NBC Upfront: Fall 2014

[Pavan]

http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2014/0...-schedule.html

NBC FALL 2014-15 SCHEDULE

(New programs in UPPER CASE; all times ET)

MONDAY
8-10 p.m. - "The Voice"
10-11 p.m. - "The Blacklist" / "STATE OF AFFAIRS" (beginning Nov. 17)

TUESDAY
8-9 p.m. - "The Voice"
9-9:30 p.m. - "MARRY ME"
9:30-10 p.m. - "About a Boy"
10-11 p.m. - "Chicago Fire"

WEDNESDAY
8-9 p.m. - "THE MYSTERIES OF LAURA"
9-10 p.m. - "Law & Order: SVU"
10-11 p.m. - "Chicago P.D."

THURSDAY
8-9 p.m. - "The Biggest Loser"
9-9:30 p.m. - "BAD JUDGE" ("The Blacklist" beginning Feb. 5)
9:30-10 p.m. - "A TO Z"
10-11 p.m. - "Parenthood"

FRIDAY
8-9 p.m. - "Dateline NBC"
9-10 p.m. - "Grimm"
10-11 p.m. - "CONSTANTINE"

SATURDAY
8-11 p.m. - Encore programming

SUNDAY
7-8:20 p.m. - "Football Night in America"
8:20-11:30 p.m. - "NBC Sunday Night Football"

http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2014/0...-schedule.html

[Pavan]

Press release:

FRESH COMEDIES, CAPTIVATING DRAMAS AND HIGHLY POPULAR RETURNING SERIES HIGHLIGHT NBC'S WELL-BALANCED AND DYNAMIC 2014-15 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE

#1 New Show of the Season "The Blacklist" Moves to Thursdays in February and Earns Post-Super Bowl Timeslot

Emmy Award-Winning Series "The Voice" Returns Monday and Tuesday with New Coaches Pharrell Williams and Gwen Stefani

David Caspe's New Comedy "Marry Me" Earns Tuesday "Voice" Lead-Out

Light-hearted Detective Drama "The Mysteries of Laura" Leads Off Procedural-Themed Wednesday Line-up

New Comedy Block "Bad Judge" and "A to Z" Move Into Thursday

Popular DC Comics Fan Favorite "Constantine" Comes to Life Friday

Ratings to Rock with Top Notch "Sunday Night Football" Schedule, Concluding with the Most-Watched Program of the Year, Super Bowl XLIX on Feb. 1

Midseason Moves Include Spy Thriller 'Allegiance' in Thursday Post-'Blacklist' Timeslot and 'Bible' Follow-Up Miniseries 'A.D.' to Launch on Easter Sunday

NEW YORK - May 11, 2014 - Coming off a season in which the network catapulted to No. 1 in the 18-49 demo and saw double-digit improvement in many prominent timeslots, NBC has announced a line-up of popular returning series, inventive new comedies, compelling new dramas and season seven of the Emmy Award-winning musical competition series "The Voice."

NBC is on track to win the traditional September-to-May primetime season in adults 18-49 for the first time in 10 years. In "most current" averages through the season's first 32 weeks, NBC's 2.8 rating in 18-49 is up +17% versus one year ago, making it the network's top average at this point in the season in five years, according to Nielsen Media Research.

NBC is also #1 for the season if its nights of Sochi Olympic coverage are excluded from its averages (giving it a 2.6 rating through 32 weeks, versus a 2.5 for #2 Fox). Also, NBC's regular line-ups are up versus last season on five of seven nights of the week and even with last year on a sixth, while Sunday night is down just 2%.

In total viewers, NBC is up +35% to 9.4 million persons, its biggest overall audience at this point in the season in eight years. NBC ranks #2 in total viewers, marking the first time in 10 years the network has ranked higher than #4 at this point. Excluding its nights of Sochi Olympic coverage, NBC still ranks #2 for the season in total viewers and is up +21% versus a year ago to 8.5 million viewers.

Highlights of the just-announced year-round schedule, which will be bolstered by the Feb. 1 Super Bowl, include a pair of comedies - "Bad Judge" and "Mission Control" - from the brilliant and warped minds of Will Ferrell and Adam McKay; "Marry Me," the new series from "Happy Endings" creator David Caspe; "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," from the Emmy Award-winning team behind "30 Rock" - Tina Fey and Robert Carlock; and projects from Ellen DeGeneres and the producing team of Rashida Jones and Will McCormack.

