Posted by Dustin on 02.14.2008 at 11:15 am

Two big official press releases from NBC have come out detailing the rest of the line-up for this season, as well as what has been renewed for next season. Alas it looks like we won’t get any new “Heroes” until the fall. Additionally it looks like “Journeyman” AND “Bionic Woman” are both goners. For “Friday Night Lights” fans, again no mention of that show either I’m afraid.

NBC ANNOUNCES BROADCAST RETURN OF SEVERAL SCRIPTED SERIES WITH ORIGINAL EPISODES IN APRIL

Series Include “The Office,” “30 Rock,” “My Name Is Earl,” “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Scrubs,” “ER” and “Medium”

BURBANK - February 13, 2008 - NBC will resume the broadcast of many of its scripted series in April with new original episodes following the settlement of the Writers Guild of America strike, including “The Office,” “30 Rock,” “My Name Is Earl,” “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” among other programs, it was announced by Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios, and Marc Graboff, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios.

The list of comedies and dramas includes: “My Name Is Earl” (Thursdays, 8-8:30 p.m. ET), which will return with a one-hour episode on Thursday, April 3; the Emmy Award-winning “30 Rock” (Thursdays, 8:30-9 p.m. ET) will begin on Thursday, April 10; likewise, the Emmy-winning “The Office” (Thursdays, 9-9:30 p.m. ET) also resumes with new episodes on Thursday, April 10; and “Scrubs” (Thursdays, 9:30-10 p.m. ET) will come back with original episodes beginning Thursday, April 10.

“ER” (Thursdays, 10-11 p.m. ET) also will come back on Thursday, April 10 with new episodes following the complete run of “Lipstick Jungle,” which concludes on March 20.

“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (Tuesdays, 10-11 p.m. ET) will return with fresh episodes on Tuesday, April 15. “Law & Order” (Wednesdays, 10-11 p.m. ET) resumes with original episodes on Wednesday, April 23. Meanwhile, “Medium” (Mondays, 10-11 p.m. ET) continues in originals.

Specific plans for other NBC scripted series are currently being determined and will be announced later.

The following includes NBC’s new spring broadcast schedule denoting new return dates with original episodes for some of its scripted programs:

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Posted by Dustin on 02.13.2008 at 2:49 pm

CBS seems to be the first network to release actual dates for the return of their shows. Here is their official release.

CBS ANNOUNCES RETURN OF ORIGINAL EPISODES OF COMEDY AND DRAMA SERIES

SERIES / ANTICIPATED RETURN / EXPECTED # OF NEW EPISODES

HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER / March 17 / 9

THE BIG BANG THEORY / March 17 / 9

TWO AND A HALF MEN / March 17 / 9

CSI: MIAMI / March 24 / 8

COLD CASE / March 30 / 5

CRIMINAL MINDS / April 2 / 7

CSI: NY / April 2 / 7

CSI / April 3 / 6

WITHOUT A TRACE / April 3 / 6

GHOST WHISPERER / April 4 / 6

NUMB3RS / April 4 / 6

NCIS / April 8 / 7

MOONLIGHT / April 11 / 4

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT / April 14 / 6

SHARK / TBA / 4

* THE UNIT, CANE and SHARK are on previously announced hiatus to accommodate the mid-season launches of BIG BROTHER, JERICHO and DEXTER.

**The drama series SWINGTOWN, which hasn’t been scheduled yet, will also resume production

Posted by Dustin on 02.11.2008 at 11:04 pm

The Knight Rider movie debuts this weekend. I plan to watch it, but am still not sure how I feel about this. They are saying if it brings in raitings for NBC it will possibly be a new show for the fall.

VAL KILMER ASSUMES ROLE AS VOICE OF KITT — AMERICA’S FAVORITE TALKING CAR — IN NBC’S ‘KNIGHT RIDER’ MOVIE EVENT ON FEBRUARY 17

BURBANK, Calif. - February 8, 2008 - Val Kilmer (”Comanche Moon,” “Batman Forever,” “The Doors”) will assume the role of the voice of KITT — America’s favorite talking car — in NBC’s “Knight Rider” movie of the week which revs up on Sunday, February 17 (9-11 p.m. ET).

Kilmer will play the role of KITT after actor Will Arnett had to withdraw from the role due to a conflicting sponsorship deal.

