Upfronts Week is here! As per usual, I’m here to break it down! NBC is below, Fox is here, and stay tuned for more each day this week! Okay, onto NBC!
My first thoughts? I am SO excited that This is Us, Timeless, The Good Place, & Great News are returning. They were my favorite new NBC dramas and comedies of the 2016-2017 schedule so it’s great to see them return! This Is Us is the obvious choice when it comes to ratings for the post Superbowl spot so that’s smart that they went that route but when thinking about it some more, it’s such a quiet show to take the spot so, that’s interesting. Anyway, how about that miraculous Timeless renewal after it was initially canceled?!?!?!?! Totally bananas and definitely a highlight of this upfronts season without question. What a moment.
I am so, so glad that NBC decided to give the show a second chance because that show is so fantastic and I definitely wasn’t ready to let it go, especially with that season one finale! The number of viewers may not be where the network wants, so I can’t say that I’m keeping my eyes wide open for a season three come next season, unless it suddenly gains a bunch of viewers over hiatus, Which can happen. But. With this kind of renewal, it feels like this was more closure for the fans? So, I’m just happy for a season two, I can’t even imagine a season three, so I’m going to enjoy season two like it’s the last. Which seems grim but this is the kind of thing upfronts makes me think about ha ha.
As for returning shows, it’s always wonderful to see Superstore on the renewal end (my favorite NBC comedy on the air) and it’s good to see that Shades of Blue is holding strong!
Thoughts On Cancelled Series:
I am super bummed to see that Powerless has been canceled. That was such a hilarious and heartwarming show and I’m really bummed that not enough people were watching that because I definitely looked forward to watching that show every week.
Thoughts On New Series:
Note: New series info below with video promos.
As far as the dramas go… when you know that we don’t need another Law & Order show, what do you do instead? Create an anthology series. Which was what we have in the 8-episode Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders story coming this fall. I’ll check it out and try to get past Edie Falco’s hideous wig. Then there’s The Brave, which, I’m not really the target audience but I’ll check it out. I never really watched Will & Grace during its original run so I am neutral on its limited return engagement. I’d say I’m most excited for Rise since it’s a theatre drama coming from the minds of Jason Katims (Friday Night Lights, Parenthood) and Hamilton producer Jeffrey Seller plus it stars Moana star, Auli’i Cravalho. I expect to see many theatre cameos here so don’t disappoint! I’m also excited for Good Girls. Honestly, don’t even need to know what it’s about, just look at the cast… Retta, Mae Whitman, Matthew Lillard, etc… I’m in! I’m intrigued by Reverie though I’m more excited just to see Sendhil Ramamurthy back on the small screen regularly so I hope the Pilot is good enough to keep me watching.
As for the comedies… A.P. Bio shows promise, especially with Glenn Howerton and Patton Oswalt in the cast. The only reason I’m remotely interested in Champions is because Mindy Kaling is behind this. I would much rather have just had Grandfathered remain on air then have something slightly similar make the rounds two TV seasons later. Anyway, I’m happy that Mindy is back at NBC but I can’t say that I’m as excited for this project of hers as I’d hoped.
Finally, on the reality front, I’m not big on reality so I might say that I’ll check some of these out but who knows if I actually will. The Awesome Show sounds intriguing though (even though no one needs another show hosted by Chris Hardwick – I say with love). Genius Junior also sounds interesting. Aside from that, I’d only be checking out The Handmade Project due to Amy Poehler’s involvement. Ellen has enough games that I fast forward through on her talk show, so I definitely am not carving out more time to watch more of the same of that.
New series are in CAPS.
MONDAY
8-10 The Voice
10-11 THE BRAVE
TUESDAY
8-9 The Voice
9-9:30 Superstore
9:30-10 The Good Place
10-11 Chicago Fire
WEDNESDAY
8-9 The Blacklist
9-10 Law & Order: SVU
10-11 Chicago P.D.
THURSDAY
8-8:30 WILL & GRACE
8:30-9 Great News
9-10 This Is US
10-11 LAW & ORDER TRUE CRIME: THE MENENDEZ MURDERS
FRIDAY
8-9 Blindspot
9-10 Taken
10-11 Dateline NBC
SATURDAY
8-10 Dateline Saturday Night Mystery
10-11 Saturday Night Live (encores)
SUNDAY
7-8:20 Football Night in America
8:20-11 NBC’s Sunday Night Football
8-9 Little Big Shots
9-10 Ellen’s Game of Games
10-11 Shades of Blue
Midseason Drama: RISE, GOOD GIRLS, REVERIE
Midseason Comedies: A.P. BIO, CHAMPIONS
Reality: THE AWESOME SHOW, ELLEN’S GAME OF GAMES, GENIUS JUNIOR, THE HANDMADE PROJECT
Live Plays/Musicals: A Few Good Men, Jesus Christ Superstar (Easter 2018(
NEW DRAMAS:
From Keshet Studios and Avi Nir (executive producer of “Homeland”) comes a fresh, heart-pounding journey into the complex world of America’s elite undercover military heroes. While D.I.A. Deputy Director Patricia Campbell (Anne Heche) and her team of analysts wield the world’s most advanced surveillance technology from Washington, D.C., Adam Dalton and his heroic Special Ops squad of highly trained undercover specialists use their unbreakable bond and commitment to freedom to save lives of innocent people and execute missions in some of the most dangerous places in the world.
