Tag Archives: upfronts

2014 Upfronts: ABC intros 12 new series

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ABC has 12 new series on tap for next season: two dramas–Forever and How to Get Away with Murder–will launch in the fall alongside four sitcoms Selfie, Manhattan Love Story, Black-ish, and Cristela. The rest will follow later in the year: dramas American Crime, Marvel’s Agent Carter, Secrets and Lies, and The Whispers and comedies Fresh Off the Boat and Galavant. Also being held for midseason are returning series The Bachelor and The Taste.

Dancing with the Stars and Castle remained paired on Mondays. Two new sitcoms Selfie and Manhattan Love Story will open Tuesdays leading into one returning drama, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and a new one, Forever. Wednesdays pack four comedies starting with The Middle; The Goldbergs lands a great slot between that and Modern Family. The veteran, award-winning sitcom will serve as a launching pad for newbie Black-ish and then returning Nashville closes the night at 10. Thursdays are completely dominated by Shonda Rhimes: Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal will lead into her latest offering How to Get Away with Murder at 10 (new drama Secrets and Lies will take over Murder‘s timeslot later in the season. Elsewhere, Latina sitcom Cristela is paired with Last Man Standing on Fridays and Sunday’s lineup of Once Upon a Time, Resurrection, and Revenge is unchanged (new drama American Crime will replace Resurrection at 9 when that show’s second season comes to a close). Once Upon a Time‘s season will be aired in two distinct halves again and so will S.H.I.E.L.D.‘s; taking over their slots on the schedule during their extended hiatuses are musical fairytale Galavant and origin story Marvel‘s Agent Carter, respectively.

Jump after the break to view the full fall schedule, trailers for the new fall CBS series, and synopses. Continue reading 2014 Upfronts: ABC intros 12 new series →

2014 Upfronts: CBS intros 8 new series

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CBS has eight new series lined up for next season. In the fall, four new dramas will premiere–Scorpion, spinoff NCIS: New Orleans, Stalker, and Madam Secretary–alongside a new comedy The McCarthys. Two dramas–Battle Creek and spinoff CSI: Cyber–will land on the schedule in midseason with new comedy The Odd Couple. Also being held for midseason are returning series The Mentalist, Mike & Molly, and Undercover Boss.

The Big Bang Theory returns to Mondays to kick the night off leading into another sitcom Mom, and these are followed by new drama series Scorpion and the returning NCIS: LA. TBBT will revert to its Thursday 8PM timeslot when Thursday Night Football concludes in late October; at that point 2 Broke Girls will premiere its third season in its regular Monday 8PM slot. On Tuesdays the flagship NCIS will lead into the latest franchise spinoff NCIS: New Orleans and Person of Interest will follow at 10PM. New drama Stalker is paired with Criminal Minds on Wednesdays and new sitcom The McCarthys is sandwiched between the final season of Two and a Half Men and Elementary on Thursdays. Elsewhere, The Amazing Race relocates to Fridays at 8 and newbie Madam Secretary opens Sunday nights leading into The Good Wife and CSI. Spinoff CSI: Cyber will take over the flagship CSI on Sundays at 10 in midseason.

Jump after the break to view the full fall schedule, trailers for the new fall CBS series, and synopses. Continue reading 2014 Upfronts: CBS intros 8 new series →

2014 Upfronts: The CW intros 4 new series

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The CW introduced four new series for next season; Jane the Virgin and The Flash will premiere in the fall, and iZombie and The Messengers will bow in midseason. Also being held for later in the year are returning series Hart of Dixie and Beauty and the Beast. The Vampire Diaries spinoff The Originals will serve as a lead-in for Jane the Virgin on Mondays and The Flash will open Tuesdays paired with veteran Supernatural.

