“Everything on television is born under a death sentence, they just don’t tell you when the execution date is.” – Dick Wolf, creator and executive producer of the “Law & Order” franchise
It has been a long time since anyone who cares about TV took NBC very seriously. From the top down, the network spent more than a decade making a hobby of ruining its brand and trashing its relationship with viewers.
But what’s done is done…we hope.
On Friday, network executives Angela Bromstad and Jeff Gaspin humbly expressed their hope that viewers are willing to get over the multiple betrayals and move forward. Join us, they said in so many words, won’t you?
This fall NBC has a couple of decent shows — and the guts to let “30 Rock” air a live episode on October 14 — so they’re not completely blowing smoke. That said, none of the critics here seem particularly excited about NBC’s new crop. The J.J. Abrams-created romantic spy dramedy “Undercovers” is a bit of an exception; most poeple seem to like it, but even that excitement is slightly muted.
Instead, as we watched most the new candidates make their cases onstage, we couldn’t help thinking of Dick Wolf’s fresh quote on a TV show’s life expectancy. Among the seven new series NBC showcased, only “Undercovers” has a pilot indicating the show could have the goods to make it to a May finale. Another, “The Event,” is already pleading for your faith that it knows where it’s going, and a third, “Outlaw,” is banking on the audience’s decades-long love affair with Jimmy Smits. The L.A. version of “Law & Order” is still casting and, according to Wolf, still figuring out what it’s going to look and feel like.
Then there’s “Outsourced” and “Chase“…we’ll rip into those in a bit.
First up was a panel for “The Event,” which is a show about…honestly, I can’t tell you. It’s not that I’ve been sworn to secrecy, it’s that the pilot is fairly elaborate and involves a lot of time jumping, a guy running from security on what it supposed to be a pleasure cruise, and a crisis involving an airplane. People have mixed feelings on “The Event,” largely born out of “24” and “Lost” fatigue.
The executive producers were careful to let us know, many times, that the inciting moment that occurs in the pilot will be explained in the second episode, and that the writers do not intend to drag things out like a certain other show. One even went so far as to call the premiere an “invitation” to the series.”
“You have to go on faith that we know what we’re doing,” said series creator Nick Wauters. “We will reveal as many answers as we can and set up more mysteries.”
Here’s the flaw in that plan. If people do not care about what happens in the pilot, they will not be back for the second episode. Meaning, the producers are putting a lot of faith in the audience’s patience for mysterious shenanigans.
In contrast, “Undercovers” grabs you, drops you right in the middle of the party for an hour and then gives you the option of heading for the door, which is what any well-made pilot should do. “Lost” followers might be a bit taken aback by its light, frothy tone (courtesy of E.P. and “Felicity” alum Josh Reims) but overall the first hour gives us multiple payoffs immediately. There are two gorgeous leads (Boris Kodjoe and Gugu Mbatha-Raw), there’s the crisp and humorous script and heavy dollops of action.
Then came Wolf, who gave no clear indication that “Law & Order: Los Angeles” (or LOLA, as NBC would like us to call it) would be remarkably different from the classic version. That would be fine, about ten years ago. There are a few reasons “Law & Order” died following one of the longest runs on television history; one is that the franchise has saturated the cable TV schedule thanks to syndicated cycles. There is never, ever a day that you can’t find at least two “Law & Order” episodes playing somewhere. While that’ s a testament to the franchise’s success, its also proof that Wolf might want to update its tone. He’s a smart man, he knows this.
As such, we’re betting “Law & Order: LA” will look more like the “NCIS’s” and “Criminal Minds” of the world, with more action and fewer Dragnet-style, “just the facts, ma’am” moments. One exciting item that came out of Friday’s panel was the hire of Terrence Howard as the second Deputy District Attorney, a position he’ll split with Alfred Molina. Each will appear in half of the first season’s episodes.
Wolf’s appearance represented the apex of the day. The afternoon brought “Outsourced,” an alleged comedy about an American manager who is ordered to head up a call center in India. The cast includes Diedrich Bader, an actor who has not let his relative success get in the way of his charming personality. One desires nothing but success for Bader. One also wishes he were in any show but this one.
There are a number of problems with “Outsourced,” although a favorite theme of Friday’s panel had to do with the perceived stereotypes in the pilot. Two more prevalent issues, however, became apparent when one critic told the producers that he had to show the pilot to his teenage son to gauge whether it was funny or offensive. The man said his son informed him that it was funny because it’s offensive. I submit that a) it is neither absolutely offensive nor at all funny, and b) if you have to ask anyone else, regardless of age, if a sitcom pilot is funny, the pilot doesn’t work.
