LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- ABC is following in CBS's footsteps as the network plans to flip the time periods of its Thursday dramas "Grey's Anatomy" and "Private Practice" on April 22.
The one-week stunt, confirmed this morning via listing updates, will see an original "Practice" air at 9:00/8:00c followed by a repeat of "Grey's" at 10:00/9:00c.
CBS tried a similar tactic with its Thursday efforts "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and "The Mentalist" earlier this month (while both were in originals), a move many insiders believe will be permanent come next season.
The "Grey's"/"Practice" swap conversely is simply to avoid having original episodes of "FlashForward" and "Practice" bookend a second run "Grey's."
Meanwhile in other news at the Alphabet, the network's "Lost" recap special preceeding the series finale on Sunday, May 23 has been expanded to two hours. The extra 60 minutes will bump the season finale of "America's Funniest Home Videos" up to May 16.
In total, ABC will have five hours of "Lost"-themed programming on May 23: the two-hour recap special, the two-hour series finale and a special "Lost"-themed edition of "Jimmy Kimmel Live."
And finally, ABC has confirmed two summer specials - "The 2010 Scripps National Spelling Bee" on Friday, June 4 and "World Cup Kickoff Celebration" on Friday, June 11, both at 8:00/7:00c.
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