NBC has jumped to an early start in pilot pick-up season, greenlighting a handful of projects, including a new comedy starring former "Married With Children" star Christina Applegate and an untitled project featuring former "Punk'd" cast member Whitney Cummings, plus two other projects, an individual with knowledge of the projects confirms.
"Up All Night," formerly known as the Emily Spivey Project, features Applegate as an acerbic working mother who must contend with her stay-at-home husband (Will Arnett) and her opinionated parents.
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The still-untitled Cummings project, meanwhile, is based on Cummings' comedy and will explore "the ups and downs of a committed relationship in today’s complicated world." The series will also be co-produced by Cummings, and will co-star Beverly D'Angelo.
On the dramatic front, the one-hour "Smash," which is based on an idea by Steven Spielberg (who is serving as one of the show's producers), revolves around diverse characters who assemble to put together a Broadway musical. "Will & Grace" actress Debra Messing will star, along with "American Idol" runner-up Katharine McPhee.
Also getting the go-ahead on Wednesday: an adaptation of the popular British miniseries "Prime Suspect," which starred Helen Mirren. The revamped version will feature Maria Bello ("A History of Violence") as a female detective attempting to prove herself in a New York police precinct that's dominated by men.