ABC lines up new and returning comedy & unscripted for fall schedule

The Conners

US network ABC has moved forward with a US remake of French-Belgian dramedy HIP (High Intellectual Potential), as well as a new The Bachelor spin-off series, and renewed a slew of comedy and unscripted shows for its fall schedule.

High Potential, from ABC Signature, is based on the La Une, RTS Un and TF1 series, known locally as HPI (Haut Potentiel Intellectuel), and stars Kaitlin Olson as a single mother with an incredible mind, who helps to solve crimes alongside a by-the-book detective. The show has been picked up from pilot and, so far, is the only pilot to have been given the greenlight by ABC ahead of its upfront.

ABC has, however, handed out renewals to scripted comedies including Not Dead Yet, which hails from David Windsor and Casey Johnson and will be back for a second season, and The Connors, which is to receive a sixth season. The news was revealed just days after the fifth season finale on 4 May.

Returning unscripted appears to be high on ABC’s agenda, with a slew of renewals announced for shows including Celebrity Jeopardy!, which will receive a second season, and Celebrity Wheel Of Fortune, which will be back for a fourth season, as well as The $100,000 Pyramid, Press Your Luck, Judge Steve Harvey, and a revival of What Would You Do?

Long-running competition series American Idol will meanwhile return for a seventh season at ABC, which will be its 22^nd season overall, having originated on Fox.

Other veteran unscripted formats returning are America’s Funniest Home Videos, which has received an order for a 34^th season, while Shark Tank is back for a 15^th season.

The Bachelor, meanwhile, is back for a 28^th season, while spin-off Bachelor In Paradise has been handed a ninth season. ABC has also expanded the franchise, with a commission for The Golden Bachelor, which will follow older romantics as they look for a second chance at love later in life.

Produced by Warner Bros. Unscripted Television, in association with Warner Horizon, it will launch on ABC later this year.