ABC’s Fall Schedule Includes More 9-1-1, No Bachelor and a Very Long Wait
- Je-Ree
- 55 minutes ago
- 3 min read
The executives at ABC have finally stopped throwing darts at a calendar and released the official ABC fall schedule, and let’s just say the "Alphabet Network" is making some choices. If you were looking for your favorite high-stakes procedural to anchor your Tuesday nights, you might want to find a new hobby until 2027. In a move that feels like benching your star quarterback right before the Super Bowl, the network is sidelining its massive hit High Potential until midseason. Apparently, being a ratings juggernaut only buys you a very long vacation these days.
The Nashville Expansion and the 9-1-1 Power Hour
Thursday nights remain the crown jewel of the lineup, but with a country-fried twist. 9-1-1 continues to defy the laws of physics and logic at 8 p.m., but it’s now serving as the lead-in for the new spinoff, 9-1-1: Nashville. Expect more cowboy hats and presumably more emergencies involving hay balers. It all culminates in the eternal medical mystery that is Grey’s Anatomy at 10 p.m., a show that will likely outlive us all.
The Great Tuesday Shuffle
Tuesday nights are looking a bit different without Kaitlin Olson’s Morgan Gillis solving crimes. Instead, we’re getting the standard double-dose of Dancing with the Stars, followed by the sophomore drama R.J. Decker at 10 p.m. It’s a massive vote of confidence for the series, though following a rumba with a gritty investigation is a tonal whiplash we’ll all have to navigate together.
Wednesday Comedy and the Missing Roses
The midweek block is leaning heavily into nostalgia and workplace charm:
Scrubs: Returning to its 8 p.m. roots to kick off the night.
Abbott Elementary: Holding down the 8:30 p.m. slot because Janine Teagues is the only thing keeping the lights on.
The Bachelor Absence: In a shocking twist, there are no roses to be found this fall. Both The Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise are being hoarded for a 2027 rollout.
The Midseason Waiting Room
If you’re a fan of The Rookie, Will Trent, or the newly announced The Rookie: North, you’ll need to settle in for a long winter. These heavy hitters are being held back, likely to give the network a "second season" surge when the holiday tinsel comes down. It’s a risky strategy that relies on audiences remembering these characters exist after a six-month hiatus.
ABC Fall Schedule
Day | Time | Show |
Sunday | 7 p.m. | "America's Funniest Home Videos" |
Sunday | 8 p.m. | "The Wonderful World of Disney" |
Monday | 8 p.m. | ESPN's "Monday Night Football" |
Tuesday | 8 p.m. | "Dancing With the Stars" |
Tuesday | 10 p.m. | "R.J. Decker" |
Wednesday | 8 p.m. | "Scrubs" |
Wednesday | 8:30 p.m. | "Abbott Elementary" |
Wednesday | 9 p.m. | "Celebrity Jeopardy!" |
Wednesday | 10 p.m. | "Shark Tank" |
Thursday | 8 p.m. | "9-1-1" |
Thursday | 9 p.m. | "9-1-1: Nashville" |
Thursday | 10 p.m. | "Grey's Anatomy" |
Friday | 8 p.m. | "Celebrity Wheel of Fortune" |
Friday | 9 p.m. | "20/20" |
Saturday | 7:30 p.m. | College Football |
Held for Midseason (Scripted)
Show | Notes |
"High Potential" | Returning series |
"Shifting Gears" | Returning series |
"The Rookie" | Returning series |
"THE ROOKIE: NORTH" | After a violent home invasion ignites a dormant purpose, Alex Holland (Jay Ellis) joins the Pierce County Police Department as a rookie. |
"Will Trent" | Returning series |
Held for Midseason (Unscripted)
Show |
"The Bachelor" |
"Bachelor in Paradise" |
ABC is clearly playing the long game with this lineup, prioritizing football and reality staples while keeping its prestige scripted dramas in the glass case for emergencies. It’s a schedule that prioritizes stability over innovation, even if it means leaving fans of High Potential out in the cold for a few months.
Are you excited for the 9-1-1: Nashville crossover potential, or are you mourning the loss of your Tuesday night crime-solving? Head over to the comments and let us know which show you'll be setting your DVR for this fall.