Fall Schedules: NBC

NBC is the first network to officially reveal its fall line-up and there are a few interesting moves:

The new series all look pretty terrible at first glance: a suspect sci-fi drama about a new water based life form, a white trash comedy, a Jerry Bruckheimer-produced drama set inside the Pentagon and a medical soap set in a fertility clinic. Then there's two reality entries that follow popular models: inspiration (Amy Grant makes wishes come true!) and business competition (Martha Stewart gets an Apprentice spin off).

Surprisingly for a network that's bleeding viewers and losing buzz the schedule remains relatively stable. The only show switching timeslots is The West Wing which moves from Wednesdays at 9 to Sundays at 8.

Joey is staying put Thursdays at 8, followed by the "last season" of Will & Grace, and The Office will return to Tuesdays at 9:30. It will be interesting to see what NBC will try to do to reignite interest in shows that have already been rejected by viewers.

For the first time in history the Law & Order franchise is shrinking instead of expanding (Trial By Jury is dead and buried). But NBC will still have three Law & Orders on the air this fall in addition to two Datelines and two Apprentices.

Fear Factor and Scrubs, which both suffered ratings losses last season, aren't on the fall schedule but will return sometime next season to fill holes, along with two more lame looking comedies (male buddies show Four Kings and Thick & Thin about a "formerly fat" woman).

According to the fall schedule press release NBC is touting itself as the network of choice among "upscale" viewers (which apparently is defined as homes with an annual income over $75,000). I guess you have to find something to brag about when you're a formerly dominant network now mired in fourth place among total viewers and the key 18-49 demographic. (That "upscale" thinking might be what got The Office a surprise renewal, since the press release declares it TV's "most upscale comedy.")

How exactly Fathom, My Name is Earl and even Three Wishes will fit into that "upscale" demo is a little difficult to see right now. And how the fall schedule will appeal to all viewers is even less clear.