NBC’s Plans for Fall, Tuesday, May 4

Now I noticed two problems with that headline right up front.  They only announced six new shows, not counting their 10 p.m. experiment with Jay Leno.  That’s not very ambitious by most standards, especially since not all of those shows will premiere in the fall.

The second part is the “quality brand.”  Uh, NBC’s new programming has pretty much stunk for a couple, three years now.  Heroes was pretty good and I am a big fan of Chuck.  But both of those shows have a hard time attracting an audience, especially of late.  Chuck is “on the bubble,” as in the odds are pretty even right now that it will not be coming back next fall – and that would be a massive shame.  Granted, family-wise, there are issues with violence and some sex jokes.  But with supervision, it’s a pretty funny and ultimately kind show.

The new line-up will include four new dramas, none of which sound that exciting, especially Trauma, about paramedics risking their lives to save others, and Mercy, a look at hospitals from the perspective of the nurses.  Gee, think they’re trying to replace E.R.?

Day One, about a group of folks who have survived some sort of global apocalypse and are now rebuilding Earth and society, could be interesting or it could be awful.  Will have to see.

And since we will soon enough, why talk about this now?  Well, it is kinda fun.  Also, it doesn’t hurt to look at how television networks do things.  After all, these are the shows that our kids are going to be watching – or at least, may want to watch.  Keeping an eye on what’s coming gives us the chance to be ready and have some idea of how we’re going to handle the new fall season.

That’s it for today.  Most shows that don’t have a season finale are building up to one and Kenny Mane and Jerry Rice are Dance Center on Dancing With the Stars Results Show tonight.  You can’t say I didn’t warn you.

Anne Louise Bannon

Your Family Viewer