FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS Returns and More from News NBC

Had I been paying attention and known that NBC was going to be having their faux Upfronts today I might have stayed a bit closer to my computer. But alas I am a wee bit behind in sharing the big news from the Peacock today. But there is news (and not just that of THE OFFICE spinoff), and most of it is pretty fantastic.

Let’s not bury the lead here, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS is returning for a third season. Clear Eyes. Full Hearts. Hot Dang! My favorite drama mama will be part of a deal with NBC and DirectTV which will have DirecTV airing the episodes first in the Fall and NBC airing them in the Winter. It’s going to suck for those of who don’t have DirecTV as the spoilers will be rampant. But if it was a choice over being spoiled or not having the show come back, I’ll deal with the spoilers.

The superheroes are pulling a switch-a-roo (or not). In my old age my eyes are starting to go, and I thought I had read that CHUCK and HEROES were swapping time slots on Monday nights. I was so excited at the thought of Sylar has melting my brain and then Chuck Bartowski to melting my heart that I screwed it all up. The two shows will remain as it with CHUCK airing at 8pm and HEROES airing at 9pm. Hell, I don’t really care as long as CHUCK comes back soon!!

More form the NBC Upfront presentation after the jump….

SCRUBS is gone from the NBC schedule, but fear not, it will turn up on ABC. When? Not quite sure yet, but it will. ER will return for at least 19 episodes. Also returning to NBC are 30 ROCK, LIPSTICK JUNGLE, LAW & ORDER, and LAW & ORDER: SVU.

Despite what you might have heard, NBC’s new show, KATH & KIM, does not tell the tales of me and my dear friend Kim Lane (although if NBC wants to make our lives into a TV show I’m down with it because I find our adventures quite comical). This new NBC show starring Molly Shannon and Selma Blair is the remake of the Australian comedy about a dysfunctional mother and daughter. Although I’m said Molly won’t be reprising her role as Dilly Balsam proprietor of Balsam’s Bittersweets Taffy and Sweet Emporium on PUSHING DAISIES, I’m glad she has landed this fantastic role.

New shows being picked up by NBC include:

• KNIGHT RIDER (based on the 2-hour backdoor pilot that premiered not too long ago)

• CRUSOE, based on the novel Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

• MY OWN WORST ENEMY, which will star Christian Slater

• KINGS, set in a metropolis under siege (starring Ian McShane)

• MERLIN, a fantasy series set in Camelot but inspired by 21st-century storytelling

• THE PHILANTHROPIST, about a renegade billionaire who uses his wealth to help people in need

• THE LISTENDER, about a telepathic paramedic

• SNL Thursday Night Live, which will take the “Weekend Update” segment from Saturday Night Live and transport it to Thursday in primetime. (Also know as NBC tryig to compete with The Daily Show)

• America’s Toughest Jobs and Shark Taggers, from producer Thom Beers of Deadliest Catch fame (Hmm, these shows sound very familiar, no? *cough* ripoff *cough)

• Most Outrageous Moments, which will feature outtakes from some of NBC’s most popular shows. (at least it’s not your run of the mill crap reality show)

There was also a lot of blabber about how NBC was going to work better with the advertisers this year and make more attractive deals…yada, yada, yada. I guess it’s important to note that the Upfronts are in fact all about the advertisers, but it’s still all very boring.

And a cheers to Jenna Fischer for making it through this year’s Upfront presentation without breaking any bones. Poor thing!