ABC reshuffles fall lineup: What it means for Wheel of Fortune and other fan-favorite shows
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If your Friday night routine includes a cozy seat on the couch, a bowl of popcorn, and a lineup of familiar game shows—you may want to keep reading.
ABC just released its upcoming fall schedule, and the network is making some noticeable changes.
Fans are reacting with excitement, confusion, and even concern—especially when it comes to the uncertain future of a popular medical drama.
At The GrayVine, we know how much comfort our favorite TV shows can bring.
That’s why schedule shifts like these can feel more personal than they seem.
Let’s break down what’s changing, why ABC is making these moves, and what it might mean for Doctor Odyssey fans holding out hope.
For years, Celebrity Wheel of Fortune and Shark Tank have aired midweek, bringing viewers a fun midweek escape.
But this fall, Wheel of Fortune is moving to Fridays at 8 p.m.—a notable shift that could impact other programs in the lineup.
The business reality show Shark Tank is moving to Wednesdays, airing right after The Golden Bachelor.
Why the shift? Networks often rearrange their schedules to draw in more viewers or make room for new shows.
Fridays were once considered a tough spot for ratings, but with more people spending their evenings at home, ABC appears to be betting that this new lineup could win the night.
What this means for viewers:
While some shows are getting new airtime, others are noticeably missing.
One major absence? Doctor Odyssey, the cruise ship-set medical drama from producer Ryan Murphy.
With ABC’s new 9-1-1: Nashville taking over the Thursday 9 p.m. slot, Doctor Odyssey has quietly vanished from the schedule.
ABC’s Craig Erwich told Deadline: "Doctor Odyssey isn’t currently on our schedule. Ryan’s really busy. He’s doing a lot with us—9-1-1, 9-1-1 Nashville, All’s Fair. So we’re just continuing that creative conversation with him."
In other words, it hasn’t been canceled—but it’s not officially returning, either.
Fans didn’t waste any time sharing their reactions online.
Some expressed hope for a renewal, while others vented their frustration:
In today’s fast-paced TV world, even well-liked shows can face sudden uncertainty, especially if networks pivot toward newer titles.
That’s the question fans are asking—and for now, there’s no official answer.
The show hasn’t been renewed, but it also hasn’t been canceled.
With Ryan Murphy’s strong track record and the series' dedicated following, there’s still hope.
It’s possible the show could make a return later in the season—or even find a home on a streaming platform.
TV scheduling isn’t just about ratings.
Networks juggle many factors, including:
Sometimes a show takes a break simply because there isn’t room—or the network is experimenting with other formats.
No need to worry about Ryan Seacrest—he’s still a major presence in the lineup.
In addition to hosting Wheel of Fortune, Seacrest is continuing with American Idol, American Top 40, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, and his daily radio show.
With a reported net worth of $450 million, he’s not slowing down anytime soon!
If you love Doctor Odyssey or another show that’s up in the air, there are ways to make your voice heard:
Fan engagement has made a difference before—and it might again!
Read next: An unexpected moment with Ryan Seacrest has Wheel of Fortune fans doing double takes
Are you excited for the new Friday night lineup? Worried about Doctor Odyssey’s future? Ever lost a favorite show without warning? Let us know in the comments. Whether you’re celebrating the changes or still hoping for a surprise comeback, we want to hear from you!
ABC just released its upcoming fall schedule, and the network is making some noticeable changes.
Fans are reacting with excitement, confusion, and even concern—especially when it comes to the uncertain future of a popular medical drama.
At The GrayVine, we know how much comfort our favorite TV shows can bring.
That’s why schedule shifts like these can feel more personal than they seem.
Let’s break down what’s changing, why ABC is making these moves, and what it might mean for Doctor Odyssey fans holding out hope.
Doctor Odyssey blends medical drama with high-seas adventure, earning a dedicated fan following. Image Source: YouTube / Vibe Vault.
