For the new ABC show that is scheduled to start in January 2008.
Their names are Mia, Juliet, Caitlin and Zoe. But you'll come to know them as the Cashmere Mafia -- four Manhattan women bonded by their Ivy League educations and executive success. A thinking woman's Sex and The City mixed with the wit of The Devil Wears Prada, this one-hour drama assembles a cast of bright, driven, relatable women who support each other through rocky marriages, rival colleagues, kids' recitals and the hunt for the perfect loft.

This seems a little too much like a SATC knock-off. It could be fun guilty pleasure but if audiences are forced to pick between this and Lipstick Jungle, I can't see this lasting too long. Will give the first episode at least a try as I do like Lucy Liu.

And Desperate Housewives.

I'll give this a shot. I'm a fan of Miranda Otto so I'll see what the story and, in particular, her character have to offer. But, I agree, it might be a bit too much of a SATC/DH clone

Plus the similarly themed Lipstick Jungle and this are debuting in 2008. Which one is likely to succeed.

This looks like a combo of Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy careerism and SATC. ABC seems to be really good at putting together these slick types of shows appealing to women. I have no idea if this can be popular but I am less of a fan of Lucy Liu these days since watching her in a Jeremy Northam movie. I just think there's not enough to her. Miranda Otto is Australian and talented.

I found Devils Wear Prada to be total bs and unwatchable. They could have cast Hilary Duff in it and made it a Disney movie about clothes. Ugh.

According to a few sources, the character played by Bonnie Sommerville will be a lesbian, which is the only thing that will seperate it from Lipstick Jungle.

Cashmere Mafia has gotten quite a bit of interest on theAfterEllen website. There's a decent amount of info discussed from the Television Critics Association conference (TCA) especially the "Blogging the TCA part 3" (mid way down the page) eta: Read the info at your own risk. Some of the issues discussed may end up being spoiler info. Other information included related to an initial story line for the pilot but may not ever have been filmed or the s/l could have been cut completely. So...readers beware. There are quotes from the actresses as well as Darren Star in that blogging feature. The nuts and bolts of the characters are all discussed in front of the critics and audience. As for this show versus Lipstick Jungle retooling seems to have been requested of both shows. Cashmere Mafia was asked to make the show a little more humorous and to give the women a more smart sense of humor about themselves. Who knows how the two shows Casmere Mafia versus Lipstick Jungle will differ when played out on screen but if I had to bet I'd go with a Darren Star run show because the man knows how to run a show. A good show runner is the life line to good creative out put, imo.

Well, also at AfterEllen, they reviewed Lipstick Jungle and compared it to Cashmere Mafia. The verdict was that Cashmere Mafia was better x1000 than Lipstick Jungle. I mean, they really, really hated LJ and seemed to pretty much enjoy CM. So there's a primary difference--one appears to suck and the other doesn't.

Heheheh...yes I read that, too, and it does seem to be a primary difference:) But, on the other hand, maybe certain story lines are more interesting in the opinion of those offering their opinion of the two shows...or maybe one show really does universally suck more so than the other. Heh.

Having seen the Lipstick Jungle pilot it does indeed suck. I didn't find anything enjoyable about it. I have not seen Cashmere Mafia so I can't tell you if it's any better but I doubt if it could be any worse.

The costuming department got fugged.

Since this has been delayed (was to debut this evening) any word of an air date?

ABC is now running promos saying it will premiere in January, but an exact date and timeslot has not been announced.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG8kxpSYI8s

If anyone is interested, a few interviews and a first look (13 minutes) are up at ABC's website.

The show will premiere January 6th.

FYI: latest tv schedule info for 'Cashmere Mafia'

ABC Sun, Jan 6, 10:01 PM ET (after Desperate H)
(pilot also appears to repeat at midnight)
ABC Wed, Jan 9, 10:00 PM ET
ABC Fri, Jan 11, 9:02 PM ET

TvGuide site has links to photo gallery, promos, & 15 minute sampler:
http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/cashmere-mafia/287951

several (spoilery) screencaps of 'Cashmere Mafia' on this page:
http://dorothysurrenders.blogspot.com/sear...ashmere%20Mafia

Latest on star Miranda Otto on this page, plus the show's airdates:
http://www.tv-now.com/stars/mirotto.html