Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Television


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published Monday, June 30, 2008 at 12:00 AM

E-mail article     Print view

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...

Gannett News Service

On TV

"The Secret Life of the American Teenager"

8 p.m. Tuesdays,

ABC Family

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.

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

More Television headlines...

E-mail article Print view      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

advertising

'CSI: Miami' is a Monday TV pick

Hits and misses on the fall-TV front

'Arrested Development' on IFC is a Friday TV pick

'Grey's Anatomy' on ABC is a Thursday TV pick

Group urges CW stations not to air 'Gossip Girl'

Advertising

Video

Medal of Honor
Bruce Crandall and John "Bud" Hawk of Kitsap County say no one "wins" the Medal of Honor. The two recipients of the medal explain they weren't trying to be heroes - just do their duty.

Pelosi answers questions at Swedish Medical Center
Pelosi speaks at Swedish Medical Center
"Pistol" Pete Ryan
Mourners gather at KeyArena for slain officer's memorial
Procession for slain SPD officer
Election Night: Approve R-71
Election Night: Reject R-71
Election Night: Joe Mallahan
Election Night: Mike McGinn

Marketplace

nwautos

2009's most fuel-efficient sedansnew
Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising