Upfronts - ABC

Remember when ABC took the pasta approach to programming and threw a dozen or so series against the wall to see which one or two would stick? Well, those days are over, at least for now (or they've transplanted that approach to summer, given the 392 reality shows they appear to be launching). Only four new shows have been announced for next season, so if you liked something ABC had on this year, you'll probably get to see it next year.

What's gone - Unless, of course, you liked any of the following: Men in Trees, Women's Murder Club, Big Shots, Carpoolers, Cavemen, Notes from the Underbelly, Cashmere Mafia, Miss/Guided, October Road or Oprah's Big Give. Not much to miss there, but I thought that Miss/Guided was worth a renewal, at least moreso than According to Jim, which continues to taint my dead pool.

What's back? - Of the established shows returning, Eli Stone is the only real surprise, surviving its mid-season launch to get picked up for next year. Also coming back - though not to its original network - is Scrubs, which will make its ABC debut at mid-season.

And as much as I didn't like to see Jim return, I'm downright puzzled about The Bachelor coming back. It should have been put to pasture a long time ago.

What's new? - Not much, as ABC only announced two new shows for the fall and two for mid-season. For the fall, we'll get Opportunity Knocks a reality/game show where the show surprises a family at home and then quizzes people on how well they know each other. Meh. The other fall show is the US version of Life on Mars, a British drama where a current-day cop is transported back to the 1970s. I'd always meant to watch this when it was on BBC America, and will probably give its American cousin a go.

For mid-season, there's The Goode Family, a Mike Judge-animated show about a family that tries to, well, do good (by recycling and the like), with humorous unintended consequences. We'll see. The other show is an untitled "beauty pageant unlike any you've ever seen," from the genius pairing of Ashton Kutcher and Tyra Banks. How this escaped the CW I'll never know.

Prognosis? - Good. ABC didn't mess with Sunday or Thursday at all (other than putting Life on Mars on after Grey's Anatomy, which can't hurt), and Monday and Tuesday still have Dancing With the Stars to bring in viewers. Wednesday is the biggest test, as ABC will get to see if Pushing Daisies, Private Practice and Dirty Sexy Money can build on their strike-shortened seasons.