A very early look at NBC's pilots

March 22, 04:38 PM

All this week, the networks have been inviting advertisers to take a peek at their development for the coming season. Most of those sessions have been private, but NBC opens up its presentation to the press, hoping to give us (and, in turn, you) a look at what might be coming down the pike come fall.

Alas, though, most of the network's pilots are pretty early into their production -- if they've even started shooting at all. So what we did see was pretty brief, and included clips of producers talking about their shows as well as stuff from the shows themselves.

Which isn't to say there was nothing worthwhile to see at the presentation, which took place on the very chilly Deal or No Deal set in Culver City. Some of the clips hinted at potential, and for those interested in reading between the lines -- like me -- NBC boss Kevin Reilly offered what sounded like encouraging words about two current shows on the bubble for renewal, Friday Night Lights and 30 Rock.

Once again, Reilly trotted out the old Grant Tinker aphorism "First be best, then be first," and referred to NBC's four-year climb in the early '80s, which began with low-rated but high-quality shows like Hill Street Blues and Cheers and exploded with the addition of The Cosby Show in 1984.

"Nothing's guaranteed," Reilly said, "but I can't help believing that Friday Night Lights or 30 Rock can be a St. Elsewhere or a Cheers, and that rising ratings next year will lift all boats."

That's positive, right? You gotta believe, right?

Onto the pilots, then: The dramas as a whole don't look to be groundbreaking on the order of, say, Heroes, but given the talent involved in some of them, there could be potential there to bring some real depth the schedule.

The New York-set cop show Fort Pit, about a precinct where academy newbies mix with discipline-case veterans, has promise. It comes from the folks behind Rescue Me and looks to have much the same sensibility as that show, mixing drama with gallows humor.

Another Big Apple-based show, Mayor of New York, at least has a great pedigree: Tom Fontana (Homicide, Oz) wrote the pilot, and Spike Lee is directing it. It stars Bobby Cannavale as the city's public advocate, who becomes mayor when the current officeholder dies. One of the clips also featured Richard Belzer as his Law & Order: SVU character, John Munch, so if it's picked up, Belzer would extend his all-time record for playing the same character on different shows to eight (No. 7 being a one-off on Arrested Development in 2006).

Chuck, a Josh Schwartz-McG collaboration about a guy who has the NSA database downloaded into his brain, could be fun, or it could be a retread of Jake 2.0. With a cast that includes Damian Lewis and Robin Weigert, Life might be worth a peek too. The Bionic Woman hasn't started filming yet, and Journeyman and Lipstick Jungle didn't do a lot for me, though I reserve the right to change that opinion once I see more than 30 seconds of them.

Among the comedies, several of which are in the Office/Earl/30 Rock vein, I'd like to see more of I'm With Stupid, though I wonder how much chance a story about a wheelchair-bound guy who lets a homeless man crash at his group home has of being picked up. The little bit that was on film looked deadpan-good, though.

I'm also on board for Area 57, because Paul Reubens as an alien is just a brilliant idea. The rest of the cast -- Matthew Lillard, Jane Lynch and Bruce McGill among them -- is kind of interesting too.

The IT Crowd looks big and broad, and Zip -- well, I hadn't really even heard of Zip before, but its premise, con-artist dad scamming folks with the help of his three kids, isn't a bad one. The Mastersons of Manhattan, with Natasha Richardson and Molly Shannon, hasn't begun shooting.

At this point in the development process, there's really not much more to say than "Hmm." But I'd like to hear from you too: Anyone out there been looking at pilot scripts, seeing dailies, or at least reading about stuff? What looks good to you?

in Pilot Season

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Comments (28)

Comments

I've read the script for Life, and in my opinion, that program has very strong potential. And from what I've read online about the pilot, it has a solid cast and a strong creative team behind it. I for one really hope Life garners a spot on the fall schedule.

Ann | Mar 23, 2007 5:32:45 AM | #

zip sounds interesting but have you heard of the riches on fx pretty much the same thing. on the surface anyways

fanboy | Mar 26, 2007 4:56:18 AM | #

I know I don't see one listed, but it would be nice for a change if at least one network would develop a Western.

All the procedural type shows have been far overdone and it would nice to see at least one network try to break new ground or very old ground going in another direction.

