NBC 2007-2008 Season Schedule

We are again at the time of year when the broadcast television networks announce their upfronts. Upfronts are when they first announce their schedules for the following television season to possible advertisers. This is when the networks attempt to sell as much of the advertising space in these programs as possible, even before any episodes air in the fall. For established series with proven track records networks are able to sell the ad space at a higher rate. For new series advertisers can often get in at a premium, only because the program isn’t yet a proven commodity.

This is the week when all broadcast networks will announce their 2007-2008 season schedules. I’ll continue to report on these announcements like I did last May.

Today NBC was the first to announce their programming schedule for next season.

NBC seemed to have a lot of misses during the 2006-2007 season. Failed shows include Kidnapped, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, 20 Good Years, and Andy Barker P.I.. While some few freshman series were picked up despite so-so ratings, such as 30 Rock and Friday Night Lights, the only true success story of the previous season is Heroes.

In addition, many proven programs were on the chopping block. NBC’s biggest franchise has been Law & Order. Only Law & Order Special Victims Unit had been renewed as of this past weekend (they received their pick-up months ago). It was announced just yesterday that Law & Order would return to NBC for an 18th season while Law & Order Criminal Intent has been picked up, but original episodes will air on the USA Network and then be repurposed (rebroadcast) later on NBC.

The only long running NBC show not to be renewed is Crossing Jordan, who has had a five season run.

Here’s a night-by-night look at what the NBC schedule for next season has in store. Included are brief descriptions, partially taken from tvguide.com. All times listed are Eastern.

Mondays:

8pm-9pm Deal or No Deal

9pm-10pm Heroes

10pm-11pm Journeyman

This program is a sci-fi, romantic drama that follows a San Francisco newspaper reporter who begins to travel through time in order to change other people’s lives. However, his travels through time begin to cause a strain at work and at home because he suddenly disappears for periods of time. In his travels he also reunites with a long-lost fiancée, which places a strain on his relationship with his wife and son. This series is from the Emmy Award winning writers, producers, and directors of the West Wing.

Tuesdays:

8pm-9pm The Biggest Loser

9pm-10pm Chuck

This is a spy thriller that follows a computer geek who becomes one of the U.S. government’s most vital secret agents. When Chuck accidentally opens an e-mail filled with encoded government secrets, he ends up downloading the information directly into his brain. Chuck goes from fixing people’s computer problems at the local electronics store to dealing with assassins and international terrorists. He ends up getting partnered with the CIA’s top agent. This is a produced by executive producers behind the O.C. and the Charlie’s Angels movie.

10pm-11pm Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Wednesdays:

8pm-9pm Deal or No Deal

9pm-10pm Bionic Woman

In a remake of the late 70’s series, this program follows Jamie Sommers who has cutting-edge technology implanted into her body following a devastating car accident. If not for the technology Jamie would have faced certain death. But not Jamie has a debt to repay by using her new technologies and abilities for good, which will unfortunately lead to some personal sacrifices. This series is produced by those behind such successful programs as the X-Files and Battlestar Galactica.

10pm-11pm Life

This program follows an offbeat detective who returns to the police force after spending years in prison. He is released from prison thanks to his attorney and friend who proves that he was convicted of a crime he did not actually commit.

Thursdays:

8pm-8:30pm My Name is Earl

8:30pm-9pm 30 Rock

9pm-9:30pm The Office

9:30pm-10pm Scrubs

10pm-11pm ER

Fridays:

8pm-9pm Game Night, including 1 vs. 100 and The Singing Bee

NBC has committed the 8pm hour on Friday nights for game shows. In this slot initially will be the returning Bob Saget hosted game 1 vs. 100. After eight weeks it will be followed for six weeks by the new variety/game show The Singing Bee where contestants are forced to sing popular, recognizable music accurately, even once the music stops playing. In order to win they must get every word of the lyrics correct.

9pm-10pm Las Vegas

10pm-11pm Friday Night Lights

Saturdays:

8pm-9pm Dateline NBC

9pm-11pm Encores of NBC Dramas

Sundays (Fall 2007):

7pm-8pm Football Night in America

8pm-11pm Sunday Night Football

Sundays (January 2008):

7pm-8pm Dateline NBC

8pm-9pm Law & Order

9pm-10pm Medium

10pm-11pm Lipstick Jungle

This series is based on the best-selling novel by Candace Bushnell, who also wrote the novel the hit HBO series Sex & the City was based on. In this series three high-powered friends are followed as they face the ups and downs of their everyday lives in New York City. Starring Kim Raver (24) as the editor-in-chief of a fashion magazine who wants to become CEO, Brooke Shields (Suddenly Susan) who must find a way to balance her career and her family, and Lindsay Price (Beverly Hills, 90210) who wants her dreams to come true including find Mr. Right.

Other series coming mid-season:

Baby Borrowers

In this reality series teenage couples experience what it is like to be a parent. These couples are given their own households and their own children, in different age groups, in order to see how they cope.

The IT Crowd

This comedy follows those individuals that come to your office to fix your computer when no one else is around. This series is based on a British comedy of the same name. These geeks are masters of the computer world, but lack any real social skills necessary to make friends.

World Moves

This reality competition, executive produced by American Idol’s Randy Jackson, searches the world for the best dance teams. The world’s best will come to Los Angeles and compete for a global championship and an international touring contract. Teams of five to seven members will compete live in order to demonstrate their creativity and athleticism. Viewers from around the world will vote on the Internet or phone for their favorites in order to eliminate one team each week.