day 180

scrubs lives on, amongst others
while networks like nbc plan on rolling out almost completely new line ups in the fall (see previews of shows like mercy, parenthood, and 100 questions - supposedly the new friends, but i don't buy it - here), abc will be sticking with what kind-of works. the alphabet net has surprise (well, kind of) renewed scrubs for a ninth season, featuring zach braff and sarah chalke for 6 episodes (yay! sarah can go back to how i met your mother, hopefully full time) and other castmembers, like donald faison, will be back for the full shebang, which i'm assuming will only be 13 episodes. freshmen shows castle and better off ted will also be back in the fall. castle has been a ratings winner for the net, thanks to its dancing with the stars lead-in, but ted has been somewhat of a loser. however, abc has chalked up ted's lame ratings to american idol competition and multiple postponements thanks to prez obama's national addresses, which makes sense; plus, the show stars "big name" portia de rossi, and abc probs doesn't want to lose her. sadly, one of my new fave comedies, surviving suburbia, probably won't be back in the fall. the show has been pulled from abc's schedule until later this month, when it'll burn off remaining episodes in the summer. who knows? maybe it'll be a summer success and come back. there's always hope. in other alphabet pick-up news, the net has greenlit courtney cox's cougar town, about a single mother in her 40s making her way back into the dating world. the show will costar busy phillips, who is one of those actresses you see everywhere but you have no clue what her name is (for example, she was the blonde friend in white chicks and patrick dempsey's nemesis brides maid in made of honor). kelsey grammar and patricia heaton will also be back on tv, though separately - the duo starred in a shortlived fox sitcom last year. heaton takes the helm in a family comedy called the middle about an average family living in the midwestern suburbs. therfore, the name has multiple meanings. i saw the pilot for the show and it was relatively funny and pretty quircky; reminded me a lot of malcolm in the middle, but with an adult focus. frasier alum grammar plays hank in hank, about a laid off wall street worker adjusting to family life. modern family is said to be abc's comedy goldenchild. i saw the pilot ep for this show too and, while it was a little hard to follow, when everything fell into place it was really good; it's about three suburban families who are being filmed for a documentary. i won't give away the twist, but all three families are connected in a hilarious way. eastwick is also coming to abc; it's an update of the updike novel and 80s flick the witches of eastwick, starring rebecca romijn and lindsay price. the show has been retooled from a half-hour comedy into an hour-long dramedy. one show you won't be seeing? well, at least not in the fall? lauren graham of gilmore girl's starring vehicle about an un-lucky in love self-help guru. lots to look forward to, lots to question. the networks will officially announce their fall schedules next week at the upfronts.