NBC announces fall schedule, Can they finally get out of fourth place? Options

[bob_barron]

NBC PRIMETIME SCHEDULE FOR FALL 2007-08

*New programs in CAPS (with the exception of "ER")

MONDAY
8-9 p.m. "Deal or No Deal"
9-10 p.m. "Heroes"
10-11 p.m. "JOURNEYMAN"

TUESDAY
8-9 p.m. "The Biggest Loser"
9-10 p.m. "CHUCK"
10-11 p.m. "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"

WEDNESDAY
8-9 p.m. "Deal or No Deal"
9-10 p.m. "BIONIC WOMAN"
10-11 p.m. "LIFE"

THURSDAY
8-8:30 p.m. "My Name Is Earl"
8:30-9 p.m. "30 Rock"
9-9:30 p.m. "The Office"
9:30-10 p.m. "Scrubs"
10-11 p.m. "ER"

FRIDAY
8-9 p.m. "1 vs 100"/"THE SINGING BEE"
9-10 p.m. "Las Vegas"
10-11 p.m. "Friday Night Lights"

SATURDAY
8-9 p.m. "Dateline NBC"
9-11 p.m. Drama Series Encores

SUNDAY (Fall 2007)
7-8 p.m. "Football Night in America"
8-11 p.m. "NBC Sunday Night Football"

SUNDAY (January 2008)
7-8 p.m. "Dateline NBC"
8-9 p.m. "Law & Order"
9-10 p.m. "Medium"
10-11 p.m. "LIPSTICK JUNGLE"

2007-08 NEW SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

New Dramas

"JOURNEYMAN"-- From Emmy Award-winning writer-producer Kevin Falls ("The West Wing") and Emmy Award-winning director-producer Alex Graves ("The West Wing"), "Journeyman" is a romantic mystery-drama about Dan Vasser (Kevin McKidd, "Rome"), a San Francisco newspaper reporter and family man who inexplicably begins to travel through time and change people's lives. Along the way, he also must deal with the difficulties and strife at work and home brought on by his sudden disappearances. However, his freewheeling travels through the decades reunite him with his long-lost fiance Livia (Moon Bloodgood, "Day Break") -- which complicates his present-day life with wife Katie (Gretchen Egolf, "Martial Law") and their son. Reed Diamond ("Homicide: Life on the Street") and Charles Henry Wyson ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") also star. "Journeyman" is a production of 20th Century Fox Television. Falls is executive producer and writer; Graves is executive producer and director of the pilot.

"CHUCK" - From executive producer, Josh Schwartz ("The O.C.") and executive producer-director McG ("Charlie's Angels," "We Are Marshall") comes a one-hour, comedic spy thriller about Chuck Bartowski (Zachary Levi, "Less Than Perfect") - a computer geek who is catapulted into a new career as the government's most vital secret agent. When Chuck opens an e-mail subliminally encoded with government secrets, he unwittingly downloads an entire server of sensitive data into his brain. Now, the fate of the world lies in the unlikely hands of a guy who works at Buy More. Instead of fighting computer viruses, he must fight assassins and international terrorists. With the government's most precious secrets in Chuck's head, Major John Casey (Adam Baldwin, "My Bodyguard") of the NSA assumes the responsibility of protecting him. His partner is the CIA's top agent (and Chuck's first date in years) Sarah Walker (Yvonne Strzechowski, "Gone"). They'll keep him safe by trading in his pocket protector for a bulletproof vest. Also starring are Joshua Gomez ("Without a Trace") as Chuck's best buddy Morgan and Sarah Lancaster ("What About Brian?") as Chuck's ever-supportive sister Ellie. Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak wrote "Chuck," which is produced by College Hill Pictures and Wonderland Sound and Vision in association with Warner Bros. Television.

