Dick Wolf’s Highly Anticipated Drama “D.C.” Debuts And The Harry Hamlin Comedy “Movie Stars” Returns

(March 1, 2000 – Burbank, CA) — The WB will make dramatic programming changes in April, with the launch of the highly anticipated Dick Wolf drama “D.C.” and the re-launch of last summer’s surprise hit, “MOVIE STARS,” paired with “ZOE” beginning Sunday, April 2 at 8:00, 9:00 and 9:30 p.m., respectively. The critically acclaimed “FELICITY” will move to the coveted Wednesday 9:00 p.m. timeslot beginning April 5, where it will follow The WB’s # 1 show in women 12-34 (4.2/13), “DAWSON’S CREEK.” Without the benefit of a strong lead-in in that demo on Sunday nights, “FELICITY” has scored an impressive 3.4/9 in women 12-34, ranking fifth among all shows on The WB. “ROSWELL” will be re-launched on Mondays at 9:00 p.m. following the network’s # 1 rated show “7TH HEAVEN,” beginning April 10. To bolster each of these series, once these moves are put into place, “FELICITY,” “ROSWELL,” “D.C.” and “MOVIE STARS” will only air original episodes throughout the remainder of the season. All these moves were announced today by Susanne Daniels, President, Entertainment. “We think these moves strengthen us on all three nights,” said Ms. Daniels. “The audience flow from “DAWSON'S CREEK” to “FELICITY” is very compatible and we think that this move gives us another signature night of television. “ROSWELL” will expand creatively to focus much more on its sci-fi elements and with that emphasis, we’re giving it a fresh launch behind our highest-rated program where it has a chance to distinguish itself. With Dick Wolf out in front of it, an exciting ensemble cast and the added bonus of this being an election year, we believe “D.C.” has a chance to catch a little lightning and become a hit for us on Sunday nights. “MOVIE STARS” and “ZOE” will benefit from the promotional push we’re putting behind the new Sunday night line-up and will give us our best shot at breaking a new comedy this season.” “D.C.,” the highly anticipated new one-hour drama set in our nation’s capital from co-creator/executive producer Dick Wolf (“Law & Order”) and Studios USA, steps into the Sunday 8:00 p.m. timeslot premiering on Sunday, April 2. “D.C.” is a timely and compelling ensemble drama about the ambitions and ideals of five recent college graduates starting their careers inside the Beltway. With the election year in full swing, “D.C.” offers an insider’s view of the nation’s brightest young minds competing to make a name for themselves amidst the cut-throat atmosphere that thrives in D.C. “MOVIE STARS,” a half-hour series that layers a modern family comedy with a satirical view of show business starring Harry Hamlin, Jennifer Grant and Marnette Patterson, returns to The WB line-up with its second season premiere on Sunday, April 2 at 9:00 p.m. Last July, “MOVIE STARS” aired in this berth and consistently ranked #1 in the time period among all networks in teens and female teens. The comedy will be followed at 9:30 p.m. by “ZOE,” the quirky, slice-of-life comedy about five college-age friends in New York City, starring Selma Blair. The freshman romantic comedy “JACK & JILL,” starring “The Whole Nine Yards” scene stealer Amanda Peet opposite Ivan Sergei, will end the season on a high note with a climactic finale airing on Sunday, March 19 (9:00 –10:00 p.m. ET). Since its debut in September, “JACK & JILL” has built a solid following on Sundays among The WB’s core audience. Despite airing opposite “Who Wants To Be a Millionaire” and original episodes of “The Sopranos,” “JACK & JILL” notched significant double-digit gains this February in comparison to the November 1999 sweeps period (when neither aired) in women 18-34 (2.5 vs. 1.9, +32%) and women 12-34 (3.1/8 vs. 2.7/6, +15%). During the February sweep, “JACK & JILL” improved its year-to-year time period performance on Sunday nights at 9:00 p.m. significantly, scoring a 2.5/6 vs. a 1.8/5 (+39%) in women 18-34 and also improving 29% in women 12-34 (3.1/8 vs. 2.4/6). Created by J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves, executive produced by Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Tony Krantz, Abrams and Reeves, “FELICITY” is from Imagine Television in association with Touchstone Television. “ROSWELL” is produced by Jason Katims Productions in association with Regency Television and Twentieth Century Fox Television. “D.C.” was created by Dick Wolf and John August. Wolf also serves as executive producer for the series, which is produced by Wolf Films in association with Studios USA Television. “MOVIE STARS” was created by Wayne Lemon, who serves as executive producer with Gil Junger on the series, which is produced by Castle Rock Entertainment in association with Axelrod/Widdoes Entertainment. “ZOE” was created by Sue and Daniel Paige and is executive produced by Pete Aronson and Mike Langworthy. The series is produced by Warner Bros. Television and Touchstone Television. Randi Mayem Singer created “JACK & JILL” and serves as executive producer along with Mark Canton on the series produced by The Canton Company in association with Warner Bros. Television. # # #