ABC is going in the direction of CBS and NBC by planting a fall schedule that they expect to launch on time despite the uncertainty of exactly when productions will be getting back to work. The network’s fall schedule is largely unchanged, with the exception of three new series and their comedy block being scaled back to one night a week.
ABC actually has the highest number of new series launching this fall and they include David E. Kelley’s drama Big Sky, Kari Lizer’s comedy Call Your Mother, and the Supermarket Sweep reboot starring Leslie Jones. These were all straight-to-series-orders which follows in the footsteps of the other networks that decided to launch new shows in the wake of the pandemic. Pilots weren’t able to be shot so networks had to trust big names and big talent when handing out initial orders. This is no different for ABC in that regard.
ABC is giving The Conners Modern Family’s old Wednesday night timeslot at 9:00 PM which shifts it off the Tuesday night home it has been on since its premiere. Tuesday is actually taking a retreat from comedy for the time being with black-ish and mixed-ish being held for midseason. The Tuesday night block will make room for the new season of summer staple The Bachelorette, which has been delayed by the pandemic. ABC will reinstate the Tuesday comedy block in midseason with black-ish and mixed-ish, possibly joined by at least one additional new comedy series. Joining black-ish and mixed-ish on the midseason bench are just renewed freshman drama For Life and new seasons of American Idol and The Bachelor.
Other than that, everything else is the same. Dancing With the Stars and The Good Doctor maintain their Monday homes while Thursday will continue to be ruled by Grey’s Anatomy, Station 19, and A Million Little Things. American Housewife does head to Wednesdays after a Friday run last season while The Rookie will stay put on Sunday nights after a decent showing on that night during its second season last fall.
Check out the full ABC fall schedule below:
ABC FALL 2020-21 SCHEDULE
(New programs in UPPER CASE)
MONDAY
8 PM — Dancing with the Stars
10 PM — The Good Doctor
TUESDAY
8 PM — The Bachelorette
10 PM — BIG SKY
WEDNESDAY
8 PM — The Goldbergs
8:30 PM — American Housewife
9 PM — The Conners
9:30 PM — CALL YOUR MOTHER
10 PM — Stumptown
THURSDAY
8 PM — Station 19
9 PM — Grey’s Anatomy
10 PM — A Million Little Things
FRIDAY
8 PM — Shark Tank
9 PM — 20/20 (Two Hours)
SATURDAY
8 PM — Saturday Night Football
SUNDAY
7 PM — America’s Funniest Home Videos
8 PM — SUPERMARKET SWEEP
9 PM — Who Wants To Be A Millionaire
10 PM — The Rookie
