
Welcome to tvdonewright’s coverage of today’s NBC Upfront event.
Throughout the day, the network will be unveiling their new schedule for this fall. So be sure to tune in here for up-to-date coverage and analysis.
DAY 2 - May 19th, 2009
(11:25 am ET)
- As you see in the fall schedule, there has been some moves.
- Medium has been cancelled will move to CBS.
- Chuck will be a mid-season replacement for 13 episodes.
- Law & Order and Southland move to Friday nights.
- Law & Order SVU moves to Wednesday nights.
(11:00 am ET)
MONDAY
8-9 p.m. “Heroes”
9-10 p.m. – “TRAUMA”
10-11 p.m. “THE JAY LENO SHOW”
TUESDAY
8-10 p.m. “The Biggest Loser” (two-hour edition)
10-11 p.m. “THE JAY LENO SHOW”
WEDNESDAY
8-9 p.m. “PARENTHOOD”
9-10 p.m. “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”
10-11 p.m. “THE JAY LENO SHOW”
THURSDAY
8- 8:30 p.m. “SNL WEEKEND UPDATE THURSDAY” (multi-episode run)
8:30-9 p.m. “Parks and Recreation”
9- 9:30 p.m. “The Office”
9:30-10 p.m. “COMMUNITY” (moves to Thursdays 8-8:30 p.m. after multi-episode run “30 Rock” returns)
10-11 p.m. “THE JAY LENO SHOW”
FRIDAY
8-9 p.m. “Law & Order”
9-10 p.m. “Southland”
10-11 p.m. “THE JAY LENO SHOW”
SATURDAY
8-9 p.m. “Dateline NBC”
9-10 p.m. “TRAUMA” (encore broadcast)
10-11 p.m. “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (encore broadcast)
SUNDAY
7- 8:20 p.m. “Football Night in America”
8:20-11 p.m. “NBC Sunday Night Football”
NBC MID-SEASON 2010 SCHEDULE
(2010 WINTER OLYMPICS preempt regularly scheduled programming from February 12-28)
MONDAY
8-9 p.m. “Chuck” (season premiere)
9-10 p.m. – “DAY ONE”
10-11 p.m. “THE JAY LENO SHOW”
TUESDAY
8-9:30 p.m. “The Biggest Loser” (90-minute edition) 9:30-10 p.m. “100 QUESTIONS”
10-11 p.m. “THE JAY LENO SHOW”
WEDNESDAY
8-9 p.m. “MERCY”
9-10 p.m. “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”
10-11 p.m. “THE JAY LENO SHOW”
THURSDAY
8- 8:30 p.m. “COMMUNITY”
8:30-9 p.m. “Parks and Recreation”
9- 9:30 p.m. “The Office”
9:30-10 p.m. “30 Rock”
10-11 p.m. “THE JAY LENO SHOW”
FRIDAY
8-9 p.m. “Law & Order”
9-10 p.m. “Southland”
10-11 p.m. “THE JAY LENO SHOW”
SATURDAY
8-9 p.m. “Dateline NBC”
9-10 p.m. “Southland” (encore broadcast)
10-11 p.m. “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (encore broadcast)
SUNDAY
7-8 p.m. “Dateline NBC”
8-9 p.m. THE MARRIAGE REF
9-11 p.m. “The Celebrity Apprentice” (season premiere; two-hour edition)
(10:56 am ET)
- NBC has officially cancelled My Name Is Earl.
(10:30 am ET)
- As reported over the weekend, NBC has officially renewed Chuck. It also announced that Subway will be the show’s main sponsor.
more to come…
——————————————————————–
(8:00 pm ET)
- As reported earlier, Heroes will be paired up with a one of NBC’s new shows. We now know that show will be Trauma, a new medical drama. Heroes will air at 8 pm ET, and Trauma at 9 pm ET. This leaves the 10 pm timeslot open to Jay Leno.
- Law & Order SVU will be moving to Wednesdays, and The Biggest Loser will stay on Tuesdays. Thursdays will be reserved to a comedy line-up, while Friday is still up in the air.
- Once again, Chuck’s decision will come on May 19th.
(3:55 pm ET)
- NBC has officially cancelled Life.
- The network says it is ready to go ahead with Law & Order:SVU, with or without its two top stars. Chris Meloni and Mariska Hargitay are both in contract negotiations.
- If Chuck is renewed, chances are it will be moved timeslots. The network plans on pairing Heroes with one of its new shows.
- May 19th will be the date NBC will unveil their whole schedule, including the fate of Chuck and other shows.
(11:00 pm ET)
Despite several reports indicating NBC Chuck’s renewal, the network has announced that it will not make it official until May 19th. Other shows that will have to wait a bit longer are My Name is Earl, and Life (slim chance for Life).
