Categories: TV News

First Look: ABC Orders “The Muppets,” “Dr. Ken,” “The Real O’Neals” to Series

Thursday was a big day for ABC.

In addition to renewing a host of series (and swinging the ax on a few), ABC also issued orders to several new comedies and dramas.

Comedy pickups include “The Muppets,” “Dr. Ken” and “The Real O’Neals.”

Referred as a “more adult Muppet show, for kids of all ages,” “The Muppets” will center on the iconic characters’ personal lives and relationships.

Starring physician-turned-actor Dr. Ken Jeong, “Dr. Ken” focuses on a “a brilliant physician with no bedside manner.”

“The Real O’Neals” follows a seemingly perfect Catholic family that embraces a new chapter of honesty after surprising truths emerge.

Images and synopses follow:

The Muppets: 

“The Muppets” return to prime time with a contemporary, documentary-style show that, for the first time ever, will explore the Muppets’ personal lives and relationships, both at home and at work, as well as romances, break-ups, achievements, disappointments, wants and desires; a more adult Muppet show, for kids of all ages.

Bill Prady (“The Big Bang Theory”) and Bob Kushell (“Anger Management”) are co-writers and executive producers. Randall Einhorn and Bill Barretta are also executive producers. “The Muppets” is produced by ABC Studios and The Muppets Studio.

Dr. Ken:

Doctor turned actor/comedian Ken Jeong (Community, The Hangover), plays Dr. Ken, a brilliant physician with no bedside manner. He is always trying to be a good doctor, as well as a good husband and dad to his two kids. However, these good intentions have a way of driving everyone crazy at both work and at home. Luckily, his therapist wife Allison is just the right partner to keep things sane.

“Dr. Ken” stars Ken Jeong as Dr. Ken, Suzy Nakamura as Allison, Tisha Campbell-Martin as Damona, Dave Foley as Pat, Jonathan Slavin as Clark, Albert Tsai as Dave and Krista Marie Yu as Molly.

“Dr. Ken was written by Jared Stern, Ken Jeong, and Mike O’Connell. Executive Producers are Jared Stern, Ken Jeong, John Davis, John Fox and Mike Sikowitz, with Mike O’Connell as co-executive producer. “Dr. Ken” is produced by Sony Pictures Television and ABC Studios.

The Real O’Neals:

A contemporary take on a seemingly perfect Catholic family, whose lives take an unexpected turn when surprising truths are revealed. Instead of ruining their family, the honesty triggers a new, messier chapter where everyone stops pretending to be perfect and actually starts being real.

“The Real O’Neals” stars Martha Plimpton as Eileen, Jay R. Ferguson as Pat, Noah Galvin as Kenny, Mathew Shively as Jimmy, Bebe Wood as Shannon and Mary Hollis Inboden as Jodi.

“The Real O’Neals” was written by David Windsor and Casey Johnson. Executive producers are David Windsor, Casey Johnson, Brian Pines, Dan McDermott and Dan Savage. “The Real O’Neals” is produced by ABC Studios.

Brian Cantor

Brian Cantor is the editor-in-chief for Headline Planet. He has been a leading reporter in the music, movie, television and sporting spaces since 2002. Brian's reporting has been cited by major websites like BuzzFeed, Billboard, the New Yorker and The Fader -- and shared by celebrities like Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj. Contact Brian at brian.cantor[at]headlineplanet.com.

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