ABC Unveils Fall Premiere Dates

BURBANK: ABC has announced the premiere dates for its 2009-10 season, kicking things off on September 21 with a two-hour Dancing with the Stars, followed by the return of Castle.

The hit dance competition takes the Monday 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. slot, while Castle follows from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. A special two-hour episode of Dancing with the Stars also airs from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, before moving to its regular day and time, Tuesday 9 p.m. to 10 p.m., on September 29. The Forgotten, launching September 22, takes the 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. slot. On Wednesday, September 23, a special Dancing with the Stars: The Results Show will air from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Modern Family follows in a half-hour slot at 9 p.m., then Cougar Town premieres at 9:30 p.m.

The new sci-fi series FlashForward makes its debut on September 24, airing Thursdays at 8 p.m., with Grey’s Anatomy following at 9 p.m. ABC maintains its Sunday lineup of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, followed by Desperate Housewives. On September 27, the network will feature a special two-hour premiere for the home-renovation series at 7 p.m. to kick off the season.

Shark Tank launches on September 29 at 8 p.m., in an hour-long time period. The following day will see the debut of Hank in a half-hour slot at 8 p.m. and The Middle, also in a half-hour slot, at 8:30 p.m.

October 9 will see the two-hour season premiere of Ugly Betty at 8 p.m. The show then moves to its regular time period on October 16 at 9 p.m., with Supernanny as its 8 p.m. lead-in.

To view the full fall season grid, please click here.