"Community" sounds awesome. Dan Harmon is a genius.
"Community" sounds awesome. Dan Harmon is a genius.
IIRC (because I'm definitely not watching that video again), they did show Leno cooking with Gordon Ramsey or someone after one of the times the voice over talked about your favorite "comedy" bits.Originally Posted by pissedpissedofferson
I know, right? That's going to be the best part of this show.
I wonder if Joel McHale will have a mannequin leg in his bedroom....
ABC is going into the comedic mockumentary business next fall.
The network has ordered its first new series, "Modern Family," a single-camera comedy that will look at family life from a different angle, as the lives of three families are explored through the lens of a Dutch documentary crew.
One is a traditional family with a working dad, homemaker mom and their two kids; another is a gay couple who have just adopted an Asian baby; and the third is an older man married to a younger woman. The documentary crew also are characters in the show.
Created by Steve Levitan and Christopher Lloyd ("Back To You" and "Frasier"), the cast includes Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Noland Gould, Ed O'Neill, Rico Rodriguez, Sarah Hyland, Eric Stonestreet, Sofia Vergara and Ariel Winter.
ABC, which traditionally does not pick up new shows until it gets closer to announcing its schedule to advertisers in New York, ordered the show early, in part, to send a message that comedy is a priority this season, sources said. "Modern Family," which tested highly with focus groups, will be part of the lineup that ABC will present in Manhattan on May 19.
Last edited by BillBrasky; May 8, 2009 at 11:56 AM.
From Variety:
Who's got the wind at their back as the Big Four and CW begin the seven-day countdown to upfront week?
The hot sheet of pilot contenders as of the weekend included projects featuring Alyssa Milano (ABC's "Romantically Challenged"), Kim Raver (ABC's "Inside the Box"), Courteney Cox (ABC's "Cougar Town"), Julianna Margulies (CBS' "The Good Wife), Jenna Elfman (CBS' "Accidentally on Purpose"), Alex O'Loughlin (CBS' "Three Rivers") and Jackie Earle Haley (Fox's "Human Target").
Also, several bubble shows were closer to earning a reprieve from their respective networks over the weekend, as "Ghost Whisperer" scored a renewal at CBS, and "Scrubs" continued to look good for another year at ABC.
The Alphabet net, which presents its fall '09 slate to advertisers on May 19, has already been getting down to business, handing out a pickup on Friday evening to drama "Flash Forward," from ABC Studios and scribes Brannon Braga and writer-helmer David S. Goyer. Joseph Fiennes leads an ensemble cast in the time-bender centering on what happens after everyone in the world blacks out for two minutes and 17 seconds.
That reps the second new series order for the Alphabet net, which had also picked up the comedy "Modern Family" last week.
Beyond that, insiders continue to suggest that "Scrubs," which wrapped its season last week with an episode that could have easily doubled as a series finale, will be back after all.
Also among Alphabet's bubble shows, "Better Off Ted," which has developed a following among TV critics, is looking good to return.
On the drama side, Jerry Bruckheimer is poised to land a skein about amateur gumshoes ("The Forgotten") , while the TV news drama "Inside the Box," starring Raver as an aggressive femme producer in D.C., has been gaining steam.
It doesn't hurt that "Box," written by former ABC News producer Richard Robbins, is exec produced by Shonda Rhimes.
Also considered strong contenders are murder mystery "Happy Town"; "Eastwick," an adaptation of "Witches of Eastwick"; and the untitled legal ensemble from writer Dave Hemingson. "Empire State," from "Grey's Anatomy" exec producer Mark Gordon, is seen as a dark horse.
Comedy-wise, Cox's "Cougar Town" is hot, as are Milano's "Romantically Challenged" and Cedric the Entertainer's cop comedy "The Law."
The Kelsey Grammer starrer "Awesome Hank" is still in the mix, with some predicting an order. Lauren Graham starrer "Let It Go" was said to have mixed reviews but shouldn't be counted out. Same goes for Patricia Heaton starrer "The Middle."
CBS has had strong buzz for more than a week for its "NCIS" spinoff (which aired as a planted two-part pilot seg on April 28-May 5) starring LL Cool J, which many predict will air on Tuesdays in the fall, alongside the "NCIS" mothership with "The Mentalist" moving to 10 p.m.
Also earning strong marks at CBS is "Good Wife," the femme defense attorney drama starring "ER" alum Margulies.
The verdict looks promising for another legal-driven vehicle, the untitled U.S. Attorney drama starring Melissa George and Jason Clark. Former "Moonlight" star O'Loughlin could be back on the Eye next season in "Three Rivers," about organ transplant donors and recipients. The poll numbers for "House Rules," which follows the frosh class of Congress as they acclimate to D.C., were moving in the right direction during the weekend. Also mentioned on some lists: "Eastmans."
The Eye's finally tally of drama pickups will hinge on its renewal decisions. It's understood that CBS on Friday reached an agreement to bring "Ghost Whisperer" back for a fifth season, after speculation that the show might be on the move. CBS vet "Cold Case" is expected to return, but "Without a Trace" remains up in the air, and "The Unit" looks unlikely to squeak out another season.
Among comedies, CBS' likes and dislikes were characteristically hard to read. It's an open secret that execs are smitten with Elfman starrer "Accidentally on Purpose," about a femme film critic who accidentally gets pregnant after a one-night stand with a younger man.
The heat for Jason Biggs starrer "Happiness Isn't Everything," written by Mitch Hurwitz and Jim Vallely, was easing up a bit during the weekend while a different buddy comedy that also has Hurwitz as an exec producer (but not writer), "Waiting to Die," has begun to get some traction.
At Fox, the chatter over the weekend was the sudden push for "Brothers," starring former NFL player and Fox gridiron commentator Michael Strahan.
Laffer "Sons of Tucson," about a hustler who becomes dad to three rich brothers after their real father is sent up the river for a white-collar crime, remains a cinch for a spot on the sked, as does comicbook-derived fantasy drama "Human Target," according to insiders. Drama "Past Life" has its fans at the net but is still considered a lukewarm contender.
