ABC Mulls Pairing ‘Better Off Ted’ With ‘Scrubs’

By Josef Adalian

ABC is seriously considering slotting new 20th Century Fox TV-produced comedy "Better Off Ted" Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m., pairing the show with "Scrubs."

That's the word from a person with knowledge of the matter, who cautioned that no final decision has been made. Word leaked out Thursday that "Scrubs" will air Tuesdays at 9 p.m. starting in January.

ABC plans to double-pump “Scrubs” Jan. 6 and 13, making a "Ted" debut on Jan. 20 a good possibility. The network could also vamp for a few weeks, holding off "Ted" until later in the month or until February.

Part of ABC's thinking probably relates to Fox's plans to air a two-hour "American Idol" on Jan. 13. As of now, "Idol" is expected to air for just one hour on Jan. 20, with "Fringe" airing in the 9 p.m. timeslot that night.

ABC is being cautious about making public pronouncements on its schedule.

For example, the network has opted against ordering more episodes of "Pushing Daisies," "Eli Stone" and "Dirty Sexy Money." It won't say whether the shows have been canceled, however. Most likely, programmers want to avoid sending a signal to viewers that there's no reason to tune in.

However, multiple reports from producers say ABC executives are privately admitting to showrunners and studios that there's virtually no chance the three series will return next season—essentially making the shows dead.

If any of the shows do manage to show a spark of life in the ratings over the next few weeks, ABC has until Dec. 15 to change its mind and extend the options on actors. That would allow the network to delay a final decision on the shows' fate until spring.

As for "Ted," Victor Fresco created the office comedy, which stars Jay Harrington as successful but morally conscious man who runs a research and development department at a morally questionable corporation. The series also stars Andrea Anders and Portia de Rossi.