ABC Relies on Cavemen for Upcoming Season

ABC announced today its plans for 12 new television shows next season, including a spinoff of its hospital hit, Grey's Anatomy, and a cavemen comedy based on the Geico television commercials.

With a programming of seven new dramas, four new comedies and a new reality show, the network intends to reignite its ratings that faltered on the last season, in part because of the loss of its Monday Night Football franchise for ESPN.

"It's a real different year this year than last year," said ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson, describing a shift away from "hard, dense, demanding" shows that have fallen somewhat out of popularity with viewers.

ABC expects to attract female viewers' attention with its new series based on Grey's Anatomy. Private Practice will follow Dr. Addison Montgomery as she leaves her Seattle hospital to join a ritzy practice in California. Two more shows are built around predominantly female casts -- Cashmere Mafia, from Sex and the City creator Darren Star, and Women's Murder Club, which has been billed as Sex and the City meets CSI.

Other dramas include Eli Stone, the story of a lawyer who thinks he may be a prophet; Pushing Daisies, a detective show about a guy who can bring the dead to life; Big Shots, involving the boardroom and bedroom intrigues of four dysfunctional CEOs; and a series called Dirty Sexy Money.

As for comedies, ABC will add Sam I Am, starring Christina Applegate as a recovering amnesiac; Miss/Guided, about an ugly duckling who returns to her alma mater as a guidance counselor; and the male buddy sitcom, Carpoolers.

"The good thing about comedies is that they've been broken for a few years, so people are willing to take chances," McPherson said in a meeting with reporters ahead of ABC's upfront presentation to advertisers.

ABC will also bring the reality competition, Oprah's Big Give, taking place in several cities.