Makeover drama will lead into 'Men in Trees'

ABC is bringing back the original "Extreme Makeover" on Friday nights, starting next week.

It's a classic story with near-Shakespearean overtones: Once upon a time there was a heart-warming story of plastic surgery and personal alteration that drew decent audiences. The network took that series and spun it off into a similar show about making over homes (and families or communities) to a similar extreme. In no time at all, the spin-off had surpassed and usurped the original and soon there came a generation that knew only "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and had no memories of a simple "Extreme Makeover."

ABC aims to correct that lapse and perhaps return "EM" to its rightful throne, starting on Friday, Oct. 20, when "Extreme Makeover" moves into the 8 p.m. time slot currently occupied by repeats of "Grey's Anatomy."

The following week, "Extreme Makeover" will go back on the shelf, as ABC airs a 40th anniversary version of "It's a Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," complete with the bonus cartoon "You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown."

"Extreme Makeover" will return on Friday, Nov. 3 and the show is expected to continue airing through the November sweeps period, leading into the freshman drama "Men in Trees."

The Friday night limbo was caused by ABC's pre-season decision to move "Ugly Betty" from Friday nights to the more competitive Thursday 8 p.m. slot in which it has thrived.