NBC Upfronts: Slow and steady wins the race?
I can’t say for certain if this is one-hundred percent true, but it seems that in the history of modern television slow and steady has never won the race. This automatically makes me respect NBC a little more than the other networks. For a place that refused to believe television would ever change, they’ve certainly done a good job of transforming themselves into a home for innovative programming and as an alternate to cable over these past two seasons. If only audiences were actually watching. The FULL rundown of NBC’s 2007 fall lineup after the break…
Here’s what NBC entertainment president Kevin Reilly said today at the network’s upfront presentation held at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan:
“Last year we promised a return to the NBC legacy of quality, and in terms of awards, buzz and critical acclaim, that’s just what we delivered. We’ve got the class and next season we’re ready to add some mass, with new shows that build on the creative accomplishments of last season and are as broad as they are good. Combine the energy of these new programs with the bulked-up strength of our existing NBC hits and you’ve got a lineup that’s poised to take us to the next level.”
Not exactly a call to arms, but I don’t think anyone, Reilly included, expects NBC to break any records. The network seems to be hoping for across the board growth, not big smash hits (though some hits would be nice).
Of all the new shows NBC debuted this past fall, only three have been given second seasons: 30 Rock (which is moving in front of The Office at 8:30pm on Thursdays), Heroes (staying put in its Mondays at 9pm timeslot) and Friday Night Lights (the best show on network television has been banished to the Alcatraz of the network schedule, Fridays at 10pm – more on this later).
As for the new stuff, NBC has picked up five new dramas and one new comedy (with a couple new “alternative programming†choices thrown into the mix as well), a paltry sum when compared to last season’s seven dramas and three comedies. We obviously won’t know if the new line-up succeeds until the fall, but having so few new programs on the roster actually limits the risk and puts the focus on getting viewers to give a second look (or first) at their existing programming (read: watch Friday Night Lights!).
Here’s what the fall schedule on NBC is going to look like (with annotations by me):
*New programs in CAPS (with the exception of “ER”)
| MONDAY 8-9 p.m. Deal or No Deal 9-10 p.m. Heroes 10-11 p.m. JOURNEYMAN |
Monday night is NBC’s biggest night of the week. For a reason completely alien to me, Deal or No Deal continues to draw a respectable audience, and Heroes is still Heroes (despite a good chunk of the audience failing to return after the most recent hiatus. It’s the networks only real dramatic hit and is expected to perform well this fall (before ultimately collapsing under its own pressure a la Lost).One interesting note on Heroes: In an attempt to solve the “how do we hold an audience for serials that don’t have enough episodes to make it the whole season†problem that all of the networks discovered this past winter, NBC is going to be producing a show called Heroes: Origins, which will be one-and-done episodes featuring new characters (characters that have the potential to join the main storyline as things progress). It is unknown if Origins will be used in a 6-week block during mid-season or at the end of the year to pad out the spring. Either way its a good idea and one that syncs up perfectly with the comic-book nature of the program itself. “One-shot” comics are a great way for a writer to pad out a series without alienating fans.Journeyman, a Quantum Leap-esque time-travel show is a good fit with its lead-in. As you’ll see in the series synopsis below, many of NBC’s new shows lean toward science fiction (which probably isn’t much of a coincidence since NBC-Universal owns the Sci-Fi channel, a perfect dumping ground to get more exposure to new programming). SYNERGY! |
| TUESDAY 8-9 p.m. The Biggest Loser 9-10 p.m. CHUCK 10-11 p.m. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit |
As long as American Idol isn’t airing, Tuesdays seem to be ripe for the taking. None of the networks have a particularly strong line-up of programs, leaving plenty of room for a breakaway hit to give a network an edge over its competition. This is good news for NBC since they put their most interesting new series (at least in terms of “shows that Rick J. Pecoraro can not wait to watchâ€), Chuck right in the heart of the night.Chuck’s lead-in, The Biggest Loser, fulfills NBC’s recently adopted stance that it won’t air scripted programs before 9pm (except, for some reason, on Thursdays). I’ve never seen the show, but apparently it’s a big hit (pun absolutely intended). L&O:SVU caps off the night with the one of the network’s few legitimate hit shows — despite the fact that every time I turn on the TV I wonder to myself if this will be the day that people get tired of watching cops and lawyers solve crimes (and every time the answer is “noâ€). |
