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NBC‘s freshman drama Grimm received a very early renewal in mid-March. And the network’s comedy pilot Go On starring Matthew Perry was given an unusually early series pickup 10 days ago. I hear both are being eyed for an early launch in August, following NBC’s coverage of the Summer Olympics in London. NBC, which is seeking a ratings turnaround, had been contemplating an early rollout for a number of series to take advantage of the monster promotional platform the Olympics provide. To make an August launch date, Grimm and Go On are expected to start production early. I hear Grimm writers are already working, while writers on Go On, created by Scott Silveri and directed by Todd Holland, will convene as early as next week.
The single-camera Go On stars Perry as an irreverent yet charming sportscaster who, trying to move on from a loss, finds solace from the members of his mandatory support group. An August premiere will certainly get the comedy on the air ahead of similarly themed single-camera pilot Rebounding, which is in serious consideration for a series pickup at Fox. In addition to Grimm, also expected to return earlier than this season are NBC’s midseason reality flagship The Voice and Broadway drama Smash, which are being considered for a fall launch.
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I’ve seen an early cut of the pilot. Funny and moving. This is the best Matthew Perry we’ve ever seen.
How have you seen the pilot? I don’t understand how so many people (a) get access to what would otherwise be inside information (not on the level of nuclear codes, but still) or (b) are writing on a board like this when they would otherwise be preoccupied, or should be preoccupied, with something else.
I’ve said it before & I’ll say it again-this guy should not do a single cam comedy. Multi-cam was the way to go. Nbc keeps doing stupid things. Don’t they have enough single cam comedies on Nbc? I know they say they are launching early to capitalize on the olympic push,but,the skeptic in me says they are only doing this with Matthew’s show so that in case it fails(which I think it might) they will be able to air its’ replacement even earlier. Thank you.
NBC is never going to see a ratings turnaround until they go back to what made them #1 in the first place — mass appeal, multi-camera comedies.
Because Multi-camera sitcoms that aren’t on CBS do ever so well don’t they?
Clearly you have no idea why NBC has been a downturn for so long. They lost a whole lot of trust in their brand over the last decade. Instead of giving numerous shows with potential the treatment as Chuck got. They have numerous half to one season canceled shows. Which led to their current fractured audience.
This year’s multicam sitcoms: I Hate My Teenage Daughter, Work It, Last Man Standing, Whitney, Chelsea, How To Be A Gentleman, Rob, and 2 Broke Girls.
One hit and 7 flops.
Multicams are no magic bullet.
I think people are comparing NBC’s track record after they committed to single-camera (basically, no hits except THE OFFICE) to their record from the ’90s when they were a multi-cam factory. Even that’s unfair, though. It was just easier to launch a hit comedy back then.
But it is odd that all the “sophisticated” pilot ideas are automatically done as single-cam now, and as you note from that list, multi-cams are usually reserved for “lowbrow” ideas (though Last Man Standing and Whitney aren’t flops). NBC has made no attempt to get back to the sophisticated multi-cam comedy that defines its brand, and it just seems odd, since that’s a niche that isn’t being filled by any of the other networks.
Ouch, Jen, Ouch!
You are totally spot, dead on, but that’s still gonna leave a mark!
I worked on Mr. Perry’s last series, Mr. Sunshine, also in single-camera format. It had trouble finding the funny.
I worked briefly on the pilot of Go On and it looks promising. Mr. P LOOKED great… But we shall see.
Mr. Sunshine was simply not funny, but Go On pilot script was hilarious and touching. MP is very talented, just needs the right material and hopefully this is it.
If you watching the last 3 or 4 episodes, Mr. Sunshine was really stating to find it’s stride. Of course, ABC had already cut their legs out by then. But it was improving each episode.
Yeah, NBC made it the first pick up of the fall season and are going to promote it heavy during the olympics because of their lack of confidence in it !?!
Also, he’s getting great reveiws on the Good Wife because it’s a multi-cam with a laugh track. What’s with all the contempt prior to investigation Jennifer?
