And we’re starting to emerge from the US pilot season at last. Finally, after comparing and contrasting all the pilots, network executives are ready to put some hard money down to commission the shows they think we, the viewing public, will want to watch.
Or in NBC’s case, what they think a very small number of people will watch and which they’ll promptly cancel, judging by the network’s behaviour over the past few years. Nevertheless, NBC is the first to announce some of its commissions and they’ve already released cast photos for them: Go On with Matthew Perry, Save Me with Anne Heche, 1600 Penn with Bill Pulman and Jenna Elfman, Revolution from Eric Kripke and JJ Abrams, The New Normal from Glee‘s Ryan Murphy, and Animal Practice starring Justin Kirk and Tyler Labine.
So follow me after the jump to get a gander at the new shows and their cast. Do any of them look interesting to you?
Go On
Yes, Matthew Perry is back on NBC. an “irreverent yet charming sportscaster” who tries to move on from loss with the help of the members of his mandatory group therapy sessions.
Save Me
Anne Heche plays a woman who “lets herself – and her marriage – go until she undergoes an ‘awakening’ that transforms her into a desirable and outspoken woman who just might be channeling god”. Co-stars Michael Landes and Alex Breckenridge (not in her American Horror Story maid’s outfit).
1600 Penn
1600 Penn is a family comedy set in the White House. Josh Gad co-created the show with Jon Lovett and is starring. Bill Pullman, Jenna Elfman and Martha MacIsaac co-star.
Revolution
Written by Supernatural‘s Eric Kripke, directed by Jon Favreau and produced by Abrams’ Bad Robot and Warner Bros TV, Revolution is described as “a high-octane action drama following a group of characters struggling to survive and reunite with loved ones in a world where all forms of energy have mysteriously ceased to exist”. Billy Burke plays the lead, with Giancarlo Esposito, Tracy Spiradakos, Graham Rogers and Anna Lise co-starring.
The New Normal
Co-written by Ryan Murphy and Ali Adler and directed by Murphy, The New Normal is described as “a heartwarming comedy about a blended family of a gay couple — Bryan (Andrew Rannells) and David (Justin Bartha) — and a cash-strapped waitress and mother of one Goldie (Georgia King) who becomes a surrogate to help them have a child”. Co-starring in the 20th Century Fox TV-produced project is Ellen Barkin as Goldie’s glamorous/bigoted grandmother. If you recognise the name Justin Bartha, it’s because he was the one who doesn’t get much to do in The Hangover and The Hangover 2.
Animal Practice
This centres on a “House”-like veterinarian (Justin Kirk), who loves animals but usually hates their owners (especially the new woman who runs the clinic). Tyler Labine, Bobby Lee and Amy Huberman co-star.
