or


[05/14/08 - 09:16 PM]
NBC Details New Beers Series, Midseason Options
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC)

LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- NBC's 2008-09 season slate just got a little bigger.

"Salvage" and "Swords: Lives on the Line," two new series from BermanBraun and Original Productions, are set to join the Peacock's lineup next year. That's in addition to the previously announced BermanBraun/Original duo of "America's Toughest Jobs" and "Shark Taggers."

Executive producers Thom Beers, Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun inked a blockbuster multi-series deal with the network back in December (read the story). Said pact included a blind commitment for three 10-episode series as well as development commitments for at least three more.

All four newcomers are detailed by the network as follows:

AMERICA'S TOUGHEST JOBS - "WIMPS NEED NOT APPLY. America's Toughest Jobs is for everyone who's ever wished for a chance to leave behind the safe, comfortable monotony of their job for something more. And for everyone who's ever heard of a dangerous, adventure-filled job and said, "I can do that!" From the producers of Deadliest Catch and Monster Garage comes an adrenaline-pumping series that exposes contestants to careers that require every ounce of energy they've got. From working on the windswept deck of an Alaskan crab boat and being an ice road trucker, to making a living as a roughneck on a Texas oil rig, we discover if the average person can really succeed where professionals sometimes fail."

SALVAGE - "OUT HERE, IT'S DO OR DIE. In the middle of the ocean, a team of daring workers risks it all as it races against the clock and the elements to dismantle an abandoned oil rig before hurricane season strikes. When skill and courage aren't enough, luck becomes the last hope of the determined crew members who haven't seen their loved ones for months, and face the prospect of never seeing them again. It's a true-to-life action adventure about the unknown dangers and adrenaline-filled excitement of the ultimate extreme job."

SHARK TAGGERS - "THEY'RE RISKING LIFE AND LIMB FOR SCIENCE. Each week, we travel on the open seas with a group of daring marine biologists who have devoted their lives to tracking down the ocean's top predators and hand-tagging them with cutting edge satellite transmitters. Watch as these scientists travel to the shores of Brazil to investigate bull sharks' sudden attacks on surfers. The exotic locations, the revealing scientific discoveries and the often emotional relationships between cast members make this unique series as beautiful and dramatic as it is extreme."

SWORDS: LIVES ON THE LINE - "FROM THE FIRST MOMENT, YOU'LL BE HOOKED. For the fisherman of New England, braving the frigid, unpredictable waters of the North Atlantic is a tradition that has been in their families for generations. It is an unforgiving environment, where forty-five-foot vessels contend with fifty-foot waves and gale-force winds, where one fish can earn you $50,000, and one mistake can cost you your life. From the producers of The Deadliest Catch and Ice Road Truckers, Swords takes us out to sea in pursuit of massive blue-fin tuna and the elusive swordfish, with the fathers, sons, old salts and greenhorns for whom the ocean is more than just where they make a living: it's a way of life."

Separately, FremantleMedia Enterprises has acquired the international, home entertainment and format rights to all four series.

Meanwhile, NBC is still keeping its midseason options open as promotional materials for four of its pilots that didn't make its 2008-09 schedule have been released:

BLUE BLOOD - "THERE'S A NEW ROOKIE IN TOWN. From the Hamptons to the South Bronx, Blue Blood follows the true story of Harvard educated cop Ed Conlon in his first year as an NYPD officer. He joins a group of rookies, fresh out of the academy, assigned to beat patrol. Despite what the academy taught them, they will learn that being a rookie is as much about upholding the law as it is about survival on the streets. Blue Blood is an action drama that takes us into the hearts and minds of those sworn to protect and serve." Cast: Logan Marshall-Green as Ed, Kate Levering as Colt, Vincent Piazza as Bobby, April Lee Hernandez as Sophia, Larenz Tate as Andre, Alex Fernandez as Sgt. Vargas. Studios: 20th Century Fox Television, Little Engine.

MAN OF YOUR DREAMS - "HE'S TELLING WOMEN WHAT MEN REALLY THINK. Larry Ackerman is Chicago's sexiest bartender and an expert in the art of seduction (thanks to several years of on-the-job training). He's the reason "The Rules" was written. When it comes to his own relationships, he lives for the chase and the conquest. But when it comes to helping out other people's relationships, he's focused on love. Persuaded by his sister's Tuesday night supper club, Larry reveals the secrets of men to help the women land Mr. Right. Of course, Larry's advice often backfires � or works too well � and he constantly finds himself cleaning up the mess. Larry's newfound purpose in life helps him to truly understand the opposite sex and gives him hope that he might one day meet someone capable of ending his womanizing ways." Cast: Michael Trucco as Larry, Constance Zimmer as Liza, Christina Chang as Melinda, Justina Machado as Sheryl, Ronreaco Lee as Mitch, Rebecca McFarland as Sally. Studios: Universal Media Studios, Conaco Productions.

TOP GEAR - "REV YOUR ENGINES... This Emmy award-winning television phenomenon follows three friends as they attempt to perform outrageous challenges and stunts through the crazy transformations they make to their cars. Full of high-octane adventure and extreme comedy, Top Gear has been an international success for over 30 years. Whether you're a car fan or not, the drama, horsepower and tricked-out hot rods are sure to drive you back to this series again and again." Studio: BBC Worldwide America.

