NBC SETS RICH SUMMER SCRIPTED AND ALTERNATIVE PREMIERE SLATE
Six Original Scripted Series Mark the Most for Any Broadcast Network in 21 Years “The Night Shift,” “Undateable” and “Crossbones” Arrive in May, “Taxi Brooklyn” Debuts in June, and “Welcome to Sweden,” “Working the Engels” and “Food Fighters” Premiere in July
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — March 26, 2014 — Continuing NBC’s summer dominance, which for the past three years has been led by “America’s Got Talent,” the network spreads its wings to bring a content-rich summer schedule to build off strong anchor shows that also include the emerging hit “American Ninja Warrior” and returning favorite “Last Comic Standing.”
Six original scripted summer series — the most of any broadcast network in more than 20 years — as well as a new original alternative series will join the line-up as the network continues to have strong original programing year-round rather than just during the September-May season.
Scripted series receiving their launch dates are “The Night Shift,” “Undateable,” “Crossbones,” “Taxi Brooklyn,” “Working the Engels” and “Welcome to Sweden,” as well as new alternative series “Food Fighters.”
Premieres for the new seasons of “Last Comic Standing” (Thursday, May 22, 9-11 p.m.), “America’s Got Talent” (Tuesday, May 27, 8-10 p.m.) — the #1 summer reality series in adults 18-49 and total viewers — and “American Ninja Warrior” (Monday, May 26, 9-11 p.m.) were previously announced.
Here are the summer premiere dates and times. Series descriptions and information are below:
- Tuesday, May 27 (10-11 p.m.)
“The Night Shift”
- Thursday, May 29 (9-10 p.m.; back-to-back half-hour episodes each week)
“Undateable"
- Friday, May 30 (10-11 p.m.)
“Crossbones”
- Wednesday, June 25 (10-11 p.m.)
“Taxi Brooklyn”
- Thursday, July 10 (9-9:30 p.m.)
“Welcome to Sweden”
- Thursday, July 10 (9:30-10 p.m.)
“Working the Engels”
- Tuesday, July 22 (8-9 p.m.)
“Food Fighters”
SCRIPTED PROGRAMMING
“THE NIGHT SHIFT”
Cast: Eoin Macken, Jill Flint, Ken Leung, Brendan Fehr, Daniella Alonso, Robert Bailey Jr., Jeananne Goosen, JR Lemon, Freddy Rodriguez
Executive producers: Gabe Sachs & Jeff Judah
Production companies: Sony Pictures Television
Logline: “The Night Shift” focuses on the men and women who work the overnight shift at San Antonio Memorial Hospital. They are an irreverent and special breed, particularly adrenaline junkie T.C. Callahan (Eoin Macken, “Merlin”). After three grueling tours of duty in Afghanistan, T.C. is about to learn that his toughest battles will be fought right here at home. He and his team of late-night docs, including best friend Topher (Ken Leung, “Lost”) and protégé Drew (Brendan Fehr, “Roswell”), know how to let off steam with the casual prank or two, but when lives are at stake, they are all business. Unfortunately, the night shift is now under new senior management and boss Michael Ragosa (Freddy Rodriguez, “Six Feet Under”), who has to balance the real-world pressures of cutting costs while battling the stigma that he is more interested in saving money than helping people.
“UNDATEABLE”
Cast: Chris D’Elia, Brent Morin, Ron Funches, Rick Glassman, David Fynn, Bianca Kajlich
Executive producers: Bill Lawrence, Adam Sztykiel, Jeff Ingold
Production companies: Doozer in association with Warner Bros. Television
Logline: Whether it’s due to a lack of style, the wrong job, or even just a bad haircut, everyone goes through a time in their lives when they’re undateable. Most of us eventually grow out of it, but some people need a little more help than others. Enter Danny Burton (Chris D’Elia, “Whitney”). Confident, attractive and impervious to outside opinions, 29-year-old Danny — who may be in a state of arrested development himself — decides to help out his new roommate, Justin Kearney (comedian Brent Morin), the owner of an unsuccessful bar and a chronic overthinker, and Justin’s group of oddball friends — Shelly (comedian Ron Funches), Burski (comedian Rick Glassman) and Brett (David Fynn, “Game of Thrones”). Danny introduces the gang to his recently divorced older sister, Leslie (Bianca Kajlich, “Rules of Engagement”), who immediately bonds with this group of guys, as she feels a little stuck in her own life as well. The gang spends most of their time at Justin’s bar, helping solve each other’s respective problems over beers, and while they love to give each other a hard time, they always have each other’s back.
“CROSSBONES”
Cast: John Malkovich, Richard Coyle, Tracy Ifeachor, David Hoflin, Yasmine Al Massri, Chris Perfetti, Claire Foy
Executive producers: Neil Cross, Walter F. Parkes, Laurie MacDonald, Ted Gold, Ciaran Donnelly
Production companies: Parkes/MacDonald Productions, Universal Television
Logline: It’s 1715 on the Bahamian island of New Providence where the diabolical pirate Blackbeard (John Malkovich) reigns over a rogue nation of thieves, outlaws and miscreant sailors. Part shantytown and part marauder’s paradise, New Providence is a mounting threat to international commerce. To gain control of this fearsome society, assassin Tom Lowe is sent to the buccaneers’ haven to take down the brilliant and charismatic Blackbeard. But the closer Lowe gets, the more he finds that his quest is not so simple. Lowe can’t help but admire the political ideals of Blackbeard, whose thirst for knowledge knows no bounds, and no law. But Lowe is not the only danger to Blackbeard’s rule. He is a man with many rivals and one great weakness — a passionately driven woman whom he cannot deny.
“TAXI BROOKLYN”
Cast: Chyler Leigh, Jacky Ido, Ally Walker, Jennifer Esposito
Executive producers: Edouard de Vesinne, Gary Scott Thompson, Thomas Anargyros, Olivier Megaton (episodes 1-2)
Production companies: EuropaCorp Television
Logline: An action-comedy police procedural centered on the fractious, closely bonded partnership between a streetwise Marseilles-born New York City taxi driver and an intensely driven NYPD detective for whom this immigrant cabbie becomes chauffeur, insider on the streets and unofficial partner.
“WELCOME TO SWEDEN”
Cast: Greg Poehler, Josephine Bornebusch, Lena Olin, Claes Månsson, Patrick Duffy, Illeana Douglas, Christopher Wagelin, Per Svensson
Executive producers: Greg Poehler, Amy Poehler, Pontus Edgren, Carrie Stein, Frederik Arefalk, Felix Herngern
Production companies: eOne, TV4, FLX and Syskon
Logline: Bruce Evans (Greg Poehler) and Emma Wiik (Josephine Bornebusch) seem to be the perfect couple, so when she makes the life-changing decision to move back to her native Stockholm to accept a prestigious banking position after a year together, she is surprised and thrilled that he agrees to move with her. Moving halfway around the world with a new love is a huge step and Bruce, with no job, friends or real clue about what he is getting himself into, is quick to face the many unique challenges and culture clashes that living in a foreign land presents — most notably, how to win over Emma’s strange and very Swedish family.
“WORKING THE ENGELS”
Cast: Andrea Martin, Kacey Rohl, Azura Skye, Benjamin Arthur
Executive producers: Katie Ford, Jane Ford, Howard Busgang, Tom Nursall (episodes 101-106), Noreen Halpern
Production companies: Halfire Entertainment in partnership with Shaw Media
Logline: The series centers on a family who must band together to keep their heads above water when their father and breadwinner passes away, leaving them a mountain of debt. The Engels must all go to work running Dad’s storefront law firm, with one minor problem — daughter Jenna is the only one who is qualified to practice law.
ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMMING
“AMERICA’S GOT TALENT”
Host: Nick Cannon
Judges: Mel B, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, Howard Stern
Executive producers: Simon Cowell, Jason Raff, Sam Donnelly, Trish Kinane, Rob Wade
Production companies: Syco Television and FremantleMedia North America
Fact: Last summer, the eighth season of “America’s Got Talent” averaged a 3.3 rating, 10 share in adults 18-49 and 12.0 million viewers overall, according to Nielsen Media Research, making “Talent” the #1 summer reality series in adults 18-49 and total viewers. It’s the eighth year in a row “Talent” has been the #1 summer reality series in total viewers. “Talent” grew year to year by 6% in total viewers (12.0 million vs. 11.4 million).
