2019 TV Upfronts: NBC announces 2019-2020 schedule; see photos and videos

May 12, 2019

by Carla Hay

Caitlin McGee, Jimmy Smits and Michael Luwoye in “Bluff City Law” (Photo courtesy of NBC)

NBC has officially announced its 2019-2020 schedule, which will be unveiled during parent company NBCUniversal’s upfront presentation at New York City’s Radio Music Hall on May 13, 2019. Most of the existing shows had previously been announced as renewed. However, the upfront presentation made it official that these shows have been cancelled: “I Feel Bad” and  “Midnight, Texas.” NBC says it has not yet decided the fate of “Abby’s,” “A.P. Bio,” “The Enemy Within,” “The InBetween,” “The Titan Games” and “The Village.”

New scripted shows include “Bluff City Law,” “Council of Dads,” “Lincoln,” “Indebted,” “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” “Perfect Harmony,” “The Kenan Show” and “Sunnyside.”  Several familiar names in television will have new shows on NBC as stars and/or executive producers, including “Bluff City Law” star Jimmy Smits (formerly of “L.A. Law”); “Lincoln” co-stars Russell Hornsby (formerly of “Grimm”) and Michael Imperioli (formerly of “The Sopranos”); “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” co-star Peter Gallagher (formerly of “The O.C.”); “Indebted” co-stars Fran Drescher (formerly of “The Nanny”), Adam Pally (formerly of “New Girl”) and Steven Weber (formerly of “Wings”); “The Kenan Show” star Kenan Thompson (“Saturday Night Live”); “Perfect Harmony” star Bradley Whitford (formerly of “The West Wing”); and “Sunnyside” star Kal Penn (formerly of “House”).

Ahead of the upfront presentation, NBC announced that the drama series “This Is Us” has been renewed for an unprecedented three additional seasons. TV series are typically renewed one season at a time. In addition, Ellen DeGeneres will host and executive produce “Ellen’s Greatest Night of Giveaways,” three one-hour specials airing during the end-of-year 2019 holiday season. In the specials, DeGeneres and some of her celebrity friends “will deliver life-changing gifts to unsuspecting people who’ve topped her nice list,” according to a press release from NBC.

Stars from NBC are expected to attend NBCUniversal’s upfront event to promote their shows, as well as stars from several other NBCUniversal networks, including USA Network, Telemundo, Universo, Bravo, E!, Oxygen and Syfy.

Fall premiere dates will be announced at a later time. Please note that shows picked up but not listed on the schedule below will have their season premieres at other times in the 2019-2020 season. They include new shows “Council of Dads,” “Lincoln,” “Indebted,” “Small Fortune,” “Songland,” “Bring the Funny” and “That’s My Jam” and renewed shows “Blindspot” (for its final season), “World of Dance,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Will & Grace,” “American Ninja Warrior,” “Good Girls,” “America’s Got Talent,” “America’s Got Talent: The Champions,” “Hollywood Game Night,” “The Wall,”  “Little Big Shots” (with new host Melissa McCarthy), “Who Do You Think You Are?” and “Manifest.”

The following is an excerpt from an NBC press release:

NBC FALL 2019-2020 SCHEDULE

All times listed are Eastern Time only.

MONDAY

8-10 p.m.    “The Voice”
10-11 p.m.   “Bluff City Law”

TUESDAY

8-9 p.m.      “The Voice”
9-10 p.m.    “This Is Us”
10-11 p.m.   “New Amsterdam”

WEDNESDAY

8-9 p.m.      “Chicago Med”
9-10 p.m.    “Chicago Fire”
10-11 p.m.   “Chicago P.D.”

