ABC picks up full seasons of 'No Ordinary Family,' 'Better with You'

'Detroit 187,' 'Brothers & Sisters' get additional episodes

By Daniel Fienberg Monday, Oct 25, 2010 7:20 PM

Michael Chiklis and Julie Benz of 'No Ordinary Family'

Credit: ABC

After sitting out last week's festival of pickups, ABC has finally decided to get in on the action, ordering full seasons of "No Ordinary Family" and "Better with You."

In addition, ABC's Monday (Oct. 25) announcement also included the order of five additional episodes for "Detroit 187" and four more hours of "Brothers & Sisters."

Although "No Ordinary Family" has been in a ratings decline on Tuesdays at 8, the super-powered family dramedy has still generated solid numbers without the benefit of a lead-in. That would also explain the tempered vote of confidence for "Detroit 187," which had drawn a bigger audience than "No Ordinary Family," but has still been squandering too high a percentage of its "Dancing with the Stars" lead-in to be considered a hit. ABC had previously ordered additional scripts for "No Ordinary Family," while including the show on midseason schedules leading into the return of "V."

"Better with You" has solidified the gaping hole in ABC's Wednesday comedy block left by the failure of "Hank" last fall, mostly holding onto its lead-in from "The Middle" and avoiding salting the earth for Modern Family.

Of ABC's new fall shows, only the already cancelled "My Generation" and the critically endangered "The Whole Truth" failed to receive additional episodes.

ABC was the last network to give out full-season pickups, a process FOX started with "Raising Hope." Last week, CBS and The CW both ordered full seasons for all of their new shows (five for CBS and The CW), while NBC ordered additional episodes for every new show except for "Outlaw" and "Undercovers."

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Daniel Fienberg
Executive Editor

A long-time member of the TCA Board and a longer-time blogger of "American Idol," Dan Fienberg writes about TV, except for when he writes about movies or sometimes writes about the Red Sox. But never music. He would sound stupid talking about music.

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Mulderism

I'm glad they're picking this up. The show's producers must be breathing a huge sigh of relief. Despite the fact that most episodes have been pretty lacklustre. The show barely has a theme song!

There are a lot of unanswered questions but the writers seem to be taking their time revealing anything and instead are giving us mundane stories about sneaking into parties figuring out the proper trajectories to throw a football. By the way, even if the kid knows what player to hit - how can he throw the ball so far?

As for the mythology. Who are these other mutants and what does Captain Decker have to do with all this? They should be focusing on this more.

Also, are their powers changing? Are they going to get more powers?

Well it's been picked up so hopefully the stories will get better. Hopefully there will be some more Darla running scenes. She looks smokin' hot doing her bionic woman thing.
October 25, 2010 at 10:38PM EST Reply to Comment
tony

detroit 187 -the worst acing on tv---please cancel it soonnnnnn.
October 25, 2010 at 10:58PM EST Reply to Comment
- Joe I think its an excellent show. Comparable to NYPD Blue with a midwest accent.
  November 16, 2010 at 5:35PM EST