NBC Announces More Summer Premiere Dates

NBC SETS AUG. 5 PREMIERE DATES FOR TWO NEW COMEDIES AND ROBUST LIST OF REALITY SERIES AS NETWORK LOOKS FOR FIFTH STRAIGHT SUMMER WIN IN 18-49

Craig Robinson Stars as Unorthodox Music Teacher in “Mr. Robinson” While Burgeoning Comic Jerrod Carmichael and David Alan Grier Bring “The Carmichael Show” to Life

Summer Debuts Also Set for Alternative Series “The Island” and “I Can Do That” and Return of “Food Fighters,” “Hollywood Game Night,” “Running Wild with Bear Grylls” and “Last Comic Standing” as Well as Comedy “Welcome to Sweden”

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — March 26, 2015 — NBC has set Wednesday, Aug. 5 for a new hourlong block of comedies as “Mr. Robinson” will premiere at 9 p.m. immediately followed by “The Carmichael Show” at 9:30 p.m. In addition, new summer alternative series “The Island” (May 25) will immediately follow “American Ninja Warrior” on Mondays while “I Can Do That” (May 26) will have “America’s Got Talent” — summer’s #1 reality show — as its Tuesday lead-in.

Returning reality series “Food Fighters” (July 2), “Hollywood Game Night” (July 7), “Running Wild with Bear Grylls” (July 13) and “Last Comic Standing” (July 22), as well as second-year comedy “Welcome to Sweden” (July 19), will all come back for new seasons on NBC, which has won the last four summers in the 18-49 demo.

NEW COMEDIES

MR. ROBINSON — Wednesday, Aug. 5, 9-9:30 p.m.

As lead singer and keyboardist of the funk band Nasty Delicious, Craig (Craig Robinson, “The Office”) knows a thing or two about working the crowd, but his day job is where he really makes the grade.

Every struggling artist knows the drill: You’ve got to pay the bills while you wait for that big break. So when Craig finds himself short on cash, he takes a job as a substitute high school music teacher. It’s an easy gig, right?

The school principal (Peri Gilpin, “Frasier”) believes that rules were made to be strictly upheld. She’s none too fond of Craig’s unorthodox teaching style, or his crush on the pretty English teacher (recurring guest star Meagan Good, “Think Like a Man”). It’s a constant struggle for Craig, having one foot in the music world with his band, Nasty Delicious, and one foot in the teaching world. But if Craig wants to get the girl of his dreams and teach these kids the joys of music, he’ll have to buckle down, shape up and get the funk out.

“Mr. Robinson” is inspired by Robinson’s real-life experiences as a music teacher.

Writers Mark Cullen & Robb Cullen (“Back In The Game,” “Lucky”) serve as executive producers with Howard Klein (“Parks and Recreation”), Mark Schulman (“Chelsea Lately”) and Andy Ackerman (“Seinfeld”). “Mr. Robinson” is a production of Universal Television and 3 Arts Entertainment.

THE CARMICHAEL SHOW — Wednesday, Aug. 5, 9:30-10 p.m.

From the comedy of Jerrod Carmichael and Nick Stoller (“Neighbors”) comes an irreverent sitcom inspired by Jerrod’s relationships with his say-anything, contrarian father, his therapist-in training girlfriend, his ever-hustling brother, and his mother who is always, always, always right with Jesus.

“The Carmichael Show” also stars David Alan Grier and Loretta Devine as Jerrod’s father and mother.

Jerrod Carmichael, Nick Stoller and Ravi Nandan serve as executive producers. “The Carmichael Show” is co-produced by 20th Century Fox Television and Universal Television.

RETURNING COMEDY

WELCOME TO SWEDEN — Sunday, July 19, 8 and 8:30 p.m.

Bruce Evans (Greg Poehler) and Emma Wiik (Josephine Bornebusch) seem to be the perfect couple. When she makes the life-changing decision to move back to her native Stockholm to accept a prestigious banking job after a year together, she is surprised and thrilled that he agrees to move with her to begin a new life together.

Moving halfway around the world with a new love is a huge step and Bruce, with no job, friends or real clue about what he is getting himself into, is quick to face the many unique challenges and culture clashes that living in a foreign land presents. Against the backdrop of a cold, dark and icy Swedish winter, season two follows Bruce and Emma’s engagement as they navigate unexpected career transitions, unfamiliar customs and meddlesome relatives.

