Thursday, May 24, 2012

TV NEWS ON MAY 24

http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2012/05/2012-13-new-sitcoms-preview.html Today we preview the new sitcoms that made the 2012-13 broadcast network schedules. Series descriptions, cast lists, video previews and related links are provided below. There will be a total of nine new sitcoms on the fall schedule. Three are traditional multi-camera sitcoms. Six are single-camera comedies. Seven additional sitcoms have been ordered for mid-season. Six are single-camera comedies. One is a multi-camera series from CBS. ABC is adding four new sitcoms to their schedule, with two (one single-camera and one multi-camera) for the fall and two multi-camera series for mid-season in January. Top-rated CBS adds only one multi-camera sitcom in the fall to their strong Monday block. A second multi-camera sitcom has been ordered for mid-season. Fox adds two new single-camera comedies to their Tuesday lineup. They have a third single-camera comedy ordered for mid-season. NBC goes for the laughs with seven new comedies (all single-camera except one): four for the fall and three for mid-season. The CW, once again, will be the only broadcast network without any sitcoms on the schedule. Some familiar faces returning to sitcoms this season include Jami Gertz, Reba McEntire, Sara Rue, Kyle Bornheimer, Leah Remini, Sarah Chalke, Brad Garrett, Lucy Punch, Mindy Kaling, Matthew Perry, Tyler Labine, Kym Whitley, Anthony Anderson, Tempestt Bledsoe, Jenna Elfman and Jeffrey Tambor. ABC ABC Fall Schedule New Fall: The Neighbors, Malibu Country (November) New Mid-Season: How to Live With Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life) (Single-Camera Comedy) (Tuesdays at 8:00pm in January), The Family Tools (Single-Camera Comedy) (Tuesdays at 8:30pm in January) Returning Fall: Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23, Happy Endings, Last Man Standing (November), The Middle, Modern Family, Suburgatory The Neighbors The Neighbors - Wednesdays at 9:30PM EST/PST on ABC (Single-Camera) How well do you know your neighbors? Meet the Weavers, Debbie (Jami Gertz) and Marty (Lenny Venito). Marty, in hopes of providing a better life for his wife and three kids, recently bought a home in Hidden Hills, a gated New Jersey townhome community with its own golf course. Hidden Hills is so exclusive that a house hasn't come on the market in 10 years. But one finally did and the Weavers got it! It's clear from day one that the residents of Hidden Hills are a little different. For starters, their new neighbors all have pro-athlete names like Reggie Jackson (Tim Jo), Jackie Joyner-Kersee (Toks Olagundoye), Dick Butkis (Ian Patrick) and Larry Bird (Simon Templeman). Over dinner, Marty and his family discover that their neighbors receive nourishment through their eyes by reading books, rather than eating. The Weavers soon learn that the entire community is comprised of aliens from Zabvron, where the men bear children and everyone cries green goo from their ears. The Zabvronians have been stationed on Earth for the past 10 years, disguised as humans, awaiting instructions from home, and the Weavers are the first humans they've had the opportunity to know. As it turns out, the pressures of marriage and parenthood are not exclusive to planet Earth. Two worlds will collide with hilarious consequences as everyone discovers they can "totally relate" and learn a lot from each other. The Neighbors stars Jami Gertz (Entourage, Modern Family, Still Standing, Ally McBeal) as Debbie Weaver, Lenny Venito (Bored to Death, Men in Black III, Person of Interest, Curb Your Enthusiasm) as Marty Weaver, Simon Templeman as Larry Bird, Toks Olagundoye as Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Clara Mamet as Amber Weaver, Tim Jo (Glory Daze) as Reggie Jackson, Ian Patrick (Wanderlust) as Dick Butkis, Max Charles (The Three Stooges, The Amazing Spider-Man) as Max Weaver, Isabella Cramp as Abby Weaver. Guest starring are Mitch Rouse as Real Estate Agent and Doug Jones as Alien. Co-Starring are Bruce Green as Angry Man and Mary K. DeVault as Angry Woman. The Neighbors was written by Dan Fogelman (Cars, Tangled, and Crazy, Stupid, Love) who is also an executive producer with Aaron Kaplan, Jeff Morton (Modern Family) and Chris Koch (Workaholics, Modern Family). The Neighbors was directed by Chris Koch and is from ABC Studios. Cast: Jami Gertz as Debbie Weaver Lenny Venito as Marty Weaver Simon Templeman as Larry Bird Toks Olagundoye as Jackie