(ABC/Elizabeth Fischer)

ABC is lending some help to some of its newer shows. This week, the network announced special airings for both Deception and Alex, Inc.

A comedy, Alex, Inc. stars Zach Braff as Alex Schuman, a successful radio journalist who quits his job to start his own podcast company. The cast also includes Tiya Sircar, Hillary Anne Matthews, Michael Imperioli, Audyssie James, and Elisha Henig.

Meanwhile, Deception centers on Cameron Black, an illusionist who uses his tradecraft to help the Feds apprehend some of the most elusive criminals in the world. Jack Cutmore-Scott, Ilfenesh Hadera, Lenora Crichlow, Amaury Nolasco, Justin Chon, Laila Robins, and Vinnie Jones also star.

Ratings have been low for both freshman series, with Deception currently averaging a .85 in the 18-49 demo and Alex, Inc. averaging a 1.01 rating in the 18-49 demo. To help, ABC is airing episodes of both series on special dates.

An episode of Alex, Inc. will follow Roseanne on April 17th at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT and an episode of Deception will air on April 24th at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

Read more info below:

ALEX FIRES THE BABYSITTER AND COMPLICATES LIFE AT HOME AND AT WORK, ON ABC’S ‘ALEX, INC.’

“The Nanny” – Alex thinks he fired their part-time babysitter, Rosalba, after he and Rooni find her sleeping on the job, but the situation gets more complicated when Rosalba shows up for work. Meanwhile, Ben takes over as babysitter and watches Soraya after school; and Rooni loses cell service and gets nervous about the kids being left home alone, on “Alex, Inc.,” TUESDAY, APRIL 17 (8:30-9:00 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network, streaming and on demand.

The series stars Zach Braff as Alex Schuman, Michael Imperioli as Eddie, Tiya Sircar as Rooni Schuman, Hillary Anne Matthews as Deirdre, Elisha Henig as Ben Schuman and Audyssie James as Soraya Schuman.

Guest starring in this episode is Laura Patalano as Rosalba.

“The Nanny” was written by Juliet Seniff and directed by Alisa Statman.

Matt Tarses is writer and executive producer. Zach Braff is director and executive producer. John Davis and John Fox are executive producers of the series, from Davis Entertainment, as are Alex Blumberg, Chris Gilberti and Matt Lieber (Gimlet Media) in association with Sony Pictures Television and ABC Studios.

“Alex, Inc.” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound. This program carries a TV-PG, DL parental guideline.

JONATHAN BLACK HELPS THE FBI IN A MISSING PERSONS CASE THAT HITS CLOSE TO HOME, ON ABC’S ‘DECEPTION,’ APRIL 24

“Sacrifice 99 to Fool One” – When the Mystery Woman kidnaps Cameron, the FBI calls on Jonathan Black to help find him – and stop the Mystery Woman from committing her next crime, on ABC’s “Deception,” airing TUESDAY, APRIL 24 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network, streaming and on demand.

“Deception” stars Jack Cutmore-Scott as Cameron Black/Jonathan Black, Ilfenesh Hadera as Kay Daniels, Lenora Crichlow as Dina Clark, Amaury Nolasco as Mike Alvarez, Justin Chon as Jordan Kwon, Laila Robins as Special Agent Deakins and Vinnie Jones as Gunter Gustafsen

“Sacrifice 99 to Fool One” was written by John A. Norris and directed by Rob Hardy.

“Deception” is from Berlanti Productions and Quinn’s House in association with Warner Bros. Televsion. Chris Fedak is creator and executive producer. In addition to Fedak, the series is executive produced by Greg Berlanti, Martin Gero and Sarah Schechter. Illusionist David Kwong (“Now You See Me”) is co-producer.

“Deception” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound. A TV parental guideline will be assigned to this program at a later date.

 

What do you think? Have you seen either Alex, Inc. or Deception? If not, will you watch the special airings?