News and Notes from ABC’s 2020 Virtu-Fall Presentation
Los Angeles, CA – ABC’s 2020 Virtu-Fall event continues in anticipation of the network’s fall launch. Day two panels include all-new drama series “Big Sky,” fan-favorite “Dancing with the Stars” and hit comedy “The Conners.” Below are several announcements for today’s sessions, under embargo for publication until 12:30 p.m. EDT/9:30 a.m. PDT for “Big Sky,” 1:30 p.m. EDT/10:30 a.m. PDT for “Dancing with the Stars” and 2:30 p.m. EDT/11:30 a.m. PDT for “The Conners” news.
‘BIG SKY’ KEY ART UNVEILED FEATURING STARS KATHERYN WINNICK, KYLIE BUNBURY AND RYAN PHILLIPPE
Thrilling New Drama Series ‘Big Sky’ From David E. Kelley Debuts Tuesday, Nov. 17, on ABC
From visionary storyteller David E. Kelley (“Big Little Lies”) comes “Big Sky,” a thriller created by Kelley, who will write multiple episodes and serve as showrunner. “Big Sky” debuts TUESDAY, NOV. 17 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC. Private detectives Cassie Dewell and Cody Hoyt join forces with his estranged wife and ex-cop, Jenny Hoyt, to search for two sisters who have been kidnapped by a truck driver on a remote highway in Montana. But when they discover that these are not the only girls who have disappeared in the area, they must race against the clock to stop the killer before another woman is taken.
“Big Sky” stars Katheryn Winnick as Jenny Hoyt, Kylie Bunbury as Cassie Dewell, Brian Geraghty as Ronald Pergman, Dedee Pfeiffer as Denise Brisbane, Natalie Alyn Lind as Danielle Sullivan, Jade Pettyjohn as Grace Sullivan, Jesse James Keitel as Jerrie Kennedy, Valerie Mahaffey as Helen Pergman with John Carroll Lynch as Rick Legarski and Ryan Phillippe as Cody Hoyt.
Based on the series of books by C.J. Box, “Big Sky” is executive produced by David E. Kelley, Ross Fineman, Matthew Gross, Paul McGuigan, C.J. Box and Gwyneth Horder-Payton, and is produced by 20th Television in association with A+E Studios. 20th Television is a part of Disney Television Studios, alongside ABC Signature and Touchstone Television.
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NEW JUDGE DEREK HOUGH PERFORMS IN-SHOW FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS SEASON ON MONDAY, OCT. 19
‘DANCING WITH THE STARS’ WALTZES IN WITH AN ALL-NEW PROMO AVAILABLE HERE
LIVE EPISODES CONTINUE MONDAYS AT 8:00 P.M. EDT
ABC announced today via the ABC “VirtuFALL” “Dancing with the Stars” panel that two-time Emmy® Award winner and six-time Mirrorball champion Derek Hough is confirmed to perform his first in-show dance since 2017 on Monday, Oct. 19, with DWTS alum Hayley Erbert. “Dancing with the Stars” is the hit series in which celebrities perform choreographed dance routines that are judged by a panel of renowned ballroom experts. Hosted by supermodel and businesswoman Tyra Banks, DWTS returned to the ballroom with its strongest premiere in three years with Adults 18-49. The series airs MONDAYS (8:00-10:00 p.m. EDT) on ABC. Episodes can be viewed the next day on demand and on Hulu.
ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” launched its new season earlier this month with the show’s highest-rated season premiere in 3 years among Adults 18-49 – since its September 2017 premiere. “Dancing with the Stars” has ranked as the night’s No. 1 entertainment show and has improved year over year in Adults 18-49 on each of its three telecasts so far this season.
Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli are joined by Emmy Award winner and Mirrorball champion Derek Hough at the judges desk. Meanwhile, unable to judge this season live in the ballroom, Len Goodman will still be a part of the show in a different capacity and sharing his ballroom expertise from the UK.
ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” is produced by BBC Studios’ Los Angeles production arm. Andrew Llinares and Tyra Banks are executive producers.
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AMERICA’S MOST SOCIALLY DISTANT FAMILY “THE CONNERS” RETURNS FOR SEASON 3 ON WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21, ON ABC
NEW SEASON 3 PROMO HERE
Ranking as ABC’s No. 1 comedy in Total Viewers in its first two seasons, “The Conners” returns to ABC on WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21 (9:00-9:30 p.m. EDT). The all-new season will continue to follow America’s favorite family as they face the daily struggles of life in Lanford. Dan, Jackie, Darlene, Becky and D.J. will continue to grapple with parenthood, dating, financial pressures and aging in working-class America. Through it all – the fights, the coupon cutting, the hand-me-downs, the breakdowns – with love, humor and perseverance, the family prevails.
“The Conners” stars John Goodman as Dan Conner, Laurie Metcalf as Jackie Harris, Sara Gilbert as Darlene Conner, Lecy Goranson as Becky Conner-Healy, Michael Fishman as D.J. Conner, Emma Kenney as Harris Conner-Healy, Ames McNamara as Mark Conner-Healy, Jayden Rey as Mary Conner and Jay R. Ferguson as Ben.
“The Conners” is executive produced by Tom Werner, along with Sara Gilbert, Bruce Helford, Dave Caplan, Bruce Rasmussen and Tony Hernandez. The series is from Werner Entertainment.
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About ABC Entertainment
ABC Entertainment airs compelling programming across all day parts, including “Grey’s Anatomy,” the longest-running medical drama in primetime television; riveting dramas “The Good Doctor,” “A Million Little Things” and “Station 19”; trailblazing comedy favorites “American Housewife,” “black-ish,” “The Conners,” “The Goldbergs” and “mixed-ish”; the popular “Summer Fun & Games” programming block, including “Celebrity Family Feud,” “Holey Moley,” “Match Game,” “Press Your Luck” and “To Tell the Truth”; star-making sensation “American Idol”; reality phenomenon “Shark Tank”; “The Bachelor” franchise; long-running hits “Dancing with the Stars” and “America’s Funniest Home Videos”; “General Hospital,” which has aired for more than 55 years on the network; and late-night talk show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”; as well as two critically acclaimed, Emmy® Award-winning “Live in Front of a Studio Audience” specials. The network also boasts some of television’s most prestigious awards shows, including “The Oscars®,” “The CMA Awards” and the “American Music Awards.”
ABC programming can also be viewed on demand and on Hulu.
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