"BIONIC WOMAN" - Struggling as a bartender and surrogate mom to her teenage sister, Jaime Sommers (Michelle Ryan, "EastEnders") didn't think life could get much harder. But when a devastating car accident leaves her at death's door, Jaime's only hope for survival is a cutting-edge, top-secret technology that comes at a hefty price. With a whole new existence and a debt to re-pay, Jaime must figure out how to use her extraordinary abilities for good, while weighing the personal sacrifices she will have to make. Ultimately, it's Jaime's journey of self-discovery and inner strength that will help her embrace her new life as the Bionic Woman. Also starring are: Mae Whitman ("State of Grace") as Becca, Jaime's younger sister; Miguel Ferrer ("Crossing Jordan") as Jonas, the man who employs Jaime's boyfriend; Chris Bowers ("Rescue Me) as Will, Jaime's boyfriend, who performs the operation; Will Yun Lee ("Witchblade") as Jae, the specialized operations leader; and Molly Price ("Third Watch"), as Ruth, Jonas' second-in-command. "Bionic Woman" is produced by NBC Universal Television Studio and executive-produced by David Eick ("Battlestar Galactica"), Glen Morgan ("The X-Files"), Michael Dinner ("Kidnapped") -- who also directed the pilot -- and Jason Smilovic ("Lucky Number Slevin"). Laeta Kalogridis ("Birds of Prey") is also an executive producer on the pilot.

"LIFE" -- From Rand Ravich and Far Shariat, the executive producers of the feature film "The Astronaut's Wife," and David Semel, who directed the pilot of NBC's "Heroes," "Life" is a new drama about a detective who is given a second chance. Damian Lewis ("Band of Brothers") stars as complex, offbeat Detective Charlie Crews, who returns to the force after years in prison, thanks to close friend and attorney Constance Griffiths (Melissa Sagemiller, "Sleeper Cell"), after serving time for a crime he didn't commit. The cast also includes Sarah Shahi ("Rush Hour 3") as Charlie's skeptical, demanding partner, Robin Weigart (HBO's "Deadwood") as their hard-hitting lieutenant, and Adam Arkin ("Chicago Hope") as former cellmate Ted Early. "Life" is an NBC Universal Television Studio production. Rand Ravich is executive producer and writer; Far Shariat is executive producer; David Semel is executive producer and director on the pilot

"LIPSTICK JUNGLE" - Based on the best-selling novel by Candace Bushnell ("Sex and the City"), this fun 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, "24"), editor-in-chief of a hot fashion magazine, wants to replace her boss as CEO. Movie exec Wendy (Brooke Shields, "Suddenly Susan") finds even her most earnest efforts may not be enough to balance career and family. And free-spirited designer Victory (Lindsay Price, "Beverly Hills, 90210") 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. Written by executive producers DeAnn Heline and Eileen Heisler (both for "How I Met Your Mother," "Three Sisters") and based on the book by Bushnell, "Lipstick Jungle" is from NBC Universal Television Studio. The pilot is directed by Gary Winick ("13 Going on 30").

New Comedy Series

"THE IT CROWD" - Ever wonder what's up with those quirky techies who come to fix the office computer when no one's around? "The IT Crowd" is an offbeat series, based on the critically acclaimed British comedy, that offers a humorous behind-the-scenes peek at the people who truly keep the office humming. Roy (Joel McHale, "The Soup") and Moss (Richard Ayoade, "The IT Crowd" -- U.K.) are the misunderstood masters of their high-tech domain, but they lack the people skills to befriend anyone but each other. Their company's head is Denholm (Rocky Carrol, "Chicago Hope"), who wants the IT department to stay segregated and forever banished to the basement. Executive producers are Moses Port ("Just Shoot Me"), David Guarascio ("Just Shoot Me"), Joe Port (NBC's "The Office"), Joe Wiseman ("The Office"), Graham Linehan ("The IT Crowd" -- UK) and Steve Tao ("Red Doors"). Gail Mancuso ("Scrubs," "30 Rock") directed the pilot. "The IT Crowd" is produced by NBC Universal Television Studio.

New Alternative Series

"THE SINGING BEE" - "The Singing Bee" is a variety-competition show that challenges contestants to accurately sing the lyrics to popular songs -- even when the band stops playing. In this karaoke showdown, there's no middle ground for partially correct answers -- contestants must be perfect or they're out. Family-friendly, broad in appeal and conducive to playing (and singing) along at home, "The Singing Bee" features popular, recognizable music that inspires hilarious wrong answers and amazing performances by those rare contestants who somehow manage to get every word right. "The Singing Bee" is produced by the Gurin Company and Juma Entertainment, LLC. The executive producers are Phil Gurin (NBC's "Miss Universe" franchise) and Robert C. Horowitz ("Super Bowl's Greatest Commercials Top 40 Countdown").

