ABC cans "Hope & Faith," "7th Heaven" renewal depends on salary cuts

from broadcasting and cable

NBC's Kidnapped Could Get Summer Launch
By Jim Benson

The speculation intensified Sunday leading into this week’s network
upfronts, with sources saying NBC may give an early summer launch to
Kidnapped, the Sony drama starring Jeremy Sisto and Dana Delaney.

There was also considerable speculation that NBC was considering
putting its heavily hyped new Warner Bros. drama Friday Night Lights
at 10 p.m. Monday in place of Medium. Another scenario had it moving
to 10 p.m. Thursday, the long-time home of Warner Bros. aging ER,
considered a more compatible slot if NBC decides to keep My Name is
Earl and The Office during the preceding hour.

The fate of an untitled Tina Fey project could reportedly hinge on a
deal being finalized with Alec Baldwin. NBC declined to comment on
schedule-related matters Sunday.

The CW, meanwhile, declined to comment on reports that Warner Bros.’
Invasion, canceled by ABC, would move to the new network that it
co-owns with CBS. Among other shows axed by ABC are the comedies Hope
& Faith and Freddie.

Aaron Spelling’s 7th Heaven will be given a reprieve for an 11th
season if higher-paid cast members agree to take a salary cut. And

Jack Bauer's Spunky Sidekick, Ian J. Ball...

Read: Cast cuts.

I'm not wrong about this. I'll bet that Hicks will be only
semi-recurring next season, and Gallagher will probably be out.

ABC, which has had little luck with freshman series this past season,
is bringing at least one back, the month-old What About Brian.

Of the new pilot offerings, ABC has given commitments to Big Day,
formerly A Day in the Life, about the various viewpoints of those
taking part in a wedding, and an untitled heist comedy with Donal
Logue and Mick Jagger from Burnett/Beckermen. They join 10 other
series picked up by the network last week.

Additionally, Fox Friday handed out an order for Fox Television
Studios’ Wedding Album, about a New York photographer and his
assistant, and a six-episode comedy order to Family Guy creator Seth
MacFarlane for s show titled The Winner. It centers on a 40-year-old
guy (Rob Corddry of The Daily Show) who, after attaining success,
looks back on his years as a slacker.

Fox also provided a 13-episode renewal order for midseason comedy The
Loop, renewed The War at Home for its sophomore season and provided a
commitment for another year of The O.C.