This fall, NBC is adding a number of new dramas and comedies to its lineup. Sadly, there is one glaring omission, Scrubs. Once again, that wonderful comedy is going to be a mid-season replacement. It truly saddens me to see how poorly NBC regards the show; it should be part of the Earl and Office lineup on Thursdays. Well, let's take a look at the schedule.
Sunday
- 7:00: Football Night in America
- 8:00: Sunday Night Football
- Sunday is going to be a big football night. Following Monday Night Football's departure from ABC (I think, I am not a football fan), this will be the biggest primetime network exposure.
Monday
- 8:00: Deal or No Deal (9/18). The Howie Mandell-hosted game show makes the first of two weekly appearances, kicking off Mondays. I am not a big fan of the show, with my biggest complaint being that it's a game show that doesn't require any type of ability/skill/knowledge; outside of picking numbers, there is no strategy to it. It has its legions of fans, some of my family members included, but not me.
- 9:00: Heroes (9/25). I am looking forward to this, despite the impression I get that it is just a sentimentalized version of the excellent The 4400. I am hoping to be proven wrong. The series focuses on several people from varying points on the globe who develop special abilities, like flying, precognition, and invulnerability. Stars include Greg Grunberg (Alias) and Ali Larter.
- 10:00: Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (9/18). When I saw the commercials for this, I couldn't help but get a little excited. The series was created by Aaron Sorkin, and it focuses its light on Hollywood and the media. It stars Matthew Perry, Bradley Whitford, and Amanda Peet. I don't know many specific details, but the commercials are quick-witted and highly enticing, I hope I am not let down.
Tuesday
- 8:00: Friday Night Lights (10/3). Based on the film, which was based on a book, comes this series focusing on high school football in a small Texas town. The film, starring Billy Bob Thornton and Lucas Black, was quite good; hopefully the series will be able to live up to that.
- 9:00. Law & Order: Criminal Intent (9/19). Moving to a new time slot, this L&O series is being paired up with my favorite flavor. I never really watched much of this version, although I always thought that Vincent D'Onofrio was captivating whenever I've watched it.
- 10:00. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (9/19). This has been the only version of L&O that I have watched regularly since the loss of Jerry Orbach, and at that I only picked it up a few years ago. SVU is hot off its Emmy win for Mariska Hargitay, so hopefully they will take that as inspiration for a great season.
Wednesday
- 8:00: 20 Good Years (10/4). Jeffrey Tambor and John Lithgow star as a couple of aging friends who decide to take life by the horns. This looks like it could be a lot of fun, both of these men can be uproariously funny. I have hopes for this one.
- 8:30: 30 Rock (10/11). Tina Fey (SNL) created the series and costars with Tracy Morgan and Alec Baldwin. This new series focuses on a writer for a sketch comedy series trying to juggle star egos and network bigwigs. The commercials don't seem particularly enticing, but I am willing to give it a week or two to impress me.
- 9:00: The Biggest Loser (9/20). Not for me — next!
- 10:00: Kidnapped (9/20). Following in the serialized footsteps of 24, this series, starring Jeremy Sisto and Delroy Lindo, focuses on the rescue of a kidnapped child. The commercials I have seen have intrigued me. I have liked Sisto in the past, but wonder if he will be able to carry the series.
Thursday
- 8:00: My Name is Earl (9/21). Entering its sophomore season, this Emmy winning Jason Lee series will hopefully keep the comedy flowing. I enjoyed the first season; the series has colorful characters and fun high concept that allows for a variety of comical setups.
- 8:30: The Office (9/21). Best Comedy series Emmy winner, this is possibly my favorite sitcom, up there with the mid-season returning Scrubs. Steve Carrell leads this fake documentary-styled series. If you work in an office and don't recognize these characters, you need to find a better job!
- 9:00: Deal or No Deal (9/21). The second weekly airing.
- 10:00: ER (9/21). Last season ended with the ER being shot up during the escape of Sam's ex husband from the law, resulting in the taking of Sam and her son as hostages, Jerry being shot, and Abby collapsing while Kovac is tied up in the next room. A lot of stories to pick up this season.