“Chase” is a different animal, basically an NBC version of a high-velocity CBS procedural. Kelli Giddish heads up a team of U.S. Marshals whose job is to track and capture a dangerous criminal every week, which leads to a lot of scenes that have Giddish’s and fellow castmate Cole Hauser‘s’ characters getting inside the heads of the felons in order to guess where they’re going. Unless you’re a fan of that procedural style, this show will not be for you.
One bad sign for “Chase” is that this writer was in a minority of critics who admitted, out loud, that they liked the pilot (even if I would not go out of my way to watch subsequent episodes). Then again, many critics couldn’t stand “Criminal Minds” when it first came to TCA. Look at where that ended up.
Other highlights of from Friday:
– NBC’s executives made a few special announcements about adjustments to the fall schedule, including early premieres for “Parenthood” (now starting its new season on September 14) and new series “Outlaw” (debuting 9/15). “Law & Order: SVU” will get a two-hour premiere on 9/22, leaving “Law & Order: LA” to bow on 9/29.
– Rob Lowe is officially a series regular on “Parks and Recreation,” and Drew Carey will make a multi-episode guest appearance on “Community.”
– Fall will include a test of how well the audience loves Jimmy Smits. Yes, he was darn sexy in “L.A. Law,” and he even mentioned Victor Sifuentes during “Outlaw’s” panel, but that was a long time ago. Plus, “Law” operated on a far less ridiculous premise than a womanizing Supreme Court justice with a gambling problem (??) who quits (!!!) to defend people caught up in hopeless cases. Oh, Jimmy…good luck with the Nielsen ratings jury on that one.
– “School Pride,” an unscripted series executive produced by “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star Cheryl Hines, would likely be called “Extreme Makeover: High School Edition” if it were on ABC, because that’s what it is. Each week a crew goes to a different inner city school lacking decent facilities and gives it a structural and cosmetic upgrade. It’s a heartstrings-tugger with its intentions in the right place. Yet to be proven is if it’s a good fit for this network.
– There was no presentation for “Top Chef: Just Desserts,” but chef’testants were on hand to present four delicious, eye-popping creations, including a margarita truffle and a bite-sized lemon meringue treat topped by sparkling blueberries. This made the announcement of the “Ghost Hunters“/”Real Housewives of Atlanta” crossover event much more palatable.
Next up: ABC.
Follow IMDbTV on Twitter to get the latest breaking information on Fall TV developments as they’re announced at TCA.
#1 by calculus - July 31st, 2010 at 15:02
ok… i need to check out ‘community’ … sounds inneresting..
and rob lowe? ok… i finally have to now.. check out P&R
im sorry i didnt .. till now.. somehow i’ve always liked rob in comedy…
listening to:
mike posner: cooler than me
#2 by RicardoCabeza - July 31st, 2010 at 15:54
Dear Dick Wolf,
I can tell you the execution date for for L&O:LA. It’s the thirteenth episode or December which ever comes first.
Moving the the concept to Hell won’t work since NYC was for all intents and purposes a cast member, it’s what gave the show it’s distinctive feel and vibe. By relocating it Hell A you make the show entirely generic and the casting hasn’t helped.
Memo to NBC try to make GOOD shows instead of the plate full of dreck you have been serving. Also There might have a love affair among gays and girls with Smits but he hasn’t aged well and the show looks sappy as hell. It’s an early cancellation.
Sincerely,
RicardoCabeza
#3 by so what - July 31st, 2010 at 19:17
Re: NBC Wants You Back!
No, thanks I rather watch much better shows on HBO, Showtime, AMC, TNT, or cable access before I come on back to NBC. NBC is worse than a bad baby’s Daddy promising things, not cashing in on promises, and just plain abusing their staff and the viewer(see Conan). J J, Boris, and Natasha(sorry I don’t know young lady’s name from the show) seem to have a promising show and it looks slick. But will it be original enough to not be compared to Mr. and Mrs. Smith? Speaking of slick the show maybe too slick for its on good. Outsourced seems like another version of Office, Parks and Recreation, and Community but this time it takes place in India and I have a funny feeling most of the jokes are going to be at the expense of the Indians to make a point that Americans are pissed at them for outsourcing their jobs. Has anyone realized that Americans got us into this outsourcing business? Also that lazy exec, really did he have to ask his son whether something was offensive or funny. This shows a person who is so wrapped up in Hollywood that he has lost touch with the world. This would be the time you should have zipped it and kept that to yourself.
