ABC shows to be available in Spanish
ABC will make all of its prime-time entertainment programs, including “Lost” and “Desperate Housewives,” available in Spanish starting this season.
The move is an acknowledgment of the expanding U.S. Hispanic population. Previously, “George Lopez” was the only ABC series that aired in both English- and Spanish-language versions.
“We wanted to move beyond toe-dipping and really dive in,” said ABC entertainment chief Stephen McPherson. “Almost half of the 41 million Hispanics in this country watch only or mostly Spanish-language television, and we want to bring that audience to ABC.”
“Desperate Housewives,” “Lost,” “George Lopez” and the new comedy “Freddie,” starring Freddie Prinze Jr., will be dubbed into Spanish, as will the network’s theatrical movie premieres and some specials. Other shows will be available with closed-captioned subtitles in Spanish.
Hispanics are the fastest-growing minority in the United States and represent one-seventh of the population, according to a recent Census Bureau report.
Katrina affects ‘Family Guy’
The episode that was set to open “Family Guy’s” fall season has been moved back two weeks in deference to those affected by Hurricane Katrina.
The animated Fox series returns with new episodes Sunday following its 10-week summer run. The season premiere was scheduled to be an episode called “Perfect Castaway,” in which Peter (the voice of series creator Seth MacFarlane) and his pals end up stranded on an island following a storm on their fishing trip.
The episode featured a couple of references to hurricanes, and given the ongoing story of Katrina’s devastation, the network decided to hold off on airing it. It’s now scheduled to run Sept. 25.
Meanwhile, ABC is staying with its plan to premiere its new drama “Invasion,” in which a hurricane slamming South Florida sets the story in motion, on Sept. 21. The network pulled promos for the show last week after Katrina hit the Gulf Coast.
ABC is planning to run a viewer advisory before the “Invasion” premiere to alert audiences to its subject matter.
They’ll keep killing Kenny
Comedy Central has extended the contract of “South Park” creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker for three more years, ensuring that the animated series will continue through 2008.
The show returns with new episodes on Oct. 19, and the new contract will kick in after that batch ends.
“South Park,” in its ninth season, remains Comedy Central’s highest-rated series. The additional 42 installments will push it close to the 200-episode mark – an impressive feat for any series, let alone one that features potty-mouthed fourth-graders who began life as crudely animated paper cutouts.