'BIONIC WOMAN,' 'CHUCK,' 'JOURNEYMAN,' 'LIFE' AND 'LIPSTICK JUNGLE' JOIN NBC'S DRAMA LINEUP; 'THE IT CROWD' IS ADDED TO THE COMEDY ROSTER; 'THE SINGING BEE' AND 'WORLD MOVES' HIGHLIGHT NBC'S NEW ALTERNATIVE SLATE

NBC "BULKS UP" WITH 30 COMBINED HOURS OF 'HEROES' AND NEW SPIN-OFF 'ORIGINS,' 30 HALF-HOURS OF 'THE OFFICE' INCLUDING 5 ONE-HOUR EPISODES, AND 25 EPISODES OF 'MY NAME IS EARL'

JERRY SEINFELD IS BACK ON NBC WITH 'BEE MOVIE' "MINISODES"

THE ALL-TIME CLASSIC 'LAW & ORDER' ENTERS ITS 18TH SEASON AND CRITICAL FAVORITE 'FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS' RETURNS WITH A SHIFT TO FRIDAY NIGHTS; ACCLAIMED COMEDY 'SCRUBS' IS BACK FOR A SEVENTH SEASON

'BIONIC WOMAN' AND 'LIFE' TO BE RE-PURPOSED ON SCI FI AND USA NETWORKS, RESPECTIVELY


NEW YORK - May 14, 2007 -- NBC will enhance its current roster of critically acclaimed and creatively ambitious programs with a new 2007-08 primetime lineup that features five new dramas, one new comedy and a variety of fresh unscripted programs, complemented by a host of innovative programming moves, it was announced today at NBC's presentation to advertisers and the media at New York's Radio City Music Hall.

"Last year we promised a return to the NBC legacy of quality, and in terms of awards, buzz and critical acclaim, that's just what we delivered," said NBC Entertainment President Kevin Reilly. "We've got the class and next season we're ready to add some mass, with new shows that build on the creative accomplishments of last season and are as broad as they are good. Combine the energy of these new programs with the bulked-up strength of our existing NBC hits and you’ve got a lineup that's poised to take us to the next level."

"We've always been a company that's embraced new ideas and introduced innovations ahead of the pack," said Marc Graboff, President, NBC Universal Television, West Coast. "Today's advertisers want programs that excite viewers and command real passion both on our broadcast airwaves and in the digital/online realm, and that's what our new fall schedule is all about."

NBC’s 2007-08 lineup features the new dramas "Journeyman" (Mondays, 10-11 p.m. ET), a romantic-mystery from the Emmy Award-winning producers of "The West Wing," concerning a San Francisco newspaper reporter (Kevin McKidd, "Rome") who inexplicably begins to travel through time and alter people's lives; and "Chuck" (Tuesdays, 9-10 p.m. ET), a comedic spy thriller about an unassuming computer geek who is unexpectedly catapulted into a new career as a government agent after spy secrets are mysteriously embedded into his brain.

Also new this fall is the drama "Bionic Woman" (Wednesdays, 9-10 p.m. ET), a re-imagination of the classic from David Eick ("Battlestar Galactica") and Jason Smilovic ("Kidnapped"). “Bionic Woman” stars Michelle Ryan ("EastEnders") as a young woman whose life is radically altered and empowered after a car crash. Additionally, "Life" (Wednesdays, 10-11 p.m. ET) features a complex police detective (Damian Lewis, "Band of Brothers") who’s given a second chance on the force after serving years in prison for a crime he didn't commit.

The new dramedy "Lipstick Jungle," from bestselling author Candace Bushnell ("Sex and the City"), is set to debut in January 2008 on Sundays (10-11 p.m. ET). Created by Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Helene, ("How I Met Your Mother"), the series involves the lives of three high-powered friends (Brooke Shields, "Suddenly Susan," Kim Raver, "24," and Lindsay Price, "Beverly Hills, 90210") who are determined to achieve their dreams and to do it on their own terms.

The latest new comedy from NBC is "The IT Crowd," based on the acclaimed British series that takes a behind-the-scenes peek at the misunderstood techies (Joel McHale, "The Soup," and Richard Ayoade, "The IT Crowd" -- U.K.) who toil in the Information Technology department of a large, impersonal corporation. “The IT Crowd” is scheduled to join the NBC schedule during the course of the 2007-08 season.