The cast includes Anne Heche, Mike Vogel, Sofia Pernas, Tate Ellington, Natacha Karam, Demetrius Grosse, Noah Mills and Hadi Tabbal.
Dean Georgaris will write and executive produce. Brad Anderson will direct and executive produce the pilot. Avi Nir, Alon Shtruzman, Peter Traugott and Rachel Kaplan also executive produce. “The Brave” is produced by Universal Television and Keshet Studios.
(@NBCTrueCrime / #MenendezMurders)
Starring the incomparable Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Edie Falco (“The Sopranos,” “Nurse Jackie”), this new eight-episode true-crime installment of the powerhouse “Law & Order” franchise delivers a gripping in-depth dramatization of the notorious murder case that changed America forever. When the Menendez brothers were tried on national TV for brutally killing their parents in Beverly Hills, their story became a national obsession. Now, the first edition of this anthology series delves into the players, the crime and the media circus, detailing the day-to-day battles of the trial and unveiling the shocking truth of what really went down when the cameras stopped rolling.
Rene Balcer will write and executive produce. Lesli Linka Glatter will direct and executive produce. Dick Wolf, Peter Jankowski and Arthur W. Forney also executive produce. “Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders” is produced by Universal Television and Wolf Films.
That’s right, honey! A decade after their unforgettable eight-season run, comedy’s most fabulous foursome is back. Debra Messing, Eric McCormack, Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally reprise their infamous roles as Will, Grace, Jack and Karen in this exclusive 12-episode event. The legendary James Burrows, director of every original “Will & Grace” episode, returns along with a slew of razor-sharp jabs and dirty martinis. Behold once again, from the minds of Max Mutchnick and David Kohan, TV’s wittiest ensemble ever.
The cast includes Debra Messing, Eric McCormack, Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally.
Max Mutchnick and David Kohan will write and executive produce. Alex Herschlag, Tracy Poust & Jon Kinnally also executive produce. James Burrows will direct and executive produce. “Will & Grace” is produced by Universal Television.
From Jason Katims, writer and executive producer of “Friday Night Lights” and “Parenthood,” and “Hamilton” producer Jeffrey Seller comes a heartening new drama about finding inspiration in unexpected places. When dedicated teacher and family man Lou Mazzuchelli (Josh Radnor) sheds his own self-doubt and takes over the school’s lackluster theater department, he galvanizes not only the faculty and students but the entire working-class town. Inspired by a true story.
The cast includes Josh Radnor, Rosie Perez, Marley Shelton, Auli’i Cravalho, Damon J. Gillespie, Amy Forsyth, Rarmian Newton, Ted Sutherland, Casey Johnson, Taylor Richardson, Joe Tippett and Shirley Rumierk.
Jason Katims will write and executive produce. Mike Cahill will direct and executive produce the pilot. Michelle Lee, Jeffrey Seller and Flody Suarez also executive produce. “Rise” is produced by Universal Television, True Jack Productions and Seller Suarez Productions.
GOOD GIRLS (@NBCGoodGirls / #GoodGirls)
When three suburban moms get tired of trying to make ends meet, they decide it’s time to stick up for themselves by robbing the local supermarket at (toy) gunpoint. But when the manager catches a glimpse of one of them and the loot is far more than they expected, it doesn’t take long for the three best friends to realize the perfect getaway will be harder than they think. From executive producer Jenna Bans (“Scandal”) comes this comedy-infused drama that mixes a little “Thelma & Louise” with a bit of “Breaking Bad.”
The cast includes Retta, Mae Whitman, Reno Wilson, Manny Montana, Lidya Jewett, Izzy Stannard and Matthew Lillard.
Jenna Bans will write and executive produce. Dean Parisot directs and executive produces the pilot. Jeannine Renshaw also executive produces. “Good Girls” is produced by Universal Television.
REVERIE (@NBCReverie / #Reverie)
From Mickey Fisher, the creator of “Extant,” this grounded new thriller follows Mara Kint (Sarah Shahi), a former hostage negotiator and expert on human behavior who became a college professor after facing an unimaginable personal tragedy. But when she’s brought in to save ordinary people who have lost themselves in a highly advanced virtual-reality program in which you can literally live your dreams, she finds that in saving others, she may actually have discovered a way to save herself.
The cast includes Sarah Shahi, Dennis Haysbert, Jessica Lu, Sendhil Ramamurthy and Kathryn Morris.
