Every year during the month of May, each of the major networks deliver their Upfront Presentations to advertisers and reporters. These events usually offer loads of entertainment a each network attempts to overshadow their competitors.
NBC decided to do things a little different this year and skipped the usual fanfare by getting right to the heart of the matter. Were any of your favorite shows canceled?
Canceled Series:Bionic Woman, Journeyman and Las Vegas
On the Bubble Shows Renewed:Friday Night Lights and Medium
New Dramas Coming to NBC
Crusoe
Cast: Philip Winchester as Robinson Crusoe, Tongayi Chirisa as Friday, Joaquim De Almeida as Santana, Mia Maestro as Olivia, Sam Neill as Jeremiah Blackthorn and Anna Walton as Susannah.
Premise: The timeless novel by Daniel Defoe about the incredible journeys of Robinson Crusoe comes to the small screen. When a man leaves behind the love of his life to go on an adventure, he winds up shipwrecked on a tropical island for 28 years. As he combats severe weather changes and dangerous islanders, his desire to return home to the life he once knew may be the only thing keeping him alive.
Knight Rider
Cast: Justin Bruening, Deanna Russo, Sydney Tamiia Poitier and Bruce Davison.
Premise: The classic '80s series returns and is cooler than ever. KITT (Knight Industries Three Thousand) is able to produce much-needed weaponry, shape shift at will and hack into almost any system.
What will enemies do to get to get their hands on this supercar? Fasten your seat belts and get ready for non-stop action!
My Own Worst Enemy
Cast: Christian Slater, other cast TBA
Premise: Christian Slater brings his tremendous talent to the small screen in a dual role: Henry Spivey is your typical middle-class family man with 2.3 kids. Edward Albright is a highly trained operative who can speak 13 languages and has the skill to kill with only his teeth. Henry and Edward share the same body and when their wall begins to crumple, the two are forced into dangerous situations only the other man can handle. However, the biggest challenge of all is, who can you trust when you can't trust yourself?
Kings - Midseason
Cast: Christopher Egan, Ian McShane and Sebastian Stan
Premise: For centuries, the story of David vs. Goliath has found its way into some form of storytelling. The epic tale is once again being revived with a modern day twist. Who will win in this version? Only time and the ratings will tell.
Merlin - Midseason
Cast: Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Anthony Head, Richard Wilson, Angel Coulby and Katie McGrath
Premise: "In short, there's simply not, a more congenial spot"....in Camelot! NBC is heading to the magical city (in a 21st Century setting) before King Arthur and Merlin became legends. These untold stories follow the two young men as they embark on the many adventures that ultimately bring these characters in one of the best tales ever told.
The Listener - Midseason
Cast: Toby Logan and Ennis Esmer
Premise: This "telepathic procedural" drama centers around Toby Logan, a 24-year-old paramedic who can read people's minds. As Toby begins to understand how to use his gift, he begins to solve crimes - but at what emotional and physical cost?
The Philanthropist - Midseason
Cast: TBA
Premise: Following the death of his only child, billionaire Teddy Rist completely turns his life around and becomes the first "vigilante philanthropist." He'll stop at nothing to help those in need, even if it means staring death right in the face as he travels to the ends of the earth on a thrilling, never-ending quest.
NBC Primetime Schedule: Fall 2008
*New dramas are in bold*
MONDAY
8-9 p.m. Chuck
9-10 p.m. Heroes
10-11 p.m. My Own Worst Enemy
TUESDAY
8-9:30 p.m. The Biggest Loser: Families
9:30-10 p.m. Kath & Kim
10-11 p.m. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
WEDNESDAY
8-9 p.m. Knight Rider
9-10 p.m. Deal or No Deal
10-11 p.m. Lipstick Jungle
THURSDAY
8-8:30 p.m. My Name Is Earl
8:30-9 p.m. 30 Rock
9-9:30 p.m. The Office
9:30-10 p.m. The Office/ SNL Thursday Night Live
10-11 p.m. ER
FRIDAY
8-9 p.m. Crusoe
9-10 p.m. Deal or No Deal
10-11 p.m. Life
SATURDAY
8-9 p.m. Dateline NBC
9-10 p.m. Knight Rider (Encores)
10-11 p.m. Law & Order: SVU (Encores)
SUNDAY
7-8:20 p.m. Football Night in America
8:20-11 p.m. NBC Sunday Night Football
NBC Primetime Schedule: Winter 2009
MONDAY
8-9 p.m. Chuck
9-10 p.m. Heroes
10-11 p.m. The Philanthropist
TUESDAY
8-9:30 p.m. The Biggest Loser: Couples
9:30-10 p.m. Kath & Kim
10-11 p.m. Law & Order: SVU
WEDNESDAY
8-9 p.m. Knight Rider
9-10 p.m. Deal or No Deal
10-11 p.m. Law & Order
THURSDAY
8-8:30 p.m. My Name Is Earl
8:30-9 p.m. 30 Rock
9-9:30 p.m. The Office
9:30-10 p.m. THE Office Spinoff
10-11 p.m. ER/The Celebrity Apprentice
FRIDAY
8-9 p.m. Deal or No Deal
9-10 p.m. Friday Night Lights
10-11 p.m. Life
SATURDAY
8-9 p.m. Dateline NBC
9-10 p.m. Law & Order: SVU (Encores)
10-11 p.m. Law & Order (Encores)
SUNDAY
7-8 p.m. Specials/Dateline NBC
8-9 p.m. Specials/Merlin
9-10 p.m. Specials/Medium
10-11 p.m. Specials/Kings
The Entire 2008-09 Primetime Schedule