Is there no one left at NBC who remembers that when they have tried to launch directly out of the summer olympics, they failed?
Actually,I stand by my earlier comments. Yes, he is good on The Good Wife. My basic point is I think this won’t work. I remember(unfortunately) that comedy(or was it a few) he has done since Friends.They sucked & didn’t last long . Nbc has a horrid recent history with things failing left & right. I’m not saying multicam would be a saveall. My point is in a comedy this particular actor would have a better shot at it being successful in a multicam format. Yeah this was the first pickup of the season for Nbc & I have a feeling it may end up being the first cancellation of the upcoming season for Nbc. As far as promoting it heavily during the olympics-Nbc has a horrible reputation among viewers(that’s a fact) of course they gotta promote this show heavily.Nbc has to promote EVERYTHING heavily because they know (based on Nbc’s recent horrid history) viewers may very well disregard an upcoming show BECAUSE it will air on Nbc,&, because many of their shows have sucked & been canceled. Also,I do my best with my comments. I try not to make certain comments without at least not knowing what I’m talking about. I’m not perfect-none of us are. You have a nice night Thepope. Thank you.
Jennifer,
Have you read the script or seen the pilot? If not, then you don’t know what you are talking about and should follow your own rules.
Can we just go back to TRUE comedies like Roseanne, Alice, Friends, Seinfeld, Cheers…are we done with these single cam trendy shows yet? I like Modern Family but seriously…everyone needs to stop trying to be so ‘artistic’ in their cinematography and just go back to what WORKS =)
Simple reason why NBC is doing this..to attain the momentum they’re going to get from the airing of the Summer Olympic games and attempt to get some kind of ratings success from airing the shows just afterwards. Desperate but if it helps them, so be it.
“Desperate”? What do you expect the network to do?
will a series air alongside Go On
Another vote for Go On as a multi, here. I read the pilot, enjoyed it very much, but knowing Perry was in it I was really thinking it would work just as well as a multi. Perry works better and seems more likable as in that format, in my opinion. Somehow in the single camera shows his snarky charm comes off closer to mean.
Jen, just because you typed a longer post doesn’t make it any smarter. You have zero idea what you are talking about. Lets all wait and see how Go On is before we judge it. NBC has seen it, and clearly loves it. So far everyone who has seen it loves it. Can’t say the same about your posts.
Bad move. Multi-cam comedies are more inviting & definitely can bring in a larger initial audience. While I do not question the quality of Go On… I just don’t feel Olympic auds will take to it & wanna watch it. How can you sell such a show in a 30-sec ad?
Because everyone knows that promotion and awareness really are the tickets to prime-time success. And that the Olympics really have been helpful in the past. Post-2004-Olympic early premieres: FATHER OF THE PRIDE, LAX, MEDICAL INVESTIGATION, HAWAII, and JOEY. Somewhere Nero is continuing to fiddle.
I guess I need to say it again. “I have actually SEEN the pilot” it’s funny and moving. Perry is fantastic in it. Forget all the multi-cam, single cam, and NBC comments. The show is GREAT. Bottom line.
Go On was an awful script. Glib Matthew Perry in the world’s fakest grief group. Bad retread of old series “Dear John” which could actually be funny. Joey, Perfect Couples, and now this. Do we really need another series from Scott Silveri?
Fact. Single camera shows=better!
I don’t like the cheaply made and limiting sets, poor film quality, and most of all THE LAUGH TRACK! Arrested Development was single camera. And it’s the best show ever. I loved Mr. Sunshine. It was fun, energetic and sarcastic. The only good multiple cam shoes in the 21st century have been:
How I Met Your Mother- amazing
The Big Bang Theory- very good
Black Books- very good
The IT Crowd- very good
Drake and Josh- good
Hot in Cleveland- good
Rules of Engagement- good
That’s My Bush- good
And that’s it. Compare to all the amazing single cam shows, and I think it’s obvious whats better.