NBC is getting a head start on the fall competition.
Announcing its fall series premiere dates Thursday, NBC will debut “The Jay Leno Show” on Monday, Sept. 14, about a week before CBS and ABC commence fresh 10 p.m. competition of their own.
Likewise, the network’s two-hour comedy block on Thursday will also get a week’s jump. Operating amid the most competitive night on television, NBC will start off with the half-hour “Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday” positioned at 8 p.m., the spot previously occupied by the now-cancelled “My Name Is Earl.”
“Parks and Recreation” starring Amy Poehler -- which enjoyed a lukewarm midseason premiere run over the spring -- will stay at 8:30, followed by “The Office” at 9. New comedy “Community,” meanwhile, will start the season off at 9:30, but vacate that spot on Oct. 15 upon the return of “30 Rock.” “Community” will then move to 8, where it will replace “Weekend Update,” a utility show designed for limited runs.
Other notable announcements include a two-hour season-premiere on Sept. 21 for sci-fi series “Heroes,” which appears in more creative disarray than ever following the departure of producer Bryan Fuller earlier this week.
A week later, on Monday, Sept. 28, “Heroes” will return to its normal 8-9 p.m. slot, with new emergency-responders-themed drama “Trauma” taking over the 9 o’clock hour.
NBC’s fall premieres:
Sunday, Sept. 13
7-8:15 p.m. – "Football Night in America"
8:15-11 p.m. – "NBC Sunday Night Football"
Monday, Sept. 14
10-11 p.m. – "The Jay Leno Show" (Series Premiere)
Tuesday, Sept. 15
8-10 p.m. – "The Biggest Loser"
10-11 p.m. – "The Jay Leno Show"
Thursday, Sept. 17
8-8:30 p.m. – "Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday"
8:30-9 p.m. – "Parks and Recreation"
9-9:30 p.m. – "The Office"
9:30-10 p.m. – "Community"
10-11 p.m. – "The Jay Leno Show"
Monday, Sept. 21
8-10 p.m. – "Heroes"
10-11 p.m. – "The Jay Leno Show"
Wednesday, Sept. 23
8-9 p.m. – "Parenthood”
9-10 p.m. – "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"
10-11 p.m. – "The Jay Leno Show"
Friday, Sept. 25
8-9 p.m. – "Law & Order"
9-10 p.m. – "Southland"
10-11 p.m. – "The Jay Leno Show"
Saturday, Sept. 26
8-9 p.m – "Dateline NBC"
9-10 p.m. – "Trauma" (encore broadcast)
10-11 p.m. – "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (encore broadcast)
11:30 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. - "Saturday Night Live"
