You may know that I’m already something of a reluctant, if fairly enthusiastic, fan of ABC Family, and most of the shows they put out. If so, I don’t have to sell you on the two new series coming your way this summer (and only really want to sell you on one anyway).
Much as ABC Family may not quite be putting out the best shows on television, if you look at series that are predominantly geared toward a specific demographic… well, I think they might be actually. Younger audiences (and let’s face it, especially female audiences) are caught in a sort of black hole when it comes to television, and shows aimed at them today are either convinced that your brain doesn’t turn on until you’re 20 (actually, it switches off at about 11, and back on at some vague point), or have no real appeal and/or effort behind them at all.
(ABC FAMILY/ERIC LIEBOWITZ)
MADDIE HASSON, AVAN JOGIA, KYLIE BUNBURY
Enter ABC Family, and such vehicles as The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Pretty Little Liars, and even the once well-crafted Make It or Break It, just to name a few. Don’t get me wrong, not all of their shows are winners. Personally, I don’t get Switched at Birth at all. But, when a network is at least travelling the road that leads to Bunheads (which was rough out of the gates, but is now mocking us simply by the fact that Gilmore Girls is nowhere in the title), the entire affair is worth paying attention to. Even the ones that didn’t make it far are generally pretty fun (like Jane by Design, which should have gotten more of a chance), and if they go wrong, it isn’t because they think their audience is stupid.
I’m not sure that the network has quite reached the ultimate level that would necessitate the kudos that go out to, for example, iCarly for it’s uncompromising ability to celebrate the fact that young people have brains, but if such a show ever turns up (geared mostly for a bit older crowd), this is where it will be.
Similarly, I don’t think that white whale is among these latest recruits, but Twisted looks pretty good. My bet right now, on decidedly little information, is that The Fosters is to have taken a wrong turn, but I’ll give it a chance.
Below check out some more info, including the cast members, and a few first look images.
“The Fosters,” from executive producer Jennifer Lopez, and “Twisted” (formerly “Socio”) from executive producer Gavin Polone. Production on both series will begin this spring for summer premieres. Additional pick-ups will be announced later this month.
From executive producer Jennifer Lopez, (“American Idol,” “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” “The Back-Up Plan”) and created by Bradley Bredeweg and Peter Paige (“Queer As Folk”), who will also serve as writers and executive producers, “The Fosters” stars Teri Polo (“Meet the Parents”), Sherri Saum (“In Treatment”), Jake T. Austin (“Wizards of Waverly Place”), Hayden Byerly (“Parenthood”), David Lambert (“Aaron Stone”), newcomer Maia Mitchell (star of Disney Channel’s upcoming “Teen Beach Movie”), Danny Nucci (“Titanic”) and Cierra Ramirez (“The Secret Life of the American Teenager”).
The series is a one-hour drama about a multi-ethnic family mix of foster and biological kids being raised by two moms. Joanna Johnson (“Make it or Break it”), Simon Fields, Benny Medina and Greg Gugliotta will also serve as executive producers. The series is produced by Nuyorican Productions, Inc., and Prodco, Inc.
“Twisted” (formerly “Socio”) is a one-hour mystery full of twists and turns that is centered on a charismatic 16-year-old with a troubled past who recently reconnected with his two female best friends from childhood. He becomes the prime suspect when a fellow student is surprisingly found dead in her home.
The series will be executive-produced by Gavin Polone, (“Gilmore Girls,” “Zombieland,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “My Boys,” “Jane By Design”) David Babcock (“Brothers & Sisters”) and Adam Milch (“Greek”), who also wrote the pilot. The drama stars Avan Jogia (“Victorious”), Maddie Hasson (“The Finder”), Kylie Bunbury (“Prom”), Kimberly Quinn (“Terriers”), Sam Robards (“Treme,” “Gossip Girl”), newcomer Ashton Moio and Denise Richards (“Two and a Half Men”). The series is produced by Prodco, Inc.
RU?
