As the last place network again this year, NBC has the dubious honour of making it’s Upfront presentation first. Unfortunately for the Peacock, there still doesn’t look to be much worth watching on the new schedule.
Blacklist
This looks to be a fairly standard procedural about a mobster working with the FBI. The trailer doesn’t look promising, and there’s nothing in the description or creative talent to make it stand out.
Sean Saves the World
A star vehicle for Will & Grace’s Sean Hayes, this seems to follow in the gay-dad-sitcom trend we saw from last year. Unfortunately, none of those show fared particularly well last year, and there’s nothing on display here to make me believe this one will fare any better.
The Michael J. Fox Show
Loosely based on Michael J. Fox’s life, this could be one of the few bright spots on NBC’s schedule. Though there’s nothing particularly unique about the premise, Fox is a great actor, and the creative team combination of Fox, Sam Laybourne (Cougar Town), and Will Gluck (Easy A) mean that this could develop into a very good show.
Ironside
Even NBC’s official description for this show is groan worthy. Ironside is a “tough, sexy and acerbic” wheelchair bound NYPD officer who “will do whatever it takes to solve New York’s most difficult and notorious crimes – even if it means breaking the rules.” I’d be surprised is this makes it to episode 4.
Welcome to the Family
Trying to borrow from Modern Family’s success, Welcome to the Family is the story of a white and a Latino family forced to deal with each other after their teenage children get pregnant and marry. Wacky hijinks and horrible stereotypes are sure to ensue. An example of the “hilarious” culture clash the show will portray, the press release includes the line “OMG/Dios Mio!”
Dracula
This “limited” series from one of the producers of Downton Abby has potential. It’s airing on Fridays, paired with Grimm, so hopefully it’ll target more of the genre audience and not worry about dumbing itself down for mass appeal. It could wind up being great, or it could be terrible, so this is one that we’ll have to wait and check out in the fall.
Crossbones
The series is set to tell the tale of the famous pirate Blackbeard, but since production on the pilot isn’t even scheduled to start until the fall, it’s far too early to pass judgment on it, though it may be difficult to pull off a convincing nautical tale on a broadcast TV budget.
Crisis
This is essentially Liam Neeson’s Taken: The Series. Once again, it looks very formulaic, without anything to really draw in an audience.
The Family Guide
The story of a quirky family’s divorce, which somehow “brings them all closer together.” It’s not on the schedule yet, and sounds like something NBC will quickly burn off at the end of the season.
Believe
The other promising show on NBC’s schedule, this one follows a young girl with superpowers and her guardian, an escaped death row inmate. It’s coming from J.J. Abrams and Alfonso Cuaron, so it will definitely be worth checking out, at the very least.
Two shows were conspicuously absent from the lineup. Community, which was given a surprising fifth season renewal, will likely be slotted in as a replacement when the other new comedies inevitably fail. Hannibal, on the other hand, didn’t even receive a mention. It’s still in the middle of its first season, and the ratings haven’t been great. It is, however, easily the best new drama to come out of the broadcast networks this year and deserves a chance to build an audience, so hopefully it will be given a renewal and show up midseason next year.
Check back later today, when I’ll have the rundown on Fox’s new schedule.
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