ABC Family Greenlights Pilot Pair
Production Begins On Comedies That Could Join 2009 Schedule
By R. Thomas Umstead -- Multichannel News, 10/8/2008 7:00:00 AM
ABC Family Wednesday approved a pair of comedy series pilots that will begin production this fall.
The first series, 10 Things I Hate About You – based on the theatrical of the same name – will be executive-produced by Carter Covington (Greek) and will follow the lives of two sisters with different personalities as they start their new high school, said ABC Family officials.
The second, Ruby and The Rockits, stars Patrick Cassidy (Smallville) as a teen idol trying to live a quiet family life when his fast-living, former band member and brother David (Partridge Family star David Cassidy)– along with his teenage daughter -- comes unexpectedly into his life. Alexa Vega (Spy Kids) and Austin Butler (Zoey 101) also star in the show, which is executive-produced by Shaun Cassidy (Invasion).
The two series could join previously announced comedy series Roommates and Sophie on ABC Family’s 2009 schedule.
ABC Family, on the strength of freshman drama series The Secret Life of the American Teenager, averaged a 1.0 household rating during third quarter 2008, an increase of 14% over the same period last year, according to Nielsen Media Research.
