NBC revealed its fall 2019-20 schedule on Sunday, giving Jimmy Smits’ legal drama “Bluff City Law” the coveted post-“Voice” slot on Mondays, while leaving many other nights intact from last year.
Tuesdays and Wednesdays remain unchanged, with “This Is Us” — fresh off a massive three-season renewal — to again lead into “New Amsterdam,” with “The Voice” kicking things off at 8 p.m. Wednesdays will also remain the same with Dick Wolf’s “Chicago” franchise.
On Thursdays, new comedies “Perfect Harmony” with Bradley Whitford, and Kal Penn’s “Sunnyside” will join veterans “Superstore” and “The Good Place.” “Superstore” will lead into “Perfect Harmony” while “Sunnyside” will air after “Good Place” at 9:30 p.m. At 10 p.m. “Law & Order: SVU” returns for its record-breaking 21st season.
“We came into this season from the vantage point of extreme stability, but without any complacency,” said George Cheeks and Paul Telegdy, co-chairmen, NBC Entertainment. “Our 52-week schedule takes into account the seismic shift in viewing habits, balancing short-term wins with long-term potential. Comedy is at the heart of the NBC brand, and we’ve picked up four new comedies that we think viewers will love for generations to come. Our new dramas will compel audiences to tune in week after week to our network while also delivering binge-worthy storylines, and our unparalleled alternative programs continue to delight audiences of all ages, providing enviable launch pads for many of our new shows.”
“Manifest” will return for its sophomore season in January, returning to its post-“Voice” slot on Monday. Other returning midseason shows include “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Blindspot,” “Good Girls” and “Will & Grace.”
Freshman comedies “Indebted” and Kenan Thompson’s “Kenan Show” will premiere at midseason. Cheeks said in regards to Thompson’s busy schedule — he’s also serving as a judge on “Bring the Funny” in addition to returning to “SNL” this fall — “There are scheduling issues we’re figuring out.”
Other new series — “Council of Dads,” “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” and “Bone Collector” adaptation, “Lincoln” — will air sometime within the next year as well. One notable absence from the release was Wolf’s latest “Law & Order” spinoff, “Law & Order: Hate Crimes.” Teledgy said during a call with reporters on Sunday that the network is still committed to the series. “We’re very confident that will appear one day,” he said, explaining that it “is in ongoing development as it finds itself.”
NBC previously canceled “I Feel Bad,” “Marlon,” “Midnight, Texas,” “Reverie” and “Trial & Error.” We expect to hear the fates of midseason series “Abby’s,” “A.P. Bio,” “The Enemy Within” and “The Village” relatively soon. New Summer 2019 show “The InBetween” has yet to premiere.
NBC’s fall schedule is below, with new programs in ALL CAPS.
MONDAY
8-10 p.m. — “The Voice”
10-11 p.m. — “BLUFF CITY LAW”
TUESDAY
8-9 p.m. — “The Voice”
9-10 p.m. — “This Is Us”
10-11 p.m. — “New Amsterdam”
WEDNESDAY
8-9 p.m. — “Chicago Med”
9-10 p.m. — “Chicago Fire”
10-11 p.m. — “Chicago P.D.”
THURSDAY
8-8:30 p.m. — “Superstore”
8:30-9 p.m. — “PERFECT HARMONY”
9-9:30 p.m. — “The Good Place”
9:30-10 p.m. — “SUNNYSIDE”
10-11 p.m. — “Law & Order: SVU”
FRIDAY
8-9 p.m. — “The Blacklist”
9-11 p.m. — “Dateline NBC”
SATURDAY
8-10 p.m. — “Dateline Saturday Night Mystery”
10-11 p.m. – “Saturday Night Live” (encores)
SUNDAY
7-8:20 p.m. — “Football Night in America”
8:20-11 p.m. — “NBC Sunday Night Football”
And here are all the official descriptions for NBC’s new series, with each in the network’s own words:
“BLUFF CITY LAW”
Coming from a famous Memphis family known for taking on injustice, brilliant lawyer Sydney Strait used to work at her father Elijah’s celebrated law firm until their tumultuous relationship got in the way. After barely speaking to him for years, Sydney is suddenly thrust back into the family fold when her philanthropist mother passes away unexpectedly. In the wake of her loss, hoping to reconnect with the daughter he loves, Elijah asks Sydney to rejoin his firm. She agrees because despite her lingering resentment and distrust, she knows that working alongside her father is her best hope at changing the world … if they can ever get along.
The cast includes Jimmy Smits, Caitlin McGee, Scott Shepherd, Barry Sloane, Michael Luwoye, MaameYaa Boafo, Stony Blyden and Jayne Atkinson.
Dean Georgaris will write and executive produce. Michael Aguliar and David Janollari will executive produce.
“Bluff City Law” is produced by Universal Television in association with David Janollari Entertainment.
“COUNCIL OF DADS”
When Scott, a loving father of four, has his entire life’s plan thrown into upheaval by an unexpected health scare, he calls on a few of his closest allies to step in as back-up dads for every stage of his growing family’s life. Scott assembles a trusted group of role models that includes Anthony, his oldest friend; Larry, his AA sponsor; and Oliver, his surgeon and best friend to his wife, Robin. These men agree to devote themselves to supporting and guiding Scott’s amazing family through all the triumphs and challenges life has to offer – just in case he ever can’t be there to do so himself.
The cast includes Sarah Wayne Callies, Clive Standen, Tom Everett Scott, J. August Richards, Blue Chapman, Emjay Anthony, Michele Weaver, Thalia Tran, Steven Silver and Michael O’Neill.