Friday
- 8:00: Crossing Jordan (10/20). I am completely shocked that this series is still on, not that it is bad, I'm just surprised at the longevity. I watched it for a few years but have since stopped. This is a new time slot for it.
- 9:00: Las Vegas (10/20). Remaining in its time slot from last season is this, one of my favorite guilty pleasure shows. This show has been fun ever since it has been on the air.
- 10:00: Law & Order (9/22). I think this could be a good sign that this series is nearing the end of its run as it moves to a new time slot. I stopped watching last year, as I was not much of a fan of Dennis Farina.
Saturday
- 8:00: Dateline (9/23). The long-running news magazine returns.
- 9:00-11:00: Reruns. Not sure what they are rerunning here, but it will probably be a couple of the prior week's dramas.
Altogether it looks as if NBC has a pretty good lineup this season. There is a nice mix of long-running dramas and a few up and comers, as well as being home to some of the best sitcoms going right now, strengthened by the departure of Will & Grace (sorry fans, I just did not care for it).
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Article comments
1 - Joe Bua
"Scrubs" gets no respect. It's just the best sitcom on TV that's never on TV when you want it to be.
Thank God Comedy Central picked up syndie rights. At least we'll enjoy it between now and when they run it into the ground.
2 - Xeresa
I've become an ardent fan of Vincent D'Onofrio in Law and Order:Criminal Intent, but I have always felt that this enormously talented and mesmerizing man has been shortchanged and unappreciated, not only by the critics, but by the creator of the show!
I've always liked Chris Noth, but Vincent D'Onofrio should be spotlighted more, or at least, be given better quality storylines and writing that equal his talent and that of the marvelous Kathryn Erbe.
The character of Detective Robert Goren is brilliant and quirky with layers of suppressed emotion, and I'd love to see more witty and dramatic interaction between Mr. D'Onofrio, Chris Noth, and Miss Erbe.
All three actors each brings a unique character to life and they can play off each other beautifully.
I just wish the writers would let their imagination and wit match the characters they've created, and for creator Dick Wolf to have the sense not to change solid gold into dross as he has in the past with some of his other shows and actors!
To sum up, I want my weekly Vincent D'Onofrio fix and I want it NOW and FOREVER!
3 - Baronius
Xeresa, the original Law & Order was story-driven. The police and the lawyers were both involved. SVU focuses more on the cops, but still involves the development of cases. Criminal Intent disappointed me because there's one character who knows everything and solves all the crimes single-handedly. In the D'Onofrio/Erbe episodes, D'Onofrio does everything. In the Sciorra/Noth episodes, Sciorra plays the D'Onofrio role as the dour genius. (At least Noth gets an occasional line.) I think a lot of people just don't like the format.
4 - Xeresa
I received an e-mail in which it claimed that the person was dissapointed because, supposedly in Law and Order:Criminal Intent, the character of Detective Robert Goren(as played by the marvelous Vincent D'Onofrio) solves all the cases single-handedly.
Obviously the commentator entirely overlooked the role played by Kathryn Erbe as the acerbic Alex Eames in the solving of said crimes!
The character of Goren may get brilliant flashes of intuition, or, to quote his captain,"the magic gut speaks", but it is the character of Eames who centers Goren's intuitions with hard facts and challenges him to prove his conclusions.
It is also a treat to watch the interrogations conducted by Goren and Eames as they ping-pong messages and subtle clues to each other with their eyes and expressions.
It is Eames who reins in Goren's emotional reactions, and it is Goren who stimulates Eames strong deductive skills.
Theirs is a partnership that has developed over the course of the many years they have been together, and, what the other lacks, the other one fulfills. That is what has captivated me after watching this show the past five years.
This is also what makes LOCI far more intellectually stimulating and subtly clever than the more visceral LOSVU and the NUTS and BOLTS drama of the original Law and Order(all of whom I enjoy!)
I guess if I were to phrase it in the terms of a relationship-- LOCI courts and seduces you while LOSVU is a passionate SLAM BANG THANK YOU MA"AM, and LO is the comfort of a long-term marriage.
5 - Sally
I'm tired of all those L&O and CSI shows, he see them once they all are the same. Too much of that stuff on TV...I like shows like Everwood and 7th Heaven, they always take the good shows off the air. Ed was a good show, Earl should be dropped.