Dramas hard sell at TV networks

From "The Waltons" to "The O.C.," straight dramas — without cops, crooks or doctors — have thrived. "7th Heaven" was the top-rated show on The WB network.

Lately, such shows have vanished. "It's a hard sell at the networks," said Brenda Hampton, creator of "7th Heaven."

Her new "The Secret Life of the American Teenager," premiering Tuesday on ABC Family, had already had options at Fox and Lifetime but was rejected before a pilot was made. Hampton tried again. "I wrote six episodes on [speculation]."

Cable's ABC Family liked them, and she was back in business. The show added a few recognizable grown-ups: Ernie Hudson plays a therapist; Molly Ringwald and John Schneider are among the parents.

At the core is Amy (Ringwald's daughter), sweet and fragile. She's played by Shailene Woodley, 16, who was Caitlin on "The O.C." and Jordan in "Crossing Jordan" flashbacks.

Nearby are Ben (Kenny Baumann), a good guy; Grace (Megan Park), Schneider's daughter, a devout Christian, beautiful and chaste; and Ricky (Daren Kagasoff), very unchaste.

By the end of the first hour, events have flung many of these mismatched characters together. Crises soon build.