On the drama side, Emmy and SAG Award winner Debra Messing stars as a cop balancing her job and stressful home life in "The Mysteries of Laura"; Katherine Heigl returns to television as a high-level CIA analyst in "State of Affairs"; Hope Davis is forced to choose between family and country in the riveting modern-day spy drama "Allegiance"; a wildly popular DC Comics character gets a primetime makeover in "Constantine"; and NBC's lineup of A-list producers includes Joe Carnahan, Peter Horton, Greg Berlanti and David S. Goyer.

The new drama additions are "Allegiance," "Constantine," "The Mysteries of Laura," "Odyssey" and "State of Affairs."

The new comedy additions are "A to Z," "Bad Judge," "Marry Me," "Mission Control," "Mr. Robinson," "One Big Happy" and "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt."

Returning scripted programming includes "About a Boy," "The Blacklist," "Chicago Fire," "Chicago P.D.," "Grimm," "Hannibal," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Parenthood" and "Parks and Recreation."

Returning alternative series include "America Ninja Warrior," "America's Got Talent," "Celebrity Apprentice," "Hollywood Game Night" and "The Voice."

Previously announced new event series will also join the year-round line-up, including "Emerald City," "Aquarius," "A.D." and "Heroes Reborn."

"We had a stellar year in scripted programming development that resulted in the unprecedented number of new original series joining the line-up during the coming year, which spans from September 2014-September 2015," said Bob Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment. "I'm inordinately proud of NBC Entertainment President Jennifer Salke and Paul Telegdy, President of Alternative and Late Night Programming, for delivering such a high volume of new quality programming to augment a line-up that has begun to show strong signs of solidification.

"We have grown substantially year-to-year, even factoring out the boost from the Olympics, to get us to #1 in the 18-49 demo and #2 in total households. The overall goal was to maintain stability from our growing number of anchor shows, while, at the same time, striving to make every show an event - a guiding principle of our development strategy. And reinvigorating Thursday was a top priority, made possible by moving 'The Blacklist' there in the 9 p.m. timeslot after exposing it to the audience watching the Super Bowl.

"The multi-pronged strategy behind moving 'The Blacklist,' which has shown enormous linear ratings and record time-shifting, is to not only enliven our Thursday night lineup but also create two desirable timeslots - lead-outs from 'The Voice' (8-10 p.m. Monday) and 'The Blacklist' (9-10 p.m. Thursday)."

Said Jennifer Salke, President, NBC Entertainment: "Comedy is very important to this network, which is why we are launching new series on Tuesdays following 'The Voice' and on Thursdays in the fall as CBS frees up some of the comedy audience when it turns to NFL football. Furthermore, we have several of our strongest comedies by some of our best auspices being held for midseason, including the final season of 'Parks and Recreation,' Tina Fey and Robert Carlock's 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,' the Ellen DeGeneres-produced 'One Big Happy,' and 'Mission Control' from Will Farrell and Adam McKay. We also have the previously announced 'Mr. Robinson,' starring Craig Robinson.

"On the drama front, no fewer than seven new series and two new event miniseries will bolster a line-up that already includes three Dick Wolf shows ('Law & Order: SVU,' 'Chicago Fire,' 'Chicago P.D.'), the final season of 'Parenthood,' plus 'Grimm' and 'Hannibal.' And, of course, we bring back 'The Blacklist,' the most successful new show on broadcast television. A trio of sophisticated new 10 p.m. dramas - 'State of Affairs' (starring Katherine Heigl), 'Allegiance' and 'Odyssey' - have a cinematic look and feel, as well as compelling action storylines. Part of NBC's legacy is its strength in drama, and we're extremely proud of both our rich history and what's ahead.

"In addition, we have several attention-getting events, such as 'The Bible' sequel 'A.D.,' from Mark Burnett and Roma Downey; 'Aquarius,' which marks David Duchovny's return to broadcast television as a cop on the hunt for Charles Manson; and a 13-episode reboot of the popular series 'Heroes,' titled 'Heroes Reborn.'

"There is unprecedented enthusiasm that our turnaround will continue in a big way. As we aggressively schedule on a year-round basis, our goal remains to provide an exciting and vital line-up of unprecedented original programming."

"NBC is clearly building upon its success of the season with this new schedule," said Jordan Wertlieb, President, Hearst Television and current Chair of the NBC Affiliate Board, "The stability of the lineup coupled with a terrific development slate will excite NBC affiliates and advertisers."