Mickey Fisher will write and executive produce. Jaume Collet-Serra will direct and executive produce the pilot. Brooklyn Weaver, Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey also executive produce. Tom Szentgyorgyi is a consulting producer. “Reverie” is produced by Universal Television and Amblin Television.
NEW COMEDIES:
When a philosophy scholar loses out on his dream job and goes to work as a high school Advanced Placement biology teacher, he makes it clear he will not be teaching any biology. Realizing he has a room full of honor roll students at his disposal, he decides instead to use the kids to his own benefit.
The cast includes Glenn Howerton, Patton Oswalt, Lyric Lewis, Mary Sohn, Aparna Brielle, Jacob McCarthy, Nick Peine and guest star Vanessa Bayer (pilot only).
Mike O’Brien will write and executive produce. Lorne Michaels, Seth Meyers, Andrew Singer and Mike Shoemaker also executive produce. Osmany Rodriguez will direct. “A.P. Bio” is produced by Universal Television, Broadway Video and Sethmaker Shoemeyers Productions.
CHAMPIONS (@NBCChampions / #Champions)
Vince, a charismatic gym owner with no ambition, lives with his younger brother Michael, a gorgeous idiot. Their simple life of women and working out is put on hold when the teenage son of Vince is dropped off on their doorstep by Priya (Mindy Kaling), one of his old high school flings.
The cast includes Anders Holm, Andy Favreau, J.J. Totah, Mouzam Makkar, Nina Wadia and guest star Mindy Kaling.
Charlie Grandy and Mindy Kaling will write and executive produce. Michael Alan Spiller will direct and executive produce. Howard Klein also executive produces. “Champions” is produced by Universal Television, 3 Arts Entertainment, Eyes Up Productions and Kaling International.
NEW REALITY:
THE AWESOME SHOW (@NBCAwesomeShow / #AwesomeShow)
From executive producer/host Chris Hardwick (“The Wall”), executive producer Mark Burnett (“The Voice”) and Silicon Valley’s Singularity University comes a new series that will showcase the groundbreaking scientific and technological advances that are shaping the future, as well as celebrate the pioneers and communities at the forefront of this golden age of unprecedented discovery, innovation and opportunity. Each episode of “The Awesome Show” will be a rollercoaster ride through the world of innovation as told by the people who are shaping it and whose lives are affected by it. The series will highlight stories of revolutionary scientific and technological advances and will marvel at mankind’s tremendous feats, both now and in the future.
Mark Burnett, Chris Hardwick and Alex Murray executive produce. “The Awesome Show” is produced by Universal Television Alternative Studio in association with Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Fish Ladder.
ELLEN’S GAME OF GAMES (@NBCGameOfGames / #GameofGames)
The one and only Ellen DeGeneres returns to primetime to host an exciting new game show that’s one big party! Featuring super-sized versions of some of the most beloved games from “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” as well as new ones, contestants will be pulled from the studio audience to maneuver massive obstacles while answering trivia questions, all under the pressure of Ellen’s mischievous and hilarious antics. With DeGeneres’ witty and comedic sensibility plus fun-filled games, each episode is sure to entertain the entire family and deliver lots of laughs. One lucky contestant will get the chance to win the grand prize, but everyone will have a blast!
Ellen DeGeneres, Jeff Kleeman, Ed Glavin, Mary Connelly, Andy Lassner, Kevin Leman and David A. Hurwitz executive produce. Russell Norman directs. “Ellen’s Game of Games” is produced by Warner Horizon Unscripted in association with A Very Good Production and Telepictures.
GENIUS JUNIOR (@NBCGeniusJunior / #GeniusJunior)
No stranger to young geniuses, Neil Patrick Harris hosts an exciting new game show that celebrates the smartest kids in America. These talented “genius juniors” will team up to take on mind-blowing tests of logic, math, memory, spelling and more. Through escalating rounds, they will be tested in each area of the brain, culminating in an ultimate challenge to be crowned the smartest and brightest. The winning team will take home a life-changing prize — setting the stage for a big, bright future ahead.
Neil Patrick Harris, Pam Healey, John Hesling, Phil Parsons and Ed Egan executive produce. “Genius Junior” is produced by Shed Media in association with Prediction Productions.
THE HANDMADE PROJECT (@NBCHandmade / #HandmadeProject)
From executive producer and host Amy Poehler and co-host Nick Offerman comes a lighthearted competition celebrating the creativity and craftiness in all of us. Each week, eight amateur makers will take on a series of projects they must complete in their own unique way. As the competition escalates, the amateurs will be challenged to master progressively difficult skills, culminating in a final craft-off between the most creative and tenacious contestants. Shot in a serene outdoor setting, this friendly competition will focus on the character and camaraderie of DIY culture – and through it all, Poehler and Offerman will provide encouragement, guidance and plenty of laughs.
Amy Poehler, Brooke Posch, Nicolle Yaron, Nick Offerman, Dave Becky and Anthony Dominici executive produce. “The Handmade Project” is produced by Universal Television Alternative Studio in association with Paper Kite Productions.