Tag Archives: NBC

NBC announces midseason schedule

News, Television, , , , , , , , , , ,

Parks and Rec is coming, Parks and Rec is coming!  Sorry, I can hardly contain my excitement for the return of Leslie Knope and the entire Pawnee gang.  Today NBC announced its midseason schedule, which includes the return of The Biggest Loser, Minute to Win It, Parks and Recreation, and The Marriage Ref and Who Do You Think You Are?, four series premieres (The Cape, Harry’s Law, Perfect Couples, America’s Next Great Restaurant), and some program shuffling.  The biggest shakeup?  Starting January 20 NBC’s Thursday night comedy lineup will include six–count ’em–six comedies in the extended 8PM to 11PM block.  It’s the first time since the 1991-92 season that NBC is pulling such a stunt.  The lineup includes Community, Perfect Couples, The Office, Parks and Recreation, 30 Rock, and Outsourced.  Other scheduling shifts: Parenthood moves to Monday, Law & Order: Los Angeles to Tuesday, Chase to Wednesday, and Law & Order: SVU to 10PM on Wednesday.  In related news, NBC renewed 30 Rock for a sixth season.  Jump after the break to review the full sched.  Click here to preview the new NBC shows.

[Via Deadline] Continue reading NBC announces midseason schedule →

NBCU TV Chairman Jeff Gaspin departs as Comcast merger looms

News, Television, , , , , , , , ,

NBC Universal TV Entertainment Chairman Jeff Gaspin will follow ex-NBCU CEO Jeff Zucker out the door as the NBCU-Comcast merger approaches.  Gaspin served as Chairman since July 2009, and before that he was President and COO of NBC Universal TV Group and VP of alternative series.  He helped develop shows like The Apprentice and The Biggest Loser.  Apparently he and newly appointed NBCU CEO Steve Burke “could not agree on an appropriate role” for him post-merger, and he plans to formally leave the company shortly after the merger takes place.  And so the network shakeup continues.  Look after the break to read Gaspin’s exit memo.

[Via Deadline; EW] Continue reading NBCU TV Chairman Jeff Gaspin departs as Comcast merger looms →

NBC cancels ‘Undercovers’

News, Television, , , ,

Tear.  Shortly after granting all other freshman series full season orders, NBC decided to axe the spy series with potential Undercovers.  And just when the creative team was about to retool the show’s structure by injecting some exciting mythos into it.  Too little too late, as they say?  I happened to highly enjoy this series; the writing is smart, the action is cutting edge, and the small, vibrant cast is worth investing in.  And to think that a J.J. Abrams show could ever be cancelled!  Never thought I’d see the day come.  You can blame it on the lack of a gripping subplot (but that was coming!) and poor ratings; the show hit a series low last night drawing only 5.8 million viewers.

But enough grieving for now.  Bet you’re wondering about the remainder of Undercovers episodes.  NBC will air three more episodes in the short term (11/10, 11/17, 12/1) and may run three additional episodes at a later time.  The information regarding those lingering episodes remains unclear right now.  RIP Blooms.  I just hope that we find out what Shaw, Alan Dale, and the CIA had in store for the sexy duo.

[Via Deadline]

Get ready for some ‘Undercovers’ mythos starting this week

News, Television, ,

It’s no secret that NBC has renewed all of its new fall programming except for Undercovers.  Instead of being handed the back nine safety net, this procedural drama received additional scripts, not episodes.  TV Guide has uncovered exciting news surrounding the program with potential.  Undercovers, the spy series from partners J.J. Abrams (Lost, Alias) and Josh Reims (Felicity), premiered with a rocky start.  The most recent episode netted 5.4 million viewers; the show is no runaway success (surprising news for Abrams fans all over).  With unexceptional ratings and no full season order happening just yet, Reims and company need to prove that this show is worth keeping on the airwaves.  And they’re going to do that by injecting some compelling mythos into the storyline.

Before Undercovers premiered, Reims and Abrams discussed their ultimate plan for the show.  We know Abrams is all about mythology (re: Fringe, Lost, Alias), but Reims did not want to make the show difficult or confusing for casual viewers to tune into every week.  So they decided to structure the show with a procedural backbone.  But with the recent rating slump, Reims suddenly had a change of heart.  Mythology is coming, and it involves digging to the Blooms’ past.

Spills star Boris Kodjoe: “The mythology is represented by Shaw and his boss, and the plan they have for the Blooms.  Every episode we find out new elements and new aspects about this master plan that was in place even before they came back to the CIA.”  Reims adds: “They’re kind of upset that they were sent into this dangerous field without knowing the exact reason why they were there.  So that lights a fire underneath them to find out what those real reasons are.”

Kodjoe and Reims are hopeful the next round of episodes will captivate and invest viewers.  “Audiences are not to be underestimated”, says Kodjoe. We want to be entertained and there has to be some sense of escapism.  On the other hand, people want to be challenged.  I think that’s part of the reason they made that adjustment.  Obviously we want to challenge our audience and make sure they stay with us.”  Reims: “Obviously, we would have liked for [the network] to say, ‘Go ahead and shoot your back nine episodes,’ but I understand our ratings aren’t exactly going through the roof.  I’m hoping that when they see the episodes that are airing in the next few weeks, plus the scripts they are going to get, they’ll realize, ‘Oh, wow there’s a lot going on in this show and we don’t want to give up on it yet.'”  Me too.

The new storyline promises to take one step back away from the Blooms’ domestic life and dive more into their spy missions.  And guess who’s playing Shaw’s boss?  That’s right–Alan Dale (Lost‘s Charles Widmore).

If you’re not watching Undercovers you should be.  It’s an exhilarating, smart, and sexy thrill ride that features exotic locales and fun spy missions, and not to mention witty, hilarious dialogue.  With the introduction of some mythos, things will only get better from here.  It airs Wednesday nights at 8PM on NBC.  Tell your friends.

Update: You clearly did not tell your friends.  NBC cancelled the show.

[Via TVGuide; IGN]

Network TV says HALT! to Google TV

News, Technology, Television, , , , , , , , ,

Didcha get yourself a new Sony Internet TV or Blu-ray player or are you thinking about impulse buying the Logitech Revue powered by Google TV?  If you’re contemplating such a purchase did you think you’d have the ability to watch network TV content off their respective websites using the built-in Chrome browser?  Well you thought wrong, unfortunately.  Today the Wall Street Journal confirms that CBS, NBC, and ABC have blocked TV programming on their websites from being accessed on the Google TV platform.  NBC and ABC are allowing select promotional content to be viewed, but if you attempt to stream a full episode of The Office you will fail miserably.  And to top all this off, Hulu is blocked too; and not because it’s Flash-based–Chrome runs Flash content just fine–it’s the networks’ fault.  So what’s Google going to do about this?  In a word, nothing.  In more words: “Google TV enables access to all the Web content you already get today on your phone and PC, but it is ultimately the content owners’ choice to restrict their fans from accessing their content on the platform,” said a Google spokeswoman.  News Corp., for the time being, has not opted to block FOX content.

Why is this happening, you ask?  Well in the end it all comes down to making money.  And networks know TV ads bring in a whole lot more cashola than Internet-based ads.  Right now we’re stuck in this weird transition state where TV has snuck into bed with the Internet and just doesn’t know what to do next.  Here’s to hoping that something is figured out real soon.  Because I want my on-demand teevee streaming content this very second.  Boxee, good luck.

[Via WSJ]

NBC grants ‘The Event’, ‘Law & Order: Los Angeles’ & ‘Outsourced’ full season orders [Update: ‘Chase’ & ‘Chuck’ picked up, ‘Undercovers’ gets 4 additional scripts]

News, Television, , , , , , , ,

Happy times at the Peacock today.  NBC just picked up full season orders for freshman dramas The Event and Law & Order: Los Angeles and the controversial comedy Outsourced.  According to Deadline, the three NBC shows have averaged 9.1 million, 8.7 million viewers, and 6.3 million viewers overall, respectively.  It’s mentioned that although The Event continues to dip in viewership each week since its strong premiere, it has remained a “solid DVR performer” for the network.  So Jason Ritter (above), you can relax a bit; your stay at NBC just got longer.  Legal drama Outlaw is the sole NBC cancellation.

