An early lineup for NBC

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Ben Silverman, NBC’s co-chairman of entertainment and Universal Media Studios, announced his first NBC lineup today in New York, six weeks ahead of his competitors. Silverman has promised to ‘bring sexy back’ to the network, and by that, we guess, he means a new calendar year that is 65 weeks long. Silverman is beginning his programming season this summer and extending it all the way to the end of next year. This is how it will work.

NBC PRIMETIME SCHEDULE FOR FALL 2008

*New programs in bold

MONDAY
8-9 p.m. ‘Chuck’
9-10 p.m. ‘Heroes’
10-11 p.m. ‘My Own Worst Enemy’

TUESDAY
8- 9:30 p.m. ‘The Biggest Loser: Families’
9:30-10 p.m. ‘Kath & Kim’
10-11 p.m. ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’

WEDNESDAY
8-9 p.m. ‘Knight Rider’
9-10 p.m. ‘Deal or No Deal’
10-11 p.m. ‘Lipstick Jungle’

THURSDAY
8- 8:30 p.m. ‘My Name Is Earl’
8:30-9 p.m. ’30 Rock’
9- 9:30 p.m. ‘The Office’
9:30-10 p.m. ‘The Office’/ ‘SNL Thursday Night Live’
10-11 p.m. ‘ER’

FRIDAY
8-9 p.m. ‘Crusoe’
9-10 p.m. ‘Deal or No Deal’
10-11 p.m. ‘Life’

SATURDAY
8-9 p.m. ‘Dateline NBC’
9-10 p.m. ‘Knight Rider’ (Encores)
10-11 p.m. ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ (Encores)

SUNDAY
7- 8:20 p.m. ‘Football Night in America’
8:20-11 p.m. ‘NBC Sunday Night Football’

NBC PRIMETIME SCHEDULE FOR WINTER 2008-09

*New programs in bold

MONDAY
8- 9 p.m. ‘Chuck’
9-10 p.m. ‘Heroes’
10-11 p.m. ‘The Philanthropist’

TUESDAY
8- 9:30 p.m. ‘The Biggest Loser: Couples’
9:30-10 p.m. ‘Kath & Kim’
10-11 p.m. ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’

WEDNESDAY
8-9 p.m. ‘Knight Rider’
9-10 p.m. ‘Deal or No Deal’
10-11 p.m. ‘Law & Order’

THURSDAY
8- 8:30 p.m. ‘My Name Is Earl’
8:30-9 p.m. ’30 Rock’
9- 9:30 p.m. ‘The Office’
9:30-10 p.m. ‘The Office’ spinoff
10-11 p.m. ‘ER’/’The Celebrity Apprentice’

FRIDAY
8-9 p.m. ‘Deal or No Deal’
9-10 p.m. ‘Friday Night Lights’
10-11 p.m. ‘Life’

SATURDAY
8-9 p.m. ‘Dateline NBC’
9-10 p.m. ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ (Encores)
10-11 p.m. ‘Law & Order’ (Encores)

SUNDAY
7-8 p.m. Specials/’Dateline NBC’
8-9 p.m. Specials/‘Merlin’
9-10 p.m. Specials/’Medium’
10-11 p.m. Specials/‘Kings’

NBC PRIMETIME SCHEDULE FOR SUMMER 2009

*New programs in bold

MONDAY
8-9 p.m. ‘American Gladiators’
9-10 p.m. ‘America’s Toughest Jobs’
10-11 p.m. ‘Dateline NBC’

TUESDAY
8-9 p.m. ‘Most Outrageous Moments’
9-10 p.m. ‘America’s Got Talent’
10-11 p.m. ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ (Encores)

WEDNESDAY
8-9 p.m. ‘Shark Taggers’
9-10 p.m. ‘America’s Got Talent’ (Results Show)
10-11 p.m. ‘Law & Order’ (Encores)

THURSDAY
8- 8:30 p.m. ‘The Office’ (Encores)
8:30- 9 p.m. ‘The Office’ spinoff (Encores)
9-10 p.m. ‘Last Comic Standing’
10-11 p.m. ‘The Listener’

FRIDAY
8-9 p.m. ‘Chopping Block’
9-11 p.m. ‘Dateline NBC’

SATURDAY
8-9 p.m. Drama Encores
9-10 p.m. Drama Encores
10-11 p.m. Drama Encores

SUNDAY
7-8 p.m. ‘Dateline NBC’
8-9 p.m. ‘Monk’
9-10 p.m. ‘Nashville Star’
10-11 p.m. ‘Kings’ (Encores)

2008-09 NEW SERIES DESCRIPTIONS:

NEW DRAMAS

MY OWN WORST ENEMY -- Henry Spivey (Christian Slater, ‘Bobby’) is a middle-class efficiency expert living a humdrum life in the suburbs with a wife, two kids, a dog, and a minivan. Edward Albright is an operative who speaks 13 languages, runs a four-minute mile and is trained to kill with his teeth. Henry and Edward are polar opposites who share only one thing in common: the same body. When the carefully constructed wall between them breaks down, Henry and Edward are thrust into unfamiliar territory where each man is dangerously out of his element. ‘My Own Worst Enemy’ explores the duality of a man who is literally pitted against himself. And it raises the question: Whom can you trust when you can’t trust yourself? The series is produced by Universal Media Studios. Jason Smilovic (‘Kidnapped’) is the executive producer; David Semel (director of the ‘American Dreams,’ ‘Heroes’ and ‘Life’ pilots) is the director and executive producer.

