Over the past few days, NBC has bought a few drama and comedy projects that suggest a more resolute take on shaking up the status quo in the landscape of TV ratings. We are in that phase of the pilot season where broadcast networks hunt for projects and try as much as they can to shy away from pilot commitments. In just a few days, the peacock network has nabbed dramas and comedies that, even this early in their development, seem to have better chances than Prime Suspect, Free Agents, or The Playboy Club – all casualties of the 2012 fall season.
Edison Produced by Sony Pictures TV, it’s a period drama that follows the fictional adventures of Thomas Edison (inventor of the light bulb, the phonograph, the motion picture camera, etc.) as he works as a secret consultant to the New York Police force. The young Edison will presumably use his skills to help solve crimes in 19th century America. According to Deadline Hollywood, the project is pitched as a big, fun genre-driven show about Edison.
About a Boy Written and executive produced by Jason Katims (Friday Night Lights, Parenhood), the half-hour comedy follows the relationship between a bachelor and the young son of his new neighbor, an eccentric single-mother. Needless to say, it is very reminiscent of the feature film of the same title starring Hugh Grant.
11th Commandment The series is an adaptation of British author Jeffrey Archer’s novel “The Eleventh Commandment,” and will be executive produced by Gale Anne Hurd (The Walkind Dead). It centers on a CIA assassin who decides to call it quits to spend more time with his family. As faith will have it, his past activities at the agency catch up with him. Hurd describes the project as “a fantastic character-driven story of an assassin who is in the employ of the U.S. government.”
The network also bought This Thing Called Love, a relationship comedic drama, and The Swamp, a marching band comedy.