I have to be honest here, but, none of the shows on any of the networks has me going “Oh my God, I have to watch this show.” ABC has No Ordinary Family which got a little tiny spark out of me but it fizzled for me. Over on CBS *Blank* My Dad Says seems like it might not move from being a one gimmick show. Fox, well who knows what is going to be on the schedule until the shows actually premiere and you see constant promo saying “Coming in two weeks.” Cable seems to be winning the war with quality and shows that are drawing fans in like True Blood, Closer, and the new kid on the block Rizzoli and Isles. AMC is pulling some punches with Mad Men, Breaking Bad, and the newly minted brain tease Rubicon. Rubicon seems to be one of the only shows I have looked forward to in a long time.
Wouldn’t it be nice that one of the networks says all hell with it and we are going to produce show shows with quality which draw in the viewers? I don’t sounds like NBC used to be in the late 80′s with shows such as Cosby Show. Sike! Wishful thinking.
#4 by Woodrow Wilson Smith - July 31st, 2010 at 19:28
You’re kidding right ? Unless NBC has taken steps to curb their many quality control issues how can I as a viewer be expected to invest time into a series that will almost certainly be canceled?
Not to mention that virtually every “new” show they are offering are highly derivative of other existing shows. They are just trotting out the same old garbage and hoping that somehow no-one will notice.
I’ll spend my time on TV from networks like HBO and Starz – their brands are synonymous with quality and I’m far less likely to be left hanging after a show is canceled mid-season.
NBC is fighting a losing battle for a share of the shrinking pie that is network TV. Unless they make radical changes, and realize that viewers, not cable operators are their customers they have no long term future.
#5 by Don - July 31st, 2010 at 19:45
Sorry NBC. Don’t care about any of your new shows, since you didn’t care about Heroes and cancelled it. I won’t be watching anything on your network this year. I’m not coming back.
#6 by TC - July 31st, 2010 at 22:03
NBC wants me back? Can NBC un-do all those poor decisions they’ve made over the past 15 years that have totally alienated me and caused me to trash their name at every opportunity I get?
Can NBC admit they were lacking vision and are unable to allow a show ample time to find an audience? Can NBC admit that they made several critical creative errors that doomed many an enjoyable show? Can NBC guarantee that even if they allow promising new shows the chance to blossom, they won’t relegate them to graveyard-shift time slots, or worse yet — muck with the formula so the show ‘Jumps the shark’?
Until NBC can fulfill all of the above, I am afraid it will be a very long time before I even consider checking out even one of their shows, old or new. I’ve been disappointed by NBC for far too long; they can’t have me back.
#7 by s keller - August 1st, 2010 at 00:25
O.k. This is what I never understand. Why do the networks cancel awesome shows that already have an audience who is truly going to miss them and put new things on with no guarantee they will succeed? I know no show can last forever; but why not let them burn out naturally without ripping the rug out from under them? Adding a lot of new shows every year does not seem necessary. I am still in shock that Cold Case was cancelled! It is my favorite show. It is also the best show on television. There is no other show like it. The actors are so talented; and the characters are so lovable. There is a character everyone can relate to – with each one having a diverse background. It also sends a lovely message of hope – that even after years, a cold case can still be solved. With all the sadness and tradgedy in the world right now, this is something I believe is sorely needed. With such sad storylines, they manage to add humor, too. I laugh so hard at some of the things the characters say. Unlike other crime shows, it keeps you guessing right up to end. At the end of most episodes, I am near tears. This is such a moving and entertaining show! And – when it ends I always say the same thing to myself: How can they cancel this? Especially to replace it with some of the absolutely stupid new programs I have had the misfortune of seeing clips of. UNBELIEVABLE! The New Adventures of Old Christine is another example. There was nothing wrong with this show. And it is not just one network – it is all of them. One of these networks should do all of us and themselves a favor by passing on this new stuff and picking up one of these cancelled shows. (Hint: Cold Case). It has been done before with success i.e. Law and Order Criminal Intent, Southland, Scrubs, Different Strokes (Yeah I know that has been a while, but you get the idea). If I owned a network, I would be buying up these shows and then sitting back and laughing as most of this new stuff (which always happens) bites the dust. But since I do not, I guess I am stuck with the suckiness of losing my favorite show and trying to decide what I will watch now. Slim pickings. I really do not watch much television anyway, so maybe I will just give up and devote more time to reading. I could go on; but Cold Case is coming on – and I got to watch it while I can.
