By James Hibberd
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) -
ABC's top-rated "Grey's
Anatomy" will return to its usual Thursday night time period in
April, bumping "Lost" to the less desirable 10 p.m. slot.
Having resumed production after the writers strike, the
medical drama will come back to the tentpole 9 p.m. period for
five original episodes beginning April 24.
"Lost" will also air the first of five originals on that
date. But the drama will find itself in a slot with lower
viewing levels, and the show notably declined after shifting
from 9 p.m. Wednesdays to 10 p.m. last season. "Lost," however,
might gain significantly from a large "Grey's" lead-in, even if
their respective audiences are not perfectly compatible.
ABC has tried several new shows in the 10 p.m. Thursday
period that have been unable to capitalize on "Grey's" success.
Case in point: Current occupant "Eli Stone" is notably absent
from the newly announced spring lineup. An ABC spokesman said
the network hasn't decided when the remaining "Stone" episodes
will air.
Also, there still is no word on "bubble" shows "Men in
Trees" or "Women's Murder Club" (the latter might return if ABC
and 20th Century Fox Television can quickly find a new
showrunner to take over the production).
ABC announced the "Grey's Anatomy" change Wednesday as part
of its spring schedule, which also includes premiere dates for
"Desperate Housewives," "Boston Legal," "Ugly Betty," "Samantha
Who?" and "Brothers & Sisters." The other major broadcast
networks already have announced their spring schedules.
Returning to their usual ABC time periods: "Samantha Who?"
on April 7 (six originals); "Boston Legal," April 8 (six
originals); "Desperate Housewives," April 13 (five originals
and a two-hour finale); "Brothers & Sisters," April 20 (four
originals); and "Ugly Betty," April 24 (five originals). ABC's
renewed freshmen dramas "Pushing Daisies," "Private Practice"
and "Dirty Sexy Money" will return next season.
Also on Wednesday, CBS said it is shuffling its Monday
night comedy lineup when it returns March 17. Instead of
leading off with "How I Met Your Mother," the freshman hit "Big
Bang Theory" will open the night at 8 p.m. "Mother" shifts to
8:30 p.m. At 9 p.m., "Two and a Half Men" will continue to
anchor the lineup, followed by "The New Adventures of Old
Christine" at 9:30 p.m.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
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