ABC programming to take a dramatic turn

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - ABC has scheduled a trio of new dramas to fill its 10 p.m. hours later this season.

The police procedural "Castle," starring Nathan Fillion, will air at 10 p.m. Mondays starting March 9. Another crime drama, "The Unusuals," starring Amber Tamblyn, will air at 10 p.m. Wednesdays beginning April 8. Rob Thomas' romantic dramedy "Cupid" will run at 10 p.m. Tuesdays starting March 24. And ABC News' "Primetime: What Would You Do?" will return at 10 p.m. Tuesday, January 6.

Scheduling the freshman dramas at 10 p.m. keeps the new shows out of reach of Fox's "American Idol," but the new crime dramas also will have competition from established police procedurals. "Castle" will air opposite CBS' "CSI: Miami." "Unusuals" will face off against the Eye's "CSI: NY" and NBC's "Law & Order" (though the new show's audience will presumably skew younger and more female than either veteran).

Another downside to ABC's plan is that 10 p.m. has become an hour of heavy DVR use, which can make it difficult to launch new shows.

ABC has yet to firm up 8 p.m. Wednesdays and 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Currently, the network has plans to air a half-hour of "Scrubs" on Tuesdays, followed by an as-yet-unannounced companion. The network has the comedy "Better Off Ted" and Mike Judge's animated series "The Goode Family" waiting in the wings.

Sources say ABC is happy with the "Goode" scripts but still is waiting to see some completed animation to get a full sense of the show before scheduling a premiere. Talks to acquire Fox's "King of the Hill" continue, but a deal looks unlikely.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter