Channel Surfing: "Lost" Returns in February, "Chuck" Kicks off in January, NBC Orders more "Trauma," and More

Welcome to your Friday morning television briefing.

ABC yesterday announced the premiere date for the sixth and final season of Lost, which will return to the lineup on Tuesday, February 2nd with a two-hour premiere (preceded by a one-hour clip show) before setting into its new timeslot of Tuesdays at 9 pm ET/PT the following week. (Televisionary)

Lest they be outdone, NBC yesterday announced the premiere date for Season Three of the much-missed action comedy Chuck, which will kick off its third season with a three-hour two-night event on Sunday, January 10th. The following night, Chuck moves into its regular timeslot of Mondays at 8 pm ET/PT. Sadly, Julia Ling's Anna won't be back for Season Three, a fact that Warner Bros. Television confirmed to me yesterday afternoon. (Televisionary)

NBC has unexpected ordered three additional episodes of struggling freshman drama Trauma. After the holiday hiatus, that will leave the Peacock with six unaired episodes of Trauma. No announcement has been made about just where or when NBC will slot these installments. (E! Online's Watch with Kristin, Deadline Hollywood Daily)

Oprah Winfrey will announce that the end of the daily syndicated talk show will arrive on September 9th, 2011 following the end of the series' 25th season. But it's not the end of Oprah, as Winfrey will move the talk show to the cabler OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, which she owns with Discovery Communications. (Hollywood Reporter)

Don't hold your breath waiting for the next Aaron Sorkin series. Following a report by TV Guide Magazine that the West Wing creator was working on developing a series set behind the scenes of (yet another) television series. Entertainment Weekly's Hollywood Insider instead says those statements were rather premature. Or as Sorkin's rep put it bluntly, "There is nothing to discuss at this point." (Entertainment Weekly's Hollywood Insider)

Garth Ancier will step down from his position as president of BBC Worldwide America in March after serving in the role for three years. Ancier, who made the decision voluntarily, will stay on at the company as a "nonexecutive director" as well as hold onto his seat on the board of BBC Worldwide America. No word on his replacement as of yet though possible contenders include Jane Tranter. "We have achieved a great deal over the past three years, but now feels the right time to transition to a new role where I can really help BBC Worldwide shape its strategy," said Ancier. (Hollywood Reporter)

Sam Hennings (Cold Case), Robyn Lively (Saving Grace), and Leonard Earl Howze (Barbershop) will star opposite Jason Lee in TNT's drama pilot Delta Blues, from executive producers George Clooney and Grant Heslov and Warner Horizon. (Hollywood Reporter)

VH1 has ordered a second season of reality competition series Scream Queens, from Lionsgate Television. The winner of the second season, set to air in 2010, will land a role in the studio's next Saw film. (Variety)

Sam Shepard (Brothers) has been cast in Epix Nashville drama pilot Tough Trade, from Lionsgate Television and executive producer/showrunner Jenji Kohan (Weeds) and creator Chris Offutt. Shepard will play the patriarch of a Nashville music family "whose penchant for drink, debauchery and divorce has left them morally corrupt and on the verge of bankruptcy." (Hollywood Reporter)

UK viewers will have the opportunity to watch freshman drama Trauma and another chance to catch Syfy's Warehouse 13 (it aired in its first window on Sci-Fi UK), following a deal between NBC Universal International Television and satellite channel Virgin1. Both will launch next year. (Broadcast)

Circle of Confusion has signed a first-look deal with 20th Century Fox Television. Production/management company already has several projects in development, including an adaptation of Brian Michael Bendis' Powers at FX (with Sony Pictures Television attached), The Descendants at FOX from writer Ed Brubaker, which is described a "new twist on a cop show," and Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead at AMC. (Variety)

Alicia Witt, Markie Post, and Frances Fisher have been cast in Hallmark Channel telepic Backyard Wedding. Pic is written by Nina Weinman and will be directed by Bradford May. (Hollywood Reporter)

MTV has hired E! executive Steve Tseckares as SVP of special programming and production and former HGTV executive James Bolosh as VP of series development, reporting to Liz Gateley. (Variety)

Stay tuned.

Channel Surfing: "Dollhouse" Remains on Fridays in January, NBC Keeping "Trauma" Alive for Another Three Weeks, Kudrow Set for "Cougar Town," and More

Welcome to your Wednesday morning television briefing.

Good news for Dollhouse fans. After double-booking Dollhouse episodes on Friday nights in December, FOX has indicated that it will continue to air the remainder of the second season of Dollhouse, with the series returning to its regular timeslot of Friday evenings at 9 pm ET/PT beginning January 8th. Meanwhile, 'Til Death will move to Sundays at 7 pm beginning January 10th while Brothers will wrap its run on December 27th. (Futon Critic)

NBC has announced that it will keep underperforming medical drama Trauma in the Monday night timeslot for the next three weeks. No decision has yet been made about the ultimate fate of the medical series, which failed to garner a back nine pickup along with fellow freshman series Community and Mercy. (Hollywood Reporter's The Live Feed)

Lisa Kudrow will guest star on an upcoming episode of ABC's Cougar Town, which will reunite her with her former Friends co-star Courteney Cox. Kudrow is slated to appear in an upcoming episode as a mean-spirited dermatologist. TV Guide Magazine broke the story and Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello has confirmed the casting, saying that Kudrow's episode will air sometime in early 2010. (TV Guide, Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

Lost executive producer Carlton Cuse has teased the identity of an upcoming guest star on the sixth and final season of ABC's Lost. Via Twitter, Cuse sent the clue-laden message, "Damon and I are die hard fans of this impeckable actor who keeps the barr high and just signed to guest star on the show. Life is good!" After sending fans guessing for roughly two hours, Cuse confirmed the theories of many readers that veteran character actor William Atherton (Life) would be guest starring on Lost. (Twitter)

In other Lost-related news, Jeff Fahey has been upgraded to a series regular for Season Six of Lost. USA Today's Whitney Matheson has a fantastic interview with executive producer Damon Lindelof about the final season of Lost, where he reveals Fahey has been promoted. "Lapidus is definitely a series regular this season," said Lindelof. "Jeff Fahey was just a recurring character up through last year. Now, whether or not Lapidus makes it until the end of the season is anyone's guess, but he's definitely one of the A-team this year." This and much more in the interview. (USA Today)

NBC is developing an untitled legal drama about "a vigilante lawyer who uses any means necessary to defend his clients against a corrupt district attorney and city establishment," that will star Idris Elba (The Wire). Project, from writers Sean O'Keefe and Will Staples, will be executive produced by David Eick (Battlestar Galactica). Elba appeared in a seven-episode story arc on NBC's The Office; deal could potentially keep him on the network, should the project go to series. (Hollywood Reporter)

Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello is reporting that former Women's Murder Club star Paula Newsome has been cast in a multiple-episode story arc on ABC's FlashForward this season, where she will play a doctor. Her first appearance on the series is set for early 2010. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

Gabourney Sidibe (Precious) is said to be in talks to appear in Showtime comedy pilot The C Word opposite Laura Linney. If a deal closes, Sidibe would guest star in the pilot as a "teen whom Linney's character tries to help lose both weight and the bad attitude." (Variety)

E! Online's Jennifer Godwin has some spoilers for Season Three of HBO's True Blood. I won't be reading it (I prefer to be surprised) but if you're of the spoiler-loving persuasion, you can check out what tidbits she's pulled together. (E! Online's Watch with Kristin)

Lakers star Pau Gasol will guest star in the November 16th episode of CBS' CSI: Miami, where he will play a person of interest in an investigation involving a car accident. (Hollywood Reporter)

Comedy Central has acquired 13 episodes of ABC's short-lived animated comedy The Goode Family beginning in January. The cabler is also said to be in talks to pick up FOX animated comedy Sit Down, Shut Up. (Variety)

Disney Channel has given a pilot order to musical comedy Dance Dance Chicago, which will follow two teens working as back-up dancers on an American Bandstand-esque series. Project, from writer/executive producer Chris Thompson, is slated to begin production in January. (Hollywood Reporter)

Reveille has formed a joint venture with former Ish Entertainment co-founder Stella Stolper. Company, dubbed Wikked Entertainment, will focus on reality projects that are talent-driven, with the venture run by Stolper. (The Wrap's TVMoJoe)

TruTV has ordered eight episodes of an untitled reality series set inside the Vegas county jail from executive producers John Langley and Morgan Langley's Langley Prods. Project, which is currently known under its working title of Las Vegas Lockdown, is slated to launch in January. (Variety)

Stay tuned.

Talk Back: Series Premiere of NBC's "Trauma"

I'm curious to see how many of you out there tuned in last night to watch NBC's new medical drama series Trauma.

I didn't review Trauma--possibly because I couldn't find anything nice to say about it--but I am wondering what those of you thought who happened to tune in to the series opener last evening.

Did you like the series' combination of feisty, flawed characters and things going boom? Were you sucked in my the catastrophic opening minutes' footage of that downed helicopter? Did you like the chemistry between the actors or was it sideswiped by the explosive production values? Or did you find the whole thing incredibly bombastic and forced? Or a wee bit dated?

More importantly, will you tune in again next week for the second episode?

Talk back here.

Trailer Park: NBC's "Parenthood," "Community," and "Trauma

Looking for a sneak peak at some of NBC's new series?

You're in luck as NBC today released three new promos for its upcoming fall series Parenthood, Community, and Trauma, all of which can be found below.

PARENTHOOD

Parenthood – Find out everything that makes Parenthood special. Parenthood, coming this fall on NBC.



COMMUNITY

Going Back To College – Life is full of opportunities. Community, coming Thursdays this fall on NBC.



TRAUMA

Trauma – Meet the people who run towards danger. Trauma, coming this fall on NBC



Parenthood, Community, and Trauma premiere this fall on NBC.

Channel Surfing: BBC America Snags Five "Doctor Who" Specials, Freddie Prinze Jr. on "24," Whedon Wants Summer Glau on "Dollhouse," and More

Welcome to your Thursday morning television briefing.

BBC America has acquired the US premiere rights to five Doctor Who specials, featuring David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor, and plans to air "The Next Doctor," the 2008 Christmas Special, on June 27th at 9 pm ET/PT. The first of this year's specials, entitled "Planet of the Dead," will follow in July with the three others airing in late 2009 and early 2010. “The outstanding quality of the Doctor Who scripts from Russell T. Davies and the on-screen dynamic that David Tennant brings to the role are a magic combination for our viewers," said BBC Worldwide America president Garth Ancier. "Russell’s spin-off series Torchwood is already our highest rated show on the channel and I know the fans will follow these new specials with equal passion and support. We’re thrilled to bring this iconic show to BBC America, home of the best British sci-fi programming on television." Meanwhile, Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood will kick off its five-episode event third season (Torchwood: Children of Earth) in July. (via press release)

In an unexpected casting twist, Freddie Prinze Jr. (who recently shot the ABC comedy pilot No Heroics) has been cast in Day Eight of FOX's 24, where he will play Davis Cole, a "recently returned Marine who runs CTU Field Ops and wants to follow in Jack Bauer's (Kiefer Sutherland) footsteps." (Also on board: Nazneen Contractor, who will play the daughter of the Middle East leader played by Anil Kapoor.) The casting comes on the heels of that for Chris Diamantopoulos, John Boyd, and Jennifer Westfeldt. (Hollywood Reporter)

With FOX's Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles canceled, Joss Whedon hopes to bring former Terminator star Summer Glau over to his FOX drama series Dollhouse. "If anybody thinks [bringing Summer onto Dollhouse] hasn't occurred to me already then they have not met me. I mentioned it to her before [T:SCC] was canceled. I was like, 'You know, we should get you in the 'house.' But first we have to come up with something that works," Whedon told Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello. "Summer would be perfect to play an active, but she's done that [type of role] a lot. I'd rather see her play someone who talks too much. The most fun I have is when I get somebody who's good and comfortable at doing something, and then I make them do something else. Summer said to me, 'I would like to play a normal girl before I die of extreme old age.'" (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

