It's wheel-spinning time in the valley--excuse me, wrong reference. It's upfront time in New York and NBC was first out today with their fall schedule. The (admittedly barely) relevant facts and figures on unscripted shows, from the press release (and continuing a tradition in this forum from the tail end of the Big Money Quiz Show Revival):
'THE APPRENTICE: MARTHA STEWART' AND 'THREE WISHES' ARE NEW UNSCRIPTED SERIES
NEW YORK -- May 16, 2005 -- NBC is emphasizing originality and big ideas in its 2005-06 Fall primetime schedule with a lineup of three new drama series, one new comedy and two unscripted series - continuing its tradition of fresh faces and innovative concepts built on a strong foundation of quality returning series.
The annual program announcement was made today by Jeff Zucker, President, NBC Universal Television Group and Kevin Reilly, President, NBC Entertainment, before the advertising community, affiliates and press at Radio City Music Hall.
"We're very excited and encouraged by the lineup we're presenting today," said Zucker. "I'm confident that we have addressed our schedule needs and will continue to excel in drawing the advertiser-friendly, upscale viewers who have come to appreciate NBC's quality brand of programming."
"NBC viewers will see fresh talent and bold, original concepts in our new series next year," said Reilly, "Our goal is to create real excitement, especially at 8 p.m., which will pay dividends throughout each night. We're eager to be number one again, and this freshman class, combined with NBC's powerful core schedule and recent successes like "Medium," "The Biggest Loser" and "The Office," represent a major step toward getting there."
[snip]
The fall lineup also includes two new unscripted series, "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart") on Wednesdays (8-9 p.m. ET) and "Three Wishes" on Fridays (8-9 p.m. ET), hosted by popular recording artist Amy Grant.
Fan favorites "Scrubs" and "Fear Factor" will also return to the NBC schedule at some point next season.
TUESDAY
"The Biggest Loser," which quietly became one of the biggest winners of this past season (improving ratings in that hour versus other regular programming by 116 percent), has potential to open the night strongly.
WEDNESDAY
NBC alters its usual Wednesday-night landscape of three consecutive dramas by opening with the unscripted drama "Martha Stewart: The Apprentice," a buzz-worthy extension of a great franchise that's aimed at jump-starting the night.
THURSDAY
This season, NBC's Thursday lineup was the most upscale night on network television in adults 18-49 living in homes with incomes of $75,000 or more. [snip] "The Apprentice" with Donald Trump remains solidly upscale...
FRIDAY
A reconstituted Friday night includes the emotionally powerful unscripted series "Three Wishes" ...
[snip]
New Unscripted Series
"THE APPRENTICE: MARTHA STEWART" -- "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart" will retain the general format of the original alternative series, including weekly eliminations; however, the style and feel of this new show will be tailored to Martha Stewart's personality and brand identity. The tasks will be centered around Stewart's areas of expertise: media, home renovation, entertaining, design, merchandising, technology and style. Stewart will bring her own sensibilities and creativity to the elimination process which will feature two of her most trusted colleagues who help her make the decision each week. Mark Burnett is creator and executive producer of "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart." Donald J. Trump and Jay Bienstock are also executive producers. Conrad Riggs and Kevin Harris are co-executive producers.
"THREE WISHES" -- Five-time Grammy-winning recording artist Amy Grant ("Rock of Ages...Hymns & Faith") stars in this hour-long, unscripted series in which she leads a team of experts to a small town to "grant" wishes to help make the hopes and unbelievable dreams of deserving people come true. Viewers will follow some of the town folks' deeply personal and heartwarming stories as Grant and her team transform these hopes into a life-changing reality. The full spectrum of wishes ranges from paying tribute to an unsung hero to helping a despairing family in the grip of a loved one's life-threatening medical crisis. Additional "wish" examples include: tearful reunions with long-lost relatives; living out a mind-blowing sports fantasy, and helping to save a dedicated teacher's job. Carpenter Carter Oosterhouse ("Trading Spaces"), contractor Eric Stromer ("Clean Sweep") and architect Amanda Miller ("Knock First") comprise Grant's team of experts. Andrew Glassman (NBC's "Average Joe 1-4") and Jason Raff (NBC's "Average Joe 1-4") are the executive producers, and Tony Croll (NBC's "Average Joe") is the director of this pilot from Glassman Media and NBC Universal Television Studio.
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Comments: This will actually be "Loser"'s third series--the second one's airing this summer. Seems to me that "Three Wishes" was originally developed for Pax before they decided to implode. And I'm surprised that "FF"'s being held for mid-season, but I guess they didn't want reality every weeknight in the fall.
To read the whole press release:
http://nbcumv.com/release_detail.nbc/enter...oducessixn.html
