May 13, 2012: NBC Press Release
INVENTIVE NEW COMEDIES, COMPELLING NEW DRAMAS AND A QUALITY LINEUP OF RETURNING SERIES HIGHLIGHT THE 2012-13 NBC PRIMETIME SCHEDULE
Comedy Reigns Over Four Nights This Fall on NBC
NBC Comedy Expands to Tuesday and Friday Nights, as Network Introduces “Go On,” “The New Normal,” “Animal Practice” and “Guys with Kids”
New Fall Dramas Are “Revolution” from J.J. Abrams and “Chicago Fire” from Dick Wolf
“The Voice,” Hot Off Its Sizzling Second Season, Returns for First Time in Fall
NBC’s Mid-Season Is Highlighted by New Comedies “Save Me,” “1600 Penn” and “Next Caller” and First-Year Dramas “Do No Harm,” “Infamous” and “Hannibal”
NEW YORK CITY – May 13, 2012 – NBC announced today an ambitious new primetime lineup for the 2012-13 primetime season that combines one of the top-quality returning lineups on television with a new fall edition of the red-hot musical competition “The Voice” and a crop of six new scripted series in the fall and four at mid-season.
Highlights of the new schedule include an expansion of comedy to Tuesday and Friday nights for a total of five full hours of primetime comedy; the first fall cycle of the hit competition “The Voice” and compelling new dramas from J.J. Abrams and Dick Wolf on Monday and Wednesday nights, respectively.
The season’s new fall comedies are “Go On,” “The New Normal,” “Animal Practice” and “Guys with Kids.” Other mid-season comedies include “Save Me,” “1600 Penn” and “Next Caller.”
The new fall dramas are “Revolution” and “Chicago Fire,” while “Do No Harm,” “Infamous” and “Hannibal” also will join the lineup in mid-season.
In addition, new alternative series include “Stars Earn Stripes,” “Howie Mandel’s White Elephant,” “Ready for Love,” and “Surprise with Jenny McCarthy.”
NBC’s returning shows are highlighted by “The Voice,” which returns on Mondays (8-10 p.m. ET) and includes an additional weekly hour on Tuesdays (8-9 p.m. ET).
Other returning scripted series are “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “The Office,” “30 Rock,” “Community,” “Parenthood,” “Parks and Recreation,” “Whitney” and “Up All Night.” The alternative series returning are “The Celebrity Apprentice,” “Fashion Star,” “The Biggest Loser” and “Betty White’s Off Their Rockers.” Also renewed are “Dateline NBC” and “Rock Center with Brian Williams.” “Smash” and “Grimm” were given pickups earlier in the season.
The announcements were made by Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment.
“We’ve taken a few first steps toward a turnaround over this past season and now we’re seeing a real opportunity to accelerate that process,” said Greenblatt. “We’ve got a lineup of new shows that will really get people to sit up and take notice. And with the Olympics coming this summer and two nights of ‘The Voice’ in the fall, we’ve also got the tools we need to give our shows the kind of launch they deserve.”
NBC FALL 2012-13 SCHEDULE
*New programs in UPPER CASE; all times ET)
MONDAY
8-10 p.m. – “The Voice”
10-11 p.m. – “REVOLUTION”
TUESDAY
8-9 p.m. –”The Voice”
9-9:30 p.m. – “GO ON”
9:30-10 p.m. – “THE NEW NORMAL”
10-11 p.m. – “Parenthood”
WEDNESDAY
8-8:30 p.m. – “ANIMAL PRACTICE”
8:30-9 p.m. – “GUYS WITH KIDS”
9-10 p.m. – “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”
10-11 p.m. – “CHICAGO FIRE”
THURSDAY
8-8:30 p.m. – “30 Rock”
8:30-9 p.m. – “Up All Night”
9-9:30 p.m. – “The Office”
9:30-10 p.m. – “Parks and Recreation”
10-11 p.m. – “Rock Center with Brian Williams”
FRIDAY
8-8:30 p.m. – “Whitney”
8:30-9 p.m. – “Community”
9-10 p.m. – “Grimm”
10-11 p.m. – “Dateline NBC”
SATURDAY
Encore programming
SUNDAY (Fall 2012)
7- 8:15 p.m. — “Football Night in America”
8:15-11:30 p.m. — “NBC Sunday Night Football”
SUNDAY (Post-football/Winter 2013)
7-8 p.m. – “Dateline NBC”
8-9 p.m. – “Fashion Star”
9-10 p.m. – “The Celebrity Apprentice”
10-11 p.m. – “DO NO HARM”
Yay!!!
Do you have any information about this season being the last one?
For how many episodes? It better be a full season
The order was for a full season 22 episodes. No word on last season that should come tomorrow at the up fronts. However, networks rarely put 22 episode orders in prime slots with the idea they are not planning to return. The Farm has not been picked up, and the cast does not have that many projects going, none of them have carried a film like Steve, so giving it an end date seems a little premature.
