ABC canceled its comedy Household economics – one of only two shows from the network’s 2022-2023 slate that was still in limbo after three seasons.
Plus, ABC has been pushing High potential, a crime drama starring Kaitlin Olson, will debut in fall 2024 after initially ordering it for this season. Double strikes by writers (which ended this week) and actors over the summer and fall have already resulted in significant shifts in broadcast network schedules, and more moves are likely to follow as the 2023-2024 window for producing new episodes shrinks.
Household economics had the smallest audience of the five ABC comedies that aired during the September-May regular season in 2022-2023, according to Nielsen. It averaged 2.92 million viewers per episode over seven days, along with a 0.55 rating among the key advertising demographic of adults 18-49 (figures exclude streaming). ABC Signature and Lionsgate Television produced the series, which centers on three adult siblings (Topher Grace, Caitlin McGee and Jimmy Tatro) and their families.
The series was one of two in limbo at ABC this summer. The other, The Rookie: Feds, is still awaiting word on its fate as broadcasters reassess their needs, with writers able to work again but actors still on the picket lines. (SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents media companies, will resume negotiations on Oct. 2.)
The cancellation of Household economics ABC currently leaves three comedies on its 2023-2024 roster: Abbott Elementary, The Conners and sophomore show Not dead yet. The network passed on two other comedy pilots in the spring.
As regards High potential, it was the only new series order that ABC placed upon its launch in May. Based on a French show, creator Drew Goddard’s drama stars Olson as a single mother with an exceptional mind whose unconventional knack for solving crimes leads to an unusual and unstoppable partnership with a seasoned detective (Daniel Sunjata). Javicia Leslie, Deniz Akdeniz, Amirah J, Matthew Lamb and Judy Reyes also star.
Even if the SAG-AFTRA strike were to end relatively quickly (actors have been on strike for 11 weeks), it’s unlikely that another scripted series will be on the air before early 2024. With five recurring dramas (The Good Doctor, Grey’s Anatomy, The Rookie, Station 19 And Will Trent) and the addition of former Fox series 911ABC will likely be locked in for the remainder of the current season and could delay the launch High potential rather than trying to open it amid what could be a crush on returning shows in the first part of next year.