#8 by John - August 1st, 2010 at 05:18
To Keller:
“I know no show can last forever; but why not let them burn out naturally without ripping the rug out from under them?”
_________
I agree with most of what you said right there, except for Heroes. Now, I’m no member of Mensa, nor am I Rainman, although I am an excellent driver. Heroes was great in it’s first season, maybe even through it’s second. But, please don’t tell me that you could follow it, with all the damn flashbacks, 9 out of 10 people having a “power”, and constantly bringing in a new Hero without letting the previous introduction lay it’s foundation in the show. The show got way too confusing to follow, especially if you missed a week. After, or should I say, during the 3rd season, I pretty much stopped watching it. So, basically I’m saying that Heroes was on long enough to burn itself out, and for that, you can give NBC the credit. One last thing though. Please put Hayden P. on another show. I don’t care what station signs her, just do it.
#9 by Juke Early - August 1st, 2010 at 05:42
NBC has had & still has the smartest sit-coms on TV. Their problem is dumping shows such as JOURNEYMAN & attempting the LCD cop, doc & frock content CBS & ABC spew out with no attempt to create. Only FOX has more creativity, which they typically greenlight then prematurely total. Over the Air TV can’t compete w/pay programming’s freedom, so they hone to the mundane, formulaic crap that would bore a 4 year old. Don’t blame NBC because most Americans have low IQ’s.
#10 by Juke Early - August 1st, 2010 at 05:46
PS – no major OTA network aired 2 better scripted shows than NBC’s The WEST WING & SEINFELD in the last 60 years. Only early X-Files comes close. End of story.
#11 by anon - August 1st, 2010 at 06:24
All this sounds so….sad. And boring. Same old same old.
When ER ended, that was the last time I actually watched anything on NBC. They should just GIVE UP and run informercials or something, because TV programs people might actually watch seem to be a thing of the past.
#12 by David - August 1st, 2010 at 06:30
I’m sorry but after what they did to Conan, they have a very, very, very long way to go to gain my forgiveness. I revel at the fact that Leno’s ratings are now worst than his. Its exactly what they deserve, and oh I forgot Conan’s not even on the air yet.
As to their assorted blunders, TV execs need to remember the less that MASH taught CBS. In its first year it never peaked higher than 46, yet the executives supported the show and backed it. Eleven years later they were rewarded with the record for largest audience for a television program ever. All because they chose to give it a chance. In today’s era, executives for some inane reason believe that a show has to be a blockbuster hit from Day 1 and if it isn’t its yanked. They expected the show to perform like a Lost, when in fact history tells us that the shows that are popular always gain their audience over time – just like a fine wine gets better with age.
#13 by dave - August 1st, 2010 at 06:35
NBC will have a show I like, such as Sea Quest, Earth 2, e-ring, or Vegas and yank them out from under me. If it’s a show about nothing i.e Friend or Sienfeld, it stays on forever. They will never live down Star Trek either. Then they wonder why I would rather watch a test pattern than NBC.
#14 by Bec - August 1st, 2010 at 06:50
Sorry, NBC. You didn’t pick up “Rex” and instead picked up some cheap dumb shit called “Outsourced” that won’t last ten minutes. I am gone and I am NOT coming back to you.
#15 by sheepy - August 1st, 2010 at 07:12
I don’t have cable. I’m hoping for a very good fall movie season in the theater.
#16 by jules - August 1st, 2010 at 07:17
After what they did to Conan? HA! My only satisfaction is that Leno’s ratings have tanked worse than Conan’s ever did.
NBC is dead to me.
#17 by Vrildox - August 1st, 2010 at 07:22
What? I don’t think so. NBC stands for “Nothing But Crap” and that is what I am seeing this year again. How can this network get any rating when they just rehash the same crap and still bow at the alter of Dick Wolf. Well I won’t be watching, I’d rather read a book!
#18 by Brian - August 1st, 2010 at 10:52
the ONLY reason I turned the cable back on for last season was for HEROES. Once that ended in Feb, I turned it off and finished watching Lost, Survivor (only back for All-Stars) and Dr. Who online.
like many above, after NBC’s actions this past year with Conan and Heroes, I don’t think I’ll ever watch TV at all again. Don’t even bother teasing me with that Heroes “movie/mini/event”, either. Be mature and announce it’s officially dead once the s4 dvd hits, NBC.
