Family friendly group assists network series

A CBS coming-of-age drama, an ABC comedy from Mel Gibson and an NBC animated series arrive this fall with an assist from the Family Friendly Programming Forum’s Script Development Initiative.

The program, affiliated with the Association of National Advertisers, aims to increase the number of shows that families can watch together.

In recent years, the forum has contributed money to several pilots. Next season, ABC’s “Savage,” CBS’ “Clubhouse” and NBC’s “Father of the Pride” arrive with its seal of approval.

The forum has had some success getting shows on the air in the past.

The first program to bear its label was The WB’s “Gilmore Girls,” which continues to be an anchor for that network. NBC’s “American Dreams” and ABC’s “8 Simple Rules” will both enter their third season having begun with an assist from the program.

Last season, though, the forum supported The WB’s “Steve Harvey’s Big Time,” “Like Family” and “All About the Andersons” as well as NBC’s midseason entry “The Tracy Morgan Show.” Of the four, only “Steve Harvey’s Big Time” will be back for a second season, and only after a major overhaul. self end