An Early Look at the NBC Fall Schedule

Commentary By: Jimmie Manning, About.com Television Columnist

While NBC has been beaten about by the press for its decline in quality and lack of bona fide hits, the acquisition of a Sunday football roster – in addition to new projects featuring respected talent – may put the network back on the map. According to insiders, NBC has some strong drama pilots, will continue to struggle with comedy, and will make use of the network’s biggest hit of the past season: Deal or No Deal. A look night by night:

MONDAY

Talk has NBC placing a new series, Heroes, as a companion to Medium. Other insiders report that Heroes will be held until midseason and will run after football has concluded, making way for Law & Order: CI to run on Monday. Deal or No Deal will almost certainly start the night, with Medium returning as the Monday night anchor.

TUESDAY

The latest reports have old faithful ER moving to this night or Wednesday. If ER moves, expect it to compete against Lost on Wednesday. More likely for Tuesday are another round of The Biggest Loser and new drama Kidnapped. Law & Order: SVU will remain on the night.

WEDNESDAY

Insiders predict new drama The Black Donnellys will end up on the night, but others in the know suggest that show will likely end up being held for midseason. ER may be expected to compete against Lost and provide a push for fading favorite Law & Order. While talk has circulated for Deal or No Deal to open the night, more likely is an installment of Dateline NBC.

THURSDAY

Until recently, a lineup of My Name is Earl, The Office, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, and ER was expected; however, recent reports suggest that Earl and The Office will tent pole new comedies (including a new project, 20 Good Years, starring John Lithgow) with Studio 60 closing out the night. Expect either to happen as NBC tries to generate some much-needed publicity for its fading Thursday.

FRIDAY

A Las Vegas and Crossing Jordan pairing looks likely, at least until football has come to a close. Deal or No Deal will likely open the night. Some trades have speculated that Friday Night Lights will open the night, but insiders expect that series to air on Sunday once football has come to a close.

SATURDAY

The network will once again air movies and specials on this typically quiet night.

SUNDAY

NBC likely has a hit, until at least midseason, with football. Programming centered around football will run throughout the night until mid-January. After January, it is expected that the successful Law & Order: CI and Crossing Jordan will return to Sunday. Dateline NBC and the new Friday Night Lights, based on the movie of the same name, will likely open the night post-football.

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