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ABC tidbits: Spinoff for 'Dancing With the Stars'

Posted: Thursday, July 26, 2007 11:46 AM by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper
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I reported on the Harold Perrineau news the other day, but should catch you up on other ABC tidbits from network president Stephen McPherson's executive session.

--Expect the cast of the next "Dancing With the Stars" to be announced in August, though McPherson wouldn't reveal any dancers yet. But there is going to be a spinoff, he said. "Dance X" is currently airing in the U.K., and the American version will feature two of the judges from "Dancing With the Stars." (I'd make a bet that Bruno Tonioli is one of them.)

McPherson said "Dance X" will feature teams of dancers competing against each other, with eliminations proceeding until two teams go up against each other in a choreographed dance. He wasn't clear on whether the show will air between seasons of "So You Think You Can Dance," or where it would fit in the schedule.

--Remember the ad blitz showing ads for "Traveler," where two college friends discover they really didn't know a third pal at all? Set to run 13 episodes and canceled after eight, the show is apparently not a favorite of ABC, and don't expect to see any more episodes. "We were disappointed in the way that that show creatively developed and (it)ended up being just not -- not to the level that we thought it could succeed," Mc Pherson said.

--MSNBC.com readers have expressed their concern about the "Grey's Anatomy" spinoff, "Private Practice." Many of you think it's too early and that a spinoff will feel watered-down and will also hurt the original show. I'll be attending a panel on that show later, but McPherson was asked if ABC just got greedy and decided to create a new show because "Grey's" was doing so well. He denied that, saying "("Grey's" creator) Shonda  (Rhimes) came to us because she really wanted to tell the Addison story, and she felt like she had kind of run her course on "Grey's," and it was really, you know, her idea creatively to spin that character out and be able to tell a different story in a different world."

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In regard to the Grey's spinoff Private Practice; I have to admit that I too was a bit skeptical at first. But, after watching the 'pilot' for it last season, I started to think it could work. However, just recently they replaced Merrin Dungey (who I think is a great actress) with Audra McDonald after just one episode. Now I'm not so sure about it. I really like the original cast and if someone is already being replaced then I start to doubt the stability of the show.

NGH, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 7:08 AM)

Please be advised that since the significant change of Dr.Burke the only part I may see wii be the spin off. I haven't any desire to see Gray's An.  since the firing of Mr. washington  you lost my viewer ship.

pia davis, hillside Il. (Sent Friday, July 27, 2007 1:34 PM)

Its too bad 'Traveler' won't be coming back.  That was an awesome summer thriller.  It would have been nice to see the college kids vindicated. Still, I'm really excited about the spinoffs, 'Private Practice' and 'Dancing X.'  The creator and writers behind 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'Practice' are tremendously gifted.  I'm amazed at how they kept everything together amid all the chaos Isaiah Washington created for them.  As for 'Dancing X,' if its being developed by the people behind 'Dancing with the Stars,' it should really be amazing!  Can't wait for that one!

marc (Sent Sunday, July 29, 2007 10:55 PM)



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