Now that model and supermom Brooke Burke and her partner, Derek Hough, have waltzed into the sunset with their mirror-ball trophy, ABC has to fill the programming void “Dancing With the Stars” has left behind.
The solution is “According to Jim.”
That’s right.
After an uncertain TV future and a seven-month hiatus, Jim Belushi and his Everyman comedy are back for an eighth season of easy, family- friendly laughs.
Back-to-back episodes of the sitcom will fill the network’s late- prime-time slot on Tuesdays.
As for the Monday slot that was held by “Dancing With the Stars,” ABC is currently patching up that with holiday specials. A more permanent replacement will arrive in January’s midseason.
Fans of “According to Jim” need not worry.
The show will return with all the slapstick plotlines that have made it a hit.
For example: In the season premiere, Jim (comedic actor Belushi) tricks his older kids Ruby (Taylor Atelian), Gracie (Billi Bruno) and Kyle (Conner Rayburn) into doing household chores when one of the twin toddlers’ special blankie disappears.
In the second installment, Jim starts looking for a new best friend for his wife, Cheryl (Courtney Thorne-Smith), who is bummed that her sister Dana (Kimberly Williams- Paisley) has moved away.
In real life, Williams-Paisley decided to leave the show to devote her time to motherhood. She is married to country star Brad Paisley and the two are expecting their second child in April.
Look for Williams-Paisley to make guest appearances throughout the season.
In the meantime, Larry Joe Campbell will continue his run on the show. He plays Cheryl’s brother and Jim’s best friend, Andy.