The big switch: Wheel of Fortune and Shark Tank head to Friday nights
For years, Celebrity Wheel of Fortune and Shark Tank have aired midweek, bringing viewers a fun midweek escape.
But this fall, Wheel of Fortune is moving to Fridays at 8 p.m.—a notable shift that could impact other programs in the lineup.
The business reality show Shark Tank is moving to Wednesdays, airing right after The Golden Bachelor.
Why the shift? Networks often rearrange their schedules to draw in more viewers or make room for new shows.
Fridays were once considered a tough spot for ratings, but with more people spending their evenings at home, ABC appears to be betting that this new lineup could win the night.
What this means for viewers:
- If you usually watch on Wednesdays, you’ll want to mark your calendar.
- The move could attract a new audience that tunes in at the end of the workweek.
- ABC is clearly placing trust in these popular show to carry its Friday schedule.
Also read: A fan-favorite crime drama is making a comeback—Here’s what we know about the spin-off
What’s happening with Doctor Odyssey?
While some shows are getting new airtime, others are noticeably missing.
One major absence? Doctor Odyssey, the cruise ship-set medical drama from producer Ryan Murphy.
With ABC’s new 9-1-1: Nashville taking over the Thursday 9 p.m. slot, Doctor Odyssey has quietly vanished from the schedule.
ABC’s Craig Erwich told Deadline: "Doctor Odyssey isn’t currently on our schedule. Ryan’s really busy. He’s doing a lot with us—9-1-1, 9-1-1 Nashville, All’s Fair. So we’re just continuing that creative conversation with him."
In other words, it hasn’t been canceled—but it’s not officially returning, either.
Also read: A resurfaced Neil Diamond performance is stirring up more drama than expected
Fans speak out: confusion, hope, and frustration
Fans didn’t waste any time sharing their reactions online.
Some expressed hope for a renewal, while others vented their frustration:
- “Please renew Doctor Odyssey! You cancel all my favorite shows!”
- “My wife loves Doctor Odyssey. Why would you leave it off the schedule?”
- “Not looking good for Doctor Odyssey. Just be honest about it!”
In today’s fast-paced TV world, even well-liked shows can face sudden uncertainty, especially if networks pivot toward newer titles.
Will Doctor Odyssey return?
That’s the question fans are asking—and for now, there’s no official answer.
The show hasn’t been renewed, but it also hasn’t been canceled.
With Ryan Murphy’s strong track record and the series' dedicated following, there’s still hope.
It’s possible the show could make a return later in the season—or even find a home on a streaming platform.
Also read: The wheel turns again: Pat Sajak makes a surprise return to Wheel of Fortune—but there’s a twist
Why do these changes happen?
TV scheduling isn’t just about ratings.
Networks juggle many factors, including:
- Launching new shows (like 9-1-1: Nashville)
- Managing talent availability (Ryan Murphy is working on multiple projects)
- Shifting viewer habits (more streaming, less live viewing)
- Advertiser interests (prime-time shows bring in more ad revenue)
Sometimes a show takes a break simply because there isn’t room—or the network is experimenting with other formats.
What about Ryan Seacrest?
No need to worry about Ryan Seacrest—he’s still a major presence in the lineup.
In addition to hosting Wheel of Fortune, Seacrest is continuing with American Idol, American Top 40, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, and his daily radio show.
With a reported net worth of $450 million, he’s not slowing down anytime soon!
How you can help save your favorite shows
If you love Doctor Odyssey or another show that’s up in the air, there are ways to make your voice heard:
- Use the show’s hashtag on social media
- Send feedback through ABC’s official website
- Encourage others to watch or stream past episodes
Fan engagement has made a difference before—and it might again!
Read next: An unexpected moment with Ryan Seacrest has Wheel of Fortune fans doing double takes
Are you excited for the new Friday night lineup? Worried about Doctor Odyssey’s future? Ever lost a favorite show without warning? Let us know in the comments. Whether you’re celebrating the changes or still hoping for a surprise comeback, we want to hear from you!
