Upfronts: guessing NBC's fall schedule

Now that we're well into May, it's time to figure out as a TV fan, what we can expect from the networks in a few months when the 2011-2012 season starts.  Over the last few weeks, networks have started to announce whether they're renewing or canceling the shows currently in their possession.  Every day this week, I'll look at the possibilities of those shows on the bubble and try to forecast the network's fall schedule.  Rounding up my thoughts is the final network, NBC.


NBC's 2010-2011 in review:
The Peacock continued to try and find its way back from the mistakes of its past.  For the second straight year, NBC had to overcome the end of a long-tenured drama that had been a staple in its lineup.  In 2009, ER ended after fifteen seasons.  Last spring, Law and Order was cancelled after twenty seasons.  Therefore, it fell to a bevy of new shows to help ease the transition.

That said, NBC has struggled to launch any drama series that will become that staple for the next decade.  Even with the awards and acclaim that Law and Order: SVU has garnered, it has shown its age.  Chuck and Parenthood, the only other returning dramas in the fall schedule, had consistent years and fought off cancellation to get a chance to continue to grow.  Friday Night Lights, in its final season, will end its run as a terribly underrated network show.

In the wake of so few returning dramas, NBC put its eggs in the basket of shows like Law and Order: Los Angeles, Chase, Undercovers, The Event, Outlaw, and The Cape.  All failed.  None were renewed for the 2011-2012 season and most were considered "bombs".

Meanwhile, none of the new sitcoms that NBC tried seem to have much more success.  Outsourced was dismissed by critics before it aired, but held its own in the fall.  However, after moving to 10:30 on Thursday nights, its numbers began to spiral downward.  In general, NBC tried something unique with its comedies.  After the winter hiatus, NBC expanded their famed "Must See TV" comedy lineup to include six sitcoms for the first time.  But Outsourced, and the two shows that shared the 8:30 slot, Perfect Couples and The Paul Reiser Show, were DOA.  The Paul Reiser Show was canned after only two episodes.

NBC continues to utilize its variety of reality programming to gain decent ratings.  The Apprentice, The Biggest Loser, et al continue to provide not only numbers but also take up space with legitimate programming.  NBC has struggled so mightily to create fictional dramas that they've had to rely on the reality shows.

Established shows that will be back:
Despite their lack of strong rated dramas, NBC has demonstrated some sort of loyalty to a few of their fans.  Even after the debacle that was The Jay Leno Show, and cancelling Southland (which has since found life at TNT), they continue to renew so-so rated dramas such as Parenthood, Harry's Law and Chuck.  Chuck, in particular, remains the show that wouldn't die, often cited as one about to be cancelled.  But it'll get a fifth and final season in 2011-2012.

NBC is also bringing back the established portions of their comedy lineup.  Even though The Office has been labeled as past its prime, it continues to chug along.  It has to overcome Steve Carell's exit, and the initial ratings haven't been promising.  But it's still seen as an anchor.  The same can be said for 30 Rock.  Long since the critical darling of NBC's lineup, 30 Rock has been mentioned in wild rumors about ending in 2012.  However, NBC needs these shows, if only to allow whimsy of their younger siblings, Parks and Recreation and Community.  Together, the four are a mighty powerful creative force.  If they could garner the numbers that CBS gets, NBC might be back on its feet.

The network will also continue to replenish its supply of reality shows as The Biggest Loser, Who Do You Think You Are?, and The Sing-Off have been renewed for another season.  They could easily be joined by The Voice if that show pans out like NBC hopes.

New series that might make their way onto your TV:
There will be roughly five hours of broadcasting that NBC has to fill.  Earlier this week, NBC made the decision of which pilots its looking to bring onto the fall schedule.  And its a pretty big list.  Here is the list of shows that you should watch out for:

Awake- a drama about a detective who not only fights crimes and trouble when he is awake, but also has to deal with what happens in the depths of his dreams

Grimm- in what feels like it could be the next logical step in what the vampire series have started, this drama is based on what happens when our hero has to find the villains inspired by fairy tales; if Grimm can capture any of the frankness of the Fables comic series, it could be a breakthrough hit

The Playboy Club- like Pan-Am at ABC, The Playboy Club comes to us thanks to Mad Men's success; set in the seedy world of the Playboy club in the 1960s, Amber Heard will play a new bunny, who probably has to juggle her personal life with the skimpy outfits and surly clientele at her place of employment; oh, who am I kidding?  I'll watch it

Prime Suspect- an adaptation of the hit British series, Prime Suspect will star Maria Bello as a female detective, doing...female detective things?

Smash- touted as an adult alternative to FOX's Glee, Smash will be produced by Steven Spielberg and center on the production that goes into a Broadway musical; starring Anjelica Huston, Katharine McPhee, it will also bring back Emmy winner Debra Messing to the network where she had success at Will & Grace

NBC also picked up a number of sitcoms, with means they could be planning another six hour block of comedies for Thursday nights.  These include the Christina Applegate project Up All Night, an eponymous series for comedienne Whitney Cummings, Bent with Amanda Peet, Free Agents starring Hank Azaria, Are You There, Vodka?  It's Me, Chelsea with That '70s Show star Laura Prepon, and finally B.F.F. about two people that obviously hate each other.  So there is a lot turnover at the Peacock.

My guess at NBC's fall schedule (pure speculation):
Sundays
8:00-8:15 - Football Night in America
8:15-9:00 - NBC Sunday Night Football
9:10-10:00 - NBC Sunday Night Football
10:00-11:00 - NBC Sunday Night Football

Mondays
8:00-9:00 - Chuck
9:00-10:00 - Harry's Law
10:00-11:00 - The Playboy Club (N)

Tuesdays
8:00-9:00 - The Biggest Loser
9:00-10:00 - Prime Suspect (N)
10:00-11:00 - Parenthood

Wednesdays
8:00-9:00 - Smash (N)
9:00-10:00 - Grimm (N)
10:00-11:00 - Law and Order: Special Victims Unit

Thursdays
8:00-8:30 - Community
8:30-9:00 - Up All Night (N)
9:00-9:30 - The Office
9:30-10:00 - Parks and Recreation
10:00-10:30 - 30 Rock
10:30-11:00 - Are You There, Vodka?  It's Me, Chelsea (N)

Fridays
8:00-9:00 - Awake (N)
9:00-10:00 - Dateline NBC
10:00-11:00 - Dateline NBC