Jump after the break to view the full fall schedule, trailers for the new fall CW series, and synopses. Continue reading 2014 Upfronts: The CW intros 4 new series →

2013 Upfronts: The CW orders 5 new series for next season

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The big four networks have revealed their new shows for the fall, but let’s not forget about CBS’ sister network The CW. Today at the Upfronts the young-skewing net showed off five new dramas including The Vampire Diaries spinoff The Originals and The Tomorrow People from TVD‘s Julie Plec and Arrow‘s Greg Berlanti. Learn all about The CW’s new fall lineup after the break. Continue reading 2013 Upfronts: The CW orders 5 new series for next season →

2013 Upfronts: CBS orders 8 new series for next season

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On Wednesday CBS was the last of the big four networks to present their 2013-15 TV season offerings at the 2013 Upfronts, unveiling 11 new series coming to the the Eye network: five comedies and three dramas. Jump after the break to get more information about all of the new shows including synopses, cast and creator/executive producer listings, clips, and initial reactions.

Significant changes to the schedule include: Hawaii Five-0 steps out of Mondays at 10 to make room for new dramas Hostages and Intelligence–the former (which will air 15 episodes total) will premiere in the fall and the latter will take over in February; Five-0 moves to Fridays at 9 where it will be sandwiched between Undercover Boss and Blue Bloods… Person of Interest leaves its Thursday post to join the NCIS franchise on Tuesdays at 10… This allows the Thursday comedy block to expand to two hours–stuffed between veterans The Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men are newcomers The Millers and The Crazy Ones; closing out the night is Elementary.

Elsewhere: Returning sitcom Mike & Molly along with new comedy Friends with Better Lives and new dramas Reckless and Intelligence are being held for midseason debuts.

Programs not returning next season: CSI: NY, Golden Boy, Made In Jersey, Vegas, Partners, and Rules of Engagement.

Update: CBS has uploaded extended “first looks” for all of their upcoming fall shows; they are embedded after the break. Continue reading 2013 Upfronts: CBS orders 8 new series for next season →

2013 Upfronts: ABC orders 13 new series for next season

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On Tuesday ABC took the stage at the 2013 Upfronts, unveiling 11 new series coming to the network next season: five comedies, seven dramas, and one reality show. Jump after the break to get more information about all of the new shows including synopses, cast and creator/executive producer listings, clips, and initial reactions.

Significant changes to the schedule include: Tuesday night at the network undergoes a complete overhaul; the highly anticipated drama Marvel’s Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D. opens the night at 8PM leading into two new sitcoms The Goldbergs and Trophy Wife and another new drama Lucky 7… The Dancing with the Stars results show has been yanked from the sked on Tuesday to make room for S.H.I.E.L.D. and it will now be integrated in the two-hour Stars performance show on Mondays… On Wednesdays The Middle will serve as the lead-in for the new James Caan sitcom Back In The Game and Rebel Wilson’s Super Fun Night gets the plum post-Modern Family slot at 9:30PM; Nashville will continue to close the night… Originally the plan was to have Once spinoff Once Upon A Time In Wonderland air in the winter when the flagship series will be on hiatus, but the network ultimately decided to run both Once and its spinoff concurrently in the fall; Wonderland opens Wednesday night to lead into Shonda Rhimes’ dramas Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal to make for a “empowered female” night… The Neighbors relocates to Fridays at 8:30PM paired with Last Man Standing.

Elsewhere: ABC president Paul Lee shared his plan to divide some of the network’s high profile dramas in 12-episode halves; at least Once, Revenge, and Scandal will air 12 episodes uninterrupted in the fall, take a break, and then return with another 12 episodes that will last until May. Bridging the gap in-between will be limited series like reality show The Quest… Lee also spoke about his “hard decision” to cancel the acclaimed comedy Happy Endings: “I do think Happy Endings is absolutely on brand,” he said. “What we found was it was just too narrow. It was a very hard decision because, as you know, I love that show and I found it very hard to make that decision. On the same token, I think Super Fun Night and Mixology [coming midseason] are broader shows that will bring in a wider audience.” Happy Endings still has the opportunity to be saved by a cable network like USA… Returning sitcom Suburgatory and new comedy Mixology, along with new dramas Killer Women, Mind Games, and Resurrection are being held for midseason… Following in FOX’s footsteps, ABC is touting “limited series” with shorter, cable-like runs; midseason’s Resurrection will play out as a limited series with 13 episodes.

