Instead of ABC, maybe they should call it KBC for the “Kids Broadcasting Company.”
With the addition of several new television series this fall, ABC has more than a dozen shows kids can get into. (The network does better than the three other networks combined.)
ABC does so many youth-appeal shows because the network realizes “there’s an unserved audience of kids” who watch TV, network executive Alan Sternfeld says.
Favorites that are returning include “Home Improvement,” “Full House,” “Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman” and the entire “T.G.I.F.” Friday night slate: “Family Matters,” “Boy Meets World,” “Step by Step” and “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper.”
“Sister, Sister” isn’t on the schedule, but they’re still making episodes so the show can come back if another show tanks.
Who are the ABC newcomers? Right here (some of them have already aired, and others are scheduled for the next few weeks; times are all Central):
“On Our Own” Sundays at 6:30 p.m.: Comic Ralph Harris stars as the head of a family of seven orphans who keeps his family by dressing up as their “aunt” (anybody ever heard of “Mrs. Doubtfire?”).
“Me and the Boys,” Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.: Comic Steve Harvey (anybody ever heard of standup comics who star in sitcoms?) is a widower father of three boys who raises them with the help of his mother-in-law.
“All American Girl,” Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.: Comic Margaret Cho stars as a college graduate whose modern ways get her into trouble with her traditional Korean-American family.
“My So-Called Life,” Thursdays at 7 p.m.: You already know about this show, featuring Claire Danes as a 15-year-old trying to cope with growing up while dealing with high school life.
ABC also has “The ABC Family Movie” happening on Saturdays from 7 to 9 p.m. Disney will update some of its films for this showcase, including “The Shaggy Dog” and “Escape from Witch Mountain.” “Full House’s” Olsen twins will also have a flick popping up as one of the family movies.
Of course, this doesn’t mean the other networks don’t have anything that may have a coolness factor. In addition to such returning shows as “The Nanny” (CBS), “90210S (Fox), “seaQuest DSVS (NBC) “Fresh Prince” (NBC), “Blossom” (NBC) and “Dr Quinn” (CBS), there’s:
“The Martin Short Show,” NBC, Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.: The comic actor and star of “Clifford” plays an actor who has a television series and a family at home (should be quite a stretch). We must say that Martin’s Ed Grimley character, the guy with the pants hiked up to his chest and that tower of hair that’s always sticking up, will make an appearance.
“M.A.N.T.I.S.,” Fox, Fridays at 7 p.m.: Action show about a guy who makes a supersuit that allows him to leave his wheelchair to fight crime. This is the first network series to feature an African-American as a superhero.
“Earth 2,” NBC, Sundays at 6 p.m.: Another Steven Spielberg series made to go along with his “seaQuest DSV.” It’s the story about a bunch of people from our world looking for a new planet to live on.
“Party of Five,” Fox, Mondays at 8 p.m.: Five kids take care of themselves after the death of their parents. Sounds a little like “On Our Own,” right? But this is a drama.
Also being worked on, but without a time period, is CBS’ “Christy,” with Kellie Martin (“Life Goes On”) as a teacher in rural Tennessee. LeVar Burton of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” has been tapped to appear on that show.