| WEDNESDAY 8-9 p.m. Deal or No Deal 9-10 p.m. BIONIC WOMAN 10-11 p.m. LIFE |
Wednesday night is tough, especially since the week’s second episode of Deal or No Deal is the only returning program. The rest of the night is in the hands of what I believe to be the two most volatile programs on the network, Bionic Woman and Life.The first of the two is a self-explanatory remake with presumably heavier undertones. The second is one of those, “Ok, so there’s this guy, right?†premises where the show is all ready cancelled by the time anyone remembers to care.Bionic Woman has a shot, because lord knows there are enough young men watching television to keep it alive, but I suspect the 10pm time slot eventually houses reruns of what is now the USA Network’s Law&Order: Criminal Intent. |
| THURSDAY 8-8:30 p.m. My Name Is Earl 8:30-9 p.m. 30 Rock 9-9:30 p.m. The Office 9:30-10 p.m. Scrubs 10-11 p.m. ER |
Hey, look ma, no changes! Aside from the position swapping between The Office and 30 Rock, Thursdays remain mostly unchanged. The only new entry is The IT Crowd, which isn’t even on the schedule right now and will likely only show up if Scrubs or 30 Rock perform so poorly they get an early yank from the schedule.The big news is that episode orders have been ramped up. My Name Is Earl will be producing 25 half-hours, and The Office will be producing 30 half-hours (which includes 5 hour-long episodes).And ER is still apparently still on the air! Who knew?! |
| FRIDAY 8-9 p.m. 1 vs 100 or THE SINGING BEE 9-10 p.m. Las Vegas 10-11 p.m. Friday Night Lights |
The eight o’clock hour on Fridays is going to be filled with a rotating crop of game shows. 1 vs 100 returns to give Bob Saget an easy paycheck and the new program The Singing Bee reminds us why Karaoke night is far better with $4 pitchers and $2 well drinks.The Friday Night Lights move is a mixed blessing. The show might be able to skate under the radar without a significant rise in viewers, but honestly who the hell is watching television on Fridays at 10pm? The show is ostensibly a teen drama, but real teens are probably going to be spending that time – y’know – at actual high school football games, and the rest of us will likely be too busy drinking $4 pitchers and $2 well drinks at the local Karaoke night. |
| SATURDAY 8-9 p.m. Dateline NBC 9-11 p.m. Drama Series Encores |
Nothing too significant here. The night is usually a dumping ground for most of the Law & Order franchises, and of course you can’t go wrong with catching predators. |
| SUNDAY (Fall 2007) 7-8 p.m. Football Night in America 8-11 p.m. NBC Sunday Night FootballSUNDAY (January 2008) 7-8 p.m. Dateline NBC 8-9 p.m. Law & Order 9-10 p.m. Medium 10-11 p.m. LIPSTICK JUNGLE |
Since the network has football, Sundays are taken care of through the fall. Come winter, however, if they’re to be believed, NBC is going to have the wackiest Sunday night line-up on television (which includes CBS and their rhyming based programming — Amazing Race, Cold Case, Without a Trace).Dateline starts things out (as it frequently does), before we jump into Law & Order in its 18th season. Apparently Dick Wolf is dead set on eclipsing Gunsmoke for longest running television drama at 20 seasons (yes, Dick, but to what end?). Personally, if The Simpsons make it to 20 I’d have to go with that as my personal favorite record if for no other reason than all of that damn drawing. It’s not like they could use a roller!ANYWAY. Then comes Medium about a woman who solves crimes using magic followed (of course) with the new series Lipstick Jungle based on the Candice Bushnell novel.In other words we go from real crime, to real crime fictionalized, to crime with ghosts, to women trying to find love and power in New York City. Luckily, they have some time to iron out the kinks. Watch out Desperate Housewives! |
The New Shows:
Jouneyman
What they said: From Emmy Award-winning writer-producer Kevin Falls (”The West Wing”) and Emmy Award-winning director-producer Alex Graves (”The West Wing”), “Journeyman” is a romantic mystery-drama about Dan Vasser (Kevin McKidd, “Rome”), a San Francisco newspaper reporter and family man who inexplicably begins to travel through time and change people’s lives. Along the way, he also must deal with the difficulties and strife at work and home brought on by his sudden disappearances. However, his freewheeling travels through the decades reunite him with his long-lost fiance Livia (Moon Bloodgood, “Day Break”) — which complicates his present-day life with wife Katie (Gretchen Egolf, “Martial Law”) and their son.
