Well i too am getting the sensation that with all those juicy hits on its schedule that ABC is starting to see the profitable and reliable alias as surplus to requirements.

ABC should remember that not all shows last on ratings fuel forever; surely some of its bona fide hits this year will stumble and eventually fall; and Alias has been consistently solid in what it does for four years in a row; with this year way up after lagging to its low last season.

Placing it in the most competitive timeslot imaginable at 8PM and with Garner being pregnant, the contracts coming up etc; i just get the massively dissapointing idea that Alias may infact be heading for the big hiatus forever.

I really, REALLY dont want to see that happen, and im trying to just block the whole idea out. I mean; just when its ratings pick up the show has difficulties on other merits. Another cult show said to be heading for the grave after this season is "24" over on FOX. Apparently the rumblings are that its getting tougher and tougher to keep the major cast members attached to the show. Alias has exactly the opposite problem; everyones eager apart from the tv executives.

Either way, if Alias goes it will be remember by millions of television viewers as one of [in my case the] best shows in history.

24 has actually been picked up for two more seasons.

Being picked up for two more seasons does not guarantee anything.
If kiefer sutherland leaves after this season, then the shows screwed.

ABC have said they are trying to even out the schedule now; it may sacrifice ratings slightly but they hope they can boost every night to the heights of Wednesday and Sunday; notably Thursday where they claim Alias and Night Stalker are two cult shows that can provide.

Anyone surprised that Soccer Moms hasn't seemingly been picked up?
Gina Torres and Kristen Davis were the anchors...

On "24", this season they started out with a near clean slate (only Jack, Chloe and President Keeler back from last season), and then it seemed EVERYONE who still had a pulse came back. Only Chase and Kim didn't come back. But yeah, if Jack goes, the show will suck. No one can replace Kiefer Sutherland. Ever.

As for "Alias"... I just don't know. It seems to me that the show has that same loyal audience always watching, and ABC is going for that, but would that even be enough to save it?

Well if Jennifer Garner leaves. Alias is done for; if thats what you mean. But contracts expire in 2007-2008 session, not 2006 as seems to be ciruclating these days.
That means the cast are tied to 2008. So its totally up to ABC if the show sticks or not - and Garner as well.

Shes reportedly being paid around $5-7m for "Catch and Release" whilst "Elektra" banked her roughly the same.
"Alias" gets her $150k an episode. But after that contract is up you can expect a bump to $400k+

Meanwhile rumour has it SONY are already looking at putting Catch and Release as a december romantic dramedy ala Somethings Gotta Give; which they nearly did with 13 going on 30 in 2004.

Wow that got offtopic.
But yeah, the fate of Alias lies on the hands of ABC ; if they expect it to stay consistent with last year now then they are nuts; it could be the shows lowest rating season ever. But i just hope they understand it will be THEIR fault if it is.

Commander in Chief sounds pretty interesting.

If reviews are right, I see a "West Wing" type audience flocking to this, and leaving the slowly declining West Wing.

And I think Invasion will this years "MUST WATCH SHOW"...as was last year with Lost.

I dont see any nice dramedies though like Housewives

Well Soccer Moms must have proved TOO MUCH like Housewives since its been dumped it seems...

Too bad i really like Kristen Davis and Gina Torres.

I read on TV Guide the reason that Soccer Moms wasn't picked up by ABC was that the pilot was hysterically awful.

I think if Commander in Chief gets alot fo interest, it could be a pretty modest hit, but in my opinion, it has "ALREADY FAILED" all over it. I'm suprised so many others don't see it.

Even if it does succeed. It doesn't seem to be a show that could bring anything new after 2 seasons. It will be the same stuff, except with a woman as the commander.
What would be interesting is if she ran for a second term, lost but became like the speaker of the house and then both the President and Vice PResident die and she's president again. Okay, that's cheasy, but it would be a real shocker for her to lose re-election, being the center of the show.

What I want to know is what they're going to do about Alias. There are all sorts of rumors that Alias might be delayed until next winter or spring. Does that mean they'll pick up another pilot?

Well i had hoped it could have made Gina Torres a household name. She was outstanding as Anna Espinosa on Alias.

Commander In Chief will probobly achieve 14-17 million viewers a pop if its a first season hit. America is tired of politics and they already have the critically acclaimed West Wing.

Alias will likely have its lowest season yet next year. Seriously; Stephen McPherson has turned all asshole all of a sudden.

The logic that Alias fans will follow on to Night Stalker is a solid one though. I just wish they could have pre-empted Alias with night stalker ; a show likely to get higher ratings.

ABC1, the ancillary UK shootoff of ABC which does mainly old ABC and NBC sitcoms, is clearly banking on this show being a hit and is already sponging off Geena Davis.

For the "Geena Davis Show" they claim shes the "First Lady of Comedy".
These ads will probobly run through September.

Not long till good TV starts back again! Just about.. seven weeks, right? I can't believe that ABC has the most shows that I want to watch. I never thought they'd be this great.

Well ive been watching the clips on ABC.COM
To be honest i think the new ABC dramas may struggle as the comedy lineup will be its strength

Dramas

Night Stalker looks boring and unappealing inspite of Gabrielle Union

Invasion looks like the strongest hope for another Lost.

In Justice wont last long i dont think

The Evidence - Looks nice but i dont think theres room for it

Commander-In-Chief - easily the best bet from the drama lineup this year.

If i was putting my money on the shows, Invasion and Commander will stick around for a second year, In Justice is the likely option to get a quick cancel and Night Stalker looks meh. The Evidence could do ok; but i think its overdone.


Comedies

Sons and Daughters looks a bit like an Arrested Development kind of thing "Hey mommy we're going to hell because we're jews!" I still keep thinking about the australian soap of the same name. "Mom, when you do it where do you sleep" Honestly its hillarious looking. "Mom, no offence, but id rather kill myself than be in a relationship where sex isnt the most important thing". This isn't what im used to seeing from ABC

What About Brian? - A solid enough looking dramedy but come on Raoul Bova? No.
Emilys Reasons Why Not - Along with Sons and Daughters the best comedic bet of the lineup
Freddie - No No No NO. Awful.
Crumbs- Meh; safe ABC fun.
Hot Properties - Hope and Faith except funnier and not as family orientated

And you can tell all this from BRIEF clips... Wow, congratulations.

I saw ''The Night Stalker'' pilot and it looks great. :pop: Although The WB's ''Supernatural'' beats it hands down (that's one of the best pilots I've ever seen).

I think ''The Night Stalker'' will do great for ABC considering the time slot it got. ''Alias'' will (unfortunately) fall a lot this season without ''Lost'' lead in, so ''The Night Stalker'' won't have much of a lead-in in view of ''Alias'' viewership. It stands alone and I think it will do just good. It's against CSI, so obviously ABC is aware that ''The Night Stalker'' is a solid show and hopes it will provide a decent alternative for non-CSI fans.

I won't judge other shows, 'cause I haven't seen any of them yet. :-$