ABC unveils 2011-2012 schedule

     Right in the middle of season finale madnesses, the networks are releasing their fall schedules, handing down decisions on what goes and stays. Like NBC and FOX before it, ABC's schedule has a few surprising shakeups. Take a look:

     Mondays stay stagnant with two hours of Dancing With the Stars, followed by the mystery hit Castle. Why mess with what works? Because DWTS is yet another piece of reality competition trash that far too many people waste their time watching, that's why!

     Tuesdays accomodates more DWTS and the return of Body of Proof, ABC's successful spring medical investigations drama. But from 8pm-9pm, new sitcoms are the fare, with Last Man Standing, starring Tim Allen (Home Improvement) fighting against women, including his wife, played by Nancy Travis (The Bill Engvall Show, and Man Up, which is along similar lines, but with more stars, including Chris Moynihan (Coupling), Henry Simmons (NYPD Blue), Teri Polo (Meet the Parents), Amanda Detmer (Private Practice), and Mather Zickel (The Cape). Is that what 2011 holds? Male bashing? Luckily, Cougar Town will take the spot of one of those two new sitcoms midseasons, while Apartment 23, a new series pitting Dreama Walker (The Good Wife) and Krysten Ritter ('Til Death) as roommates, will take the other. James Van Der Beek (Dawson's Creek) plays a version of himself. Sounds like winter will be the new fall on Tuesdays!

     Wednesdays are sitcom territory, with The Middle (terrible!), Modern Family, and Happy Endings joined by Suburgatory, in which a teen Jane Levy (Shameless) is forcbily moved to the suburbs by her father, Jeremy Sisto (Law & Order) The horror! Alan Tudyk (Firefly) and Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm) also star. 10pm introduces Revenge, which is a retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo with Emily Van Camp (Brothers & Sisters) in the starring role. Also starring Connor Paolo (Gossip Girl), Nick Wechsler (Roswell), and Josh Bowman (Make It or Break It).

     Thursday introduces the much anticipated remake of Charlie's Angels, starring Minka Kelly (Friday Night Lights), Rachael Taylor (Grey's Anatomy), and Annie Ilonzeh (General Hospital) as the titular angels, with Ramon Rodriguez (The Wire) as Bosley. Drew Barrymore executive produces. That is followed by long-time favorites Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice in their regular time slots.

     Friday is crappy reality TV night with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition banished from Sundays to join Shark Tank and 20/20. In other words, go out and get a life.

     Sunday faces the biggest shakeup, with news shows on either side of the Desperate Housewives sandwich. At 8pm is Once Upon a Time, a fairy tale brought to life by Jennifer Morrison (House), Ginnifer Goodwin (Big Love), Lana Parrilla (Swingtown), and Robert Carlyle (Stargate Universe). At 10 is Pan Am, a Mad Men-esque look at the flight industry in the 1960's.

     Slated for mid-season premires are Good Christian Belles, Missing, Work It, The River, and Scandal from Grey’s Anatomy head honcho Shonda Rhimes. So plenty of stuff waiting in the wings if things don't work out for the current slate.

    Better With You, Brothers & Sisters, Detroit 1-8-7, Mr. Sunshine, My Generation, No Ordinary Family, Off the Map, The Whole Truth and V are all canceled, many of them, unfortunately.

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