“We feel really lucky to have Val Kilmer on board for ‘Knight Rider.’ Val’s voice has truly elevated the character of KITT and brought a whole new level of excitement to this project for us. He completely gets the fun that can be had in the relationship between a guy and his car, it’s just a perfect fit for the show,” expressed executive producer David Bartis.

After his breakthrough performance in the hit feature film “Top Gun,” Kilmer starred in several more blockbusters covering a variety of genres, including “Batman Forever,” “The Doors” (as Jim Morrison), “Tombstone” and the animated “The Prince of Egypt.” Among Kilmer’s many other films are “True Romance,” “Heat,” “The Saint,” “Red Planet,” “Wonderland,” “Willow,” “Pollock” and “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.”

“Knight Rider,” the iconic 1980s television classic, is kicked into overdrive with an all-new cast and a modern day KITT. The two-hour movie event stars Justin Bruening, Deanna Russo, Sydney Tamiia Poitier and Bruce Davison. In addition, David Hasselhoff — who starred in the popular lead role as Michael Knight for four seasons during the original series’ run — returns in this sequel as the same character during a special guest appearance. As the original story resumes in this sequel, KITT is absolutely the coolest car ever created: its supercomputer capable of hacking almost any system; its weapons systems efficient; and its body — thanks to its creator’s work and nanotechnology — is capable of actually shifting shape and color. Plus, its artificial intelligence makes it the ideal crime-fighting partner: logical, precise and possessing infinite knowledge. It is the ultimate car and someone will be willing to do anything to obtain it.

NBC’s partnership with Ford Motor Company provides for a unique content opportunity that makes the Ford Mustang one of the stars of the movie. The three cars to be employed in the series include the KITT Hero — a Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500 KR that is playing the part of the everyday Hero car with 540 horsepower; the KITT Attack — a super high-speed version of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500 KR Hero car that transforms into Attack mode with the help of air-ride technology and specialized body parts — and a KITT Remote, which is a driverless Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500 KR version of the Hero vehicle.

David Bartis (”Heist,” “The O.C.”) and Doug Liman (”Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” “The Bourne Identity”) serve as executive producers. David Andron is supervising producer and writer. Steve Shill (”Dexter,” “The Tudors”), also a co-executive producer, directs the two-hour movie from Universal Media Studios and Dutch Oven Productions.

Posted by Dustin on 02.11.2008 at 10:18 pm

UNDERSCORING THE STRENGTH OF ITS FALL SCHEDULE, ABC ENTERTAINMENT PICKS UP NINE SERIES FOR NEXT SEASON

Pickups Return Fall’s Most Successful Series: “Brothers & Sisters,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Dirty Sexy Money,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Lost,” “Private Practice,” “Pushing Daisies,” “Samantha Who?” and “Ugly Betty” Receive Pickups for ‘08-’09 Season

Today ABC Entertainment announced pickups for nine of its most popular shows, returning broadcast television’s most successful fall series. ABC Entertainment ordered episodes of “Brothers & Sisters,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Dirty Sexy Money,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Lost,” “Private Practice,” “Pushing Daisies,” “Samantha Who?” and “Ugly Betty.”

“The strength of our schedule this fall was unprecedented and speaks for itself,” said Stephen McPherson, president, ABC Entertainment. “We’re looking forward to building on that success.”

On average during Fall 2007 (10 complete weeks: 9/24-12/2/07), ABC was the No. 1 network among Adults 18-49 (3.9/10), delivering the top position in the key young adult sales demo on 7 of the first 10 weeks of the season and ranking No. 1 during the November Sweep for the third consecutive year. In addition, ABC claimed eight of the Top 20 highest-rated TV shows among young adults during the fall, including five of the Top 10 freshman series.

Show descriptions in the press release follow . . .

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Posted by Dustin on 02.10.2008 at 7:50 pm

Good news! The WGA board members in LA and in New York have approved of the new contract they’ve been given, are going to hold a vote among members to finally end the strike and will be asking members to vote to end it! A vote is set to be held Tuesday to call off the strike, and a vote approving the new contract to follow later.

Source: Yahoo/AP

Posted by Dustin on 02.04.2008 at 6:39 pm

Ausiello over at TV Guide is reporting that ABC shows like “Grey’s,” “Housewives” and “Brothers and Sisters” could be reporting back to work for filming in early March, should the writers strike finally come to an end. Shows which ABC picked up for a full season, such as “Dirty Sexy Money” would not return this season, but would in the fall. The same strategy of what shows will return now verses next season would probably follow on the other networks.

