UPDATED WITH DATES AND NEW SCHEDULE: Here’s what you’ll be watching on NBC this fall

UPDATE: Back in May when the networks released their fall schedules, such as they were, most seemed to be at least slightly optimistic that the nascent writers’ strike would end long before filming would need to begin on the scripted fall shows. ABC was the only network that took a more pessimistic approach, filling their schedule with game shows and reruns. And now, almost two months to the day, the other networks seem to be realizing that the strikes aren’t ending anytime soon, and making adjustments to a fall schedule that is set to launch in September.

NBC’s original schedule was very optimistic, filled with new scripted comedies and dramas, nestled between their old stalwarts of the Dick Wolf dramas. What’s interesting is that like everyone else (except ABC), they’ve overhauled their fall schedule … but it still remains optimistic? Magnum P.I. has been pushed up from midseason, and new dramas The Irrational and Found still have a place. Who they think will be writing and acting in these series remains to be seen. The new schedule with premiere dates can be found below.

 

There is no such thing as a traditional Upfront season anymore. Last year, very briefly, it felt like the Upfronts — the events when the networks announce their upcoming fall schedules and new series — were back following the pandemic and the steady decline of network television in general. But now with a writers’ strike that could very well stretch through the summer, and potential strikes by the Directors Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild on the horizon, the networks are having to play the upcoming fall season entirely by ear. With some networks, this looks like loading up on reality content; with others, it looks like they are moving forward with their scripted material and hoping for the best.

NBC seems to be confident this writers’ strike won’t last long enough to disrupt their fall schedule as it is chock full of scripted series with the one exception of The Voice. That said, you’ll note that no premiere dates have been announced. Also, there are two new reality competitions and a docuseries that they ostensibly might be saving for the midseason that they could press into service in the fall if the strike goes on longer than they hope. One is a reimagining of Deal or No Deal, the other an as-of-yet-determined spinoff of America’s Got Talent.

NBC has only added three new scripted series to their fall schedule, two safe procedural dramas, and one family sitcom. But the small number of new shows is more of a comment on the decline of the profitability of network TV than anything to do with the strike.

NEW Schedule

MONDAY

7/8 p.m.: The Voice (September 25)
9/10 p.m.: THE IRRATIONAL (September 25)

TUESDAY

7/8 p.m.: The Voice
9/10 p.m.: FOUND (October 3)

WEDNESDAY

7/8 p.m.: Chicago Dramas (Repeats)
8/9 p.m.: Quantum Leap (October 4)
9/10 p.m.: Magnum P.I. (October 4)

THURSDAY

7/8 p.m.: Law & Order (Repeats)
8/9 p.m.: TRANSPLANT (October 5)
9/10 p.m.: Dateline NBC (Repeats)

FRIDAY

7/8 p.m.: The Wall
8/9 p.m.: Dateline NBC 

SATURDAY

6/7 p.m.: BIG TEN COUNTDOWN
6:30/7:30 p.m.: BIG TEN SATURDAY NIGHT

SUNDAY

6/7 p.m.: Football Night in America
7:20/8:20 p.m.: NBC Sunday Night Football

PREVIOUS Schedule

MONDAY

7/8 p.m.: The Voice
9/10 p.m.: THE IRRATIONAL

TUESDAY

7/8 p.m.: Night Court
7:30/8:30 p.m.: EXTENDED FAMILY
8/9 p.m.: The Voice
9/10 p.m.: Quantum Leap

WEDNESDAY

7/8 p.m.: Chicago Med
8/9 p.m.: Chicago Fire
9/10 p.m.: Chicago P.D. 

THURSDAY

7/8 p.m.: Law & Order
8/9 p.m.: Law & Order: SVU
9/10 p.m.: FOUND

FRIDAY

7/8 p.m.: The Wall
8/9 p.m.: Dateline NBC 

SATURDAY

6/7 p.m.: BIG TEN COUNTDOWN
6:30/7:30 p.m.: BIG TEN SATURDAY NIGHT

SUNDAY

6/7 p.m.: Football Night in America
7:20/8:20 p.m.: NBC Sunday Night Football

New Fall Shows

the irrational

Official synopsis:

Based on the bestselling author Dan Ariely’s “Predictably Irrational,” Alec Mercer is a world-renowned leader in behavioral science who lends his expertise to an array of high-stakes cases involving governments, law enforcement and corporations with his unique and unexpected approach to understanding human behavior. The cast includes Jesse L. Martin, Maahra Hill, Travina Springer, Molly Kunz and Arash DeMaxi. Arika Lisanne Mittman will write and executive produce. Mark Goffman, Samuel Baum and David Frankel also executive produce. Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, will produce.

T’s Take:

Without a trailer it’s hard to guess what, exactly, the tone of this series will be, but it sounds like another “brilliant but wacky guy solves crimes” brand of procedural.

