Midseason Report Card: ABC

MOST LIKELY MIDSEASON HIT

Craig: The return of Scandal should significantly help the Thursday-at-9 slot. Beyond that? *Shrugs.* I will say, though, that I’m loving the temporary placement of Match Game on Wednesdays. It goes well with comedy lead-ins, and does a great job of keeping the feel of the original Gene Rayburn game show.

Shilo: Considering that, as of publication time, ABC hasn’t actually scheduled a majority of its midseason shows, this call is more about the creative and how on-brand something is vs. what its lead-in and competition might be. With that in mind, I think ABC’s midseason is kind of weak in terms of commercial potential, as it’s a mishmash of period dramas, off-brand comedies, and shows with a political bent. I could possibly see Time After Time succeeding with its lighter tone and family friendly concept, but it would have to be scheduled well; it doesn’t read as something that could pop as a self-starter or hampered by a low lead-in/poor time slot (e.g. post-Once Upon a Time on Sundays).

MOST LIKELY MIDSEASON MISS

Craig: Downward Dog. I don’t think it even has a spot on the schedule yet. It’s cute, but I don’t understand how it is a weekly series and I don’t see why people will bother. I expect disaster. Also, I don’t really “get” Still Star-Crossed as a show concept. I’ll be happy to be proven wrong on either of these, but ABC cutting back the episode order doesn’t really seem to be a vote of confidence. Also, I still think Still Star-Crossed would be a better name for a Netflix sequel to a one-season CW show starring Matt Lanter.

Shilo: Everything aside from Time After Time leaves me pessimistic. Period dramas don’t really work on broadcast TV, so The Show Formerly Known as Still Star-Crossed, with its reduced episode order, will have its work cut out for it. I’ve seen the first episode of Downward Dog and it’s about as off-brand as you can get from what ABC normally does. Imaginary Mary puts me in mind of The Neighbors and how, even if there’s a solid family comedy there, the concept and visuals might turn people away before they sample. When We Rise could be a wonderful, necessary show, but it being about the gay rights movement makes me think its ratings ceiling is very low. Aside from these, the only scripted midseason shows ABC has are American Crime and The Catch, neither of whom set the world on fire with their ratings, as well as Scandal, which is coming off an extended hiatus and a poorly rated end to its previous season. So it could be a very rough time for ABC once they get into the meat of their midseason schedule.