ABC also announces returns for 'Desperate Housewives,' 'Ugly Betty'

ABC will close the 2007-08 season with several new episodes of its most popular scripted shows, including "Grey's Anatomy," "Desperate Housewives" and "Lost."

The network announced its post-strike plans Wednesday afternoon, becoming the last of the big broadcasters to slot the return of its scripted series. Seven shows are going back into production and will air between four and seven new episodes each starting in April. (The network also has new seasons of "Dancing with the Stars" and "The Bachelor" debuting Monday, March 17.)

First up is the comedy "Samantha Who?," which will return for six episodes on Monday, April 7, in the post-"Dancing" spot that served it well in the fall. "Boston Legal" airs the first of six new shows the following night.

Also returning are "Brothers & Sisters" on Sunday, April 20 and "Ugly Betty" on Thursday, April 24. "Grey's Anatomy" and "Lost," which will move from 9 to 10 p.m., also come back on the 24th; all three Thursday shows will have five new episodes. "Lost" fans will have to wait about a month between the final pre-strike episode and the debut of the new installments.

"Desperate Housewives," meanwhile, will squeeze in seven new hours of shooting, including a two-hour season finale. Its first episode back is scheduled for Sunday, April 13.

The pre-strike Wednesday lineup of "Pushing Daisies," "Private Practice" and "Dirty Sexy Money" won't be back this spring, but ABC has picked up all three series for the 2008-09 season.