"WORLD MOVES" -- From executive producer Randy Jackson ("American Idol") and the creators of the World Hip Hop Championship comes one of the most visual and captivating performance competition shows ever to hit TV. Thousands of dance teams from around the world will audition for their shot to come to Los Angeles and compete for a global championship and an international touring contract. The live television event features young teams of five to seven members demonstrating their athleticism, creativity and innovative choreography in a presentation that highlights both the competition and the personal drama unfolding within each team. Viewers from across the globe will vote via the Internet, by text message, or by phone to eliminate one team each week. Ultimately, it's not just about winning a competition; "World Moves" involves stories that change lives and bring the world together. From Warner Horizon Television, the series is executive-produced by Jackson ("American Idol," Dream Merchant 21 Entertainment), Rob Lee (President, Bayonne Entertainment, "Blow Out," "House of Carters"), Howard Schwartz ("Hip Hop International, World Hip Hop Championship), Karen Schwartz (Hip Hop International, World Hip Hop Championship) and Harriet Sternberg (Dream Merchant 21 Entertainment).

[Black Lushus]

wow...Bionic Woman part duex and You Got Served the reality show?

yikes, NBC...just concentrate on more of the good stuff, please.

[bob_barron]

Knowing NBC, they'll probably change their whole lineup in a few days anyway.

The Wednesday lineup is horrible.

[MarvinisaLunatic]

My Name is Earl..thats all Im gonna watch.

What the hell is up with NBC?

[Dobbs 3K]

Guess that kills the rumors of "The Office" going to an hour.

[Hawk 34]

Ugh. FNL on Friday? Horrible. I guess they figured it was going to get low ratings anyways, might as well stick it on friday at 10. Should have just slapped the other Deal onto fridays with the other game show and kept FNL at 8 on wednesday. I can't believe ER is still around. Chuck has a premise that I might be interested in but the guy from The O.C and McG doing a show sounds like a bad over produced mix. None of the new shows on NBC seem like shows that'll be worth seeing.

[Jonathon]

Friday Night Lights on a friday night death slot? Not good.

Glad to see Reed Diamond is still around, though (Journeyman).

[Hawk 34]

The good thing is, one of the new dramas will bomb pretty soon (I'm thinking LIFE) and hopefully FNL will get slotted in a better spot. Although a 4th slot in 2 years won't help.

[Guest_Smues_*]

Law & Order moving to Sundays? Lame. And no L&O until after football season? Lame.

[Youth N Asia]

Same next year as I watch this year: Heroes, Earl, and Office. Would rather see Earl and Office back to back like it should be though

[MarvinisaLunatic]

Law & Order moving to Sundays? Lame. And no L&O until after football season? Lame.

I would think thats better than L&O on friday nights like this season..

[Spaceman Spiff]

"The Office" got ordered for 30 episodes, w/ 5 of them being 1 hour in length.

[Vigo]

Same next year as I watch this year: Heroes, Earl, and Office. Would rather see Earl and Office back to back like it should be though

30 Rock ain't bad but it's not a show I watch regularly like My Name Is Earl or The Office. This is clearly a move to help 30 Rock in the ratings department as I'm sure NBC is banking on the fact that people will stick around after they watch My Name Is Earl and will wait the extra half hour to watch The Office.

[USC Wuz Robbed!]

"The Office" got ordered for 30 episodes, w/ 5 of them being 1 hour in length.

Which means 25 episodes in total.

[Hoff]

This kind of sucks for me; the couple times I've watched 30 Rock, I've found it annoying. It's one I *want* to like, but no dice. Wish I had a Nielsen box; turning away from NBC from 8:30 to 9 would send a message.

[starvenger]

Friday Night Lights on a friday night death slot? Not good.

At least it makes sense to be on a Friday, what with the name and all.

