…and it looks pretty interesting, actually.
Among others, there’s a new drama on Monday nights which involves normal people getting superhuman abilities (which, if you’ll check your calendars, means it only took 21 years for NBC to decide that America has forgiven them for “Misfits of Science”), a show inspired by the film “Friday Night Lights” (even if the pitch sounds more like they’re trying to make a series out of the James van der Beek classic, “Varsity Blues”), two shows – one a half-hour sitcom, one an hour-long dramedy – both decidedly inspired by the backstage goings-on of “Saturday Night Live,” a serialized drama that’s clearly NBC’s attempt to get in on some of Fox’s “24” action, and a sitcom which teams Jeffrey Tambor with John Lithgow. There’s also a very interesting decision to not re-run episodes of “E.R.,” instead opting to show 13 episodes of the show, then take a break to show off 13 episodes of a new drama called…oh, but I don’t want to give it all away without making you click below:
NBC PRIMETIME SCHEDULE FOR FALL 2006-07
*New programs in CAPS (with the exception of “ER”)
MONDAY
8-9 p.m. “Deal or No Deal”
9-10 p.m. “HEROES”
The epic drama “Heroes” chronicles the lives of ordinary people who discover they possess extraordinary abilities. As a total eclipse casts it shadow across the globe, viewers follow a genetics professor (Sendhil Ramamurthy, “Blind Guy Driving”) in India whose father’s disappearance leads him to uncover a secret theory — there are people with super powers living among us. A young dreamer (Milo Ventimiglia, “The Bedford Diaries”) tries to convince his politician brother (Adrian Pasdar, “Judging Amy”) that he can fly. A high school cheerleader (Hayden Panettiere, “Ice Princess”) learns that she is totally indestructible. A Las Vegas stripper (Ali Larter, “Final Destination”), struggling to make ends meet to support her young son (Noah Gray-Cabey, “My Wife & Kids”), uncovers that her mirror image has a secret. A prison inmate (Leonard Roberts, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) mysteriously finds himself waking up outside of his cell. A gifted artist (Santiago Cabrera, “Empire”), whose drug addiction is destroying his life and the relationship with his girlfriend (Tawny Cypress, “Third Watch”), can paint the future. A down-on-his-luck beat cop (Greg Grunberg, “Alias”) can hear people’s thoughts, including the secrets of a captured terrorist. In Japan, a young man (Masi Oka, “Scrubs”) develops a way to stop time through sheer will power. Their ultimate destiny is nothing less than saving the world. “Heroes” is executive produced by creator/writer Tim Kring (“Crossing Jordan), Dennis Hammer (“Crossing Jordan”) and David Semel (“House”), who also directed the pilot.
10-11 p.m. “Medium”
TUESDAY
8-9 p.m. “FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS”
Expanding on the themes from the hit feature film “Friday Night Lights,” this series centers on the small rural town of Dillon, Texas, where the vaunted 2006 state football championship rings are held in the highest regard. The town’s promising high school team, its star quarterback, and newly appointed head coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler, “Grey’s Anatomy,” “King Kong”) feel the mounting pressure of the town’s pride and honor riding on their shoulders as a new season kicks off. The fresh cast also includes: Scott Porter (“All My Children”) as team captain and first-string quarterback Jason Street; Gaius Charles (“The Book of Daniel”) as feared running back Brian “Smash” Williams; Taylor Kitsch (“Kyle XY”) as running back Tim Riggins; Connie Britton (“The Brothers McMullen,” “24”) as Taylor’s long-suffering wife, Tami; Zach Gilford (“The Last Winter”) as third-string quarterback Matt Saracen, and Minka Kelly (“What I Like About You”) as Lyla Garrity, Panther cheerleader and Street’s girlfriend. Also starring are Aimee Teegarden (“Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide”) as Julie Taylor and Adrienne Palicki (“South Beach”) as Tyra Collette. The pilot is executive-produced by Brian Grazer (“Fun with Dick and Jane,” “Cinderella Man,” “A Beautiful Mind”), David Nevins (“Arrested Development”), Peter Berg (the film “Friday Night Lights,” “The Run Down”) — who also wrote and the directed the pilot — and Jason Katims (“Roswell”).
