From its social media reach to a groundbreaking American Sign Language episode ofSwitched at Birth, we’ve been sharing how ABC Family is shaking up television season after season. Today, we’re taking a look at the network’s new Comedy Wednesdays programming block, which premiered just last night. And who better to tell us about it than Melissa Peterman.
Melissa has a lot riding on the new lineup. She not only stars as Bonnie in fan-favorite Baby Daddy, but she also hosts the funny, dance show hybrid Dancing Fools.
“I’m very excited!” the actress and comedienne exclaims. “ABC Family already had a solid and successful Wednesday night with Melissa & Joey and Baby Daddy, so to build on that by adding even more comedy is a fantastic idea. It really makes ABC Family a destination for comedy. I’m very proud to be a part of this lineup.”
Anchoring Comedy Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT are Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence, who are back for Season Three of their eponymous series. Next at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT is Baby Daddy. “I love this new season of Baby Daddy,” Peterman says enthusiastically. “After every Friday taping I would come home and tell my husband, ‘That was my favorite one!’ And I meant it every single week! [Executive Producer] Dan [Berendsen] and the show writers delivered great and hilarious stories, episode after episode.”
Rounding out the comedy hour-and-a-half is the brand-new Dancing Fools at 9 p.m. ET/PT. “Because there hasn’t been anything like it before, it is hard to describe,” the show’s host says. “I guess I’d describe it as America’s Funniest Home Dance Videos, mixed with a game show, combined with live dance and then baked with comedy. Basically, we scour the web to find the world’s funniest dance videos and then bring two of our favorite ones to perform live for the studio audience and the chance to win a $10,000 prize.”
Melissa just wrapped Dancing Fools. On top of that, the actress was tapped to host the new ABC game show Bet on Your Baby, and her hit series Baby Daddy was greenlit for a third season before the second season could even hit the airwaves.
“It’s the greatest feeling in the world to not only be proud of a show and know in your heart that it is good, but to have other people recognize that it’s wonderful,” the busy star admits. “It’s like winning the lottery while eating nachos with George Clooney. I think that sums it up pretty well.”