Joyner-Kersee Clara Mamet as Amber Weaver Tim Jo as Reggie Jackson Ian Patrick as Dick Butkis Max Charles as Max Weaver Isabella Cramp as Abby Weaver Preview: Links: ABC.com Official Site IMDB TV.com Wikipedia Malibu Country Malibu Country - Fridays at 8:30PM EST/PST on ABC (Starting in November) (Multi-Camera) When Reba Gallagher (Reba) discovers that her husband, Bobby, (Jeffrey Nordling) a country music legend, has a cheatin' heart, her world is turned upside down. Reba dreamt of becoming a country star herself, but put her career on hold to raise a family. Now she's questioning all of that, big-time. With the ink on her divorce barely dry, Reba packs up her sharp-tongued mother, Lillie Mae (Lily Tomlin), her two kids and the U-Haul and heads for sunny California to begin a new chapter. Leaving Nashville in the rear view, they start over at their Malibu residence -- the last remaining asset they have. Reba gets to know her new open and loving neighbor Kim (Sara Rue) and her son, Sage, but also discovers that relocation to Southern California is going to be quite an adjustment for a traditional southern belle: the West Coast seems like the polar opposite of Music City, and Reba feels like an outsider. Still, with the support of her family she sets about finding her voice, jump-starting her music career with the help of her new music agent, Geoffrey (Jai Rodriguez), and embracing this chance to begin again. Malibu Country stars country music superstar Reba (Reba, Tremors) as Reba, Sara Rue (Rules of Engagement, Less Than Perfect) as Kim, Justin Prentice as Cash, Juliette Angelo as June, Jai Rodriguez (Bones, How I Met Your Mother, one of the original hosts of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy) as Geoffrey and Lily Tomlin (Eastbound and Down, Damages, Desperate Housewives, West Wing, Nine to Five, All of Me, Nashville) as Lillie Mae. Malibu Country is from Kevin Abbott (Last Man Standing, My Name Is Earl, Reba) who executive produces along with Michael Hanel & Mindy Schultheis, Reba McEntire & Narvel Blackstock, Dave Stewart & Pam Williams, John Pasquin. The pilot for Malibu Country was directed by John Pasquin. The series is from ABC Studios. Cast: Reba McEntire as Reba Sara Rue as Kim Justice Prentice as Cash Juliette Angelo as June Jai Rodriguez as Geoffrey Lily Tomlin as Lillie Mae Preview: Links: ABC.com Official Site IMDB TV.com Wikipedia ABC Mid-Season How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life) How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life) - Tuesdays at 8:00PM EST/PST on ABC (Starting in January) (Single-Camera) Polly (Sarah Chalke) is a single mom who's been divorced for almost a year. The transition wasn't easy for her, especially in this economy. So, like a lot of young people living in this new reality, she and her daughter, Natalie (Rachel Eggleston), have moved back home with her eccentric parents, Elaine (Elizabeth Perkins) and Max (Brad Garrett). But Polly and her parents look at life through two different lenses. Polly's too uptight. Her parents are too laid back. Polly's conservative when it comes to dating (no action, whatsoever), while her parents are still sexually adventurous. They think Polly turned out okay, so what's the big deal? Well, they say it takes a village to raise a child...and in Polly's case, this village is on fire. But with help from her best friend Gregg (Orlando Jones), her lovable yet irresponsible ex-husband Julian (Jon Dore) and her cool and fun assistant Jenn (Rebecca Delgado Smith) Polly takes her first steps toward getting a life, starting with a social one. How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life) stars Sarah Chalke (Mad Love, Scrubs) as Polly, Jon Dore as Julian, Rachel Eggleston as Natalie, Brad Garrett (Everybody Loves Raymond, 'Til Death) as Max, Orlando Jones (Rules of Engagement) as Gregg, Elizabeth Perkins (Weeds) as Elaine, Rebecca Delgado Smith as Jenn. How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life) was written by Claudia Lonow, who is also an executive producer along with Brian Grazer and Francie Calfo. The pilot for How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life) was directed by Julie Anne Robinson. The series is produced by 20th Century Fox and Imagine Television. Cast: Sarah Chalke as Polly Jon Dore as Julian Rachel Eggleston as Natalie Brad Garrett as Max Orlando Jones as Gregg Elizabeth Perkins as Elaine Rebecca Delgado Smith as Jenn Preview: Links: ABC.com Official Site IMDB TV.com Wikipedia The Family