On the heels of winning its first premiere week in the A18-49 demographic in nine years, NBC has picked up three of its new fall series - the adventure-drama Revolution and the comedies Go On and The New Normal -- for full-season commitments for the 2012-13 season, it was announced today by Jennifer Salke, President, NBC Entertainment, who had this to say about the renewals.
"We're impressed with the imagination and creative direction of the entire team on 'Revolution,' not to mention the immediately strong response we got from the audience. Ordering the full season of this show is a pleasure. Thanks to J.J. Abrams, Eric Kripke, Jon Favreau, and everyone at Bad Robot and Warner Bros. Television for their dedication to making a truly unique series. And I personally love to escape into a world where there is no power, the phone doesn't ring, and the pace of life slows down -- if only for one hour a week! We're also very proud of our new comedy block of 'Go On' and 'The New Normal.' In partnering with Matthew Perry for 'Go On,' creator Scott Silveri has created a comedy with a highly original voice that deftly combines humor and emotion. And Ryan Murphy and Ali Adler have created a truly unique family in 'The New Normal' that is reflective of the changing dynamics of the world we live in. These shows are both welcome additions to our new lineup!"
NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt also had this to say about today's announcement.
"We're very pleased with early results of the last three weeks of our fall season roll-out. The strategy for this season was to draft off the promotional platform of the Olympics and then begin our season early and strong. I think we've accomplished both of those goals, yet we know it's a long season and there's much work ahead of us. We are so appreciative of all the great talent that is working so hard on these shows."
Revolution is averaging a 3.6 rating, 9 share in adults 18-49 and 9.8 million viewers in "live plus same day" results through its first three telecasts. Revolution debuted on September 17 with the highest 18-49 rating (4.1) for a premiering drama on any network in three years (since ABC's V on October 3, 2009, 5.2) and the highest for a premiering NBC drama in five years (since The Bionic Woman, September 26, 2007, 5.7). And in the two weeks since then, Revolution took on premiering competition from ABC's Castle and CBS's Hawaii Five-0 and led that competition in every key demographic both weeks. And the first two weeks of Revolution have set time-shifting records for NBC, growing by 1.36 ratings points in 18-49 in week one and then 1.74 in week two when going from Nielsen's "live plus same day" ratings to its "live plus three day" data. Those are the two biggest increases ever for an NBC telecast. Among series on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox, only ABC's Modern Family has ever earned a bigger increases than Revolution's week-two gain of 1.74.
Go On is averaging a 3.2 rating, 9 share in adults 18-49 and 8.6 million viewers overall in "live plus same day" averages for its first three regular-slot telecasts, ranking it currently as the #1 new comedy of the fall (a special preview of ABC's The Neighbors also earned a 3.2). The 3.2 rating is a 33 percent increase on the 2.4 NBC averaged in the time period last season in 18-49. Go On's September 11 regular-slot debut scored NBC's top 18-49 rating for a comedy premiere (3.4) in the last two years.
The New Normal is averaging a 2.2 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 6.0 million viewers overall through its first three regular-slot episodes, according to Nielsen Media Research. The most recent New Normal telecast retained 74 percent of its 18-49 lead-in from Go On, matching its best retention to date and up from 65 percent the prior week. And in "live plus three day" ratings that add time-shifted viewing for the first three days after live broadcast, last week's New Normal increased its retention of Go On to 87 percent (with a 2.77 rating vs. a 3.19).
What would you do without it all? In this epic adventure from J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot Productions and Supernatural's Eric Kripke, a family struggles to reunite in an American landscape where every single piece of technology -- computers, planes, cars, phones, even lights -- has mysteriously blacked out forever. A drama with sweeping scope and intimate focus, Revolution is also about family -- both the family you're born into and the family you choose. This is a swashbuckling journey of hope and rebirth seen through the eyes of one strong-willed young woman, Charlie Matheson Tracy Spiridakos (Being Human), and her brother Danny Graham Rogers (Memphis Beat). When Danny is kidnapped by militia leaders for a darker purpose, Charlie must reconnect with her estranged uncle, Miles Billy Burke (The Twilight Saga), a former U.S. Marine living a reclusive life. Together, with a rogue band of survivors, they set out to rescue Danny, overthrow the militia, and ultimately re-establish the United States of America. All the while, they explore the enduring mystery of why the power failed, and if -- or how -- it will ever return.
