Getting out front with an Infront?

Last week NBC announced a full year’s worth – 65 weeks actually – of programming at an event dubbed an “Infront.” Traditionally, NBC has unveiled its fall line-up in glitzy Upfront presentation at Radio City Music Hall during the same week in May when the other networks announce their programming. (CBS is usually at Carnegie Hall. ABC at Lincoln Center.)

So why the toned-down presentation? The writers’ strike basically killed the pilot season. And NBC is in last place.

But is a 12-month slate of programming really anything new? Not really. In the past few years, networks have been serving up new programming during the summer months. The operative word here is new, not quality. A quick look at the proposed summer schedule, and there’s more of the same: America’s Got Talent, Last Comic Standing, two hours of Dateline and some shows that seem like they escaped from the Discovery Channel (Shark Taggers and America’s Toughest Jobs).

However, the way the network pitched the schedule is interesting. NBC bills the 8 o’clock hour as family fare. “Blockbusters” are reserved for 9. (Full disclosure: NBC considers Deal or No Deal a blockbuster.) And at 10 are the dramas for grown-ups. (Noah Wyle’s coming back to ER for the final season.)
NBC caveated that it might still shuffle some specific shows, but said it would stick with certain genres for certain time periods, i.e. action-adventure on Wednesdays at 8. That certainly makes it easier swap out duds, and advertisers will like that.

What about the shows? There’s a spin-off from The Office in the works. To NBC’s credit, network co-chair Ben Silverman says, “We're only going to bring [the spinoff] to market if it's ready for market and up to the quality of the original.” The Office Executive Producer Greg Daniels will also be in charge of this one, so its in capable hands. With tongue planted firmly in cheek, blogger Televisionary suggests an advertiser-ready title and a location: That Was Easy and a Staples store.

The best drama on television, Friday Night Lights, will be back, in an unusual cost-sharing arrangement with DirecTV. The dish network gets first dibs on the episodes which will air four months later on NBC. The best sitcom on television, 30 Rock, will also be be back for a third season. The network ordered to series My Own Worst Enemy, headlining Christian Slater without even shooting a pilot. And far-too-often underutilized Molly Shannon will co-star in Kath & Kim with Selma Blair. Get Variety’s detailed wrap-up here.

Attention Zach Braff fan(s): Scrubs is not on NBC’s schedule. Says NBC’s Silverman, “I don't know where Scrubs is going. It's finished its run on NBC, though.” There’s a chance ABC might pick up the hospital laffer since it’s actually produced by ABC’s TV production arm, the former Touchstone Studios. As they say on 30 Rock, there’s probably a way to synergize backward overflow in that.