Tools The Family Tools - Tuesdays at 8:30PM EST/PST on ABC (Starting in January) (Single-Camera) Mixing family with business is never easy, and Jack Shea (Kyle Bornheimer) is about to learn that lesson the hard way. When Jack's father, Tony (J.K. Simmons), has a heart attack and is forced to hand over the keys to his beloved handyman business, Jack is eager to finally step up and make his father proud. Unfortunately Jack's past career efforts have been less than stellar, so everyone seems to be waiting for him to fail. His new job isn't made any easier by Tony's rebellious, troublemaker assistant, Darren (Edi Gathegi), and Darren's flirtatious sister, Liz (Danielle Nicolet), who works at the local hardware store. Yet with the support of his Aunt Terry (Leah Remini) and his oddball yet endearing cousin Mason (Johnny Pemberton), Jack Shea may just find his true calling right at home. The Family Tools stars Kyle Bornheimer (Bachelorette, Romantically Challenged, Perfect Couples) as Jack Shea, J.K. Simmons (Ultimate Spiderman, Generator Rex, The Closer) as Tony Shea, Edi Gathegi (X Men: First Class) as Darren, Johnny Pemberton (21 Jump Street, Aim High) as Mason, Danielle Nicolet (X Men TV Series) as Liz and Leah Remini (In the Motherhood, King of Queens) as Terry. Based on the UK series White Van Man, The Family Tools teleplay is by Bobby Bowman. The Family Tools is executive-produced by Bobby Bowman, Mark Gordon (Grey's Anatomy, Criminal Minds) and Andrea Shay (It Takes a Village, Virtual Virgin) and Paul Buccieri (Prime Suspect). The pilot for The Family Tools was directed by Michael Fresco (Suburgatory, Raising Hope, Better Off Ted, My Name Is Earl, Northern Exposure, St. Elsewhere). The series is from ABC Studios. Cast: Kyle Bornheimer as Jack Shea J.K. Simmons as Tony Shea Edi Gathegi as Darren Johnny Pemberton as Mason Danielle Nicolet as Liz Leah Remini as Terry Preview: Links: ABC.com Official Site IMDB TV.com Wikipedia CBS CBS Fall Schedule New Fall: Partners New Mid-Season: Friend Me Returning Fall: How I Met Your Mother, 2 Broke Girls, Mike & Molly, The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men Returning Mid-Season: Rules of Engagement Partners Partners - Mondays at 8:30PM EST/PST on CBS (Multi-Camera) PARTNERS is a comedy based on the lives of creators David Kohan and Max Mutchnick, about two life-long best friends and business partners whose “bromance” is tested when one of them is engaged to be married. Joe (David Krumholtz) is an accomplished architect who leads with his head and not his heart, especially in his love life. That’s in stark contrast to his gay co-worker, Louis (Michael Urie), who is spontaneous, emotional and prone to exaggeration. Both have found joy in their love lives: Joe is newly engaged to Ali (Sophia Bush), a beautiful and sophisticated jewelry designer, while Louis is dating Wyatt (Brandon Routh), a vegan nurse who Louis insists is just a promotion away from becoming a doctor. As news of Joe’s engagement settles, time will tell if their business and personal bond can adapt to the addition of two other important relationships. Emmy Award winners David Kohan and Max Mutchnick are executive producers for Warner Bros. Television. Emmy Award winner James Burrows directed the pilot. Cast: Michael Urie as Louis David Krumholtz as Joe Sophia Bush as Ali Brandon Routh as Wyatt Preview: Links: CBS.com Official Site IMDB TV.com Wikipedia CBS Mid-Season Friend Me Friend Me - Mid-Season on CBS (Multi-Camera) FRIEND ME is a comedy about two 20-something best friends who just moved from Indiana to Los Angeles to start cool new jobs, but can’t agree on how to socially engage in their new city. Rob (Nicholas Braun) is eager to embrace the L.A. scene and meet new people who aren’t looking down at their smart phones or laptops. Evan (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), however, prefers to socialize online at home in his underwear, web-chatting and playing poker with his Hoosier buddies Mike (Parvesh Cheena), Sully (Tim Robinson) and Farhad (Dan Ahdoot) just a keystroke away. Meanwhile, Rob’s had enough of iChatting, and naively posts a flyer seeking new friends on the coffee house bulletin board, despite Evan’s warning that no good can come from meeting strangers in person. Soon the calls start rolling in, some with potential, some just disturbing, and Rob and a reluctant Evan embark on what will be a series of the most epic adventures – and disasters – of their lives. Alan Kirschenbaum and Ajay Sahgal, Eric