ABC gives "Samantha" a full order

By Nellie Andreeva

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - ABC has handed out a full-season pickup to the new Christina Applegate comedy "Samantha Who?"

The order for nine additional episodes -- bringing the tally to 22 -- followed a solid third airing for "Samantha" on Monday night, when the comedy scored 14.2 million viewers, up 500,000 from the previous week.

With its strong start behind "Dancing With the Stars," "Samantha" solidified its position as the highest-rated new comedy this season and ABC's first breakout comedy hit in years.

"Samantha," in which Applegate plays a woman with amnesia, joins ABC's dramas "Private Practice" and "Pushing Daisies" in being picked up for the entire season.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter