welcome to abc's spring preview. i'm ryan seacrest, and today we're gonna get a look at all the new amazing shows coming to abc. that will include one that i'm personally very excited about. can you guess? you got it -- "american idol." so settle in. this is gonna be fun. ♪ ta... da! ♪ all right, let's get down to business. first up, we've got zach braff coming back to television as part of the abc funny wednesday lineup with a new family comedy called "alex, inc." this time around, zach is working with an old friend, an executive producer he worked with for many years on his hit show "scrubs." do i have to say anything more? i'm already looking forward to this one. it's 4:00 a.m., and i am too excited to sleep. tomorrow is my first official day as the boss of my new podcast company.

i believe there's a place where i can tell the kind of stories i wanna tell, where i can work with the kind of people i wanna work with, and most of all where no one, and i mean no one, can tell me what to do. will you please shut up? oh. sorry, hon. now, guys, this podcast about our lives only works if you ignore the microphone and just act like you normally act. 'ello, guvna, i'm a british person. or, do that. everyone needs to be ready to walk out that door in five. wait, you're taking us? i know you're used to dad doing a lot more of these things because at his old job, he had more flexible hours and made good money and had good benefits, and still decided to quit and thrust us into chaos. come on back, baby. ♪ whoa, oh everyone here has ideas they're developing. those guys are designing a robot that rocks a baby to sleep. -heads up! -coming along, fellas. the company's going great. all we need is a name. -fire. -ooh, i like that -- like stories around the campfire. no, like the bacon's on fire.

i'm scared. we have so much riding on this. maybe this is why you shouldn't start a company when you're a 37-year-old dad. nobody thinks radio is cool. hmm. but when you do it, it's amazing. what did i say? exactly what i needed to hear. ♪ kids, drumroll. alex: when you put your heart and soul into something, it can be tough to release it into the world. and in the end, the people you love may make your life difficult. aah! aah! [ all gasping ] -whoa. -whoa indeed. but today, i succeeded not in spite of my family, but because of them. shh! sorry, honey. ♪ jenna fischer and oliver hudson are two of my favorite actors, maybe yours, too. i loved her in "the office," and he was great in "rules of engagement." you add in executive producer ellen degeneres, and you get a new show called "splitting up together." jenna and oliver play a couple that are moving on,

but not moving out. they're about to find out that divorce might be the best way to save their marriage. [ paisley blue's "dancing in the dark" plays ] ♪ one night ♪ changed my life forever ♪ two hearts ♪ we were thrown together -we're pulling the plug. -do not resuscitate. we had a good run, but we're halting production. don't cry for me, argentina. we're shootin' old yeller right between the eyes. ♪ we've been living separate lives for years now. i was just gonna go for a quick run. i was just gonna do the laundry, plunge the upstairs toilet, call a guy about the broken sprinkler, go to work, come home, and make dinner. cool. what's for dinner? ♪ and the kids know, and they're okay. things really aren't gonna be that different, because we're gonna continue living together. right! the on-duty parent will take care of the kids. let's talk about your huevos and why they might be hurting.

mom. you didn't fling them around in some weird way, did you? the off-duty parent will live in the garage. i look forward to my garage weeks. i had an epiphany. that squirrel is the only man who has seen me naked in two years. ♪ on a night like this ♪ i wanna hold your hand arthur: i'm not saying you have to get back together, but maybe start looking at things from her side. ♪ what if i had danced with her at our wedding? maybe it would've changed the entire course of our marriage. woman: i admit it. i don't want lena dating again. i want her back together with martin. martin: lena? mason was having some discomfort. the doctor said he needs to tickle the ivories. play piano? ♪ on a night like this i was a good mom and a bad wife. i was a bad partner. well, at least you were in great shape. i am in great shape. ♪ on a night like this -come here! -hey, hey, hey! is it okay if i need you occasionally? i've waited our entire marriage to hear you say that.

♪ ♪ whoa, oh ♪ whoa, whoa this is exciting. [ "roseanne" theme plays ] when it comes to comedies, it doesn't get any bigger than this one. and when i say bigger, i mean huge, massive -- a television event 20 years in the making. "roseanne" is back, and it's back with the entire original cast, including the woman who took comedy and laughter to a whole new decibel. [ piano music plays ] ♪ [ roseanne laughing ] are you ever sorry we got married? every second of my life. [ studio laughter ] bacon is loaded with sodium, nitrites, grease, and animal fat. breakfast! [ studio laughter ] i was hoping we'd have a little extra money to play around with. you know, i have my own system for extra money. first, we send in the phone bill,

and we forget to sign the check. [ studio laughter ] there you go! then i send the water bill to the electric company and the electric bill to the water company. [ studio laughter ] now you're cookin'. and you know that charge card bill? it never even showed up. [ studio laughter ] the lunch lady at school's been out sick for a few weeks. i think she's gonna die soon. are you interested? well, gee. let's see. uh, serving crappy food to ungrateful teenagers? how would i know i was at work? [ studio laughter ] i actually have to go in the store and, like, buy condoms myself? god, how embarrassing. you could use the rhythm method. oh, does it work? ask your brother. [ studio laughter ] [ voice breaking ] i have some bad news. dad is not with us anymore. i said, dad has passed away. [ studio laughter ] he's dead! no, dead! [ studio laughter ] dad!! he's fine! he sends his love! [ studio laughter ]

your dad and i were wondering how come you don't wanna kiss that girl in the play. is it because she's black? i just don't wanna kiss her! hey! black people are just like us. they're every bit as good as us, and any people who don't think so is just a bunch of banjo-pickin', cousin-datin', barefoot embarrassments to respectable white trash like us! [ studio laughter ] get your spoon full. hold it high. and, fire! [ screaming ] ♪ you know you're such a tease ♪ you've got me on my knees ♪ you've got me in a jail ♪ i'm comin' for you, yeah [ laughs ] dan! aah! [ cheers and applause ] i thought you were dead. i'm sleepin'. why does everybody always think i'm dead? [ laughter ] [ "roseanne" theme plays ] [ roseanne laughs ]

"roseanne" and "splitting up together," both part of the abc funny tuesday night lineup, and we are just getting started here. coming up, we've got two new series from producers of "grey's," "scandal," and "how to get away with murder." enough said, right? and get ready, america, 'cause i'm taking everyone to hollywood for what's shaping up to be the best season of "idol" yet.

welcome back. so as promised, shonda rhimes, the mastermind executive producer of all those tgit shows has even more drama for you on thursday night. and if "grey's anatomy" is your go-to for sexy seattle docs, then get ready. seattle's sexiest firefighters could be just what the doctors ordered in the new series, "station 19." ♪ whoa, oh, oh, oh ♪ whoa, mmm ♪ whoa [ horns blaring ] ♪ whoa, oh, oh, oh ♪ whoa ben: i chose to stop being a surgeon.

you know, i used to open people up -- -okay, we got that. -takes guts to cut somebody open. my daughter's got guts. she needs no one. ♪ [ alarm blaring ] [ siren wails ] ♪ whoa, oh, oh, oh watch -- active flame. the white stuff on the red stuff! captain?! i lost your dad. what? get over here! the captain doesn't have a pulse. -fire's at the door! -we're gettin' out of here. -so we jump! -fly or fry. ♪ you got him out. you can breathe now. -[ gasping ] -all right, let's go! woman: he collapsed. resuscitated on the scene. you left him in the middle of a fire! i know! i know! [ sobbing ] okay, that's enough. now put your game face on. i have to step down as captain, effective immediately. if you have to step down, i wanna step up. i know i can lead. ♪ woman on a mission ♪ don't give a damn you're about as badass as they come.

you've literally been training your entire life. ♪ armor made of steel, i'm a fighter ♪ you slept with ryan? go after that. he's hot. except there's jack. ms. willow? dibs on the puppy. you can't call dibs on the puppy! dean: i just did. ♪ i'm a fighter andy: i do this job because i love it. ♪ i'm a fighter andy: every fire put out, every life saved -- we're seattle firefighters. station 19 is where we choose to be. ♪ i'm a fighter ♪ whoo, i'm a fighter all right. thursdays has always been home to tgit, but why stop there? tuesdays, we'll get a little tgit love from shonda-land with "for the people." the show takes you into the courthouse and introduces us to the newest and hottest generation of justice. ♪ you're not allowed to eat in here. there's a sign out front. i didn't see a sign. ignorance is no excuse. you're a prosecutor, aren't you? let's just sit united states attorneys to the right,

federal public defenders to the left. you can sit together if you like, but if i'd learned anything after 27 years of doing this, it's that you don't like to sit together. the southern district of new york, the highest profile trial court in america. the cases are hard. the stakes are high. some of you won't succeed. some of you are not worthy. but for those of you who are, your time here will be the highlight of your career. welcome to the mother court. ♪ heaven help me for the way i am ♪ ♪ and the things i want to do ♪ inside these envelopes is your first case. you're not gonna win. jay, my office. jay: did sound like, "jay, come to my office so i can fire you," or "jay, you're clearly my favorite"? -no, not that one. -what was the first one again? ♪ you know good's no good for me ♪ this is your first case. i expect you to win. can i ask you a question? i don't wanna be the help desk for every man in this office too lazy to look something up for himself. were you too lazy to look this up for yourself? i can look this up for myself. ♪ woman: i'm giving this case to you

because i think you can connect with her... i'm giving this case to you because i know you'll wanna crush her... ...because you understand the rule-breakers. ...because you believe in the rule of law. do your best. win. i'm the guy you don't wanna go up against. i've been fighting with people like you my whole life, and i like it. you went up against sandra bell, right? i don't like her. i don't like what she represents. i don't like who she represents. your client tried to blow up the statue of liberty. if i ever got arrested, she'd probably be the first person i'd call. ♪ what's it take to be a fighter? ♪ ♪ what's it take to be a champion? ♪ ♪ fame, it's all how you play it ♪ you literally broke my brain. ♪ what's it take to be a fighter? ♪ kate: is this what i wanted to be when i was growing up? yes. i am all in, total commitment. they're young, they're hungry, they're smart -- let them fight it out. ♪ what's it take to be a fighter ♪ this next new series, "the crossing," starts in a small, sleepy town on the oregon coast. but as you're probably thinking, it doesn't stay sleepy for long.

out of nowhere, 47 refugees suddenly appear on the beach. the one thing they all have in common -- a secret that will turn this show into one intense thriller. ♪ man #1: army chopper spotted a body down at thorn beach. man #2: i thought no one went to thorn beach. not this time of year. ♪ alone in the open she's breathing. she's breathing! open your eyes. jude! ♪ what is this? ♪ left out in the open ♪ stranded, exposed come on! ♪ easy target we made it. ♪ alone in the open [ weeping ] is your mom here? in the water. ♪ nowhere to run in the open woman: you listed a date of birth almost 150 years from now.

help us understand how that's possible. you can't imagine what will become possible. over 400 people drowned. i just wish i knew why. how did you get in the water? we were running away. from what? the war. but there's no war here. there will be. ♪ left out in the open [ gun cocks ] take me to the dead. who are we looking for in the hanger? my daughter. -hey! drop the weapon! -on your knees! hands behind your head! ♪ did you see that? how did she do that? this one is different. we have a town full of people wondering what's going on. we're not the first ones to come here. ♪

♪ so starting on april 2nd, you'll be able to watch "the crossing" on monday nights, right after a little show we call "american idol." have i mentioned we'll be on sunday and monday nights? just so you know. coming up, you'll get a first look at the new drama "deception" and the return of "idol." we'll be right back.

and we are back. this is the abc spring preview. now, i told you that "american idol" was coming back. and in just a few minutes, we're gonna give you a first look of some of the incredible talent from the new season. but first, wanna talk about the new drama that's gonna follow "idol" on sunday nights. it's called "deception." they say you can't always believe what you see, so what happens if a world-class illusionist suddenly finds himself working for the fbi? is it wrong to say they might just make crime disappear? probably wrong to say, but take a look. announcer: cameron black is the world's greatest illusionist. if one of those blowtorches is off by one centimeter, you'll fall and die! aah! [ audience gasps ] [ glass shatters ] cameron! here's a word magicians don't use anymore, but i always wanted to try it. ta... da! [ cheers and applause ] announcer: he's about to become the fbi's newest secret weapon. your plane did not explode. it disappeared. show me.

ta-da! excuse me. i prematurely ta-da-ed. [ creaking, crashing ] that's how you make a plane disappear. you've seen my specials. nope. seriously? none of them? it's not you. i don't like magic. [ scoffs ] okay. lemme get this straight. we lost a plane, felix ruiz, and we know this because a magician told us? [ guns cock ] who are you? cameron black. he may be the master of deception, but he wants to help. you're looking for a drug dealer. i'm looking for the magician who helped him get away. what would you need? i would need some police officers... [ siren wails ] freeze! ...some cars... watch out! ...money -- lots of that. [ glasses clink ] bombs are on a remote trigger. we need an escape artist. no sweat. escape is kind of my thing. what are you doing?

