Monday, May 7, 2012

PILOT PICKUPS: Save Me, The New Normal, Revolution

It's the week before Upfronts and things are getting exciting! Today, NBC picked up three more pilots to add to its slate for next year alongside Go On and Hannibal - the comedies Save Me and The New Normal and drama Revolution.

Save Me is a new single camera sitcom starring Anne Heche about a woman who gives up what she has so she can transform physically and spiritually into a new woman. While the premise sounds a bit narrow for a network that needs some mass appeal shows, Heche is certainly a get for a weekly series and the show has been testing really well. It seemed a likely pickup when it was given the opportunity to start staffing last week as NBC might be eyeing it for an August launch after the Summer Olympics among its other early pickups and Grimm.

The New Normal is a new single camera family comedy from Glee creator Ryan Murphy and Ali Adler. It centers on a gay couple and a woman who is their surrogate. Starring The Book of Mormon's Andrew Rannells and Ellen Barkin, NBC is hoping this show can be what Modern Family is to ABC. It's been awhile since NBC has tried a family comedy so maybe this is what they need. Like the other shows, it may be on the fast track for an August launch.

On the drama front, JJ Abrams' new drama Revolution was picked up. The show takes place in an apocalyptic world where all forms of energy has ceased to exist and a group of characters must survive. The show doesn't feature any big names but has been high on NBC's radar for awhile. This is a somewhat surprising pickup as high profile, serial sci-fi dramas have failed often in recent years (The Event, FlashForward to name a couple). Like the other shows, this show could see an early launch though I'm sure NBC won't start everything in August.

There is still much to be picked up at NBC and other networks and lots of decisions to make for renewals so check back often this week!

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