It seems that ABC has found at least two successful new shows this season — Black-ish and How to Get Away with Murder. The network has given them each a full season order. Black-ish will have 22 episodes but Murder will only have 15 installments — because of the deal star Viola Davis made to do the show.
Meanwhile, new shows Selfie and Manhattan Love Story look like flops and could be cancelled in the next couple weeks.
Here’s the ABC press release:
ABC ANNOUNCES FULL SEASON ORDERS FOR “black-ish” AND “HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER”
ABC has picked up the new hit comedy “black-ish” and the new hit drama “How to Get Away with Murder,” Paul Lee, President, ABC Entertainment Group announced today.
“How to Get Away with Murder” was television’s top series debut of the season and the biggest 10 p.m. drama debut in two years in Adults 18-49. “black-ish” opened as the #2 series debut and the #1 comedy debut on television by the same metric. Additionally, “black-ish” had the best-ever viewer retention out of “Modern Family” for any comedy debut.
“How to Get Away with Murder” stars Academy-Award Nominee Viola Davis as Professor Annalise Keating, Billy Brown as Nate, Alfred Enoch as Wes Gibbins, Jack Falahee as Connor Walsh, Katie Findlay as Rebecca, Aja Naomi King as Michaela Pratt, Matt McGorry as Asher Millstone, Karla Souza as Laurel Castillo, Charlie Weber as Frank Delfino and Liza Weil as Bonnie Winterbottom.
“How to Get Away with Murder” is created and executive produced by Pete Nowalk (“Scandal,” “Grey’s Anatomy”). Shonda Rhimes (“Scandal,” “Grey’s Anatomy”), Betsy Beers (“Scandal,” “Grey’s Anatomy”) and Bill D’Elia (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “The West Wing”) also serve as executive producers. “How to Get Away with Murder” is produced by ABC Studios.
“black-ish” stars Anthony Anderson as Andre “Dre” Johnson, Tracee Ellis Ross as Rainbow Johnson, Yara Shahidi as Zoey Johnson, Marcus Scribner as Andre Johnson, Jr., Miles Brown as Jack Johnson, Marsai Martin as Diane Johnson and special guest star, Laurence Fishburne as Pops.
“black-ish” was created by Kenya Barris and is executive produced by Barris, Jonathan Groff, Larry Wilmore, Anthony Anderson, Laurence Fishburne, Helen Sugland and E. Brian Dobbins. The series is produced by ABC Studios.
What do you think? Do you like one or both of these series? Do you think they’ll continue to do well and end up being renewed for second seasons?
I really love “How to Get Away With Murder” but the often flipping back and forth is what I do not love. Hopefully, season II will not have as much past and future and give us more real-time! Can’t wait.
OMG what a greay show it has a very different storie love it hope it stays around for a long while great cast also
Black-ish is simply a hit comedy. Go for the 2nd season as well.
Stop deciding to cancel shows when they just start!! Give people a chance to actually see them. I am interested in Manhattan love story.
Correction: Actually, “How to Get Away With Murder” will not have a regular full season of 22 episodes; it will only have 15 to 16 episodes per season. The first season episode tally of “How to Get Away With Murder” will actually be for 15 episodes.
Thanks. I saw that and have updated the post.
The classroom and murder trial part are intriguing. However, I agree it has the feeling of “trying to hard”. The sex scenes are too intense and are a distraction. It”s over the top and a “turn off” ironically. There has to be some characters with redeeming qualities and morals. Currently there are none. I tuned out.
I’m really enjoying Black-ish so far so I’m very pleased it has been given a full season order. I’m liking it more and more with each episode and cant wait for it each week! How to Get Away With Murder is OK. I love Viola Davis but for some reason, this show, apart from her really isn’t making me fall in love with it. The story line is alright I just don’t like all the hopping around from before and after the murder. I’d prefer it been told in a more traditional manner. I don’t find it confusing in any… Read more »
Tonight’s episode of “How to Get Away With Murder” was my first, but I am unquestionably hooked! (The flashbacks, to present-time, and such were my only concern- but that probably had more to do with my not knowing the relationships between the characters yet.) I can’t wait to get caught up on the episodes I’ve missed- and next week’s can’t come soon enough.
Black-ish is a welcome breath of fresh air as a departure from traditional black comedy shows. The depiction of young black children growing up with a colorless base mentality gives the show a decided edge over the ethnic approach towards comedy. Equally entertaining is the adult humorous side of the show that doesn’t lean too much on stereotypical ideas but manages to keep it “Real” without washing out completely.
T.V. Critic- D. Oliver, N.A.T.R.S.inc.
My wife and I watched the first episode of “How to Get Away With Murder” and were generally underwhelmed. It just felt like the show is trying way too hard and the premise seems like one that will be hard to sustain beyond a season or two.
Awesome! Viola Davis ROCKS!!
She most certainly does. I love Viola Davis!