and Kim Tannenbaum, are executive producers for CBS Television Studios, in association with The Tannenbaum Company. The pilot was directed by Pamela Fryman. Cast: Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Evan Nicholas Braun as Rob Parvesh Cheena as Mike Tim Robinson as Sully Dan Ahdoot as Farhad Preview: Links: IMDB TV.com Wikipedia Fox Fox Fall Schedule New Fall: Ben and Kate, The Mindy Project New Mid-Season: The Goodwin Games Returning Fall: Raising Hope, New Girl, The Cleveland Show, The Simpsons, Bob's Burgers, Family Guy, American Dad Ben and Kate Ben and Kate - Tuesdays at 8:30PM EST/PST on Fox (Single-Camera) What happens when an exuberant, irresponsible dreamer who always says "yes" moves in with his overly responsible little sister to help raise her five-year-old daughter? BEN AND KATE, a new single-camera young ensemble comedy, follows these odd-couple siblings as they push each other out of their comfort zones and into real life. KATE FOX (Dakota Johnson, The Social Network) followed the rules all her life...until she got pregnant in college and dropped out just shy of graduation. After the birth of her daughter, MADDIE (Maggie Jones, We Bought a Zoo, Footloose), Kate put her twenties on hold. Now working as a bar manager to make ends meet and maximize her time with five-year-old Maddie, she's uber-prepared for every possible catastrophe - except for the arrival of her older brother, BEN FOX (Nat Faxon, Bad Teacher). Ben likes trouble a lot more than his sister does. His infectious energy makes you want to follow him into any number of bad ideas. He'll totally screw up your life, but somehow, you'll feel good about it. Where Kate is all about planning and preparing, Ben is big on spontaneity and out-of-the-box ideas. But don't let the Velcro wallet fool you - he'll probably be a millionaire someday. When Ben comes to crash on Kate's couch for a few days, he finds a sad state of affairs. Kate's surviving, but not living. Ben realizes that for the first time in their lives, Kate needs his help and he's determined to bring some much-needed chaos into her overly stable world. He starts by offering to help look after Maddie so Kate can get back to experiencing her mid-twenties and making mistakes, since the one real "mistake" she's made turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to her. Always there to help with Ben's crazy schemes is his partner-in-crime, TOMMY (newcomer Echo Kellum), who worships Ben like a hero and nurses a serious crush on Kate. Kate's British best friend, BJ (Lucy Punch, "Bad Teacher"), is a cocktail waitress at the bar that Kate manages and an all-around hot mess who would do anything for Kate, even if her advice is often questionable and occasionally illegal. From writer/executive producer Dana Fox (NEW GIRL, What Happens in Vegas) and executive producer/director Jake Kasdan (NEW GIRL, Bad Teacher), BEN AND KATE is a heartwarming story of deeply mismatched siblings: a sister who needs to go for her dreams and a brother who needs to get his head out of the clouds. BEN AND KATE is produced by 20th Century Fox Television and Chernin Entertainment. The series is created and written by Fox. The series is executive-produced by Fox, Peter Chernin (NEW GIRL) and Katherine Pope (NEW GIRL). Kasdan serves as an executive producer and directed the pilot. Cast: Dakota Johnson as Kate Fox Nat Faxon as Ben Fox Maggie Jones as Maddie Lucy Punch as BJ Echo Kellum as Tommy Preview: Links: Fox.com Official Site IMDB TV.com Wikipedia The Mindy Project The Mindy Project - Tuesdays at 9:30PM EST/PST on Fox (Single-Camera) THE MINDY PROJECT is a new single-camera comedy from Emmy Award-nominated writer/producer and New York Times best-selling author Mindy Kaling (The Office) that follows a woman who, despite having a successful career, desperately needs to break bad habits in her personal life. After all, how many doctors make inappropriate toasts at their ex-boyfriend's wedding, nearly drown at the bottom of a stranger's pool and get arrested for disorderly conduct just moments before having to deliver a baby? Funny, impatient and politically incorrect, MINDY LAHIRI (Kaling) can quote every romantic comedy starring Meg Ryan that exists. She loves the good ones and the bad ones, because the girl always gets the guy. Mindy is determined to be more punctual, spend less money, lose weight and read more books - all in pursuit of becoming a well-rounded perfect woman...who can meet and date the perfect guy. Mindy is a skilled OB/GYN