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« First Look: Hottest Fall TV
NBC Announces Its Fall Schedule
Lipstick Jungle by Mitchell Haaseth/NBC Photo
NBC's 2007-08 lineup features the new dramas Journeyman (Mondays, 10 pm/ET), a romantic-mystery from the Emmy Award-winning producers of The West Wing, concerning a San Francisco newspaper reporter (Kevin McKidd, Rome) who inexplicably begins to travel through time and alter people's lives; and Chuck(Tuesdays, 9 pm/ET), a comedic spy thriller about an unassuming computer geek who is unexpectedly catapulted into a new career as a government agent after spy secrets are mysteriously embedded into his brain.
Also new this fall is the drama Bionic Woman (Wednesdays, 9 pm/ET), a re-imagination of the classic from David Eick (Battlestar Galactica) and Jason Smilovic (Kidnapped). Bionic Woman stars Michelle Ryan (EastEnders) as a young woman who is radically altered and empowered after a car crash. Additionally, Life (Wednesdays, 10 pm/ET) features a complex police detective (Damian Lewis, Band of Brothers) who's given a second chance on the Force after serving years in prison for a crime he didn't commit.
The new dramedy Lipstick Jungle, from best-selling author Candace Bushnell (Sex and the City), is set to debut in January 2008 on Sundays (10 pm/ET). Created by Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline, (How I Met Your Mother), the series follows the lives of three high-powered friends (Brooke Shields, Suddenly Susan, Kim Raver, 24, and Lindsay Price, Beverly Hills, 90210) who are determined to achieve their dreams and to do it on their own terms.
The latest comedy from NBC is The IT Crowd, based on the acclaimed British series that takes a behind-the-scenes peek at the misunderstood geeks (Joel McHale, The Soup, and Richard Ayoade, The IT Crowd U.K.) who toil in the Information Technology department of a large, impersonal corporation. The IT Crowd is scheduled to join the NBC schedule during the course of the 2007-08 season.
In addition:
NBC "bulks up" with 30 combined episodes of Heroes and Heroes: Origins, an innovative new spin-off that will introduce a new character each week, one of whom will be chosen by viewers through NBC.com to become a cast regular the following season.
The network has ordered 30 half hours of the hit series The Office, including five hour-long episodes, and has alsoincreased the season order for My Name Is Earl to 25 episodes.
Jerry Seinfeld, star of the classic NBC mega-hit Seinfeld, returns to the network to create and star in 20 unique live-action comedy "minisodes" inspired by his experiences creating the upcoming DreamWorks animated feature film Bee Movie, in theaters November 2, 2007. NBC Universal will also have the exclusive U.S. broadcast and cable network rights to the film, which features Seinfeld as the voice of Barry B. Benson, a disillusioned bee. Produced by Seinfeld and DreamWorks, the 20 comedy shorts will give viewers a glimpse at Seinfeld's behind-the-scenes antics during production of the movie. The "minisodes" will run on NBC's prime-time schedule this Fall, as well as on NBC.com, on designated days before and after the release of the film.
Series renewals include the Peabody Award-winning drama Friday Night Lights, now shifting to Friday nights (10 pm/ET); Scrubs, also a Peabody winner, for a seventh season; and the venerable, Emmy-winning Law & Order, for its historic 18th season.
NBC's acclaimed Thursday "Comedy Night Done Right" lineup will next year lead off with My Name is Earl at 8 pm/ET, which will be followed by 30 Rock at 8:30 pm, the Peabody Award-winning The Office at 9 pm and Scrubs at 9:30.
New NBC series Bionic Woman and Life will be re-purposed on SCI FI Channel and USA Network, respectively, shortly after their original telecasts on NBC.
NBC will kick-start the weekend on Fridays (8 pm/ET) with "Game Night," a rotation of game shows that features 1 vs 100 (hosted by Bob Saget) for eight weeks, followed by six weeks of the new variety competition The Singing Bee in which contestants must accurately sing the lyrics to popular songs even when the band stops playing.
Later in the fall, NBC plans to introduce the unscripted series, World Moves, a talent competition from executive producer Randy Jackson (American Idol) that features dance teams from around the world auditioning for their shot to come to Los Angeles for a global championship and an international touring contract.
After Sunday Night Football concludes its season in January 2008, the network will unveil a new regular lineup. After the return of Dateline NBC (7 pm/ET) the 18th season of Law & Order (8 pm/ET) will premiere, followed by the fourth season debut of Medium (9 pm/ET) and the premiere of the sexy new dramedy Lipstick Jungle (10 pm/ET).
NBC Prime-time Schedule for Fall 2007-08
Monday
8-9 pm Deal or No Deal
9-10 pm Heroes
10-11 pm Journeyman
Tuesday
8-9 pm The Biggest Loser
9-10 pm Chuck
10-11 pm Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Wednesday
8-9 pm Deal or No Deal
9-10 pm Bionic Woman
10-11 pm Life
Thursday
8-8:30 pm My Name Is Earl
8:30-9 pm 30 Rock
9-9:30 pm The Office
9:30-10 pm Scrubs
10-11 pm ER
Friday
8-9 pm 1 vs 100/The Singing Bee
9-10 pm Las Vegas
10-11 pm Friday Night Lights
Saturday
8-9 pm Dateline NBC
9-11 pm Drama Series Encores
Sunday (Fall 2007)
7-8 pm Football Night in America
8-11 pm NBC Sunday Night Football
Sunday (January 2008)
7-8 pm Dateline NBC
8-9 pm Law & Order
9-10 pm Medium
10-11 pm 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 fiancι 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.
