Cynopsis
05. 17 .10
UPFRONT 2010: NBC
NBC's 2010-2011 primetime line-up includes five new comedies, seven new dramas and one alternative series along with several returning shows. NBC is also scheduling its primetime shows thematically, earmarking Mondays as an all-dramas night; Wednesdays filled with crime dramas; Thursdays packed with comedies; and unscripted programming combined with scripted shows on Tuesdays and Fridays. NBC's official upfront presentation is scheduled for this afternoon.
New NBC dramas include:
• The Event - Conspiracy thriller follows Sean Walker (Jason Ritter) an ordinary guy investigating the disappearance of his fiance, Leila (Sarah Roemer) thereby exposing the biggest cover-up in US history. The series also stars Blair Underwood as the newly-elected US President Martinez; Laura Innes as Sophia, the leader of a mysterious group of detainees; and Scott Patterson as Sean's shadowy father-in-law. From Universal Media Studios and Steve Stark Productions.
• Undercovers - Action spy drama about a married couple who formerly were CIA spies as they come out of retirement. From Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Bad Robot Productions and Warner Bros. Television. J.J. Abrams and Josh Reims wrote the pilot while Abrams is also directing and serving as executive producer along with Reims and Bryan Burk.
• The Cape - One-hour series headlined by David Lyons who plays Vince Faraday, an honest cop working on a corrupt police force who is framed for a series of murders and is presumed dead. Vince goes into hiding, leaving his wife and son behind. Produced by Universal Media Studios and BermanBraun.
• Chase - Cat-and-mouse hunt as a team of US marshals track down America's most dangerous fugitives. Kelli Giddish stars as US Marshal Annie Frost, a deputy from Texas who heads the team in search of the violent criminals. From Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Jerry Bruckheimer Television and Warner Bros. Television.
• Outlaw - Jimmy Smits plays Cyrus Garza, a US Supreme Court justice who suddenly quits his position to return to private practice in defense of the "little guy." From Universal Media Studios along with Conaco productions.
• Law & Order: Los Angeles - New procedural crime drama similar to the original Law and Order series though set in the streets of Los Angeles. Produced by Wolf Films in association with Universal Media Studios.
NBC's new comedies:
• Perfect Couples - Half-hour comedy about three couples looking for the ideal relationship. Produced by Universal Media Studios.
• Outsourced - Culture clash comedy about an American company who outsources its call center to India. Todd Dempsy (Ben Rappaport) is the company's manager who is transferred to India to run the operation. From Universal Media Studios.
• The Paul Reiser Show - Single-camera comedy that stars Paul Reiser as himself. The plot is about Paul's quiet life with his wife and kids after his hit TV series went off the air and how he feels it's time to try something new and meaningful. Bonanza Productions Inc. produces in association with Nuance Productions and Warner Bros. Television.
• Friends With Benefits - Half-hour comedy about a group of 20-something singles as they navigate the difficult task of dating. The story centers on Ben and Sara who turn to each other for moral and physical support while they each wait for their perfect mates. From 20th Century Fox Television, Imagine Television and Big Kid Pictures.
• Love Bites - Hour-long romantic comedy anthology series relating three loosely connected modern-day stories of love, sex, marriage and dating. This series is the first US commission from Working Title Television.
New NBC alternative series:
• School Pride - From Cheryl Hines and Denise Cramsey, serving as executive producers, this series documents stories of communities coming together to renovate their aging and broken public schools. Produced by Horizon Alternative Television.
NBC Fall 2010 Primetime Schedule
Monday: Chuck, The Event, Chase
Tuesday: The Biggest Loser, Parenthood
Wednesday: Undercovers, Law & Order: SVU, Law & Order: Los Angeles
Thursday: Community, 30 Rock, The Office, Outsourced, Love Bites
Friday: School Pride, Who Do You Think You Are?, Dateline NBC, Outlaw
Saturday: Undercovers (encore), Chase (encore), Law & Order: SVU (encore)
Sunday: Football Night In America, NBC Sunday Night Football
Sunday (starting March 2011): Dateline NBC, Minute To Win It, The Celebrity Apprentice
New NBC shows debuting midseason are: The Cape, Friends With Benefits, Perfect Couples, Harry's Law, The Paul Reiser Show and America's Next Great Restaurant (with Bobby Flay).
Returning midseason shows include Parks & Rec, a new version of The Apprentice and The Marriage Ref.
What's not included on NBC's schedule besides Law & Order? Medical dramas Mercy and Trauma and the serialized program Heroes.
Return to Upfront Overview Home
A&E Network goes into the upfronts ranking as the fourth largest entertainment cable network with A18-49. Currently, A&E has 55% original programming in primetime using the brand "Real Life. Drama."
A&E serves up eight new unscripted series for the next season:
* I'm Heavy (wt) - Series follows the journey of individuals who have struggled with their weight as they go through a six-month weight loss program. The series is filmed at two different facilities by two different production companies. The South Carolina episodes are produced by Tijuana Entertainment while the Texas episodes are produced by Megalomedia Inc. Ten one-hour episodes launch in 2011.
