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Intro:
Hi, I'm Sal, and I'm Yael, and this is a special NBC Fall TV Preview edition of This Week in
TV.
SAL: The network press tours are on this week for the Television Critics Association, so
we'll be giving you the daily scoop from our TCA correspondent, Tim Holland, on the upcoming
fall TV season!
Yael: New entertainment chairman for NBC, Robert Greenblatt, admitted at the TCA that
he isn't surprised NBC is in last place but he's looking to revitalize the once-proud
Peacock- how's he going to do it? He's bringing back "Must See" TV, adding animated shows,
and reestablishing multiple-camera sitcoms. If all that fails he's also planning on bringing
back Will & Grace's Sean Hayes in 2012.
Sal: What new comedies will mr greenblatt whip out of his back pocket to revitalize
the NBC 2011 comedy lineup? Lets find out:
Starting on September 14th, we have Free Agents which is a romantic workplace comedy starring
Hank Azaria as a newly divorced man who has an ill-advised one-night stand with an attractive
coworker. Azaria says it's an anti-romantic comedy. Our TCA Corespondent Tim agrees saying
it's not romantic and, unfortunately, it's not funny either. But if you like Azaria or
are a fan of the original BBC series, Tim Holland says to give it a shot.
Yael: Also premiering September 14th, Christina Applegate and Will Arnett (in their latest
attempts at returning to sitcom stardom) take on the Lorne Michaels-produced Up All Night.
Applegate and Arnett play a married couple adjusting to life with a new baby in the house.
The pilot, which also stars Maya Rudolph, is a nice showcase for its stars' comedic
talents. It will have strong appeal to parents who remember all too well being up all night.
The only catch - what happens when the kid starts sleeping through the night?
Alright, Yael, Lets talk Dramas!
Yael: Well, NBC's controversial new drama, The Playboy Club premieres September 19th.
Community star Joel McHale described The Playboy Club as "Mad Men with ***", but NBC prefers
to call it "an energized soap opera set in an era where celebrities rubbed shoulders
with mobsters". It's not as titalating or as sexy as it sounds - because its on NBC
and not cable - but the cast is quite good and kinda hot.
Sal: Next up we have Grimm, which premieres September 22nd and is a curious mixture of
crime, comedy and grisly fairy tales. Grimm is set in Portland, and revolves around a
detective, played by David Giuntoli, who learns the Grimm Fairy Tales are true and that he
is descended from an elite line of criminal profilers known as Grimms who must keep the
balance between humanity and various mythological creatures. It should appeal to procedural
fans who like their crime solving spiked with a bit of horror.
Sal: Those are our highlights from the TCA Tour for NBC, but make sure to check out our
NBC Fall Preview page for even more new fall shows!