Resurgent NBC previews new season

After a season in which it’s poised to finish No. 1 in the advertiser-coveted 18-to-49-year-old demographic for the first time since the end of “Friends” 10 years ago, NBC ran a triumphant victory lap before an audience of advertisers and journalists Monday in New York City.

Looking ahead at the new season, NBC Entertainment Chairman Bob Greenblatt noted that NBC’s lineup would remain relatively stable in the fall, with its No. 1 new hit,“The Blacklist,” in its current time slot at 10 p.m. and the debut of “noisy and sophisticated” shows, including relationship comedies “Marry Me” and “A to Z,” the lightly comedic Debra Messing police procedural “The Mysteries of Laura,” comic book adaptation “Constantine” and the Kate Walsh comedy “Bad Judge.”

Moving at midseason into coveted post-”Voice” time slot currently held by “The Blacklist” will be the Katherine Heigl drama “State of Affairs,” in which she stars as a Carrie Mathison-esque CIA analyst on the hunt for her fiancé’s killer — with help from his mother, the president.

The network “held back several of our best assets for midseason,” said Greenblatt. These include space-age comedy “Mission Control,” conspiracy thriller “Odyssey,” the Craig Robinson comedy “Mr. Robinson,” the Ellen DeGeneres-produced “One Big Happy,” the Tina Fey-produced Ellie Kemper sitcom “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” and the Russian spy drama “Allegiance.”

Also in the pipeline at NBC are a number of limited series and specials. The Biblical epic “A.D.”, which producer Mark Burnett teased as “ ‘Game of Thrones’ meets ‘The Borgias’ meets ‘The Bible’ “ will premiere on Easter Sunday.

Talk to us

More in Life

Daniella Beccaria / for The Herald

15-month-old Kantu attempts to climb a pumpkin at Stocker Farms in Snohomish on Sunday, September 20th, 2015. Stocker Farms offers a U-pick patch, farm animals and a corn maze.
Best pumpkin patch in Snohomish County

You voted, we tallied, here are the results.

Everett comedian Taylor Clark performs stand-up in 2023 at The Triple Door in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mike Bryk)
Comedian Taylor Clark to film first special Friday in Everett

The skateboarding funny-man will record an hour of his stand-up at the Historic Everett Theater.

Local musician Alex Johnston, whose newest album "Daylight Fooldream" pairs with short film he made with help from his partner Mikaela Henderson, sits with his morning coffee on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, at Narrative Coffee in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Folktronica musician shoots 37-minute visual album on iPhone in Everett

Alex Johnston, 31, describes his music as ”if Coldplay and Bon Iver had a love child.”

Death of parent with child. Piece of paper with parents and children is torn in half.
Helping children cope with the hard realities of divorce

I’s important to set aside one’s feelings and find a way to make this challenging transition as comfortable for children as you can.

In Belgium, each type of beer has its own glass – whether wide, tall, or fluted – to show off its distinct qualities.
Rick Steves’ Europe: Bruges brews lift a weary traveler’s spirits

The Belgian city is a mecca for beer lovers from around the world.

Children’s author Barbara Herkert to lead Story Time at Edmonds Bookshop, Friday September 29th, 9:30-10:00 am!
Author to read her new kids book at Edmonds bookstore

Author Barbara Herkert will read “This Old Madrone Tree” Friday at Edmonds Bookshop.

Flowering knotweed Persicaria amplexicaulis firetail in the morning light.
Save for one infamous variety, fleece flowers are easy to fall in love with

This long-blooming, easy-to-grow perennial comes in many desirable varieties. But watch out: One is an invasive knotweed.

A view of King Street Station in Seattle, Washington from an Amtrak Cascades train to Portland, Oregon from Everett, Washington on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Ride the rails on Amtrak Cascades from Everett to Portland

Make new friends and let Amtrak do the driving on this 5-hour trip past sea, city and forest.

Can he get the fare difference refunded after he was downgraded?

American Airlines downgrades Thomas Sennett and his family to economy class on their flights from Boston to Phoenix. Why isn’t it refunding the fare difference?

Most Read