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.
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 repay, 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.
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 Weigert (HBO's Deadwood) as their hard-hitting lieutenant, and Adam Arkin (Chicago Hope) as former cellmate Ted Early.
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 Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline, (How I Met Your Mother, Three Sisters) and based on the book by Bushnell.
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 (http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/rocky-carroll/172598">Rocky Carroll, Chicago Hope), who wants the IT department to stay segregated and forever banished to the basement.
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.
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 performing competitions ever to hit TV. Thousands of dance teams from around the world will audition for their shot to come to Los Angeles 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.
POLL: Which of NBC's new dramas are you most excited for? Vote here.
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TVGuide Links:
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May 14, 2007 9:49 AM
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Fridays for Friday Night Lights? Why renew the show at all?
Such a terrible timeslot for such a fantastic show. I mean, yes, it does take the pressure off, but seriously.
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May 14, 2007 10:01 AM
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I like what I'm seeing. NBC seems to be the network that's sticking with shows, giving them a chance to build a following.
I think Friday Night Lights is the sort of show that could do very well on Fridays at 10, maybe even revitalize the night! I also think it's a nice match with Las Vegas.
Unfortunately, because of archaic simulcasting rules in Canada, we won't see a lot of those "value-added" segments such as the Heroes Origins and the Seinfeld "minisodes", if they run during the usual commercial breaks on shows. (In Canada, our Canadian channels are substituted over the American signals, so we are forced to watch Canadian commercials.) It would be nice if they were sold to the Canadian networks along with the shows, so we could see them, too.
Finally, a fond farewell to Crossing Jordan. I enjoyed every single episode and I can't wait to see everyone from that amazing ensemble cast in something new very soon! 
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May 14, 2007 10:07 AM
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Friday night at 10, no less. Things do not look good for Friday Night Lights and that's a crying shame. I'm devastated.
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May 14, 2007 10:14 AM
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I'm excited that Friday Night Lights is going to be on Friday Nights. I know it is not all about football on this show, but this timeslot makes perfect sense to me.
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May 14, 2007 10:16 AM
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Friday night at 10, no less. Things do not look good for Friday Night Lights and that's a crying shame. I'm devastated.
The other option was cancellation. This is better. 
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May 14, 2007 10:22 AM
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Does this mean The Apprentice is finally being put out of its (and our) misery?
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May 14, 2007 10:45 AM
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I will follow Friday Night Lights to any night, any time. That said, I'm a little puzzled that NBC is giving it the Friday at 10pm slot.
I'm definitely grateful for second season, just a little puzzled by the timeslot.
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May 14, 2007 10:49 AM
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I'm guessing that this is just the press release and not something tv guide wrote. Because, wouldn't it have been better next to Adam Baldwin's name to put Firefly as his credit instead of my bodyguard, a show? movie? I've never heard of?
**I looked my bodyguard up and it's a movie from 1980. 27 YEARS!!! that's stupid. FIREFLY is what he's known from.
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May 14, 2007 10:53 AM
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All in all I'm pretty happy with NBC's new lineup (I'm thrilled The Office is moving to 9 especially if Ugly Betty stays on at 8 and I'm so glad FNL is moving to Friday nights (makes sense to me ... I can't tell you how many people I heard say last year, 'why isn't it on Friday nights?' or 'I thought it was on Friday nights?' ... well now ... more people will know for sure where it is since it just seems to make perfect sense that a show called "Friday Night Lights" would be on tv on a Friday night). The one problem for me is "The Lipstick Jungle", the show I have really been looking forward to ... it won't be on until January and then it'll be on Sunday night at 10 p.m. and most likely up against "Brothers & Sisters" another of my fave shows.
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May 14, 2007 10:55 AM
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Hmmm, not a very promising fall season for NBC...Quantum Leap and Jake 2.0 and Bionic Woman? Oops, I mean Journeyman, Chuck and Bionic Woman...
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May 14, 2007 10:59 AM
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Leah,
In general you're probably right, especially for the younger generation, but for some of us "older ones" (I'm 38 and was 12 years old when that movie came out) that's actually what I know him from ... I never watched "Firefly" and didn't know he was on it.
Shannon
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May 14, 2007 11:00 AM
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I think it is the most appropriate strategy for NBC to keep the show and put it on Friday but don't have to creat a high expectation. If it maintains the current number of viewers for Fiday night, it has done its job! If it would gain mroe viewers, it exceeds expectation!
By putting FNL from 10 to 11 may allow the writers to come up with more controversal and explosive subjects to be included in the show!
I am not going to complain but enjoy the ride!!
Wish Emmy would give FNL the well-deserved nod for best drama!!
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May 14, 2007 11:03 AM
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I'm impressed with NBC's lineup. It looks like they made some smart decisions with new shows and where to schedule things. Of course, I said that last year and the ratings didn't follow LOL.
Chuck, Journeyman, Bionic Woman, and The IT Crowd all seem appealing to me. I won't be able to watch them all, but I'd like to check them out and see which ones I can fit in. I'm sure I'll watch Chuck if (God Forbid) the CW cancels Veronica Mars.
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May 14, 2007 11:03 AM
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I never watched "Firefly" and didn't know he was on it.
Shannon
Posted by Shannonm93
You should rent it. It's awesome. I've seen the whole series (only like 18 episodes) probably 5 or 6 times and I love it more every time I watch.
He was also on the last season of angel.
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May 14, 2007 11:10 AM
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