NBC announces Fall 2012 lineup

     Right in the middle of season finale madnesses, the networks are releasing their fall schedules, handing down decisions on what goes and stays. NBC is the first out of the gate next year, and here's what's in the docket:

     Monday begins with a two hour episode of The Sing-Off, and then premieres the new drama, The Playboy Club. The Playboy Club is set in Chicago in the 1960's at the infamous night hot spot, and stars Amber Heard (Zombieland), Eddie Cibrian (CSI: Miami), David Krumholtz (Numb3rs), Jenna Dewan-Tatum (Step Up), Laura Benanti (Eli Stone). This series is a wait and see, as it seems to be breaking new ground, so it could be great or terrible. The Sing-Off is yet another waste of time reality competition show. The Event and Law & Order: Los Angeles are canceled, as are The Cape and Chase, and Chuck will be switching nights. Not off to a good start.

     Tuesday begins with another (ugh!) two hour reality series, The Biggest Loser, do again, a bad start. Thankfully, NBC had the good sense to renew Parenthood, which will follow at ten p.m.

     Wednesdays gets better, with two new sitcoms from 8-9. Up All Night stars Christina Applegate (Samantha Who?) as a stay at home home, Will Arnett (Arrested Development) as her husband, and also Maya Rudolph (Saturday Night Live). Free Agents is based on a UK series by the same name, and stars Anthony Stewart Head (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), reprising his role as boss at a PR firm from the British versions. Hank Azaria (The Simpsons) and Kathryn Hahn (Hung) star as two of Head's workers, and the series will also include Joe Lo Truglio (Reno 911!). Both sitcoms could be good. At 9 p.m. Harry's Law begins a second season, followed at 10 by the long-running Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

     The three hour Thursday night sitcom block is unfortunately abandoned. 30 Rock takes a fall hiatus (it's its turn), while favorites Community, Parks and Recreation, and the now Steve Carell-less The Office are joined by newcomer Whitney. Created by Whitney Cummings, the series also stars Chris D'Elia (Glory Daze) and Beverly D'Angelo (Entourage). Which means, Outsourced and Perfect Couples are also canceled. At 10, another UK remake, Prime Suspect, starring Mario Bello (ER), Aidan Quinn (Canterbury's Law), and Kirk Acevedo (Fringe).

     Friday features the fifth and final season of Chuck, which will run for a mere thirteen episodes, as well as the new show Grimm. Grimm stars David Giuntoli (Privileged) as a detective tasked with protecting humans from Grimm fairy tale characters. Silas Weir Mitchell (Prison Break) plays a reformed Big Bad Wolf, Sasha Roiz (Caprica) is a police captain, and Kate Burton (Grey's Anatomy) is the detective's aunt. Then Dateline is at 10.

     Saturday Night Live, is, of course, at 11:30 on Saturdays, the same place is has been for nearly four decades, while earlier in the night, reruns in the name of the game.

     Finally on Sundays is football, football, and more football. Double ugh.

     Friday Night Lights is currently airing its finale season, and will not return next year.

     Midseason will see the return of 30 Rock, The Voice, and The Celebrity Apprentice, as well as a slew of new series. The Voice and Harry's Law are the only two new series this year coming back for next. Three more sitcoms have been ordered, Bent, Best Friends Forever, and Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea, as well as three new dramas, Awake, Smash, and The Firm, based on the novel by Josh Grisham. These six may never see the light of day, but then again, they might.

     All in all, a pretty weak season for the fourth place network. Perhaps ditching some of those large reality blocks and sticking in some of these dramas and comedies being ordered would help.  Not the bottom line, of course, but the reputation of NBC, which could use all of the assistance it can get.