I know I am in the minority, ubt I don't find any of the NBC sitcoms funny.

It would also be nice if they would develop more shows that weren't centered around New York.

Jane | Mar 26, 2007 6:30:34 AM | #

Keep the Thursday comedy block as is and pair up FNL with Heroes, as it had its best ratings of the season when following Heroes. It's too good to let go or neglect.

Michael | Mar 26, 2007 7:57:40 AM | #

Did they happen to mention Studio 60? Because... I'd really like for it to come back.

It's only the best show on TV.

Matthew Perry | Mar 26, 2007 8:24:01 AM | #

No word on Studio 60?? I'm hoping they will give it another chance. It's much better than the Black Donnellys!

SnnR | Mar 26, 2007 10:59:25 AM | #

I hope they bring back Studio 60, but only after they do some serious re-casting. The writing's great, though.

Sharon Sporkin | Mar 26, 2007 11:06:31 AM | #

Studio 60 needs a new night, additional promotion and another season. Much better than Friday Night Lights.

Frank Errington | Mar 26, 2007 11:16:23 AM | #

There was no mention of either "Studio 60" or "The Black Donnellys." It's looking like both are on the way out.

"Studio 60" is/was a pretty expensive show, which probably isn't helping its chances.

Rick | Mar 26, 2007 12:02:47 PM | #

I haven't watched much alien TV since the Roswell days... but Area 57 sounds interesting, if only for Matthew Lillard.
Not much else really caught my eye, but you never know.

Mandy | Mar 26, 2007 12:11:38 PM | #

I can't believe that NBC boss Kevin Reilly mentions the possible/likely renewal of "30 Rock" but offers no insight ot the fate of the much higher-rated (and far superior) "Studio 60." What gives? If NBC wants to spout things like "quality first, ratings later," then how can they omit S60 from the lineup? I know viewership was down a bit the last couple of episodes, but that's mostly due to the fact that viewers are tired of getting hooked on good shows and having them pulled, I'm sure. It still was the most time-delayed viewing of all shows on TV. I mean, the next funny thing on "30 Rock" will be the first! That show offers proof that just being quirky doesn't necessarily mean funny. I also know that NBC is in severe cost-cutting mode right now, but if they continue to go on the cheap, the network will never recover its status as the No. 1 network.

A | Mar 26, 2007 1:38:09 PM | #

How short-sight to not even throw a bone to the more intelligent in your audience. You know who the are, right?

Those who are only interested in creative writing and smart dialogue, such as that which they saw during the short run of Studio 60.

I guess you can live without them, huh?

Lee B | Mar 26, 2007 2:03:09 PM | #

So what about Scrubs, the best show on television? Any mention of it returning at all?

Paul | Mar 26, 2007 3:11:40 PM | #

I should clarify that the purpose of the presentation was to give advertisers a look at pilots and not really to talk about current shows. The quote in the original post about "Friday Night Lights" and "30 Rock" was about the only direct reference to any shows currently on the air.

As to "Scrubs," the consensus seems to be that if NBC doesn't renew it, it will probably end up on ABC since Disney produces it and ABC has had zero success with its new comedies this year.

Rick | Mar 26, 2007 3:33:03 PM | #

IMHO NBC can't possibly give The Black Donnelly's a second season when it's done about the same as Studio 60. S60 also does about the same as FNL and 30 Rock. Here are the ratings for the last new episodes for S60, 30 Rock, FNL and The Black Donnelly's.
S60's last new episode had a 4.1rating/7share, did 2.6 in the 18-49 demo and had a total of 6.10 viewers.
FNL's last new episode had a 3.8rating/6share, did 1.8 in the 18-49 demo and had a total of 5.46 viewers.
30 Rock's last new episode had a 3.3rating/5share, did 2.5 in the 18-49 demo and had a total of 5.15 viewers.
The Black Donnelly's last new episode had a 3.9/6 rating/share, did 2.4 in the 18-49 demo and had a total of 5.53 veiwers.
I guess it just boils down to what shows they think have potential. In my opinion S60 should be given a chance in a new time slot and if it doesn't do well I wouldn't mind if they cancelled it. Just seems to me that they've given 30 Rock and Friday Night Lights more of a shot than S60 as they have tried both of those shows in different time slot but have not given S60 the same luxury and have pretty much just kept it where it's at. Perhaps an ealier time slot would help S60. O well, I can't complain too much since they did renew Heroes which is must see tv IMHO.