THURSDAY

8-8:30 p.m.  “Superstore”
8:30-9 p.m.  “Perfect Harmony”
9-9:30 p.m.  “The Good Place”
9-10 p.m.  “Sunnyside”
10-11 p.m.   “Law & Order: SVU”

FRIDAY

8-9 p.m.       “The Blacklist”
9-11 p.m.      “Dateline NBC”

SATURDAY

8-10 p.m.    “Dateline Saturday Night Mystery”
10-11 p.m.   “Saturday Night Live” (encores)

SUNDAY

7-8:20 p.m.  “Football Night in America”
8:20-11 p.m. “NBC Sunday Night Football”

NEW DRAMA SERIES

“BLUFF CITY LAW”

Caitlin McGee and Jimmy Smits in “Bluff City Law” (Photo by Jake Giles Netter/NBC)

Coming from a famous Memphis family known for taking on injustice, brilliant lawyer Sydney Strait used to work at her father Elijah’s celebrated law firm until their tumultuous relationship got in the way. After barely speaking to him for years, Sydney is suddenly thrust back into the family fold when her philanthropist mother passes away unexpectedly. In the wake of her loss, hoping to reconnect with the daughter he loves, Elijah asks Sydney to rejoin his firm. She agrees because despite her lingering resentment and distrust, she knows that working alongside her father is her best hope at changing the world … if they can ever get along.

The cast includes Jimmy Smits, Caitlin McGee, Scott Shepherd, Barry Sloane, Michael Luwoye, MaameYaa Boafo, Stony Blyden and Jayne Atkinson.

Dean Georgaris will write and executive produce. Michael Aguliar and David Janollari will executive produce.

“Bluff City Law” is produced by Universal Television in association with David Janollari Entertainment.

“COUNCIL OF DADS”

Sarah Wayne Callies and Michele Weaver in “Council of Dads” (Photo by Quantrell Colbert/NBC)

When Scott, a loving father of four, has his entire life’s plan thrown into upheaval by an unexpected health scare, he calls on a few of his closest allies to step in as back-up dads for every stage of his growing family’s life. Scott assembles a trusted group of role models that includes Anthony, his oldest friend; Larry, his AA sponsor; and Oliver, his surgeon and best friend to his wife, Robin. These men agree to devote themselves to supporting and guiding Scott’s amazing family through all the triumphs and challenges life has to offer – just in case he ever can’t be there to do so himself.

The cast includes Sarah Wayne Callies, Clive Standen, Tom Everett Scott, J. August Richards, Blue Chapman, Emjay Anthony, Michele Weaver, Thalia Tran, Steven Silver and Michael O’Neill.

Tony Phelan & Joan Rater will write and executive produce. Jerry Bruckheimer, Jonathan Littman and KristieAnne Reed will executive produce. James Oh and Bruce Feiler will produce.

“Council of Dads” is produced by Universal Television in association with Jerry Bruckheimer Television and Midwest Livestock Productions.

“LINCOLN”

Russell Hornsby, Michael Imperioli and Arielle Kebbel in “Lincoln” (Photo by Zach Dilgard/NBC)

Inspired by the best-selling book “The Bone Collector,” former NYPD detective and forensic genius Lincoln Rhyme was at the top of his game until a serious accident at the hands of a notorious serial killer forces him out of the field. When Amelia Sachs, an intuitive young officer who’s got her own gift for profiling, finds herself hot on the killer’s trail, Rhyme in turn finds a partner for this new game of cat and mouse. As the unlikely detective duo joins forces to crack the city’s most confounding cases, they must also race to take down the enigmatic “Bone Collector” who brought them together.

The cast includes Russell Hornsby, Arielle Kebbel, Brían F. O’Byrne, Tate Ellington, Courtney Grosbeck, Ramses Jimenez, Brooke Lyons, Roslyn Ruff and Michael Imperioli.

VJ Boyd and Mark Bianculli will write and executive produce. Seth Gordon will direct and executive produce. Avi Nir, Peter Traugott and Rachel Kaplan will executive produce.

“Lincoln” is produced by Universal Television and Sony Pictures Television and in association with Keshet Studios.

“ZOEY’S EXTRAORDINARY PLAYLIST”

Jane Levy in “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” (Photo by Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)

In this joyous and celebratory drama, Zoey Clarke is a whip-smart computer coder forging her way in San Francisco. After an unusual event she starts to hear the innermost wants and desires of the people around her through songs. At first, she questions her own sanity but soon realizes this unwanted curse may just be an incredibly wonderful gift.

The cast includes Jane Levy, Skylar Astin, Peter Gallagher, Alex Newell, John Clarence Stewart, Carmen Cusack and Mary Steenburgen.