NBC President Angela Bromstad: “We are pleased with the quality of The Event, Law & Order: Los Angeles and Outsourced, and feel they are an important part of helping to re-build our schedule and our studio pipeline.  We believe in these new series and the creative auspices behind them.”

No word on the back nine episode order for other NBC dramas Chase and Undercovers.  Deadline reports that Chase is expected to get it, and Undercovers recently received an order for 6 additional scripts.  That’s a very good sign, Abrams fans.  In addition, Ausiello reports that NBC is about to order more episodes of the fan-favorite Chuck…

Update: NBC has picked up Chase and Chuck for full season orders.  Chuck will receive an additional 11 episodes instead of the standard back nine (so it will air 24 episodes in total).  The network still hasn’t decided the fate of the J.J. Abrams spy series Undercovers, but things are looking up since they’ve ordered 4 more scripts to be penned.

[Via Deadline, here & here; thanks AndrewSeely for image help]

Fuller wants Kristen Bell in ‘Munsters’ reboot

News, Television, , , , , ,

This month brought news that Pushing Daisies creator Bryan Fuller is bringing a “modern-day reboot” of The Munsters to NBC.  Today Fuller expressed interest in nabbing actress Kristen Bell, who comes from TV roots (Veronica Mars), to play the part of Marilyn, the “plain” cousin of the wacky Munster clan.  “Are you kidding me?” explaimed Fuller.  “Kristen would be perfect.”  He explains that Marilyn will have a much more pivotal role in the reboot than she did in the classic 1960s sitcom.  “She is our eyes into the world, in the sense that we all can relate to our families exhibiting some level of monstrous behavior.”  He also hinted that Eddie’s pet dragon Spot will also serve a larger purpose.  NBC has ordered a pilot to be made, and Fuller splendidly spilled some info as to what we can expect.  “This version has teeth and isn’t afraid to use them,” he said.  “For example, the story begins when young Eddie unexpectedly manifests as a werewolf on a scout camping trip and inadvertently eats two of his fellow scouts.”  Um, yes.

[Via EW-AusielloFiles]

Bryan Fuller is bringing back The Munsters!

News, Television, , , , ,

Bryan Fuller, the brilliant mind behind Pushing Daisies, is creating a “modern-day reboot” of the classic 1960s sitcom The Munsters.  According to EW’s Michael Ausiello, NBC has ordered a pilot and the reboot is being described as “Modern Family meets True Blood.”  And there’s this: Guillermo del Toro (Hellboy, Pans Labyrinth) is rumored to have a behind-the-scenes role in the show.  Uhhh…count me in!  I wonder what The Munsters will look like in beautiful HD technicolor, don’t you?

[Via EW-AusielloFiles]

NBC CEO Jeff Zucker to leave his post when Comcast takes over

News, Television, , , , , ,

Last December it was announced that Comcast would supercede General Electric to become NBC Universal’s controlling parent company.  Last week brought news that NBC Universal President and CEO Jeff Zucker will be leaving his post when the merger is finalized later this year.  “Now, it is clear to me that this is the right decision for me and for the company, said Zucker.  Comcast will be a great new steward, just as GE has been, and they deserve the chance to implement their own vision.”  Unfortunately Zucker will not be remembered for much success in the NBC Entertainment division.  NBC is currently in fourth place (behind CBS, FOX, and ABC) in overall network ratings and who can forget last year’s terrible decision to axe Conan, give Jay Leno is own show, and wipe out regular primetime programming in the process.  NBC needs new leadership and vision if it wants to play catchup with the other networks.  I’m glad Zucker (publically, at least) sees it this way.

[Via CNN]

J.J. Abrams pitching Locke/Linus buddy cop show [Update: It’s official: NBC picks it up!] [Update 2: Postponed]

News, Television, , , , , ,

Read that headline again.  Now again.  J.J. Abrams, creator of Lost, is hoping to bring together Terry O’Quinn and Michael Emerson (aka Lost‘s John Locke & Benjamin Linus) for a new series.  O’Quinn and Emerson would play former black-ops agents in the comedic drama tentitively titled Odd Jobs.  News first broke about a potential reuniting of Lost‘s brightest stars back in February when O’Quinn told TV Guide about “a TNT-type show that would pair him back up with…Michael Emerson as suburban hit men juggling family issues.”  Much time has passed, and now things are starting to heat up again.  Plans to make this show a reality are very real.  NYMag reports that Abrams and collaborators Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec (Alias, Mission: Impossible 4) are pitching Odd Jobs to a handful of TV networks.  All I can say is that if these plans do result in a Locke/Linus buddy cop show, the world will be a better place for it.