Officially renewed today are Heroes, Southland, and Parks and Recreations.
The network has also unveiled their new shows coming next fall. Here they are:
PARENTHOOD
From the executive producers of the box-office hit “Parenthood” — Ron Howard and Brian Grazer (Oscar winners for “A Beautiful Mind”), and writer/executive producer Jason Katims (“Friday Night Lights”) — this contemporary re-imagining of the blockbuster film depicts the colorful and imperfect Braverman family — four grown siblings sharing the headaches, heartaches and joy of being parents. The star-studded cast includes Peter Krause, Maura Tierney, Craig T. Nelson, Dax Shepard, Bonnie Bedelia, Monica Potter, Erika Christensen and Sarah Ramos. When Sarah Braverman (Tierney, “ER”), a financially strapped single mother, returns home to her parents and siblings in Berkeley, Calif. after packing up her Fresno apartment and uprooting her two inconvenienced kids, Amber (Mae Whitman, “In Treatment”) and Drew (Miles Heizer, “ER”), she is greeted by her opinionated father, Zeek (Nelson, “Family Stone,” “Coach”), and strong mother, Camille (Bedelia, “Heart Like a Wheel”), who are privately dealing with their own marital issues. As Sarah is reunited with her siblings — sister, Julia (Christensen, “Traffic”), and brothers Crosby (Shepard, “Baby Mama”) and Adam (Krause, “Six Feet Under”) — all struggling with issues of their own, it’s clear that the Braverman reunion is just what they need to face the everyday challenges of modern family life. “Parenthood” is a production from Imagine Entertainment and Universal Media Studios. Emmy winner Thomas Schlamme (“The West Wing”) directs the pilot.
TRAUMA
Executive producer Peter Berg (NBC’s “Friday Night Lights”) delivers “Trauma,” the first high-octane medical drama series to live exclusively in the field where the real action is. Like an adrenaline shot to the heart, “Trauma” is an intense, action-packed look at one of the most dangerous medical professions in the world: first responder paramedics. When emergencies occur, the trauma team from San Francisco General is first on the scene, traveling by land, by sea or by air to reach their victims in time. From the heights of the city’s Transamerica Pyramid to the depths of the San Francisco Bay, these heroes must face the most extreme conditions to save lives — and give meaning to their own existence in the process. Starring in “Trauma” are Derek Luke (“Notorious”), Cliff Curtis (“10,000 B.C”), Anastasia Griffith (“Damages”), Aimee Garcia (“George Lopez”), Kevin Rankin (“Friday Night Lights”) and Jamey Sheridan (“Law & Order: Criminal Intent”). “Trauma” is a production of Universal Media Studios and Film 44. Berg, Sarah Aubrey (“Bad Santa,” “Friday Night Lights”), Dario Scardapane and Jeffrey Reiner (“Friday Night Lights”) serve as executive producers. The pilot was written by Scardapane and directed by Reiner.
MERCY
“Mercy,” a new medical drama with a unique point of view, portrays the lives of the staff at Mercy Hospital as seen through the eyes of those who know it best — its nurses. Nurse Veronica Callahan (Taylor Schilling, “Dark Matter”) returns to Mercy from a military tour in Iraq — and she knows more about medicine than all of the residents combined. Together with fellow nurses Sonia Jimenez (Jamie Lee Kirchner, “Rescue Me”) and Chloe Payne (Michelle Trachtenberg, “Gossip Girl”), Callahan navigates through the daily traumas and social landmines of life and love both inside the hospital and out in the real world. The cast also includes: James Tupper (“Men in Trees”) as Dr. Chris Sands, a new doctor at the hospital who complicates Veronica’s life; Diego Klattenhoff (“Supernatural”) as Mike Callahan, Veronica’s husband; and Guillermo Diaz (“Weeds”) as Nurse Angel Lopez. “Mercy” is a production from Universal Media Studios and Berman Braun. Joining writer/executive producers Liz Heldens (NBC’s “Friday Night Lights”) and Gretchen Berg & Aaron Harberts (“Pushing Daisies,” “Pepper Dennis”) are executive producers Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun. Emmy Award winner Adam Bernstein (NBC’s “30 Rock,” “Rescue Me”) is the director.
DAY ONE
From executive producer/writer Jesse Alexander (“Heroes,” “Lost,” “Alias”) and director Alex Graves (“Fringe,” “Journeyman”), “Day One” tells the story of life on earth following a global catastrophe that has devastated the world’s infrastructures. Beginning with the immediate aftermath of the cataclysmic event, an eclectic band of survivors — played by Adam Campbell (“Date Movie”), Catherine Dent (“The Shield”), Julie Gonzalo (“Eli Stone”), David Lyons (“ER”), Derek Mio (“Greek”), Carly Pope (“24″), Thekla Reuten (“Sleeper Cell”) and Addison Timlin (“Cashmere Mafia”) — strives to rebuild society as they unravel the mysteries of what happened and face their uncertain future. The group, all residents of one apartment building in suburban Van Nuys, Calif., embarks on a quest for survival and discovers that hope is found in small victories — and heroes are born every day. “Day One” is a Universal Media Studios production.