2014-15 SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

NEW COMEDIES

A TO Z

This is the A-to-Z story of Andrew (Ben Feldman, "Mad Men") and Zelda (Cristin Milioti, "How I Met Your Mother") - a pair that almost wasn't - and all that happened from the day they met. Andrew has always been a secret romantic... not above crooning to Celine Dion while driving to work, with dreams of finding "the one." He imagines her to be just like that shimmering beauty he spotted that night in that silver dress at that concert two years ago. Zelda, having grown up with a hippie mom who believed the universe would provide for everything, rebelled into a no-nonsense practical lawyer who prefers the control of online dating. But when a computer glitch sends her a total mismatch, she's asked to come in for an interview at the Internet dating site where Andrew works, and this is where it all begins. Andrew and Zelda meet for the first time and despite their differences, sparks fly. She thinks it's chance. He thinks it's fate. After all, he's convinced she's the shimmering girl in the silver dress. Is it true love forever or just a detour in destiny?

The cast also includes Henry Zebrowski, Lenora Crichlow, Christina Kirk and Katey Sagal (narrator).

Writers Ben Queen ("Drive"), Rashida Jones ("Parks and Recreation") and Will McCormack ("Will & Grace") serve as executive producers. "A to Z" is a production of Warner Bros. Television and Le Train Train.

Please visit the official show site at: http://www.nbc.com/a-to-z For the latest "A to Z" news, videos, and photos, please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. https://www.facebook.com/nbcAtoZ https://twitter.com/NBC_AtoZ #AtoZ

BAD JUDGE

No excuses, no apologies, no compromises. Wild child Rebecca Wright (Kate Walsh, "Grey's Anatomy," "Private Practice") knows how to have a good time, but she also happens to be one of L.A.'s toughest and most respected criminal court judges. She has a reputation for unorthodox behavior in the courtroom, including creative rulings and saying exactly what's on her mind. Her private life, on the other hand, is anything but innocent. She parties too much and rocks out on the drums in a band with her best friend, Jenny. While there's no shortage of male admirers who would love to spend time with her, she's not ready to settle down... except when an 8-year-old boy - whose parents were put in jail by Rebecca - needs her help. He may, in fact, be the one thing that starts to tame this "bad" judge.

The cast also includes John Ducey, Tone Bell and Theodore Barnes.

Writer Chad Kultgen ("The Incredible Burt Wonderstone") serves as executive producer with Adam McKay ("Anchorman," "Talladega Nights"), Will Ferrell ("Step Brothers"), Anne Heche ("Men in Trees"), Jill Sobel Messick ("Baby Mama"), Kevin Messick ("The Other Guys") and Kate Walsh. "Bad Judge" is a production of Universal Television and Gary Sanchez Productions.

Please visit the official show site at: http://www.nbc.com/bad-judge For the latest "Bad Judge" news, videos, and photos, please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. https://www.facebook.com/badjudge https://twitter.com/nbcbadjudge #BadJudge

MARRY ME

Six years ago, Annie (Casey Wilson, "Happy Endings") and Jake (Ken Marino, "Eastbound & Down") bonded over their mutual love of nachos and they've been inseparable ever since. Now, after returning from a romantic two-week island vacation, Jake's all set to pop the question. Before he can ask, though, Annie lets loose on Jake for his inability to commit. She was expecting him to "put a ring on it" in paradise and now Jake's perfect proposal is ruined. Not wanting to spend the next 60 years talking about that mess of a proposal, Jake and Annie decide to hold off on the engagement until they can do it right. Yet if history tells us anything, it's when we really want things to go right that they all tend to go wrong. The only thing we know for sure is these two are destined to be together whether they can get it together or not.

The cast also includes Sarah Wright, John Gemberling, Tymberlee Hill and Tim Meadows.

Writer David Caspe ("Happy Endings") and director Seth Gordon ("The Goldbergs") serve as executive producer with Jamie Tarses ("Men at Work"). "Marry Me" is a production of Sony Pictures Television and FanFare Productions.

Please visit the official show site at: http://www.nbc.com/marry-me For the latest "Marry Me" news, videos, and photos, please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. https://www.facebook.com/NBCMarryMe https://twitter.com/NBCMarryMe #MarryMe

MISSION CONTROL

Houston, we have a problem! Dr. Mary Kendricks (Krysten Ritter, "Don't Trust the B--- in Apartment 23") is a tough but brilliant aerospace engineer, leading a team of NASA scientists at the cutting edge of space exploration. The only problem is, this is the 1960s and she's a woman. Navigating the ridiculous boys' club of astronauts and engineering nerds is no easy task, but she's up to the challenge... until her boss brings on Tom (Tommy Dewey, "The Mindy Project") - a former hotshot test pilot and overall man's man - to co-manage her team. It doesn't help that he initially mistakes her for a secretary. Between him, her astronaut boyfriend, Cash, and her offbeat all-guy team, Mary certainly has her hands full... but at the end of the day, they all want the same thing: to get a man on the moon. It might just take a woman to get him there.