and shares a practice with a few other doctors, none of whom make life any easier for her. JEREMY REED (British writer/comedian Ed Weeks) is the walking definition of total bad news. He not only shares a practice with Mindy, but sometimes her bed as well - despite her best efforts to resist. He is funny, self-absorbed and super sexy. In contrast, DANNY CASTELLANO (Chris Messina, Damages) is a hothead and guys' guy who has a habit of stealing Mindy's patients. Danny criticizes her for everything, including her struggling love life and her lack of professionalism - even though it's obvious to everyone except Mindy that he secretly admires her work. His blue-collar childhood gives him a big chip on his shoulder, but he is a dedicated physician, which Mindy can't stand to admit because he's always getting on her case. Rounding out the office staff are the receptionists - BETSY PUTCH (Zoe Jarman, Huge), young, earnest and easily excitable, who thinks the world of Mindy and is always trying to impress her; and SHAUNA DICANIO (newcomer Dana DeLorenzo), a self-assured Jersey Girl who is indifferent to Mindy, always knows where the cool party is and carries a poorly concealed torch for Danny. Mindy is in constant communication with her beloved best friend from college, GWEN GRANDY (Anna Camp, The Good Wife), who also happens to be the governor's daughter. Gwen is a hilarious, sometimes too-blunt friend, and secretly a former carefree party girl (which only Mindy seems to remember). Although Gwen is now happily married to a financial analyst, with a six-year-old daughter, this lawyer-turned-Pilates mom remains squarely in Mindy's corner. As Mindy attempts to get her career off the ground and meet a guy who passes her red flag test (no drug habits, no skinny jeans and no secret families, among others), only time will tell if she gets her romantic comedy ending. THE MINDY PROJECT is produced by 3 Arts Entertainment in association with Universal Television. The series is created and written by Mindy Kaling. Kaling and Howard Klein (The Office, Parks and Recreation) are executive producers. Charles McDougall (The Office, Parks and Recreation) and B.J. Novak (The Office) served as executive producers on the pilot, which McDougall directed. Cast: Mindy Kaling as Mindy Lahiri Chris Messina as Danny Castellano Ed Weeks as Jeremy Reed Anna Camp as Gwen Grandy Zoe Jarman as Betsy Putch Dana DeLorenzo as Shauna DiCanio Preview: Links: Fox.com Official Site IMDB TV.com Wikipedia Fox Mid-Season The Goodwin Games The Goodwin Games - Mid-Season on Fox (Single-Camera) Where there's a will, there's a way. And when that will's worth more than 20 million dollars, you can bet someone's going to find a way to get the cash. From the executive producers of How I Met Your Mother, THE GOODWIN GAMES is a single-camera comedy that tells the story of three grown siblings who return home after their father's death, and unexpectedly find themselves poised to inherit a vast fortune - if they adhere to their late father's wishes. If any of the Goodwin kids feel like they deserve the money, then it's HENRY (Scott Foley, Grey's Anatomy, Felicity), the eldest child and an overachieving surgeon. He sees himself as a role model for his less successful siblings - and reminds them every chance he gets. Returning home will force Henry to question the choices he's made, especially as he reconnects with his first love and true soulmate, LUCINDA (Felisha Terrell, Days of Our Lives). Middle sibling CHLOE (Becki Newton, Ugly Betty) was a child prodigy in math, and her unofficial role as "the smart one" of the family still sends Henry into fits of jealousy. But long ago, Chloe gave up academics in favor of being the popular girl. Now, through a series of hidden messages, her late father will lead Chloe back to her old love of numbers - and back to the person she's meant to be. Of the three siblings, the youngest, JIMMY (Jake Lacy, Better With You), could use the inheritance the most. A small-time ex-con and dull-witted guitarist who's deep in debt to a loan shark, Jimmy may be the family screw-up, but he has more heart than anyone. Like his siblings, Jimmy's also returning to something in this town: his eight-year-old daughter. Pulling the strings from beyond the grave is the children's late father, BENJAMIN (guest star Beau Bridges, The Descendants), a college math professor. Guilty over not parenting his kids better, Benjamin has left behind a series of unique challenges - administered by his estate attorney