Fox's drama needs are especially light because it already has Ryan Murphy's "Glee," which will be sneaked after "American Idol" on May 19, ordered for next season. On the comedy side, Fox has the animated laffer "Cleveland" set for fall, while "'Til Death" is also returning -- but might sit on the bench until being called for active duty.
Fox also has a number of other animated projects at various stages of development; net probably won't make a decision on those until summer.
At CW, the surprise last week was the cooling heat behind the 1980s-set "Gossip Girl" spinoff "Lily," which airs tonight. Insiders insisted the spinoff is still a contender, but not as much of a sure thing as the "Melrose Place" redo, which is considered a lock.
CW is also expected to bite into the vampire genre by greenlighting drama "Vampire Diaries." The net is expected to order at least one more new drama, and "Lily" is facing strong competish from the male-models-in-NYC vehicle "A Beautiful Life."
Finally, word is that NBC is looking to add at least one more comedy, possibly an overhaul of the Bradley Whitford/Romany Malco buddy-cop entry "Off Duty." NBC got a head start on its 2009-10 pickups of four dramas and two comedies with its "infront" presentation to advertisers last week.
Let me be the first to make the "oh, is that what they're aiming for?" joke.Same goes for Patricia Heaton starrer "The Middle."
From Variety:
It's case closed for David E. Kelley's drama pilot "Legally Mad," which NBC has officially passed on.
Also Monday, Fox pulled the plug a week early on its animated laffer "Sit Down, Shut Up."
Peacock is on the hook to pay producer Warner Bros. TV a multimillion-dollar penalty on "Legally Mad," which was given a hefty commitment by the network.
It's been speculated since last week, when "Mad" wasn't among NBC's fall pickups, that the network may want to tie a renewal of Warner Bros.' "Chuck" to removing that penalty -- but insiders insist that the two are unrelated. "Chuck" remains on the bubble, although most expect it to return to the Peacock next year.
"Mad" would have repped the first primetime series from Kelley since the scribe sealed a deal with Warner Bros. TV and would have been his first show at the Peacock since "L.A. Law." Kenny Ortega directed the pilot, which Kelley wrote, about a father and daughter at a Chicago law practice -- and the characters that surround them.
Cast included Kristin Chenoweth, Charity Wakefield, Hugh Bonneville, Jon Seda, Loretta Devine and Kurt Fuller.
Among other pilots not moving forward, ABC's Lauren Graham comedy pilot is believed to be dead, according to insiders.
ABC execs remain fans of Graham -- but the pilot, about a talkshow host who must follow her own advice when her life falls apart, is said to have fallen flat in the screening room. Project is from Sony and Tantamount, which still has several hot contenders at CBS (particularly "Waiting to Die").
Fox, meanwhile, opted to yank the remaining episode of "Sit Down, Shut Up" after the show posted a dismal 0.7 rating/3 share among adults 18-49.
But it's believed the show may have also been pulled this Sunday due to some content concerns -- particularly since "Sit Down" airs at 7 p.m. Fox will run a repeat "King of the Hill" in that slot.
Given "Sit Down's" perf, the animated half-hour is not expected to return.
In preparation for its upfront presentation next week, Fox picked up two new series Tuesday: the comic book drama "Human Target" and the single-camera comedy "Sons of Tucson." It also renewed the midseason drama "Lie to Me," tapping "The Shield" creator/executive producer Shawn Ryan as executive producer/showrunner.
Fox, which will be the first broadcast network to unveil its fall schedule to advertisers Monday, already has two new series in the can for the fall: the animated comedy "Cleveland" and the dramedy "Glee."
"Target," from WBTV, DC Comics and Wonderland, emerged as an early front-runner at the network. The pilot, directed by Simon West, scored the highest marks at Fox's internal screenings last week.
Based on the DC Comics title, the show, penned by Jon Steinberg, centers on Christopher Chance (Mark Valley), a mysterious freelancer who assumes the identities of people in danger, becoming the "human target" on behalf of his clients.
Jackie Earle Haley and Chi McBride co-star in the project exec produced by Steinberg and McG.
"Tucson," from 20th TV and J2TV, also was an early favorite at the network. The pilot, directed by Todd Holland, stars Tyler Labine as a charming but misguided hustler hired by three young brothers to act as their father while their real one serves prison time for a white-collar crime.
Frank Dolce, Davis Cleveland, Troy Gentile and Natalie Martinez co-star in the comedy penned by Tommy Dewey and Greg Bratman. Dewey and Bratman exec produce with Harvey Myman, Jason Felts and Justin Berfield.
Remaining in contention for a series order at Fox are the drama pilot "Past Life" and the comedy pilot "Brothers." On the bubble front, the cult favorite "Dollhouse" is still alive, with the final decision hinging on the low-rated series' economics.
It's down to the wire for the pilots vying for a slot on the broadcast networks' schedule for next season.
At ABC, in addition to the already picked-up drama "Flash Forward" and comedy "Modern Family," dramas "The Forgotten," "Happy Town" and "Eastwick" are going very strong, with "Empire State" and "Inside the Box" in contention. "V" remains a possibility for midseason.
On the comedy side, "Cougar Town" and the Cedric the Entertainer starrer "The Law," which is staffing unofficially, look solid, with "The Middle" and "Romantically Challenged" in the mix.
At Fox -- which also already picked up a new drama and comedy series, "Human Target" and "Sons of Tucson," respectively -- the comedy "Brothers" is hot, with support for drama "Past Life" said to be split among the network's top echelon.
Meanwhile, comedy "Ab Fab" has been passed on, joining "Two Dollar Beer" and "Eva Adams."
At the CW, "Melrose Place" and "Vampire Diaries" are considered a lock, with modeling drama "Beautiful Life," "Life Unexpected" (formerly "Light Years") and bubble freshman "Privileged" battling it out for the third slot. The "Gossip Girl" spinoff in consideration for midseason.