FOUND

Official synopsis:

In any given year, more than 600,000 people are reported missing in the U.S. More than half that number are people of color that the country seems to forget about. A public relations specialist, who was once herself one of those forgotten ones, and her crisis management team now make sure there is always someone looking out for the forgotten missing people. But unbeknownst to anyone, this everyday hero is hiding a chilling secret of her own. The cast includes Shanola Hampton, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Kelli Williams, Brett Dalton, Gabrielle Walsh, Arlen Escarpeta and Karan Oberoi. Nkechi Okoro Carroll will write and executive produce. Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Sonay Hoffman, Lindsay Dunn and Leigh Redman also executive produce. Berlanti Productions and Rock My Soul Productions produces in association with Warner Bros. Television and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.

T’s Take:

Yes, it’s another procedural, but one with an important message: it’s not only pretty blonde women between the ages of 15-29 who go missing in this country. I hope it’s successful; the cynical part of me worries that people will feel preached at.

Extended family

Official synopsis:

Jim and Julia, after an amicable divorce, decide to continue to raise their kids at the family home while taking turns on who gets to stay with them. Navigating the waters of divorce and child-sharing gets more complicated for Jim when Trey, the owner of his favorite sports team, enters the picture and wins Julia’s heart. The cast includes Jon Cryer, Donald Faison, Abigail Spencer, Sofia Capanna and Finn Sweeney. Mike O’Malley will write and executive produce. Tom Werner, Wyc Grousbeck, Emilia Fazzalari and George Geyer also executive produce. Lionsgate will produce in association with Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.

T’s Take:

It’s a solid cast: Jon Cryer, Donald Faison, and Abigail Spencer are all very likable. But based on this description alone, this feels a lot more like a CBS sitcom than an NBC outing. Of course, NBC has been desperate to copy CBS’s successes, so that is not entirely surprising. The problem is, they’ve never been able to deliver that particular brand of broadly appealing sitcom. Again, a trailer would really help here.

NOT YET SCHEDULED

UNTITLED AMERICA’S GOT TALENT SERIES

Official synopsis:

Building off the success of “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” and “America’s Got Talent: All-Stars” comes the next special edition of the world’s most successful TV franchise. Last year, “All-Stars” was the #1 new alternative series of the season in both the 18-49 demo and total viewers. The new series will be co-produced by Fremantle and Syco Entertainment. Simon Cowell, Sam Donnelly and Jason Raff are the executive producers.

T’s Take:

OK BUT WHAT IS IT? How many different ways do we need to recycle old America’s Got Talent contestants?

DEAL OR NO DEAL ISLAND

Official synopsis:

The iconic game of “Deal or No Deal” is back and unlike anything you have ever seen before! This new format transports audiences to the Banker’s private island where he makes the rules and there are twists behind every palm tree. Hidden on the island are over 100 cases with millions of dollars split between them, which teams must retrieve so that they can play a game of Deal or No Deal against the Banker. Only one team will survive until the very last episode, where they’ll compete to beat the Banker for the biggest prize in “Deal or No Deal” history. “Deal or No Deal” first launched in the Netherlands in 2002 and has been commissioned in more than 80 territories worldwide with more than 350 productions. “Deal or No Deal Island” is produced by Endemol Shine North America and is based on the Banijay format, “Deal or No Deal.” Sharon Levy, DJ Nurre and Howie Mandel will serve as executive producers.

T’s Take:

I mean … look … how do I put this … I just feel like mysterious rich man + private island + 26 pretty model ladies + large cash sums is giving off more of a Jeffrey Epstein vibe than NBC really wants to get themselves into.

The Americas

Official synopsis:

From BBC Studios Natural History Unit, the creators of the critically acclaimed and multi-Emmy Award-winning “Planet Earth” and “Blue Planet,” in association with Universal Television Alternative Studio, comes the epic 10-part tentpole event series “The Americas.” Marking the first time acclaimed actor, producer and writer Tom Hanks will narrate an unscripted entertainment series, “The Americas” will also feature music by two-time Oscar winner Hans Zimmer. This incomparable project will employ revolutionary filmmaking technology that will showcase the wonders, secrets and fragilities of the Americas – Earth’s largest landmass and the only one to stretch between both poles – and reveal extraordinary, untold wildlife stories that deeply connect with millions around the world. “The Americas” is executive produced by renowned Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning wildlife producer Mike Gunton (“Life,” “Planet Earth II,” and “Dynasties”) for BBC Studios Natural History Unit, the world’s largest production unit dedicated to wildlife filmmaking, in association with Universal Television Alternative Studio, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Cancellations

• The Blacklist
• New Amsterdam

Renewals

• Chicago Fire
• Chicago Med
• Chicago P.D.
• La Brea
• Law & Order
• Law & Order: Organized Crime
• Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
• Lopez vs. Lopez
• Magnum P.I.
• Night Court
• Quantum Leap
• That’s My Jam
• The Voice
• The Wall

Shows Still Up in the Air

• American Auto
• Grand Crew
• Young Rock