CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) - With this year's upfront buzz in full swing, ABC and FOX made the most noise yesterday as each network continues to hammer out its fall schedule. Here's a rundown of the latest rumblings:
-- ABC is considering pulling its "The Wonderful World of Disney" franchise in favor of a new block of regularly scheduled programming on Sundays from 7-9 p.m. eastern. The movies would then return periodically, more than likely during the sweeps periods.
-- Solid test screening results have helped vault ABC's drama pilot "Threat Matrix" back into the mix as virtually all of the network's drama pilots ("10-8," "111 Gramery Park," "Alaska," "Better Days," "The D.A.," "Karen Sisco,""The Partners" and "The Street Lawyer") have been mentioned recently as being solid contenders to make the schedule. The only holdout: its western pilot "Then Came Jones."
-- On the comedy front, bets continue to be placed on the Kelly Ripa/Faith Ford vehicle "Hope & Faith," Teri Polo's "I'm With Her," and Tom Hertz's comedy project making ABC's fall slate. The Michael J. Fox-produced comedy "Hench at Home" also is said to have a solid shot of making the schedule.
-- Over at FOX, David E. Kelly's "Boston Public" may not return to Monday nights as expected with recent buzz now placing the drama on Fridays.
-- Thursdays seem poised to have FOX's Luis Guzman vehicle "Luis" kicking off the night followed by another to be determined comedy.
-- "The Ortegas," FOX's recent pickup from NBC, will reportedly land either Wednesdays at 8:30/7:30c following "That '70s Show" or Sundays at 9:30/8:30c following "Malcolm in the Middle" as part of its deal with FOX to snag the series from the Peacock.
-- The bulk of FOX's comedy pilots ("Cracked Up," "Arrested Development," "Senior White" and "A Minute With Stan Hooper") are said to still be in contention for a fall slot.
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