ABC 2013 fall schedule: ‘Dancing with the Stars’ cut down, ‘S.H.I.E.L.D.’ vs. ‘NCIS’

While we have praised in some ways both Fox and NBC on their fall schedules, we’re about to take a left turn into “what in the world?” town. ABC’s fall schedule has some good moves, some bad moves, and then moves that are beyond comprehension. Why? They signal that the network really did not learn from some of its own mistakes, which is particularly troubling given that there were given plenty of time to do just that.

We’re going to break this down by day, just as we have with all of the others thus far, just so you really have an opportunity to see what is working, what is in need of some serious help.

Mondays – “Dancing with the Stars” stays in the 8-10 p.m. Eastern position, which is strange since the results-show ratings proved that moving it to 8-10 or 9-11 on Tuesdays would be a far better choice in the end. “Castle” of course stays at 10.

Tuesdays – We can’t blame ABC for putting Marvel’s “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” at 8, since “The Voice” is going to air at 9 this fall, and “NCIS” is old and ripe for the dethroning in the 18-49 demographic. What seems absolutely horrible is pairing it with new comedies “The Goldbergs” and “Trophy Wife” from 9-10. Didn’t ABC try this and fail miserably this past season, and that was with the brilliant “Happy Endings”? There may be no comedy competition from NBC here anymore, but “New Girl” is still looming. New drama “Lucky 7” is at 10.

Wednesdays – The basic structure is still the same here, with two hours of comedy and “Nashville” at the end. On the flip side, the schedule has some new additions. “Back in the Game,” otherwise known as the series that is giving fans of Maggie Lawson panic given her role on “Psych,” starts at 8:30 after “The Middle.” Meanwhile, Rebel Wilson’s “Super Fun Night” gets the coveted time slot after “Modern Family.”

Thursdays – For the first time, ABC has a show in “Once Upon a Time in Wonderland” that could do well before “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal.” We just wish that we liked the move more. Forcing “Once Upon a Time” fans to make a commitment to a show for two hours a week is highly questionable; we preferred the model of airing the spin-off during the filming break for the flagship show.

Fridays – The only change to a solid night here? Putting “The Neighbors,” a show that smartly plays well to a younger male audience, on after “Last Man Standing” at 8:30.

Sunday – Personally, we find it hilarious that a show called “Betrayal” is airing right after “Revenge.” Do you really think that play is going to work, ABC? We doubt it, given that this time-slot has already destroyed “Brothers & Sisters,” “Pan Am,” “GCB,” “666 Park Avenue,” and “Red Widow.”

If you are hoping for some more insight into all things Fall TV, look no further: The link here has just about everything that you could hope for, including previews for some of the new shows.

Photo: ABC