Programs not returning next season: 666 Park Avenue, Body of Proof, Don’t Trust the B— in Apartment 23, Family Tools, Happy Endings, How To Live With Your Parents (for the Rest of Your Life), Last Resort, Malibu Country, Private Practice, Red Widow, and Zero Hour. Continue reading 2013 Upfronts: ABC orders 13 new series for next season →

2013 Upfronts: FOX orders 11 new series for next season

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FOX followed NBC at the 2013 Upfronts on Monday, unveiling 11 new series coming to the network next season: six comedies, four dramas, and one reality show. Jump after the break to get more information about all of the new shows including synopses, cast and creator/executive producer listings, clips, and initial reactions.

Significant changes to the schedule include: Monday night is genre night for FOX; in the fall Bones is paired with Sleepy Hollow from Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, and in late fall J.J. Abrams and J.H. Wyman’s Almost Human will lead into new episodes of Sleepy Hollow and then The Following when midseason rolls around… Joining New Girl and The Mindy Project on Tuesday nights is multi-cam comedy from Seth MacFarlane Dads and single-cam sitcom starring Andy Samberg and Andre Braugher Brooklyn Nine-Nine; the network opens a second comedy block in late fall with Raising Hope and Enlisted with Geoff Stults on Friday nights… Bones is also relocating from to Friday starting in late fall where it will lead into the aforementioned second comedy block… When Glee goes off the air in midseason, Greg Kinnear drama Rake will take over the Thursday at 9PM slot; Glee will return in late spring and finish its fifth cycle in June.

Elsewhere: For next season FOX is focused on introducing new programming all year round by staggering premieres in fall, late fall, midseason, and in the summer. The network is looking to “reinvent the miniseries” with “limited event series.” Two major event series were announced at their upfronts presentation: Wayward Pines (10 episodes) from M. Night Shyamalan (starring Matt Dillon) and the return of 24 (subtitled Live Another Day, 12 episodes)  with Kiefer Sutherland back the iconic role of Jack Bauer. These shows are slated to debut in 2014… Following the Super Bowl on February 2, the network will air a new episode of New Girl and pair it with a new half-hour comedy still TBD… Also coming in 2014 is Seth MacFarlane’s reboot of Carl Sagan’s Cosmos with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson on board to host the 13-episode journey through our universe… The Cleveland Show‘s fate is still up in the air… Gang Related, Surviving Jack, Us & Them, and the animated Murder Police are being held for midseason.

Programs not returning next season: Ben and Kate, The Mob Doctor, Fringe, and Touch. Continue reading 2013 Upfronts: FOX orders 11 new series for next season →

2013 Upfronts: NBC orders 17 new series for next season

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Today NBC kicked off the 2013 Upfronts, an annual event where the big four networks present their upcoming slate of new programming to advertisers and the press. The Peacock unveiled 17 new series coming to the network next season: six comedies, eight dramas, and three reality shows. Jump after the break to get more information about all of the new shows including synopses, cast and creator/executive producer listings, clips, and initial reactions.

Significant changes to the schedule include: Revolution moves from Monday nights at 10PM to Wednesday nights at 8PM to make room for James Spader in The Blacklist (the new drama falls into the network’s high profile slot after The Voice)… Parks And Recreation shifts to 8PM on Thursday nights to lead a family themed night that includes three new half-hour sitcoms and Parenthood at 10PM… The network is expanding its genre night on Fridays by pairing Grimm with Dracula in the fall, and midseason will welcome Crossbones… In midseason when the football season is over, scripted programming will be introduced on Sunday nights with J.J. Abrams’ Believe and Rand Ravich’s Crisis occupying the 9PM-11PM timeframe.