The cast also includes Malcolm Barrett, Jonathan Slavin and Julie Meyer.

Writer David Hornsby serves as executive producer with Adam McKay ("Anchorman," "Talladega Nights"), Will Ferrell ("Step Brothers") and Owen Burke. "Mission Control" is a production of Universal Television and Gary Sanchez Productions.

Please visit the official show site at: http://www.nbc.com/mission-control For the latest "Mission Control" news, videos, and photos, please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. https://www.facebook.com/NBCMissionControl https://twitter.com/NBCMissionCTRL #MissionControl

MR. ROBINSON

As lead singer and keyboardist of a rock band, Craig (Craig Robinson, "The Office") knows a thing or two about working the crowd, but his day job is where he really makes the grade. Every struggling artist knows the drill: you got to pay the bills while you wait for that big break. So when Craig finds himself short on cash, he takes a job as a substitute teacher. It's an easy gig, right? Throw a DVD in the player, dim the lights and sleep off last night's party. Yet when he realizes that the kids think his class is an easy A, Craig's moved to inspire his students. Music is his passion and he's not about to let anyone sleep though this period... period. The school principal (Jean Smart, "Samantha Who?") is a woman who believes that rules were made to be strictly upheld. She's none too fond of Craig's unorthodox teaching style, or his crush on the pretty English teacher. If he wants to keep his gig, get the girl and teach these kids the joys of music, he'll have to buckle down, shape up and rock out.

The cast also includes Ben Koldyke and Amandla Stenberg.

Writers Mark Cullen ("Back in the Game") and Robb Cullen ("Back in the Game") serve as executive producers with Howard Klein ("Parks and Recreation") and Mark Schulman ("Chelsea Lately"). "Mr. Robinson" is a production of Universal Television and 3 Arts Entertainment.

Please visit the official show site at: http://www.nbc.com/mr-robinson For the latest "Mr. Robinson" news, videos, and photos, please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. https://www.facebook.com/NBCMrRobinson https://twitter.com/NBCMrRobinson #MrRobinson

ONE BIG HAPPY

Best friends Lizzy (gay and a bit type-A) and Luke (straight and more laid back) are like family. When they were kids and both of their parents were getting divorces, Lizzy (Elisha Cuthbert, "Happy Endings") and Luke (Nick Zano, "2 Broke Girls") stuck together, and they've been there for each other ever since. Now, all grown up and still single, they've decided to start a family of their own. No, not like that (there are some lines even they won't cross), we're talking the non-romantic, go-to-the-doctor's-office type of baby-making. Then one night, after yet another failed attempt at conception, the two head out to a bar to let off some steam. That's where Luke meets Prudence (Kelly Brook, "Smallville"), a free-spirited British girl who's slated to go back to England in a matter of days. Lizzy isn't a huge fan - it might have something to do with Prudence waltzing around their apartment naked - but Luke really hits it off with her. Soon they're spending every last minute of her limited time together. Then, just as Lizzy discovers that she's actually pregnant, Luke announces that he and Prudence got married and a different kind of family is born.

The cast also includes Brandon Smith, Rebecca Corry and Chris Williams.

Writer Liz Feldman ("2 Broke Girls") and director Scott Ellis ("2 Broke Girls") serve as executive producers with Ellen DeGeneres ("The Ellen DeGeneres Show") and Jeff Kleeman ("The Change Up"). "One Big Happy" is a production of Warner Bros. Television and A Very Good Production.

Please visit the official show site at: http://www.nbc.com/one-big-happy For the latest "One Big Happy" news, videos, and photos, please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. https://www.facebook.com/NBCOneBigHappy https://twitter.com/NBCOneBigHappy #OneBigHappy

UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT

After 15 years of living in a cult, the unbreakable and wide-eyed Kimmy (Ellie Kemper, "The Office") is rescued along with four other women, causing a national sensation that culminates with an appearance on the "Today" show. Before getting back on the bus to Indiana, however, Kimmy decides it's time to reclaim her life. Armed with just a backpack, light-up sneakers, a couple way-past-due library books and a big wad of rescue-fund cash, she's ready to take on New York City. It's easily the best time of Kimmy's life as she rides subways, plays with street performers, frees Central Park horses and makes a spontaneous decision to rent a room from Titus, a gay wannabe Broadway actor who makes a living dressing as a robot in Times Square. This unlikely pairing may not seem ideal, but it quickly becomes clear that they can really help each other out: Kimmy needs someone to reintroduce her to the modern world, and Titus could use someone to show him that you should never give up on life, no matter how many times you get rejected from performing in "The Lion King." As long as they stick together... they might just make it after all. Hakuna matata!

