Sorkin
While there's still more than a week left before the networks announce their new shows, space on their schedules is already getting crowded.
To no one's surprise, NBC officially announced on Thursday that it's ordering the Aaron Sorkin-Thomas Schlamme drama "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" for fall. Move was a no-brainer given the Peacock's 13-episode commitment to the project last fall (
Daily Variety, Oct. 17).
"Studio 60" joins "The Black Donnellys" and "Kidnapped" among the dramas NBC has officially picked up for next season.
Fox ordered drama "Vanished" and laffer "Til Death" last week, locking up 10% of the net's fall lineup.
There's also been buzz that Fox could give an early thumbs up to "Primary," the hostage negotiation drama with Ron Livingston.
"Primary" producer 20th Century Fox TV has already been told it can start building sets for the show and hire writers -- obviously a good sign that a pickup is imminent.
No other nets have officially announced new series orders, but CBS appears all but certain to pick up the comedy "Class." Like fellow Warner Bros. TV pilot "Studio 60," the Eye laffer had a significant commitment behind it.
Warner has been told it can start hiring writers for "Class."
ABC had already given an episodic commitment to the laffer "In Case of Emergency" and is also said to be hot on the drama "Secrets of a Small Town." Insiders, however, say it's unlikely the Alphabet will officially announce any series orders prior to its May 16 upfront presentation.
ABC execs haven't entered the scheduling room yet, but it's already clear what the No. 1 question will be: whether to move Sunday smash "Grey's Anatomy" to help jumpstart another night.
Beyond "Studio 60," Peacock is said to be happy with how the TV adaptation of "Friday Night Lights" turned out. In addition, buzz is strong on the John Lithgow sitcom "20 Good Years" and the net's untitled "Saturday Night Live" parody starring Tina Fey.
Should the Fey laffer also wind up on the sked, NBC will be in the unusual position of having two shows in primetime revolving around a "SNL"-style world.
Contact the Variety newsroom at
news@variety.com