#19 by ChrisCJR - August 1st, 2010 at 11:08
So, NBC wants us to trust them. Well, I will once they give Law & Order and Heroes their final seasons. Why should I invest in one of their new shows when they just recently announced they’re killing off their old ones without proper endings. I know they promised and ending to Heroes, but I’ll believe it when I see it.
My point is, even if the Event makes it through the season, their actions this spring indicate the network has not changed at all nor learned anything about what the viewers want. A story should have a beginning, middle, and end. NBC’s shows almost always have a beginning and middle, but are canceled before the ending. They canceled shows without proper endings this spring and they will next spring too, it’s the exact same people running the show.
Face it NBC, you don’t know how to tell a story. I’m watching ABC, Fox, and CBS this fall. Heck, ABC even let Ugly Betty go with dignity and look at its ratings.
#20 by BJM - August 1st, 2010 at 12:48
Hmmm-let’s see. They cancelled Law & Order. No thanks!
#21 by conanthepunctual - August 1st, 2010 at 13:05
Okay, I generally don’t pay attention to which network a given show is on. I just set my DVR and watch the shows when I get a chance. So I checked it out and many of my favorite shows just happened to be on NBC.
The new stuff mentioned in this article sounds pretty lame, with the possible exception of Outsourced. I’m assuming it’s based on the movie of the same name. The movie was sweet and fun – will that translate well to an ongoing series? I don’t know.
Parenthood is an excellent show. Heroes was good till it went really, really, really bad and they finally pulled the plug in what I can only describe as an act of mercy. Community is easily one of the most clever comedies on TV. Chuck’s just a very fun show that looks set up to be even more fun next season.
So, I don’t know about them overall as a network, but they certainly have at least a few shows I really enjoy.
#22 by Tom - August 1st, 2010 at 13:45
Sorry. Not gonna happen. The old adage about fool me once comes to mind.
#23 by John - August 1st, 2010 at 14:30
I’m so disappointed that “Mercy” and “Trauma” were cancelled that I don’t know if I can forgive NBC anytime soon – I certainly don’t plan to watch anything this fall. That “Outsourced” sounds absolutely awful; it’s too bad Diedrich Bader has to resort to appearing in something like that.
#24 by Corrina L. Clark - August 1st, 2010 at 16:08
My name is Corrina Clark and me and 15 million Heroes fans will not forgive NBC so generously. Watch out NBC… we will be shortly at every NBC news station in every state and province and every country in the world picketing.. ha ha.
I am afraid we do have you outnumbered.
donations will be collected and given to the first network other than NBC to release a new season.
Sell Heroes NOW!
TNT, CW, USA, SyFy
we respect all of them more than you.
We don’t trust you anymore. You have destroyed and canceled every show we ever liked. and WE are not taking canceled as an answer.
#25 by Robert - August 1st, 2010 at 16:21
BRING BACK HEROES!!!! Now i know that there are some people who arent fans of heroes and believes it was either too confusing, or dumb. But I have been an avid heroes fan and have not missed one episode since the whole show began. And I hate to see the show just die like it did. The way the last season ended gave me a feeling that the new season that was canceled had some serious potential.
NBC really needs to let shows burn out like a previous person stated, not just say “FFFUUU” in the middle of something.
#26 by Beth - August 8th, 2010 at 21:01
NBC was great back in the ‘Friends’ days but has since seriously declined. I’ll admit that ’30 Rock’ is a great show but that’s about it. They bring aboard a great show, get you invested in it, then, out of nowhere, drop it and leave you hanging. One in particular that got me was the recent cancellation of ‘Mercy’. ‘Mercy’ was a fresh and exciting twist to your average medical drama with a fresh, new, and incredibly talented cast. They simply needed a new time slot. I mean come on, a medical drama airing at 8 p.m. eastern standard time? Are you kidding me?!? That’s way to early to get a solid audience. The show aired at 5 p.m. western standard time…most people aren’t even home from work at that hour. NBC had an amazing show that could have gotten record breaking ratings right at their fingertips but rather than put in the small effort of changing time slots, they decide to cancel it all together so no, to answer their pitiful begs I will NOT be tuning in to any of their new shows. Any other networks would be ill-advised not to pick up Mercy.