ABC Family has decided to pick up three of the networks big programs to join the slate of new originals this year.  Greek, the teen drama that centers on college freshman Rusty (Jacob Zachar) who's determined not to continue on his bookish geekiness from his high school days by entering the Greek system, returns for a second season in July with a dozen new installments.

Kyle XY, on the other hand, has been renewed for a third season, consisting of 10 episodes.  The science fiction teen drama follows Kyle (Matt Dallas) as he tries to understand the mysteries of who he is or why he has no memory of being a child.  New episodes of Kyle XY are expected to air in early 2009.

Just like Kyle XY, Lincoln Heights returns for a third season.  The drama about an African-American family moving into the inner city has also been given a 10-episode order that will begin this fall.

Aside from the three returning favorites, the network has also added The Middleman and The Secret Life of the American Teenager in its calendar.  The comic book-inspired The Middleman, which follows a woman in her 20s who fights crime, will debut the first of 13 episodes on June 16. American Teenager, on the other hand, premieres its tales of struggling with teenage pregnancy on July 1.

Also to watch out for are ABC Family's two original movies that will debut this summer.  The Circuit, which stars Michelle Trachtenberg (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) as an up-and-coming stock-car racer, premieres June 8, while Picture This, starring Ashley Tisdale of High School Musical as a girl who gets grounded the same day as the date of her life, premieres July 13.

Ultimately, the network also acquired the rights to air reruns of That '70s Show and My Wife and Kids, which will premiere on ABC Family in June and September, respectively.


-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: ABC Family, Zap2it.com
(Image courtesy of ABC Family)