Disney-ABC Television Group presented its upcoming slate of programming to the Television Critics Association at its 2013 Winter Press Tour. This year’s lineup of shows includes some of DATG’s returning favorites along with a list of new offerings hopeful to become the next big hit.
The Winter Press tour was held over two days at the luxurious Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena. The first day provided panel discussions and receptions with casts and producers of selected shows along with an Executive Session with Paul Lee, President of ABC Television Group. The second day of the tour allowed members of the press to visit the sets of “Scandal”, “Jimmy Kimmel Live”, “Switched at Birth” and “The Bachelor”.
Lee expressed his concern that there were no breakout hits on the DATG family of networks – or any other network – last year, but showed delight that “Modern Family” is still going strong as the pillar of the network. While network staples like “Scandal”, “Happy Ending”, “Shark Tank”, “Jimmey Kimmel Live” and “The Bachelor” are all returning for another season, DATG hopes to find a hidden gem in the following list of new shows:
“Red Widow”
Timeslot: Sundays 10-11pm on ABC. Premiers March 3.
Cast: Radha Mitchell, Sterling Beaumon, Clifton Collins Jr, Luke, Suleka Mathew, Erin Moriarty, Jaime Ray Newman, Jakob Salvati, Lee Tergesen, Wil Traval, with Rade Serbedzija and Goran Visnjic.
Overview: Radha Mitchell stars as a housewife whose organized criminal husband was killed and who has to continue his work to protect her family.
“Zero Hour”
Timeslot: Thursday 8-9pm on ABC. Premeires February 14.
Cast: Anthony Edwards, Carmen Ejogo, Scott Michael Foster, Addison Timlin, Jacinda Barrett and Michael Nyqvist.
Overview: Anthony Edwards – along with a dynamic ensemble cast — returns to network series television in the dramatic adventure thriller, “Zero Hour,” which will have his character questioning everything and everyone he ever believed in – including himself.
“The Taste”
Timeslot: Tuesdays 8-9pm on ABC. Premieres January 22
Hosts: No-holds-barred chef Anthony Bourdain, British food star Nigella Lawson, expert chef/author Ludo Lefebvre and chef/restaurateur Brian Malarkey.
Overview: “The Taste” puts 16 culinary competitors — pro chefs to home cooks — to the fire when four of the world’s most notable masters of the food world judge their creations based on a blind taste test
“Mistresses”
Air Date: Midseason
Cast: Alyssa Milano, Yunjin Kim, Rochelle Aytes, Jes Macallan, Brett Tucker, Jason George and Erik Stocklin.
Overview: Based on the hit UK television series of the same name, “Mistresses” is a provocative and thrilling drama about the scandalous lives of a sexy and sassy group of four girlfriends, each on her own path to self-discovery.
“The Neighbors”
Timeslot: Wednesdays 8:30-9:00pm on ABC
Cast: Jami Gertz, Lenny Venito, Simon Templeman , Toks Olagundoye, Clara Mamet, Tim Jo, Ian Patrick, Max Charles and Isabella Cramp.
Overview: Marty Weaver (Lenny Venito) just wants the best for his wife, Debbie (Jami Gertz), and their three kids. That’s why he’s moving them to Hidden Hills, New Jersey, a gated community complete with its own golf course. Marty is certain that their new home will be a dream come true. And then, they meet the neighbors.
Report By Brent Lowe