it's the most wonderful time of the year: upfronts! the networks started unveiling their new fall slates this week- here's a look at what will be a hit (and what will bomb) on nbc.
the hits
the big trend for the networks this year was mad men-style dramas. nbc's take, the playboy, club looks like it'll mix a lot of sex with a lot of mystery. in just the trailer (above), we already know someone dies. yeah. the playboy club is also a big risk for the net, which could lose big associating itself with a controversial brand.
welcome back, christina applegate. after abc canceled (for no reason!) samantha who?, the sitcom star returns with up all night, which follows her life as a working mom who wasn't quite ready to become a mom. the supporting cast- will arnett as her husband and maya rudolph as her wack-a-doo boss- add to the show's ante. also helping the show? nbc isn't adding it to the network's past-its-prime thursday night comedy block. instead, it will anchor a new comedy hour on wednesdays with free agents, a show that could go either way.
chelsea handler hits primetime. the late-night funny lady serves as the inspiration behind are you there vodka? it's me, chelsea, inspired by her book of the same name. the smartest thing about the series? that handler isn't starring as herself. instead, that 70s show star laura prepon takes the leading role, while handler will pop up in guest stints as her own older sister. the dumbest thing about the series? that nbc's holding it over until midseason, which means we won't get to see it until january ... at the earliest.
another show nbc's holding back is smash, which has been described as glee for adults. the series follows the creation of a broadway musical about marilyn monroe. from the short trailer, i'm already a fan. the series stars will & grace's debra messing and american idol alum katherine mcphee, and will follow the midseason launch of nbc's the voice.
the misses
who told the networks we wanted to watch fairy tales? both nbc and abc plan to launch fairy tale-inspired series this fall. because adults are into that, right? wrong. check out the trailer for grimm, a crime procedural inspired by the grimm fairy tales. yeah. might as well pull this one right now.
there are a lot of shows coming out next season that would probably make great movies. bad tv shows, but great movies. awake falls into that category. these high-concept mystery series just don't lend themselves to the small screen (see: the event). if you're interested, awake follows the lives of people who are actually living in two different worlds.
to check out all of nbc's new shows (those not listed here could go either way), click here.
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