ABC's fall line-up is chocked full of exciting shows. There are returning gems that fans are excited to see new seasons of, plus new shows, like The Rookie: North, a spin-off of The Rookie that is coming soon. The Wonderful World of Disney will air Sunday nights, highlighting a different iconic Disney movie that you can watch with the family each week. Meanwhile, between the comedies, dramas, and reality competition shows, there are sports like Monday Night Football and game shows like Celebrity Jeopardy and Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.
No matter what you're in the mood to watch or what day of the week you want to curl up on the couch to escape from life for an hour or two, the network has you covered. Sure, you might spend most of your time binge-watching new shows on streamers like Disney+, which also offers ABC shows. But if you want something to watch week-to-week, the ABC fall schedule, noted in Eastern Standard Time (ET), is jam-packed with options.
'America's Funniest Home Videos' Season 37 (1989–Present)
Sundays, 7:00 p.m.
Can you believe that America's Funniest Home Videos has been airing for almost four decades? First hosted by the late Bob Saget, followed by John Fugelsang and Daisy Fuentes, then Tom Bergeron, Alfonso Ribeiro has been at the helm for the last decade. The show, which many call the original YouTube, highlights video shorts, candid clips that viewers submit from their own home videos. They're often grainy, old footage shot on ancient video cameras, though newer footage is included nowadays as well.
It's like a curated version of TikTok as Ribeiro walks viewers and a live audience through a series of home videos that fit into various themes, from funny pet videos to babies caught doing adorable things and, of course, epic falls and wipe outs. It's a testament to how great America's Funniest Home Videos is that it continues to exist on network television during this day and age of social media, YouTube, TikTok, and Reels. Viewers love the throwback aspect and the framing and presentation in televised format instead of endless, mindless scrolling on a mobile device.
'Dancing with the Stars' Season 35 (2005–Present)
Tuesdays, 8:00 p.m.
Dancing with the Stars moved exclusively to Disney+ for a short period, but the reality competition show has since switched back to both airing on ABC and streaming on Disney+. The long-running show pairs celebrities and other public personalities with professional dancers. They learn grueling routines then perform in front of the judges and a live audience for feedback and scoring.
While the show is fun with themed nights through its best episodes, along with exciting costumes, elaborate make-up, and hilarious banter, it's also feel-good and emotional. Many of the personalities participating have either been out of the public eye for some time or faced personal and/or professional struggles. Seeing them work hard to overcome public perception and prove something to themselves is as inspiring as it is entertaining.
'R.J. Decker' Season 2 (2026–Present)
Tuesdays, 10:00 p.m.
This new crime drama has quickly joined others of its kind from the network, like Will Trent and High Potential (don't worry, both those shows are coming back in early 2027). R.J. Decker is a procedural with its own angle. Scott Speedman stars as the titular character, a newspaper photographer and ex-con who, after being disgraced and serving time, returns to society and decides to work as a private investigator. Together with a few people from his past and a shady benefactor, they try to solve local crimes.
With a sunny backdrop of South Florida, you get Dexter, Miami Vice, and CSI: Miami vibes through this series. Decker wants to do things right this time around and redeem himself. But the 18 months he spent in jail could easily become more if he doesn't play his cards right. R.J. Decker is a fun and light show with just nine episodes in Season 1, making it easy to catch up before the new season premieres.
'Scrubs' Season 11 (2026–Present)
Wednesdays, 8:00 p.m.
Image via ABC
Image via ABC
Image via ABC
Image via ABC
Image via ABC
Returning more than 15 years after it originally ended, Scrubs came back with a bang in 2026 for its 10th season. It was a roaring success and the second of the new venture (11th season overall) is coming this fall. The medical sitcom is set in a teaching hospital where a quirky ensemble of characters interacts with one another and patients. In the revival, most of the cast members reprise their roles from the original, internal narration now following several characters and not just J.D. (Zach Braff).
Since so much time has passed, the revival focuses on a new group of medical students, the veteran cast serving as mentors for the next generation. But of course, their enduring friendship, including the one between J.D. and Christopher Turk (Donald Faison), two sitcom characters who were never supposed to last this long, is the heart of the show and its humor. The show also tackles current topics, including social media and the modern healthcare system, making it relevant for the times.
'Abbott Elementary' Season 6 (2021–Present)
Wednesdays, 8:30 p.m.