* The Peacemaker - Series focuses on Malik Spellman, a violence prevention counselor by day in South Central, Los Angeles while at night he works to bring peace to the area. Ice-T serves as executive producer with OOG Productions producing. Five half-hour episodes premieres 4Q 2010.
* The Untitled David Hasselhoff Project - Actor David Hasselhoff will open up his real-life as a single dad to two teenage daughters in this reality series. FremantleMedia North America is producing with ten half-hour episodes scheduled to debut in 4Q 2010.
* The Squad: Prison Police - Series follows a team of trained special agents who respond and investigate crimes within the Tennessee prison system. Produced by Wild Eyes Productions; ten half-hour episodes premiere 3Q 2010.
* Strange Days with Bob Saget - Bob Saget hits the road utilizing his unique comedic observations about the people, cultures and traditions he encounters. Tijuana Entertainment and Brillstein Entertainment Partners are producing with six one-hour episodes slated to premiere in 2010.
* Growing Up Twisted (wt) - Series centers on Dee Snider, front man of the heavy metal band Twisted Sister. His wife Suzette and their four kids are also involved in the series. Produced by Evolution Media; seven half-hour episodes will debut 3Q 2010.
* Teach: Tony Danza (wt) - Multi-talented Tony Danza harks back to his original dream job, that of being a teacher. The actor and former talk show host takes on the job as a first-year English teacher for sophomore students at Northeast High School in Philadelphia. The series is produced by Leslie Greif's Boutique TV; seven one-hour episodes will premiere in 2010.
* Intervention In Depth: One Man Rehab (wt) - A dramatic series of specials examines what happens after the intervention. GRB Productions produces; five one-hour episodes will open in 3Q 2010.
A&E has one scripted series:
* The Glades - Police procedural drama set in Florida starring Matt Passmore, Kiele Sanchez and Carlos Gomez. Passmore leads as Jim Longworth, a handsome and smart Chicago homicide detective who is wrongfully accused of committing adultery with his captain's wife. He is forced to relocate and lands in the small, nowhere town of Palm Glade, near the Florida Everglades. Fox Television Studios is producing 13 one-hour episodes launching this July.
A&E has several scripted projects in development:
* Coma - Miniseries based on a modern-day adaptation of the novel by Robin Cook and the film by Michael Crichton. Coma is being developed by executive producers Ridley Scott, Tony Scott and David W. Zucker for Scott Free Productions.
* Criminology - Crime procedural about a brilliant psychology professor, Sarah O'Rourke who is enlisted by a local detective, John Acer to help on an unsolved case. This project is being developed by executive producers Ridley Scott, Tony Scott and David W. Zucker for Scott Free Productions. W. Blake Herron is writing the script.
* Big Mike - About a detective who is plus-sized and a force of nature in the San Diego PD. The project is being developed by Sony Pictures Television and executive produced by Doug Robinson for Happy Madison Productions. Ed Decter and John Strauss will executive produce and pen the script.
* American Crime - Plot is about two FBI agents, one female and one male who are partners and sent to unusual locales of the country to work with local police to solve crimes. ABC Studios is developing the project; executive produced by Mark Gordon and Deb Spera. Diana Son and Tanya Wexler are also executive producing and writing.
* Hazel Rhodes - Hazel Rhodes is a brash-talking and quick-minded homicide detective working in Nashville. ABC Studios is developing the project and it is executive produced and written by Daniel Cerone.
A&E is returning several unscripted series:
* Intervention - Season nine with 18 60m episodes premieres June 28 at 9p. From GRB Productions.
* Obsessed - Season two with ten 60m episodes premieres June 28 at 10p. From Tijuana Entertainment.
* Hoarders - Season three with 20 60m episodes premieres 4Q 2010. From Screaming Flea Productions.
* Billy The Exterminator - Season three with 16 30m episodes premieres 4Q 2010. From September Films, a division of DCD Media.
* The First 48 - Season 11 with 20 60m episodes open 3Q 2010. From Granada America.
* Criss Angel Mindfreak - Season six with six 60m episodes will open 3Q 2010. From Angel Productions Worldwide Incorporated and Baram Productions.
* Dog the Bounty Hunter - Season seven with 26 30m episodes will launch 4Q 2010. From Hybrid Films.
* Gene Simmons Family Jewels - Season six will premiere 4Q 2010. From The Greif Company and the Gene Simmons Company.
* Parking Wars - Season four with 13 30m episodes will open 4Q 2010. From Hybrid Films.
* Manhunters: Fugitive Task Force - Season three with 15 60m episodes premiere in 1Q 2011. From Stars & Stripes Media, Inc.
* Paranormal State - Season five with 20 30m episodes will premiere 4Q 2010. From Go Go Luckey and Four Seasons Productions/Picture Shack Entertainment.
* Psychic Kids: Children of the Paranormal - Season three with seven 60m episodes will open 4Q 2010. From Picture Shack Entertainment.