At CBS, always the hardest to read because of its imposed cone of silence, comedies "Accidentally on Purpose" and "Waiting to Die" supposedly are still going strong, with the status of another comedy, "Happiness Isn't Everything," constantly changing but now looking at a possible midseason berth. The "NCIS" spinoff is as a sure thing as they come, with "The Good Wife" looking good and "Three Rivers" in the running with star Alex O'Loughlin.
Nikkie Finke says that this "may be" NBC's fall schedule:
MONDAY -- TRAUMA, Heroes, Leno
TUESDAY -- Biggest Loser, Law & Order: SVU, Leno
WEDNESDAY -- Biggest Loser, PARENTHOOD, Leno
THURSDAY -- 30 Rock, P&R, Office, COMMUNITY, Leno
FRIDAY -- Chuck, Southland, Leno
SATURDAY -- Re-runs
SUNDAY -- Football
SUNDAY (January) -- Dateline, Apprentice, MERCY
Interesting that they're leading off Thursday nights with 30 Rock.
I've started seeing Daniel Tosh on my TV a little more. Apparently he has a new show coming out on comedy Central.
Any information on it?
FOX ANNOUNCES PRIMETIME SLATE FOR 2009-2010 SEASON
FOUR NEW COMEDIES, TWO NEW DRAMAS AND ONE LATE-NIGHT SHOW JOIN SCHEDULE
RYAN MURPHY'S NEW COMEDY "GLEE" TO PREMIERE IN FALL AFTER UNPRECEDENTED PREVIEW EVENT TOMORROW NIGHT
NEW COMEDIES "BROTHERS" AND "THE CLEVELAND SHOW" DEBUT IN FALL
NEW SATURDAY LATE-NIGHT ENTRY "THE WANDA SYKES SHOW" (working title) SLATED FOR FALL LAUNCH
NEW ACTION DRAMA SERIES "HUMAN TARGET," MYSTERIOUS DRAMA "PAST LIFE" AND COMEDY "SONS OF TUCSON" DEBUT MIDSEASON
"SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE" Returns in the Fall
"HUMAN TARGET" and "24" Premiere Sunday, January 17 Following NFC Divisional Playoff Game
New York (Monday, May 18, 2009)- Peter Rice, Chairman, Entertainment; and Kevin Reilly, President, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company, today unveiled the FOX primetime schedule for the 2009-2010 television season to the national advertising community during its annual Programming Presentation at New York City Center.
"As the No.1 network for the last five years, FOX is the first place viewers go to connect with the stories and characters they love," said Rice. "With next year's slate of distinctive shows, we're continuing to invest in creativity to give viewers the rich, emotional experience they can only get on television."
Reilly added, "The strategic moves we made last year to build off of our biggest assets are paying off. We've created stability and consistently strong performance across the week. Next season, we're bringing back two top-rated sophomore dramas and using our hits to introduce a broad and compelling slate of new shows that will make our air even more vibrant and alive."
After a special preview event airing Tuesday, May 19 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), GLEE, the distinctive new comedy from Ryan Murphy ("Nip/Tuck") starring Jane Lynch ("The 40 Year Old Virgin") and newcomers Matthew Morrison (Broadway's "Hairspray"), Lea Michele ("Spring Awakening") and Cory Monteith ("Kyle XY"), will enter its freshman year this fall. Combining biting humor with a soundtrack of hit music from past to present, the inventive series follows an optimistic high school teacher who against all odds attempts to restore McKinley High's fading Glee Club to its former glory, while helping a group of underdogs realize their true star potential.
Two additional new comedies will premiere this fall. From the producers of FAMILY GUY, comes THE CLEVELAND SHOW. The new Sunday night animated comedy follows everyone's favorite soft-spoken FAMILY GUY neighbor, CLEVELAND BROWN (Mike Henry), who moves with his son back to his hometown in Virginia and settles down with his high school sweetheart and her unruly kids. BROTHERS, starring Michael Strahan ("FOX NFL Sunday") and Daryl "Chill" Mitchell ("Ed," "Veronica's Closet"), is a new half-hour comedy about a former big-city NFL hot shot who returns home to his family and his mother's house to get his life back on track.
On Saturday, Nov. 7 (11:00 PM-Midnight ET/PT), late night will never be the same when Emmy Award winner Wanda Sykes returns to FOX to host THE WANDA SYKES SHOW (working title). The irreverent Saturday late-night series will feature Sykes' outspoken comedic perspective on current events along with topical, high-energy roundtable discussions.
The new event drama, HUMAN TARGET, premieres with a special preview Sunday, Jan. 17 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) following the NFC Divisional Playoff game. HUMAN TARGET is a full-throttle, action-packed thrill ride from executive producers McG ("Terminator Salvation") and Simon West ("Con Air," "Tomb Raider"). Based on the popular DC Comics graphic novel and starring Mark Valley (FRINGE), Chi McBride ("Pushing Daisies") and Academy Award nominee Jackie Earle Haley ("Watchmen"), the series follows CHRISTOPHER CHANCE (Valley), a unique private contractor who will stop at nothing even if it means becoming a human target to keep his clients alive.
The other drama for midseason is PAST LIFE, a fast-paced emotional thriller inspired by the book "The Reincarnationist." The series stars Kelli Giddish ("All My Children") as a gifted psychologist and Nicholas Bishop ("Home and Away") as a former NYPD detective who work together to explore and unravel mysteries that must be solved in both the past and the present.
One new comedy is scheduled to premiere in midseason. From three-time Emmy Award winner Todd Holland ("Malcolm in the Middle"), the non-traditional family comedy SONS OF TUCSON stars Tyler Labine ("Reaper") as a charming but wayward schemer hired by three young brothers whose father is in prison.
Summer sensation SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE moves to the fall with its sixth season. Hosted by Cat Deeley and featuring renowned judges Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy, the original dance competition series will continue to inspire and amaze viewers as dancers skilled in styles ranging from hip-hop to ballroom compete to be named America's Favorite Dancer.