9-10 p.m. “KIDNAPPED”
NBC’s “Kidnapped” is a high-stakes serialized thriller in which the teenage son of a wealthy Upper East Side family is kidnapped and everyone is a suspect. The series focuses on the elaborate, triangulated game between the kidnappers, law enforcement, FBI, and the private negotiating team of the “perhaps” not-so-picture-perfect family. On a rainy New York morning, the picture perfect existence of Conrad Cain (Timothy Hutton, “Kinsey”), a self-made millionaire with a long list of enemies, and his well-to-do wife Ellie (Dana Delany, “China Beach”) is torn apart when their 15-year-old son Leopold (Will Denton “Palindromes”), a quirky kid whose innocence makes him the perfect target, is kidnapped on his way to school. The boy’s bodyguard Virgil (Mykelti Williamson, “Boomtown”), the boy’s first line of defense even after the kidnapping, is left to die. Desperate to find his son while keeping his skeletons hidden, Mr. Cain enlists the services of Knapp (Jeremy Sisto, “Six Feet Under” and “Thirteen”), a “professional” investigator who works outside the law’s strict rulebook to retrieve kidnapping victims and guide families through the grueling process, and his able partner and right hand Turner (Carmen Ejogo, “Lackawanna Blues”). Operating opposite Knapp and his team is Special Agent Latimer King (Delroy Lindo, “The Core”), an experienced FBI agent who postpones his retirement due to a vested interest in this complicated case, and his colleague and antithesis Agent Andy Archer (Linus Roache, “Batman Begins”), whom only knows how to play by the rules. Jason Smilovic (“Karen Sisco”), Michael Dinner (“Invasion”), Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly are executive producers.
10-11 p.m. “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”
WEDNESDAY
8-9 p.m. “The Biggest Loser”
9-9:30 p.m. “20 GOOD YEARS”
This high-energy comedy follows two New Yorkers who have finally realized that life doesn’t last forever. Mismatched buddies John Mason (Emmy Award winner John Lithgow, “3rd Rock from the Sun”), an impulsive, thrice-divorced surgeon who has been forced into retirement — and Jeffrey Pyne (Jeffrey Tambor, “Arrested Development”), a widower judge who agonizes over every situation — are polar opposites in every way. The one thing the duo can agree on is that they only have about 20 good years left and both men vow to live each day as if it were their last — with no regrets. “20 Good Years” also stars Heather Burns (“Bewitched”) as John’s pregnant daughter Stella, and Jake Sandvig (“The Story of Us”) as Hugh, Jeffrey’s un-motivated son. The executive producers are Tom Werner (“Roseanne”), Eric Gold (the upcoming “Outsourced”) Jimmy Miller (“Kicking & Screaming”) and Marsh McCall (“Modern Men”). Marsh McCall and Michael Leeson (“The Cosby Show”) are the writers; Terry Hughes (“Friends”) directed the pilot.
9:30-10 p.m. “30 ROCK”
Emmy Award winner Tina Fey (NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” “Mean Girls”) writes, executive-produces and stars in this workplace comedy that takes viewers behind the scenes of a frenetic television variety show. Single Liz Lemon (Fey) is living every comedy writer’s dream. She’s head writer on a demanding, live TV program in New York City whose life is jolted when a brash new network president (Alec Baldwin, “The Aviator,” “The Cooler”) interferes with her show and bullies Liz into convincing Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan, “Saturday Night Live,” “The Longest Yard”), a wild and unpredictable movie star, to join the cast. Now Liz must manage the unmanageable so that the show — and her dream — can go on. Also starring are Rachel Dratch (“Saturday Night Live”) as Jenne DeCarlo, Scott Adsit (“Kicking and Screaming”) as Pete Hornberger and Jack MacBrayer (“Arrested Development”) as Kenneth. “30 Rock” is executive-produced by Lorne Michaels, Fey, JoAnn Alfano, Marci Klein and David Miner.
10-11 p.m. “Law & Order”
THURSDAY
8-8:30 p.m. “My Name Is Earl” (new time)
8:30-9 p.m. “The Office” (new time)
9-10 p.m. “STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP”
Emmy Award-winning executive producer-writer Aaron Sorkin (“The West Wing”) and Emmy Award-winning executive producer-director Thomas Schlamme (“The West Wing”) return to television with this crackling take on the drama behind the humor of producing a popular, late-night comedy sketch show, “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.” Sorkin lays bare the backstage politics, romances and delicate balance between creative talent, on-air personalities and network executives in an instant text-messaging world. Prominent are Jordan McDeere (Amanda Peet, “Syriana”), a savvy new network entertainment chief who inherits a massive public relations disaster on the series — even before she starts her first day — and Matt Albie (Matthew Perry, “Friends”) and Danny Tripp (Bradley Whitford, “The West Wing”), a brilliant creative team that she wants to resurrect the program. Also playing crucial roles are the sketch comedy series stars Harriet Hayes (Sarah Paulson, “Down with Love”), Simon Stiles (D.L. Hughley, “The Hughleys”) and Tom Jeter (Nathan Corddry, “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”), their normally cool-headed director, Cal Shanley (Timothy Busfield, “thirtysomething”) as well as supreme network honcho Jack Rudolph (Steven Weber, “Wings”). Evan Handler (“Sex and the City”) and Carlos Jacott (“Being John Malkovich”) also star.
