NBC Morning Alert: Six New Series Picked Up; FNL, Scrubs Saved

By Kristin Veitch May 14, 2007 1:01 PMTags
ScrubsVivian Zink/NBC

Update! NBC just announced its new schedule, which I've added to end of this blog entry.

It's day one at the upfronts in New York City!

And...Grreeeaaat. Joel McHale is now officially a big, fancy star on a broadcast network. This is my first reaction to the news of NBC's slate of new shows for the fall season—that my E! colleague and host of The Soup will probably tear down my office for his new multiwing dressing room with Jacuzzi tub.

What I'm trying to say is, congratulations, Joel! His new show, The IT Crowd, was the only comedy pilot to be picked up by NBC this morning, and that's something to sing about.

And that's hardly the only cheer-worthy news. It also was announced this morning that Friday Night Lights, Scrubs, Medium and the longest-running show on television, Law & Order, will all stay put on the Peacock network. (Although Scrubs, which never seems to get its due respect, only received an 18-episode order, while the others received 22. Hmph.)

In an odd programming twist, NBC has given the boot to Law & Order: Criminal Intent—booting it over to the USA Network, where its new episodes will air first and then be encored on NBC. And the worst news comes for fans of Crossing Jordan, since NBC could not find a spot for it on the new fall grid and it has been canceled.

These are NBC's six new series:

  • Life:  Damian Lewis is an innocent cop sent to prison.
  • Chuck:  Zachary Levi (Less Than Perfect) is a computer geek who accidentally downloads the CIA's database into his head.
  • Journeyman:  Rome's Kevin McKidd (swoon) travels back in time to right his past wrongs. (Maybe he could teach Lost's Desmond a thing or two?) 
  • The Bionic Woman:  Jamie Sommers is back!
  • Lipstick Jungle:  A trio of powerful businesswomen (including Kim Raver and Brooke Shields) claw their way to the top in New York City.
  • The IT Crowd:  Some guy named Joel something-or-other stars in this remake of a British comedy about computer tekkies. 

See below for NBC's new scheduling; more announcements will be made today throughout its upfront presentation at Radio City Music Hall and I'll post the updates when they come. Plus, I'll be back this afternoon with updates from the red carpet, presentation and party, so stay tuned!

(If you have any questions for new or returning NBC stars, please post them below, or email me with "NBC" in the subject line. If you have no questions but already have strong opinions about NBC's new shows, vote for your fave in our upfronts message board poll!)

 

NBC's Upcoming Schedule

Monday
8-9 p.m. Deal or No Deal
9-10 p.m. Heroes
10-11 p.m. Journeyman

Tuesday
8-9 p.m. The Biggest Loser
9-10 p.m. Chuck
10-11 p.m. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Wednesday
8-9 p.m. Deal or No Deal
9-10 p.m. Bionic Woman
10-11 p.m. Life

Thursday
8-8:30 p.m. My Name Is Earl
8:30-9 p.m. 30 Rock
9-9:30 p.m. The Office
9:30-10 p.m. Scrubs
10-11 p.m. ER

Friday
8-9 p.m. 1 vs. 100/The Singing Bee
9-10 p.m. Las Vegas
10-11 p.m. Friday Night Lights
 
Saturday
8-9 p.m. Dateline NBC
9-11 p.m. Drama Series Encores

Sunday (Fall 2007)
7-8 p.m. Football Night in America
8-11 p.m. NBC Sunday Night Football

Sunday (January 2008)
7-8 p.m. Dateline NBC
8-9 p.m. Law & Order
9-10 p.m. Medium
10-11 p.m. Lipstick Jungle