Keep you fingers crossed folks!

Posted by Dustin on 02.03.2008 at 6:02 pm

The LA Times (or any major newspaper of your choice really) has an article on the possible end of the writers strike this coming week. A new contract has been outlined, if approved by the union then the final contract could be in the hands of the Writers Guild of America by the end of next week!

This would mean writers would be returning to work, but there is no word on what it would mean for many shows that already shut down for the season such as “Heroes” or “Desperate Housewives.” There is a possibility they could be brought back just in time for May sweeps, when the seasons generally end.

Posted by Dustin on 01.07.2008 at 9:42 pm

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association and NBC announced today that due to the writers strike, and the numerous stars boycotting the event in support of the writers, the Golden Globes this year has been cancelled! Instead of the dinner and awards ceremony, a press conference will be held to announce this years winners.

Source: Yahoo News/AP

Posted by Dustin on 12.20.2007 at 9:11 pm

With the holidays upon us and the writers strike, there just isn’t much to talk about right now! I imagine I won’t have many posts until the new year when shows start back up.

I did want to point out that tomorrow at 8pm (I think) on Lifetime (or Lifetime Movie Network) is one of my favorite of the more recent Christmas movies. It was made by Lifetime and is called “If You Believe.” It stars Ally Walker (of Profiler fame) and a very very very young and cute Hayden Panettiere (Claire, Heroes). If you haven’t seen it you should tune in, it’s a cute movie.

Posted by Dustin on 12.15.2007 at 11:07 pm

ABC UNVEILS MIDSEASON PRIMETIME SCHEDULE
“Lost” Returns Thursdays at 9:00 p.m., ET on Thursday, January 31

New Series Premiering Include “Cashmere Mafia,” “Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann,”
“Eli Stone” and “Oprah’s Big Give”

“Cashmere Mafia” Premieres at its Regular Time Wednesday, January 9,
After a Special Premiere on Thursday, January 3

“According to Jim,” “Just for Laughs,” “Supernanny” and “Wife Swap” Return

New Seasons of “Dancing with the Stars” and “The Bachelor” Begin March 17
ABC will premiere four new series, “Cashmere Mafia,” “Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann,”
“Eli Stone” and “Oprah’s Big Give,” in addition to the premiere of the much anticipated fourth season of “Lost” on Thursday, January 31 at 9:00 p.m.

“Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann” premieres with a special two-hour episode on Monday, January 7, followed by 90-minute episodes through January. “Notes from the Underbelly” and “October Road” will continue to air at 9:30 and 10:00 p.m., respectively. “Samantha Who?” will return with original episodes in February at 9:00 p.m. “Dancing with the Stars” and “The Bachelor” start new seasons on Monday, March 17.

“Just for Laughs” returns Tuesday, January 1, at 8:30 p.m., following the Rose Bowl, and will air back-to-back episodes Tuesday nights (8:00 and 8:30 p.m.), beginning January 8. “According to Jim” will also return January 1, with two episodes at 9:00 and 9:30 p.m. The series will regularly air at 9:00 p.m., followed by “Carpoolers” (9:30 p.m.) as of January 8. “Dancing with the Stars the Results Show” will return at 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25. “Boston Legal” will continue airing Tuesdays at 10:00 p.m.

“Wife Swap” will premiere at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 2, and “Supernanny” returns with special back-to-back episodes at 9:00 and 10:00 p.m. that same night. The new drama series “Cashmere Mafia” premieres in its regular timeslot at 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 9, following a special premiere on Thursday, January 3. Beginning February 27, “MEN IN TREES” will air Wednesdays at 10:00 p.m.

On Thursday nights in January, “Ugly Betty” will continue to air at 8:00 p.m., followed by “Grey’s Anatomy” at 9:00 p.m. and “Big Shots” at 10:00 p.m. “Lost” will premiere on January 31 at 9:00 p.m., followed by the premiere of “Eli Stone” at 10:00 p.m.

On Fridays, drama encores will air at 8:00 and 9:00 p.m., followed by “20/20″ at 10:00 p.m.

On Sunday nights, “Oprah’s Big Give” will premiere on Sunday, March 2 at 9:00 p.m.

ABC’s midseason primetime schedule is as follows (all times Eastern; new shows in bold):

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