The series also stars Zak Orth (Romeo & Juliet), J.D. Pardo (A Cinderella Story), Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad), David Lyons (The Cape), Maria Howell (The Blind Side), Daniella Alonso (Friday Night Lights), Tim Guinee (Iron Man) and Elizabeth Mitchell (Lost). Kripke, Abrams and Bryan Burk (Lost, Star Trek) serve as executive producers, and Jon Favreau (Iron Man, Iron Man 2) serves as co-executive producer. Revolution is produced by Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Bad Robot Productions, Kripke Enterprises and Warner Bros. Television. The pilot was directed by Favreau.
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Go On
Matthew Perry, (Friends, Mr. Sunshine) stars as Ryan King, a recent widower and sports talk radio host ready to get back to work after the loss of his wife. Ryan's alpha-male boss, Steven (John Cho, Star Trek, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle), has a different plan in store for Ryan, making him attend grief counseling before returning to the air.
A reluctant Ryan finds himself in a support group for "life change" where he meets an oddball cast of characters. Ryan's total lack of interest in "the healing process" proves distracting, and he soon butts heads with the by-the-books group leader, Lauren, played by Tony Award-winner Laura Benanti (The Playboy Club). Back at work, Ryan is confronted with the fact that he hasn't really processed his grief and realizes Lauren and the other members of the group might be key in helping him move on.
Also starring are Tony Award winner Julie White (Transformers), Tyler James Williams (Everybody Hates Chris), Suzy Nakamura (Dodgeball) and Brett Gelman (30 Minutes or Less).
In addition, Lauren Graham (NBC's Parenthood) will guest-star in an upcoming episode of Go On as Ryan King's old college friend and his former radio talk show co-host. An airdate for Graham's episode will be announced later. Multiple Emmy Award winner Bob Costas from NBC Sports and Chris Bosh from the NBA's world champion Miami Heat also will appear as themselves in additional episodes.
Go On is a touching new comedy created by Emmy Award-winning writer/executive producer Scott Silveri (Perfect Couples, Friends). Todd Holland (Malcolm in the Middle), Karey Burke (Free Agents, Miss/Guided) and Jon Pollack (Up All Night, 30 Rock) also serve as executive producers. The pilot was directed by Holland. Go On is a production of Universal Television, Dark Toy Entertainment and Silver & Gold Productions.
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The New Normal
These days, families come in all forms - single dads, double moms, sperm donors, egg donors, one-night-stand donors... It's 2012 and anything goes. Bryan (Andy Rannells, Girls, The Book of Mormon) and David (Justin Bartha, The Hangover) are a Beverly Hills couple and they have it all. Well, almost. With successful careers and a committed and loving partnership, the one thing missing is a baby. And just when they think the stars will never align, enter Goldie (Georgia King, One Day), an extraordinary young woman with a checkered past. A Midwestern waitress and single mother looking to escape her dead-end life and small-minded grandmother (Ellen Barkin, Ocean's Thirteen), Goldie decides to change everything and move to L.A. with her precocious 8-year-old daughter. Desperate and broke - but also fertile - Goldie quickly becomes the guys' surrogate and quite possibly the girl of their dreams. Surrogate mother, surrogate family.
Ryan Murphy serves as creator/executive producer and director along with creator/executive producer Ali Adler (Glee, Chuck) and executive producer (Glee, American Horror Story). "The New Normal" is produced by 20th Century Fox Television and Ryan Murphy Productions.