APRIL (newcomer Melissa Tang). Through these tasks, Benjamin hopes he can get his children to rediscover their true selves and learn the lessons he failed to instill in them while he was alive. Their potential reward? More than 20 million dollars - a fortune that they never knew their father had - and the chance to become the people their father wanted them to be. So let THE GOODWIN GAMES begin! THE GOODWIN GAMES is a 20th Century Fox Television production. The series is created, written and executive-produced by Carter Bays (How I Met Your Mother), Craig Thomas (How I Met Your Mother) and Chris Harris (How I Met Your Mother). Peyton Reed ("The Break-Up") also serves as an executive producer and director of the pilot. Cast: Scott Foley as Henry Becki Newton as Chloe Jake Lacy as Jimmy Felisha Terrell as Lucinda Melissa Chang as April Preview: Links: Fox.com Official Site IMDB TV.com Wikipedia NBC NBC Fall Schedule New Fall: Go On, The New Normal, Animal Practice, Guys with Kids New Mid-Season: Save Me, 1600 Penn, Next Caller Returning Fall: 30 Rock, Up All Night, The Office, Parks and Recreation, Whitney, Community Go On Go On - Tuesdays at 9:00PM EST/PST on NBC (Single-Camera) Misery loves company. Unless you're sportscaster Ryan King (Matthew Perry, Friends, Mr. Sunshine) who thinks misery should just be left alone. After taking some time off, Ryan – who recently lost his wife in a car accident – is now ready to get back to work. And while he seems like his same old charming, cocky self, his boss won't set him back on the air until he seeks counseling. So, Ryan reluctantly joins a support group with one goal in mind: get in, get out and get back on the radio as quickly as possible. Played by the fast-talking, sarcastic, and charismatic Perry, Ryan gives grief a real run for its money. Within one day of group therapy, he hijacks the meeting and suddenly the downtrodden are cajoled into playing a game of "who's got the best sob story?" And in no time all of them are battling it out, trying to one-up each other's despair. Now, this is fun! Ryan's total lack of interest in healing might be just what this group needs – and maybe, exactly what he needs to move on with his life. Also starring are Tony winner Laura Benanti (The Playboy Club), Julie White (Transformers), Suzy Nakamura (Dodgeball), Khary Payton (General Hospital) and Allison Miller (Terra Nova). From the Emmy-winning writer and executive producer Scott Silveri (Perfect Couples, Friends) comes a new series that proves grief can be good. Todd Holland (Malcolm in the Middle) and Karey Burke (Free Agents, Miss/Guided) also serve as executive producers. The pilot was directed by Holland. Go On is a production of Universal Television, Dark Toy Entertainment and Silver & Gold Productions. Cast: Matthew Perry as Ryan Laura Benati as Lauren Julie White as Anne Khary Payton as Don Suzy Nakamura as Yolanda Allison Miller as Carrie Preview: Links: NBC.com Official Site IMDB TV.com Wikipedia The New Normal The New Normal - Tuesdays at 9:30PM EST/PST on NBC (Single-Camera) These days, families come in all forms – single dads, double moms, sperm donors, egg donors, one-night-stand donors… It's 2012 and anything goes. Bryan (Andrew Rannells, Girls, The Book of Mormon) and David (Justin Bartha, The Hangover) are a Beverly Hills couple and they have it all. Well, almost. With successful careers and a committed and loving partnership, the one thing missing is a baby. And just when they think the stars will never align, enter Goldie (Georgia King, One Day), an extraordinary young woman with a checkered past. A Midwestern waitress and single mother looking to escape her dead-end life and small-minded grandmother (Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor Ellen Barkin), Goldie decides to change everything and move to L.A. with her precocious 8-year-old daughter. Desperate and broke – but also fertile – Goldie quickly becomes the guys' surrogate and quite possibly the girl of their dreams. Surrogate mother, surrogate family. The New Normal is produced by 20th Century Fox Television and Ryan Murphy Productions. Murphy serves as creator/executive producer and director along with executive producer/creator/writer Ali Adler (Glee, Chuck) and executive producer Dante Di Loreto (Glee, American Horror Story). Cast: Andrew Rannells as Bryan Justin Bartha as David Georgia King as Goldie Bebe Wood as Shania Ellen Barkin as Jane NeNe Leakes as Rocky Preview: Links: NBC.com Official Site IMDB TV.com Wikipedia Animal Practice