something impossible. it tricked the camera. pretty cool, huh? you're pulling a criss angel. do not say that name! i'm gonna need a knife. does anyone have a knife? all right. just gonna need the one. find him! [ gunfire ] [ grunts ] it's cameron black! i couldn't have done it without my beautiful assistant. don't ever say that again. ♪ oh, top of the world ♪ looking out on the future well, coming up, your first look at the all-new "american idol," and it's time to give "scandal" the biggest send-off ever. and in true tgit fashion, it's gonna have those twisty turns you've come to expect from olivia pope and the gladiators. it's handled.

thursdays have always been a special place on abc for many years. for seven seasons, kerry washington made all of us aware of the word "gladiators." and all of you gladiators out there know that there's no battle more glorious than the final one. on "scandal," it's time for olivia pope to hang up the white hat. one last time, i think it's safe to say, "it's handled." i'm olivia pope. my gut tells me everything i need to know. i'm handling this. i'm fixing this. i'm never out of options. we don't quit. we fight harder! over a cliff. over a cliff. i'm their gladiator. "scandal" has always been about surprising you...

mr. president, you have lipstick on your mouth. ...keeping you on your toes... are you the president's mistress? -yes. -...doing the unexpected. hello, olivia. dad? there have been so many twists and turns. [ gunshot, screams ] you can bet we're doing that at the end of the series. it has been an honor, mr. president. announcer: on april 19th, the series finale that will make gladiators of us all. it's now time for me to move on to other pursuits. this is the ending you wanted. announcer: "scandal," the final episode. [ "american idol" theme plays ] okay. i told you it was coming back. for years, "american idol" made dreams come true by discovering some of the biggest names in the music industry. and now with katy perry, luke bryan, and lionel richie as new judges... hey! seacrest: ...we're bringing you three of music's greatest icons. "idol's" gonna air on sunday on monday nights

this season on abc. and i can tell you from what i've seen, there's no doubt this season of "idol" will be an unforgettable journey. [ banners' "someone to you" plays ] ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ i don't wanna die or fade away ♪ ♪ i just wanna be someone ♪ i just wanna be someone [ cheers and applause ] ♪ dive and disappear without a trace ♪ ♪ i just wanna be someone ♪ well, doesn't everyone? all right! let's get it started. go time. ♪ and if the sun's upset and the sky goes cold ♪ you've got this, baby. ♪ and if the clouds get heavy and start to fall ♪ okay, buddy. head on in there.

♪ i really need somebody to call my own ♪ this has been my dream. [ cheers and applause ] oh, my god! ♪ someone to you you've got fire in those vocal chords. that's badass. ♪ i wanna be somebody to someone ♪ all: you're going to hollywood! -i love you. -thank you! my biggest fan is definitely my grandma. she couldn't be here today. oh, you got your phone? gotta facetime grandma. i just wanted to let you know that i'm going to hollywood. -ah! -praise god! thank you! thank you! aah! ♪ the kingdom come, the rise, the fall ♪ ♪ the setting sun above it all ♪ i just wanna be somebody to you ♪ ♪ someone to you i think if ain't careful, you might win "american idol." [ cheers and applause ] ♪ someone to you i'm going to hollywood! [ cheers and applause ] ♪ thanks for watching today. i hope you're as excited as we are for all these new spring shows. and if that's not enough, abc has even more to look forward to.

after nine hilarious years of laughing with the hecks, we're saying goodbye in the series finalé of "the middle." -arrivede-verchi! -[ whispering ] farewell. -i love you guys. -i know, mom. we've also got the season finale of this year's best new show, "the good doctor," "dancing with the stars: athletes only edition," the return of a new sexier than ever "quantico" starring priyanka chopra, and of course, yours truly for "american idol," which i promise you will be one of the most unforgettable television events of the year. spring is in the air, and it's shaping up to be one amazing season on abc. thanks for watching. seacrest out! -- captions by vitac --

thanks for watching. seacrest out! a paid presentation from meaningful beauty by cindy crawford. (female announcer) with special appearances from some of your tv favorites sharing their number one skin saving secrets. (male announcer) plus, a stunning before and after story from today's special guest, lori loughlin. (female announcer) at age 52, the star of full house and much more says her skin seems to be looking not older but younger thanks to friend and supermodel cindy crawford. (lori) i really do feel like my skin has been restored and i've traveled back in time. (male announcer) could it be the fountain of youth we've been waiting for? stay tuned to find out. (soft music) (cindy) what's important about beauty is that idea of confidence and how you communicate yourself. ♪ and when you do feel like your skin looks beautiful,