Elsewhere: Community is coming back for a 13-episode fourth season but it doesn’t have a slot on the schedule yet… Hannibal‘s fate is still up in the air… Jimmy Fallon will take over The Tonight Show during the Winter Olympics starting Monday, February 4 at 11:30PM; Seth Meyers will fill Fallon’s seat at Late Night at 12:30AM. About a Boy, The Family Guide, and Crossbones are being held for midseason; Chicago PD, The Night Shift, and Undateable have yet to be scheduled.

Programs not returning next season: 1600 Penn, 30 Rock, Animal Practice, Deception, Do No Harm, Go On, Guys With Kids, The New Normal, The Office, Rock Center with Brian Williams, Smash, Up All Night, and Whitney. Continue reading 2013 Upfronts: NBC orders 17 new series for next season →

2012 Upfronts: The CW orders 5 new series for next season

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You can’t call it the Upfronts without including the network-that-could The CW. With their flagship series Gossip Girl fading away next season, The CW is prepared to reinvigorate its schedule with a grand total of five new series for the 2012-13 TV season. The three shows premiering this fall are medical drama Emily Owens, M.D., DC Comics adaptation Arrow, and a modern twist on Beauty and the Beast. Entering midseason is a Sex in the City prequel series The Carrie Diaries and investigative thriller Cult. Jump after the break to get more information about all of the new shows including synopses, cast and creator/executive producer listings, and clips.

CW president Mark Pedowitz kicked off the presentation by stating that “This is a transformative year for the CW with bigger and bolder programming.” He shared high praise for Emily Owens, M.D. which stars Meryl Streep’s daughter Mamie Gummer. He also addressed the Ringer cancellation and plans for Gossip Girl. “I don’t think anything went wrong with Ringer,” he said. “I was happy it’s there…The show was well-crafted, well-produced, well-written, but it was a complicated serialized show. After it finished a run in the fall and came back in January, the audience went somewhere else. And it just could not find the 18-34 demo that we hoped.” He promised that star Sarah Michelle Gellar “is coming back to this network as a producer or as an actress.” Phew. On Gossip Girl‘s sixth and final season, Pedowitz said it will likely contain 11 episodes and finish its run before the holiday season. Last, the CW prez let slip that the network will wait until October for the fall schedule to air to ensure “no traction” with the other broadcast nets who traditionally premiere their shows in late August/September. Continue reading 2012 Upfronts: The CW orders 5 new series for next season →

2012 Upfronts: CBS orders 7 new series for next season

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CBS got its shot at showing off its new lineup today, marking the final presentation from the Big Four networks at this year’s Upfronts. The Eye announced a total of seven new series; two comedies, four dramas, and one reality show. The fall will usher in four new shows, and the remaining three will join in come midseason. Jump after the break to get more information about all of the new shows including synopses, cast and creator/executive producer listings, and clips.

Also posted after the break is CBS’ 2012-13 programming schedule. The network slightly shuffled things around precisely so that each of the four new shows premiering this fall will have a solid lead-in to boost initial ratings. Breakout comedy from Michael Patrick King and Whitney Cummings 2 Broke Girls has been shifted to 9PM on Mondays to make way for new comedy Partners; veteran sitcom How I Met Your Mother is the lead-in at 8PM. Period drama Vegas nabbed the Tuesday 10PM spot where it will follow the NCIS duo. To help support the growing Person of Interest, comedies The Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men will kick off Thursday nights at 8PM and 8:30PM, respectively; the contemporary Sherlock Holmes crime drama Elementary follows POI at 10PM. CSI: NY relocates to Fridays at 8PM and serves as a lead-in to new legal drama Made in Jersey. One last alteration: The Mentalist, entering its fifth season, will make itself comfortable on Sunday nights at 10PM. Continue reading 2012 Upfronts: CBS orders 7 new series for next season →

2012 Upfronts: ABC orders 10 new series for next season

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ABC continued the Upfronts run today and unveiled 10 new series coming to the network next season; four comedies and six dramas. Four newbies will premiere this fall, and the others will sit on the bench until midseason. Jump after the break to get more information about all of the new shows including synopses, cast and creator/executive producer listings, and clips.

