ABC is taking another big swing with its lineup, and it’s bound to ruffle some feathers.
After a fall season that had little to offer for scripted fare beyond High Potential, this winter and spring have plenty to choose from with The Rookie, Will Trent, and now, the upcoming series RJ Decker.
And the network wants to give this glitzy new series a fighting chance. That means it’ll be hitting ABC Tuesdays alongside Will Trent and High Potential.
(ABC Screenshot)
But what does that mean for The Rookie?
Well, it means it’s a juggernaut global sensation of a series that will be on the move, and it’s landing on Monday nights after American Idol.
Yeah, that may suck for The Rookie fans who love having the series on Tuesday nights, but hear me out, this is probably a great thing for both series.
The Rookie is already one of ABC’s best-performing shows, let alone scripted series.
It also has one of the most loyal and passionate fanbases on broadcast. Seriously, I haven’t seen anything like it since ABC’s golden years of Shondaland content.
(Disney/Mike Taing)
The Rookie is also one of those shows that has its finger on the pulse of fandom and social media, so not only will the word spread regarding this move, but if any show on this entire lineup can dominate on a Monday night, it’s The Rookie.
In fact, it means Nathan Fillion will be returning to a night and time slot he previously dominated when he was on Castle. Hardcore fans of his will likely appreciate this.
There’s not much to challenge The Rookie in this regard, either. Brilliant Minds has mixed reviews for its second season, and its ratings have stumbled.
And while this will put them opposite CBS’s new FBI spinoff, CIA, the constant issues building up to that series premiere, as well as the generally frustrated sentiment of those still upset at the dual cancellations of the previous FBI spinoffs, have many of us wary about how that one will play out.
Something tells me this CIA spinoff won’t be able to hold up against The Rookie. But even if it does, The Rookie always holds its own domestically and internationally, which contributes to its massive success.
(ABC/Screenshot)
The reward for The Rookie Fanatics putting up with this move is that we’ll get uninterrupted airings every week until the finale. That’s unheard of these days. Not a rerun to be found! Yay!
The Scott-Speedman-led sexy PI-Series is something ABC clearly wants to throw a lot of weight behind, and they should. I mean, it’s freaking Scott Speedman. And Jaina Lee Ortiz. Oh, and it just generally looks like fun to watch.
I cannot fault a network for promoting one of its series to the best of its ability and giving a new one a fighting chance! Frankly, I wish more networks did that.
Also, RJ Decker fits PERFECTLY on Tuesday night’s slate!
(ABC/Screenshot)
It already appears to have the same quirky, off-beat procedural vibe of both High Potential and Will Trent. Like both series, it, too, is an adaptation, and like Will Trent, specifically, it’s inspired by a novel.
RJ Decker teases the best of what both Will Trent and High Potential have to offer. It’s an off-kilter crime dramedy masquerading as a procedural.
It matches all the vibes of Will Trent and High Potential. There’s a strong likelihood that viewers who watch one or both of those shows will end up sticking around for the entire 8-11 slate. That’s how you do it!
The Rookie will officially move to Mondays at 10/9c on January 26.
RJ Decker will premiere on March 3 at 10/9c following Will Trent and High Potential.
So, how are we feeling about this? I’ll see you in the comments with all of your thoughts and reactions!
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