It was also announced that the eighth season of 24 will return to the FOX schedule with a two-night, four-hour premiere as part of a special extended primetime on Sunday, Jan. 17 (9:00-11:00 PM ET/PT), immediately following the premiere of HUMAN TARGET. The next installment of the Emmy Award-winning series starring Kiefer Sutherland will unfold in New York City, amidst the shadows of the Statue of Liberty and the United Nations.
Other FOX series returning in 2009-2010 include: AMERICAN DAD, AMERICAN IDOL, AMERICA'S MOST WANTED, BONES, COPS, DOLLHOUSE, FAMILY GUY, FRINGE, HELL'S KITCHEN, HOUSE, KITCHEN NIGHTMARES, LIE TO ME, THE SIMPSONS and 'TIL DEATH. Specials returning to the FOX schedule include: THE 41st NAACP IMAGE AWARDS, NEW YEAR'S EVE LIVE and TEEN CHOICE 2009.
Following is the FOX primetime schedule for 2009-2010 and synopses of the new series:
FOX PRIMETIME SCHEDULE: FALL 2009 (All Times ET/PT)
MONDAY
8:00-9:00 PM HOUSE
9:00-10:00 PM LIE TO ME
TUESDAY
8:00-10:00 PM SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Performance Show
WEDNESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Results Show
9:00-10:00 PM GLEE
THURSDAY
8:00-9:00 PM BONES
9:00-10:00 PM FRINGE
FRIDAY
8:00-8:30 PM BROTHERS
8:30-9:00 PM 'TIL DEATH
9:00-10:00 PM DOLLHOUSE
SATURDAY
8:00-8:30 PM COPS
8:30-9:00 PM COPS
9:00-10:00 PM AMERICA'S MOST WANTED
11:00 PM-Midnight THE WANDA SYKES SHOW (working title)
Midnight-12:30 AM ANIMATION DOMINATION ENCORES
SUNDAY
7:00-8:00 PM THE OT (NFL post-game)
8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS
8:30-9:00 PM THE CLEVELAND SHOW
9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY
9:30-10:00 PM AMERICAN DAD
FOX PRIMETIME SCHEDULE: MIDSEASON 2010 (All Times ET/PT)
MONDAY
8:00-9:00 PM HOUSE
9:00-10:00 PM 24
TUESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL Performance Show
9:00-10:00 PM PAST LIFE
WEDNESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL Results Show
9:00-10:00 PM HUMAN TARGET (January) / GLEE (spring)
THURSDAY
8:00-9:00 PM BONES
9:00-10:00 PM FRINGE
FRIDAY
8:00-8:30 PM BROTHERS
8:30-9:00 PM 'TIL DEATH
9:00-10:00 PM DOLLHOUSE
SATURDAY
8:00-8:30 PM COPS
8:30-9:00 PM COPS
9:00-10:00 PM AMERICA'S MOST WANTED
11:00 PM-Midnight THE WANDA SYKES SHOW (working title)
Midnight-12:30 AM ANIMATION DOMINATION ENCORES
SUNDAY
7:00-7:30 PM ANIMATION DOMINATION ENCORES
7:30-8:00 PM AMERICAN DAD
8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS
8:30-9:00 PM SONS OF TUCSON
9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY
9:30-10:00 PM THE CLEVELAND SHOW
NEW SERIES SYNOPSES
The following new comedies will premiere this fall on FOX:
GLEE
McKinley High School's Glee Club used to be at the top of the show choir world, but years later, it has turned into a haven for misfits and social outcasts. But at McKinley, things for the Glee Club are about to change. From Ryan Murphy, the creator of "Nip/Tuck," comes GLEE, an uplifting comedy musical series with biting humor that features a soundtrack of hit music from past to present. The show follows an optimistic high school teacher as he tries to refuel his own passion for singing while reinventing the school's glee club and challenging a group of underdogs to realize their star potential. WILL SCHUESTER (Matthew Morrison) has offered to take on the Herculean task of restoring McKinley's Glee Club to its former glory with the help of fellow teacher and germaphobe EMMA PILLSBURY (Jayma Mays). It's a tall order when the brightest stars of the club include KURT (Chris Colfer), a nerdy soprano with a flair for the dramatic; MERCEDES (Amber Riley), a dynamic diva-in-training who refuses to sing back-up; ARTIE (Kevin McHale), a geeky guitarist who spends more time avoiding bullies than chasing girls; and TINA (Jenna Ushkowitz), an awkward girl who needs to suppress her stutter before she can take center stage. Will's only hope lies with two true talents: RACHEL BERRY (Lea Michele), a perfectionist firecracker who is convinced that show choir is her ticket to stardom; and FINN HUDSON (Cory Monteith), the popular high school quarterback with movie star looks and a Motown voice who must protect his reputation with his holier-than-thou girlfriend and head cheerleader, QUINN (Dianna Agron), and his arrogant football teammate, PUCK (Mark Salling). Driven by his secret past, Will is determined to do whatever it takes to make Glee great again, even though everyone around him thinks he's nuts. He's out to prove them all wrong from his tough-as-nails wife TERRI SCHUESTER (Jessalyn Gilsig) to McKinley's scheming cheerleading coach SUE SYLVESTER (Jane Lynch) to an ber-hip world that thinks jazz hands and sequined tuxedos litter the road to infamy rather than pave the way to Hollywood dreams.
