TV Patrol: NBC Possiblities…

NBC has alot of catching up to do. Now that their nightmare attempts to “change the face of television” are over, they are scrambling to make things right again. They have hired the likes of David E. Kelly, J.J. Abrams & Jerry Bruckheimer, in an effort to bring us some really good dramas to compete with the other networks. Let’s hope their efforts are a plus for us…

NBC doesn’t really need to worry about what to get rid of this fall. They have 5 hours freed up by unloading Leno. They are still thinking of cancelling Heroes because the show just doesn’t make any sense anymore. The medical drama Mercy is also on the chopping block. I have grown to really like the show, especially when it ventured into the ER on it’s last episode. It brought back alot of the excitement of the original ER, which is sorely missed. The show just needs a little time & a permanent time slot. No one knows when it’s on! I digress. Here are some of the pilots being formulated to be pitched to advertisers in May.

DRAMA Possiblities:

CHASE from Jerry Bruckheimer (CSI franchise), is a fast-paced, action drama that follows US Marshalls tracking down the most-wanted criminals. This could be interesting. Bruckheimer has great success with ensemble casts.

Kindreds is from David E. Kelley (The Practice & Boston Legal). It’s a lawyer show, which is his forte. An ex-patent lawyer forms a new & unusual law practice. I’m a huge fan of Kelley & his abilities to use current events in his storytelling.

Undercovers comes from J.J. Abrams (LOST, Fringe & Alias). It’s about a couple who are brought out of retirement to re-join the CIA. This just doesn’t fit the type of show Abrams puts out, but I could be wrong.

The Cape is from writer Tom Wheeler (ABC mini-series Empire ’05) A former cop is framed & decides to clear his name by donning a superhero’s outfit. What?

Prime Suspect is a rip-off remake of the British drama of the same name. It’s about a female detective. The last female detective to make it big was Pepper Anderson, played by Angie Dickison on Police Woman. (showing my age again).

Rockford Files will be a remake of the 70′s series which starred James Garner, as an often unpaid private eye, who avoided violence & almost never carried a gun. I’m not sure if they are sticking with this premise.

The Event is by writer Nick Wauters (The 4400 & Medium). It’s about a regular guy who, for some odd reason, gets caught up in a large conspiracy.

None of these shows have been cast as yet. I hate to say this, but I don’t see much promise in any of these choices. It’s early though & if any look intriguing, I would have to say CHASE.

NBC’s comedy line-up on Thursday night have all been renewed for another season, even Community & Parks & Recreation are safe right now. But the network still has nine comedies in the works. They have even lured movie/Broadway star, Matthew Broderick to do one. Adam Carolla & Jimmy Kimmel have written a show which will star Carolla.

Comedy Possibilities:

Beach Lane will star Matthew Broderick as a famous celebrity author who’s been hired to run a small town newspaper in the Hamptons. Isn’t that the richest “small town” in America? Doesn’t Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa) live there?

This Little Piggy hahaha… the title makes me giggle. The concept of this family comedy is that a father of two, opens his home to his worthless sister & her mooch of a husband. (shades of Yes Dear?)

The Strip has a former child star owning a bar just outside of Las Vegas. This could be good if they cast it right, but when you hear “bar” it brings to mind Cheers.

Friends With Benefits is just what the title says it is. Friends who can’t find true love, so they fuck each other. This should be a reality show.

Outsourced is, you guessed it, about jobs going to India! A novelties company sends one of it’s employees to India to manage a group of customer service reps.

Perfect Couples has three couples in different stages of happiness. Sounds alot like Rules of Engagement‘s concept. if you ask me.

The Adam Carolla show doesn’t have a name yet but it’s suppose to be about a contractor trying to rebuild his life after a divorce. We’ve seen this in Gary Unmarried & Alan on Two & 1/2 Men. Maybe he & Jimmy Kimmel can bring something new to the theme.

Well the comedies look much more entertaining than the dramas, so maybe NBC will get a winner in the sitcom category. I’m really hoping they can come up with something to compete with CBS. I’m rooting for the underdog this time. We shall see.

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