NBC goes for laughs, backs This is Us

UPFRONT: US broadcaster NBC has unveiled a trio of new scripted shows for next season, citing a renewed focus on comedy, while greenlighting a landmark three new seasons of This is Us.

The new slate will see four new dramas and four new comedies added over the course of the 2019/20 season, including two new additions to its Thursday night comedy line-up.

These are Perfect Harmony, in which Bradley Whitford returns to the network to star as a former Princeton music professor who finds himself unexpectedly presiding over a small-town church choir, and Sunnyside, from star Kal Penn and executive producer Michael Schur.

Sunnyside tells the story of a disgraced New York City councilman turned champion for a diverse group of hopefuls who dream of becoming American citizens.

The two shows are being produced by 20th Century Fox Television and Small Dog Picture Company, and Universal Television in association with Fremulon and 3 Arts Entertainment, respectively.

Perfect Harmony will air in between Superstore and The Good Place at 20.30, while Sunnyside will air in between the latter and Law & Order: SVU at 21.30 on Thursdays.

Meanwhile, the newest drama to join the fall schedule is Bluff City Law, starring Emmy winner Jimmy Smits in his return to the network.

Described as a legal family drama, the series reunites a father and daughter attorney duo as they take on social injustice. It is produced by Universal Television in association with David Janollari Entertainment and will air after The Voice on Monday evenings between 22.00 and 23.00.

Meanwhile, This is Us has received an “unprecedent” three-season renewal across the next three years, announced Lisa Katz and Tracey Pakosta, presidents of scripted programming at NBC Entertainment.

“In a television landscape with nearly 500 original scripted series, there are very few, if any, that have the critical and cultural impact of This Is Us,” the pair said in a joint statement about the 20th Century Fox Television drama.

New series joining the NBC line-up midseason are Council of Dads, from executive producer Jerry Bruckheimer, which follows a father of four who calls on a few of his closest allies to step in as back-up dads following a personal health scare.

It is produced by Universal Television in association with Jerry Bruckheimer Television and Midwest Livestock Productions.

Lincoln, based on the best-selling book The Bone Collector, follows a former NYPD detective and forensic genius and his new partner as they join forces to crack the city’s most confounding cases, all while working to bring down a notorious serial killer.

It is produced by Universal Television and Sony Pictures Television and in association with Keshet Studios.

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, stars Jane Levy (Suburgatory) as a computer coder who, following an unusual event, starts to hear the innermost wants and desires of the people around her through songs.

It is produced by Lionsgate in association with the Tannenbaum Company, FeigCo Entertainment and Universal Music Group.

Joining the comedy line-up later this season is Indebted, in which a young man’s parents show up unannounced and broke, leaving him and his wife with no choice but to open the door to the people who gave him everything.

Also joining the sked is family comedy The Kenan Show, which will see Saturday Night Live star Kenan Thompson strive to be a super dad to his two girls while simultaneously balancing his job and a father-in-law who ‘helps’ in inappropriate ways.

The two shows are produced by Sony Pictures Television in association with Doug Robinson Productions, and Universal Television in association with Broadway Video, respectively.

Returning series to complement the new shows include scripted series Blindspot, which has been renewed for its fifth and final season, along with The Blacklist, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Chicago P.D., Manifest, Good Girls, New Amsterdam and Will & Grace.

Additional previously announced new series include Bring the Funny, Small Fortune, Songland, That’s My Jam and the return of Who Do You Think You Are?.

NBC said it has yet to make a decision on the future of Abby’s, A.P. Bio, The Enemy Within, The InBetween, The Titan Games and The Village.

On the unscripted side, America’s Got Talent: The Champions and World of Dance have been renewed, while Ellen’s Game of Games, Hollywood Game Night, The Wall and Little Big Shots will all return, the latter with new host Melissa McCarthy replacing Steve Harvey.

“We came into this season from the vantage point of extreme stability, but without any complacency,” said George Cheeks and Paul Telegdy, co-chairmen, NBC Entertainment, in a joint statement.

“Our 52-week schedule takes into account the seismic shift in viewing habits, balancing short-term wins with long-term potential. Comedy is at the heart of the NBC brand, and we’ve picked up four new comedies that we think viewers will love for generations to come.

“Our new dramas will compel audiences to tune in week after week to our network while also delivering binge-worthy storylines, and our unparalleled alternative programmes continue to delight audiences of all ages, providing enviable launch pads for many of our new shows.”

NBC fall 2019/20 schedule (new shows in caps)

MONDAY
20.00-22.00 The Voice
22.00-23.00 BLUFF CITY LAW

TUESDAY
20.00-21.00 The Voice
21.00-22.00 This Is Us
22.00-23.00 New Amsterdam

WEDNESDAY
20.00-21.00 Chicago Med
21.00-22.00 Chicago Fire
22.00-23.00 Chicago PD

THURSDAY
20.00-20.30 Superstore
20.30-21.00 PERFECT HARMONY
21.00-21.30 The Good Place
21.30-22.00 SUNNYSIDE
22.00-23.00 Law & Order: SVU

FRIDAY
20.00-21.00 The Blacklist
21.00-23.00 Dateline NBC

SATURDAY
20.00-22.00 Dateline Saturday Night Mystery
22.00-23.00 Saturday Night Live (encores)

SUNDAY
19.00-20.20 Football Night in America
20.20-23.00 NBC Sunday Night Football

Midseason: Indebted, The Kenan Show, Council of Dads, Lincoln, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.