ABC Upfronts - Conference Call with Paul Lee

ABC's new brand tagline: "Why just watch when you can feel?"

Paul Lee says that, "Everything we do is for a emotional connection. Great stories, great characters."

ABC network's plan was to reinvigorate the drama brand. ONCE is the #1 drama this season. GREY'S is #1 drama on TV. Revenge is #1 buzz show."Our plan is to solidify our successes and build for the future, and I do believe we have some great shows to build our schedule with."

SUNDAYS

Lee calls  ONCE and REVENGE "shows that have cinematic ambition." At 10 p.m., 666 PARK AVE. is "delicious and superbly well done. Fabulous cast and fantastic writing and is very rich." 

He calls Sundays, a "Battle of good vs. evil from 8-11 p.m."

MONDAYS

All-star edition of Dancing with the Stars. Bringing back fan favorites from past 14 seasons. 

TUESDAYS

9pm, launching edgy sophisticated, inappropriate comedy block. HAPPY ENDINGS and APT. 23

Moving PRIVATE to Tues. and SCANDAL to Thurs. was "win-win".

January, adding extra hour of comedy block at 8pm. HOW TO LIVE WITH YOUR PARENTS is what Lee calls a comedy with a  "great cast and is a great show to kick off the night." The show will be followed by THE FAMILY TOOLS.

WEDNESDAYS

"We are going to continue to do what we do better than anybody in America. All about sophisticated family comedy. Modern Family defines comedy of our time."

After THE MIDDLE is SUBURGATORY which was a "breakout hit and one that I am immensely proud of." At 9p.m. is MODERN FAMILY which is the "#1 entertainment show of the year. I can't think of a show that better expresses the ABC Brand than Modern Family." 

"We knew we wanted a family comedy, after Modern Family," says Lee which is where THE NEIGHBORS comes in, a series written by the writer of CRAZY STUPID LOVE.

At 10p.m., new music drama series NASHVILLE is a "defining piece of drama. It is a powerful and brilliant executed show. All about love, sex, power, music."

THURSDAYS

The night opens with LAST RESORT, which Lee calls,  "a drama of profound ambition. It is a big show about patriotism, morals in a world amidst chaos."

At 10 p.m., SCANDAL is "fast paced and intense, and falls right into our brand's sweet spot."

FRIDAYS

"What I wanted to do when I came to the network was to bring family comedy back to Friday night. I think it is time for Friday night to be a destination again for broad family entertainment," states Lee. This is where comedies LAST MAN STANDING and MALIBU COUNTRY comes in.

He calls SHARK TANK a "huge asset for us and a brilliant anchor for our friday night." 

MIDSEASON

The plan is to "keep tremendously strong programming throughout the year."

MISTRESSES - launching after BACHELOR in May 2012

RED WIDOW - "riveting, top show about woman who will stop at nothing to protect her family."

ZERO HOUR - "marks the return of Anthony Edwards to primetime. A little bit like Da Vinci Code, and a hugely entertaining crowd pleaser."

Update: "Hulk TV series still in development. And would like to see some MARVEL projects on television. Many are being worked on."

Update: "Many shows we launch we will pre-sample. All shows are tied in with social media now."

Update: BODY OF PROOF will come back for a 13 episode season in mid-season.

Update: The intent is to have REVENGE to do a 22 episode second season, and will not see as many repeats as there was this season.