LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) It's the kind of choice that most networks not named "CBS" would probably kill for: Do you return your successful first-year drama to the air after a planned hiatus, or do you stick with the even more successful replacement drama? In the end, ABC just looked at the numbers and elected to have "Grey's Anatomy" keep the coveted 10 p.m. ET time slot on Sunday nights, rather than having "Boston Legal" return on April 24 as previously scheduled.

As a result of the move, announced Friday (April 8), "Grey's Anatomy" will continue to be partnered with "Desperate Housewives" through the end of the May sweeps period and the conclusion of the official 2004-05 season.

ABC gave "Boston Legal" an early 2005-06 renewal earlier this week, but the David E. Kelley won't air again until next fall. The five unseen episodes from this season will become the start of a 27-episode second season for "Boston Legal."
"We're in the enviable position of having two shows that have each performed extremely well for us Sundays at 10:00 -- 'Boston Legal' and 'Grey's Anatomy,'" says ABC Entertainment Present Stephen McPherson. "We had already picked up 'Boston Legal' for next year based on its stellar run thus far this season. Now, with the strong debut of 'Grey's Anatomy,' we are very optimistic about having an additional asset of tremendous value heading into fall. However, with this embarrassment of riches comes a tough decision."

The numbers were fairly straight forward. For the season, "Desperate Housewives" has averaged nearly 22.8 million viewers per week, as the drama has come out of nowhere to become television's second most watched drama. With its 17 original episodes this season, "Boston Legal" has averaged 12.5 million viewers, making it one of year's top new shows. However, in two episodes since its midseason premiere, "Grey's Anatomy" has averaged just under 17 million viewers, building on its audience from its first to second weeks.

Originally, the "Anatomy" Sunday run was only to be four episode, but its instant success led to a reevaluation of those plans. There had been rumors that ABC was considering shifting "Boston Legal" to Monday nights at 10 p.m., which would have mirrored a similar scheduling shift that nearly killed its parent drama "The Practice."

"Ultimately we decided that, without having adequate lead time or marketing dollars to devote to moving either show so late in the season, we'd continue to let 'Grey's' build on its tremendous momentum through May," McPherson explains. "We're extremely excited that this will give us the amazing luxury of bringing 'Boston Legal' back next season with an unheard-of 27 original episodes."

While it sucks that Boston Legal is being kept off the air til the fall, it beats being moved to Monday nights where its ratings would likely tank. Still, seeing as I have zero interest in ever tuning into Grey's Anatomy, this is disappointing news.

what.

the.

fuck.

I have no interest in "Grey's Anatomy" either and was awaiting "BL"'s return. It sounds like they're still considering moving "BL" to Mondays in the fall, but the network wants time to have lots of promotions prior to the move.

I'm still skeptical that "Grey's" will continue to hold in the ratings.

Well GAAAWD DAMMIT!!!!!!!!!!

Damn fellas.....next fall is a long time to wait to get another fix of "DENNY CRANE"

Fuck Grey's Anatomy!!

Sorry...rant is now over!! Please continue with thread!!

Take care all!!

they could buck the trend and run a drama at the 7pm hour on sunday...namely grey's or desperate and sandwich Boston Legal in between.

I had a funny feeling that Grey's success would impact BL. Looks like I was right. I thought they would shift BL to Tuesdays at 10 since Blind Justice is floundering.

That's not possible since there is MNF.

good news to me since i found Greys Anatomy more entertaining, but still hopefully Boson Legal will succeed on another night

While this sucks, it will be nice to have 27 episodes of BL in one season. That is awesome. With the numbers it currently has, I don't see them getting rid of it. If it tanks in a new time slot, they would move it again, and probably back to Sunday and try to let GA take the crowd elsewhere. I may have to watch GA, though. See if it is okay.

Hopefully Gray's Anatomy brings the goods the remainder of the season.

Damn, I was looking forward to Shatner & Locklear together again!

Well, crap. One of only three dramas I watch and it's pulled, despite good ratings and awards? WTF! Grey's should have been moved to Tues or something.

Grey's Anatomy is mediocre at best if you ask me. Now I am going to stop watching it just on principle. Sunday nights are meant for Denny Crane dammit.

It's a good thing you didn't waste your time on Anatomy after you had already determined it was mediocre.

I can't believe so many people are mad over this. I know the network may not keep their promise, but as of right now you're getting the exact same number of episodes you'd be getting anyway over a 2 year period. Where were all of you angry people when something that was actually negative happened to a Kelley show last season, Brotherhood of Poland getting quickly cancelled.

I like BL, but it's definitely one of Kelley's lesser shows and not as good as GA. I'm happy that GA won't have to get moved around.

I like GA. It's a good fit to have it after Desparate Housewives since both shows have woman as majority of protagonists.

I wonder if ABC considered other time slot for BL. Monday night is probably not good. But there are other nights where shows are struggling that BL might work better.

Bullshit - I want the five final episodes from the first season - and I want them this spring!!!!

Disagree on all counts. Brotherhood sucked. Except for the first couple seasons of The Practice, BL is by far the best DEK offering since Picket Fences. While GA is a nice show, I definitely prefer BL.

BL is the best since picket fences? Wow. I'd say this is the weakest series he's done aside from Girls' Club (think that's what it was called) and at least it had the eye candy to hold up the show.

Fuckin' A!!!!

BOOOOO
although it will resolve the timeslot conflict with crossing jordan, but I had ways to deal with that already

While the number of episodes over 2 years may be the same, I think it really hurts the momentum of "BL".

And my loyalties lie with James Spader, not necessarily with David Kelley.

This blows. I don't watch DH or GA. So I guess I have a little less TV to watch on Sundays for a long while.

L8r

Ditto.