For reference purposes, Numb3rs had a 6.5/12 rating, while Law & Order had a 5.7/10 last week in the 10pm slot, and I know that Numb3rs at least averages over 10 million viewers an episode. So that's the kind of ratings that FNL is probably expected to pull in. But since I'm not a fan, I couldn't tell you FNL's current regular or 18-49 ratings are, but it seems like it would need to be high 1s in the 18-49 demo to be considered successful there. Seems achievable to me.

[KingPK]

"The Office" got ordered for 30 episodes, w/ 5 of them being 1 hour in length.

As did Heroes. Along with the main 24 episode season, there's going to be a special six episode series called Heroes: Origins that will air during the hiatus period. I hope this means the networks have learned their lesson after making us wait 1-2 months for a show to come back while airing a thousand episodes of Deal Or No Deal in it's place.

[Vern Gagne]

wow...Bionic Woman part duex and You Got Served the reality show?

yikes, NBC...just concentrate on more of the good stuff, please.

The new Bionic Woman's got a nice rack.

[the max]

Lipstick Jungle = Girl's Club - Lawyers.

[Vern Gagne]

Lindsay Price=Kiss of Death.

[Jonathon]

Friday Night Lights on a friday night death slot? Not good.

At least it makes sense to be on a Friday, what with the name and all.

True, but If it wants to reach the teen audience, that's the worst time slot. Since most teenagers will be at actual football games on that night.

[Slayer]

Lipstick Jungle = Girl's Club - Lawyers.

Maybe they can finally answer the question of whether these girls can survive in a cold heartless man's world

[Matt Young]

"The Office" got ordered for 30 episodes, w/ 5 of them being 1 hour in length.

As did Heroes. Along with the main 24 episode season, there's going to be a special six episode series called Heroes: Origins that will air during the hiatus period. I hope this means the networks have learned their lesson after making us wait 1-2 months for a show to come back while airing a thousand episodes of Deal Or No Deal in it's place.

I like that. I like that a lot.

[Craig Th]

"The Office" got ordered for 30 episodes, w/ 5 of them being 1 hour in length.

Which means 25 episodes in total.

No, it would be 35 episodes.

25 episodes at 30 mins = 25 episodes
5 episodes at 60 mins = 10 episodes

25 + 10 = 35.

[bob_barron]

Extended seasons are in store for "Heroes," "The Office" and "My Name Is Earl." The network has ordered 25 episodes of "Earl" as well as 30 half-hours of "The Office," five of which will be paired together as one-hour specials. As for "Heroes," 24 episodes are on tap for the 2007-2008 season as well as six episodes of "Heroes: Origins," an "innovative new spin-off that each week will introduce a new character -- one of whom will be chosen by viewers through the 'Heroes' website on NBC.com to become a cast regular the following season." The project, which will have a separate writing and producing team from the parent series, will air either after "Heroes" concludes its second season or as a bridge between two of its broadcast pods.

[starvenger]

Friday Night Lights on a friday night death slot? Not good.

At least it makes sense to be on a Friday, what with the name and all.

True, but If it wants to reach the teen audience, that's the worst time slot. Since most teenagers will be at actual football games on that night.

Yeah, I got that. Still, it'll probably survive. I mean, Las Vegas is still around, right?

[Gary Floyd]

I'll check out "Bionic Woman", since Mae ("Arrested Development") Whitman is in it.

[Jaxxson Mayhem]

Wow. Friday Night Lights and Medium got fuuuucked.

[treble]

I'll check out "Bionic Woman", since Mae ("Arrested Development") Whitman is in it.

Her?

[USC Wuz Robbed!]

"The Office" got ordered for 30 episodes, w/ 5 of them being 1 hour in length.

Which means 25 episodes in total.

No, it would be 35 episodes.

25 episodes at 30 mins = 25 episodes
5 episodes at 60 mins = 10 episodes

25 + 10 = 35.

No, the network people consider each half hour as an "episode", and since it's been said that there will be 5 1 hour longs, those are going to be counted as 10 episodes, while actually only being 5 episodes. Leaving 20 half hour episodes left. 20 half hours+ 5 hour longs=25 episodes in total.