Let the Games Begin! NBC Announces its Fall Lineup!

As May reaches its halfway mark every year, the time comes for the networks to announce their fall lineups. I don't know how NBC became the traditional first-out-of-the-gate, but I confess that I long for this week. Every year I have a few handpicked shows that I'm rooting for a borderline renewal, and yes, a few I'd like to see shown the door.

Where NBC is conerned, the only show that I was concerned about was "Scrubs," and the network, finally realizing what a diamond in the rough this medical dramedy is on their slate, renewed it for TWO years, thus assuring Sacred Heart Hospital a long life in syndication, at least.

And the reprehensible "Whoopi" and "Happy Family" were given the boot, for my money, twenty-one episodes too late, but oh, well. Also gone, "Miss Match" (which deserved better from the Peacock), "Ed," "The Lyon's Den," and "Coupling."

Oh, yes, and two little sitcoms that could, "Friends" and "Frasier," are also departed, which should leave NBC a lot more vulnerable than they actually are, thanks to the powerhouse tandem of Mark Burnett and Donald Trump. Yes, Must-See-TV is back in the fall, but two sitcoms short. "Joey," the "Friends" spinoff starring Matt LeBlanc, and "Will & Grace" will lead into two consecutive installments of "The Apprentice," which will run for thirty-four weeks in the nine o'clock slot before "E.R."

New fare includes "LAX," an airport drama patterned after the network's success with returning sophomore drama series "Las Vegas." Heather Locklear and Blair Underwood star. A new crime drama returns to "Hawaii." "Boomtown"'s standout, Neal McDonough returns in the badly titled "Medical Investigations." And "Pride of the Lions" is a domestic sitcom with a twist; the family is one of Las Vegas showbears, animated "Shrek"-style. In fact, they're part of Siegfried and Roy's act, which ironically no longer exists.

Still, NBC entertainment president Jeff Zucker brought in Siegfried and a not-quite-yet-ready-for-prime-time Roy in via videotape to plug the show, featuring lead voice work from John Goodman and Cheryl Hines.

NBC also echoes what we've heard from FOX. The days of traditional fall television are over, and the #2 network is working with an impressive midseason slate, eyeing a rollout of a new program every single month.

And yes, reality TV will be back, with new episodes of "Fear Factor," "For Love or Money," and "Average Joe." In addition, Mark Burnett is teaming with Sylvester Stallone and Sugar Ray Leonard to bring us "The Contender," basically a "Who Wants to be a Prizefighter" series. A good portion of NBC's presentation yesterday was devoted to this program.

Dick Wolf's fourth "Law & Order" entry, "Trial by Jury" will debut mid-season as well, probably following an abbreviated season of "Third Watch." Jerry Orbach's Detective Lenny Briscoe will jump ship to the new program, with veteran actor Dennis Farina replacing him as Jesse Martin's partner on the flagship program. Bet he's glad to put "In-Laws" behind him.

Other high profile mid-season offerings include "Revelations," a drama about an impending apocalypse, a remake of the BBC classic "The Office" (proving that those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it), and sitcoms "The Men's Room," and "Crazy for You."

All in all, the buzz for "Joey" is pretty good, but there's not a lot of enthusiasm for the other new entries. For a closer look, check out Aaron Barnhart's report on his excellent website, www.tvbarn.com. Aaron is on-site for these upfronts this week and provides a treasure trove of information.

NBC looks to hold on to second place, which is perhaps enough for now. They are, however, dangerously close to burning out "The Apprentice." Time will tell. If the new slate doesn't work out, maybe the Trump can fire Zucker in the season finale!