Network plans staggered rollout for fall

ABC will debut nine new series in the fall, more than any of its broadcast-network competitors. So it's taking a little time in trotting them all out.

Though the network will roll out a good portion of its 2007-08 schedule in the traditional late-September premiere week, but only three of its new series: "Private Practice" and "Dirty Sexy Money" on Wednesday, Sept. 26 and "Big Shots" on Thursday, Sept. 27.

The following week will bring three more shows, comedies "Cavemen" and "Carpoolers" and the "forensic fairy tale" (as trailers describe it) "Pushing Daisies." The crime show "Women's Murder Club" follows on Friday, Oct. 12, and comedy "Samantha Who?" opens Monday, Oct. 15.

ABC has also flipped timeslots for its other two Friday shows: Newsmagazine "20/20" will go to 8 p.m., and "Men in Trees" will follow "Women's Murder Club" at 10 p.m.

The final piece of ABC's fall schedule, "Cashmere Mafia," will wait until Tuesday, Nov. 27, following the end of "Dancing with the Stars'" fall cycle.

The network hasn't set a premiere date yet for "Boston Legal" as it's still working out a few details. It will likely fall somewhere in the first two weeks of the season.

ABC also has several shows in reserve for midseason, including returnees "Lost," "Notes from the Underbelly" and "October Road" and newcomers "Eli Stone" and "Miss/Guided."

Here is ABC's premiere schedule (all times Eastern, new shows in bold):

Monday, Sept. 24

8 p.m. "Dancing with the Stars" (90 minutes)
9:30 p.m. "The Bachelor" (90 minutes)

Tuesday, Sept. 25

8 p.m. "Dancing with the Stars" (performance show)

Wednesday, Sept. 26

8 p.m. "Dancing with the Stars" results show (special day and time)
9 p.m. "Private Practice"
10 p.m. "Dirty Sexy Money"

Thursday, Sept. 27

8 p.m. "Ugly Betty"
9 p.m. "Grey's Anatomy"
10 p.m. "Big Shots"

Sunday, Sept. 30

7 p.m. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (two hours)
9 p.m. "Desperate Housewives"
10 p.m. "Brothers & Sisters"

Tuesday, Oct. 2

8 p.m. "Cavemen"
8:30 p.m. "Carpoolers"
9 p.m. "Dancing with the Stars" results (regular day and time)

Wednesday, Oct. 3

8 p.m. "Pushing Daisies"

Sunday, Oct. 7

7 p.m. "America's Funniest Home Videos"

Friday, Oct. 12

8 p.m. "20/20" (new timeslot)
9 p.m. "Women's Murder Club"
10 p.m. "Men in Trees" (new timeslot)

Monday, Oct. 15

9:30 p.m. "Samantha Who?"

Tuesday, Nov. 27

10 p.m. "Cashmere Mafia" (moves to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4)