Fall TV Previews -- NBC

NBC has done an unprecedented move by taking Jay Leno into prime time. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that is going to come back to bite them. On the positive side, their ratings are so low that he probably can't do any worse than most of their other shows.

This year the struggling network has ordered 6 new series.

Mercy

Michelle Trachtenberg stars as a new nurse in this series that NBC is hoping might be a new alternative to ER. It looks like it might have its moments but its too wrapped up in its character's personal lives. Since Trachtenberg is hot though, I will give it 1-2 episodes. Don't expect to see this until midseason.


Community

Joel McHale and Chevy Chase are headlining this comedy about going community college. Are there any better words then Chevy Chase on TV? Oh, there are? Well, check out the promo to see if it's your cup of tea.


100 Questions

A new sitcom examining the mating and dating rituals of urban singles. Between cheesy pick up lines and failed relationships, there are so laughs. The only problem is that most of the stuff shown are things we've seen before: girl dumps guy instead of getting engaged and returns to being single -- check. Guy has secret crush on girl -- check. Goofy immature guys -- check. Still there appear to be laughs, so why not right?


Trauma

Yes, this is another one of NBC's signature dramas.


Parenthood

This has already been a movie and (a failed) television show before, but when does that stop anyone anymore. With one of the most impressively ensemble casts that includes Peter Krause, Maura Tierney, Erika Christensen, Dax Shephard, Craig T. Nelson and Monica Potter, this is probably one of the most expensive shows coming this fall. What that means is if it doesn't perform quickly it will probably be gone. Ron Howard and Brian Grazer are producing.

Upfronts Comings and Goings

With the end of the television season each year comes the annual Upfront presentations where the networks announce their Fall television schedules and try to begin the building the hype for each of the new shows. Over the weekend check back for a full rundown of what's been picked up and where you can catch your favorite shows come September.

More than any development season in recent memory a number of big name pilots weren't picked up by the nets. Below is a list of those shows that were canceled and new shows that won't ever see the light of day.

Cancelled: Eleventh Hour, Without A Trace, The Unit, Life, Privileged, Lipstick Jungle, Prison Break, My Name Is Earl, Crusoe, Kath and Kim, Knight Rider, Kings, My Own Worst Enemy, The Unusuals, In The Motherhood, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, According to Jim, Pushing Daisies, Life on Mars, Dirty Sexy Money, Eli Stone, Samantha Who?, The Game, and Everyone Hates Chris

Not Picked Up:

• The American remake of Absolutely Fabulous starring Kristin Johnston was passed on by Fox.
• ABC decided against expanding the Supernanny franchise with Supermanny.
• David E. Kelley's dry streak is continuing now that Legally Mad isn't coming to NBC
• Brett Ratner's Cop House revolving around a halfway house for cops was passed on Fox.
  
• Without his untitled pilot being picked up by NBC, perhaps Michael Rosenbaum will pop up on Smallville more next season
• Gossip Girl's untitled spin-off following Lily's teenage groupie years is not on the fall schedule. But there are conflicting reports as to whether it could show up midseason. Did anyone actually like that episode a few weeks ago?
• One of the potentially controversial pilots, Back, was passed on by CBS. The show starred Skeet Ulrich and followed a guy who disappeared on 9/11 only to re-appear 8 years later.
• The Eastmans had an all-star cast that included Donald Sutherland, Jacqueline Bissett and Jesse Bradford
• Another big name cast that didn't make it to CBS is Happiness Isn't Everything starring Richard Dreyfuss, Jason Biggs and Mary Steenburgen