Animal Practice - Wednesdays at 8:00PM EST/PST on NBC (Single-Camera) Meet Dr. George Coleman (Justin Kirk, Weeds), a top-dog New York veterinarian. With an unorthodox style of operating, George's success comes from his undeniable gift with animals of all kinds. That is, all but the human kind. Dorothy Crane once held the key to George's heart, but today she also holds the key to the family business as she takes over Crane Animal Hospital. Not only is she George's new boss, but her romantic history with him and her lack of experience with animals is seriously cramping his style. Dorothy is whip-smart and ambitious, and she's going to make George pay for the past. Needless to say, he's determined not to make any changes in his (animal) kingdom -- which includes poker games with a resident capuchin monkey. Also starring are Tyler Labine (Reaper, Sons of Tucson) as Dr. Doug Jackson, a vet who's great with animals but hapless in matters of the heart, Bobby Lee (Harold & Kumar) as Dr. Yamamoto, and newcomer Betsy Sodaro as Angela. Animal Practice is a production of Universal Television and American Work Inc. The executive producers are Scot Armstrong (The Hangover Part II, Old School) and Ravi Nandan (Best Friends Forever) of American Work Inc. (Best Friends Forever) along with Emmy Award winners Joe & Anthony Russo (Community, Arrested Development). Animal Practice was written by Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka (The Sitter), who also serve as executive producers. Gail Lerner (Happy Endings) also is an executive producer. Directed by the Emmy-winning Russo brothers, Animal Practice is a comedy where the animals are running the asylum. Cast: Justin Kirk as Dr. George Coleman Bobby Lee as Dr. Yamamoto Tyler Labine as Dr. Doug Jackson Kym Whitley as Juanita Betsy Sodaro as Angela Crystal the Monkey as Dr. Zaius Preview: Links: NBC.com Official Site IMDB TV.com Wikipedia Guys with Kids Guys with Kids - Wednesdays at 8:30PM EST/PST on NBC (Multi-Camera) From Emmy winner and executive producer Jimmy Fallon comes a new comedy about three thirty-something dads trying to hold on to their youth, while holding onto their new babies' hands. Easy, right? Thankfully, Chris (Jesse Bradford, The West Wing), Nick (Zach Cregger, Friends with Benefits) and Gary (Anthony Anderson, Law & Order) have each other to help navigate their survival as new dads, while still trying desperately to remain dudes. Balancing work or staying at home, painfully married or happily divorced, they know that taking care of the little ones while maintaining a social life is a daily challenge. Whether it's hosing the little squirt down in the kitchen sink or hitting the bar strapped with a baby björn, these guys are on a roller-coaster adventure – parenting like you (and they) have never seen before. Also starring are Jamie Lynn Sigler (The Sopranos) and Tempestt Bledsoe (The Cosby Show). Someone once said it is much easier to become a father than to be one. These three guys are about to find out just how true that is. Guys with Kids is produced by Universal Television and Holiday Road. Fallon (Late Night with Jimmy Fallon) serves as executive producer/creator along with executive producer/creator/writer Charlie Grandy (NBC's The Office) and executive producer/creator Amy Ozols (Late Night with Jimmy Fallon) as well as executive producers Rick Wiener and Kenny Schwartz (Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place, American Dad). Emmy-nominated director Scott Ellis (Modern Family, 30 Rock) is the director. Cast: Anthony Anderson as Gary Zach Cregger as Nick Jesse Bradford as Chris Jamie-Lynn Sigler as Emily Tempestt Bledsoe as Marny Preview: Links: NBC.com Official Site IMDB TV.com Wikipedia NBC Mid-Season Save Me Save Me - Mid-Season on NBC (Single-Camera) Welcome to the Midwestern suburbs, where exciting things never happen. Well, almost never. After a near-death experience (choking on a hero sandwich), Beth (Emmy nominee Anne Heche, Hung) is revived only to realize she now has a direct line to God. Of course, her husband Tom (Michael Landes, Final Destination 2) is skeptical and dismissive – and his mistress (Alexandra Breckenridge, American Horror Story) is stunned to learn that her lover's wife is now a prophet! But when inexplicable things begin to happen, everyone's beliefs are tested. Beth starts to say and do things that shock her family and entrance her friends, but she isn't going to be your typical "fire and brimstone" prophet. Let's just say, if God had a