“AMERICA NINJA WARRIOR”
Hosts: Matt Iseman, Akbar Gbaja Biamila
Co-host: Jenn Brown
Executive producers: Arthur Smith, Kent Weed
Production company: A. Smith & Co. Production
Fact: Last summer’s NBC run of “American Ninja Warrior” averaged a 1.8 rating, 5 share in adults 18-49 and 5.6 million viewers overall in “live plus seven day” results from Nielsen Media Research, winning its time period among the Big 4 networks in 18-49 with four of its last five telecasts. On Jan. 13 of this year, a special “USA vs. Japan” edition of “American Ninja Warrior” scored the show’s highest adult 18-49 rating (1.9 in “live plus same day”) since July 23, 2012 and equaled the series record in men 18-34 (1.8).
“LAST COMIC STANDING”
Host: JB Smoove
Executive producers: Wanda Sykes, Page Hurwitz, Javier Winnik
Production company: Push It Productions, Universal Television
Logline: America’s most compelling comedy competition is back when NBC’s Emmy Award-nominated series “Last Comic Standing” returns with three new celebrity judges — comedy icons Roseanne Barr and Keenen Ivory Wayans, along with international comic sensation Russell Peters. The top 100 comics in America will vie for 20 spots. These 20 will then compete in a semifinal round and the best of the best will emerge, with the top 10 moving into the compelling challenge rounds. In this phase, they will compete in different comedy disciplines, such as sketch, improv and stand-up, proving themselves both individually and in teams. Then the funniest of all will take the coveted title of “Last Comic Standing,” winning a prize package that includes $250,000, an NBC talent deal and a half-hour scripted project to be developed by Universal Television.
“FOOD FIGHTERS”
Host: Adam Richman
Executive producers: Ben Silverman, Chris Grant, Jimmy Fox, Tim Puntillo
Production company: Electus, Universal Television
Logline: The best amateur cooks in America put their signature dishes to the test against five professional chefs. Television personality, author and food enthusiast Adam Richman (“Fandemonium,” “Man vs. Food”) hosts this compelling food battle in which home cooks face off against five culinary pros, climbing a money ladder with increasing cash prizes for every professional chef they knock out. A “Dinner Party” of culinary judges determines who has made the tastiest dish, revealing whether amateur cooks have what it takes to beat the very best.
Six Original Scripted Series Mark the Most for Any Broadcast Network in 21 Years “The Night Shift,” “Undateable” and “Crossbones” Arrive in May, “Taxi Brooklyn” Debuts in June, and “Welcome to Sweden,” “Working the Engels” and “Food Fighters” Premiere in July
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — March 26, 2014 — Continuing NBC’s summer dominance, which for the past three years has been led by “America’s Got Talent,” the network spreads its wings to bring a content-rich summer schedule to build off strong anchor shows that also include the emerging hit “American Ninja Warrior” and returning favorite “Last Comic Standing.”
Six original scripted summer series — the most of any broadcast network in more than 20 years — as well as a new original alternative series will join the line-up as the network continues to have strong original programing year-round rather than just during the September-May season.
Scripted series receiving their launch dates are “The Night Shift,” “Undateable,” “Crossbones,” “Taxi Brooklyn,” “Working the Engels” and “Welcome to Sweden,” as well as new alternative series “Food Fighters.”
Premieres for the new seasons of “Last Comic Standing” (Thursday, May 22, 9-11 p.m.), “America’s Got Talent” (Tuesday, May 27, 8-10 p.m.) — the #1 summer reality series in adults 18-49 and total viewers — and “American Ninja Warrior” (Monday, May 26, 9-11 p.m.) were previously announced.
Here are the summer premiere dates and times. Series descriptions and information are below:
- Tuesday, May 27 (10-11 p.m.)
“The Night Shift”
- Thursday, May 29 (9-10 p.m.; back-to-back half-hour episodes each week)
“Undateable"
- Friday, May 30 (10-11 p.m.)
“Crossbones”
- Wednesday, June 25 (10-11 p.m.)
“Taxi Brooklyn”
- Thursday, July 10 (9-9:30 p.m.)
“Welcome to Sweden”
- Thursday, July 10 (9:30-10 p.m.)
“Working the Engels”
- Tuesday, July 22 (8-9 p.m.)
