ABC Picks Up Extra Episodes of Five Sitcoms

[BrianPGH1972]

(Hi everyone... I've been "lurking" for a while, but I just registered, and this is my first post here.
I'm glad it's good news!)

ABC Picks Up Extra Episodes of Five Sitcoms
(Wednesday, February 25 03:49 PM)

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - ABC is extending the season order for several of its comedies, stretching them out for as many as 30 episodes.
The network has ordered additional episodes of four veteran shows -- "8 Simple Rules," "According to Jim," "Less than Perfect" and "My Wife and Kids" -- as well as freshman series "Hope & Faith." All five shows come from ABC's sister studio, Touchstone TV.

"The additional episode orders only confirms their commitment to these shows. Everyone's hard work has truly paid off," Touchstone TV president Stephen McPherson says in a statement.

"My Wife and Kids," which stars Damon Wayans, got the biggest order, extending its fourth season to 30 episodes. It's actually business as usual for the series, which has produced 27 and 29 episodes (including hour-long shows that count as two episodes in network accounting) the past two seasons.
"Hope & Faith" and "According to Jim" will each run for 26 episodes, while "8 Simple Rules" and "Less than Perfect" will go 24. A typical full season for a scripted series is 22 episodes.

None of the shows are world-beaters in the Nielsen ratings, but they've provided stability for ABC in the network's ongoing rebuilding process. The most-watched of the bunch is "8 Simple Rules," which is averaging about 12.4 million viewers a week in its second season, some of which is attributable to increased attention on the show following the death of star John Ritter in September.

"According to Jim" and "My Wife and Kids" both bring in more than 10.5 million people a week, while "Less than Perfect" and "Hope & Faith" hover around the 9 million-viewer mark.

[loyal8SRfan]

This is really good news for '8 Simple Rules', as it will probably almost guarantee a third season.

[BowWowsBreezy]

Celebrate good times cmon lol

[8SimpleRulesGrl]

Awesome!

[HDfanLiz]

This is great news, and hopefully a sign of a third season!

[Pavan]

February 25, 2004

ABC ORDERS ADDITIONAL EPISODES OF SEVERAL HIT COMEDY SERIES FROM TOUCHSTONE TELEVISION, INCLUDING ”8 SIMPLE RULES,” “ACCORDING TO JIM,” “HOPE & FAITH,” “LESS THAN PERFECT” AND “MY WIFE AND KIDS”

ABC has ordered additional episodes of several of Touchstone Television’s hit comedy series, it was confirmed today by Stephen McPherson, president, Touchstone Television. “I am grateful that ABC has shown continued support for our comedies and the additional episode orders only confirms their commitment to these shows. Everyone’s hard work has truly paid off.”
The shows that received additional orders are the following: “8 Simple Rules” (24 episodes), “According To Jim” (26 episodes), “Hope & Faith” (26 episodes), “Less than Perfect” (24 episodes) and “My Wife and Kids” (30 episodes).

“8 Simple Rules” stars Katey Sagal as Cate Hennessy, Kaley Cuoco as Bridget Hennessy, Amy Davidson as Kerry Hennessy, Martin Spanjers as Rory Hennessy, with James Garner as Jim and David Spade as C.J. Tracy Gamble, who created the series, serves as executive producer along with James Widdoes, Tom Shadyac and Michael Bostick. The series is based upon W. Bruce Cameron’s best-selling book, “8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter.” “8 Simple Rules” is from Touchstone Television.

“According to Jim” stars Jim Belushi as Jim, Courtney Thorne-Smith as Cheryl, Kimberly Williams-Paisley as Dana, Larry Joe Campbell as Andy, Taylor Atelian as Ruby and Billi Bruno as Gracie. Executive
producers/writers are Tracy Newman and Jonathan Stark. Executive producers are Suzanne Bukinik and Marc Gurvitz. “According To Jim” is from Touchstone Television in association with Brad Grey Television.

“Hope & Faith” stars Faith Ford as Hope, Kelly Ripa as Faith, Ted McGinley as Charley, Nicole Paggi as Sydney, Macey Cruthird as Hayley and Paulie Litt as Justin. Creator/executive producer is Joanna Johnson. Executive producers are Emile Levisetti, Rob Hanning and Guymon Casady. “Hope & Faith” is from Touchstone Television.

“Less than Perfect” stars Sara Rue as Claude Casey, Zachary Levi as Kipp Slocum, Sherri Shepherd as Ramona Platt, Andrea Parker as Lydia Weston, Andy Dick as Owen Kronsky, Eric Roberts as Will Butler and Will Sasso as Carl. Christine Zander, Nina Wass and Gene Stein serve as executive producers. “Less than Perfect” is from Touchstone Television.

“My Wife and Kids” stars Damon Wayans as Michael Kyle, Tisha Campbell-Martin as Jay Kyle, George O. Gore II as Jr., Jennifer Freeman as Claire Kyle, Parker McKenna Posey as Kady Kyle, Noah
Gray-Cabey as Franklin, Andrew McFarlane as Tony and Brooklyn Sudano as Vanessa. Damon Wayans and Don Reo are co-creators and executive producers of “My Wife and Kids.” David Himelfarb and Dean Lorey are executive producers, and Eric Gold is a co-executive producer of the half-hour comedy series.
“My Wife and Kids” is from Touchstone Television.

The last two seasons have been the most successful in Touchstone’s 19-year history, with 10 current series on the air: “Scrubs,” “8 Simple Rules” “My Wife and Kids,” “According to Jim,” “Life with Bonnie, “ “Less than Perfect,” “ “Hope & Faith,” “ It’s All Relative,” “Alias” and “Monk.” Upcoming midseason programming from the studio includes the drama “Stephen King’s Kingdom Hospital.”

Touchstone is also poised to have several of its new programs launch into syndication. ”My Wife and Kids” has already been sold in 85% of the nation, and this year “Alias” will also be taken into the marketplace.