It's that time of May again, the week where all the major American networks hold press conferences announcing the shows that will be returning, and the news shows, on their lineup this Fall. A practice known as upfronts. Today is day 1, and it looks like NBC is going first.
Nothing very surprising in the returns: Studio 60 will be gone in the fall, after burning off its remaining episodes in June. 30 Rock is coming back with a second season, an occasion worthy of celebration. ER is, inexplicicably, returning. And the big names (Heroes and The Office) are, of course, coming back.
Though there is some slightly surprising news concerning those last two: They'll each be seeing 30 episodes this season, and 5 of The Office's episodes will be an hour long.
Personally, I have a problem with this. I've enjoyed Heroes throughout the season, despite its flaws, and the fact that it took a few episodes to find its feet, but I REALLY don't think its writers are up to the task of creating 30 episodes worth of engaging content throughout the season. And the same goes for The Office, since I've found some of the recent episodes a bit trying. I hope I'm wrong, since I've been loving Heroes so far, especially since 24 has been having a lackluster (and I'm being generous) season. Same goes for The Office, which has regularly been one of the funniest shows on TV over its three season, though 30 Rock is giving it a run for its money.
Anyway, on to the new comers.
You can read about them in the link above, so I'm not gonna go into detail on them, just going to write some short comments on them.
Journeyman sounds pretty interesting, assuming that it can handle time travel well. The only other show I can think of that handled time travel as a major plot point is the BBC series "Life on Mars," though there are probably others. If they can focus less on the time travel and "science" behind it, and more on the characters and their relationships (an aspect of Heroes that has really disappointed me), I'll be tuning in. It also has a great timeslot, slotting in right after Heroes on Monday.
Next is Chuck, which just sounds awful, based on the names attached to it. McG should be enough to turn anyone off. But, it's on Tuesdays nights, and since nothing on Tuesday nights appeals to me right now, maybe I'll give it a shot
"Bionic Woman" is the next new drama. Another reimagining coming from David Eick, one of the minds behind the new Battlestar Galactic, which is enough to get me to tune in.
Following Bionic Woman on Wednesday nights is "Life," which sounds like another detective show with a unique twist. Not really my cup of tea, but with Lost not coming back until January (woe is me!), I'll probably be giving this one a shot.
The last of the dramas is "Lipstick Jungle," which sounds like something I'd really hate. Although, it's nice to see Kim Raver moving on from a terrible role on 24. Hopefully, this new series will be picked up, so Howard Gordon and his ilk won't continue slowing killing her character.
And then there's the sole new comedy, "The IT Crowd," which sounds like a version of The Office int he IT department - hell it's even adapted from a British series. It has some good names attached to it, and I might give it a shot, but it doesn't have a premiere date yet.
Well that it's for NBC (yes, I am skipping the "Alternative" shows), and it seems like they'll have a good year this season, despite my apprehension on the extended seasons of The Office and Heroes.
Now, looking forward to seeing what the other big names have in store for us this Fall.