Tony Phelan & Joan Rater will write and executive produce. Jerry Bruckheimer, Jonathan Littman and KristieAnne Reed will executive produce. James Oh and Bruce Feiler will produce.
“Council of Dads” is produced by Universal Television in association with Jerry Bruckheimer Television and Midwest Livestock Productions.
“LINCOLN”
Inspired by the best-selling book “The Bone Collector,” former NYPD detective and forensic genius Lincoln Rhyme was at the top of his game until a serious accident at the hands of a notorious serial killer forces him out of the field. When Amelia Sachs, an intuitive young officer who’s got her own gift for profiling, finds herself hot on the killer’s trail, Rhyme in turn finds a partner for this new game of cat and mouse. As the unlikely detective duo joins forces to crack the city’s most confounding cases, they must also race to take down the enigmatic “Bone Collector” who brought them together.
The cast includes Russell Hornsby, Arielle Kebbel, Brían F. O’Byrne, Tate Ellington, Courtney Grosbeck, Ramses Jimenez, Brooke Lyons, Roslyn Ruff and Michael Imperioli.
VJ Boyd and Mark Bianculli will write and executive produce. Seth Gordon will direct and executive produce. Avi Nir, Peter Traugott and Rachel Kaplan will executive produce.
“Lincoln” is produced by Universal Television and Sony Pictures Television and in association with Keshet Studios.
“ZOEY’S EXTRAORDINARY PLAYLIST”
In this joyous and celebratory drama, Zoey Clarke is a whip-smart computer coder forging her way in San Francisco. After an unusual event she starts to hear the innermost wants and desires of the people around her through songs. At first, she questions her own sanity but soon realizes this unwanted curse may just be an incredibly wonderful gift.
The cast includes Jane Levy, Skylar Astin, Peter Gallagher, Alex Newell, John Clarence Stewart, Carmen Cusack and Mary Steenburgen.
Austin Winsberg will write and executive produce. Richard Shepard will direct and executive produce (pilot only). Paul Feig, Jessie Henderson, Kim Tannenbaum, Eric Tannenbaum, David Blackman and Daniel Inkeles will executive produce.
“Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” is produced by Lionsgate in association with the Tannenbaum Company, FeigCo Entertainment and Universal Music Group.
NEW COMEDY SERIES
“INDEBTED”
Young parents Dave and Rebecca are ready to reclaim their life after years of diapers and sleepless nights. However, things take an unexpected turn when Dave’s parents show up unannounced and broke, leaving Dave with no choice but to open the door to the people who gave him everything. But these boomerang parents aren’t great with boundaries and the question of who’s parenting who quickly becomes blurred in this multi-generational comedy starring Fran Drescher and Adam Pally as mother and son.
The cast includes Adam Pally, Abby Elliott, Steven Weber and Fran Drescher.
Dan Levy will write and executive produce. Doug Robinson will executive produce.
“Uninsured” is produced by Sony Pictures Television in association with Doug Robinson Productions.
“THE KENAN SHOW”
In this family comedy, Kenan Thompson strives to be a super dad to his two adorable girls while simultaneously balancing his job and a father-in-law who “helps” in the most inappropriate ways.
The cast includes Kenan Thompson, Punam Patel, Dani Lockett, Dannah Lockett and Andy Garcia.
Jackie Clarke will write and executive produce. Chris Rock will direct and executive produce. Kenan Thompson, Lorne Michaels and Andrew Singer will executive produce.
“The Kenan Show” is produced by Universal Television in association with Broadway Video.
“PERFECT HARMONY”
Bradley Whitford stars in this comedy about finding inspiration in the most unlikely places. When former Princeton music professor Arthur Cochran unexpectedly stumbles into choir practice at a small-town church, he finds a group of singers that are out of tune in more ways than one. Despite the ultimate clash of sensibilities, Arthur and his newfound cohorts may just be the perfect mix of individuals to help each other reinvent and rediscover a little happiness, just when they all need it most.
The cast includes Bradley Whitford, Anna Camp, Tymberlee Hill, Rizwan Manji, Will Greenberg, Geno Segers and Spencer Allport.
Lesley Wake Webster will write and executive produce. Jason Winer will direct and executive produce. Bradley Whitford, Adam Anders and Jon Radler will executive produce.
“Perfect Harmony” is produced by 20th Century Fox Television and Small Dog Picture Company.
“SUNNYSIDE”
Garrett Modi was living the American Dream. As the youngest New York City Councilman ever, he was rubbing elbows with the political elite, attending star-studded parties and was the pride of Queens. But instead of spending his time in office helping the people that got him elected, he lost his way amidst the power and glamour of politics. When his downward spiral got him busted for public intoxication (and downright stupidity), it was all caught on tape and ended his career. Now, Garrett’s crashing with his sister, Mallory, and wondering where it all went wrong. That is, until he’s hired by a diverse group of hopefuls who dream of becoming American citizens and believe he can help – giving him a new sense of purpose and a chance for redemption, as long as he remembers where he came from.
The cast includes Kal Penn, Diana Maria Riva, Joel Kim Booster, Kiran Deol, Poppy Liu, Moses Storm and Samba Schutte.
Kal Penn and Matt Murray will write and executive produce. Michael Schur will be supervising executive producer. David Miner and Dan Spilo will executive produce.
“Sunnyside” is produced by Universal Television in association with Fremulon and 3 Arts Entertainment.