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May 12, 2003
UPFRONT MAY 2003: NEW FALL 2003 PHOTOGRAPHY
NBC Press Release
NBC unveiled a new primetime schedule for the 2003-04 season that will bring three new comedy series and three new dramas to America’s number one television network. Joining the network’s current lineup, which consists of some of TV’s most popular series, are such marquee stars as Alicia Silverstone, Rob Lowe, Whoopi Goldberg, Ryan O’Neal, John Larroquette, Christine Baranski and James Caan.
The announcement was made today by Jeff Zucker, President, NBC Entertainment, at NBC’s annual Sales Presentation held at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.
Zucker told advertisers, “NBC maintains the stability of a schedule that has been number one among 18-49-year-olds for three consecutive years and seven of the last eight. We’re thrilled with our efforts to develop the next wave of hit comedies and dramas.” He added, “This is a balanced lineup that will continue NBC’s legacy as the leader in quality, scripted programs.”
The new comedies include: “Coupling,” starring Emmy Award winner Rena Sofer (“General Hospital,” NBC’s “Ed”), Colin Ferguson (“The Opposite of Sex”), Sonya Walger (“The Mind of the Married Man”), Jay Harrington (“The Division”), Lindsay Price (“Beverly Hills, 90210”) and Christopher Moynihan (“The Fighting Fitzgeralds”); “Happy Family,” starring Emmy winners John Larroquette and Christine Baranski, and “Whoopi,” starring multi-talented Oscar winner Whoopi Goldberg (“Ghost”).
The new dramas are “Las Vegas,” starring an ensemble including Oscar and Golden Globe nominee James Caan (“The Godfather”) and Josh Duhamel (“All My Children”); “The Lyon’s Den,” starring Rob Lowe of NBC’s “The West Wing,” and “Miss Match,” starring Alicia Silverstone (“Clueless”) and Ryan O’Neal (“Love Story”).
The new schedule kicks off Mondays with the hit reality series “Fear Factor” (8-9 p.m. ET) followed by a fast-paced new drama, “Las Vegas” (9-10 p.m. ET). It replaces “Third Watch,” which moves to 10 p.m. to start its fifth season. Hit drama “Crossing Jordan” (currently airing at 10-11 p.m. Mondays) will return to NBC’s schedule for its third season in January, after series star Jill Hennessy gives birth to her first child.
On Tuesdays, the network re-invigorates it’s comedy lineup from 8-9 p.m with the new comedies “Whoopi” and “Happy Family,” followed by the night’s anchor, multi-Emmy winner “Frasier” (9-9:30 p.m. ET). Freshman comedy “Good Morning, Miami” moves from Thursdays to Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. and the gripping drama “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” - now entering its fifth season - moves to Tuesdays at 10 p.m., replacing “Dateline NBC.”
Remaining completely intact is NBC’s Wednesday drama lineup - which many critics have hailed as the best night of drama on television.
The legendary “Must-See” Thursday schedule - which will feature the final season of the classic comedy “Friends” - also remains the same, except for the 9:30 p.m. addition of the sexy singles comedy “Coupling,” based on the hit British series of the same name. Zucker also announced a two-year deal for “ER,” ensuring that the Emmy-winning drama will remain on NBC another three seasons.
Fridays usher in the new Alicia Silverstone drama “Miss Match” (8-9 p.m. ET), created by Darren Star (“Sex and the City”). Following “Dateline NBC” (9-10 p.m. ET), Peabody Award-winning critical favorite “Boomtown” travels from Sundays to Fridays at 10 p.m., and carries on the fine tradition of NBC crime dramas in the time period (including “Miami Vice,” “Homicide: Life on the Street” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”). Additionally, Zucker announced that Vanessa L. Williams (“Eraser,” “Soul Food”) will join the cast of “Boomtown” in its second season.
Saturday remains the night for major theatrical films on NBC, with a lineup this season that will feature the network television premieres of “Traffic,” “A Perfect Storm” and “Shrek.”