Update: According to Deadline, this thing is happening!!  After shopping around Odd Jobs (working title) to various networks, NBC came out on top with the winning bid.  It was a nailbiter between former Lost home ABC and NBC, but in the end the Peacock nabbed it.  It’s official: The one hour long drama will star the fantastic Terry O’Quinn alongside Lost-mate Michael Emerson.  J.J. Abrams, Bryan Burk, Josh Appelbaum, and Andre Nemec will serve as executive producers; the latter two are also penning the pilot script.  Warner Bros. TV, with Abrams’ Bad Robot, are backing the project.  Deadline reports that the show has a put-pilot commitment, meaning NBC will air the pilot and likely followup by picking up the series granting it a 13 to 20-something episode season.  The show will join Undercovers as the second Abrams production on NBC by *fingers crossed* next fall.

Update 2 (3/10): Development of the show has been postponed. In the meantime, you can catch Emerson and O’Quinn in new pilots this fall–CBS’s Person of Interest and ABC’s Hallelujah Hawaii Five-0. (Hallelujah is being retooled for Fall 2012.)

[Via NYMag; Deadline]

Community is going animated for the Christmas special [Update: “Twittersode” to precede the premiere]

News, Television, , , , , , , ,

Series creator Dan Harmon is ready to take Community to a whole ‘nother level, quite literally in fact.  Season 2’s Chistmas episode is going to be entirely stop motion animated, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer-style.  Earlier this summer Harmon shared his excitement over the possibily of making such a unique episode.  “It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do but, I never anticipated having the ability to do it,” he told NYMag.  “Jeff Gaspin at NBC woke up one morning and thought Community should do an animated episode.  I was like, ‘Well, that’s weird, because that’s the kind of stuff I’m usually suggesting and guys like him veto.”

Upon hearing news of the holiday surprise, a number of the cast members also couldn’t contain their enthusiasm for it.  “It is so hard for me not to tell everybody I know about it,” says Danny Pudi (Abed). “The minute we read that script, I was over-the-moon excited.  It’s like that Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer special that you see every Christmas. But in true Community fashion, it’s also a little subversive and a little dark.”  Alison Brie (Annie) said, “When I found out, I fell in love with the show all over again!”  Star Joel McHale (Jeff) revealed, “I can confirm that we are not yellow [ie. The Simpsons], and we do not have a talking dog [ie. Family Guy] in the episode.  But all your favorite Greendalians will be going animated.”

Can you imagine an animated Senor Chang and Starburns?  It’s going to be great.  In related news, you should know that Community also has planned a top-secret, big budget Halloween special featuring–you guessed it–zombies!  “Knowing too much about this particular plot would ruin it, but I promise it’s an awesome, one-off crazy conceptual episode with plot points and effects that are more familiar to horror film fans than our show’s fans,” says Harmon.

Community returns Thursday (9/23) at 8PM on NBC.

Update: Starting at 7PM ET (one hour prior to the season premiere) the main characters of the show will communicate with one another in a conversation using Twitter.  This “Twittersode” is being described as a “prequel” scene to the premiere ep.  According to EW,  “they’ll make arrangements for their first meet-up of the year, as well as preparations for their first class, Anthropology 101.”  A class we all know will be led by the one and only Betty White.  You have two options to watch the prequel convo go down: (1) Head over to www.nbc.com/CommunityTwittersode or (2) follow the Community gang on Twitter and watch it happen live in your Twitter feed.  Hop after the break to find all the characters’ Twitter handles.  (Mind you these are Twitter accounts for the fictional show characters, not the actual actors’ Twitter names.)  Happy tweeting!

[Via EW, here, here & here] Continue reading Community is going animated for the Christmas special [Update: “Twittersode” to precede the premiere] →