“Food Fighters”
SCRIPTED PROGRAMMING
“THE NIGHT SHIFT”
Cast: Eoin Macken, Jill Flint, Ken Leung, Brendan Fehr, Daniella Alonso, Robert Bailey Jr., Jeananne Goosen, JR Lemon, Freddy Rodriguez
Executive producers: Gabe Sachs & Jeff Judah
Production companies: Sony Pictures Television
Logline: “The Night Shift” focuses on the men and women who work the overnight shift at San Antonio Memorial Hospital. They are an irreverent and special breed, particularly adrenaline junkie T.C. Callahan (Eoin Macken, “Merlin”). After three grueling tours of duty in Afghanistan, T.C. is about to learn that his toughest battles will be fought right here at home. He and his team of late-night docs, including best friend Topher (Ken Leung, “Lost”) and protégé Drew (Brendan Fehr, “Roswell”), know how to let off steam with the casual prank or two, but when lives are at stake, they are all business. Unfortunately, the night shift is now under new senior management and boss Michael Ragosa (Freddy Rodriguez, “Six Feet Under”), who has to balance the real-world pressures of cutting costs while battling the stigma that he is more interested in saving money than helping people.
“UNDATEABLE”
Cast: Chris D’Elia, Brent Morin, Ron Funches, Rick Glassman, David Fynn, Bianca Kajlich
Executive producers: Bill Lawrence, Adam Sztykiel, Jeff Ingold
Production companies: Doozer in association with Warner Bros. Television
Logline: Whether it’s due to a lack of style, the wrong job, or even just a bad haircut, everyone goes through a time in their lives when they’re undateable. Most of us eventually grow out of it, but some people need a little more help than others. Enter Danny Burton (Chris D’Elia, “Whitney”). Confident, attractive and impervious to outside opinions, 29-year-old Danny — who may be in a state of arrested development himself — decides to help out his new roommate, Justin Kearney (comedian Brent Morin), the owner of an unsuccessful bar and a chronic overthinker, and Justin’s group of oddball friends — Shelly (comedian Ron Funches), Burski (comedian Rick Glassman) and Brett (David Fynn, “Game of Thrones”). Danny introduces the gang to his recently divorced older sister, Leslie (Bianca Kajlich, “Rules of Engagement”), who immediately bonds with this group of guys, as she feels a little stuck in her own life as well. The gang spends most of their time at Justin’s bar, helping solve each other’s respective problems over beers, and while they love to give each other a hard time, they always have each other’s back.
“CROSSBONES”
Cast: John Malkovich, Richard Coyle, Tracy Ifeachor, David Hoflin, Yasmine Al Massri, Chris Perfetti, Claire Foy
Executive producers: Neil Cross, Walter F. Parkes, Laurie MacDonald, Ted Gold, Ciaran Donnelly
Production companies: Parkes/MacDonald Productions, Universal Television
Logline: It’s 1715 on the Bahamian island of New Providence where the diabolical pirate Blackbeard (John Malkovich) reigns over a rogue nation of thieves, outlaws and miscreant sailors. Part shantytown and part marauder’s paradise, New Providence is a mounting threat to international commerce. To gain control of this fearsome society, assassin Tom Lowe is sent to the buccaneers’ haven to take down the brilliant and charismatic Blackbeard. But the closer Lowe gets, the more he finds that his quest is not so simple. Lowe can’t help but admire the political ideals of Blackbeard, whose thirst for knowledge knows no bounds, and no law. But Lowe is not the only danger to Blackbeard’s rule. He is a man with many rivals and one great weakness — a passionately driven woman whom he cannot deny.
“TAXI BROOKLYN”
Cast: Chyler Leigh, Jacky Ido, Ally Walker, Jennifer Esposito
Executive producers: Edouard de Vesinne, Gary Scott Thompson, Thomas Anargyros, Olivier Megaton (episodes 1-2)
Production companies: EuropaCorp Television
Logline: An action-comedy police procedural centered on the fractious, closely bonded partnership between a streetwise Marseilles-born New York City taxi driver and an intensely driven NYPD detective for whom this immigrant cabbie becomes chauffeur, insider on the streets and unofficial partner.
