NBC Upfronts

Upfront week has started, where each of the (now) 5 networks announce their upcoming fall and mid-season plans. Monday was NBC's go at showing what they plan on doing. I am not going to bother with italics or " " for each program.

Canceled:
Fear Factor, Conviction, Teachers, Heist, Four Kings, Joey, Surface, The Book of Daniel, E-Ring, Martha Stewart Apprentice, Inconceivable, Three Wishes, The West Wing, and Will & Grace.

New:
Friday Night Lights - Based on the film, starts Kyle Chandler (Early Edition) as the coach, Connie Britton (Spin City) as the wife and lots of others as the team and various related secondary characters. The storyline is basically about the crap all involved go through to get to the state football championship in a town where football is all that really matters. If anything like the film, and its director and writer Peter Berg, is involved, this might be the hit new drama of the season.

Heroes - Similar to the 4400 and comic Rising Stars, it focues on the lives of people made extraordinary during a eclipse that somehow gives them abilities. Cast includes Adrian Pasdar (Profit) and Ali Larter (Final Destination). This one could be the next Surface or Invasion. In other words, excellent idea that could be handled horribly. If they are smart they will come out of the gate running and then throttle back once they establish themselves. To many make the mistake of assuming they will be around for 8 or 9 years so hold to many cards to their chest.

Kidnapped - Mix Without a Trace and 24 or Murder One together and you get this series that tracks the investigation into the kidnapping of a rich kid. Cast includes Delroy Lindo and Dana Delany. Overall the cast looks good (not a fan of Jermey Sisto though), have to sample it before deciding. Has potential to be a boring disaster.

Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip - From Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme (of West Wing when it was good), its about the behind the scenes crap that occurs during the making of a weekly late-night comedy show (think SNL or Mad). The cast includes Amanda Peet, Matthew Perry and many others. Oddly enough, its a drama about a comedy show. I would have huge doubts but Sports Night proved that if a show is well written with a fine cast, you can get gold out of pretty much any work setting. Either way, I am there for its debut.

The Black Donnellys - From Paul Haggis and Bobby Moresco who brougth us the movie Crash. Its a mid-season replacement show about a crime drama that follows the exploits of a group of brothers dealing with organized crime in New York City. Might be good, but when I read "organized crime" my interest meter goes right to zero. The title doesn't help.

Raines - Another mid-season replacement. this one from Grapham Yost (Band of Brothers) and Frank Barabont (Shawshank Redemption) and stars Jeff Goldblum (lots of stuff). Since Jeff is in it, you know its not going to quite follow the police drama conventions. Its a mix of Monk and Medium where the hero Raines can have conversations with dead crime victims to solve their crimes. Since the police don't like the crazy, much conflict insues while doing the crime solving. Cast includes Linda Park (Enterprise and Nicole Sullivan (MadTV). I like the cast, interesting concept if handled well. Worth a whirl.

20 Good Years - Comedy about two people that realize that one day they could die so hilarity ensues. Starts John Mason (Third Rock from the Sun) and Jeffrey Tambor (Arrested Development). Its basically the Odd Couple meets death. Whatever, I am not intersted.

30 Rock - Another behind the scenes of a late night variety show. Only this one is a comedy and is produced and stars SNL queen Tina Fey. She plays the head writer, deals with the network president and other eccentric folk that try to interfere with her job. The cast will make or break this show. Tina Fey is a likeable sexy women who knows how to do her thing very well. Its the rest of the cast that could be a problem, especially if they overdue it to much which could be a danger with Alec Baldwin and Tracy Morgan as part fo the cast.

Andy Barker, P.I. - Midseason replacement that stars Andy Richter (Conan O'Brien) who plays a CPA who becomes a PI after a mistaken identity error. Hilarity ensues as he answers to the new calling. Andy Ricter is the funny man who has usually found the show but not the audience or network support he needs to thrive. Chances are the show will be good, but doesn't mean it will survive.

The Singles Table - Midseason comedy replacement about a group of single strangers that meet at a wedding and become good friends. Basically its "How I Met Your Mother" with a different cast. Doesn't mean it can't be good, but a copy is rarely as good.

The schedule:
New shows in caps (except for ER)
MONDAY
8-9 p.m. "Deal or No Deal"
9-10 p.m. "HEROES"
10-11 p.m. "Me-dium"

TUESDAY
8-9 p.m. "FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS"
9-10 p.m. "KIDNAPPED"
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"
9:30-10 p.m. "30 ROCK"
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"
10-11 p.m. "ER"/("THE BLACK DONNELLYS" in January 2007)

FRIDAY
8-9 p.m. "Deal or No Deal"
9-10 p.m. "Las Vegas"
10-11 p.m. "Law & Order: Criminal Intent""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"

MID-SEASON
Post NFL on Sundays:
"America's Got Talent" (8-9 p.m.)
"The Apprentice" (9-10 p.m.)
"Raines" (10-11 p.m.)
"The Singles Table"
"Andy Barker, P.I."
"Crossing Jordan"
"Scrubs"