The 2009 Network Upfronts: NBC Looks to Leno

NBC had already announced much of its programming for this fall heading into today's scheduling announcement, but today the picture did get a little more clear. For instance, rumored to be on the chopping block My Name is Earl did indeed find itself axed, and Law & Order, which was up in the air, found itself placed on the network's Friday night lineup. Also missing from NBC's future lineup is Medium. Additionally, the network announced that people who don't get DirecTV will have to wait until next summer to watch new episodes of Friday Night Lights. The network presented two schedules today, one for fall and one for spring.

Fall:

Spring:

NBC's slotting Jay Leno for five hours of programming a week still feels like a gamble, but it's one which could pay huge dividends to the network which has found itself struggling in recent years. Leno has done well for years on end in his late night slot, but if he can manage to turn that success into primetime success remains to be seen. Should his new show work in primetime, NBC may have created the best possible launching platform for new series that it has ever had. However, that's a best case scenario, and not necessarily what will take place.

Whatever happens with Leno, NBC does stand to do exceedingly well during the next February sweep due to the return of the Winter Olympics.

Article Author: Josh Lasser

Josh Lasser, formerly known as "TV and Film Guy," and complete with a Masters Degree in Critical Studies in said areas, gives his opinions on TV, Film, and Entertainment in general. All of which he does in a shameless attempt to try to get paid to do the exact same thing. …

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