NBC Orders Five Series

UNIVERSAL CITY: NBC has added five shows to its roster, including J.J. Abrams’ new thriller Revolution and a single-camera comedy from Glee creator Ryan Murphy, The New Normal.

Murphy, who is also behind FX’s American Horror Story, directed the pilot from a script he co-wrote with Ali Adler. The show is about a gay couple and their surrogate. Revolution is about a group of people who are struggling to survive and reunite with loved ones in a world where all energy forms have mysteriously ceased to exist. Bryan Burk and Abrams are exec producing alongside writer Eric Kripke.

The network also picked up the family sitcom 1600 Penn, set in the White House. Bill Pullman plays the president and Jenna Elfman the first lady. Save Me is a comedy led by Anne Heche, who portrays a woman who believes she is channeling god after surviving an accident. Animal Practice centers on a veterinarian, played by Weeds‘ Justin Kirk, who loves animals but loathes their owners.