TV Upfronts: Armchair Programmer Series - NBC

Last year, I foolishly tried to predict what the four English language networks would do prior to their official upfront presentations. Admittedly, I didn't not try to keep any kind of score because doing so would only drive me crazy, and it was all in the name of fun to begin with, so why sweat the details. With Upfronts just around the corner (week of May 13), I've decided to give it a go one more time.

For those new to this blog or have no idea what "upfronts" are, here's a little blurb I put together when I started this exercise in futility:

"Upfronts" refers to the period when the networks unveil their new programming line-ups to advertisers as a way to sell ad time. This is usually the time when fans will know if their favorite programs are coming back or not. While, the trend over the last couple of years has been for the networks to renew shows before their upfront presentations, these meetings tend to be the last word. This year's upfront presentations for the major networks are:

May 13, 2013 - NBC and FOX
May 14, 2013 - ABC
May 15, 2013 - CBS
May 16, 2013 - The CW

Unlike last year, I've decided to roll these Armchair Programmer write-ups in order of presentation date, which means NBC's up first. Over the last couple of seasons, NBC has been TV's favorite punching bag due to its abysmal ratings. Early on in 2012, it looked liked things changed for the Peacock as it could boast that it was the number one network, but their new found success was highly dependent on The Voice, Revolution, and Sunday Night Football. For some reason the network brass decided to bench the former two until March, and ratings plummeted back to Earth. That's a long-winded way of saying that NBC may not have fixed much and could be back to the drawing board for 2013-14.

Officially Renewed Shows
Chicago Fire
Football Night in America
Grimm
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
NBC Sunday Night Football
Parenthood
Revolution
The Sing-Off (winter only)
The Voice

Officially/Effectively Canceled/Finished Shows
30 Rock (final season)
Animal Practice
Do No Harm
Next Caller
The Office (final season)
Ready for Love

Possibly Renewed Shows
Betty White's Off Their Rockers
The Biggest Loser
Celebrity Apprentice
Dateline NBC
Go On
Hannibal
The New Normal
Parks and Recreation
Whitney

Possibly Canceled Shows
1600 Penn
Community
Deception
Fashion Star
Guys with Kids
Rock Center with Brian Williams
Smash
Take It All
Up All Night

Comedy Pilots
...Then Came Elvis/Family Guide
About a Boy
Assistance
Brenda Forever
Donor Party, The
Gates
Girlfriend in a Coma
Happiness
Holding Patterns
Joe, Joe & Jane
John Mulaney Show, The
MJF
Undateable
Untitled Craig Robinson Project
Untitled Jessica Simpson Project
Untitled Robert Padnick Project
Welcome to the Family

Drama Pilots
After Hours
Believe
Blacklist, The
Bloodlines
Hatfields & McCoys, The
I Am Victor
Ironside
Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives, The
Sixth Gun, The
Untitled Chicago Fire Spin-off
Untitled Rand Ravich Project
Wonderland

While it's nearly impossible to predict which pilots will go the series, you can make a guess based on a network's particular brand and needs. Comedy should be a major concern for NBC, and I can see them picking up a ton of sitcoms to help them find a new identity. Right now, I'm going with: About a Boy, Assistance, Happiness, MJF, Undateable, Craig Robinson, Welcome to the Family. On the drama side: The Blacklist, Chicago Fire spin-off, Hatfileds & McCoys, Ironside, The Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives, The Sixth Gun.

Possible NBC Shows for 2013-2014
About a Boy
Assistance
The Biggest Loser
Betty White's Off Their Rockers
The Blacklist
Celebrity Apprentice
Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire spin-off
Dateline NBC
Football Night in America
Go On
Grimm
Hannibal
Happiness
Hatfields & McCoys
Ironside
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
MJF
The New Normal
NBC Sunday Night Football
Parenthood
Parks and Recreation
Revolution
The Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives
The Sing-Off (winter only)
The Sixth Gun
Undateable
Untitled Craig Robinson Project
The Voice
Welcome to the Family
Whitney

Possible NBC Schedule for 2013-2014
Sundays
8-11p: Football

The easiest night to program. Once football's done, we'll probably see the return of reality fare (i.e. Celebrity Apprentice) and news programming, which means we could get more Rock Center even though I left it off my initial list.

Mondays
8-10p: The Voice
10-11p: Revolution

I see no reason why NBC would move The Voice at this point since it's such a hit, but what it leads into could get interesting. Common sense would dictate that the network try to launch a new drama at the 10 o'clock hour, but I think Revolution's still too dependent on big, red, swinging chairs so moving it would spell doom. My gut's telling me that Revolution will start off on Mondays but could be moved based on its ratings.

Tuesdays
8-9p: The Voice
9-9:30p: Happiness
9:30-10p: Undateable
10-11p: Parenthood

For some reason, I think it's too early for NBC to give up on expanding its comedy line-ups. Last season, The Voice helped out Go On and The New Normal (until it went on hiatus and those two shows suffered), and it's clear that they want to bring back multi-cam comedies. With Happiness, NBC gets Sean Hayes, and they get back into the Bill Lawrence business with Undateable. I don't know how those two shows will mesh, but it could work. As for Parenthood, why move it now?

Wednesdays
8-9p: Chicago Fire
9-10p: Chicago Fire spin-off
10-11p: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

NBC should take a page out of CBS' playbook and make Wednesday nights all Dick Wolf. Even though I think it's too soon for Chicago Fire to get its own spin-off, I get the feeling NBC wants to keep Dick Wolf happy and it'll get picked up. Might as well sandwich it between his other two shows.

Thursdays
8-8:30p: The New Normal
8:30-9p: Parks & Recreation
9-9:30p: MJF
9:30-10p: Go On
10-11p: The Blacklist

One of the most stable nights in television history could be a complete crapshoot next season. I don't see NBC straying away from an all-comedy line-up, but which comedies go where could be up in the air based on what kind of brand they're going for. The shows I went with could morph from workplace comedy to extended family, which could lead to a solid night. The 10'clock drama could also be tricky mostly because NBC's pilots don't jump out at me, and The Blacklist was the only one that sounded like it could anchor a night.

Fridays
8-9p: The Sixth Gun
9-10p: Grimm
10-11p: Dateline NBC

The fact that Grimm's gotten three seasons is proof that Fridays are no longer a dead zone, and it also showed that a new series can be launched on Fridays and do relatively well. It'd make sense to keep with the sci-fi/fantasy genre and pair Grimm up with The Sixth Gun before Dateline. I also wouldn't be shocked if Grimm starts off the night, but I think NBC benefits more by letting it stay put for now.

Mid-Season: About a Boy, Assistance, Betty White's Off Their Rockers, The Biggest Loser, Celebrity Apprentice, Hannibal, Hatfields & McCoys, Ironside, Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives, The Sing-Off, Untitled Craig Robinson, Welcome to the Family, Whitney

As always, please note that these are just predictions and should not be taken as fact... unless I'm right. Next up, FOX.