After struggling for years to launch a new drama on Thursdays 8 p.m., ABC is turning to almost sure-thing Wonderland-themed Once Upon a Time spinoff to open the night.
The move comes after ABC looked to lure men in the pre-Grey's Anatomy position with Shawn Ryan's since-canceled Last Resort, which despite critical praise failed to move forward. The network has struggled to launch a hit in the slot since Ugly Betty moved from the 8 p.m. hour in 2009. In the years since, the time period -- dubbed "the black hole" -- has featured short-lived efforts including Charlie's Angeles, Missing, My Generation and FlashForward.
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With double-digit declines for its Dancing With the Stars results show on Tuesday, ABC is trimming the reality competition entry to one night a week, leaving the aging series on Mondays at 8 p.m. and slotting Joss Whedon's highly anticipated Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D in its place on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. The Disney-owned network will rely on the Marvel Comics adaptation -- which ABC Entertainment Group president Paul Lee has noted appeals to men, women and children -- to launch family-friendly comedies in The Goldbergs at 9 p.m. and Trophy Wife at 9:30 p.m., leading into drama Lucky 7.
On Wednesdays, Suburagtory will be held for midseason with rookie family baseball comedy Back in the Game taking its 8:30 p.m. slot and Rebel Wilson's Super Fun Night snagging the prime post-Modern Family position.
Sundays will largely remain the same with Once Upon a Time, Revenge and new addition Betrayal.
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Meanwhile, critical punching bag The Neighbors will move from Wednesdays to Fridays, joining returning Tim Allen comedy Last Man Standing.
Here's ABC's full schedule (new shows in bold):
DAY TIME SERIES
MONDAY: 8:00 p.m. “Dancing with the Stars”
10:00 p.m. “Castle”
TUESDAY: 8:00 p.m. “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”
9:00 p.m. “The Goldbergs”
9:30 p.m. “Trophy Wife”
10:00 p.m. “Lucky 7”
WEDNESDAY: 8:00 p.m. “The Middle”
8:30 p.m. “Back in the Game”
9:00 p.m. “Modern Family”
9:30 p.m. “Super Fun Night”
10:00 p.m. “Nashville”
THURSDAY: 8:00 p.m. “Once Upon a Time in Wonderland”
9:00 p.m. “Grey’s Anatomy”
10:00 p.m. “Scandal”
FRIDAY: 8:00 p.m. “Last Man Standing”
8:30 p.m. “The Neighbors”
9:00 p.m. “Shark Tank”
10:00 p.m. “20/20”
SATURDAY: 8:00 p.m. “Saturday Night College Football”
SUNDAY: 7:00 p.m. “America’s Funniest Home Videos”
8:00 p.m. “Once Upon a Time”
9:00 p.m. “Revenge”
10:00 p.m. “Betrayal”