Created by Greg Poehler and based on events in his life, he serves as executive producer along with Amy Poehler, Fredrik Arefalk, Carrie Stein, Josephine Bornebusch, Iréne Lindblad, Lisa Dahlberg and Jessica Ericstam. Johanna Bergenstråhle is producer. “Welcome to Sweden” is a co- production between Entertainment One Television (eOne), Syskon, TV4 and Jarowskij.

Last summer, season one of “Welcome to Sweden” averaged a 0.8 rating, 3 share in adults 18-49 and 2.9 million viewers overall in “live plus seven day” figures from Nielsen Media Research. In total viewers, the 2.9 million average made “Welcome to Sweden” NBC’s second-most-watched summer comedy in the last 10 years (since “Come to Papa” in 2004, trailing over that span only last summer’s “Undateable”).

NEW ALTERNATIVE SERIES

THE ISLAND — Monday, May 25, 10-11 p.m.

On “The Island,” the internationally acclaimed adventurer and survivalist Bear Grylls gives the modern American man the ultimate challenge. Can a man of today’s world survive on a deserted island without the luxuries — or even the basics — of contemporary everyday life?

“The Island,” which is based on the hit Channel 4 U.K. series of the same name, doesn’t include any of the usual reality show trappings. There are no prizes. No eliminations. No winner. No producers. The six episodes will leave 14 American men isolated on a deserted island with only the clothes on their backs and minimal survival tools, committed to filming every moment themselves.

These 21st-century American men, who are accustomed to a roof over their head, restaurants and the benefits of technology, are stripped of all modern conveniences and sent back to their roots. They must hunt and gather food, erect shelter and try to survive using only their strength and know-how. All of the men, including a stay-at-home dad, a trauma surgeon, a firefighter and a criminal defense attorney, have something to prove to themselves… and each other. They will test their physical, mental and emotional limits and fight for their very existence. This is the raw, unfiltered and uncensored story of 14 men, as told exclusively by them.

“The Island” is produced by Endemol Shine North America and Bear Grylls Ventures. Bear Grylls, Eden Gaha, Michael Brooks, Holly Wofford and Delbert Shoopman serve as executive producers.

I CAN DO THAT— Tuesday, May, 26, 10-11 p.m.

In this exciting new variety format, America’s brightest entertainers will come together to compete and showcase their incredible talent. Each week, a group of six celebrities perform breathtaking and unique acts to prove to the audience that “they can do that!” In each episode, we will see current top music and variety groups showcase unique talents and performances. During each performance, the eight celebrities enter a friendly rivalry as they choose their favorite act, what they think they can master, and who they would pair up with to master the act. Unlike most talent shows, there are no judges or eliminations, it’s all for bragging rights. Watch your favorite stars master a new skill every week and face challenges beyond their imagination. They may already be winners, but can they do…THAT?

Comedian-actor-producer Marlon Wayans will serve as host. Celebrities participating are acclaimed dancer and choreographer Cheryl Burke, superstar recording artists Joe Jonas, Nicole Scherzinger and Ciara, national standup comedian Jeff Dye and actor Alan Ritchson.

The series is a Universal Television production. Audrey Morrissey (“The Voice”) and Matilda Zoltowski (“Dancing with the Stars”) serve as executive producers. Rick Alvarez, Avi Armoza, Nehama Cohen, Elwin De Groot, Steve Harris and Marlon Wayans also executive produce.

RETURNING ALTERNATIVE SERIES

FOOD FIGHTERS — Thursday, July 2, 8-9 p.m.

It’s the perfect recipe for the ultimate food battle when the best amateur cooks in America put their signature dishes to the test against five professional chefs in “Food Fighters,” a high-stakes culinary game returning for season two. Television personality, author and food enthusiast Adam Richman (“Man Vs. Food,” “Man Finds Food”) hosts the series that takes culinary sparring to an exciting new level.

In a series of compelling, tension-filled showdowns, a top-notch amateur home cook will Face Off one by one against five professional chefs from every corner of the world. In the final round, they’ll compete against a celebrity chef. Armed only with recipes for their best signature dishes, they’ll square off against an expert chef who will have to cook the same dish. The completed dishes will then be sampled in a blind taste test by culinary judges known as “The Dinner Party.” After the two competing dishes are tested, the verdict determining the winner is given to the host.

If the home cook wins, they earn a cash prize. Even if they don’t win, they still get to Face Off again against another culinary expert, climbing a money ladder with increasing cash prizes for every professional chef they knock out. Any amateur cook who wins each of the five rounds will walk away with $100,000. It’s the ultimate food fight, pitting amateur cooks against the most formidable culinary pros in America to see if they have what it takes to beat the very best.

Ben Silverman, Chris Grant, Tim Puntillo and Laura Caraccioli are executive producers. “Food Fighters” is from Electus and Universal Television.

“Food Fighters” delivered a 1.2 rating, 4 share in adults 18-49 and 4.7 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET in “live plus seven day” averages from Nielsen Media Research last summer. In its Tuesday 8-9 p.m. ET slot, “Food Fighters” ranked #1, tied for #1, #2 or tied for #2 among the Big 4 networks with each of its eight season-one telecasts (“live plus same day”).

HOLLYWOOD GAME NIGHT — Tuesday, July 7, 10-11 p.m.

Summer hit series “Hollywood Game Night” returns for a third season with new and returning celebrity players that will join in the fun as they Face Off in hilarious party games. In the series, two contestants are transported from their everyday lives into a once-in-a-lifetime night of fun and celebration as they step beyond the velvet rope and rub shoulders with some of their favorite celebrities and compete for the chance to win up to $25,000.

“Hollywood Game Night” averaged a 1.5 rating, 4 share in adults 18-49 and 5.0 million viewers overall during the traditional September-to-May 2013-14 television season, up +7% versus the show’s first season over the Summer of 2013 in adults 18-49 (1.5 vs. 1.4) and up +21% in total viewers (5.0 million vs. 4.1 million viewers overall).

“Hollywood Game Night” is produced by Universal Television in association with Hazy Mills Productions (“Grimm,” “Sean Saves the World,” “Hot In Cleveland”) and Mission Control Media (Syfy’s “Face Off”). Sean Hayes, Todd Milliner, Michael Agbabian and Dwight D. Smith are executive producers.

RUNNING WILD WITH BEAR GRYLLS — Monday, July 13, 10-11 p.m.

In the second season of this hourlong alternative series, “Running Wild with Bear Grylls,” the famed adventurer and survivalist will continue to take celebrities into the most remote and wild locations in the U.S. and around the world for a 48-hour journey of a lifetime.

Each of the celebrities endure the harsh wilderness in high-octane, action-based and empowering journeys spread over remote locations. Grylls and each celebrity will have to push both their minds and bodies to the limit to successfully complete their journey.

The show was created by Grylls, who recently starred on the NBC series “Get Out Alive with Bear Grylls.” “Running Wild with Bear Grylls” is produced by Electus and Bear Grylls Ventures. Grylls will serve as executive producers along with Ben Silverman, Chris Grant, Laura Caraccioli and Viki Cacciatore.

“Running Wild with Bear Grylls” averaged a 1.4 rating, 5 share in adults 18-49 and 4.6 million viewers overall in “live plus seven day” averages from Nielsen Media Research last summer, for an increase of 7% versus the 4.3 million viewers averaged the prior summer with “Get Out Alive with Bear Grylls.”

LAST COMIC STANDING — Wednesday, July 22, 9-11 p.m. premiere, 10-11 p.m. beginning July 29

“Last Comic Standing” resumes its search for the funniest comic in the country with the best panel of judges to date, surprise celebrity guests and a new riveting head-to-head phase of the competition. The season will open up with hilarious auditions by invitation only.

The top 100 comics in America will vie for 20 spots. These 20 will then compete in a semifinal round and the best of the best will emerge, with the top 10 moving into the compelling head to head round. In this phase, they will be paired in a high stakes single-elimination round of stand-up stand offs. The top five comedians will move on to the finals, where the funniest of all will take the coveted title of “Last Comic Standing,” winning an incredible prize package worth $250,000, including a cash prize, a talent deal and a development deal for a television show.

“Last Comics Standing” averaged a 1.7 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 5.1 million viewers overall last summer, and ranked #1 or tied for #1 versus its regular ABC and CBS time-slot competition with 12 of 13 telecasts. “Last Comic” was a strong upscale draw, indexing at a 126 among adults 18-49 living in homes with $100K+ incomes (100 represents an average concentration of those homes).

“Last Comic Standing” is executive produced by Wanda Sykes, Page Hurwitz and Javier Winnik. The series is produced by Universal Television and Push It Productions.



These newly released premiere dates join previously announced starts for “American Ninja Warrior” on Monday, May 25 from 8-10 p.m.; “America’s Got Talent” on Tuesday, May 26 from 8-10 p.m.; “Aquarius” on Thursday, May 28 from 9-11 p.m. and continuing from 9-10 starting Thursday, June 4; and “Hannibal” on Thursday, June 4 from 10-11 p.m.

Source:

NBC