The Best Comedy on Network Television Finally Has a Return Date

By Dustin Rowles | TV | November 17, 2023 |

By Dustin Rowles | TV | November 17, 2023 |

Years ago, there was a week called upfronts — it still exists, but no one talks about it anymore — where the networks would announce their new shows and release their fall schedules. It was a magical time! Back in our early days, we’d build content around upfronts for the entire week, and viewers would lose their minds because Scrubs would move from one network to another, or ABC, CBS, or Fox would move a popular show to Thursday nights to take on the NBC Thursday night lineup.

That magic no longer exists, but I will admit I still got very excited — after six months of strikes — to see that ABC has announced its winter/spring schedule and, in doing so, has given Abbott Elementary a premiere date.

The best show on network television will return on February 7 with a one-hour special. Janine and Gregory are coming back! When the world is falling around us, the little things can bring us joy.

ABC announced its entire fall schedule, and looking it over, it’s not that bad. For a broadcast network. Mondays are still The Bachelor, but Tuesdays see Will Trent, which has a few fans here, followed by The Rookie and The Good Doctor. Those series return on February 20.

Wednesday is comedy night: The Conners is back for what I believe is its final season, followed by Not Dead Yet, a decent comedy I’d forgotten had been renewed. The Steve Harvey unscripted courtroom series airs at 10 p.m. (ABC has not announced what will air after Abott Elementary yet).

On Thursdays, recall that 9-1-1 has moved from Fox to ABC, where it will air as the lead-in to Grey’s Anatomy while Grey’s old lead-in, Station 19 moves to 10 p.m. The Thursday shows return in March. Sundays, meanwhile, will see the return of American Idol.

MONDAY, JANUARY 22
“The Bachelor” (two hours)
“20/20” (all-new limited edition true-crime series, title to be announced)

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7
“The Conners”
“Not Dead Yet”
“Abbott Elementary” (one-hour premiere)
“Judge Steve Harvey”

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18
“American Idol” (two hours)
“What Would You Do?”

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20
“Will Trent”
“The Rookie”
“The Good Doctor”

THURSDAY, MARCH 14
“9-1-1”
“Grey’s Anatomy”
“Station 19”