Lost heads up ABC’s sweeps

America’s ABC network has finally released details of its February sweeps schedule, indicating how it has adjusted to the writers’ strike.

Signficantly, it is not holding off on Lost, as FOX has opted with 24.

Writers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse have said they prefer the 16 eps to run in a block, but despite only having 8 in the can ABC will air the season premiere on Thursday Jan 31. That’s good news for the Seven Network.

It will be followed by the premiere of Eli Stone, also due for Seven, the drama from Greg Berlanti with every episode titled after a George Michael song.

The Thursday outing for Lost is the third new timeslot for the show in 4 years.

Meanwhile, Grey’s Anatomy has only one new ep and then takes up repeats. Cashmere Mafia, which will air on the Nine Network, will also be unveiled.

MONDAY (JAN)
8:00 p.m. “Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann”
9:30 p.m. “Notes from the Underbelly”
10:00 p.m. “October Road”
MONDAY (FEB)
8:00 p.m. “Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann”
9:00 p.m. “Samantha Who?”
9:30 p.m. “Notes from the Underbelly”
10:00 p.m. “October Road”

MONDAY (MAR)
8:00 p.m. “Dancing with the Stars”
9:30 p.m. “Samantha Who?”
10:00 p.m. “The Bachelor”

TUESDAY
8:00 p.m. “Just for Laughs”
8:30 p.m. “Just for Laughs”
9:00 p.m. “According to Jim”
9:30 p.m. “Carpoolers”
10:00 p.m. “Boston Legal”

TUESDAY (MAR)
8:00 p.m. “Just for Laughs”
8:30 p.m. “Just for Laughs”
9:00 p.m. “Dancing with the Stars the Results Show”
10:00 p.m. “Boston Legal”

WEDNESDAY
8:00 p.m. “Wife Swap”
9:00 p.m. “Supernanny”
10:00 p.m. “Cashmere Mafia” (“MEN IN TREES” beginning Feb 27)

THURSDAY (JAN)
8:00 p.m. “Ugly Betty”
9:00 p.m. “Grey’s Anatomy”
10:00 p.m. “Big Shots” (after special premiere of “Cashmere Mafia” on Jan 3)

THURSDAY (FEB)
8:00 p.m. “Ugly Betty”
9:00 p.m. “Lost”
10:00 p.m. “Eli Stone”

FRIDAY
8:00 p.m. Drama encores
9:00 p.m. Drama encores
10:00 p.m. “20/20”

SUNDAY (MAR)
7:00 p.m. “America’s Funniest Home Videos”
8:00 p.m. “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”
9:00 p.m. “Oprah’s Big Give”
10:00 p.m. “Desperate Housewives”

Sources: What’s Alan Watching?
Variety