ABC Shows Return in April; Network Sets Post-Strike Schedule

ABC’s signature shows will be back in April with original, post-writers strike episodes, the network said Feb. 20.

The networ's key Thursday night schedule will return on April 24, with “Lost” moving to 10 p.m. to make room for the return of “Grey’s Anatomy” at 9 p.m. (“Ugly Betty” is back at 8). All three shows will run five more originals, keeping the night stocked with firstrun episodes through the May sweeps. (In the case of “Lost,” the five come in addition to the current run of eight originals that began at the end of January.)

“Desperate Housewives” returns with seven new hours starting Sunday, April 13 at 9 p.m., with five weeks of originals, followed by a two-hour finale.

“Housewives” companion “Brothers & Sisters” is back on April 20 at 10 p.m. with four more segs.

Also returning: “Boston Legal” is back Tuesdays at 10 p.m. starting April 8 with six more episodes. ABC’s only frosh skein returning in the spring, “Samantha Who?,” is back on Monday, April 7, at 9:30 p.m. with six originals.

As previously announced, freshman dramas “Pushing Daisies,” “Private Practice” and “Dirty Sexy Money” won’t be back until fall.