YAY!! So happy about this.
Good news – after the past few episodes I’m really excited for a new season! It would be further good news if BJ Novak was show runner – his writing makes it clear how much he knows, loves and cares about the characters and their stories, and mainly he’s just funny as hell!
[ from tanster: i agree! ]
As much as I like that The Office gets another run of a full season…it is sputtering.
Yet NBC gives halfsies to Community and Grimm, two of their best scripted new shows
Just as an update, according to deadline.com NBC has no plans to end The Office after season 9 and does not have an end date in mind for the series.
My wishlist:
1. Have the entire writing staff sit down together and watch all of Season 2. Then, discuss.
That’s it.
Best Mother’s Day present!!! Thank you, NBC.
I agree with #9 completely.
Although, to be honest, the last season wasn’t nearly as bad as season 6 for me. It didn’t really have a vision per se, there was nothing at stake, and it definitely meandered… but it was a nice meander. If that makes any sense.
It was enjoyable. Nowhere near the quality of seasons 1-5, but not terrible. I loved every line uttered by Erin.
So happy to hear the Office has been renewed! I hope BJ Novak is put in charge.
My one and ONLY wish. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, bring Michael back. Just for one freaking episode. I mean it’s so not normal for a man they’ve known for 17 and more years to just move and never hear from him again.
Just once. That’s all I ask.
I am definitely glad to see that it is being renewed. Can never get too much office!!
This is bittersweet. While I’m glad we’re getting more, there is absolutely no denying that there has been a serious decline in quality and ratings. They really should think about ending it while there is some respect for the show still. Get ready for below a 2.0 and 3 million viewers, NBC.
The Office definitely needs to get back to its old ways. Honestly, Season 8 was not that good at all….yeah sure, I had some minor laughs but nothing like the old seasons. I feel like the genuine comedy that used to be there is gone, and I would like for that to come back!!
I also agree with #9!!
I don’t care how long The Office goes on for…my one wish is that they know ahead of time what their last season is and we do not get a random cancellation. Season seven showed us with the departure of Steve Carell that when they have time to plan, the writers can make something amazing. A random cancellation would be so dreadful.
I think they should do a live episode!!!
At today’s upfronts, NBC president Richard Greenblatt promised “explosive story twists” on The Office next year…
uh oh
“FOX announces Glee will move to Thursdays at 9pm…”
Say goodbye to the Office! (and Touch!)
If any good comes out of this, at least the Big Bang Theory might go away. (the show, not the actual theory)
#13 & #17…
Word.
30 Rock is SO not a show that should be airing at 8:00.
I sincerely hope they announce that season 9 will be the last season sometime in the near future and if/when that announcement is made, they will send it off right and bring Steve C. back for an episode or 2.
#20: Glee’s ratings aren’t that much better than The Office and I don’t see how Glee showing at 9 pm is going to affect BBT at 8 pm.
Story twist? Oh no, I hope it will not be revealed that Andy is Erin’s brother.
I’ve mixed feelings. As a fan from the beginning I understand it probably would not have lasted if they tried to continue exactly like seasons 1-3. I thought 4-6 and half S7 were mostly worth it. But S8 became even more exaggerated and too far from the original premise, and for the first time I thought the characters were looking tired. Even my favorites Dwight, Jim and Erin weren’t exactly in best form except for a few standout episodes. Jim and Pam felt a little stale. Nellie was the last nail in the coffin.
OTOH I really enjoyed the best of these episodes, and there were still funny moments here and there. It could be salvaged if they concentrated on toning down the more sitcom aspects and trying for some more consistent characterization and plots. And I liked seeing Erin and Andy finally back together, it made this variable season seem worth it even if the event itself wasn’t written very well.
I’m not sure it really needed to return, but I’m optimistic that they can get it back on track.
I think I’m one of the few that enjoyed the majority of Season 8. But I hope with James Spader gone, and now Andy firmly established as manager, Season 9 will be an improvement
I love The Office. I watch it here in England, though officially, only up to season 5 is available. The Office suffered a little when Michael left but the character had gone as far as it could go and by S6 and 7 had become a parody of itself. Season 8 had some great Office moments but was poor. Robert and Nellie were dreadful. But the idea of the David Wallace arc is good, I still love JIm and Pam so I’m hopeful for Season 9. In any case given the creative failings of Season 8 I think we should feel lucky we got a season 9 at all. And for the record US Office is way better than UK…
I’m betting the “explosive story twists” have something to do with the Dwight/Angela/Oscar/Senator plot – it was the only thing kind of left hanging at the end of the finale.
Cool to officially hear Greg Daniels is back. Does that mean he’s back as show runner?. Wonder if some of the old writers will return as well? When was the last time Daniels was hands on with the show?
I really wouldn’t have cared if they got canceled after this season. Season 7 was only better because of the emotion surrounding Steve Carell’s exit. It’s a shell of what it used to be and it’s depressing.