Also posted after the break is ABC’s 2012-13 programming schedule. Notable changes to the schedule include comedies Happy Endings and Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23 moving to Tuesdays; in November the Tim Allen comedy Last Man Standing will premiere on Friday where it will serve as a lead-in to Reba McEntire’s new half-hour sitcom Malibu Country (hello TGIF); and Revenge is relocating to Sunday (taking over Desperate Housewives‘ recently relinquished 9PM slot) where it will be sandwiched between returning fantasy series Once Upon A Time and the new supernatural drama 666 Park Avenue.

Here are a few highlights from ABC’s Upfront presentation led by the network’s president Paul Lee. He is confident that Happy Endings “can open a comedy block at 9PM on Tuesday,” which certainly bodes well for fans of the hilarious comedy. On Sunday night’s epic lineup that includes Once, Revenge, and 666: “It’s battle between good and evil from 8PM all the way to 11PM.” Looking to the future, Lee confirmed that series based on the Marvel Avenger The Hulk is in the works for the 2013-14 TV season; reports claim that filmmaker Guillermo del Toro is attached. Also an all-star edition of Dancing with the Stars is coming in the fall. Last, Lee was determined to shine a light on what ABC hopes to share with its viewers when the 2012-13 season rolls around this September. “Why just watch when you can feel?” he exclaimed. “It sums up the added DNA that this brand brings as far as the emotional connection to viewers.” Continue reading 2012 Upfronts: ABC orders 10 new series for next season →

2012 Upfronts: FOX orders 5 new series for next season

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Following NBC’s onslaught of new programming, FOX stepped up to the plate second today and introduced a decidedly teensier menu of new shows. FOX unveiled 5 new series coming to the network next season; three comedies and two dramas. Two comedies and a drama will premiere this fall, and the remaining comedy and drama series will wait for midseason. Jump after the break to get more information about all of the new shows including synopses, cast and creator/executive producer listings, and clips.

Also posted after the break is FOX’s 2012-13 programming schedule. Significant changes include Tuesday becoming an all-comedy block filled with four half-hour comedies; Glee is moving to Thursdays to be paired with X-Factor in the fall and American Idol in midseason; and Touch has relocated to Fridays and will serve as a lead-in to Fringe.

FOX entertainment president Kevin Reilly took the stage at Upfronts to address the scheduling changes. “Four comedies on Tuesday is something we’ve wanted to do for a long time. These are the kind of shows we’ve wanted to do for a long time and we’ve been building momentum on Tuesdays. We finally have shots that have exactly the right tone we are looking for.” He added, “Since the first day I walked into Fox, this is the kind of comedy lineup I’ve wanted present to you.” On moving Glee to Thursdays: “I think we’ve seen before that Glee is very compatible [with music shows]. This is just a way to propel it through the next couple of seasons. For us it’s a win win. If we didn’t have shows on Tuesday, we wouldn’t be able to do it.” On Touch/Fringe Fridays: “Friday is a curious time. Live plus same day ratings may look a little puny, but over the next 7 days, there is a real audience there. We have been winning Fridays with quality shows. We are investing in Fridays.”

Two major announcements were made regarding The X Factor and Glee. The reality show has enlisted Britney Spears and Demi Lovato to join L.A. Reid and Simon Cowell on the judges panel for season 2. The Ryan Murphy musical dramedy will feature guests stars Kate Hudson (Almost Famous) and Sarah Jessica Parker (Sex in the City) in season 4. Both will have multi-episode arcs and their roles remain under wraps. What will happen to the graduates? We still don’t know exactly how season 4 play out, but it was revealed today that it will contain a “show within a show” and manage to follow the McKinley High students in Ohio (some old faces, some new) as well as Kurt, Rachel and maybe Finn in New York. When the season 3 finale comes and goes perhaps we’ll have a better idea of what we can expect. (5/15 update: It is being reported that Hudson and Parker will serve as mentors to Rachel and Kurt, respectively, in NYC.) Continue reading 2012 Upfronts: FOX orders 5 new series for next season →