Well....its that time of year when the major TV Networks unveil their new shows for the fall season (something that seems to be more antiquated every passing year as consumers start "time shifting" shows with DVRs for later viewing and the Cable Networks roll shows out whenever they want)...so as per usual, I'll be looking back at this past season and ahead at next season on a network by network basis as each lineup is announced this week. Today is NBC Day.
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN (At Least By A Few)
Andy Barker, P.I. -- 1 Season/6 Episodes -- Someday there will be peace in the Middle East. Around the same time Andy Richter will finally get a successful hit TV series as he so richly deserves. Hell might also freeze over.
The Black Donnelleys -- 1 Season/13 Episodes/7 Unaired -- Didn't watch it, but you've got to assume there was a reason this show never got picked up the first time around 2 seasons ago. Just because a guy wins an Oscar doesn't make a bad pilot better.
Kidnapped -- 1 Season/13 Episodes/8 Unaired -- This series got a bit of a lucky break in that NBC gave the production enough warning to wrap everything up (well...almost everything as there's one dangling plot thread, but its not a big deal). And even though it got removed from the schedule twice, NBC was gracious enough to have the episodes online for viewing. The whole series just came out on DVD and its a shame that there is nothing in the extras "post cancellation notice" as it all comes from just as the show started airing. Worth a look if only for the powerhouse talent that includes Jeremy Sisto, Delroy Lindo, Timothy Hutton, Dana Delaney and Ricky Jay among others.
20 Good Years -- 1 Season/10 Episodes/6 Unaired -- What a waste of talent. Hopefully, Lithgow and Tambor will learn from their mistakes.
Crossing Jordan -- 6 Seasons/117 Episodes -- I vaguely remember sampling this in its first season and not getting hooked. Apparently it became the Coach of dramas.
Grease: You're The One That I Want -- I'm sorry, but there's something wrong to me about letting America pick the next people to star in a Broadway remake. We can barely vote for President anymore.
Identity -- Penn Jilette has better things to do than host this silly "game show". Hopefully, he's back doing them.
Law & Order: Criminal Intent -- 6 Seasons/131 Episodes -- The best of the franchise (in my opinion) is gone from NBC, but not really gone. New episodes will be aired on USA starting this fall. NBC will air repeats two weeks later, I'm assuming on Saturday nights in their 2 hour block of repeats...this is a reverse of what had been going on for the last six years anyway...so this show is only on this list by a technicality.
Raines -- 1 Season/7 Episodes -- I've always liked Jeff Goldblum and this show was a nice showcase for the quirky actor. Not a great show, but very enjoyable (at least the episodes we've watched so far...the last couple are still on our Tivo). I'd love to see this get a DVD release.
The Real Wedding Crashers -- Ugh. 'Nuff said.
Thank G-d You're Here -- Didn't know what to think of this show, but caught an episode and found it rather amusing. Wish I had seen more, but what can you do. Oh well.
The Apprentice -- 6 Seasons/96 Episodes -- Let's hope Trump goes back to hiring and firing like a real businessman...off my TV set...I can't believe I actually watched the first FIVE Seasons of this show. What was I thinking?
Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip -- 1 Season/18 Episodes/2 Unaired as of now (show supposedly returns May 24) -- I thought this was one of the better shows to premiere this season. A bit too "insidery", but well written and well acted. This show never got the chance it deserved. Oh well.
NEW FALL SCHEDULE
MONDAYS
8pm Deal Or No Deal -- No thank you.
9pm Heroes -- The BEST new show of last season returns for a second round. Taking the concept of a serialized show and actually keeping an audience interested is the important point that Lost lost. This show never misses the beat and keeps you wanting more (in my case, I'd love Heroes Mini-Mates). Can't wait to see how this season ends. We're also getting 30 episodes instead of 24 if you count Heroes: Origins, a "spin-off" that will be used to lessen breaks in the schedule. Cool.
10pm Journeyman -- A reporter who can travel through time? From the creators of The West Wing? It'll get a one episode test from me and we'll go from there.
TUESDAYS
8pm The Biggest Loser -- Returns for a 4th Season.
9pm Chuck -- This comedy spy thriller comes from McG (director of the Charlie's Angels movies) and Josh Schwartz (creator of The O.C.). Could be fun...but let's see what else is still in this time slot as competition (House definitely, Veronica Mars hopefully). It will get a three episode test.
10pm Law & Order: Special Victims Unit -- The one part of this franchise I could just never get into returns for a 9th Season.
WEDNESDAYS
8pm Deal Or No Deal -- Still No Deal.
9pm Bionic Woman -- Jamie Sommers gets an upgrade that she may not need, but I'm game for three episodes based on the people behind the scenes (creators of The X-Files, the new version of Battlestar: Galactica and Kidnapped).
10pm Life -- A new cop show about a policeman returning to the force after serving time for a crime he didn't commit. Meh. Will get a one episode test.
THURSDAYS
8pm My Name Is Earl -- Returns for a 3rd Season. Yay!!!
8:30 30 Rock -- This off-beat comedy started off a bit wonky, but by mid-season found its voice and became one of the funniest shows on TV (even my wife started watching it again). Thankfully, its back for a second season and hopefully Alec Baldwin will still be with it.
9pm The Office -- Sorry...I know its coming back for a 4th Season, but I just don't care for the show. The British original was better and I like Steve Carrell in just about everything else.
9:30 Scrubs -- Back for its 7th (and last season), this show has started to stumble a bit this past year...so hopefully this next season will be the last.
10pm ER -- 14 Seasons?? Wow. Still don't care.
FRIDAYS
8pm 1 VS 100/ The Singing Bee -- The mildly entertaining game show hosted by Bob Saget returns for 8 weeks to be followed by 6 weeks of a new series that combines the idea of a spelling bee with karaoke. That sounds like fun, but will people watch every week? They'll be forced to once the writer's strike hits.
9pm Las Vegas -- This show's been on for 4 seasons?? For the fifth season, Sonny Corleone gets replaced by Magnum P.I.
10pm Friday Night Lights -- Didn't see the movie, don't care that the TV series got renewed for a second season, but happy for the fans of the show (though I wouldn't count on a third season with this being the timeslot).
SATURDAYS
8pm Dateline -- Cause three 24 Hour news channels don't cover enough crap.
9pm Reruns -- I expect Law & Order: Criminal Intent to air here after first runs on USA...along with reruns of other shows that are doing well for NBC.
SUNDAYS (In January after Football ends)
7pm Dateline -- Whatever
8pm Law & Order -- Coming into Season 18 does anyone really care anymore? I used to watch the show religously, but now if I miss an episode I miss an episode. Like many 18 year olds, maybe its time to kick this kid out of the house and make it get a real job.
9pm Medium -- This has become a show I watch on DVD only. So I'm still in season 2...I expect that season 4 may be the last for this show based on some behind the scenes turmoil I've heard about, high expenses and a new timeslot that puts it in play against some heavy competition (assuming ABC & FOX keep their schedules the same as they did this season).
10pm Lipstick Jungle -- Brooke Shileds, Kim Raver and Lindsey Price star in this adaptation of a book by Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell. Could be interesting...it'll get the three episode tryout from me for now (I reserve the right to make it a one episode tryout as we get closer to the actual series premiere).
MIDSEASON REPLACEMENTS
World Moves -- Its Ameircan Idol for hip hop dance teams. Blah.
The IT Crowd -- Based on a "Britcom", this show stars The Soup's Joel McHale as a tech guy for a large corporation. He's funny...so this gets a three episode tryout whenever it premieres.
Well...that's all for NBC. Tomorrow its ABC's turn.
Be seeing you.
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