NBC, Jumping In Early, Announces Fall Lineup Rife With Action-Fantasy, High-Concept Series

By: WALT BELCHER
Media General News Service
Published: April 3, 2008

NBC is bringing back “Knight Rider,” keeping “Friday Night Lights” and adding a spinoff from “The Office.”

The peacock network also has plenty of action and fantasy planned for the 2008-09 season, including “My Own Worst Enemy,” starring Christian Slater as a mild-mannered suburban guy who moonlights as a ruthless spy.

NBC unveiled its plans to TV reporters on Wednesday, six weeks ahead of its competitors (ABC, CBS, Fox and The CW), who still plan to announce their schedules at traditional mid-May “upfront” galas for advertisers in New York.

Reportedly, NBC wants to give the impression that it is so excited about the future that it couldn’t wait to tell the world.

The network announced that its biggest action-fantasy series, “Heroes,” will return in the fall in the 9 p.m. Monday slot. It kicks off with a three-hour special in September.

“Knight Rider,” a reworking of the 1980s David Hasselhoff action series, should be about as exciting as NBC’s attempt to bring back the “Bionic Woman” this past season.

“Bionic” has been canceled, along with “Journeyman” and “Las Vegas.” Also missing is “Scrubs.”

If the talking car runs out of gas, NBC could try “The A-Team” next. We hear that Mr. T is rested and ready.

Also new in the fall is “Crusoe,” a reworking of the Daniel Defoe classic about a man stranded on an island in the 1600s. He will have a friend named Friday. It has been described as an action story that also explores race relations.

Coming in the winter of 2008-09 is “Kings,” starring Ian McShane as an ethics-challenged king in an ancient time. Supposedly inspired by the biblical story of David, it sounds like “Deadwood” meets “West Wing” in togas.

This is the first prime-time slate under NBC Entertainment co-chairman Ben Silverman, who likes bright, shiny, fluffy things that are high concept. So that’s why he renewed “Lipstick Jungle.”

Another example, “The Philanthropist,” from Barry Levinson and Tom Fontana, is described as a drama about a hedonistic billionaire who helps those in need.

“Kath & Kim,” a new comedy based on an Australian show, stars Molly Shannon and Selma Blair as a dysfunctional mother and daughter.

NBC has renewed the ratings-challenged “Friday Night Lights,” but it won’t return until January.

Also pushed to early 2009 are “Medium,” “Celebrity Apprentice,” “The Philanthropist” and “The Office” spinoff (Silverman declined to give specifics about this project).

Here’s the fall lineup:

“Chuck,” “Heroes” and “My Own Worst Enemy” will air Mondays. “The Biggest Loser: Families,” “Kath & Kim” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” fill Tuesdays.

“Knight Rider,” “Deal or No Deal” and “Lipstick Jungle” air Wednesdays.

Thursdays remain cool with “My Name is Earl,” “30 Rock,” “The Office” (with several hourlong episodes) and “ER.” During October, four “Saturday Night Live” prime-time presidential election specials will be shown on Thursdays.

“Crusoe,” “Deal or No Deal,” and “Life” are the Friday offerings. Saturdays are for “NBC: Dateline” and “Law & Order” reruns. NFL games come back to Sunday nights.

Coming back in the summer of 2009 are “American Gladiators,” “Last Comic Standing,” and “America’s Got Talent,” along with new reality shows such as “Shark Taggers” and “America’s Toughest Jobs.”