NBC kicks off the week of network upfronts — announcing plans for the upcoming TV season — by invoking its old phrase “Must See TV” for a Thursday night lineup that includes a new night for first season hit, “This is Us” and the return of the comedy “Will & Grace” as well as Dick Wolf adapting his franchise to accommodate the true crime anthology success Ryan Murphy has had with “Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders” with Edie Falco.
Altogether five new dramas and three comedies will be added to the schedule, two of which are from familiar names. And there’s a handful of reality shows that seem to stress upbeat creativity and games. Only three new shows debut in the fall; one show that had been announced as cancelled, “Timeless,” found itself back on the midseason schedule, perhaps by going back in time and changing it.
The new dramas are:
- “The Brave,” from an executive producer of “Homeland,” about a team of military special ops headed by Anne Heche. The cast includes Mike Vogel, Sofia Pernas, Tate Ellington and Natacha Karam.
- “Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Brothers” in which the sordid saga of the brothers who killed their rich parents is retold, with Edie Falco as their lawyer. The eight-epoxide series kicks off a true crime franchise that also includes the “Law & Order” ching-ching sound effect.
- “Good Girls,” about three suburban moms — Retta, Mae Whitman and Manny Montana — who knock off a local supermarket. Advertised as a cross between “Thelma & Louise” and “Breaking Bad.” Midseason.
- “Reverie,” a thriller from the creator of “Extant” about a former hostage negotiator turned college professor (Sarah Shahi) who saves people lost in virtual reality experiments. With Dennis Haysbert. Midseason.
- “Rise,” from Jason Katims (“Friday Night Lights,” “Parenthood”) a series about a teacher (Josh Radnor, “How I Met Your Mother”) who fires up a theater department in a working class town. With Rosie Perez. Midseason.
The new comedies are:
- “Will & Grace,” a reboot of the series that ended in 2006 after seven seasons, with Debra Messing, Eric McCormack, Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally all returning for “a 12-episode event.”
- “A.P. Bio”, from producers Lorne Michaels, Seth Meyers and Mike O’Brien, stars Glenn Howerton of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia fame as a bio teacher who uses his students for his own projects. Midseason.
- “Champions” about a gym owner and his brother who must raise a teenage son he didn’t know about, with Anders Holm, Andy Favreau, co-produced by Mindy Kaling, who guest stars in the pilot. Midseason.
New reality series include:
- “The Awesome Show,” hosted by the omnipresent host Chris Hardwick showcases new scientific and technological advances. Produced by Mark Burnett. Midseason.
- “Ellen’s Game of Games,” in which Ellen DeGeneres hosts a show made up of some games she’s been playing on her afternoon talk show. Midseason.
- “Genius Junior,” hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, is a game show using the “smartest kids in America.” Midseason.
- “The Handmade Project,” not to be confused with “The Handmaid’s Tale,” brings crafty people competing on unusual projects, guided by Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman, who co-produce. Midseason.
Returning shows to NBC include “The Blacklist,” “Blindspot,” “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago Med,” “Chicago P.D.,” “Dateline NBC,” “The Good Place,” “Great News,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Little Big Shots,” “Shades of Blue,” “Superstore,” “Taken,” “This Is Us,” “Timeless,” “The Voice” and “The Wall.”
Gone from the schedule are: “Blacklist: The Redemption,” “Emerald City,” “Powerless.” “Chicago Justice” “Grimm” “Maya & Marty,” “The New Celebrity Apprentice” “Night Shift,”
Still in apparent limbo are “Chicago Justice” and the comedy “Trial & Error.”
Other networks will announce their 2017-18 schedules all week.