ABC gives vote of confidence to "Samantha Who?"

Christina Applegate of the new comedy series ''Samantha Who?'' takes part in a panel discussion at the ABC television network summer media tour for television critics in Beverly Hills, California July 26, 2007.

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - ABC's promising new Christina Applegate comedy "Samantha Who?" took a big step towards a full-season pickup Wednesday when the network ordered six additional scripts.

Based on an idea by best-selling Irish author Cecelia Ahern, "Samantha" has emerged as the highest-rated freshman comedy this season. Applegate plays a woman with amnesia.

In another sign that ABC plans to keep "Samantha" around, the network announced that the comedy, now airing after "Dancing with the Stars" Mondays 9:30 p.m., will slide back to 9 p.m. beginning November 26, the night of the one-hour final performance show of the current "Dancing" cycle. As previously announced, "Samantha" will be paired in the 9 p.m. hour with returning comedy "Notes From the Underbelly."

In its most recent outing Monday, "Samantha Who?" drew 13.7 million viewers and a 4.5 rating/10 share, holding on to a healthy 82% of its sizable "Dancing With the Stars" demo lead-in.

ABC is making another scheduling move in November, swapping newsmagazine "20/20" and the well-reviewed but low-rated sophomore dramedy "Men In Trees." Beginning November 2, "Men" will air at 8 p.m., while "20/20" will return in its traditional 10 p.m. slot.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter