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Armed with news that the writers strike is about to end, ABC renewed nine shows for the 2008-09 season. None of the pickups were completely unexpected.
In addition to obvious renewals like Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy and Lost, the network picked up Brothers & Sisters and Ugly Betty for third seasons, writes Media Life.
Also snaring pickups were Grey’s Anatomy spin-off Private Practice and Christina Applegate’s Samantha Who? Dirty Sexy Money and Pushing Daisies will also be renewed, with new episodes of each possibly being held until next fall to give them a strong relaunch. Both shows had strong preseason buzz, but neither pulled spectacular ratings. Pushing Daisies did win its 8 p.m. Wednesday time slot among adults 18-49.
Though Ugly Betty earned a best actress Emmy last fall, the show’s ratings slipped in its second season, and two producers on the show were let go yesterday, prompting concerns about the show’s future success.
All of the renewed shows have been fairly successful at reaching the women 18-49 audience that ABC excels at.
The strike put a damper on the pilot development season, with some networks vowing to cut back on their pilot orders indefinitely.
With that in mind, some industry watchers have speculated that new-show development for next fall would not be very strong. Coming as it did on the eve of the WGA vote that is expected to end the strike, the network’s announcement would seem to indicate its confidence in its lineup for next season.
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