Wednesday lineup all new; 'Big Shots' follows 'Grey's'

ABC pulled off a major revamp of its schedule on Tuesday, unveiling a lineup with nine new series and changes on every weeknight.

Among the changes are a Wednesday slate of three new dramas, anchored by the "Grey's Anatomy" spinoff "Private Practice"; the comedy "Sam I Am" following "Dancing with the Stars" on Monday nights; and "Big Shots," a drama about the friendship among four high-level executives, getting the plum timeslot following "Grey's Anatomy" on Thursdays.

"We're heading into the new season with a strong lineup of returning shows that we've developed and nurtured over the past few years," says Stephen McPherson, head of ABC Entertainment. "That solid foundation will help us launch an exciting development slate as we continue our forward momentum this fall."

The network's biggest gamble is probably on Wednesday nights, where it will offer up three freshman dramas: "Pushing Daisies," "Private Practice" and "Dirty Sexy Money." The spinoff comes somewhat pre-sold -- it was introduced in a highly rated "Grey's Anatomy" two weeks ago -- but Wednesdays figure to be crowded in the fall. NBC has two new series there as well ("Bionic Woman" and "Life"), and the other three nets may unveil new shows on the night as well.

"Big Shots," which stars Michael Vartan, Christopher Titus, Joshua Malina and Dylan McDermott, will move into the 10 p.m. Thursday spot after "Grey's Anatomy." Although it focuses on four guys, McPherson says it's similar in tone to its lead-in.

ABC is also revamping its comedy offerings, with "Sam I Am" -- starring Christina Applegate as an amnesiac trying to rediscover her life -- getting the half-hour between "Dancing" and "The Bachelor" in the fall. Once "Dancing" and "The Bachelor" end their fall runs, "Sam I Am" will move back to 9 p.m. and second-year shows "Notes from the Underbelly" and "October Road" will move in at 9:30 and 10.

The other comedies on the schedule are the much-discussed "Cavemen," inspired by the Geico car-insurance ads, and "Carpoolers," about a group of guys who commute together. They'll air from 8 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays; another new show, "Cashmere Mafia," will air at 9 on Tuesdays after the "Dancing with the Stars" results show finishes in late fall.

At midseason, ABC will bring back "Lost" -- most likely on Wednesdays -- for an uninterrupted run. The drama "Eli Stone," comedy "Miss/Guided" and two unscripted shows, "Supernanny" and "Oprah's Big Give," are also on tap for midseason.

Here is ABC's fall 2007 schedule (all times Eastern, new shows in bold):

Monday

8 p.m. "Dancing with the Stars"
9:30 p.m. "Sam I Am"
10 p.m. "The Bachelor"

Notes: Following the end of "Dancing with the Stars," the Monday lineup will be "Wife Swap" at 8 p.m., "Sam I Am" at 9, "Notes from the Underbelly" at 9:30 and "October Road" at 10.

Tuesday

8 p.m. "Cavemen"
8:30 p.m. "Carpoolers"
9 p.m. "Dancing with the Stars" results
10 p.m. "Boston Legal"

Note: "Cashmere Mafia" will replace "Dancing with the Stars" later in the fall.

Wednesday

8 p.m. "Pushing Daisies"
9 p.m. "Private Practice"
10 p.m. "Dirty Sexy Money"

Thursday

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

Friday

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

Saturday

8 p.m. "Saturday Night College Football"

Sunday

7 p.m. "America's Funniest Home Videos"
8 p.m. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"
9 p.m. "Desperate Housewives"
10 p.m. "Brothers & Sisters"