ABC has announced that The Bachelor's next installment will not air as part of the network's Fall 2008 primetime programming schedule and will instead air as midseason programming.
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The decision represents the first time since 2005 that the long-running reality dating series will not be part of ABC's fall lineup. The trucated final season of Boston Legal will air in The Bachelor's current Mondays at 10PM ET/PT time period instead, with The Bachelor's thirteenth edition taking over the timeslot once Boston Legal completes its 13-episode broadcast run.
"We're really excited to be able to bring back Boston Legal for its final season in that [post-Dancing with the Stars and Samantha Who] timeslot," ABC Entertainment president Stephen McPherson said during a Tuesday presentation announcing the network's 2008-2009 primetime schedule. "When Boston Legal finishes its run, The Bachelor will take over Mondays at 10PM."
However when contacted by Reality TV World on Wednesday, an ABC spokesperson could not confirm how Boston Legal's 13-episode season will be scheduled, including whether it will air without repeats.
"[We don't have any] more specifics about when The Bachelor will return other than it will be midseason," said the spokesperson via email. "We just had other programming for this fall which is why it is returning then."
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The Bachelor: London Calling ended on Monday night with star Matt Grant presenting his final rose and a marriage proposal to Shayne Lamas -- both of which she accepted. The Bachelor: London Calling averaged 7.9 million total viewers and a 2.8 rating over its nine-episode broadcast run.
The Bachelorette's fourth season -- which will star twice-rejected The Bachelor eleventh-season suitor DeAnna Pappas -- will premiere Monday, May 19 at 9PM ET/PT on ABC. The Bachelorette's third season aired nearly three years ago.
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio