After plummeting to fourth place amongst the major networks, the once mighty NBC began its crawl back towards the light last season with one breakout hit in the form of "Heroes" and the critically acclaimed (but soft rated) "Friday Night Lights" and "30 Rock." Yet it wasn't enough, all its other new shows bombed including high profile titles like "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," and one hit does not a network make.
As a result the Peacock needs to cement viewers, and aims to do that with five new dramas, one new comedy (launching mid-season), and two new reality shows. It marks the first time in nearly three decades that the network won't have a single new comedy on the Fall lineup.
One big surprise came in the form of "Heroes: Origins", a six-episode limited series exploring unseen characters from the hit show that will air during the hiatus. A viewer poll will see the most popular character from it be incorporated into the series next season which will remain in the same timeslot.
Another surprise is that "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" has been pulled from the schedule. The network has renewed its deal with Dick Wolf with one caveat being that 'Intent' will now premiere new episodes on the USA network first and repeats later aired on NBC at a time to be determined.
Two notable pilots didn't make the final cut and won't be seen. Dark comedy "Fort Pit" starred Dennis Leary as a NYPD cop transferred to a police precinct for all the assorted black sheep of the force. The other was drama "M.O.N.Y." starred Bobby Cannavale as a public defender who suddenly becomes the mayor of New York and has to deal with the politics behind the scenes.
Finally two new unscripted shows have been ordered - karaoke competition "The Singing Bee" which asks its contestants to sing accurately even if the band stops playing, and a dance team competition called "World Moves" with an international touring contract up for grabs.
Onto the new shows, and they are:
The Bionic Woman(Action/Sci-Fi, Wednesdays 9pm)
Struggling as a bartender and surrogate mom to her teen-aged sister, Jamie Sommers (Michelle Ryan) didn't think life could get much harder.
But when a devastating car accident leaves her at death's door, Jamie's only hope of survival is through a cutting-edge, top-secret technology that comes at a hefty price. With a whole new existence and a debt to repay, Jamie must figure out how to use her extraordinary abilities for good, while weighing the personal sacrifices she will have to make.
Ultimately, it's Jamie's journey of self-discovery and inner strength that will help her embrace her new life as...The Bionic Woman. Miguel Ferrer, Chris Bowers, Mae Whitman, Molly Price, Will Yun Lee and Katee Sackhoff also star.
Chuck(Comedy Spy Thriller, Tuesdays 9pm)
Chuck Bartowski (Zachary Levi) is just your average computer-whiz next-door. He spends his days working for Buy-More with his band of nerdy cohorts, longing to find a woman who can appreciate him.
But when an old friend, who happens to be a CIA agent, sends Chuck a mysterious encoded email, the world's greatest spy secrets are embedded into his brain. He never asked to become the government's most powerful weapon, but the fate of the country suddenly lies in his unlikely hands.
Hopefully, this won't take away from his video game time! International terrorist plots, sexy spies and cold pizza – it's all in a day's work for our trusty hero...Chuck. Adam Baldwin, Joshua Gomez, Natalie Martinez, SarahLancaster and Yvonne Strzechowki also star. McG and Josh Schwartz executive produce.
The I.T. Crowd(Comedy, Mid-Season)
You know those cool guys who charm the ladies, have tons of friends and get invited to the hottest parties? Roy (Joel McHale) and Moss (Richard Ayoade) are not those guys.
A night of fun for these I.T. nerds means getting dressed to the nines for the latest iPhone webcast. But Jen (Jessica St. Clair), their new office manager, is going to change all that. Tech-savvy, she's not, but she knows how to win people over and get ahead. After living for years in oblivion, Roy and Moss hope Jen can help them get the recognition they so desperately long for. Rocky Carroll also star.
Journeyman(Time-Travel Drama, Mondays 10pm)
Dan Vassar (Kevin McKidd) thought he had it all: a loving wife (Gretchen Egolf), a great son (Charlie Wyson) and a steady job. But life suddenly throws him a curve ball.
Dan finds himself traveling into the past with a purpose – impacting people's lives for the better – and sometimes the worse. While doing so, Dan reconnects with Livia Beale (Moon Bloodgood), his ex-fiancée whom he lost in a mysterious plane crash.
Now armed with the knowledge of the present, will he be able to save her? What would that mean to his own future? And how would it change a man who thought he had it all?
Life(Cop Drama, Wednesdays 10pm)
Meet Detective Charlie Crews (Damien Lewis). Behind him sit tough years of hard prison time for a crime he didn't commit. Ahead of him lie the challenges of a world that's moved on without him.
Now it's time to walk through the painful cobwebs of his past and re-enter the scorn-filled halls of a job he loves. It's no easy task, especially when his reluctant new partner is as jaded as Dani Reese (Sarah Shahi).
Charlie's appreciation for life's details not only offers up unique insights into each crime, it reminds us of all the little things we take for granted. Adam Arkin, Melissa Sagemiller and Robin Weigert also star.
Lipstick Jungle(Comedy/Drama, Sundays 10pm)
These women aren't looking for Mr. Big, they are Mr. Big. Based on the best-selling book by Candace Bushnell (Sex and the City), this enticing new dramedy follows three high-powered friends as they weather the ups and downs of lives lived at the top of their game.
Nico (Kim Raver), editor-in-chief of a hot fashion magazine, has her eye on becoming CEO. Movie exec Wendy (Brooke Shields) does everything she can to balance career and family. And free-spirited designer Victory (Lindsay Price )longs to make her dreams come true, and maybe find Mr. Right along the way.
Armed with humor and strength, these three modern New York women support one another through the triumphs and tears that are all part of making it big in The Big Apple?. Julian Sands, David Alan Basche and Christopher Wiehl also star.
Renewals include "30 Rock," "The Biggest Loser", "Dateline NBC," "Deal or No Deal", "E.R.," "Friday Night Lights," "Heroes," "Las Vegas," "Law and Order", "Law and Order: SVU", "Law and Order: Criminal Intent," "Medium," "My Name is Earl," "The Office," "Scrubs," "Sunday Night Football."
Cancellations include "20 Good Years," "Andy Barker PI," "The Black Donnellys," "Crossing Jordan", "Kidnapped," "Raines," "The Singles Table," "Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip."
The nightly NBC schedule will be as follows:
MONDAY
8pm: "Deal or No Deal"
9pm: "Heroes"
10pm: "Journeyman"
TUESDAY
8pm: "The Biggest Loser"
9pm: "Chuck"
10pm: "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit"
WEDNESDAY
8pm: "Deal or No Deal"
9pm: "Bionic Woman"
10pm: "Life"
THURSDAY
8pm: "My Name Is Earl"
8:30pm: "30 Rock"
9pm: "The Office"
9:30pm: "Scrubs"
10pm: "E.R."
FRIDAY
8pm: "1 vs. 100"
8:30pm: "The Singing Bee"
9pm: "Las Vegas"
10pm: "Friday Night Lights"
SATURDAY
8pm: "Dateline Saturday"
9pm: "Drama Series Encores"
SUNDAY
7pm: "Football Night In America" (Fall)
8pm: "Sunday Night Football" (Fall)
7pm: "Dateline NBC" (Spring)
8pm: "Law and Order" (Spring)
9pm: "Medium" (Spring)
10pm: "Lipstick Jungle" (Spring)
