NBC Unveils Fall Line-Up

Attempting to regain traction after finishing the 2004-2005 television season in fourth place, NBC has unveiled its fall line-up. The highlights:

"The Apprentice: Martha Stewart"

I can't stop laughing at this one. Can you say "desperation?" I can hear Martha now: "You're fired, bitch!"

"Three Wishes," which NBC calls "an uplifting wish-fulfillment series starring Grammy winning entertainer Amy Grant."

Hmmm. The choice of a host here is interesting. Amy Grants wishes? C'mon, guys!

Other highlights:

September 21: The premiere of "E-Ring." This is a Jerry Bruckheiemer-produced series. It will be interesting to see if the "CSI" magic follows him to NBC.

September 29: "Will and Grace" begins its final season with a live episode. Many of the key players are stage veterans so this should be quite interesting to watch.

November 13: "Saturday Night Live: The 80's" The SNL clip shows are cheap to put together and usually win NBC respectable ratings.

November 20: "The Poseidon Adventure." This Hallmark-produced remake was scooped up by NBC in advance of Wolfgang Petersen's big screen version which is due out next summer. NBC's 3-hour "TV event" stars such C-list has-beens as Steve Guttenberg and C. Thomas Howell.

November 27-28: "10.5 - The Apocalypse." Apparently November marks the return of the disaster movie as NBC follows "The Poseidon Adventure" with this sequel to the earthquake mini-series of last season.

At first glance, I don't see much here that will move NBC out of fourth place. The mighty peacock is in for another embarassing season.

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