http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.a...202abcfamily01

[02.02.09 - 09:41 AM]
ABC FAMILY ANNOUNCES PICK-UP OF THREE PILOTS
Released by ABC Family

[NOTE: The following article is a press release issued by the aforementioned network and/or company. Any errors, typos, etc. are attributed to the original author. The release is reproduced solely for the dissemination of the enclosed information.]

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ABC FAMILY ANNOUNCES PICK-UP OF THREE PILOTS

Three Pilots Receiving 10-Episode Orders Include:

"Perfect 10," a One-Hour Scripted Drama Starring Peri Gilpin ("Frasier"), Making Her Return to Series Television

"10 Things I Hate About You," with Director Gil Junger, Executive Producer and Writer Carter Covington, and Starring Ethan Peck (Grandson of Gregory Peck), Lindsey Shaw ("Aliens in America"), Meaghan Jette Martin ("Camp Rock") and Larry Miller (Reprising His Film Role)

"Ruby and The Rockits," Starring Alexa Vega ("Spy Kids"), David Cassidy and Patrick Cassidy, and Executive-Produced by Shaun Cassidy

Hit Original Series "Greek" to Return in Summer 2009; "Lincoln Heights," the Only African-American Family Drama on Television, Also Set to Return in Summer 2009

New Original Movies Include: "Au Pair 3 Adventure in Paradise," Starring Gregory Harrison and Heidi Saban, Premiering in March 2009; As-Yet-Titled Movie Starring Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence to Premiere in April 2009

Burbank, CA (Monday, February 2, 2009) - Paul Lee, president, ABC Family, today announced the pick-up of three pilots including the one-hour scripted drama "Perfect 10," the single camera half-hour "10 things I Hate About You," based on the 1999 hit film, and the multi-camera half-hour "Ruby and The Rockits." Each has been given a 10-episode order. In addition, original series "Greek" and "Lincoln Heights" will return in summer 2009. The network also has two original movies, "Au Pair 3 Adventure in Paradise," starring Gregory Harrison and Heidi Saban, and another as-yet-titled original movie starring Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence, both to debut in early 2009.

"ABC Family is coming off its best year ever, including the summer breakout hit "The Secret Life of the American Teenager," said Lee. "We're thrilled to be adding three new original series, drama and comedy, all of them the sort of great optimistic Millennial storytelling that ABC Family does best."

"Perfect 10," is a one-hour scripted drama, created and written by Holly Sorensen, who also serves as executive producer. The pilot was directed by Steve Miner ("Wildfire"). Set in the world of competitive gymnastics, "Perfect 10" follows a group of teen Olympic hopefuls as they train and prepare for their day in the spotlight. The cast includes Chelsea Hobbs as gymnastic newcomer 'Emily Kmetko,' Ayla Kell as top gymnast 'Payson Keeler,' Josie Loren as the beautiful gymnast 'Kaylie Cruz,' and Zachary Burr Abel as the gym's resident hottie, 'Carter Anderson.' Peri Gilpin ("Frasier") returns to series television in the role of 'Kim Keeler,' the mother of one of the female gymnasts.

"10 Things I Hate About You" is a half-hour, single-cam series with director Gil Junger (who also directed the 1996 "10 Things I Hate About You" feature film) and executive producer and writer Carter Covington ("Greek"). Based on the hit movie, the Stratford sisters, Bianca (Meaghan Jette Martin) and Kat (Lindsey Shaw), are two very different people, which is evident as they start at their new high school with very contradictory goals. Kat is a strong-willed, in-your-face feminist who is looking to save the world and get out of high school as fast as she can. Bianca is a social butterfly whose only concern is that she is popular, at any cost. As they both start a bumpy year at Padua High, can each girl get what she wants in the end, as they navigate the popular crowd, boys and their over-protective Dad? The original series will also star Larry Miller, who reprises his film role as the girls' father, and Ethan Peck (grandson of Gregory Peck) has been cast in the role of 'Patrick" (portrayed by Heath Ledger in the film).

"Ruby and The Rockits" is an ABC Studios half-hour multi-cam comedy series executive-produced by Shaun Cassidy ("Invasion") and Marsh McCall ("Carpoolers"). "Ruby and The Rockits" follows Patrick Gallagher, a former teen idol who has chosen to lead a quiet life with his wife and two sons. But when his former Rockits band mate and brother, David, shows up unexpectedly with his new-found teenage daughter in tow, the Gallagher family's life becomes anything but normal. David, who refuses to give up his past glory days, comes to Patrick for help raising Ruby while he continues to perform. Patrick must now put the past with David behind them in order to help raise Ruby and keep order within the rest of the Gallagher clan. "Ruby and The Rockits" was written by Shaun Cassidy and Ed Yeager, with teleplay by Ed Yeager (the pilot was directed by Ted Wass). Alexa Vega ("Spy Kids"), Austin Butler ("Zoey 101"), Patrick Cassidy ("Smallville") and former teen idol David Cassidy ("The Partridge Family") star.

