NBC unveiled its fall schedule this afternoon, picking up four new dramas, two new comedies and giving the renewal notice to several other series.
After going down to the wire on its new series pickups and “bubble” series renewals, the network announced that next season’s lineup will include two medical dramas — “Trauma” and “Mercy” — the one-hour dramedy “Parenthood,” starring Peter Krause and Maura Tierney, and, for midseason, the apocalyptic series “Day One.”
On the comedy side, “100 Questions for Charlotte Payne” and Chevy Chase’s “Community” received orders.
“We are thrilled to be announcing such an awesome slate of new series that build on our existing quality brand and deliver emotional, human stories,” said Ben Silverman, co-chairman of NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios. “NBC will strive to make viewers feel and our shows represent the full range of human emotion from laughter to tears. We can’t wait to share these concepts with our audience and our advertising partners.”
As for renewals, the John Wells-produced cop drama “Southland” and NBC-produced comedy “Parks and Recreation,” starring Amy Poehler received 13-episode orders. The recently debuted Thursday night duo are the only freshman scripted series NBC has committed to bringing back next season. Monday night’s “Heroes” also received a pickup.
Patricia Arquette’s “Medium” received a pickup Sunday morning, though its exact order was being worked out and expected to be in the 13-18 episode range.
The network will also have a series of “SNL” primetime specials similar to what ran last fall during the Presidential campaign.
Previously announced series pickups include “The Office,” “30 Rock,” “The Biggest Loser,” “The Celebrity Apprentice,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Friday Night Lights,” and new reality series series “The Marriage Ref,” “Breakthrough With Tony Robbins” and “Who Do You Think You Are?”
Fans eager for news on “Chuck” will have to wait. As previously reported, the network and Warner Brothers, the producer for “Chuck” are still negotiating on a new season. Some in the entertainment industry are reporting the series is renewed though there has been no confirmation of this. Also waiting is the 20th season of “Law and Order.” The Hollywood Reporter estimates both shows outlook is favorable.
On the cancellation side, there was no extension for “My Name is Earl,” which may shift networks to Fox and the realty show, “Howie Do It.”
So the network is giving away thr 10 o’clock hour, leaving a bunch of series’ renewal hopes bleaker than they should be, and they’re *still* giving SNL time during the week? When was the last time anything from there was actually funny?
Why are there more SNL specials? The reason why viewership went up was because of the election. They are not going to get the same ratings this time around.
If they don’t renew Chuck, we will have words. And those words won’t be particularly flattering to the network execs.