NBC's 52 Week Schedule: The Office, Friday Night Lights, Knight Rider, and more...
April 3, 2008

After keeping small-screen fans on the edges of their seats, NBC just announced their 52 week programming strategy and the new spin-off of The Office, Friday Night Lights, Knight Rider are on the schedule for 2008 and 2009. While the long running ER will close its doors this upcoming 15th season, Friday Night Lights will slide back into the Friday line-up "as part of a unique broadcast partnership between NBC and DIRECTV." With the return of 30 Rock, My Name is Earl and several other renewals new show launches, it's going to be jam-packed 52 weeks for NBC and TV fans.

Summer 2008 - 2009:

Adding to the third season renewal of Friday Night Lights, NBC is rolling out a number of new and returning shows that begins their 52 week campaign this coming Fall. The network will launch the new Christian Slater drama My Own Worst Enemy (Slater's first foray into regular primetime series TV) on Monday nights to accompany Chuck and Heroes while the new Molly Shannon - Selma Blair comedy series Kath & Kim makes its debut on Tuesdays along with the The Biggest Loser: Families edition. The Wednesday night slate sees a full order of the ratings hit Knight Rider and the return of the new Candace Bushnell series Lipstick Jungle. The Office will need to make room for a bold new move from the network as Thursday will mark the introduction of the new sketch comedy spin-off from the Saturday Night Live world called SNL Thursday Night Live while on Friday nights fans will find the drama Crusoe and the popular Howie Mandel hosted game show hit Deal or No Deal?

Winter 2008 - 2009:

This coming winter on Sunday nights, NBC will be warming TV viewers with the return of Medium and the new Ian McShane drama Kings from the producer of Heroes. Monday nights will see the launch of the new Robin Hood-esque, renegade billionaire drama The Philanthropist while Tuesday gives viewers a chance to check out The Biggest Loser: Couples. Wednesday nights see the 19th season return of Law & Order, leading to the Thursday night line-up of the new spin-off of The Office and another round of Celebrity Apprentice. Rounding out the week, NBC rolls out a series of special Sunday night events that include the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards, the four-hour miniseries The Last Templar (starring Oscar winner Mira Sorvino), XIII (starring Val Kilmer and Stephen Dorff), and the hour long fantasy special Merlin, starring Colin Morgan, Bradley James, and Anthony Head.

According to the official NBC press release, the next year looks bright with several other highlights to watch out for in 2009:

"In Summer 2009, NBC is slated to introduce "The Listener," a new Thursday drama, as well as two new reality series from executive producer Thom Beers ("Ice Road Truckers") -- "America's Toughest Jobs," an action-reality series on Mondays and "Shark Taggers," an action-adventure reality series on Wednesdays. "Chopping Block" will premiere on Fridays to complement a strong slate of original summer programming. Returning shows that Summer will include "American Gladiators," "America's Got Talent," "Last Comic Standing," "Monk" and "Nashville Star."

"Sophomore dramas "Chuck," "Life," and "Lipstick Jungle" will benefit from an aggressive re-launch in the Fall, and the hit "Heroes" will come back with a bang owing to a major event in the Fall.

"Joining the cast of "Life" is Donal Logue ("Grounded for Life") as Captain Brian Tidwell, Crews' (Damian Lewis) and Reese's (Sarah Shahi) new boss. Tidwell is a seen-it-all New York cop whose weaknesses include the track and the ladies. He isn't going to fit in Los Angeles, and he could care less."