100 QUESTIONS (fka “100 Questions for Charlotte Payne”)
Emmy winner James Burrows (“Will & Grace,” “Friends”) directs “100 Questions,” a new comedy series written and executive-produced by Christopher Moynihan (“For Your Consideration”) that provides hilarious answers to 100 questions about love. Charlotte Payne (Sophie Winkleman, “Peep Show”) is looking for love and has rejected multiple marriage proposals — but she has yet to meet Mr. Right. When she joins a popular online dating site, she gets a little help from her dating counselor Ravi (Amir Talai, “The Ex List”) – who requires her to take a 100-question compatibility test. The questions aren’t easy for Charlotte to answer, and each one requires her to recount a poignant and humorous time in her life with friends Leslie (Elizabeth Ho, “Women’s Murder Club”), Jill (Joy Suprano, NBC’s “Law & Order”), Mike (Christopher Moynihan “For Your Consideration”) and Wayne (David Walton “Quarterlife”). The test becomes a journey of self-discovery for Charlotte who begins to realize what she truly wants in a relationship. Ron West (“Psych”), Kelly Kulchak (“Psych”) and Michelle Nader (“King of Queens”) join Moynihan as executive producers. The series is produced by Universal Media Studios and Tagline.
COMMUNITY
From Emmy Award-winning directors Joe and Anthony Russo (“Arrested Development”) comes “Community,” a smart comedy series about higher education — and lower expectations. The student body at Greendale Community College is made up of high-school losers, newly divorced housewives, and old people who want to keep their minds active. Within these not-so-hallowed halls, “Community” focuses on a band of misfits, at the center of which is a fast-talkin’ lawyer whose degree has been revoked (Joel McHale, “The Soup”), who form a study group and end up learning a lot more about themselves than they do about their course work. In addition to McHale, the series also stars: Gillian Jacobs (“The Book of Daniel”); Yvette Nicole Brown (“Rules of Engagement”); Danny Pudi (“Greek”); Alison Brie (“Mad Men”); and comedy legend Chevy Chase (“Saturday Night Live”). “Community” is a Krasnoff Foster Entertainment, Harmonious Claptrap and Russo Brothers production in association with Sony Pictures Television and Universal Media Studios. Russ Krasnoff (“The Soloist”), Dan Harmon (“The Sarah Silverman Program”), Joe Russo (“Arrested Development”), Anthony Russo (“Arrested Development”) and Gary Foster (“The Soloist”) serve as executive producers. Joe and Anthony Russo directed the pilot that was written by Dan Harmon.
For a first look at these new shows, come check out the previews.
SG Universe, Lie to Me and The Closer
Twitter Entry: @grimacetjackson
@TVDoneWright Duct tape wallet, duct tape phone case, duct tape card case. I feel smart. http://twitpic.com/zkpxa #BurnNotice
I wrote this comment on another site, but realized it was just a link to the real review:
I was worried it would suck and tarnish their legacy, but it was great! So many hilarious little details that I won’t bother to list. Well, Death (or is Death the mystery guy?) doing soul-rails was one! Definitely going to watch the whole season. I saw them live in Vancouver twice, they were awesome, and I’m so glad we’re getting more! Edgy, homegrown comedy that I am actually proud of!
I like the Shampoo, Cut, Blow Dry…And A Fake ID – you could use any of the characters as undercover and I bet you could get a bunch of cracks out of Neal about it.
Definitely the adoption scam one. It could be numerous with that sentimental touch to it. Plus, couldn’t you just see Agent Cruz having to go undercover with Neal as adopters or something along those lines? It would have great potential, and Cruz would have the opportunity to throw out some of her amazingly sarcastic comments towards Neal.
Or, ” A BIZARRE MEAL TICKET; The Couple Who Ate Glass” would be interesting too. Neal could show off his knowledge of swanky restaurants and could even go undercover as the owner of one maybe. And Peter could insult the food and the prices because as we saw in the last episode where he was tasting his wife’s catering choices, his palate is lacking elegance.
It’s rare that i say this about good shows, but it was Ugly Betty’s time.
I’m interested to see these folks’ next projects.
LOL< chuckleing and can't believe what people see in "Jack Bauer", Adam
K
btw, you missed Bones being on Tonight as well… missed one!
I would prefer a “branch office” of Torchwood, and leave the original in Wales. Messing with a sure thing is not wise, and if the US version tanks (quite possible with US producers) we at least would have the original. I adore John Barrowman, but I would hate to lose Eve Myles.