The recasting is already beginning. Just the week after network upfronts, several series have already begun to quietly replace some of their lead actors. ABC's The Forgotten will recast the roles played by Rupert Penry-Jones and Reiko Aylesworth in the pilot episode, the biggest changes likely to be seen on any network project. Other projects that will see cast changes include CBS' NCIS: Los Angeles, which will see the the departure of Louise Lombard as the female lead (which will be recast); CBS' Three Rivers, which will see Julia Ormond not stay on past the pilot installment as the hospital's head of surgery (likewise, Joaquim De Almeida will not return); Richard Coyle's role on NBC's Trauma will be recast; Gillian Jacobs' role on CBS' The Good Wife will be recast now that the actress is booked on NBC's Community; and Amir Talai's role on NBC comedy 100 Questions is also being recast. (Hollywood Reporter)

John Lithgow has been cast in twelve episodes of Season Four of Showtime's Dexter, where he will play Walter Simmons, a.k.a. The Trinity Killer, one of America's deadliest murderers who kills in threes and masquerades as an "unassuming mild-mannered suburbanite." (Televisionary)

Kristin Chenoweth (Pushing Daisies) has been cast as the lead in Lifetime romantic comedy telepic Twelve Men of Christmas, based on Phillipa Ashley's novel "Decent Exposure," about a "down-on-her-luck PR exec (Chenoweth) who uses her media savvy to generate sizzle in a Montana town." (Hollywood Reporter)

Bravo is launching six-episode reality series Miami Social, following the lives of seven interconnected Miami socialites, on July 14th at 10 pm ET/PT. The Miami denizens depicted in the Pink Sneakers-produced series include former Apprentice contestant Katrina Campins and Big Brother contestant Hardy Hill. (Variety)

E! Online's Watch with Kristin catches up with Three Rivers star Alex O'Loughlin to talk about his new CBS medical drama series, launching this fall. (E! Online's Watch with Kristin)

Following allegations that local AT&T employees offered Kris Allen fans free text-messaging services and may have demonstrated how to power vote (a practice strictly forbidden by American Idol voting regulations), FOX has issued a statement in which they stand by the results of the latest American Idol crowning. "Kris Allen is, without a doubt, the American Idol,” said FOX, FremantleMedia North America, and 19 Entertainment in a joint statement. "We have an independent third-party monitoring procedure in place to ensure the integrity of the voting process. In no way did any individuals unfairly influence the outcome of the competition." AT&T, meanwhile, said that the Arkansas employees' actions were not corporately mandated and that these individuals were "caught up in the enthusiasm of rooting for their hometown contestant." "Going forward we will make sure our employees understand our sponsorship celebrates the competition, not individual contestants," said AT&T in a statement. (New York Times)

RHI Entertainment has set up a Los Angeles office as it looks to embark on a push into primetime series. Tom Patricia and Elizabeth Stephens will oversee the Los Angeles office and report to Jeff Sagansky, the non-executive chairman of RHI. Patricia will serve as EVP of movies and miniseries, while Stephens has been named EVP of series. "We're a big company," said RHI founder Robert Halmi. "We see this as a great time to strike in this marketplace and take more market share from our competitors. Under Jeff's leadership, we expect to be a player in dramatic TV series." (Variety)

Granada America, the studio behind such hits as Hell's Kitchen, will rename itself ITV Studios, in order to "better reflect the nonscripted shingle's relationship with its U.K. parent." The studio is about to launch NBC's I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here, which will be hosted by Damien Fahey and Myleene Klass. (Hollywood Reporter)

ABC movies and mini-series maven Quinn Taylor will see his oversight expand to include programming acquisitions, formats, as well as international co-productions that could be acquired and aired on ABC. (Variety)

Travel Channel president and general manager Patrick Younge will leave the channel in January in order to return to London to be with his family. "As tough as I will find it to leave my team at Travel Channel Media, I'm fulfilling a promise I made to my two children, who remained in the U.K. when I joined TCM in 2005," said Younge in a statement. "I have a terrific team here at TCM, and despite these unprecedented economic conditions we are enjoying record ratings, audience delivery and Web traffic. We are also recognized as leaders in social-media marketing, and through innovative programs like the Travel Channel Academy and mobile products like Travel Channel GO, we are extending our reach and revenue into new arenas." (Hollywood Reporter)

Stay tuned.

