NBC Unveils 12 New Series

NEW YORK: NBC’s new crop of shows for the 2011-2012 season includes six dramas and six comedies from the likes of Steven Spielberg, Lorne Michaels, Brian Grazer, Tom Werner, John Grisham and Peter Berg, among others, as the network looks to rebuild its schedule.

"Next season begins the rebuilding of the NBC primetime schedule, and our goal is to reinvigorate our audience with a lineup of appointment television that includes our best returning shows and a variety of innovative and attention-getting new series," said Bob Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment, announcing his first prime-time slate since joining the network. "We’ll be placing a great deal of emphasis on how we launch each one of our programs and on maximizing the network’s strengths throughout the fall and well into mid-season. Considering it’s only been three months since new management took over, I’m very pleased with what has resulted from a very strong pilot season. And with a powerful new asset like The Voice already in hand, we go into the 2011-12 season with cautious but incredible optimism."

The week begins with The Sing-Off at 8 p.m. Mondays, leading into the new pickup The Playboy Club. Exec-produced by Brian Grazer, the show is set in the early ’60s, focused on the patrons and staff of The Playboy Club in Chicago.

Tuesdays remain unchanged with the successful pairing of the two-hour The Biggest Loser and the returning family drama Parenthood. Wednesdays, meanwhile, see the introduction of two new comedies: Up All Night, a modern take on parenthood from Lorne Michaels starring Christina Applegate and Maya Rudolph; and Free Agents, based on a British comedy of the same name. Harry’s Law has been renewed to fill the 9 p.m. slot, leading into Law & Order: Special Victims Unit—the sole survivor of the Dick Wolf franchise, following Law & Order: Los Angeles‘ cancellation—at 10 p.m.

Thursdays will continue to be led by a two-hour comedy block: Community, Parks and Recreation and The Office are joined by Whitney, with 30 Rock due to return in midseason. The comedy block leads into the U.S. version of Prime Suspect, with Maria Bello in the lead role. The show is directed by Peter Berg.

Chuck relocates to Fridays for its fifth and final season, leading into the new drama Grimm, inspired by the classic fairy tales.

Midseason launches include the return of The Celebrity Apprentice plus the new drama The Firm, based on the John Grisham bestseller, produced by Entertainment One and Sony Pictures Television. Also for midseason are season two of The Voice on Mondays at 8 p.m. paired with Smash, a musical drama about the efforts to create a Broadway show about Marilyn Monroe.

Additional new series ready for midseason include the drama Awake and the comedies Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea, Best Friends Forever and Bent."