NBC, fresh off a comeback season that saw the network climb into second place in the ratings - and set to challenge ABC for first place - will add seven new shows to its lineup this fall.
The network is adding six new sitcoms and one new drama. And, for the second year in a row, NBC is breaking up its blockbuster Thursday lineup to try to build another successful night.It worked this season when "Frasier" and "Wings" moved to Tuesdays. And NBC is hoping it works again next season when "Mad About You" and "Hope & Gloria" move to Sundays to take on CBS's "Murder, She Wrote" and ABC's "Lois & Clark."
As with any such scheduling move, however, this marks a big gamble and could damage two of NBC biggest hits.
NBC new sitcoms are:
- Brother Love (Sunday, 6 p.m.): Joey Lawrence ("Blossom") stars with his real-life younger brothers Matthew and Andy, who play his half brothers in this family comedy about a 20-year-old who inherits the family garage when his father dies.
- Minor Adjustments (Sunday, 6:30 p.m.): Stand-up comic Rondell Sheridan stars as a child psychologist who struggles with his own kids. From the producers of "The Golden Girls" and "Empty Nest."
- The Pursuit of Happiness (Tuesday, 8:30 p.m.): A Chicago attorney tries to cope when his career-minded wife loses her job, his dopey brother-in-law moves in, his partner surprises him and his grandmother loses her mind. From the producers of "Frasier," "Wings" and "Cheers."
- The Single Guy (Thursday, 7:30 p.m.): Jonathan Silverman stars as a thirtsomething bachelor who's looking to get married. Brad Hall ("Saturday Night Live," "Brooklyn Bridge") - the husband of "Seinfeld" co-star Julia Louis-Dreyfus - is the executive producer.
- Caroline in the City (Thursday, 8:30 p.m.): Lea Thompson stars as a New York City cartoonist whose life inspires her comic strip. Oddly enough, this show is from CBS Productions.
- The Home Court (Saturday, 8:30 p.m.): Pamela Reed stars aa a family-court judge and single mother who's struggling with her own four kids.
And the new drama is:
- Jag (Saturday, 7 p.m.): David James Elliott stars as a U.S. Navy lawyer assigned to Judge Advocate General, who investigates high-profile cases. From the producer of "Quantum Leap" and "Magnum, P.I."
None of the shows canceled were surprises. "Empty Nest" and "Blossom" both got the ax weeks ago, and shows like "Amazing Grace," "The Cosby Mysteries," "Earth 2," "Madman of the People," "Pride & Joy," "Something Wilder," and "Sweet Justice" were all disappointments.
Two shows that weren't canceled were surprises, however. The low rated "seaQuest DSV" and "John Larroquette Show" will both return, albeit in new time slots.
And widespread rumors that the network's news magazine "Dateline NBC" would be cut back from its current three-nights-a-week scheduled proved to be just that - rumors. "Dateline" will be back on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the fall.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
NBC's fall schedule
New shows are in bold. An asterisk indicates a returning show in a new time slot.
SUNDAY Brotherly Love 6 p.m.
Minor Adj. 6:30 p.m.
Mad About You* 7 p.m.
Hope & Gloria* 7:30 p.m.
NBC Sunday Movie 8 p.m.
MONDAY Fresh Prince 7 p.m.
In the House 7:30 p.m.
NBC Monday Movie 8 p.m.
TUESDAY Wings 7 p.m.
NewsRadio 7:30 p.m.
Frasier 8 p.m.
Pursuit of . . . 8:30 p.m.
Dateline NBC 9 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
seaQuest DSV* 7 p.m.
Dateline NBC 8 p.m.
Law & Order 9 p.m.
THURSDAY Friends* 7 p.m.
The Single Guy 7:30 p.m
Seinfeld 8 p.m.
Caroline 8:30 p.m.
ER 9 p.m.
FRIDAY Unsolved Mysteries 7 p.m.
Dateline NBC 8 p.m.
Homicide 9 p.m.
SATURDAY JAG 7 p.m.
John Larroquette* 8 p.m.
Home Court 8:30 p.m.
Sisters 9 p.m.