I will admit that I have watched more NBC in the last two years than I have in a long time. The Marriage Ref and Who Do You Think You Are? are some pretty good additions and changes to what has been a stale offering of programs. Another highlight is Parenthood. Which I am happy it got renewed for a third sesaon. I was disappointed that Outsourced didn't make it back. It has to be one of the best workplace comedies in the last few years. Sorry, The Office, you are boring to me.
New Shows:
The Playboy Club: This show has promise! I think with all of the shows that are set in 60's this one has the potential to be a hit for NBC. As long as NBC doesn't bounce around the timeslot, it should be fine. I like Eddie Cibrian from his year on CSI: Miami. To be honest the show didn't have to be set in a Playboy club to have gotten me interested in it (because I sure know that The Girls Next Door didn't get me interested). I think if the writing is good and the acting is strong this will be around for a while.
Up All Night: DOA! Sorry to say it, but Christina Applegate hasn't had a good track record with television after Married...With Children ended. Also, what is it with NBC pushing and placing every out of work SNL performer on their shows? Seriously? What does Loren Michaels have over the brass at NBC? Isn't it enough that Jimmy Fallon is still on late night tv and the very unfunny, in my opinion, Tina Fey still roams the halls of 30 Rock? The premise will get old...fast and Mya Rudolph was unforgettable in Bridesmaids.
Free Agents: Similar to the above, I don't see this show lasting. What I don't understand is how pilots are selected. Are they chosen based on who wrote it, directed it or starring in it? Because Hank Azaria should stick to voicing his characters on the Simpsons and be done with it. These programs that get picked up don't seem, to me, that they have sustainability. The premise is limited and they will get written into a corner. Also, according to TV Guide this is a British remake. The last one that comes to my mind, aside from The Office, was Coupling that NBC did which ended up the show using the same British scripts and just changing the Brit-slang to American Slang. I am not saying British remakes are all bad, but this won't last.
Whitney: I have to give credit to an extent to NBC for trying to regain ground with sitcoms. However, I think most people don't know who Whitney Cummings is aside from being labeled a whore from all of the Comedy Central Roasts or if it all. Granted she is funny in small doses, but a sitcom is not small enough. Out of all the sitcoms this season, I give this one the best chance of lasting, only because it has been a long time since there has been a sitcom centered around a stand-up comedian. She is a far cry from Cosby, Roseanne, Drew Carey and Tim Allen.
Prime Suspect: A new cop show that escapes NBC from having it a Law & Order series. I don't have much to add to this. I am not familiar with Maria Bello, but apparently she is known well enough to keep mentioning her name in the promo spots. I think along with The Playboy Club this will stay.
Grimm: Sc-fi Fantasy shows haven't done well on network TV because it is such a niche market. Unless, it is about vampires or werewolves (puke). Also, ABC is doing something along the same lines or at least keeping with a fairytale background. My interest is peaked and hope this does well. I just won't hold my breath.
Similar to my commentary about CBS regarding CSI, the same can be said for Law & Order SVU. This will mark the first time since the late 90s that NBC will only have one Law & Order series in production. I just recently got into the show, my DVR is filled with reruns from USA. The writing is beyond compare, but two actors are not returing this year. Christopher Meloni and BD Wong. Wong is going to be a lead in a different cop show. Also, Hargitay is having a reduced role similar to Helgenberger from CSI from reports that make it seem that this is a going to be a building up year for the show. I hope this doesn't go away either, I probably won't get a chance to catch them as they air. NBC has been axing L & O left and right from the original show after 20 years, why not give them that 21st season to say the beat Gunsmoke? That would be a great honor, but they wanted something new and got Los Angeles last year and retooled it then cancelled it in its first year. Loyal L & O fans I am rooting for you.
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