The cast also includes Tituss Burgess, Sara Chase and Lauren Adams.

Writers Tina Fey ("30 Rock") and Robert Carlock ("30 Rock") serve as executive producers with David Miner ("Brooklyn Nine-Nine") and Jeff Richmond ("30 Rock"). "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" is a production of Universal Television, Little Stranger Inc. and 3 Arts Entertainment.

Please visit the official show site at: http://www.nbc.com/unbreakable-kimmy-schmidt For the latest "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" news, videos, and photos, please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. https://www.facebook.com/UnbreakableKimmySchmidt https://twitter.com/NBCKimmySchmidt #KimmySchmidt

NEW DRAMAS

A.D.

In the follow-up to the eye-opening success of "The Bible" miniseries on History, the 12-hour miniseries "A.D." - from producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey - will look at the lives that were instantly altered following the death of Christ. His disciples, mother Mary and key political religious leaders at the time saw their world turned upside down and their lives forever altered. Beginning at that fateful moment of the Crucifixion and the Resurrection, part two of the greatest story ever told will focus on the disciples who had to go forward and disseminate the teachings of Christ to a world dominated by political unrest and the start of a whole new religion that would dramatically reshape the history of the world.

Mark Burnett, Roma Downey and Richard Bedser serve as executive producers. Simon Block will write the script. "A.D." is a production of LightWorkers Media.

ALLEGIANCE

Alex O'Connor (Gavin Stenhouse, "Person of Interest"), a young idealistic CIA analyst specializing in Russian affairs, learns a shocking secret and his close-knit, affluent family is about to be split apart when its revealed that his parents, Mark (Scott Cohen, "Necessary Roughness") and Katya (Hope Davis, "The Newsroom," "In Treatment") are covert Russian spies deactivated decades ago. But today the Kremlin has re-enlisted them into service as they plan a terrorist operation inside the U.S. border that will bring America to its knees. Years ago, Russian-born Katya was tasked by the KGB to recruit American businessman Mark O'Connor as a spy -- and the two fell in love. A deal was struck: As long as Katya remained an asset for Russia, and it was agreed that her services could be called on in the future, she would be allowed to marry Mark and move to America. After years in America building a happy life and without word from Moscow, they thought they had escaped. Now it seems that the new Mother Russia has one more mission - turning Alex into a spy. For these anguished parents, the choice is clear: Betray their country or risk their family.

The cast also includes Margarita Levieva, Morgan Spector, Annie Ilonzeh, Alexandra Peters and Kenneth Choi.

Writer-director George Nolfi ("The Adjustment Bureau") serves as executive producer with Avi Nir ("Homeland"), Ron Leshem, Amit Cohen, Yona Wisenthal and Giyora Yahalom. "Allegiance" is a production of Universal Television, Keshet Media and Yes!

Please visit the official show site at: http://www.nbc.com/allegiance For the latest "Allegiance" news, videos, and photos, please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. https://www.facebook.com/NBCAllegiance https://twitter.com/NBCAllegiance #Allegiance

AQUARIUS

It's 1967 and the era of free love, drug experimentation and the Vietnam War is in full effect. When the teenage daughter of a respected lawyer goes missing, L.A. Police Sgt. Sam Hodiak (David Duchovny, "Californication," "The X-Files") starts asking around. He soon discovers that the hippie kids he's questioning don't take kindly to cops, especially one with hair as short as his. Needing the help of someone they will trust, he partners with rebellious undercover cop Brian Shafe, a man who's more comfortable rolling a joint than patrolling a beat. It's not long before they stumble upon a small-time cult leader seeking out vulnerable women to join his cause. From there, they follow this man's trail down a rabbit hole of drugs, sex, murder and cultural revolution. Little could they know, however, the guy they're hunting will eventually become the killer we now recognize as Charles Manson. He was a lost soul who desperately wanted to get into the music scene of the '60s until something snapped. This is the show that will explore the cat and mouse game between him and the police that will go on for several seasons, ultimately ending with the infamous Tate-LaBianca murders.