A love letter to public school teachers, Abbott Elementary is a mockumentary sitcom that will have you laughing through its best episodes. But you'll also feel appreciation for the public education system, especially in underfunded districts. The story centers around the staff at a predominantly Black public school in Philadelphia, including passionate but frustrated teachers and the laissez-faire, self-obsessed principal (Janelle James).
With five seasons under its belt, Abbott Elementary has earned 30 Emmy nominations throughout its run to date and won four. A refreshing comedy you can watch with the whole family, it will give you a greater appreciation for teachers and the challenges they face that make it a difficult profession for even the best of them.
'Shark Tank' Season 18 (2009–Present)
Wednesdays, 10:00 p.m.
A reality show with purpose, Shark Tank features Americans with big dreams, ideas, and businesses. They appear in front of a panel of "sharks," investors and venture capitalists, who hear their pitches and decide if they want to invest or not. If it's a really good business with potential, there might be multiple offers, putting the entrepreneur in the driver's seat. If it's not, at least the entrepreneur will get advice from this panel of experts.
The show features real investments in real businesses, alongside conversations that teach even viewers about business terms like EBITDA and cost of customer acquisition. Shark Tank can also get pretty emotional when you hear stories from entrepreneurs looking to realize the American Dream. Every episode features multiple pitches and conversations that can go from encouraging to harsh reality checks.
'9-1-1' Season 10 (2018–Present)
Thursdays, 8:00 p.m.
In the mood for a police procedural? 9-1-1 hails from Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk and moved to ABC from Fox for its seventh season onwards. First responders in Los Angeles are the center of the plot that follows three perspectives: the fire department, police department, and 911 dispatchers, and how they all intertwine when a case comes in.
The packed cast led by Angela Bassett also includes Kenneth Choi, Connie Britton, and Jennifer Love Hewitt. If you love traditional procedurals with a sprinkling of campy, soapy melodrama, 9-1-1 is a perfect fit.
'9-1-1: Nashville' Season 2 (2025–Present)
Thursdays, 9:00 p.m.
Can't get enough of 9-1-1? You can keep the adrenaline going with back-to-back shows by watching the third series in this growing franchise. 9-1-1: Nashville is similar to 9-1-1 in that it follows first responders and 911 dispatchers. But this time, it's in the city of Nashville. Naturally, there are some differences given the setting that switches to the southeastern U.S. from the west coast in the original show.
This is perfectly captured by the fact that, along with being a veteran firefighter, the lead character, Captain Donald "Don" Hart (Chris O'Donnell), is also a rodeo rider. You'll also find singers, cowboys, and strippers among the secondary jobs. The series has some other familiar names among its cast, too, including singer LeAnn Rimes and, joining in Season 2, Ryan Philippe. The show has also seen a long list of guest stars, including Kristin Cavallari, Kyle Richards, and Noah Cyrus.
'Grey's Anatomy' Season 23 (2005–Present)
Thursdays, 10:00 p.m.
We're sort of at the point where some are surprised that Grey's Anatomy is even still on the air. But the medical drama is still going strong after 20 years and even more seasons. The soapy show follows the personal and professional lives of doctors, residents, and patients in a fictional Seattle hospital with both unique and many recurring plotlines.
The Shonda Rhimes show has been through many ups and downs throughout its run, starring everyone from Ellen Pompeo, one of the few remaining original actors, along with Sandra Oh, Patrick Dempsey, and the late Eric Dane. As ABC's longest-running scripted primetime show, Grey's Anatomy is like that comforting cup of cocoa you know is waiting for you at home. Every Thursday evening (or later if you DVR), you can curl up with the predictably dramatic, intense, and emotional storylines.
'20/20' Season 49 (1978–Present)
Fridays, 9:00 p.m.
As ABC's answer to 60 Minutes, 20/20 launched way back in the late '70s and has been a mainstay in the primetime line-up ever since. The news magazine show started by focusing on human interest stories and investigative journalism but has since shifted to be more like Dateline and 48 Hours, featuring true crime and celebrity scandal stories. That said, there's still the odd special edition episode when a current event warrants it.
Bottom line: it's the perfect Friday night show to relax with and learn about a puzzling cold case, a horrifying murder, or the latest political, social, or celebrity scandal that everyone is talking about. Led by David Muir and Deborah Roberts in its current iteration, 20/20 is that show that long-time fans have been watching for almost 50 years and the new generation find themselves curious about when a theme fits or the desire for true crime strikes.
