NBC unveils 2012-13 lineup

NBC unveiled its 2012-13 schedule on Sunday, a day before its upfront presentation in New York City (I guess a little something called Mother’s Day didn’t stop them.)

In all, there are six new series with changes on five nights – many of those changes quite questionable. NBC is introducing twelve new series in their 2012-13 campaign, with seven of them comedies – the most in twelve years (the 2000-01 season.)

Here are the new comedies: Animal Practice, Go On (with Matthew Perry), Guys With Kids (with Jimmy Fallon as exec producer), and New Normal, while the three laffers slated for midseason include Next Caller (with Dane Cook), Save Me, and 1600 Penn.

The two new dramas for the fall are Chicago Fire and Revolution; the other three are slated for midseason: Do No Harm, Hannibal, and Infamous.

Instead of returning in January, The Voice comes back this fall – on two nights. The series will have two cycles – including a spring edition which may feature new judges (though not related to a recent well-publicized blowup between current judges Adam Levine and Christina Aguilera.)

NBC decided to keep its Thursday night lineup of low-rated comedies intact – mainly because of its strong young male skew (the same reason Fox is sticking its Sunday night Animation Domination lineup.)

The good news: yours truly said last week on Twitter that Community should not be facing The Big Bang Theory on Thursday nights. The bad news: they moved the show to low-HUT level Friday nights and paired it with Whitney (ummm… sorry?) Keep in mind Community has only a thirteen-episode order and may be replaced when it runs out, and series creator Dan Harmon might not be back.

NBC also decided to bring back Rock Center With Brian Williams on Thursdays, and send Smash, The Biggest Loser, and Betty White’s Off Their Rockers to midseason.

In addition to five shows that were canceled last week, NBC also canceled Fear Factor, The Marriage Ref, Minute To Win It (yours truly thought this was already canceled – Minute hasn’t aired at all this season), and Who Do You Think You Are?

To view the 2012 fall schedule, complete with detailed new program descriptions, click here.

Thought: NBC’s 2012-13 sked was heavily panned on Twitter and by bloggers and message board posters, which really comes as no surprise. There are many shows getting thirteen-to-fifteen episode orders – kind of makes sense from a financial standpoint with dramas, but for comedies?

NBC says its young male skew is the reason they’re staying in the Thursday night comedy business. A good excuse, but if CBS expands their Thursday night comedy block to two hours, then watch out. Mixed bag here: kudos on keeping The Office (well…maybe), Parks and Recreation and Community, but 30 Rock, Up All Night, and Whitney – especially Whitney – should have been sacked.

And pairing Whitney with Community – on Friday no less – has to be the worst combo I’ve seen a long time. NBC hasn’t had a hit comedy in the 7 p.m. (Central) Friday night hour since Sanford and Son and Chico and the Man in the mid-1970’s.

And scheduling The Voice twice a year is a mistake – the show risks being overexposed – not to mention ratings for the show were declining for the last few weeks, until the season finale last week.

And giving unfunny hack Dane Cook a sitcom? What, Whitney Cummings wasn’t enough for you? Might as well give Jim Belushi one while you’re at it.

And Rock Center at 9 p.m. (Central) Thursdays? You might as well bring back The Jay Leno Show – even it got better ratings than Rock Center would get!

To NBC chief Bob Greenblatt: the honeymoon period is over. There may be a chance that your network may actually finish third next season – but only if ABC has an even worse schedule and hits Dancing With The Stars, Grey Anatomy, Modern Family, and Once Upon A Time collapses in the ratings. But bringing back utter crap sitcoms Up All Night and Whitney and renewing Rock Center and Fashion Star sealed the deal for you idiots to stay in fourth place.

I don’t know what network exec has less of a brain – Greenblatt or ABC’s Paul Lee. Whatever the case, it should be an interesting race to see who can stay out of fourth place next season – and which exec’s next career move would be working as an assistant manager at a UPS Store.