More moves and new shows for ABC

Very rarely are we usually excited about midseason shows. It’s more exciting now than it used to be for some. I, however, don’t watch American Idol, Lost, or 24, so it’s never meant that much for me.

But this year it’s rather exciting for me. With Dollhouse on its way in–the newest show from Joss Whedon with Eliza Dushku as the leading lady–this midseason should be rather exciting…as long as the show’s as good as the hype (I’m sure it is) and it sticks around (please, FOX?).

But what about the other networks. Say, ABC? Instead of going with the new, I’m excited that ABC is bringing back the old. Scrubs is back on deck for the ABC midseason, and I’m looking forward to it.

ABC recently announced their schedule for January and beyond. Scrubs will be given a full hour on Wednesday at 8:00–that’s two new episodes each week. Which is nice since they got shoved into the midseason.

I’m still wondering about this season. From what I heard last year, it was supposed to be its final season. When the writer’s strike kicked into high gear and stopped some of its episodes, the creator wasn’t sure how to continue the series. He has an entire plan as to how it was going to end and he didn’t want to truncate it, considering releasing the entire season as planned on DVD only.

With the new ABC adoption policy (you know, where ABC buys all old shows, whether from 1998 or 2008), I wonder how this is going to turn out. You could tell last season that some episodes were shown out of order now that the show wasn’t ending. For example, the season finale has Kelso still working at the hospital when earlier in the season he clearly retired. At least with the move to ABC, the creator gets to finish out his plot (which was really revving up, in my opinion).

The question, though, is whether it will actually end. I hear rumors–nothing confirmed–around the blogs about a ninth season: Will there be one? Will Zach Braff be involved? Why can’t I spell Zach Braff anymore without wanting to type Zac Efron? Why has my world plummeted due to the Disney Channel?

(Ok, the last two questions weren’t asked in the blog world.)

I hear that with the new season, we’ll be getting some new interns–new interns that could be used for a ninth season. Again, this is all blogosphere speculation. I don’t know what I think about this. Why can’t, if a creator sees a natural end, we just let a show end?

I think it’s time after this season. I’m thrilled we’ll be able to see how the creator wanted it to be, though annoyed that episodes are already out of order and it might be changed because ABC wants it longer. I guess I’m looking negatively already, when the season hasn’t even started, but the show’s been around for a while, the actors want to do other things, and I think it should be time after this midseason finishes up.

In other news, ABC’s announcement mentioned some spring shows in the works, including The Unusuals and the remake of Cupid. Good to see Amber Tamblyn’s show really is on deck, though I’m still skeptical of our reincarnation of Cupid.

Oh, and Life on Mars will be moving to Wednesday–a good move in my opinion.

No dates yet, but at least we know what they’re thinking. Well, except about some unanswered Scrubs questions.

Watercooler Newsflash–Bye Bye, BJ Novak

If you haven’t heard yet, you’ll hear it now. BJ Novak is leaving The Office indefinitely. EW reports that he’s taking a leave of absence to be in a movie, but unfortunately, there are few answers as to whether he’s coming back—and if he is, whether he’ll come back on screen.

For those of you who aren’t up on watching the credits roll, BJ has been both an actor and a writer (as well as a producer, if I’m thinking correctly) for the show, so this might be a big blow to the series. Sources are saying that he could only be gone for a few episodes; others say for good. Either way, we’ll be missing Ryan for at least a while.

Perhaps that’s why they’re not developing more of this Kelly/Ryan love interest. We see that he’s interested in her again—whether it’s out of boredom, guilt (doubt it), or lust, we don’t know—but after a couple mentions, we don’t have much more to go on. Maybe now we see why.

For all you Pam-lovers out there, I have more news. If you think that Ryan’s leaving might open up the space for her to drop back into her old desk at Dunder-Mifflin, think again. I heard that they’re looking to cast a new receptionist for the show (sadly, I can’t find this link to share with you…surf the web, you might find it). Whether this means she’s a temp before Pam arrives or whether this means Pam’s not coming back, I don’t know. Maybe something in between.

No matter what, there will be changes for The Office. Are you ready for them?