Writer John McNamara ("In Plain Sight") serves as executive producer with Marty Adelstein ("Prison Break"), David Duchovny and Melanie Greene. "Aquarius" is a production of ITV Studios America and Marty Adelstein Productions.

For the latest "Aquarius" news, videos, and photos, please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. https://www.facebook.com/NBCAquarius https://twitter.com/nbcaquarius #Aquarius

CONSTANTINE

Based on the wildly popular DC Comics series "Hellblazer," seasoned demon hunter and master of the occult John Constantine (Matt Ryan, "Criminal Minds") specializes in giving hell... hell. Armed with a ferocious knowledge of the dark arts and his wickedly naughty wit, he fights the good fight - or at least he did. With his soul already damned to hell, he's decided to leave his do-gooder life behind, but when demons target Liv (Lucy Griffiths, "True Blood"), the daughter of one of Constantine's oldest friends, he's reluctantly thrust back into the fray - and he'll do whatever it takes to save her. Before long, it's revealed that Liv's "second sight" - an ability to see the worlds behind our world and predict supernatural occurrences - is a threat to a mysterious new evil that's rising in the shadows. Now it's not just Liv who needs protection; the angels are starting to get worried too. So, together, Constantine and Liv must use her power and his skills to travel the country, find the demons that threaten our world and send them back where they belong. After that, who knows... maybe there's hope for him and his soul after all.

The cast also includes Harold Perrineau and Charles Halford.

Writer Daniel Cerone ("The Mentalist," "Dexter") serves as executive producer with David S. Goyer ("Man of Steel," "The Dark Knight Rises"). "Constantine" is produced from Bonanza Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. The show is based upon characters published by DC Entertainment.

Please visit the official show site at: http://www.nbc.com/constantine For the latest "Constantine" news, videos, and photos, please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. https://www.facebook.com/Constantine https://www.twitter.com/NBCConstantine

EMERALD CITY

Desperate for clues that will lead to the identity of her biological mother, a young woman breaks into a sinister underground facility somewhere in the Midwest. Unable to complete her mission and surrounded by security, our feisty heroine steals a K9 police dog and drives away into the night... and headlong into the path of a raging tornado. In the blink of an eye, she is transported to another world, one far removed from our own - a mystical land of competing kingdoms, lethal warriors, dark magic and a bloody battle for supremacy. This is the fabled Land of Oz in a way you've never seen before, where wicked witches don't stay dead for long and 20-year-old Dorothy Gale becomes a headstrong warrior who holds the fate of kingdoms in her hands. You're not in Kansas anymore, and this is not your Grandmother's Oz.

Writer Matthew Arnold ("Siberia") serves as executive producer with Josh Friedman ("Terminator" The Sarah Connor Chronicles"). "Emerald City" is a production of Universal Television.

https://www.facebook.com/NBCEmeraldCity https://twitter.com/nbcemeraldcity #EmeraldCity

HEROES REBORN

The saga behind the 2006 breakout series "Heroes" will continue as creator Tim Kring returns to the fold and develops new layers to his original superhero concept. This highly anticipated 13-episode miniseries will reconnect with the basic elements of the show's first season where ordinary people were waking up to the fact that they had extraordinary abilities. This series will be preceded by a new digital series that will introduce audiences to the new characters and storylines that will take the "Heroes" phenomenon to new places.

http://www.facebook.com/heroes http://twitter.com/heroes #HeroesReborn

THE MYSTERIES OF LAURA

Debra Messing ("Will & Grace") stars as Laura Diamond, a brilliant NYPD homicide detective who balances her "Columbo" day job with a crazy family life that includes two unruly twin boys and a soon-to-be ex-husband (Josh Lucas) - also a cop - who just can't seem to sign the divorce papers. Between cleaning up after her boys and cleaning up the streets, she'd be the first to admit she has her "hot mess" moments in this hilariously authentic look at what it really means to be a "working mom" today. Somehow, she makes it all work with the help of her sexy and understanding partner, and things becomes even more complicated when her husband, ironically, becomes her boss at the precinct. For Laura, every day is a high-wire balancing act.

The cast also includes Laz Alonso and Janina Gavankar.

Writer Jeff Rake ("Boston Legal") and director McG ("Supernatural") serve as executive producer with Greg Berlanti ("Brothers & Sisters"), Aaron Kaplan ("The Neighbors"), Todd Lituchy and Sarah Schechter. "The Mysteries of Laura" is a production of Warner Bros. Television, Berlanti Productions and Kapital Entertainment.

