NBC head honchos Marc Graboff and Ben Silverman, both the co-chairmen of NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios took the stage to talk about all things NBC, which pretty much became the “Amy Poehler / Office Spinoff / Jay Leno” panel.
Amy Poehler is leaving SNL this season after her baby is born (due in October), and they just announced that they’ve locked her in for a Thursday night show of her own… which isn’t named right now. It’ll be produced by Greg Daniels and Mike Schur, who Graboff called “The next Greg Daniels.” It’s not a spinoff of The Office, but a brand new show… and they’re saying that the actual The Office spinoff, which is still happening is like “The Jeffersons” was to “All in The Family”. Amy isn’t involved with The Office spinoff, and characters from The Office won’t be appearing on the spinoff, or vice versa.
Jay Leno actually asked questions from the audience, disguised as a reporter. He wanted to know things like “NBC brought back Knight Rider, any chance of seeing Manimal?” and “Is there any truth to the rumor that you’ve offered Jay Leno a fifth hour on the Tonight Show?” and “Brett Favre announced his retirement from the Packers and now it looks like he’s coming back. What do you think about that?” They did announce that they’re working on keeping Jay Leno within the NBC/Universal family. With that in mind, Conan O’Brien’s start date on The Tonight Show will be June 1, 2009.
The fine folks over NBC just sent along an email containing a first look at their new Thursday night comedy KATH AND KIM. Of course the big question mark is whether or not the Aussie import will follow in THE OFFICE’s “Comedy Night Done Right” footsteps? Or be the next COUPLING? Stay tuned…
Aside from Cancer, you know what also isn’t cool? The atrocious “All American Summer” NBC is foolishly trying to pass off as entertainment.
I mean seriously. How sad is it that this two minute public service announcement courtesy of 30 ROCK’s Jack McBrayer is quite literally the funniest [not to mention most] NBC related content this TV Addict has watched since the season finale of THE OFFICE way back on May 15?
CELEBRITY CIRCUS, NASHVILLE STAR, AMERICA’S GOT TALENT, AMERICAN GLADIATORS, CELEBRITY FAMILY FEUD, MOST OUTRAGEOUS MOMENTS. National Broadcasting Company or Nothing But Crap? You decide.
For years, one of this TV Addict’s Sunday morning traditions has involved a cup of coffee and MEET THE PRESS. So it’s with great sadness and sorrow that I write the following words: This afternoon, Tim Russert died of an apparent heart attack.
Russert made politics both accessible and interesting. Never skirting the important issues of the day or shying away from the tough questions. 58 was far too young. Sundays will never be the same.
For all the latest information, timelines and tributes, please visit the NYTimes. And check out Conan O’Brien and Jay Leno’s tributes.
NBC
Good Moves: Quirky newcomers CHUCK and LIFE were given another shot to find a fan-base thanks to second season pick ups, THE OFFICE and 30 ROCK continued to live up to the marketing mantra ‘Comedy Night Done Right,’ while FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS successfully managed to shake off its rocky start by ending off its strike shortened season on a high note.
Bad Moves: Where to start? Subjecting audiences to another season of ‘The Donald’ on THE APPRENTICE: ‘CELEBRITY’ Edition? Or ruining childhood memories by butchering the two-hour KNIGHT RIDER tele-film? How about canceling JOURNEYMAN, easily the Peacock’s most interesting new drama of the season. Or spending all summer focusing on marketing their breakout smash HEROES, all the while forgetting to read scripts to ensure the show didn’t crash and burn creatively [it did!]. Adding insult to injury, with BIONIC WOMAN the network managed to do the impossible, turn off horny teenage boys from the hotness of a Michelle Ryan vs. Katee Sackhoff girl-fight.
Prognosis for the Coming Season: KATH & KIM looks like a hit thanks to the fact that we’d watch SNL alum Molly Shannon read the phone book and the combination of Christian Slater plus KIDNAPPED creator Jason Smilovic already has us reaching for our remote to “Season’s Pass” MY OWN WORST ENEMY.
Last Season’s Grade: C-
Check back tomorrow when the CW gets their end of season report card
Rather than sell their catalogue of shows to the hundreds of millions of television—hungry iPod users via iTunes, it was announced today that NBC has made available for sale about 800 episodes episodes of some of your favorite shows like HEROES, THE OFFICE and BATTLESTAR GALACTICA through the Microsoft Zune Marketplace.
Now I know what you’re thinking, what’s a Zune? Well apparently it’s Microsoft’s ‘competitor’ to the iPod. So if you’re one of the millions, thousands, hundreds, few ‘lucky’ Zune owners, you finally have a reason to smile.
It looks like television critics — including this TV Addict — might just have to search for a new whipping boy.
After all, it’s kinda hard not to feel at least a little love for NBC co-chair Ben Silverman, seeing as many of the announcements he made during Tuesday afternoon’s upfronts might well have been lifted directly from the Wish Lists of every viewer who has lamented the death of quality television over the past few years.
Yes, there will be more reality. No, Howie Mandel and his bevy of case-carrying beauties haven’t been sent to Exile Island. (Whoops, wrong network.)
But there will also be more FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS.
And that right there’s gotta buy the guy a little good will, right?
Don’t worry. It’s not like Silverman didn’t make some major mistakes. (SHARK TAGGERS? Seriously? What was the pitch on this? “Now, every week can be Shark Week!”) But we’re going to focus on the positive. (At least for a few minutes… then we’ll dish the negatives.)
What were the highlights for me? So glad you asked! Here’s the top four:
As this TV Addict feverishly scrambles to formulate his ‘take’ on this afternoon’s incredibly exciting announcements by NBC, I thought it best to post the world’s longest press release in the meantime.
NBC PRIMETIME SCHEDULE FOR FALL 2008-09
*New programs in UPPER CASE (with the exception of “ER”)
In an effort to attract more eyeballs to their brilliant, yet perennially under-watched Thursday night lineup, NBC Universal President Jeff Zucker will announce at tomorrow’s NBC Up Front that he’s turning to a few of his old friends for a little help.
Six very famous friends to be more precise.
Turns out, that true to their theme song, they will be there for us. And come this fall — just when we [not to mention NBC] need them most — fans will once again be able to catch Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe and Joey each and every Thursday night at 8PM.
If there’s one thing that Ben Silverman has taught us during his first season as NBC President, it’s that he isn’t one for re-inventing the wheel. KNIGHT RIDER! AMERICAN GLADIATORS! ‘CELEBRITY’ APPRENTICE! Who says television networks need to air original content?
Yet rather than continue to kick a guy when he’s down. This TV Addict is going to take the high road and offer to lend a hand as we inch closer and closer to the launch of the new fall season.
Mr. Silverman, how would you like a show with a built in audience of desirable demographics, a proven concept, a familiar brand and a cast that the public is already in love with?
Now I know what you’re thinking. Madison Avenue buzz words already fooled you once [see: the disastrous ratings of myspace darling QUARTERLIFE]. But trust me. This idea is a winner.
NBC
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