ABC Announces Spring Changes

ABC will temporarily drop “The Charmings” and “Sledge Hammer,” premiere three new shows in trial runs and reschedule five other series in March in what the network calls the first phase of its spring season.

ABC Entertainment President Brandon Stoddard said additional new limited series will be added later.

“The Charmings,” currently seen at 8-8:30 p.m. Thursdays, will leave the schedule after its Feb. 11 broadcast, and “Sledge Hammer,” which airs at 9:30 p.m. Fridays, will air for the last time Feb. 12. Both will return later this year, ABC said.

The three new series are “The Wonder Years,” a nostalgic comedy set in 1960s suburbia that premiered after ABC’s Super Bowl broadcast Sunday, and two dramas: “Probe,” created by Isaac Asimov and starring Parker Stevenson as a genius who uses scientific crime-solving methods, and “Supercarrier,” about life aboard a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier. It stars Robert Hooks, Richard Jaeckel and Ken Olandt.

“Probe” will debut March 3 at 8 p.m. “Supercarrier” premieres March 6 at 8 p.m. “The Wonder Years” will join the schedule March 15 at 8:30 p.m.

In other changes, “Buck James” moves to 10 p.m. Thursdays on March 3, and “Perfect Strangers” moves to Fridays at 8 p.m. beginning March 4, followed by “Full House” at 8:30, “Mr. Belvedere” at 9 and “The Thorns” at 9:30--all in new time periods.

“Hotel” will return to ABC’s prime-time lineup in the 9 p.m Thursday slot March 10.