NBC Announces Six New Series, Renews Four Returning Series... But No News for "Chuck"

NBC unveiled part of its plan for the 2009-2010 season just a few hours ahead of its infront presentation to advertisers in New York.

The Peacock ordered six new series including dramas Trauma, Parenthood, Mercy, and Day One (described as an "event series") and comedies 100 Questions and Community.

NBC also officially announced that it had renewed dramas Heroes and Southland and comedy Parks and Recreation, as well as ordering six new installments of Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday.

As expected, there was no mention of on the bubble series like Chuck, Law & Order, and My Name is Earl, although the network was quick to acknowledge that additional renewals and pickups will be announced May 19th, when NBC announces its full 2009-2010 schedule. (Also missing: Medium, which some news outlets had reported as already being renewed.)

It's a rather full offering (with the potential for further orders), considering that NBC has lost its 10 pm hour during the week. Just how all of these series, along with the slew of programs that the Peacock had already renewed ahead of its infront presentation (including The Office, 30 Rock, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Biggest Loser,Celebrity Apprentice, and Friday Night Lights), will fit into the complicated rubric that is NBC's primetime schedule remains to be seen.

The full press release from NBC, along with descriptions, photos, and featurettes about the new series, can be found below.

NBC ANNOUNCES AMBITIOUS LINEUP OF PROGRAMMING DOMINATED BY NEW SCRIPTED SERIES FOR 2009-2010 PRIMETIME SEASON THAT EXTENDS THE NETWORK'S QUALITY BRAND

New Series Include Four Dramas: Trauma, Parenthood, Mercy and the Event Series Day One as Well as Two Comedies: Community and 100 Questions

Returning Series Pickups Include Heroes, Southland, Parks and Recreation and Six New Episodes of Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday

NEW YORK CITY – May 4, 2009 – NBC unveiled today a strong lineup of broad and diverse quality programming for the 2009-2010 television season announcing the pickups of six new series featuring four new dramas including Trauma, Parenthood, Mercy and the event series Day One, as well as two new comedies including Community and 100 Questions. Four returning series pickups were also announced today including Heroes, Southland, Parks and Recreation and the addition of six new episodes of Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday skewering today's top stories in live half-hour primetime shows.

The new and returning series will launch next season and the epic event series Day One is slated to premiere out of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

The Jay Leno Show will be broadcast Monday-Fridays, 10-11 p.m. ET beginning in the fall. Previously announced series pickups include The Office, 30 Rock, The Biggest Loser, The Celebrity Apprentice, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Friday Night Lights, and new alternative series The Marriage Ref, Breakthrough With Tony Robbins and Who Do You Think You Are?

Additional series pickups will be announced May 19, when NBC announces its 2009-2010 schedule.

NBC unveiled pickups for the upcoming broadcast season in the first of a series of presentations today and tomorrow to key advertisers from Studio 8H-the home of NBC's Saturday Night Live-at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. Presentations will continue in Chicago on May 7 and Los Angeles on May 12.

"We are thrilled to be announcing such an awesome slate of new series that build on our existing quality brand and deliver emotional, human stories," said Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios. "NBC will strive to make viewers feel and our shows represent the full range of human emotion from laughter to tears. We can't wait to share these concepts with our audience and our advertising partners."

