ABC’s extreme step: a line-up without scripted shows

ABC has taken a drastic step that other networks avoided:
It is acknowledging that the writers’ strike will scuttle the start of a normal season, this fall. Instead, it has planned something very abnormal – a complete, 22-hour schedule with no new, scripted episodes.
That would cut off viewers from “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Station 19,” “The Rookie,” “The Good Doctor,” “Will Trent” and more, including “9-1-1,” which is moving to ABC from Fox. To fill all those holes in the schedule, the network will:
— Give double-duty to its “Bachelor” franchise: “The Golden Bachelor” – an older-person version of the show – will be at 10 p.m. Mondays (past the bedtime for some seniors). For people who prefer friskier singles in swimwear, “Bachelor in Paradise” (shown here from last season) will be 9-11 p.m. Tuesdays.
— Bring back “Dancing With the Stars.” Last year, the show was only on Disney+; now it will simulcast (8-10 p.m. Mondays) on that channel and on ABC.
— Dip into its vast library to revive a tradition – “The Wonderful World of Disney.” Disney movies and such will run from 8-11 p.m. Sundays.
— Give the news division two spots. It continues to have “20/20,” from 9-11 p.m. Fridays, but also brings back, at 10 p.m. Wednesdays, “What Would You Do?”
— Continue some weekend regulars – “Shark Tank” at 8 p.m. Fridays, college football Saturdays and “America’s Funniest Home Videos” at 7 p.m. Sundays.
— Expand a summer court show, the light “Judge Steve Harvey,” into the fall, at 8 p.m. Wednesdays.
— Follow that with the only reminder of scripted TV – reruns of the award-winning “Abbott Elementary,” at 9 and 9:30 p.m. Wednedays.
— And fill the rest of the time with games – “Celebrity Jeopardy” at 8 p.m. Tuesdays and three shows – “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune,” “Press Your Luck” and “100,000 Pyramid” – all night Thursdays.