desperate housewife as His mouthpiece, Beth would be it! She is the absolute last person on Earth who would be chosen. Then again, they say He works in mysterious ways. And this one is a real mystery! Heather Burns (Bored to Death) and Madison Davenport (Shameless) also star. Save Me is produced by Sony Pictures Television and Original Film. Novelist John Scott Shepherd (Henry's List of Wrongs, The Days) is executive producer/creator along with executive producer/director Scott Winant (Breaking Bad, True Blood, Californication) and executive producers Neal H. Moritz (The Big C, Prison Break, Fast Five), Vivian Cannon (The Big C) and Alexa Junge (Friends, Sex and the City). Cast: Anne Heche as Beth Michael Landes as Tom Alexandra Breckenridge as Carly Heather Burns as Jenna Madison Davenport as Emily Preview: Links: NBC.com Official Site IMDB TV.com Wikipedia 1600 Penn 1600 Penn - Mid-Season on NBC (Single-Camera) The Gilchrists are just the average American family dealing with all the everyday issues – like a grown kid who's forced to move back home, children who are smarter than their teachers and a stepmom (Jenna Elfman, Dharma and Greg) desperately trying to win over the kids. They're loving, fun and a little crazy. In other words, just like everybody else. With one exception: they live in a very special house. The White House! Whether it's entertaining foreign dignitaries, sneaking away for a night out, dealing with middle school crushes or putting out fires – figuratively and sometimes literally – there's never a dull moment in the Gilchrist White House. For example, the First Son (Josh Gad, star of Broadway sensation The Book of Mormon) is one of the administration's biggest liabilities, but also the glue that holds this family together. The President (Bill Pullman, Independence Day, While You Were Sleeping) knows too well that the only thing harder than being Head of State is being head of the family. Also starring are Martha MacIsaac (Superbad), Andre Holland (Friends with Benefits), Amara Miller (The Descendants) and Benjamin Stockham (Sons of Tucson). Modern Family meets The West Wing in this election-year comedy from Emmy-winning executive producer/director Jason Winer (Modern Family). The executive producers are Winer, Gad and Jon Lovett (former White House speechwriter). Winer also directed the pilot. 1600 Penn is produced by 20th Century Fox. Cast: Bill Pullman as President Gilchrist Jenna Elfman as Emily Nash Gilchrist Josh Gad as Skip Martha MacIsaac as Becca Amara Miller as Marigold Benjamin Stockham as Xander Andre Holland as Marshall Preview: Links: NBC.com Official Site IMDB TV.com Wikipedia Next Caller Next Caller - Mid-Season on NBC (Single-Camera) What happens when a foulmouthed satellite radio DJ – played by the multi-platinum selling artist and outrageously charming Dane Cook (My Best Friend's Girl) – is forced to share the mic with a chipper NPR feminist? It's anyone's call in this sharp new comedy from producer Stephen Falk (Weeds) and Emmy-winning director Marc Buckland (Grimm, My Name Is Earl). It's her first day in New York City, and 26-year-old Stella Hoobler (Collette Wolfe, Young Adult) is ready to take on the world. After a stint on public radio, she's been hired to co-host the no-holds-barred show Booty Calls with Cam Dunne. Smart, spunky and passionate, Stella is determined to elevate the show beyond its boy's-club-locker-room humor into a respected debate about men, women and the state of human relationships. But there's a problem: Cam! She's going to find out the hard way that he's got no intention of sharing the spotlight, especially with someone like her. It's going to be a tense fight, but with the station's one rule being "make some noise," Cam and Stella could be a winning combination – as long as they don't knock each other out on their way to success. Jeffrey Tambor (Arrested Development), Joy Osmanski (True Jackson, VP) and Wolé Parks (Premium Rush) also star. The series is created and executive-produced by Stephen Falk (Weeds) and directed by Emmy Award-winning director Marc Buckland (Grimm, My Name Is Earl), who also serves as executive producer on the pilot. Next Caller is produced by Lionsgate Television and Universal Television. Cast: Dane Cook as Cam Dunne Collette Wolfe as Stella Hoobler Jeffrey Tambor as Jefferson Mingus Wolé Parks as Keith Calhoun Amara Miller as Marigold Joy Osmanski as Winnie Hyde Preview: Links: NBC.com Official Site IMDB TV.com Wikipedia The CW No sitcoms on the schedule.

No comments: