TCA Press Tour: NBC Universal

Hello Folks

Another press tour day to wrap up, this time on the NBC Universal family.

Gathered from all over the place again.

NBC:

- NBC Universal TV chairman Jeff Gaspin and entertainment president Angela Bromstad talked about "The Office" and that they knew before it was made public that Steve Carell would leave after the next season. The duo says that there are plans on who will replace Michael, and that the reveal and the fashion the switch is made will make for several storylines, and some good mystery on the identity of Michael's successor.

- NBC has also announced that three of its shows will get a head start going int to the fall by premiering them up to a week earlier than previously announced. "Parenthood" starts its sophomore season on September 14, new series "Outlaw" bows with a special preview in the wake of the "America's Got Talent" finale on September 15, and reality format "The Apprentice" returns with a two-hour premiere on September 16.
Additionally, "Law & Order: SVU" will launch its new season on September 22, with new spinoff "Law & Order: Los Angeles" premiering the week after, on September 29.
As for "Parks & Recreations", the network has still not announced a start date for season two.

- New superhero series "The Cape", currently slated for midseason, is different from "Heroes" in that it is more of a procedural with a hero that does not actually have superpowers, but uses manipulation to thwart his enemies. Actually, it's not the superhero part that sounds repetitive, it's the "procedural" part…

- Don't ever look for "Day One" on NBC, as this project is now officially dead. Or in other words, was killed all over again…

- Speaking of killing things all over again: The original "Law & Order" is definitely, irrevocably, entirely, you guessed it, dead.

- Instead, look for a live episode of "30 Rock" on October 14.

- Rob Lowe is now a series regular on "Parks & Recreation". I guess some fans rather had them announcing a return date than this…

- "The Rockford Files" is not without a few signs of life left, as does the remake of British series "Prime Suspect". Peter Berg and Sarah Aubrey's production company Film 44 has renewed its overall deal with NBC Universal, and is looking to get the pilot under way. Alexandra Cunningham has taken over writing duties from Hank Steinberg.

- Concerning new series "The Event", one critic asked about the possibility of a similar fate as "FlashForward". "We are going to do everything in our power to guard against the 'FlashForward' [problems]," Bromstad said. "We take those lessons very seriously. Audiences and critics will be rightly be skeptical." The show won't taunt viewers too long with unanswered questions, as the two biggest questions from the pilot will be answered in the second episode. “We’re very cognizant of the audience’s patience, of rewarding the audience,” said showrunner Evan Katz ("24"). “The show’s designed to answer questions to satisfy people, to keep them hooked, frankly, but to keep posing questions." But for all the conspiracy lovers, there's plenty of stuff left to figure out of course, and countless storylines to be explored, as the show's bible apparently was "longer than the script [for the pilot]", exec producer Steve Stark mentioned.
If you still aren't fed up and crave to know more about "The Event", head over here.

- On casting two black leads in spy drama "Undercovers", exec producer Josh Reims said: “We didn’t consider that we were revolutionizing TV, but we do realize it’s a big deal. We all wish it wasn’t such a big deal that two black characters were on a major TV show on a major TV network, but that’s the way it is now.” In any case, they sure don't mind the added publicity I guess…

Syfy:

- The cable network has announced its new development slate, which includes projects from Kevin Sorbo, Lee Majors and the team behind "Sanctuary". If you're interested in it, click here.

- Syfy has also announced the production start for its U.S. version of British series "Being Human", starring Sam Witwer, Meaghan Rath, Sam Huntington and Mark Pellegrino. The premiere will be directed by Adam Kane.