The growing Sunday lineup continues to feature “Dateline NBC” (7-8 p.m. ET), freshman hit “American Dreams” (8-9 p.m. ET) and the surging “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (9-10 p.m. ET). The new drama “Lyon’s Den,” starring Rob Lowe, inherits the Sunday 10 p.m. time slot.
Zucker also announced that “The Tracy Morgan Show,” starring “Saturday Night Live’s” Tracy Morgan, will debut later this fall. The reality series “The Apprentice,” from Mark Burnett (“Survivor”) and featuring business tycoon Donald Trump, will premiere in early 2004.
Zucker stressed the following points concerning NBC’s current successful lineup:
NBC has now won three seasons in a row (includes projected ratings for 2002-03) in adults 18-49 and seven of the last eight years.
NBC maintains strength across the schedule, with top-30 shows on six nights of the week. NBC has 11 of the top 30, more than any other network.
NBC’s schedule boasts the top four comedies, two of the top three dramas and the top two newsmagazines in adults 18-49.
NBC has five of the top six scripted programs.
NBC is #1 or tied for first in key demographics in the six major dayparts (prime time, late night, daytime, morning news, evening news and Sunday morning public affairs), something no other network has ever accomplished.
Following is NBC’s primetime schedule for the 2003-04 season, followed by show descriptions. (Titles are “working titles”; all times are Eastern Time):
NBC PRIMETIME SCHEDULE FOR 2003-04
*New programs in CAPS
MONDAY 8-9 p.m. “Fear Factor” 9-10 p.m. “LAS VEGAS” 10-11 p.m. “Third Watch” (new time)
TUESDAY 8-8:30 p.m. “WHOOPI” 8:30-9 p.m. “HAPPY FAMILY” 9-9:30 p.m. “Frasier” 9:30-10 p.m. “Good Morning, Miami” (new day and time) 10-11 p.m. “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (new day and time)
WEDNESDAY 8-9 p.m. “Ed” 9-10 p.m. “The West Wing” 10-11 p.m. “Law & Order”
THURSDAY 8-8:30 p.m. “Friends” 8:30-9 p.m. “Scrubs” 9-9:30 p.m. “Will & Grace” 9:30-10 p.m. “COUPLING” 10-11 p.m. “ER”
FRIDAY 8-9 p.m. “MISS MATCH” 9-10 p.m. “Dateline NBC” 10-11 p.m. “Boomtown” (new day and time)
SATURDAY 8-11 p.m. “NBC Saturday Night Movie”
SUNDAY 7-8 p.m. “Dateline NBC” 8-9 p.m. “American Dreams” 9-10 p.m. “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” 10-11 p.m. “THE LYON’S DEN”
Following are program descriptions for NBC’s new series.
NEW DRAMAS
The Lyon’s Den -- Rob Lowe (NBC’s “The West Wing”) stars in this Washington D.C.-based drama as Jack Turner, the maverick, idealistic son from a political dynasty who must handle the cases and inner workings of a 150-year-old law firm which may or may not be hiding some dark secrets. Matt Craven (“The Life of David Gale”) plays Riley, Jack’s more practical friend and partner in the small pro-bono clinic of Lyon’s, Lacross and Levine, which will be closed unless Jack accepts an ultimatum to leave the clinic and become managing partner at the firm’s headquarters. The cast also includes Kyle Chandler (“Early Edition”) as competitive and cynical attorney Grant Rashton, Elizabeth Mitchell (“Santa Clause 2”) as Ariel Saxon, an attractive attorney struggling with alcoholism, David Krumholtz (“Big Shot: Confessions of a Campus Bookie”) as Fineman, James Pickens, Jr. (“Traffic”) as Terrance Christianson and Frances Fisher (“Glory Days”) as Brit Hanley. “The Lyon’s Den” is a production of 20th Century Fox and Brillstein-Grey Television. Remi Aubuchon (“24,” “From Earth to the Moon”) is the writer and executive producer; Rob Lowe, Brad Grey (“The Sopranos”) and Bernie Brillstein (“Just Shoot Me”) are executive producers. Rod Holcomb (NBC’s “ER”) serves as director and executive producer.
Posted by Jo at May 12, 2003 01:39 PM