KNIGHT RIDER -- On the heels of NBC’s hit movie, the iconic 1980s television classic comes roaring back to life as an updated drama series showcasing the new customized KITT (Knight Industries Three Thousand) Ford Mustang. As the sequel resumes, KITT is absolutely the coolest car ever created: Its supercomputer capable of hacking almost any system, its weapon systems efficient and its body -- thanks to its creator’s work and nanotechnology -- capable of shifting shape and color. It is the ultimate car -- and someone will be willing to do anything to obtain it. ‘Knight Rider’ stars Justin Bruening (‘Cold Case’), Deanna Russo (‘NCIS’), Sydney Tamiia Poitier (‘Veronica Mars’) and Bruce Davison (‘Breach’). David Bartis (‘Heist,’ ‘The O.C.’), Doug Liman (‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith,’ ‘The Bourne Identity’) and Gary Scott Thompson (‘Las Vegas,’ ‘The Fast and the Furious’) are executive producers, and David Andron serves as supervising producer and writer. Based on characters created by Glen Larson, ‘Knight Rider’ is from Universal Media Studios and Dutch Oven Productions.

CRUSOE -- Based on the classic novel by Daniel Defoe, this is the tale of Robinson Crusoe. A young man leaves his true love to embark on an adventure -- only to end up shipwrecked on a remote tropical island for 28 years, completely detached from the life he once knew. His desire to return to his wife and his strong and unlikely friendship with Friday are the only things that keep him sane. While stranded, Crusoe encounters enemies and braves the elements. Equal parts ‘MacGyver,’ ‘Cast Away’ and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean,’ this series is an inspirational tale of survival rife with action and comedy. Power Entertainment produces ‘Crusoe.’

KINGS -- ‘Kings’ is an exploration of the timeless David-versus-Goliath struggle. The show is set in a modern metropolis under siege, where the fighting has gone on for too long and cost far too many lives. When David Shepherd (Christopher Egan, ‘Resident Evil: Extinction’), a brave young soldier, rescues the king’s (Golden Globe winner Ian McShane, ‘Deadwood’) son from enemy territory, he sets events in motion that will finally bring peace. David is thrust into the limelight, earning the affections of women -- including the king’s daughter. When he’s promoted to captain, he becomes the reluctant poster boy for hope. But for David, the line between his allies and enemies will blur as the power players in the kingdom go to great lengths to see him fall. Sebastian Stan (‘Gossip Girl’) also stars. ‘Kings’ is a production of Universal Media Studios; Michael Green (NBC’s ‘Heroes’) is the executive producer. Francis Lawrence (‘I Am Legend’) is the director and executive producer and Erwin Stoff (‘I Am Legend’) also is executive producer.

MERLIN -- ‘Merlin’ brings to life a new legend for a modern audience. The hourlong fantasy series is set in the mythic city of Camelot but is inspired by contemporary storytelling. Before Merlin (Colin Morgan, ‘Doctor Who’) and Arthur (Bradley James, ‘Lewis’) became legends, they were ambitious young men looking for adventure, hoping to live up to their family’s expectations, discovering love and finding their destiny, and making mistakes along the way. Anthony Head (‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’), Richard Wilson (‘A Passage to India’), Angel Coulby (‘Magicians’) and Katie McGrath (‘The Tudors’) also star. A FremantleMedia Enterprises distribution of a Shine production for BBC.

THE PHILANTHROPIST -- This one-hour drama is about a rebel with a cause. Teddy Rist loves women, money and power. After the death of his only child, Teddy has an awakening and becomes the world’s first vigilante philanthropist -- a renegade billionaire who uses his wealth, connections and power to help people in need. He’ll do anything to achieve his goals -- bargain with the self-righteous, trade with the nefarious and even tell the truth. Instead of spending $25,000 a plate at a fundraiser, he’s dodging bullets in third-world countries to hand-deliver a vaccine. It’s a global adventure that will take viewers to the ends of the Earth and will inspire them as well. ‘The Philanthropist’ is produced by Universal Media Studios, Original Media and the Levinson/Fontana Co. Tom Fontana and Barry Levinson (‘Homicide: Life on the Street’) and Charlie Corwin (‘L.A. Ink’) are the executive producers; Jim Juvonen is a co-executive producer.

THE LISTENER -- In this one-hour drama, Toby Logan (Craig Olejnik, ‘The Runaway’) is a 24-year-old paramedic lwho can read people’s minds, and he struggles to solve crimes with his gift. It balances high-stakes drama with irreverent humor and sends Toby on an intellectual and emotional adventure. Ennis Esmer (‘The Path to 9/11’) also stars. ‘The Listener’ is a production of Program Partners and Shaftesbury Films. The executive producers are Christina Jennings, Scott Garvie, Michael Amo, Russ Cochrane, Glen Davis and Bill Laurin.

