Abc Plans ‘Snl’-Like Series

It looks as though ABC will test-drive a sketch-comedy series this summer on Saturday nights, but, unlike NBC’s long-standing 11:30 p.m. “Saturday Night Live,” this one is slated for a 10 o’clock start.

ABC has ordered six episodes of the show, which the network has not yet named, and it has put out a casting call for relative unknown comedians/actors to star.

The first of the one-hour episodes is slated to debut July 24, sources say.

Beyond the time and date, there are several decisions still to be made about the show. For starters: live or taped? ABC also is still considering whether to mimic “SNL” by having a different musical guest each week.

Perhaps the only thing that ABC is leaning against is having a celebrity guest-host open the show. It’s more likely that celebrities will pop up in short comedy films that will be woven throughout the program to break up the comedy sketches.