Paul M | Mar 26, 2007 4:34:04 PM | #

If Studio 60 doesn't return, NBC can completely forget about me watching any of their other shows. I'll turn every tv in the house onto the CW and just let'em run....

Boycott NBC | Mar 26, 2007 4:38:22 PM | #

I am not currently watching any shows on NBC. Their schedule at the start of the '06-'07 season was boring. None of the new shows interested me enough to set my time aside for them after the intial viewing. I wanted to like Keroes but just didn't---too many characters to keep up with and of course you know someone was going to get killed. I am tired of shows killing off characters for the sake of interest and to keep viewers guessing. It has become as predictable as a laugh track. I have an interest in The Bionic Woman at this point.

everwood | Mar 26, 2007 5:10:11 PM | #

Here's hoping that NBC keeps 30 Rock and FNL, two of the best shows introduced this year -- either of which is exponentially better than the annoying S60 which except for the cache of its cast and headwriter should have been killed off months ago.

Lisa | Mar 26, 2007 7:01:37 PM | #

Something else must be going on here. NBC only has one show with the weight, the gravitas, that could possibly develop the audience, and to exhibit the quality, to "lift all boats," and that series is Studio 60. Are the people making the decisions at NBC really so clueless as to think these other series might do that? Such stupidity would be hard to believe. So what else is going on? Is it personal, somehow? Studio 60 is the one horse NBC can ride as to moment, and legacy. It is the best show in their stable. (Actually, the best show on any netweork, when it's on.) Studio 60 is NBC's best chance.
Many of us will be alienated and angry at NBC for years and years and years to come, if they don't stand behind this excellent program.

pjg | Mar 26, 2007 10:01:48 PM | #

Ive read the script for "Chuck" and really liked it. Out of all the scripts Ive read this season, it's in the top two. Its funny and smart, has action and depth. I really hope it takes off!

Rene | Mar 27, 2007 5:06:29 PM | #

Im boycotting NBC too if they
dont bring back Studio 60
Great dialog, great characters...Lots of good
stories in that group !
As for the comedies, I havent
really found anything very
funny since Seinfield left.
but thats just me.

LIZ | Mar 28, 2007 2:41:51 PM | #

For anyone who has ever been associated with high school football, FNL is an incredible series. They have managed to capture the essence of small town USA football and high school life. This series is one of the top 10 all-time shows.

NBC made a major faus pas in cancelling "Surface" last year. The only reason I am watching NBC at all is because of Heroes and FNL. If they cancel FNL, the only time I will tune to NBC is for Heroes. NBC does not have many more chances before they start to decline again to the lowest rated network.

Jon | Mar 28, 2007 6:52:36 PM | #

Friday Night Lights is a drama with depth and character like few other shows on television. I think it's just a matter of time before the ratings start climbing. Give it a chance NBC!

Katie Knox | Mar 29, 2007 6:13:05 AM | #

I really like 30 Rock. I am glad to hear it has a chance to come back next year. The ep where Alec Baldwin does the "Product Integration" video was one of the funniest things I have seen in ages.
I am also holding out hope that "Andy Barker" and "Raines" will be back next year. Mostly because I like Andy and want him to do well but the show is funny too.
I like Studio 60 but it is Not At All the best show on TV. It uses various tired cliches (the roof scene) just like other shows out there do.
Honestly the shows that I most look forward to seeing are on FX (The Shield, Rescue Me) and HBO (Deadwood, Big Love). Not because cable can go further (although that helps) but because I am likely to get an entire season or two out of them even if they don't beat all in the ratings, and there is no Big Stupid Hiatus in the middle of the season screwing up the flow.
But I will also admit that HBO and FX have begun going downhill (Deadwood canceled, Lucky canceled) for dependability.
I just wish shows would have a nailed down story to tell in a nailed down number of seasons and tell it. Life would be so much easier that way.

Blender | Mar 29, 2007 3:45:49 PM | #

I'm not sure if the opinion of a Canadian matters, but here is my 2 cents: Keep FNL and S60 where it belongs-- on the air.

Maria | Apr 7, 2007 10:39:20 PM | #