Abc To Move ‘Practice’ To Mondays

Mon., Dec. 15, 1997

Brian Lowry Los Angeles Times

Faced with disappointing results in prime time, ABC will usher in the new year with a major scheduling overhaul that includes moving its critically acclaimed drama “The Practice” from Saturday to Monday nights.

That shift means producer David E. Kelley will have two series playing back to back Mondays on different networks: “The Practice” will air at 10 p.m. preceded at 9 by his Fox drama “Ally McBeal.”

The ABC series, which the network already has renewed for next season, will face off against “Dateline NBC” and “Brooklyn South” - the marginally rated new CBS drama produced by Steven Bochco, who mentored Kelley by giving him his first TV job as a writer on “L.A. Law.”

Beginning Jan. 5, after “Monday Night Football” closes its season, ABC’s eclectic Monday lineup will consist of “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” the news program “20/20” and “The Practice.”

ABC’s scheduling changes also include relocating the controversial drama “Nothing Sacred,” about a Catholic priest, as well as the crime series “Cracker” from Thursdays to Saturdays, followed by a still-untitled news program.

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