Among today’s additional announcements, each representing a unique opportunity for NBC’s clients to attach their messages to original and quality content that goes beyond the 30-second spot, are:

*NBC “bulks up” with 30 combined episodes of "Heroes" and “Heroes: Origins,” an innovative new spin-off that each week will introduce a new character -- one of whom will be chosen by viewers through the “Heroes” website on NBC.com to become a cast regular the following season.

*The network has ordered 30 half-hours of the hit series "The Office," including five hour-long episodes, and also has increased the season order for "My Name Is Earl" to 25 episodes.

*Jerry Seinfeld, star of the classic NBC mega-hit "Seinfeld," returns to the network to create and star in 20 unique live-action comedy “minisodes” inspired by his experiences creating the upcoming DreamWorks animated feature film "Bee Movie," in theaters November 2. NBC Universal will also have the exclusive U.S. broadcast and cable network rights to the film, which features Seinfeld as the voice of Barry B. Benson, a disillusioned bee. Produced by Seinfeld and DreamWorks, the 20 comedy shorts will give viewers a glimpse at Seinfeld's behind-the-scenes antics during production of the movie. The “minisodes” will run on NBC's primetime schedule this Fall, as well as on NBC.com, on designated days before and after the release of the film.

*Series renewals include the Peabody Award-winning drama "Friday Night Lights," now shifting to Friday nights (10-11 p.m. ET); "Scrubs," also a Peabody winner, for a seventh season; and the venerable, Emmy-winning "Law & Order," for its historic 18th season (see separate NBCUMV.com release).

*NBC’s acclaimed Thursday “Comedy Night Done Right” lineup will next year lead off with “My Name is Earl” at 8 p.m. (ET), which will be followed by “30 Rock” at 8:30 p.m., the Peabody Award-winning “The Office” at 9 p.m. and “Scrubs” at 9:30.

*New NBC series "Bionic Woman" and "Life" will be re-purposed on SCI FI Channel and USA Network, respectively, shortly after their original telecasts on NBC.

*NBC will kick-start the weekend on Fridays (8-9 p.m. ET) with “Game Night,” a rotation of game shows that features "1 vs 100" (hosted by Bob Saget) for eight weeks, followed by six weeks of the new variety competition series "The Singing Bee" in the fall. The program is a competition that challenges contestants to accurately sing the lyrics to popular songs -- even when the band stops playing.

Also at today’s presentation in New York, the network unveiled several new "NBC 360" digital initiatives that will help maintain the NBC Universal Television Group's leadership in the creation and execution of innovative digital opportunities across its multiple media platforms (see related NBCUMV.com releases).

Later in the fall, NBC plans to introduce the unscripted series, "World Moves," a talent competition program from executive producer Randy Jackson (“American Idol”) that features dance teams from around the world auditioning for their shot to come to Los Angeles and compete for a global championship and an international touring contract.

After "Sunday Night Football" concludes its season in January 2008, the network will unveil a new regular line-up. After the return of "Dateline NBC" (7-8 p.m. ET) will be the 18th season premiere of "Law & Order" (8-9 p.m. ET), followed by the fourth season debut of "Medium" (9-10 p.m. ET) and the premiere of the sexy new dramedy "Lipstick Jungle" (10-11 p.m. ET).



NBC PRIMETIME SCHEDULE FOR FALL 2007-08

*New programs in CAPS (with the exception of "ER")

MONDAY
8-9 p.m. "Deal or No Deal"
9-10 p.m. "Heroes"
10-11 p.m. "JOURNEYMAN"

TUESDAY
8-9 p.m. "The Biggest Loser"
9-10 p.m. "CHUCK"
10-11 p.m. "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"

WEDNESDAY
8-9 p.m. "Deal or No Deal"
9-10 p.m. "BIONIC WOMAN"
10-11 p.m. "LIFE"

THURSDAY
8-8:30 p.m. "My Name Is Earl"
8:30-9 p.m. "30 Rock"
9-9:30 p.m. "The Office"
9:30-10 p.m. "Scrubs"
10-11 p.m. "ER"

FRIDAY
8-9 p.m. "1 vs 100"/"THE SINGING BEE"
9-10 p.m. "Las Vegas"
10-11 p.m. "Friday Night Lights"

SATURDAY
8-9 p.m. "Dateline NBC"
9-11 p.m. Drama Series Encores

SUNDAY (Fall 2007)
7-8 p.m. "Football Night in America"
8-11 p.m. "NBC Sunday Night Football"

SUNDAY (January 2008)
7-8 p.m. "Dateline NBC"
8-9 p.m. "Law & Order"
9-10 p.m. "Medium"
10-11 p.m. "LIPSTICK JUNGLE"