Last updated: March 24, 2005.
Here is the list of new shows that premiered in Fall 2004 (i.e. in the '04-'05 TV season). (Note: I will not be listing known '04-'05 Mid-Season shows...)
I'm listing them by network, with some descriptions of the new shows, and some of the lead stars (when known). (Note: A 'Leads & Cast' list of "[unknown]" means that either the cast is not known to me, or the cast is made up of unknowns! (i.e. the actors and actresses involved are people I have never heard of before)...)
New Show Title Leads & Cast Comments
-------------- ------------ --------
*The Benefactor Mark Cuban, reality: ABC sort of rips off The Apprentice, but with
(contestants) Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban instead of Trump.
Boston Legal James Spader, legal drama: Spinoff of The Practice follows
William Shatner, Alan Shore to the firm of Crane, Poole & Schmidt
Mark Valley in this dramedy.
*Complete Savages Keith Carradine, family sitcom from Mel Gibson: Single dad raises
Erik von Detten a household of five(!) boys.
Desperate Housewives Teri Hatcher, drama: Felicity Huffman, Eva Longoria, Hatcher & Cross
Marcia Cross play said housewives in this soapy drama.
*Life As We Know It D.B. Sweeney, sitcom: Originally entitled Doing It, this show is like
Marguerite Moreau My So-Called Life, except about 3 teen boys.
Lost Matthew Fox, drama: Forty-someodd people get stranded on a
Terry O'Quinn mysterious island after a plane crash.
(*?)Rodney Rodney Carrington, sitcom: Guy quits his job to pursue a career in
Jennifer Aspen stand-up - his wife is unamused.
Wife Swap (contestants) reality: Like FOX's Trading Spouses, except ABC
actually had the idea stolen from them by FOX.
* Ultimately cancelled!
New Show Title Leads & Cast Comments
-------------- ------------ --------
*Center of the Universe John Goodman, sitcom: Married couple deal with husband's
Jean Smart, eccentric family.
Ed Asner
*Clubhouse Jeremy Sumpter, drama: Without his single Mom's knowledge,
Dean Cain, 16-year-old boy gets a job as a bat boy
Christopher Lloyd for pro NY baseball team.
CSI:NY Gary Sinese, forensics drama: Guess...
Melina Kanakaredes
*dr. vegas Rob Lowe, drama: Doctor becomes in-house physician for
Joe Pantoliano high-end Vegas casino.
Listen Up Jason Alexander, sitcom: Based on columnist Tony Kornheiser's life -
Malcolm-Jamal sports show host writes syndicated newspaper column
Warner about his family life.
* Ultimately cancelled!
NOTE: FOX has gone to a 3-track premiere schedule for its shows.
See the Summer Shows page for shows that premiered before Sept.
(e.g. North Shore). FOX shows that premiere in Jan. 2005 will
be handled in the Mid-Seasons show guide for '04-'05.
New Show Title Leads & Cast Comments
-------------- ------------ --------
*The Billionaire: Richard Branson, reality: See ABC's rip-off, The Benefactor, except this
Branson's Quest... (contestants) one has British entrepreneur Branson instead of Cuban.
*The Complex: Malibu (contestants) reality: Teams redecorate units.
House Hugh Laurie, medical drama: Misanthropic doctor heads team
Omar Epps that diagnose unusual medical conditions.
*My Big, Fat (contestants) reality: Actor impersonates boss, just like in FOX's
Obnoxious Boss earlier My Big, Fat Obnoxious Fiance...
*The Next Great Champ (contestants) reality: Oscar De La Hoya hosts FOX's rip-off of
NBC's The Contender - boxers compete.
* Ultimately cancelled!
New Show Title Leads & Cast Comments
-------------- ------------ --------
***The Contender (contestants) reality: See FOX's The Next Great Champ, though this
boxing show is from Mark Burnett & Sly Stallone.
*Father of the Pride n/a animated sitcom: About lions in the Siegfried & Roy
show. Voices: John Goodman, Orlando Jones, others.
*Hawaii Michael Biehn, cop drama: Biehn leaves syndie dramas behind to
Sharif Atkins play head cop in Honolulu.
Joey Matt LeBlanc, sitcom: What happens when Friends' Joey Tribiani
Drea de Matteo gets spun-off into his own show? Stay tuned...
*LAX Heather Locklear, airport drama: Locklear & Underwood headline drama about
Blair Underwood the people who run the world's most unpleasant airport!
Medical Investigation Neal McDonough, medical drama: NIH experts swoop in to take over
Kelli Williams treatment of life-or-death cases.
***Revelations Bill Pullman, fantasy miniseries: A scientist and a nun [walk into
Natasha McElhone a bar!...] and try to prevent the end of the world.
* Ultimately cancelled!
*** Put off until mid-season??? (see Mid-Season section for details).
New Show Title Leads & Cast Comments
-------------- ------------ --------
Kevin Hill Taye Diggs, drama: Entertainment lawyer becomes guardian to
Jon Seda his dead cousin's 6-month-old daughter.
*Second Time Around Boris Kodjoe, sitcom: Couple remarries several years after their
Nicole Parker original divorce.
Veronica Mars Kristen Bell, drama: 17-year old high school girl apprentices for
Enrico Colantoni her P.I. father, solves mysteries.
* Effectviely cancelled?...
New Show Title Leads & Cast Comments
-------------- ------------ --------
†Commando Nanny Owain Yeoman, sitcom: A 20-year-old British ex-commando moves to
Gerald McRaney Beverly Hills, takes a job as nanny for 3 rich kids.
**Drew Carey's Drew Carey, sketch comedy: Think Whose Line Is It Anyway? with
Green Screen Show Ryan Stiles the added element of backgrounds via green screen.
Jack & Bobby Christine Lahti, drama from Greg Berlanti: Precious treacle about
Matthew Long two brothers, one of whom will become The President.
*The Mountain Oliver Hudson, drama: Hudson attempts to discover his charisma on an
Barbara Hershey inherited mountaintop ski resort.
* Ultimately cancelled!
** Now on hiatus.
† Never even aired!!
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