What I say: I like time travel, but inadvertent time travel? I think the jury is still out. Honestly, I was never a Quantum Leap watcher, but I did recently watch the pilot with my lady-friend and found it mostly enjoyable. The two shows seem similar, but I suspect the Bakulalessness of the newer program could hurt it in the long haul. I do appreciate that the series takes place in San Francisco. Yes, there are more cities in American than just New York, Los Angeles and Anytown, USA.
Survival Odds: 5:1
What I say: I didn’t watch The O.C. either, but apparently it was all the kids could talk about for a few years. With the same talent at the helm here, it seems logical that a ‘comedy-spy-thriller’ should be a total blast. I know what you’re saying, though, “McG? Really?” To which I respond, “Look, before he made ‘Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle’ he made ‘Charlie’s Angels’ and that film was totally hilarious… and no, I’m not being cute.” Though I will concede that any grown man who goes by “McG” probably shouldn’t be trusted.
Survival Odds: 3:1
Bionic Woman
What they say: Struggling as a bartender and surrogate mom to her teenage sister, Jaime Sommers (Michelle Ryan, “EastEnders”) didn’t think life could get much harder. But when a devastating car accident leaves her at death’s door, Jaime’s only hope for survival is a cutting-edge, top-secret technology that comes at a hefty price. With a whole new existence and a debt to re-pay, Jaime must figure out how to use her extraordinary abilities for good, while weighing the personal sacrifices she will have to make. Ultimately, it’s Jaime’s journey of self-discovery and inner strength that will help her embrace her new life as the Bionic Woman.
What I say: So let me get this straight, she’s a woman who is also bionic? Bionic, like, how? Does she have robot good looks? Yes? She does? Then sign me up!
Survival Odds: 2:1
Survival Odds: 15:1
Lipstick Jungle
What they say: Based on the best-selling novel by Candace Bushnell (”Sex and the City”), this fun dramedy follows three high-powered friends as they weather the ups and downs of lives lived at the top of their game. Nico (Kim Raver, “24″), editor-in-chief of a hot fashion magazine, wants to replace her boss as CEO. Movie exec Wendy (Brooke Shields, “Suddenly Susan”) finds even her most earnest efforts may not be enough to balance career and family. And free-spirited designer Victory (Lindsay Price, “Beverly Hills, 90210″) longs to make her dreams come true, and maybe find Mr. Right along the way. Armed with humor and strength, these three modern New York women support one another through the triumphs and tears that are all part of making it big in the Big Apple.
What I say: So it’s Ugly Betty meets Sex in the City. Great. I all ready watch Ugly Betty and have seen most of Sex in the City, looks like I’m going to save myself an hour on Sundays. Question: is Chick-lit, the new police procedural? Would I want to live in a world where this is true? Maybe. Solidly maybe.
Survival Odds: 5:2
Survival Odds: 30:1
The Singing Bee
What they say: “The Singing Bee” is a variety-competition show that challenges contestants to accurately sing the lyrics to popular songs — even when the band stops playing. In this karaoke showdown, there’s no middle ground for partially correct answers — contestants must be perfect or they’re out. Family-friendly, broad in appeal and conducive to playing (and singing) along at home, “The Singing Bee” features popular, recognizable music that inspires hilarious wrong answers and amazing performances by those rare contestants who somehow manage to get every word right.
What I say: I’m not going to watch, but this show sounds moronic enough to be the biggest hit in the world. IN THE WORLD.
Survival Odds: Even money.
Read the full NBC press-release at The Futon Critic
Tags: NBC, The Industry, Upfronts
May 15th, 2007 at 3:13 am
Wow great post buddy.
I definitely think Friday Night Lights on Friday is death. ER’s timeslot would be the perfect spot for Lights as it would help people get excited for their own HS football games while also mixing in with the comedy that came before it better than ER ever could. Oh well. I’ll enjoy it while it lasts!
New show I want to watch? Journeyman. I only hope that Lucius Vorenus will actually travel back to Rome so he can kill, maim, and pillage once more! Ha ha Loose morals
May 15th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Agreed - The IT Crowd is awful.