Way Behind on NBC "In-Front"

Last week NBC held a mini-Upfront, or what they are now calling "In-Front" (they did theirs ahead of the other networks and gave it a cute name). In case you are unaware an upfront is where networks roll out their new schedules for the upcoming year.

Let's check out what NBC has day-by-day.

Sunday
During the fall Sundays on NBC is a good new/bad news situation. Good news - Sunday Night Football! Bad news - The return of the John Madden/AlMichaels announce team. I'm dumber just thinking about it.
After the football season two new shows, "Merlin" and "Kings", will bookend "Medium" in the 9pm slot. Bet you can't guess what Merlin is about. Give up? "Merlin" is about a young Merlin and Arthur in Camelot. Don't know much about this one yet, but could be interesting. Will keep an eye out. The other show, "Kings", is a modernized version of the King David Bible stories. Other than IanMcShane being attached, I could care less.

Monday
"Chuck" and Heroes" will return in the fall to their normal time slots. The 10pm slot in the fall will be "My Own Worst Enemy" the new show starring Christian Slater. Slater plays a suburban father/spy. The catch is Slater's character has a split personalities separated by a "wall". When the wall deteriorates, Slater becomes his own worst enemy. Crazy Christian Slater = Awesome.

In the Spring the 10pm slot will be filled be another new show called "The Philanthropist" about ...and I'm not kidding here...swear to God this is true....a vigilante philanthropist. Unless Bill Gates is being hired out to clip those that have done society wrong, I'm tuning out.

Mondays will also have it's fair share of "Deal or No Deal" and more "American Gladiator" with philandering (which is completely different than philanthropy) host Hulk Hogan.

Tuesday
starting at 8pm "The Biggest Loser" returns for back-to-back seasons (Fall & Spring). If you are not into fat bodies why not try dead bodies at 10pm when "Law & Order:SVU" returns to its normal time slot for another year.

In the 9pm hour we have "Kath & Kim", an Aussie import starring Selma Blair playing the daughter to Molly Shannon's mother (If you do the math, Molly Shannon would have to had given birth at the age of 8). "K&K" is Exec. Produced & Directed by PaulFeig who, I just recently learned, is one of those guys in Hollywood I really respected but never knew their name. Feig is the creator of the Apatow produced "Freaks & Geeks" and has directed episodes of "Undeclared", "Arrested Development", "30 Rock", "Mad Men", "Weeds", and "The Office". I'm gonna giveFeig the benefit of the doubt and give this show a chance.

Wednesday
There is no good reason to watch the Peacock on Wednesdays this fall. It is a veritable shit storm of crap TV. Fucking "Knight Rider" and "Lipstick Jungle" with even more "Deal or No Deal" shoved in between.

In the Spring NBC's televised Colonoscopy lets up a bit. The original "Law & Order" takes over at 10pm.

In the Summer NBC brings us a new reality show called "Shark Taggers". The show is literally about a bunch of marine biologists the follow around and tag sharks. It's shark fever, catch it! "Shark Taggers" will be followed by "Paint Drying" & "Grass Growing". Fuck Wednesdays.

Thursday
Almost all of the favorites are coming back. Regular episodes of"My Name is Earl" & "30 Rock" and then more of those hour long episodes of "The Office"*. Not really sure why they are doing the hour episodes again as it really diluted the show and threw off the pacing. But not to worry, the hour long episodes won't last all season. When "The Office" returns to its normal 30 minute format NBC will fill the second half hour with prime time episodes of "SNL" focused entirely on politics. The 30 minute political SNL's will be comprised of sketches and mini-Weekend (Weekday?) Updates. I love this idea, it has got to be one of the best NBC has ever had.

"ER" returns for a 19 episode last hoorah. Once "ER" takes its final bow it will be replaced by "Celebrity Apprentice". Whatever.

* Did you know "The Office" is gonna have a spinoff? Not sure what it's going to be yet, but I have heard from a trusted source that it does not involve any main characters and possibly focuses on the warehouse guys. All I do know for sure is that it is the same creative team behind "The Office" so I will give this the benefit of the doubt as well.

You might have noticed that there is no "Scrubs" mention. Well as far as NBC is concerned "Scrubs" is done. There is a chance the remaining episodes will find a home on ABC, but nothing has been announced.

Friday
Friday is where TV shows go to die. "Crusoe", a new take on the old Robinson Crusoe story, has been stranded here (get it?). "Crusoe" is obviously gonna be crap and won't last long. After "Crusoe" (until its inevitable cancellation) will be even even more "Deal or No Deal". No Deal please.

In January is the triumphant return of "Friday Night Lights". FNL season 3 will run first on DirecTV and then on NBC. I'll take what I can get.

Saturday
SNL.

Between now and the Fall season NBC is planning webisodes of shows like "30 Rock", "Chuck", and "The Office". Also new 30Rock360 with Jack Donaghey.

Don't forget new episodes of "30 Rock" and "The Office" tomorrow night!