Season 8 was just so frustrating on so many levels. I was hoping for the new circumstances to act as a shot in the arm that would give the show new life, but instead it’s on life support.
At least Parks and Recreation is still on top of things.
Am I seriously the only one that is excited Greg Daniels is back running the office next season?….He’s written some of the best episodes.
It’s great that Daniels will focus again on this show, it’s the best news I’ve heard about the new season.
The main issue with the show this season was that the writing was simply going through the motions, due to a complete lack of focus and priorities. The writers could bring could ideas, but lack of supervision never brought them to full potential. As a result, the episodes were filled with various romances, while, before, we had Jim/Pam or Michael/Holly with one or two supporting romances, but nothing more.
Last season we got, often at the same time:
– Gabe-Erin-Andy-Jessica
– Darryl-Val-Val’s fiancé
– Dwight-Angela-State Senator-Oscar
– Dwight (or Todd Packer)-Nellie-Robert California-Mrs. California-Andy
– Ryan-Kelly-the pediatrician
– Pam-Jim-Cathy the temp
There were many times I cringed, especially with Erin. Her arc missed huge opportunities, especially about her very flexible level of intelligence. A simple suggestion that she’s quite dumb, unless she’s happy with her soulmate, would have brought more insight and more poignancy to her journey, in my opinion.
And that’s precisely the kind of consistency that was there in the early seasons, that Parks & Rec still shows, and that Greg Daniels may restore on The Office.
If Daniels is back as showrunner then I will be much more excited about S9. That NY Times article is a little ambiguous about his role though.
[ from tanster: true! ]
NY Times was actually very clear about it.
They said he will have a hands-on role and that it was previously held by Paul. So he’s taking over as showrunner.
If Daniels is back as showrunner (not a certainty) it will be interesting to see if the show regenerates and returns to its roots. If it does than the onus is totally on Lieberstein…if not then as an audience we know the show had just totally run its course.
What’s not a certainty? It says that he is in the NY Times article.
daniel g, the quote from the Times is:
“Mr. Daniels, the original supervisor for “The Office,” is expected to return in a hands-on capacity, Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment, said in an interview. (Paul Lieberstein left that role at the end of last season.)”
“is expected” and “hands-on capacity” doesn’t necessarily mean he will definitely be the fulltime showrunner. There’s a lot of wiggle room in there.
@#8
Good, they need to do this right, correct the mistakes of season 8 in season 9 and return for a 10th and final season to finish the show off for good. You build up to the final season with the last few episodes of season 9, and in my opinion, you bring back Michael Scott for the last few episodes ever in Season 10. Maybe they revolve around his wedding with Holly, maybe Michael and Holly return to Scranton for good in the series finale, who knows, but the key is righting the ship with season 9 and bury the hatchet with season 10
(Paul Lieberstein left that role at the end of last season.) <—- this part was the essential part that you left out. Also they have been looking for a showrunner and if he's back hands-on it makes sense that he is.
Greg Daniels being back as showrunner just makes plain sense. It’s possibly the last season so it’s important to him that it ends on a high note-
Greenblatt also said that Dan Harmon would be back in some capacity with Community.
As much as I love this show to death, I wished that would make this the final season and go out with a bang. The quality has dipped severely in the last season.
Nellie must go. Please please please, her character is lame. It was hard to adjust when Michael left. But Andy being the manager is not too bad after a while coz you get used to it. I like all the characters, but Nellie must leave the show. She is just pathetic. Please script writers, if you are reading this, please take Nellie out of the show. I probably wouldn’t wanna watch next season if Nellie is there. My favorite characters by the way are ALL except Nellie and Robert California.
Nellie’s character needs to go
Todd Packer’s character needs to go
Ryan Howard’s character? What the heck is he still doing on the show? There’s really no point, especially with Kelly gone now. I’m still mad Andy became manager, but it’s too late. Greg Daniels is the best person to work with the show so HOPEFULLY it will return to how it was in Seasons 2-4, which were the best in my opinion. Season 8 took a 180 degree turn from what the show was about but S9, I’m optimistic!
I feel like I am the only person who likes Nellie. I think she brings cringe humor back to the show and her presence is refreshing, she doesn’t have to be a main character but it’s not like she is killing the show.
At some point in season 9, Michael Scott and Holly really need to appear in the show. Even if it’s just a phone call and you don’t get to see them. Just to see how they are doing in Colorado and how the other characters react when they hear from their old boss, especially Jim, Dwight, and Pam.
I think season 8 was a low point. So you should recover in season 9 and go out with a big bang in season 10. Also one of the main reasons I watch this show is the pranking between Jim and Dwight. So please continue with that.
I think they should go back to how it was in season 5 or 6, with Michael as the manager, all the funny characters and feuding between Dwight and Jim. The only change is Will Ferrell stays on the show