"These new series will showcase fresh talent and bold, original concepts that are extremely well executed," said Angela Bromstad, President, Primetime Entertainment, NBC and Universal Media Studios. "We are grateful to the producers, casts and crews -- and our team -- who have delivered incredibly compelling and entertaining new series."
In response to an evolving media marketplace and the changing needs of advertisers, NBC has created a more innovative, client-centric approach to its traditional Upfront with a series of one-on-one client presentations, which began today in New York City. These presentations are interactive and, unlike other networks' Upfront presentations, will include a Q & A with advertisers and NBC sales and entertainment executives.

NBC will also host advertisers and affiliates at a "Night of Comedy" featuring appearances by some of its biggest comedy stars including Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, Rainn Wilson and Tracy Morgan on Tuesday, May 19 in New York City.

2009-2010 NEW SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

New Dramas:

PARENTHOOD

From the executive producers of the box-office hit Parenthood -- Ron Howard and Brian Grazer (Oscar winners for "A Beautiful Mind"), and writer/executive producer Jason Katims ("Friday Night Lights") -- this contemporary re-imagining of the blockbuster film depicts the colorful and imperfect Braverman family -- four grown siblings sharing the headaches, heartaches and joy of being parents. The star-studded cast includes Peter Krause, Maura Tierney, Craig T. Nelson, Dax Shepard, Bonnie Bedelia, Monica Potter, Erika Christensen and Sarah Ramos. When Sarah Braverman (Tierney, "ER"), a financially strapped single mother, returns home to her parents and siblings in Berkeley, Calif. after packing up her Fresno apartment and uprooting her two inconvenienced kids, Amber (Mae Whitman, "In Treatment") and Drew (Miles Heizer, "ER"), she is greeted by her opinionated father, Zeek (Nelson, "Family Stone," "Coach"), and strong mother, Camille (Bedelia, "Heart Like a Wheel"), who are privately dealing with their own marital issues. As Sarah is reunited with her siblings -- sister, Julia (Christensen, "Traffic"), and brothers Crosby (Shepard, "Baby Mama") and Adam (Krause, "Six Feet Under") -- all struggling with issues of their own, it's clear that the Braverman reunion is just what they need to face the everyday challenges of modern family life. "Parenthood" is a production from Imagine Entertainment and Universal Media Studios. Emmy winner Thomas Schlamme ("The West Wing") directs the pilot.



TRAUMA

Executive producer Peter Berg (NBC's "Friday Night Lights") delivers "Trauma," the first high-octane medical drama series to live exclusively in the field where the real action is. Like an adrenaline shot to the heart, "Trauma" is an intense, action-packed look at one of the most dangerous medical professions in the world: first responder paramedics. When emergencies occur, the trauma team from San Francisco General is first on the scene, traveling by land, by sea or by air to reach their victims in time. From the heights of the city's Transamerica Pyramid to the depths of the San Francisco Bay, these heroes must face the most extreme conditions to save lives -- and give meaning to their own existence in the process. Starring in "Trauma" are Derek Luke ("Notorious"), Cliff Curtis ("10,000 B.C"), Anastasia Griffith ("Damages"), Aimee Garcia ("George Lopez"), Kevin Rankin ("Friday Night Lights") and Jamey Sheridan ("Law & Order: Criminal Intent"). "Trauma" is a production of Universal Media Studios and Film 44. Berg, Sarah Aubrey ("Bad Santa," "Friday Night Lights"), Dario Scardapane and Jeffrey Reiner ("Friday Night Lights") serve as executive producers. The pilot was written by Scardapane and directed by Reiner.



MERCY

"Mercy," a new medical drama with a unique point of view, portrays the lives of the staff at Mercy Hospital as seen through the eyes of those who know it best -- its nurses. Nurse Veronica Callahan (Taylor Schilling, "Dark Matter") returns to Mercy from a military tour in Iraq -- and she knows more about medicine than all of the residents combined. Together with fellow nurses Sonia Jimenez (Jamie Lee Kirchner, "Rescue Me") and Chloe Payne (Michelle Trachtenberg, "Gossip Girl"), Callahan navigates through the daily traumas and social landmines of life and love both inside the hospital and out in the real world. The cast also includes: James Tupper ("Men in Trees") as Dr. Chris Sands, a new doctor at the hospital who complicates Veronica's life; Diego Klattenhoff ("Supernatural") as Mike Callahan, Veronica's husband; and Guillermo Diaz ("Weeds") as Nurse Angel Lopez. "Mercy" is a production from Universal Media Studios and Berman Braun. Joining writer/executive producers Liz Heldens (NBC's "Friday Night Lights") and Gretchen Berg & Aaron Harberts ("Pushing Daisies," "Pepper Dennis") are executive producers Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun. Emmy Award winner Adam Bernstein (NBC's "30 Rock," "Rescue Me") is the director.