Additionally, both "Greek" (20 episodes) and "Lincoln Heights" (10 episodes) are set to return in summer 2009.

Also, coming up this March is the premiere of ABC Family original movie "Au Pair 3 Adventure in Paradise," starring Gregory Harrison and Heidi Saban. The Caldwell family returns in the third installment of the hit movie franchise as the family hits the tropical beaches of Puerto Rico. But just as they reach the tropical paradise, it becomes clear that all Caldwell family members have different agendas for the vacation. Can the family pull together in time before the vacation becomes a complete disaster?

In April 2009 is the premiere of an as-yet-titled original movie starring Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence. Oil and water get along better than Jennifer (Melissa Joan Hart) and Vince (Joey Lawrence), who meet at a friend's wedding. But when they see the haul of presents and cash their friends receive, the cash strapped duo resolve to join forces and come up with a plan. They decide to fake a relationship, engagement and wedding - and stay together long enough to make it look authentic. But real feelings get in the way when these two actually start to fall for each other.

Part of the Disney-ABC Television Group, ABC Family, distributed in over 95 million homes, features original movies, series and specials reflecting today's families and entertaining and connecting with adults through relevant stories about today's relationships, all told with diversity, dysfunction, passion, humor and heart. ABC Family's programming is a mix of quality acquired series and theatricals as well as original movies and scripted dramas. ABC Family is also the destination for Holiday events with "13 Nights of Halloween" and "25 Days of Christmas" branded programming events. ABC Family. A New Kind of Family.

Now you can see I'm not the only one snarking about NBC's failures. "NBC is fortunate to have Jay Leno's 10 PM talk show in the fall considering how many slots are getting cleared out this season," Hibberd notes. "Including Chopping Block, six series are not returning -- Knight Rider, My Own Worst Enemy, Crusoe, Lipstick Jungle and ER. A couple midseason reality shows, Superstars of Dance and Momma's Boys, are likely gone. Four others are looking pale and shaky -- Friday Night Lights, Kath & Kim, Life, and Kings."

ABC doled out some good news to producers Thursday morning, giving early pickups to its top primetime performers.

There weren't many surprises in the Alphabet's renewals, which included key series "Desperate Housewives," "Grey's Anatomy," "Brothers and Sisters" and "Private Practice" - as well as "Lost," which had already been given a go-ahead and will now complete its final season next year.

Biggest news was probably a firm go-ahead for another season of bubble show "Ugly Betty" - but ABC execs had been hinting for months that the show wasn't in danger.

On the unscripted side, staples "Dancing with the Stars," "The Bachelor," "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," "America's Funniest Home Videos," "Wife Swap" and "Supernanny" are a lock for 2009-2010.

The real question marks on ABC's sked remain unanswered, starting with half-hour "Samantha Who." Once a solid Monday night performer and shoo-in for renewal, "Samantha" struggled on Thursdays - so much that the show was pulled two weeks earlier than expected, with seven episodes still in the can.

That means "Samantha" remains on the bubble - although insiders believe the show will ultimately get another season on air.

Other half-hours are also undetermined. Although it remains likely that this is the last season for "Scrubs," there's still talk of keeping the show going (with some cast adjustments) next year. Also, there remain fans inside ABC of "Better of Ted," which has earned strong reviews, even though its ratings haven't beared that out.

And "Surviving Surburbia" hasn't made any friends with critics, but if producer MRC offers to bring back the show at a low license fee, it might still find a way to return next season. Then there's "In the Motherhood," which is now off the air - likely for good.

On the drama side, bubble shows include midseason hours "Castle," "The Unusuals" and "Cupid."

Alphabet was said to be hopeful with "Unusuals," giving it a Tuesday night showcase this week in addition to its Wednesday home - but that experiment fell short, likely hurting the show's chances. With "Cupid" not making much noise, that gives "Castle" now the best shot of the three to return next season.

Back to the returning shows: Pickups make it season six for "Desperate Housewives," "Grey's Anatomy" and "Lost." It's the fourth season - bringing it close to off-net sale time - for "Brothers and Sisters" and "Ugly Betty." "Private Practice" is entering its third year.

Among the reality shows, "America's Funniest Home Videos" will hit its 20th season this year; "The Bachelor" is back this fall with its 14th cycle; "Dancing with the Stars" will return with its ninth set of celebs; "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" is back for a seventh season; and "Supernanny" and "Wife Swap" are both back for their sixth year.

"Brothers and Sisters," "Desperate Housewives," "Grey's Anatomy," "Lost," "Private Practice" and "Ugly Betty" all come from ABC Studios. "Videos" is from Vin DiBona; "Bachelor" from Next Ent. and Warner Horizon; "Stars" from BBC Worldwide Americas; "Home Edition" from Endemol USA; "Supernanny" from Shed Media US; and "Wife Swap" from RDF USA.