BREAKING - NBC Cancels #Community Renews Hannibal (updated)

NBC has revealed the fates of a few shows, including two of their best, and the news is split.

Cult favorite comedy Community has been canceled.  Hopefully, this means a more worthy network (NETFLIX!) can pick it up and give it the treatment and respect this brilliant show deserves.

Another cult and woefully underrated show, Hannibal, has been renewed for a third season.  Hannibal is a critic's favorite but has struggled in finding a big audience.

Low rated drama Revolution has also been canceled, while freshman comedy About a Boy will be back for a second season.

No word on Parenthood yet which is the one I am eagerly waiting for word on.  Since Revolution has been axed, the odds for Parenthood's renewal are even better.

UPDATE:

You can add Crisis, Believe, and Growing Up Fisher to the casualties over at NBC.  It's a bloodbath.

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NBC Gives Early Renewal to Five Dramas!

NBC has given early renewals to a few of their dramas according to TVLine.com.  Shows given the greenlight for next season are Revolution, Grimm, Chicago Fire, Law & Order: SVU and my current favorite network drama Parenthood!  No word yet on Parks and Rec or Community, both are "bubble" shows.

We should get more news on next falls new and returning shows in May.

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PARENTHOOD PALEYFEST 2013 by Marco Elorreaga

One would assume that you were in for a cry-fest at the PaleyFest this year when it was announced that one of the panels would be for Parenthood.  They were giving out tissue packs at the door!  But, as much as the show has come to be associated with crying, it has also made a name for itself as a show with heart, laughter and family chaos. The latter three were in store for the audience last night at the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills.

Stars made their way into the theater.  A good amount of them circled the press tent for pictures and interviews, a lot of them having extensive interviews instead of mingling in the back room before the panel started.  One of the first to arrive was everyone's favorite Coach and patriarch, