregnancy (meaning the show is going to have to work around its trademark slinky costumes and butt-kickin' action scenes), suggests the show's fifth season might be its last.

Meanwhile, the Sunday night powerhouse lineup of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Desperate Housewives and midseason medical drama Grey's Anatomy remains intact, but Wednesday night monster hit Lost shifts from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. And Sunday night David E. Kelley hit Boston Legal, which lost its cushy post-Desperate Housewives time slot when Grey's Anatomy premiered with huge ratings, will now take up residence on the Tuesday night slate.

"Through strong development and strategic marketing, we were able to make valuable strides this season," says ABC Entertainment prez Stephen McPherson. "Our responsibility next season and beyond is to continue that forward movement."

ABC also gave surprise renewals to a few on-the-bubble series, including John Stamos' dramedy Jake in Progress, the Andy Dick-Sara Rue sitcom Less than Perfect, George Lopez and the eroding reality dating game The Bachelor.

Here's a rundown of ABC's new series:

Commander-in-Chief: In one of the many shows the network hopes will capitalize and improve upon the female viewership it's gained with the buzz of Desperate Housewives, Davis stars Mackenzie Allen, the VP who becomes the first female President when her boss dies. She's also married, with twin teens and a six-year-old. The show is from film critic turned producer-director Rod Lurie (The Contender).
Freddie: Freddie Prinze Jr. is a chef and restaurant owner who grew up surrounded by a houseful of women in this sitcom that also stars Beverly Hills, 90210 alum Brian Green (he's dropped the "Austin").
Hot Properties: A comedy about four females who work together in a high-end Manhattan real estate office, including a very Desperate Housewife-ish fortysomething woman (American Dreams' Gail O'Grady) married to a hottie 25-year-old.
Invasion: This sci-fi drama finds a Florida sheriff trying to save the human race from doom after a hurricane when it turns out that the Earth's natural disasters have been a smoke screen for aliens bent on taking over. William Fichtner (Black Hawk Down) stars, and the show is produced by Shaun Cassidy and The West Wing's Tommy Schlamme.
The Night Stalker: A remake of the short-lived, but critically acclaimed ?70s drama about a newspaper crime reporter who investigates stories with supernatural twists. The original, which included The Sopranos creator David Chase on its writing staff, also aired on ABC. The remake, produced by The X-Files' Frank Spotnitz and Daniel Sackheim, stars Stuart Townsend, best known for The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (and for squiring Oscar-winning girlfriend Charlize Theron).
Crumbs (midseason): A dysfunctional family comedy starring Fred Savage and Jane Curtin, who plays a mom thrown into a psych ward when she tries to run over her wayward hubby (24's William Devane).
Emily's Reasons Why Not (midseason): Based on the bestselling book As Told by Ginger, the comedy stars Heather Graham as a self-help author who can't live by her own advice.
The Evidence (midseason): A crime drama from producer John Wells (ER, The West Wing), starring Martin Landau and Orlando Jones. Each episode opens by flashing the evidence in a crime, allowing viewers to follow along and try to solve the case with the cops.
In Justice (midseason): Kyle MacLachlan (Sex and the City) stars in a drama bout a nonprofit firm dedicated to helping free inmates who were wrongly accused of a crime.
The Miracle Workers (midseason): A reality series in which a team of elite doctors travel around and tackle challenging or bizarre medical problems, using rare techniques, treatments and equipment.
Sons & Daughters (midseason): Produced by Saturday Night Live honcho (and Dr. Evil inspiration) Lorne Michaels, the show is a partly improvised comedy about a very dysfunctional family. Max Gail (Barney Miller) stars.
What About Brian (midseason): Yet another drama produced by the prolific J.J. Abrams (Lost and Alias), about a single guy (7th Heaven's Barry Watson) whose friends, all married, are pressuring him to settle down.

Abrams, by the way, had two other high-profile drama pilots in development at ABC: the bounty hunter adventure The Catch, starring Don Rickles, and Pros and Cons, starring Billy Baldwin as a former scam artist who works for the FBI after getting out of jail. Neither made the cut.

Also missing from the network's schedule are 2005 midseason series Blind Justice with Ron Eldard and the Tim Daly drama Eyes, along with the Mel Gibson-produced comedy Complete Savages and erstwhile ratings hits 8 Simple Rules and My Wife and Kids.

The following is a night-by-night look at the network's fall schedule:

MONDAY: Wife Swap and Monday Night Football (through January); The Bachelor; Emily's Reasons Why Not; Jake in Progress; What About Brian (after January)

TUESDAY: According to Jim; Rodney; Commander-in-Chief; Boston Legal

WEDNESDAY: George Lopez; Freddie; Lost; Invasion

THURSDAY: Alias; The Night Stalker; Primetime Live

FRIDAY: Supernanny; Hope & Faith; Hot Properties; 20/20

SATURDAY: ABC Movie of the Week

SUNDAY: America's Funniest Home Videos; Extreme Makeover: Home Edition; Desperate Housewives; Grey's Anatomy