Please visit the official show site at: http://www.nbc.com/the-mysteries-of-laura For the latest "The Mysteries of Laura" news, videos, and photos, please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. https://www.facebook.com/TheMysteriesofLaura https://twitter.com/NBCLaura #MysteriesofLaura

ODYSSEY

In this "Traffic"-like action drama, an international conspiracy explodes when three strangers' lives unexpectedly collide - a female soldier, a corporate lawyer and a political activist. After a team of American soldiers battles Jihadists in North Africa, they're shocked to find that one of the men they killed is Al Qaeda's top man. Sgt. Odelle Ballard (Anna Friel, "Pushing Daisies") - a soldier, mother, wife and the unit's only female member - discovers computer files that suggest a major U.S. corporation is funding the Jihadists. But before she can tell anyone, her team is attacked and left for dead. News is reported that the unit was wiped out, but the truth is that Odelle survived and is the only witness to her unit's assassination by U.S. Special Forces. In New York, former U.S. Attorney Peter Decker (Peter Facinelli, "Nurse Jackie") is working on a merger deal for the same company that was funneling money to the Jihadists. Meanwhile, Harrison Walters (Jake Robinson, "The Carrie Diaries"), a political activist and trust fund kid, meets a hacker who claims to have unearthed a massive military-industrial conspiracy. And he's right: He's stumbled onto the cover-up that began with Odelle and will soon be out in the open and everyone's lives will be in danger. The only way they'll ever save their country, their families and themselves is by joining forces and exposing the people behind it.

The cast also includes Jim True-Frost, Treat Williams, Nate Mooney, Elena Kampouris, Daniella Pineda, Sadie Sink, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Omar Ghazaoui.

Writers Adam Armus ("The Following") and Nora Kay Foster ("Heroes"), and writer-director Peter Horton ("Grey's Anatomy") serve as executive producers with Simon Maxwell ("Off the Hook"), Mikkel Bondesen ("Burn Notice"), Henrik Bastin ("Burn Notice) and Kristen Campo ("The Killing"). "Odyssey" is a production of Universal Television, Fabrik Entertainment and Red Arrow Entertainment Group.

Please visit the official show site at: http://www.nbc.com/odyssey For the latest "Odyssey" news, videos, and photos, please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. https://www.facebook.com/NBCOdyssey https://twitter.com/NBCOdyssey #Odyssey

STATE OF AFFAIRS

Each day the President is faced with dozens of life and death decisions, and to prioritize the biggest international crises facing the country, one top CIA analyst - Charleston Tucker (Katherine Heigl, "Grey's Anatomy") - assembles the President's Daily Briefing (PDB). This list of the most vital security issues facing the nation brings with it moral and political judgment calls for Charleston and her trusted group of brilliant analysts at the agency. Aside from the political minefields she has to walk, Charlie has a close personal relationship with the President (Alfre Woodard, "Desperate Housewives") because she was once engaged to her son before a tragic terrorist attack took his life. Charlie survived that attack and is now determined to bring the perpetrators to justice. Navigating a complex personal life and a pressure-cooker profession is, of course, a challenge, and Charlie sometimes engages in boundary-pushing behavior to avoid facing her grief. But when the clock strikes 2 a.m., she is all about her job - protecting her nation, serving her President and still trying to get to the bottom of her fiancé's murder that will reveal itself as a shocking mystery.

The cast also includes Adam Kaufman, Sheila Vand, Cliff Chamberlain, Tommy Savas and Leslie Odom, Jr.

Writer-director Joe Carnahan ("The Blacklist") serves as executive producer with Katherine Heigl, Nancy Heigl, Robert Simonds, Sophie Watts, Henry Crumpton, Rodney Faraon and Julia Franz. "State of Affairs" is a production of Universal Television, Bob Simonds Company and Abishag Productions.

Please visit the official show site at: http://www.nbc.com/state-of-affairs For the latest "State of Affairs" news, videos, and photos, please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. https://www.facebook.com/NBCStateofAffairs https://twitter.com/NBCStateAffairs #StateofAffairs

[irehtman]

No Parks and Rec?

[Mr. Television]

Way to kill The Blacklist.

[Pavan]

Read our story: http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2014/0...-schedule.html

This explains Parks & Rec and The Blacklist move in February...

[tlc38tlc38]

"The Mysteries of Laura" looks interesting. I love Debra Messing so I'll be sure to check this out.

[irehtman]

No wonder, Parks and Rec are going suffer like victims by next season! That will happen the same thing for About A Boy, IMO.

