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ABC Fiddles with Post-'MNF' Lineup

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

02:38 PM PT

ABC has shaken up its midseason Monday lineup somewhat, keeping "Wife Swap" on the air after "Monday Night Football" ends and moving "The Bachelor" to later in the night.

Which brings up the following question: What about "What About Brian"?

The answer, ABC says, is that it's holding "Brian," a drama about a 30ish guy (Barry Watson) who's the last remaining single person among his friends, in reserve for the time being. The show has started filming, and the network says it's still on the map for 2006.

"What About Brian," which also stars Rosanna Arquette and Matthew Davis ("Legally Blonde"), was originally set to air at 10 p.m. ET Mondays beginning Jan. 9. That spot will now be taken by "The Bachelor," which moves from 8 to 10 p.m. "Wife Swap," which has done reasonably well as "Monday Night Football's" companion this fall, will keep its 8 p.m. spot.

The two unscripted shows will bracket a pair of comedies: "Emily's Reasons Why Not," which stars Heather Graham as a self-help author who rarely heeds her own romantic advice, and the second season of "Jake in Progress," starring John Stamos.

ABC hasn't settled on a home for "What About Brian." There's a chance that it could wind up in the 10 p.m. Monday spot anyway, as "The Bachelor" is slated to run for only eight weeks. The network will also have to fill the 9 p.m. Thursday hour following the cancellation of "Night Stalker."

ABC also has two more dramas -- "The Evidence" and "In Justice" -- and comedies "Crumbs" and "Sons and Daughters" on its midseason roster, plus returning sitcom "Less Than Perfect."