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Flailing Peacock: NBC Announces Midseason Schedule, No "Chuck," "Life," or "Heroes" Until February

Cherish the episodes of Chuck that may be left before Christmas because the series sadly won't be returning to NBC until sometime in February. (Same holds true for Heroes and Life.)

NBC today announced their midseason schedule which features series launches of reality series Superstars of Dance (debuting January 4th) and Howie Do It (January 9) and the returns of The Biggest Loser: Couples (January 6th) and Friday Night Lights (January 16th), the latter of which will have already aired its season on DirecTV.

I can't say that I am too impressed with the offering especially the reality fare and the lack of scripted dramas like Chuck, Life, and Heroes. Yes, they'll be back come February sweeps but their replacements are less than thrilling. At least, we've got 30 Rock. Sigh.

The full schedule can be found after the jump.

MONDAYS (beginning January 5th)
8-10 pm: Superstars of Dance; premieres Sunday, January 4th (9-11 pm); season finale Monday, January 26th (8-9 pm)
10-11 pm: Momma's Boys

(N.B.: Chuck and Heroes return in February)

TUESDAYS (beginning January 6th)
8-10 pm: The Biggest Loser: Couples
10-11 pm: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

TUESDAY (January 20th)
10-11 pm: Dateline NBC Presidential Inauguration Special (10-11 pm ET)

WEDNESDAYS (beginning January 7th)
8-9 pm: Knight Rider
9-10 pm: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (repeats)
10-11 pm: Law & Order

(N.B.: Life returns in February)

THURSDAYS (beginning January 8th)
8-8:30 pm: My Name Is Earl
8:30-9 pm: Kath & Kim
9:00-9:31 pm: The Office
9:31-10 pm: 30 Rock
10-11 pm: ER

FRIDAYS
8-9 pm: Howie Do It (series premiere January 9th)
9-10 pm: Friday Night Lights (beginning January 16th)
10-11 pm: Dateline NBC (beginning December 5th)

SATURDAYS (beginning January 10th)
8-11 pm: Law & Order and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit repeats

SUNDAYS (January 4th)
7-9 pm: Saturday Night Live Sports Extra
9-11 pm: Superstars of Dance (premiere)

SUNDAYS: Event Specials
8-11 pm: Golden Globe Awards (January 11th)
9-11 pm: Saturday Night Live Film Festival (January 18th)
9-11 pm: The Last Templar (January 25th and Monday, January 26th)
6:15-10 pm: Super Bowl XLIII (February 1st)

Stay tuned.
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Comments

rockauteur said…
What about Medium and Kings?
11/25/2008
Jace Lacob said…
Good question. I'm going to think that both will be delayed until February or March... but I am surprised that neither was mentioned in their announcement.
11/25/2008
Unknown said…
as usual, couldn't agree more with you. there's a lotta lame in that midseason lineup but I suppose we should just be thankful 30 ROCK is still on the schedule. as for CHUCK and LIFE, I can wait til February. that's not so far off and i'll have 24 in the meantime.
11/25/2008
The CineManiac said…
SNL Sports Extra?!?!? I think NBC needs to find the mole whose on the payroll for one of the other networks, because they are clearly self sabotaging.
11/26/2008
Anonymous said…
No wonder NBC's ratings are lower than ABC and CBS. They don't let any of their shows gain any traction by airing them on a weekly basis.

Now with Tap Dance is done and with Football ending in December NBC’s Monday night core is going AWOL!

Look at what the writers strike did last year to the ratings. All of the network's ratings are still consistently down compared to last year.

There is too much competition on Monday nights to have a show go gone for a month or more. I’m guessing that those shows won’t have new episodes towards the end of December too. So now they could be gone for 5+ weeks.

Chuck's rating dropped earlier in the season after only skipping one week.

Pulling Chuck, Life, and Heros until February is going to allow other shows on Monday night to gain viewers while those three are completely missing.

Jack is Back (24) starting in January and traditionally runs weekly until May. If I remember correctly Fox is moving House to Monday's too.

Dumb move.
11/26/2008
gmr2048 said…
Dear NBC,

My advertising-influenced dollars and I shall see you in February, because there is not a single show on your network that makes me want to tune it until then.

Love,
-me
11/26/2008
Anonymous said…
30 Rock. That's all I'll be watching on NBC until Chuck returns!
11/26/2008
Anonymous said…
Is NBC nuts?? I HATE reality TV! I figure they'll attempt to relaunch Chuck with 3-D on Feb 2 after superbowl. In the meantime,will NOT watch those January shows on NBC. Just hope they don't shoot themselves in the foot. Just hope they aren't even considering doing anything dumb like taking down the episodes on their website.
11/26/2008
Unknown said…
Casey Fan, I totally agree. These shows stutter so much, I'm amazed (and grateful) anyone's still watching them. At least we'll have 24 to fill the gap (and my library offers DVDs). :)
11/26/2008
Anonymous said…
People still watch 24??? I'm surprised. I think NBC is out of their minds with this reality crap. What happened to Chopping Block? It was the one reality show I was looking forward to.
11/26/2008
katm said…
Chuck is the only primetime show I watch on NBC. Usually watch shows on CBS. Maybe very few on ABC. Can't believe they leave on junk like Knightrider plus that reality crap. Now they give Rosie a show! Once liked her until she attempted to shove her views down our throats. This is the perfect time to leave Chuck on--when Dancing w/ the Stars is done this cycle. Hopefully, for next 3 weeks, when Dancing not on, will do better. Would rather watch reruns of Chuck than that garbage reality--or as I call it--greed tv--people show how greedy they are. I understand need to air Christmas shows shortly. Even if just rerun few episodes, Chuck would be better.
11/26/2008
Anonymous said…
Bye Bye NBC- Chuck was all you had worth watching. I hope I remember where your channel is located when it returns. If not, there is always the season 2 DVD!
11/27/2008
Anonymous said…
EGAD! NBC = No Brains Certainly

MORE dancing and reality? C'mon!

Do NOT make us wait until FEB for Chuck, bad enough that you twinkies mess with scheduling, might as well cancel.
NONONONONONONONONOoooooooooooooooooooo!

Jess & Lisa
11/28/2008
Anonymous said…
Is the plan to still broadcast the Chuck 3D episode after the Superbowl?

If so, and there are no episodes until Feb, that means that 2.12 - Chuck Vs The Best Friend is going to get squeezed out, no?

Peace

Old Darth
12/01/2008
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