The doctor was Ethan Rom! He wanted to put needles in Clare! Timeline parallels!
Who was the actress who played Pierce Spelman? She looks really familiar. She was in an ensemble TV series recently. I am thinking a police drama. Too many brain cells lost.
Her name is Sarah Carter. I just remember her as Haylen from CSI: New York. She was the girl that tried to steal Adam’s job. Maybe you know her from something else?
Ok, that was pretty awesome.
TNA is a joke.
This was dumb. But talking about “24″….what do you expect? Kiefer the comedian, lol.
K
I loved the pilot. My fav. scene is when officer cooper is talking to officer sherman after he shot and killed his first bad guy.
GREAT IDEA! I missed his show in New York…and missed his show in Cali….I sure hope he does a show somewhere in Florida so I can make it! My birthday is coming up (March 11th), if anyone wants to know what I’d LOVE for my birthday present…some tix to see him!!!
Come to Oregon, Conan has a huge following here.
My favorite episode was Westside, I think it was episode 6. Anyway it was were the jewelry thieves were robbing the Bel Air homes. I can not wait to see the new season on TNT.
I will twitter 3 times via @HeartnSoulmom
wwe all the way tna is gay
I liked the episode Westlife simply for the exchange between Sherman and his mom; especially when his mother states that a life full of locked doors is no life at all.
Will tweet 3 times @TopWinger
I’m with Coco
i’m with coco!!!
I AM WITH COCO!
I hate yo face, Leno!
I’m with CoCo!
people should boycott anything to do with these people. im with coco!
I’m with COCO!!!
well, don’t have to worry about watching these shows or anything else on nbc.
viva conando!!
CoCo! CoCo! CoCo!
What a crappy lineup. I’m with Coco!
I’M WITH COCO!!!
I’m with CoCo.
I think I would rather have my armpits waxed than watch Leno.
I’m With Charo. Uh, I mean, uh, Coco!
viva conando!! viva conando!! viva conando!!
I’m with CoCo!
jay who?
Hell yeah! Come to Portland! We love Coco in the Northwest.
This makes me sick. I’m with COCO!!
TV done wrong – I’m with Coco, wherever her goes!
Go TNA!!
Man, got to have to say that i looked at some of great encounters the last days. But i must say that it is not said those guys with the leafs will win with ease from America. Once again Canada won with some luck tonight from Slovakia. The US will be winning sunday with 5-2! Another thing: Yo Crosby! Grow a smile at your face once in a while!
Ummm – lamest review EVER? Have read tons of other reviews by more respected tv critics . . . the show is full of WIN!!! I can already tell from the previews that it has depth, drama, and humor. Going to be amazing.
It might sound cliche but I have to go with the Pilot. It was just such a strong episode from start to finish. The reality of it all, the grittiness. The cast is great, the stories flow so good and it’s nice to have a show with more than one story, personal or professional, it’s good and keeps the fans compelled.
I think my favorite moment is probably when Ben shot his first criminal. Shooting someone for the first time is hard for anyone to take but when you’re a cop, it’s extra hard. The pressure, the fear, the reluctance and I think Ben showed all of that. It made you feel what he was feeling.
I will RT this contest three times @ sXePrettyInPunk
Sounds pretty dull. I’ll probably give “Persons Unknown” a chance, I like dramas. Plus, Alan Ruck, FTW.
WOOO! Rita’s death completely caught me off guard. I couldn’t believe it. I’m glad they’re not skipping ahead in time. I want to see how Dexter, the father of three children (Rita’s 2, his One) and Dexter, The Serial Killer, clash, while Dexter, The Grieving husband, well grieves.
I absolutely loved it. I was kind of touch & go, throughout the second half of season three. Some things were good, some things were a little boring but the episode before this and the finale were just on fire.
I agree, Sharon Gless was so good. I especially loved the end, when she fount out Michael went missing. Beautiful moment.
Fi & Sam, finally getting on him and to have Michael apologize, actually, saying the words and meaning it, was beautiful.It shows a great change in Michael, Fiona & Sam.
Finally, Simon was an a-hole, I really hated him, such a crazy person. Not to mention, the return of management, I wouldn’t be surprised if they set this all up, just to trick Michael back into working with them.
The ending threw me off. I had to rewind twice just to make sure I was seeing it right. Great season three finale and I can not wait for season four.
WIth classic Burn Notice flare and style, Michael Westin again finds himself in a situation that will require the skills of a spy to escape from.
I will be polishing my weapons, eating yogurt, and working out while I count the days until I can see the spy of spys again in June!
Monday Night Raw & TNA.
Saw “Trauma” was still on showing new episodes last night. What gives? Thought it was a BURIED series. Did they come to their senses?
K