News from the ABC Upfronts

All the other networks should take note – ABC knows how to make a presentation (and throw a party). I got settled into Lincoln Center this afternoon ready to hear all about ABC’s fall schedule. Little did I know it was going to be such a fun party.

After a short intro from the suits, the lights dim and Mark Indelicato (Justin) from UGLY BETTY takes the stage singing an Ugly Betty-ized “One” from A Chorus Line. Before you know it, he’s joined by the fabulous Michael Urie (Marc) and Becki Newton (Amanda) and the three are giving us a full on Broadway number. Squee!! The queen herself, America Ferrera, soon joined them as did the rest of the cast of the show. Flanked by a full on poncho-wearing chorus line the cast brought down the house. It was only about 15 minutes in and ABC has already blown NBC’s upfront presentation out of the water.

Jimmy Kimmel soon took the stage and entertained us for a bit. I think Jimmy Kimmel has one of the best late night shows, and never fails to make me laugh.

Honestly, that would have been enough for me, but the fun continued with a look at the fall season lineup. Based on the extended promos shown tonight, some of their new shows seems really good…others, not so much.
First we were shown a preview of ABC’s new comedies. We’ve always been told to never judge a book by its cover, but can we judge a show based on it’s Upfront promo? If so, I have to say that Jerry O’Connell’s “Carpool” and the Geico “Cavemen” are DOA. To be honest, I’ve never been less enthused about a prospect of a show than “Cavemen”. I spoke to a lot of people at the event that shared my sentiment. I can’t imagine how bad the shows were that didn’t make the cut for this one to make it. Ugh.

The one comedy that did pique my interest was “Sam I Am” starring Christina Applegate as a women coping with amnesia. Applegate is endearing and naturally funny in a Drew Barrymore kind of way. And I guess I never got the memo that Barry Watson (7th Heaven, What About Brian) is hot. But he is, and he seemed really adorable and charming as Applegate’s on-screen boyfriend. Done right this one could be really satisfying.

“Mis/Guided” starring Judy Greer could be fun, but it kind of annoyed me that it was a TOTAL rip off of “Never Been Kissed”.  Tell me it was adapted from that and I’m ok with it.  Act like it’s a new idea and I cry foul.  Greer has always been a bit player and it’s nice to see her taking the spotlight for once.

Before we move on to the dramas, ABC brings out the Walker clan from “Brothers & Sisters”. YAY!! Sally, Calista, Rob, Emily and the rest of the Walker family was present (minus Kevin??). They talked to us for a few minutes, and then Rob Lowe brought us into ABC’s “Gone but Not Forgotten” – a montage of characters that were killed off on ABC this past season including “The Cute Dead Bomb Guy” (Kyle Chander, Grey’s Anatomy) and “The Not So Cute Dead Bomb Guy” (Artz, Lost). Ha! Scenes of Denny Duquette and Meredith talking in the almost-after life gets me teary, and to really push me over the edge The Frey takes the stage to perform “How to Save a Life”. I was fighting the tears big time – I’m such a girl- – yeah, my day didn’t suck!!

Another quick looks at the dramas…

“Pushing Daisies” looks the most promising. I hadn’t heard much about the show before today, but it has a real escapist appeal with just the right amount of quirky antics and romance to make it really stand apart. It really reminded me of the movie “Big Fish”.

“Big Shots” stars Michael Vartan. Do I really need to say more? Ok, I will. It seems that all of the networks are trying to recreate the magic of “Sex and the City”. On NBC it’s “Lipstick Jungle”, and on ABC it’s “Cashmere Mafia” AND the male version of SATC, “Big Shots”. Michael Vartan, Josh Malina, Christoper Titus and Dylan McDermott seems to be Carrie Bradshaw and friends, but you know…with boy parts. It looked fun and it’s sure to catch the attention of the ladies. I know I’ll be watching.

We didn’t really see any more of “Private Practice” than we did during it’s introduction, but I’m still all about it. I know it wasn’t well received by a lot of the critics, but I personally enjoyed it and think it has great potential. I thought it was fun and sassy and has a slightly more adult feel than Grey’s Anatomy does at times. During the press conference this morning, Steve McPherson did say that the network spoke with Shonda Rhimes and there is “work to do”. He didn’t really expand much more than that, but I think there will be some tweaking before the show hits the air in the Fall.

“Dirty Sexy Money”, “Eli Stone”, “Cashmere Mafia” and “Women’s Murder Club” all seemed interesting. I think I’d like to see a bit more to see if these shows will make it on to MY fall schedule.

With the ABC fall schedule covered, it was about time to leave…but not before playing a little BINGO. Yup, cards were handed out as we entered and we all got to play a little bingo. I thought ABC’s “National Bingo Night” was a little lame, but everyone in the theater was really caught up in it and I think it’s really going to catch on. The winner received a big screen TV and a full on marching band played us out of the theater as the confetti fell from the ceiling.

And THAT is what we call a fun presentation!! YAY!!

UP NEXT: Inside the ABC party. Sneak peek…McSteamy, Sawyer, Jack, Taye Diggs, Piz, Eva Longoria, Sally Field, Ellen Pompeo – just a few people I got to hang with tonight (and I have the pics to share with you).

Any of these new shows sound interesting to you? Let me know your early take.