Austin Winsberg will write and executive produce. Richard Shepard will direct and executive produce (pilot only). Paul Feig, Jessie Henderson, Kim Tannenbaum, Eric Tannenbaum, David Blackman and Daniel Inkeles will executive produce.

“Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” is produced by Lionsgate in association with the Tannenbaum Company, FeigCo Entertainment and Universal Music Group.

NEW COMEDY SERIES

“INDEBTED”

Steven Weber, Fran Drescher, Abby Elliott, Adam Pally and Jessy Hodges in “Indebted”  (Photo by Trae Patton/NBC)

Young parents Dave and Rebecca are ready to reclaim their life after years of diapers and sleepless nights. However, things take an unexpected turn when Dave’s parents show up unannounced and broke, leaving Dave with no choice but to open the door to the people who gave him everything. But these boomerang parents aren’t great with boundaries and the question of who’s parenting who quickly becomes blurred in this multi-generational comedy starring Fran Drescher and Adam Pally as mother and son.

The cast includes Adam Pally, Abby Elliott, Steven Weber and Fran Drescher.

Dan Levy will write and executive produce. Doug Robinson will executive produce.

“Indebted” is produced by Sony Pictures Television in association with Doug Robinson Productions.

“THE KENAN SHOW”

Dani Lockett, Kenan Thompson and Dannah Lockett in “The Kenan Show” (Photo by Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

In this family comedy, Kenan Thompson strives to be a super dad to his two adorable girls while simultaneously balancing his job and a father-in-law who “helps” in the most inappropriate ways.

The cast includes Kenan Thompson, Punam Patel, Dani Lockett, Dannah Lockett and Andy Garcia.

Jackie Clarke will write and executive produce. Chris Rock will direct and executive produce. Kenan Thompson, Lorne Michaels and Andrew Singer will executive produce.

“The Kenan Show” is produced by Universal Television in association with Broadway Video.

“PERFECT HARMONY”

Geno Segers, Rizwan Manji, Bradley Whitford, Anna Camp and Tymberlee Hill in “Perfect Harmony” (Photo by Justin Lubin/NBC)

Bradley Whitford stars in this comedy about finding inspiration in the most unlikely places. When former Princeton music professor Arthur Cochran unexpectedly stumbles into choir practice at a small-town church, he finds a group of singers that are out of tune in more ways than one. Despite the ultimate clash of sensibilities, Arthur and his newfound cohorts may just be the perfect mix of individuals to help each other reinvent and rediscover a little happiness, just when they all need it most.

The cast includes Bradley Whitford, Anna Camp, Tymberlee Hill, Rizwan Manji, Will Greenberg, Geno Segers and Spencer Allport.

Lesley Wake Webster will write and executive produce. Jason Winer will direct and executive produce. Bradley Whitford, Adam Anders and Jon Radler will executive produce.

“Perfect Harmony” is produced by 20thCentury Fox Television and Small Dog Picture Company.

“SUNNYSIDE”

Joel Kim Booster, Poppy Liu, Samba Schutte, Kal Penn, Diana Marie Riva and Moses Storm in “Sunnyside” (Photo by Colleen Hayes/NBC)

Garrett Modi was living the American Dream. As the youngest New York City Councilman ever, he was rubbing elbows with the political elite, attending star-studded parties and was the pride of Queens. But instead of spending his time in office helping the people that got him elected, he lost his way amidst the power and glamour of politics. When his downward spiral got him busted for public intoxication (and downright stupidity), it was all caught on tape and ended his career. Now, Garrett’s crashing with his sister, Mallory, and wondering where it all went wrong. That is, until he’s hired by a diverse group of hopefuls who dream of becoming American citizens and believe he can help – giving him a new sense of purpose and a chance for redemption, as long as he remembers where he came from.

The cast includes Kal Penn, Diana Maria Riva, Joel Kim Booster, Kiran Deol, Poppy Liu, Moses Storm and Samba Schutte.

Kal Penn and Matt Murray will write and executive produce. Michael Schur will be supervising executive producer. David Miner and Dan Spilo will executive produce.

“Sunnyside” is produced by Universal Television in association with Fremulon and 3 Arts Entertainment.

Copyright 2017-2024 Culture Mix
CULTURE MIX