Fall Lineup Frenzy 2006 Part I: NBC - Page 3

My Thoughts: Apart from the steady Law & Order: SVU, Tuesday seems a little iffy. While there are some quality people behind Friday Night Lights (and I enjoyed the original film), I am a bit wary if only because of the bad track record of turning movies into TV dramas (Dangerous Minds, Karen Sisco). However, there are pretty few scripted sports dramas out there and some cross promotion during NBC's NFL telecasts may draw in viewers. Not to take anything away from Kidnapped, but it looks like an example of this season's bandwagon syndrome. Apparently, the show to emulate this year is Prison Break. The success of FOX's high-concept, serialized drama (which itself was likely greenlighted as a result of ABC's Lost) has resulted in more of these types of shows being made. Hopefully, Kidnapped will be good enough to stand out.

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

From NBC's Press Release:

"20 GOOD YEARS" — This high-energy comedy follows two New Yorkers who have finally realized that life doesn't last forever. Mismatched buddies John Mason (Emmy Award winner John Lithgow, "3rd Rock from the Sun"), an impulsive, thrice-divorced surgeon who has been forced into retirement — and Jeffrey Pyne (Jeffrey Tambor, "Arrested Development"), a widower judge who agonizes over every situation — are polar opposites in every way. The one thing the duo can agree on is that they only have about 20 good years left and both men vow to live each day as if it were their last — with no regrets. "20 Good Years" also stars Heather Burns ("Bewitched") as John's pregnant daughter Stella, and Jake Sandvig ("The Story of Us") as Hugh, Jeffrey's un-motivated son. The executive producers are Tom Werner ("Roseanne"), Eric Gold (the upcoming "Outsourced") Jimmy Miller ("Kicking & Screaming") and Marsh McCall ("Modern Men"). Marsh McCall and Michael Leeson ("The Cosby Show") are the writers; Terry Hughes ("Friends") directed the pilot. "20 Good Years" is produced by Warner Bros.Television.

"30 ROCK" — Emmy Award winner Tina Fey (NBC's "Saturday Night Live," "Mean Girls") writes, executive-produces and stars in this workplace comedy that takes viewers behind the scenes of a frenetic television variety show. Single Liz Lemon (Fey) is living every comedy writer's dream. She's head writer on a demanding, live TV program in New York City whose life is jolted when a brash new network president (Alec Baldwin, "The Aviator," "The Cooler") interferes with her show and bullies Liz into convincing Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan, "Saturday Night Live," "The Longest Yard"), a wild and unpredictable movie star, to join the cast. Now Liz must manage the unmanageable so that the show — and her dream — can go on. Also starring are Rachel Dratch ("Saturday Night Live") as Jenne DeCarlo, Scott Adsit ("Kicking and Screaming") as Pete Hornberger and Jack MacBrayer ("Arrested Development") as Kenneth. "30 Rock" is executive-produced by Lorne Michaels, Fey, JoAnn Alfano, Marci Klein and David Miner, and is produced by Broadway Video Television and NBC Universal Television Studio.

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