In an unexpected and high risk schedule change, ABC will move ``Grey's Anatomy'' -- its blockbuster Sunday medical drama -- to Thursdays in the fall.
Unless someone blinks between now and September, the shift will trigger a ratings-rattling showndown at 9 p.m. Thursday involving ``Grey's,'' currently the most-watched show on Sunday; CBS's ``CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,'' TV's most popular scripted series; and NBC's heavily touted new comedy-drama, ``Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip.''
Reacting to complaints from devoted fans of ``Lost,'' its complex Wednesday drama, the network also announced today that the series will air without repeats next season. ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson said the show will run seven episodes in the fall and then turn over its time slot to the new ``Day Break'' starring Taye Diggs before returning in February to finish out the season.
The moves are just the most notable parts of an aggressive makeover of the ABC schedule that also includes the addition of 15 new shows and Saturday night college football games, the dismantling of the network's current comedy lineup and the cancellation of high-profile dramas ``Commander In Chief'' and ``Invasion.''
Just two of ABC's current sitcoms made the cut for next season -- ``According to Jim'' and ``George Lopez'' -- and they won't return until mid-season. Given the ax were ``Hope & Faith,'' ``Sons and Daughters,'' ``Freddie'' and ``Rodney.'' In a major surprise, the network will bring back ``What About Brian,'' a drama savaged by the critics and ignored by viewers when it debuted in the spring.
``Primetime,'' the network's Thursday news magazine, will not have a regular spot on the schedule for the first time since 1989 but will be used to ``fill holes'' throughout the season.
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