NEW COMEDIES

THE OFFICE SPINOFF -- From Greg Daniels, the executive producer of the Emmy Award-winning American version of NBC’s ‘The Office.’ New faces and new locations, but with the same sense of humor from Daniels and his creative team.

KATH & KIM -- They’re the most dysfunctional duo in suburbia. Kath Day (Molly Shannon, NBC’s ‘Saturday Night Live’) is the mom, a foxy, 40-something divorcée who finally has time for herself and her search for love. Kim Day (Selma Blair, ‘Hellboy,’ ‘Hellboy II’) is the daughter, a princess recently separated from her husband who finds consolation in food. When Kim decides to move back home, Kath reluctantly agrees -- but Kath is not about to cater to her whims anymore. Based on an Australian comedy. The series is produced by Universal Media Studios and Reveille. The executive producer/writer is Michelle Nader (‘The King of Queens’) and the executive producer/director is Paul Feig (‘Freaks and Geeks,’ ‘The Office’). Gina Riley, Jane Turner and Rick McKenna also are executive producers.

SNL THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE -- ‘SNL’ expands its ‘Weekend Update’ coverage to Thursdays in prime-time for three live half-hour shows beginning Oct. 16. The program is a production of Broadway Video in association with SNL Studios. Lorne Michaels is the executive producer.

NEW ALTERNATIVE

CHOPPING BLOCK -- It’s not just about the meal, it’s about the business of food. From the producers of ‘Hell’s Kitchen,’ chef Marco Pierre White comes to America to host a food fight: a reality competition set in the high-drama, high-stakes world of New York City restaurants. The teams, which are made up of couples, will be tested in challenges that will include having less than a week to design and revamp a restaurant space, planning a menu and creating a signature dish. The winning couple will get a chance to open their own restaurant in Manhattan. The series is produced by Granada America.

AMERICA’S TOUGHEST JOBS - From creator/executive producer Thom Beers (‘Deadliest Catch,’ ‘Ice Road Truckers’) and executive producers Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun, ‘America’s Toughest Jobs’ is an extreme competition series that will test 12 people who venture out of their careers and into some of the most challenging jobs on Earth, such as logging in the Oregon forest and oil drilling in Texas, and they’ll have to live up to pro standards. In the end, their new boss and co-workers will determine success or failure, and those who don’t make the grade get sent home. The annual salary of each job will be thrown into the pot to be given to the winning rookie. Created by executive producer Beers and produced by Original Productions and BermanBraun.

SHARK TAGGERS -- From creator/executive producer Thom Beers (‘Deadliest Catch,’ ‘Ice Road Truckers’) and executive producers Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun, ‘Shark Taggers’ is a one-hour reality series that follows marine biologists as they track down the ocean’s top predators and hand-tag them with satellite transmitters or investigate bull sharks’ attacks on surfers. The series is produced by Original Productions and BermanBraun.

MOST OUTRAGEOUS MOMENTS -- This half-hour show offers outtakes from some of NBC’s most popular shows, as well as from home videos, newscasts, game shows and commercials from around the globe. Produced by Universal Media Studios and Scott Satin Productions. Scott Satin (‘Who Wants to Be a Superhero?’) serves as executive producer.

NEW EVENTS/MINISERIES/MOVIES

THE LAST TEMPLAR -- In this four-hour miniseries, Oscar winner Mira Sorvino (‘Mighty Aphrodite’) stars in an action-adventure tale. At the New york Metropolitan Museum, four horsemen dressed as 12th century knights storm the gala opening of an exhibition of Vatican treasures and steal an arcane medieval decoder. For archaeologist Tess Chaykin (Sorvino) and FBI agent Sean Daly (Scott Foley, ‘The Unit’), this is the start of a game of cat and mouse as they race across three continents in search of the enemy -- and the lost secret of the Knights Templar. The miniseries is produced by MUSE Entertainment Enterprises. Victor Garber (‘Alias’) and Omar Sharif (‘Doctor Zhivago’) also star. Robert Halmi Sr. (‘Tin Man,’ ‘Gulliver’s Travels’), Robert Halmi Jr. (‘The Poseidon Adventure,’ ‘The Christmas Card’) and Michael Prupas (‘Human Trafficking’) are executive producers.

XIII -- The thriller miniseries stars Val Kilmer (‘The Doors’) and Stephen Dorff (‘World Trade Center’). It begins as the first female U.S. president is killed by a sniper during her Veteran’s Day speech. Three months later, a wounded man is found tattered in a forest with no memory of his identity. The only clue is a tattoo on his neck, ‘XIII.’ Submerged in a far-reaching conspiracy, which threatens to overthrow the government, XIII’s identity becomes the key to unraveling a secret. ‘XIII’ is produced by Prodigy Pictures and Cipango.

-- Maria Elena Fernandez