PRODUCTION COMPANIES: 20th Century Fox Television, Ryan Murphy Television
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Dante Di Loreto
CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Ian Brennan, John Peter Kousakis
DIRECTOR: Ryan Murphy
CAST: Dianna Agron as Quinn, Chris Colfer as Kurt, Jessalyn Gilsig as Terri Schuester, Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester, Jayma Mays as Emma Pillsbury, Kevin McHale as Artie, Lea Michele as Rachel Berry, Cory Monteith as Finn Hudson, Matthew Morrison as Will Schuester, Amber Riley as Mercedes, Mark Salling as Puck, Jenna Ushkowitz as Tina
THE CLEVELAND SHOW
THE CLEVELAND SHOW is a new animated series that follows everyone's favorite soft-spoken neighbor, CLEVELAND BROWN (Mike Henry), to his hometown in Virginia as he settles down with his high school sweetheart, her unruly kids and his own 14-year-old son, CLEVELAND JR. (Kevin Michael Richardson). Many years ago, Cleveland was a high school student madly in love with a beautiful girl named DONNA (Sanaa Lathan). Much to his dismay, his love went unrequited, and Donna wound up marrying another man. Cleveland once told Donna he would always love her, and if this man ever done her wrong, he'd be there when she called. Well, this man done her wrong. Donna's husband ran off, leaving Donna with a teenage daughter and a young son. Now she's open to Cleveland and has offered him another chance at love. Unattached after the Loretta-Quagmire debacle and true to his word, Cleveland joyously reunites with Donna, and he and Cleveland Jr. move to Virginia to join their new family. Once in Virginia, there are a few surprises in store for Cleveland, including ROBERTA (Reagan Gomez-Preston), a rebellious new stepdaughter; RALLO (Henry), his new 5-year-old stepson who loves the ladies; and a collection of neighbors that includes a loudmouth redneck, LESTER (Richardson); a hipster wanna-be, HOLT (guest voice Jason Sudeikis); and a religious pair of talking bears, TIM (Seth MacFarlane) and his wife ARIANNA (guest voice Arianna Huffington).
PRODUCTION COMPANY: 20th Century Fox Television
CO-CREATORS/EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Seth MacFarlane, Rich Appel, Mike Henry
VOICE CAST: Mike Henry as Cleveland Brown, Rallo and others; Sanaa Lathan as Donna Tubbs; Reagan Gomez-Preston as Roberta Tubbs; Kevin Michael Richardson as Lester and Cleveland Jr.
GUEST VOICES: Arianna Huffington as Arianna, Jason Sudeikis as Holt
BROTHERS
Starring Michael Strahan ("FOX NFL Sunday") and Daryl "Chill" Mitchell ("Ed," "Veronica's Closet"), BROTHERS is a new half-hour comedy about a former NFL hot shot who learns that even though you can always go home again, the trip back might be tougher than you think. MIKE TRAINOR (Strahan) seemingly has it all he's a good-looking, wealthy and recently retired NFL player living the high-life in New York City, but he's about to get sidelined. When Mike gets a phone call from his MOM (CCH Pounder, "The Shield") who orders him home to Houston, he quickly realizes the more his life has changed, the more his family has stayed the same. His brother CHILL (Daryl "Chill" Mitchell), whose life was altered drastically after a car accident left him in a wheelchair, is struggling to keep his restaurant afloat with the help of his loudmouth associate, ROSCOE (Colton Dunn, "MADtv"). The dynamics between Mike and Chill are the same as when they were kids, and their sibling rivalry hasn't lessened with age. If they can stop their bickering, put aside their differences and learn to be teammates, the brothers might just turn out to be each other's biggest asset. Wedged between Mike and Chill are their parents. Their father, whom everyone refers to as COACH (Carl Weathers, "Rocky"), is the local high school football coach and the conservative, opinionated alpha male of his clan. Coach thinks he runs the show, but really it's Mom who calls the shots. Saucy, stern and a schemer, she is the mastermind of the family. And when she learns that Mike's business manager took off with all his money, she orchestrates a plan to keep Mike in Houston, save Chill's restaurant and bring the family back together under one roof again all without anyone realizing what she's up to. Mom's plan helps Mike realize that his family however dysfunctional they may be is the only family he's got. And although he may not have a penny to his name, as long as he's surrounded by people who love him, he'll always be a rich man.
PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Sony Pictures Television; Tantamount Studios; Impact Zone Productions, Inc.
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Eric Tannenbaum, Kim Tannenbaum, Mitch Hurwitz, Don Reo
DIRECTOR: Ted Wass
CAST: Michael Strahan as Mike, Daryl "Chill" Mitchell as Chill, CCH Pounder as Mom, Carl Weathers as Coach, Colton Dunn as Roscoe
The following new late-night series will premiere this fall:
THE WANDA SYKES SHOW (working title)
Emmy Award-winning actress, comedian and author Wanda Sykes returns to FOX to host the innovative and irreverent new Saturday late-night series, THE WANDA SYKES SHOW (working title). The high-energy one-hour show will feature biting commentary on topical issues and heated panel discussions with recurring personalities. The series' unique format will highlight Sykes' outspoken comedic perspective on current events and will also allow her to leave the studio to shoot segments in the field.
PRODUCTION COMPANY: Fox Television Studios
HOST: Wanda Sykes
The following new dramas are slated for a midseason launch:
HUMAN TARGET
It takes a brave, selfless man to make himself a "human target" in order to save the lives of those in danger. Based on the popular DC Comics graphic novel, HUMAN TARGET is a full-throttle action drama centered on CHRISTOPHER CHANCE (Mark Valley, FRINGE), a unique private contractor/security guard hired to protect. Call him what you like, because for Chance, it's about one thing only: saving his clients' lives. When there is an unusual or imminent threat that can't be solved through "normal" means of protection, Chance is hired to completely integrate himself into his clients' lives to become the human target. If you're a corporate manager whose disgruntled employee has gone violently off the deep end, Chance is your new auditor. If you're the president of a bank who's been tipped off to a potential heist, Chance is your unassuming bank teller. During each job, Chance, assisted by his business partner WINSTON (Chi McBride, "Pushing Daisies") and hired gun GUERRERO (Jackie Earle Haley, "Watchmen"), puts himself directly in the line of fire as he races against time to save his client, while unraveling the truth behind the mission. With every new danger, Chance's dark history will also unravel. Does anyone know who Christopher Chance really is, or what secrets lay buried in his past? What would make a man willingly become a HUMAN TARGET?
PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Bonanza Productions Inc., Wonderland Sound and Vision, DC Comics, Warner Bros. Television
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Jon Steinberg, McG, Simon West, Brad Kern
CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Peter Johnson
DIRECTOR: Simon West
WRITER: Jon Steinberg CAST: Mark Valley as Christopher Chance, Jackie Earle Haley as Guerrero, Chi McBride as Winston
PAST LIFE
Have you ever experienced dj vu or met someone you thought seemed familiar? Do you believe in karma, fate or love at first sight? From writer David Hudgins ("Friday Night Lights"), and inspired by the book "The Reincarnationist" by M.J. Rose, comes PAST LIFE, a new drama series about an unlikely pair of past-life detectives who investigate whether what is happening to you today is the result of who you were before. DR. KATE MCGINN (Kelli Giddish, "All My Children") is not your typical psychologist. Confident, outspoken and highly educated, she works at The Talmadge Center for Behavioral Health in New York City, a world-renowned institute dedicated to the study of the science of the soul. After experiencing a past-life regression in her 20s, Kate became a believer in reincarnation. Using regression therapy and her natural gift for reading people, Kate helps solve the mysteries of her troubled clients who suffer from present-day problems caused by past-life traumas. She believes there are levels of consciousness and explanations for human behavior that science can't begin to explain. Accustomed to skeptics, but not bothered by them, Kate is an unapologetic believer and a force of nature who marches to the beat of her own drummer. Her partner, PRICE WHATLEY (Nicholas Bishop, "Home and Away"), is a different story. A former NYPD homicide detective, pragmatic and cynical, Price is a damaged soul who constantly battles grief and guilt over the accidental death of his wife. Price feels that Kate, though not certifiable, certainly operates on the fringes of science. It's a volatile relationship, but with Price's solid detective skills, and Kate's penchant for out-of-the-box thinking, together they make a formidable, if somewhat dysfunctional, team. A fast-paced emotional thrill ride, each episode finds Price and Kate working with their colleagues to unravel a new mystery involving the past-lives of their clients. DR. MALACHI TALMADGE (Richard Schiff, "The West Wing") is Kate's mentor and the center's namesake, an avuncular but gruff elder statesman who is a legend in the field of cognitive research. DR. RISHI KARNA (Ravi Patel, "Scrubs") is the rookie of the group, a baby-faced therapist from Calcutta who loves bad American TV, Cuban jazz and driving everyone crazy.
PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Bonanza Productions Inc., Warner Bros. Television
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: David Hudgins, Lou Pitt
DIRECTOR: Deran Sarafian
WRITER: David Hudgins
CAST: Kelli Giddish as Dr. Kate McGinn, Nicholas Bishop as Price Whatley, Richard Schiff as Dr. Malachi Talmadge, Ravi Patel as Dr. Rishi Karna
The following new comedy is slated for a midseason launch:
SONS OF TUCSON
In the tradition of "Malcolm in the Middle" and "The Bernie Mac Show," SONS OF TUCSON is a family comedy about three brothers who hire a charming, wayward schemer to stand in as their father when their real one goes to prison. What begins as a business relationship evolves into something more complex and compelling: a family unlike any we've ever seen. The three brothers find their dad-for-hire, RON SNUFFKIN (Tyler Labine, "Reaper"), at the local sporting good store. Ron will be forced to draw on a wide array of skills and a vast bag of tricks as he steps into the patriarch role to take care of the boys of the Gunderson family. ROBBY GUNDERSON (Davis Cleveland, "How I Met Your Mother"), 8, is a loose cannon who doesn't respond well to authority; GARY GUNDERSON (Frank Dolce, "Doubt"), 11, is a bright and street-savvy leader who is every bit the con man his father is; and BRANDON GUNDERSON (Troy Gentile, "Entourage"), 13, is a gentle free spirit who simply goes along for the ride. MAGGIE MORALES (Natalie Martinez, "Saints & Sinners"), Robby's second-grade teacher and the object of Ron's affection, might just be the only stable figure in the lives of this quirky quartet. While SONS OF TUCSON is grounded in the day-to-day challenges of a single-parent home, nothing in the Gunderson household is quite what it seems. An ongoing chess match between Ron and the boys will keep both parties on their toes, as neither side can afford to give up too much power or independence.
PRODUCTION COMPANY: 20th Century Fox Television
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Justin Berfield, Jason Felts, Harvey Myman, Todd Holland
DIRECTOR: Todd Holland
WRITERS: Tommy Dewey, Greg Bratman
CAST: Tyler Labine as Ron Snuffkin, Davis Cleveland as Robby Gunderson, Frank Dolce as Gary Gunderson, Troy Gentile as Brandon Gunderson, Natalie Martinez as Maggie Morales
Last edited by BillBrasky; May 18, 2009 at 10:17 AM.
FOX has some trailers up for their new shows here.
NBC ANNOUNCES 2009-2010 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE BOLSTERED BY MORE ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING THAN EVER BEFORE
Shared Time Period Strategy Around NBC’s Broadcast of 2010 Winter Olympics Along with Jay Leno at 10 p.m. Enables Network to Broadcast Original Programming Year-Round
Network Renews Returning Series "Law & Order" and "Chuck”
NEW YORK -- May 19, 2009 – NBC announced today its 2009-2010 schedule featuring more original programming than ever before and a shared time-period strategy around NBC’s Olympics platform that, along with “The Jay Leno Show” (Mondays-Fridays 10-11 p.m. ET), allows the network to broadcast all-new content year-round.
In addition, NBC issued renewals to "Law & Order" and "Chuck” as part of its strong slate of new and returning shows announced recently at the network’s highly successful Infront.
“NBC has picked up more scripted shows than last season even with “The Jay Leno Show” at 10 p.m.,” said Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios. “We’re incredibly excited about our new and returning series and have more comedy programming than anyone else, as well as two of the most buzzed about new shows, 'Community’ and ‘Parenthood.’ We can’t wait for the fall.”
"We are extremely proud to introduce these strong new series to NBC's schedule next season in strategic timeslots that position them for success," said Angela Bromstad, President, Primetime Entertainment, NBC and Universal Media Studios. "They join some of the highest quality returning shows on television, which will serve as a strong foundation to the new schedule. I think viewers are going to be happy to see this lineup of great new shows that will truly fit the NBC legacy of quality, culturally defining shows."
NBC’s shared time period strategy will kick off this fall on Mondays with the premiere of "Heroes” (8-9 p.m. ET) continuing with all originals before "Chuck” assumes the time period after the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, which will be a powerful launching platform with its broad, female appeal and strong ratings as the most-watched event of the year. Using "NBC Sunday Night Football's" potent promotional platform, the new high-octane drama "Trauma” will debut Mondays (9-10 p.m. ET) with the epic event series "Day One” taking over the time period following the Olympics.
NBC’s successful "The Biggest Loser” series continues Tuesdays (8-10 p.m.) and will help launch the new Wednesday lineup this fall, with the new family drama “Parenthood” debuting (8-9 p.m. ET) and the new hospital drama "Mercy" assuming the time period post-Olympics. "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” will air 9-10 p.m. ET following ‘Parenthood.’
NBC’s Thursday marquee comedy night will begin with the only live comedy between 8-10 p.m. on any network, “Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday” (8-8:30 p.m. ET), followed by "Parks and Recreation” (8:30-9 p.m. ET), "The Office” (9-9:30 p.m. ET) and the new comedy "Community” (9:30-10 p.m. ET). After “Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday” completes its multi-week run, "Community” will move to 8 p.m. and "30 Rock” will debut at 9:30 p.m., enabling NBC to feature more original comedy than ever before.
On Fridays in the fall, the enduring drama "Law & Order" will return for its record 20th season (tying “Gunsmoke” as the longest running drama series in primetime) and will lead off at 8-9 p.m. (ET) while "Southland” follows at 9-10 p.m. (ET), building a great crime block.
Saturdays will be a showcase for "Dateline NBC” (8-9 p.m. ET) and encore episodes of "Trauma” (9-10 p.m. ET) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (10-11 p.m. ET).
"Football Night in America" (7-8:20 p.m. ET) and "NBC Sunday Night Football" (8:20-11 p.m. ET) – the number one show of the fall -- will return on Sundays in the fall with a fan-pleasing schedule of games to round out the fall season.
Utilizing the compatible demographics provided by the Olympics, NBC will launch the premieres of "The Marriage Ref" from executive producers Jerry Seinfeld and Ellen Rakieten (“Oprah”) on Sundays (8-9 p.m. ET) and the third season premiere of "The Celebrity Apprentice” on Sundays with two-hour editions (9-11 p.m. ET). In addition, the new comedy “100 Questions” will debut on Tuesdays (9:30-10 p.m. ET) following a 90-minute edition of "The Biggest Loser” (8-9:30 p.m. ET).
And coming in the summer, NBC will telecast all original episodes of “The Jay Leno Show,” "Friday Night Lights,” "America's Got Talent,” “Breakthrough with Tony Robbins,” "Dateline NBC,” with additional programs to be announced later.
To catch up on season finales, watch new "Heroes” and "The Office” web series, and more, please log onto NBC.com.
NBC FALL 2009 SCHEDULE
*New programs in UPPER CASE
MONDAY
8-9 p.m. – "Heroes"
9-10 p.m. - "TRAUMA"
10-11 p.m. – "THE JAY LENO SHOW"
TUESDAY
8-10 p.m. – "The Biggest Loser" (two-hour edition)
10-11 p.m. – "THE JAY LENO SHOW"
WEDNESDAY
8-9 p.m. – "PARENTHOOD"
9-10 p.m. – "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"
10-11 p.m. – "THE JAY LENO SHOW"
THURSDAY
8- 8:30 p.m. – "SNL WEEKEND UPDATE THURSDAY" (multi-episode run)
8:30-9 p.m. – "Parks and Recreation"
9- 9:30 p.m. – "The Office"
9:30-10 p.m. – "COMMUNITY" (moves to Thursdays 8-8:30 p.m. after multi-episode run "30 Rock" returns)
10-11 p.m. – "THE JAY LENO SHOW"
FRIDAY
8-9 p.m. – "Law & Order"
9-10 p.m. – "Southland"
10-11 p.m. – "THE JAY LENO SHOW"
SATURDAY
8-9 p.m. – "Dateline NBC"
9-10 p.m. – "TRAUMA" (encore broadcast)
10-11 p.m. – "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (encore broadcast)
SUNDAY
7- 8:20 p.m. "Football Night in America"
8:20-11 p.m. "NBC Sunday Night Football"
NBC MID-SEASON 2010 SCHEDULE
(2010 WINTER OLYMPICS preempt regularly scheduled programming from February 12-28, 2010)
*New programs in UPPER CASE
MONDAY
8-9 p.m. – "Chuck" (season premiere)
9-10 p.m. - "DAY ONE"
10-11 p.m. – "THE JAY LENO SHOW"
TUESDAY
8-9:30 p.m. – "The Biggest Loser" (90-minute edition)
9:30-10 p.m. – "100 QUESTIONS"
10-11 p.m. – "THE JAY LENO SHOW"
WEDNESDAY
8-9 p.m. – "MERCY"
9-10 p.m. – "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"
10-11 p.m. – "THE JAY LENO SHOW"
THURSDAY
8- 8:30 p.m. – "COMMUNITY"
8:30-9 p.m. – "Parks and Recreation"
9- 9:30 p.m. – "The Office"
9:30-10 p.m. – "30 Rock"
10-11 p.m. – "THE JAY LENO SHOW"
FRIDAY
8-9 p.m. – "Law & Order"
9-10 p.m. – "Southland"
10-11 p.m. – "THE JAY LENO SHOW"
SATURDAY
8-9 p.m. – "Dateline NBC"
9-10 p.m. – "Southland" (encore broadcast)
10-11 p.m. – "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (encore broadcast)
SUNDAY
7-8 p.m. – "Dateline NBC"
8-9 p.m. – THE MARRIAGE REF
9-11 p.m. – "The Celebrity Apprentice" (season premiere; two-hour edition)
9-10 p.m. – "Southland" (encore broadcast)
Jesus, NBC, why not just broadcast dead air for an hour and call it 'We give up.'?
If it wasn't for an hour and a half on Thursday and Conan, NBC would be about as relevant as Reelz.
"Even gutter hags trump pretty boys." - BabyCakes
ABC UNVEILS 2009-10 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE
New Series Include "Cougar Town," "The Deep End," "Eastwick," "Flash Forward," "The Forgotten," "Hank," "Happy Town," "The Middle," "Modern Family," "Shark Tank" and "V"
"Better Off Ted," "Castle," "Scrubs" and "True Beauty" Join Previously Announced Returning Series "America's Funniest Home Videos," "The Bachelor," "Brothers & Sisters," "Dancing with the Stars," "Desperate Housewives," "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," "Grey's Anatomy," "Lost," "Private Practice," "Supernanny," "Ugly Betty," "Wife Swap" and "20/20"
Stephen McPherson, president, ABC Entertainment Group, today outlined ABC's plans for next season and unveiled the network's 2009-10 fall schedule before the advertising and media communities at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall.
New fall and midseason series include "Cougar Town," "The Deep End," "Eastwick," "Flash Forward," "The Forgotten," "Hank," "Happy Town," "The Middle," "Modern Family," "Shark Tank" and "V."
"Better Off Ted," "Castle," "Scrubs" and "True Beauty" join previously announced returning series "America's Funniest Home Videos," "The Bachelor," "Brothers & Sisters," "Dancing with the Stars," "Desperate Housewives," "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," "Grey's Anatomy," "Lost," "Private Practice," "Supernanny," "Ugly Betty," "Wife Swap" and "20/20." "Saturday Night College Football" will also return.
"Our focus is always on delivering the best stories with the most memorable characters on TV, whether that's established audience favorites or innovative new shows," said McPherson. "This year we've got the best of both. We're headed into the season with a strong slate of returning series as well as great new shows from one of our best development seasons ever."
For the 2008-09 TV season, ABC claims four of the top 10 highest-rated TV series in Adults 18-49, including the top two scripted shows with "Desperate Housewives" and "Grey's Anatomy." For the fourth straight season, the Network remains a top destination for upscale viewers, delivering five of the top 15 highest-rated TV series and three of the top four scripted shows among Adults 18-49 in homes w/$100K+ annual income. During the fall, the Net finished No. 1 in the November Sweep among Adults 18-49 for the fourth year in a row. ABC's audience is growing in 2009, delivering across-the-board gains over the same point last year: Total Viewers +2%, Adults 18-34 +14%, Adults 18-49 +4% and Adults 25-54 +3%.
Fall premiere dates will be announced at a later time. However "Shark Tank" will premiere over the summer following the special 10th anniversary primetime return of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," and will then move to Tuesday nights at 8:00 p.m. Please note shows picked up but not listed on the schedule will debut later in the 2009-10 season.
ABC's fall primetime schedule is as follows (all times listed are Eastern):
DAY TIME SERIES
MONDAY:
8:00 p.m. "Dancing with the Stars" (two-hours)
10:00 p.m. "Castle"
TUESDAY: 8:00 p.m.
"Shark Tank"
9:00 p.m. "Dancing with the Stars the Results Show"
10:00 p.m. "The Forgotten"
WEDNESDAY:
8:00 p.m. "Hank"
8:30 p.m. "The Middle"
9:00 p.m. "Modern Family"
9:30 p.m. "Cougar Town"
10:00 p.m. "Eastwick"
THURSDAY:
8:00 p.m. "Flash Forward"
9:00 p.m. "Grey's Anatomy"
10:00 p.m. "Private Practice"
FRIDAY:
8:00 p.m. "Supernanny"
9:00 p.m. "Ugly Betty"
10:00 p.m. "20/20"
SATURDAY:
8:00 p.m. "Saturday Night College Football"
SUNDAY:
7:00 p.m. "America's Funniest Home Videos"
8:00 p.m. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"
9:00 p.m. "Desperate Housewives"
10:00 p.m. "Brothers & Sisters"
"The Bachelor" will air Monday nights from 8:00-10:00 p.m. following the run of "Dancing with the Stars," and "Scrubs" and "Better Off Ted" will air at 9:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., respectively, following the run of "Dancing with the Stars The Results Show."
For more info on ABC's new shows, go here.
So basically, to recap, none of the new comedies besides "Community" and "Parenthood" (more of a dramedy) look all that interesting. FOX passed on "Ab Fab" and the Ben Stiller-produced "The Station" to pick up this "Brothers" show, which looks terrible, and the "Malcolm in the Middle"-looking "Sons of Tucson". Plus, Sunday nights on FOX are now going to be very depressing.
ABC's schedule is even more boring, with "Cougar Town", starring Courtney Cox (sheesh), "Hank" starring Kelsey Grammer, and "The Middle" starring Patricia Heaton (because Grammer and Heaton's last series that they did together worked out so well). "Modern Family" might show some promise, however.
CBS has already announced one new comedy series pickup, "Accidentally on Purpose" with Jenna Elfman. I doubt they're going to add any more, they're already pretty full up on comedies at the moment; How I Met Your Mother, Big Bang Theory, Gary Unmarried, Rules of Engagement, and New Adventures of Old Christine have all already been renewed. This means the Hurwitz series "Happiness Isn't Everything", with Jason Biggs, and "Waiting to Die" (which I guess probably wouldn't have starred Nick Thune, since he said on CDR Radio that he was fired from the project) are probably a no-go.
labine and ryan gossling were my favorite part of breaker high.
"This is not the Beach Boys. It can't be. Why? No beach songs! I thought it was some kind of joke. All 'Pet Sounds' offers is the opportunity to hear Brian Wilson whine for forty minutes, backed by elevator music. There's barely any Mike Love on the album at all."
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