10-11 p.m. “ER” / “THE BLACK DONNELLYS”
Academy Award winners Paul Haggis and Bobby Moresco (“Crash”) are the creators of “The Black Donnellys,” a gritty new crime drama series loosely based on Moresco’s background. The series follows the exploits of four young, working-class Irish brothers and their involvement in organized crime in New York City. Despite their rough surroundings, the Donnelly brothers basically remain “good kids” — who will do anything to protect each other against all odds. The ensemble cast includes Jonathan Tucker (“Texas Chainsaw Massacre”), Billy Lush (“Huff”), Thomas Guiry (“Mystic River”), Michael Stahl-David (“Uncle Nino”), Keith Nobbs (“25th Hour”), Olivia Wilde (“The O.C.”) and Kirk Acevedo (“Oz”). Haggis, who directed the pilot, and Moresco are the creators, executive producers and co-writers.
FRIDAY
8-9 p.m. “Deal or No Deal”
9-10 p.m. “Las Vegas”
10-11 p.m. “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (new day and time)
SATURDAY
8-9 p.m. “Dateline Saturday”
9-11 p.m. Drama Series Encores
SUNDAY
7-8 p.m. “FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA”
8-11 p.m. “SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL”
…but don’t worry, kids. After football season’s over, here’s what you’ll have to look forward to:
7-8 p.m. “Dateline NBC”
8-9 p.m. “AMERICA’S GOT TALENT”
America has talent — and NBC’s new series “America’s Got Talent” is in hot pursuit of it as executive producers Simon Cowell (“American Idol”) and Ken Warwick (“American Idol” and FremantleMedia) announced today the multiple-city casting search for the most talented person in America. The legendary Cowell is looking for the next big discovery at the open calls for the series that will premiere this summer, and will make a special appearance at the casting search kickoff in Los Angeles on April 6. In addition to Los Angeles, the casting team will visit New York, Chicago and Atlanta. “America’s Got Talent” is produced by Cowell’s SYCO TV production company and FremantleMedia. Simon Cowell, Ken Warwick and Cecile Frot-Coutaz (“American Idol”) are the executive producers. Jason Raff (“Three Wishes) is the co-executive producer.
9-10 p.m. “The Apprentice”
10-11 p.m. “RAINES”
Emmy Award-winning writer-producer Graham Yost (“Band of Brothers,” “Boomtown”), acclaimed director-writer-producer Frank Darabont (“The Shawshank Redemption,” “Green Mile”) and star Jeff Goldblum (“The Lost World: Jurassic Park”) combine creative forces in this inventive police drama, which blends traditional noir storytelling with humor and intrigue. Eccentric LAPD detective Michael Raines’ unique ability to have detailed conversations with deceased crime victims allows him to re-trace their lives leading up to their murder and helps him to solve their cases. Unfortunately, it also causes increasing friction with his boss, Captain Daniel Lewis (Matt Craven, “From the Earth to the Moon”), fellow officers Remy Boyer (Dov Davidoff, “Third Watch”) and Sally Lance (Linda Park, “Star Trek: Enterprise”), as well as civilian employee Carolyn (Nicole Sullivan, “MADtv”). Aided by Charlie (Luis Guzman, “Boogie Nights”), his ex-LAPD partner and conscience, Raines struggles to accept his peculiar gift — or burden — as it often forces him at times to confront his own past and internal demons.
Oh, and if you notice that “Scrubs” isn’t on the line-up…?
Yeah, those bastards have done it again; it’ll be premiering in mid-season, just like last time. We can only hope that they decide to pair it with this show, which is purportedly also due to premiere at mid-season:
“ANDY BARKER, P.I.”
Andy Richter (“Late Night with Conan O’Brien”) re-teams with co-writer and executive producer Conan O’Brien in this comedy as he portrays Andy Barker, an earnest, hard-working CPA who has succeeded at everything — that is until his new accounting business fails to take off. But when he’s mistaken for Lew Staziak (Harve Presnell, “Fargo”) — the retired private detective who used to occupy his office — Andy embraces the twist of fate and takes the case. Andy’s incessantly supportive wife Jen (Amy Farrington, “The New Adventures of Old Christine”) isn’t sold on this risky new venture, that is, until she notices a sudden boost in Andy’s self-confidence. Andy’s neighboring merchants — Simon (Tony Hale, “Arrested Development”), Wally (Marshall Manesh, “Will & Grace”) and Jessica (Ion Overman, “The L Word”) join him in the dicey investigation. Whether chiding thugs for “renting instead of buying” or being pursued by Sri Lankan gangsters, Andy will prove to be a consummate problem-solver. This comedy series is written by “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” host O’Brien and former head writer Jonathan Groff (“Ed”), who executive-produce the series with “Late Night” executive producer Jeff Ross and David Kissinger. The pilot was directed by Jason Ensler (“The West Wing”).
