NBC announced in their upfronts, which is the important unveiling of shows to their most important customers - their advertisers. Here's what we know:Come fall, four new scripted series are slated:
• "My Own Worst Enemy," a drama starring Christian Slater as a humdrum family man plagued by a Mr. Hyde streak. On first read, I swear I read Mr. Hyde steak... that's comedy. A haunted Muppet steak that... oh, streak? Not so much - just kind of playing yourself there, eh Chris? Welcome to television.
• "Kath & Kim," a mother-and-daughter comedy adapted from an Australian hit and starring Molly Shannon and Selma Blair. NBC has a 9/10 fail on adapting shows from other countries. Terrible odds.
• "Knight Rider," an updating of the 1980s action-fantasy about a man and his robotic car (reintroduced earlier this season as a TV film). And it's been re-tooled so many times - they basically greenlit this thing for title alone. Look for an explanation here, a story called "Did NBC actually see Knight Rider?"
• "Crusoe," based on the classic novel. Lost, but funnier and more racist?
The winter-spring 2009 schedule will introduce four more series:
• "The Philanthropist," a drama about a selfish billionaire who, after a spiritual awakening, will do anything to help people in need. Scrooge, the day after Christmas. No one wants to watch this.
• "Merlin," a fantasy drama set in mythic Camelot. Didn't they do this with Sam Niel? Why not put Merlin in present day and have him on a quest to find King Arthur's heir and then the third season he can start looking for Excalibur, and the fourth they can start looking for the Grail...
• "Kings," described as an "exploration of the timeless David vs. Goliath struggle" and starring Ian McShane ("Deadwood"). Unless Ian's cursing a lot - I could give a rip.
• An as-yet-undescribed comedy spinoff from the producers of "The Office." I'm going to take a guess it'll be something like the "Mailroom" or "Help Desk?" The idea probably seems a lot funnier on paper than the execution.
"ER" will come to an end next season — its 15th.
This year's freshman dramas "Journeyman" and "Bionic Woman" have been axed, as has the long-running "Scrubs," which will finish its run in May.
And Friday Night Lights will be on DirecTV first, then NBC in 2009 - which is kind of strange.
The Christian Slater vehicle could actually be worthwile. He's like an athlete who never lived up to his potential. It will probably be better than most crap on TV...but no one will get it cuz it's too cool or clever. Kinda like Reaper and Chuck. Idiots who don't dig this cool/hip TV shows get to vote for the president. WOnderful. I still say voting and buying tickets to sporting events/concerts should be based on intelligence rather than opportunity. Same goes for having children
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