“WELCOME TO SWEDEN”
Cast: Greg Poehler, Josephine Bornebusch, Lena Olin, Claes Månsson, Patrick Duffy, Illeana Douglas, Christopher Wagelin, Per Svensson
Executive producers: Greg Poehler, Amy Poehler, Pontus Edgren, Carrie Stein, Frederik Arefalk, Felix Herngern
Production companies: eOne, TV4, FLX and Syskon
Logline: Bruce Evans (Greg Poehler) and Emma Wiik (Josephine Bornebusch) seem to be the perfect couple, so when she makes the life-changing decision to move back to her native Stockholm to accept a prestigious banking position after a year together, she is surprised and thrilled that he agrees to move with her. Moving halfway around the world with a new love is a huge step and Bruce, with no job, friends or real clue about what he is getting himself into, is quick to face the many unique challenges and culture clashes that living in a foreign land presents — most notably, how to win over Emma’s strange and very Swedish family.
“WORKING THE ENGELS”
Cast: Andrea Martin, Kacey Rohl, Azura Skye, Benjamin Arthur
Executive producers: Katie Ford, Jane Ford, Howard Busgang, Tom Nursall (episodes 101-106), Noreen Halpern
Production companies: Halfire Entertainment in partnership with Shaw Media
Logline: The series centers on a family who must band together to keep their heads above water when their father and breadwinner passes away, leaving them a mountain of debt. The Engels must all go to work running Dad’s storefront law firm, with one minor problem — daughter Jenna is the only one who is qualified to practice law.
ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMMING
“AMERICA’S GOT TALENT”
Host: Nick Cannon
Judges: Mel B, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, Howard Stern
Executive producers: Simon Cowell, Jason Raff, Sam Donnelly, Trish Kinane, Rob Wade
Production companies: Syco Television and FremantleMedia North America
Fact: Last summer, the eighth season of “America’s Got Talent” averaged a 3.3 rating, 10 share in adults 18-49 and 12.0 million viewers overall, according to Nielsen Media Research, making “Talent” the #1 summer reality series in adults 18-49 and total viewers. It’s the eighth year in a row “Talent” has been the #1 summer reality series in total viewers. “Talent” grew year to year by 6% in total viewers (12.0 million vs. 11.4 million).
“AMERICA NINJA WARRIOR”
Hosts: Matt Iseman, Akbar Gbaja Biamila
Co-host: Jenn Brown
Executive producers: Arthur Smith, Kent Weed
Production company: A. Smith & Co. Production
Fact: Last summer’s NBC run of “American Ninja Warrior” averaged a 1.8 rating, 5 share in adults 18-49 and 5.6 million viewers overall in “live plus seven day” results from Nielsen Media Research, winning its time period among the Big 4 networks in 18-49 with four of its last five telecasts. On Jan. 13 of this year, a special “USA vs. Japan” edition of “American Ninja Warrior” scored the show’s highest adult 18-49 rating (1.9 in “live plus same day”) since July 23, 2012 and equaled the series record in men 18-34 (1.8).
“LAST COMIC STANDING”
Host: JB Smoove
Executive producers: Wanda Sykes, Page Hurwitz, Javier Winnik
Production company: Push It Productions, Universal Television
Logline: America’s most compelling comedy competition is back when NBC’s Emmy Award-nominated series “Last Comic Standing” returns with three new celebrity judges — comedy icons Roseanne Barr and Keenen Ivory Wayans, along with international comic sensation Russell Peters. The top 100 comics in America will vie for 20 spots. These 20 will then compete in a semifinal round and the best of the best will emerge, with the top 10 moving into the compelling challenge rounds. In this phase, they will compete in different comedy disciplines, such as sketch, improv and stand-up, proving themselves both individually and in teams. Then the funniest of all will take the coveted title of “Last Comic Standing,” winning a prize package that includes $250,000, an NBC talent deal and a half-hour scripted project to be developed by Universal Television.
“FOOD FIGHTERS”
Host: Adam Richman
Executive producers: Ben Silverman, Chris Grant, Jimmy Fox, Tim Puntillo
Production company: Electus, Universal Television
Logline: The best amateur cooks in America put their signature dishes to the test against five professional chefs. Television personality, author and food enthusiast Adam Richman (“Fandemonium,” “Man vs. Food”) hosts this compelling food battle in which home cooks face off against five culinary pros, climbing a money ladder with increasing cash prizes for every professional chef they knock out. A “Dinner Party” of culinary judges determines who has made the tastiest dish, revealing whether amateur cooks have what it takes to beat the very best.
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