ZIP - "FAMILY MAN. CON MAN. Trip Stringer loves his two kids. He also loves being a rich guy in Beverly Hills � the only problem is he doesn't have any money. But Trip is determined to fake it until he makes it. Living just inside the 90210 boundary so the kids can get a good education, Trip is always within striking distance of the Beverly Hills elite � the people he will con on his way up the economic ladder. With the aid of his loyal protege, Hugo, Trip will confront Russian gangsters, Texan thieves, Chinese tourists and parenthood with equal resolve on his quest to become the next great American success story." Cast: Steven Weber as Trip Singer, Kay Panabaker as Ellie, Bernardo De Paula as JP, Troy Gentile as Nelson. Studios: Universal Media Studios, Reveille, Catapult 360.

The quartet is being considered for midseason orders, network sources have confirmed, however no timetable was given.





  [march 2026]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· AMERICA'S TOUGHEST JOBS (NBC)
· BLUE BLOOD (NBC)
· MAN OF YOUR DREAMS (NBC)
· SALVAGE (NBC)
· SHARK TAGGERS (NBC)
· SWORDS: LIFE ON THE LINE (DISCOVERY)
· TOP GEAR (NBC)
· ZIP (NBC)





[03/27/26 - 03:16 PM]
Official Trailer for HBO's Harry Potter Series, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," Shatters Records as HBO and HBO Max's Most-Watched Ever by More Than Double, Amassing +277 Million Organic Views in 48 Hours
The series will debut Christmas 2026 on HBO and will be available to stream exclusively on HBO Max.

[03/27/26 - 01:01 PM]
Hugely Popular "Chicago" Series Set to Return to NBC in the Fall
"Chicago Fire" will begin its 15th season in the fall, "Chicago P.D." its 14th and "Chicago Med" its 12th.

[03/27/26 - 10:01 AM]
Netflix Rounds Out Cast of "Kennedy" with Production Underway in London
The new drama series based on Fredrik Logevall's book, "JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917-1956," will explore the triumphs and tragedies of the Kennedy family from Chernin Entertainment.

[03/27/26 - 09:48 AM]
FOX Sports Assembles Top-Tier Roster for 2026 Major League Baseball Regular Season Coverage
Entering their fifth season together, first-ballot Hall of Famer John Smoltz and Emmy Award-winning play-by-play announcer Joe Davis call FOX Sports' top regular season and playoff games.

[03/27/26 - 09:46 AM]
ABC News Is #1 in Total Viewers in Late-Night, Friday Night and Sunday Morning
"20/20" scored its best Adults 25-54 performance in 11 months.

[03/27/26 - 09:21 AM]
"The Morning Show" News Incoming - Sean Hayes Joins the Cast of Season 5
Apple TV confirmed the news on social media this morning.

[03/27/26 - 08:01 AM]
HBO Original Documentary Series "The Dark Wizard" Debuts April 14
The four-part documentary series is an up-close and unflinching portrait of Dean Potter, one of the world's most influential and controversial climbers, BASE jumpers, and highline walkers.

[03/27/26 - 07:01 AM]
ESPN Original "Why Not Us: UMES Volleyball" to Premiere March 30
Presented by Andscape and produced by Sport & Story, the latest installment follows the inspiring journey of the newly formed men's volleyball team at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore - the first men's volleyball program at a Division I HBCU.

[03/26/26 - 02:05 PM]
"The Madison" Marks Taylor Sheridan's Biggest Debut Season Launch with 8 Million Views Globally for Paramount+
The debut of the six-part series also marks the biggest freshman season launch for the prolific creator among women 35+.

[03/26/26 - 12:49 PM]
Apple Original Films Lands New Sci-Fi Thriller "Liminal"
Starring Vanessa Kirby and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, the feature will be directed by Louis Leterrier.

[03/26/26 - 12:01 PM]
"After the Flood" Returns to BritBox: Tensions Rise in High-Stakes Season Two Premiere
Other April highlights include "A Taste For Murder," "Silent Witness," and "Death in Paradise."

[03/26/26 - 12:00 PM]
ESPN NBA Schedule Update: Atlanta Hawks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Added on April 8
The game replaces the previously scheduled Milwaukee Bucks vs. Detroit Pistons matchup.

[03/26/26 - 11:30 AM]
BET and Paramount+ Announce the Sixth Season Renewal of Multi-Emmy-Nominated Comedy "The Ms. Pat Show"
The upcoming season will be among the first BET originals to stream on Paramount+, which becomes the new streaming home for BET content beginning in June, bringing the beloved series to a global platform with nearly 80 million subscribers.

[03/26/26 - 11:01 AM]
"Saturday Night Live" Springs Into April with Back-to-Back Episodes
Jack Black and Colman Domingo will host on April 4 and April 11, respectively.

[03/26/26 - 10:03 AM]
Sony Pictures Television Advertiser Sales Heads Into 2026 Upfront Bringing Advertisers Branded Content Opportunities Within High Volume of Originals and a Safe Harbor of Entertainment Programming
The studio continues to elevate its media investment opportunities for advertisers through Game Show Network, a top 10 cable network and a top five general entertainment network.