ABC announces 2011-12 primetime slate

ABC is hoping lightning strikes twice with former "Home Improvement" star Tim Allen, whose new series "Last Man Standing" will anchor a second night of comedy on a schedule unveiled Tuesday morning in advance of the network's upfront presentation."Standing" will be teamed with another manly themed half-hour, "Man Up." In addition, two comedies will join the existing Wednesday comedy block, with midseason ensemble half-hour "Happy Endings" getting the coveted post-"Modern Family" slot at 9:30, while "Suburgatory" takes the slot after "The Middle" at 8:30 p.m.
"We think the winds are really blowing behind comedy right now," said ABC Entertainment president Paul Lee in a press conference Tuesday morning.
While much of the new schedule is heavy on escapist fare, Lee described "Standing" as a "grounded" comedy that will appeal to both men and women. In "Improvement," Allen delivered ABC one of its biggest hits of the 1990s.
While the results edition of "Dancing With the Stars" will continue to occupy the 9 p.m. time slot on Tuesdays, it will make way for a pair of new comedies at the close of its cycle, "Apartment 23" and "Work It."
Four new dramas will also be on tap for the fall, with retro-styled "Pan Am" replacing "Brothers and Sisters" at 10 p.m. on Sunday. The Sony Pictures Television series isn't the only new hour on the night, with "Once Upon A Time" coming in at 8 p.m.
"Time" replaces reality staple "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," which is moving to Friday at 8 p.m.
"When you look at that audience, it's a classic audience for family viewing," said Lee of "Makeover" viewing. "We think it's the perfect place to move Friday back to family-viewing nights."
"Charlie's Angels" steps in at Thursday at 8 p.m. while "Revenge" comes in Wednesday at 10 p.m.
Four new dramas will also be on tap for the fall, with retro-styled "Pan Am" replacing "Brothers and Sisters" at 10 p.m. on Sunday. The Sony Pictures Television series isn't the only new hour on the night, with "Once Upon A Time" coming in at 8 p.m.
"Charlie's Angels" steps in at Thursday at 8 p.m. while "Revenge" comes in Wednesday at 10 p.m.
Still awaiting midseason berths are dramas "Good Christian Belles," "The River," "Missing" and "Scandal."
"We are just as ambitious for our midseason launches as we are for our fall," said Lee, citing the influence of his days in cable, at ABC Family, as the reason he believes in year-round scheduling.
Lee plans on using big-event programming throughout the season including the Oscars and NBA Finals as launch pads for new series, though he said no plans are set as for which midseason shows will be scheduled.
Lee also plans to stagger launches throughout the fall rather than concentrate too many of series in the traditional premiere week to avoid the clutter of new programs vying for attention in fall.