DAY ONE

From executive producer/writer Jesse Alexander ("Heroes," "Lost," "Alias") and director Alex Graves ("Fringe," "Journeyman"), "Day One" tells the story of life on earth following a global catastrophe that has devastated the world's infrastructures. Beginning with the immediate aftermath of the cataclysmic event, an eclectic band of survivors -- played by Adam Campbell ("Date Movie"), Catherine Dent ("The Shield"), Julie Gonzalo ("Eli Stone"), David Lyons ("ER"), Derek Mio ("Greek"), Carly Pope ("24"), Thekla Reuten ("Sleeper Cell") and Addison Timlin ("Cashmere Mafia") -- strives to rebuild society as they unravel the mysteries of what happened and face their uncertain future. The group, all residents of one apartment building in suburban Van Nuys, Calif., embarks on a quest for survival and discovers that hope is found in small victories -- and heroes are born every day. "Day One" is a Universal Media Studios production.



New Comedies:

100 QUESTIONS (fka 100 Questions for Charlotte Payne)

Emmy winner James Burrows ("Will & Grace," "Friends") directs "100 Questions," a new comedy series written and executive-produced by Christopher Moynihan ("For Your Consideration") that provides hilarious answers to 100 questions about love. Charlotte Payne (Sophie Winkleman, "Peep Show") is looking for love and has rejected multiple marriage proposals -- but she has yet to meet Mr. Right. When she joins a popular online dating site, she gets a little help from her dating counselor Ravi (Amir Talai, "The Ex List") – who requires her to take a 100-question compatibility test. The questions aren't easy for Charlotte to answer, and each one requires her to recount a poignant and humorous time in her life with friends Leslie (Elizabeth Ho, "Women's Murder Club"), Jill (Joy Suprano, NBC's "Law & Order"), Mike (Christopher Moynihan "For Your Consideration") and Wayne (David Walton "Quarterlife"). The test becomes a journey of self-discovery for Charlotte who begins to realize what she truly wants in a relationship. Ron West ("Psych"), Kelly Kulchak ("Psych") and Michelle Nader ("King of Queens") join Moynihan as executive producers. The series is produced by Universal Media Studios and Tagline.



COMMUNITY

From Emmy Award-winning directors Joe and Anthony Russo ("Arrested Development") comes "Community," a smart comedy series about higher education -- and lower expectations. The student body at Greendale Community College is made up of high-school losers, newly divorced housewives, and old people who want to keep their minds active. Within these not-so-hallowed halls, "Community" focuses on a band of misfits, at the center of which is a fast-talkin' lawyer whose degree has been revoked (Joel McHale, "The Soup"), who form a study group and end up learning a lot more about themselves than they do about their course work. In addition to McHale, the series also stars: Gillian Jacobs ("The Book of Daniel"); Yvette Nicole Brown ("Rules of Engagement"); Danny Pudi ("Greek"); Alison Brie ("Mad Men"); and comedy legend Chevy Chase ("Saturday Night Live"). "Community" is a Krasnoff Foster Entertainment, Harmonious Claptrap and Russo Brothers production in association with Sony Pictures Television and Universal Media Studios. Russ Krasnoff ("The Soloist"), Dan Harmon ("The Sarah Silverman Program"), Joe Russo ("Arrested Development"), Anthony Russo ("Arrested Development") and Gary Foster ("The Soloist") serve as executive producers. Joe and Anthony Russo directed the pilot that was written by Dan Harmon.



Stay tuned.