ABC Re-Ups Reality Series

Zap2It.com | February 28, 2008

'Dancing with the Stars' hosts Tom Bergeron and Samantha Harris

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'Dancing with the Stars,' 'Supernanny' among '08-'09 returnees

ABC has picked up "Dancing with the Stars" and four other unscripted series, solidifying its schedule for 2008-09.

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," "Supernanny," "Wife Swap" and "America's Funniest Home Videos" will all return next season as well. The reality-show orders come on the heels of nine scripted-series pickups for the fall, giving ABC a good measure of stability in a year when pilot development is likely to be more unpredictable than usual.

Missing from the list is "The Bachelor," although odds of that show returning are probably pretty good as well. A new edition of the show is scheduled to begin in mid-March, and its spin-off "The Bachelorette" will be back in the summer.

None of the pickups is a huge surprise. "Dancing with the Stars" trails only FOX's "American Idol" in total viewers this season and is also a top 10 show in the key adults 18-49 demographic. "EM: Home Edition" also ranks in the top 20 among total viewers and adults 18-49.

The overall ratings for the other three shows are more middle-of-the-pack but have been solid utility players for the network. "Videos" runs second to "60 Minutes" in its Sunday timeslot, while "Supernanny" and "Wife Swap" have both improved their time periods over the corresponding nights last season.