Canadian import dramas "Motive" and "Rookie Blue" to air back-to-back on Thursdays
Related Stories
The calendar may have just turned to spring, but ABC has finalized its summer lineup, which includes three new series and the return of six others.
The crime-oriented scripted drama “Motive,” the mystery reality competition “Whodunnit?” from “CSI” creator Anthony Zuiker and the soapy drama “Mistresses” are the new offerings for the Alphabet, which will be airing original product on at least five of the seven nights this summer. Returning favorites are drama “Rookie Blue” and unscripted skeins “The Bachelorette,” “Celebrity Wife Swap,” “Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition,” “What Would You Do?” and “Wipeout.”
Though it will be airing three original dramas this summer, ABC will again be light on repeats of scripted series — but that’s not surprising given the diminished returns that all nets have seen with encores of comedies and dramas in the DVR era. The net hasn’t skedded anything for Wednesday from 8 to 10 p.m. in the summer, so it’s a good bet that the night’s comedies will play in rebroadcasts, but that may just about be all for repeats.
“Wipeout” is ABC’s first summer program to kick off, launching Thursdays at 8 starting May 9. Also getting an in-season launch before extending into summer is Monday vet “The Bachelorette,” which bows May 20 after “Dancing With the Stars” and will then air regularly from 8 to 10.
The “Dancing With the Stars” finale set for May 21 will start at the earlier time of 8 p.m., allowing for a special preview episode of Canadian import “Motive,” from former “Dexter” and “The Mentalist” showrunner Daniel Cerone. After its airing that night, “Motive” will shift to its regular Thursday 9 p.m. slot that same week, where it will lead into another Canadian drama, the established cop series “Rookie Blue.”
“Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition” bows May 28, and will air from 8 to 10 p.m. on Tuesdays. And “What Would You Do” will cap Wednesday night, bowing May 29.
“Mistresses,” about the scandalous lives of a sexy and sassy group of four girlfriends, premiere Monday, June 3 at 10 p.m., and would figure to make for a nice match with “The Bachelorette,” which precedes it.
Sunday, June 23, after ABC Sports’ coverage of the NBA Finals will have concluded, will see the summer debut of “Celebrity Wife Swap” at 8 p.m. and “Whodunnit” t 9. The first primetime reality series for Zuiker puts 13 contestants’ investigative skills to the test in a mystery competition that will yield a $250,000 prize at the end of its nine-week run.
Surprised there aren’t Shark Tank reruns currently scheduled for summer anywhere Sun-Thu. The show reruns amazingly well. Plus airing during the week in Summer will be an opportunity to court new viewers. Part of me thinks ST reruns 9p Thu after Wipeout into Rookie Blue would be a great night for them. Then they could possibly air Motive Tue 10p.
Maybe they’re still planning on ST reruns Sun or Tue at 10, but part of me wonders if Primetime Nightline will go in either slot, since that is supposed to start late May. It’s possible that’s going Friday where it was originally scheduled.
In addition to Wed Comedies, I’d also expect them to rerun Castle somewhere during the summer since that is the rare ABC drama that does well in reruns. (Would love to see them rerun Nashville on Sat to expose it new fans).
I could also see them they shouldrerun Last Man Standing and Malibu Country on Friday. They rerun well. Maybe other comedies Fri from 9-10 as well.
This is why we can’t have nice things: “The Bachelorette,” “Celebrity Wife Swap,” “Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition,” “What Would You Do?” and “Wipeout.”
No thanks, ABC. I’ll keep tuning in to cable. It’s worth the extra bucks not to be bombarded with lowest common denominator unscripted crap on a nightly basis.