Judge Denies Bail to I.M.F. Chief in Sexual Assault Case By JOHN ELIGON

Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the leader of the International Monetary Fund, was ordered on Monday to be held without bail over allegations that he had sexually assaulted a maid in a $3,000-a-night suite at a Midtown hotel.
Prosecutors had asked the judge, Melissa C. Jackson, supervising judge of Manhattan Criminal Court, to remand Mr. Strauss-Kahn, 62, contending that he was a flight risk. They also indicated that a similar attack may have occurred.
“Some of this information include reports that he has in fact engaged in conduct similar to the conduct alleged in this complaint on at least one other occasion,” said John McConnell, an assistant district attorney, adding that the district attorney’s office was still investigating the other occasion, which occurred outside the United States.
In opposing bail, prosecutors highlighted the serious nature of the allegations.
“The defendant restrained a hotel employee inside of his room,” Mr. McConnell said. “He sexually assaulted her and attempted to forcibly rape her,” and when that failed, he forced her to perform oral sex.
Mr. McConnell also said that he saw video of Mr. Strauss-Kahn leaving the Sofitel New York after the alleged attack.
“He appears to be a man who was in a hurry,” Mr. McConnell said.
The criminal complaint says that Mr. Strauss-Kahn shut the door and prevented the woman from leaving, grabbing her breasts, attempting to pull down her pantyhose, grabbing her crotch and forcing her to perform oral sex.
Benjamin Brafman, one of Mr. Strauss-Kahn’s lawyers, argued that “there is a very, very defensible case and he should be entitled to bail,” asking that his client be allowed to post $1 million bail. He said his wife would provide the money. She was scheduled to arrive in New York from Paris at 1 p.m., Mr. Brafman said.
He added that his client was not trying to flee when he was arrested on an Air France plane that was about to take off from Kennedy International Airport on Saturday.
Mr. Brafman said that Mr. Strauss-Kahn’s travel plans had been set for some time, and he indicated that there was evidence that between the time of the alleged attack and his flight, Mr. Strauss-Kahn was in the area, taking care of other business.
He also said that his client had a lunch meeting in the area of the hotel and that his lunch partner would be able to testify. In addition, he said, the hotel security found out he was at the airport only after they called him and he told them where he was.
“That’s not consistent with someone who’s trying to conceal his whereabouts, and get on a flight and leave,” Mr. Brafman said.
But prosecutors said that Mr. Strauss-Kahn’s resources, the lack of an extradition treaty between the United States and France and the defendant’s history were all reasons that he should not be granted bail.
Indeed, Judge Jackson, before ordering remand, indicated that she was concerned about Mr. Strauss-Kahn’s needing to be stopped at the airport.
“When I hear that your client was at J.F.K. Airport about to board a flight, that raises some concern,” she said.
Mr. Strauss-Kahn has been charged with various counts of sexual assault including attempted rape, sexual abuse and criminal sexual act. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
After Judge Jackson announced that Mr. Strauss-Kahn would be held without bail, Mr. Brafman asked if she would be amenable to changing her decision if he were able to strike a deal with the Manhattan district attorney’s office in which his client would wear an ankle monitor. Judge Jackson indicated that she would not change her ruling, meaning that Mr. Brafman may have to make a bail appeal to the appellate court.
Mr. Strauss-Kahn’s appearance in Manhattan Criminal Court, which lasted only 26 minutes, capped a 43-hour odyssey through New York’s criminal system. He was arrested, held in a special cell in East Harlem, placed in a police lineup, and submitted to a forensic medical exam for possible evidence. He even was subjected to a ritual familiar to high-profile suspects: the so-called perp walk, providing newspapers around the world with a front-page picture of Mr. Strauss-Kahn being led away from a police station in handcuffs.

2nd UPDATE: IMF Convening Board Meeting Later Sunday

WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--The International Monetary Fund will hold an informal board meeting later Sunday to discuss how to proceed following the arrest of IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn for alleged sexual assault in New York City, the IMF said.
In Strauss-Kahn's absence, the IMF named John Lipsky, the No. 2 official at the fund, as acting managing director. The IMF said Nemat Shafik, deputy managing director who oversees the IMF's work in a number of European Union countries, will attend Monday's Eurogroup meeting with finance ministers in Brussels.
"The IMF Executive Board is expected to convene an informal session later Sunday to be briefed on developments related to the Managing Director," the IMF said in a statement.
The IMF board is not expected to come to a decision. Rather the board and staff members are in the midst of conference calls and informal discussions to try to figure out what steps to take next.
IMF watchers say they expect Strauss-Kahn to resign, possibly within a few hours after the IMF chief faces a judge in New York on the attempted rape charges.
One former IMF board member who maintains close ties at the fund said there will be a lot informal pressure on Strauss-Kahn to step down immediately. Not only can't he practically serve effectively in regards to the European debt crisis while in custody of authorities in New York, but with the case would be a major distraction to the IMF's immediate task of trying to prevent Europe's woes from worsening.
The IMF chief was scheduled to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday and financial ministers in the Euro Group on Monday and Tuesday. Besides putting the finishing touches on the EUR78 billion Portugal bailout package, the main focus of the meetings was how to resolve Greece's deteriorating sovereign-debt crisis. But Merkel said the meeting was canceled.
It is unlikely that Strauss-Kahn can represent the institution during meetings while dealing with arrest and legal issues, at least over the next week, said officials.
Strauss-Kahn has played a key role in coordinating the joint response to the emergency bailouts of Greece, Ireland and now Portugal from their sovereign-debt crises. Strauss-Kahn's arrest would likely complicate these negotiations as well as those over the Portugal loan and a re-drafting of the Greek rescue package, the member said.
"It's certainly difficult to establish coordination between all the parties, and in some ways he helped to play that role," the member said.
"I expect the market to react on Monday morning given that perception," the member added.
"Mr. Strauss-Kahn has retained legal counsel, and the IMF has no comment on the case," the IMF said in a statement. "The IMF remains fully functioning and operational." Strauss-Kahn's personal attorney, William Taylor, said the IMF chief would plead not guilty to the charges today.
Officials Obama Administration, including the U.S. Treasury Department, declined to comment. The U.S., the only member country of the IMF with effective veto power, plays a central role in determining who will succeed Strauss-Kahn, should he leave his office early as expected.