Well it's time to talk about these new shows NBC thinks will resurrect the once great network. Instead of keeping shows like Community, 30 Rock, and Parks & Recreation, some of television's smartest shows for full seasons, they're going to try and replace them by following other networks instead of pushing the boundaries they already challenge with smart writing.
Let's start with Animal Practice. It's Doogie Howser plus a capuchin. Great. How long can THAT season last NBC? You're trying to combine a hospital drama and a sitcom. Why? As much as I think Justin Kirk (Weeds) is a great actor I don't think he can carry this type of a show. I have a feeling I'll just end up getting more depressed than laughing because of all the mistreatment of animals this "veterinarian who hates pets owners" has to deal with. Maybe I'll be surprised. I doubt it, but I will always give a show a chance.
Then NBC tries to replace Awake and the veteran (years ago cancelled) Heroes with Revolution. "Oh, I know. Let's get J.J. Abrams to write us a show. Everyone will love it!" As of right now I don't think he has a show on NBC so maybe it'll work for both him and the network. And while I love nearly everything J.J. Abrams (sorry Alcatraz) has done I just don't know about this. He's definitely in his element: dire circumstances (i.e. the end of the world), people surviving in it, and how they try to save the world so I think I'll end up falling for this show. I need something to replace House now that it's all done!
So then we get a rip-off of Modern Family with The New Normal, which comes with a tagline of "A Post-Modern Family." NBC you don't have to get dirty to win the ratings war. Just take some risks in your programming, stop copying other networks. They get some credit for showing that they're ready to fight for a better spot this year and I guess I do trust Ryan Murphy somewhat only because he's responsible for my biggest guilty pleasure on network television, Glee and one of my favorite new shows of last year, American Horror Story. So maybe this can give Modern Family audiences (myself included) something to tide them over from week to week. But with NBCs notoriety of picking bad-ratings-receiving shows it doesn't seem like the right formula for this network.
Guys With Kids (now entitled DILFS) is an obvious (near) copy of the new movie What to Expect When You're Expecting. I get taking a movie and expanding on the characters, but come on. The same year a movie comes out you make a similar show? I think it could have promise simply because it can expand on the lives of these guys as opposed to just giving us a snapshot of their lives like in a movie. They are not the same characters obviously, but everything seems similar. I think a shout-out to Full House should be mentioned because a little girl on the show is played by two twins. Could be worth watching actually.
Then there's Chicago Fire and Go On. The first looks like a watered down version of FX's Rescue Me. I guess audiences have to get their firefighter kick somewhere. I know the least about this show, but if it can somehow keep what Rescue Me had it could be really good, but as NBC does so often it will probably be a very diluted soap opera surrounding fires.
As for Go On, I know it has Matthew Perry in it. I think he's a great actor and can be pretty funny...so long as he doesn't play the always on edge, yet somehow charismatic guy or the overly depressed, yet somehow charismatic guy. Maybe it's this cookie cutter character he's turned into or maybe it's the fact that the two shows he's worked on since his golden age on Friends (Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip and Mr. Sunshine), but I don't see why networks keep giving him a show. NBCs last attempt with him S60otSS was actually a lot of fun to watch, but really I think it'll be another crash and burn.
So NBC. Keep the shows that are working. I do look forward to your new programming and I hope somehow you can salvage this network. I'll still support you as long as you keep producing smart comedies, endearing characters, and enthralling dramas.
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