[Mr. Television]

Originally Posted by irehtman

No wonder, Parks and Rec are going suffer like victims by next season! That will happen the same thing for About A Boy, IMO.

Parks is ending next year so it really doesn't matter.

[70s show watcher]

Originally Posted by tlc38tlc38

"The Mysteries of Laura" looks interesting. I love Debra Messing so I'll be sure to check this out.

i like debra messing too so this will be one that i will take a look at

[Sal]

I'm really happy for Cristin Milioti (aka "The Mother!") that she now gets to star in her own sitcom "A To Z". On paper, like most of NBC's lineup, it doesn't sound very promising. but at least you can now watch her every week. She was by far the best thing to ever happen to "How I Met Your Mother" and her untimely and needless sitcom death had many of the show's fans rightfully steamed. I predict that if this series becomes a hit, she will be one of TV's biggest breakout stars of 2015.

NBC can use a hit in the worst way and this lineup does not look very good. One positive note is seeing Elisha Cuthbert return to TV (Thank you God. I owe you one) but her new series "One Big Happy" isn't scheduled until midseason (or hopefully earlier if one of the fall shows bomb---and they will!) and that's never a good sign for any series.

One more thing: Earlier this year, I heard a rumour that Bill Cosby---the man who 30 years ago literally saved NBC singlehandedly---will be in a new sitcom next season, yet there is nothing in the press release that even mentions him. Did NBC really turn him down or could he be headed to another network? Either way, that doesn't look good for them.

NBC Shows I'll Be Watching This Fall


Thursday 9:30 A TO Z

Sunday 8:00 NFL Football (whenever my favourite team, the Dallas Cowboys, is playing)

[EmoJoe]

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

Way to kill The Blacklist.

How are they killing it? It's getting the post Super Bowl slot! If it can't succeed after a year and a half behind The Voice and a slot after the Super Bowl, it's killed itself. (But it'll probably do just fine).

Anyway, this is a boringly competent schedule. I miss when NBC was a trainwreck that we could all laugh at. But this schedule mostly works, although I question their pre-Blacklist Thursday strategy (and both of those new Thursday shows look comically bad). Personally, though, with Community gone, P&R on "depends on what fails" hold, and the new Tina Fey sitcom premiering midseason I don't have much to look forward to on NBC this fall. Marry Me does have Casey Wilson and David Caspe on tap so hopefully that can move past its brutal premise and turn into something worthwhile.

[Mr. Television]

Originally Posted by EmoJoe

How are they killing it? It's getting the post Super Bowl slot! If it can't succeed after a year and a half behind The Voice and a slot after the Super Bowl, it's killed itself. (But it'll probably do just fine).

Anyway, this is a boringly competent schedule. I miss when NBC was a trainwreck that we could all laugh at. But this schedule mostly works, although I question their pre-Blacklist Thursday strategy (and both of those new Thursday shows look comically bad). Personally, though, with Community gone, P&R on "depends on what fails" hold, and the new Tina Fey sitcom premiering midseason I don't have much to look forward to on NBC this fall. Marry Me does have Casey Wilson and David Caspe on tap so hopefully that can move past its brutal premise and turn into something worthwhile.

NBC has been dead on that night for so long. It's going to have to start itself. Just because it airs after the SB doesn't mean it will do that great. Established shows like CM and Glee haven't even got a boost from airing after it. I think the post SB spot is overrated. The only thing I watch after the SB is ESPN or the NFL Network. Plus it's going to be off the air from November until February.

[king of comedy]

I'll watch Constatine.

[irehtman]

Yeah I agree about Parks and Rec coming in midseason and end by May 2015.

But since they renewed About A Boy and its second season starts in September 2014, then I have a feeling that they might end up getting cancelled by this midseason, no offense, IMO.

[icecream]

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

NBC has been dead on that night for so long. It's going to have to start itself. Just because it airs after the SB doesn't mean it will do that great. Established shows like CM and Glee haven't even got a boost from airing after it. I think the post SB spot is overrated. The only thing I watch after the SB is ESPN or the NFL Network. Plus it's going to be off the air from November until February.

I think this move is very similar to when ABC aired Grey's Anatomy after the Super Bowl then moved it to Thursday at 9:00. ABC had been dead on Thursday nights for a long time, then Grey's immediately starting beating CSI head-to-head its first Thursday airing. Criminal Minds and Glee were the wrong post-Super Bowl choices, the Blacklist is more of a mass appeal show that could appeal to football fans.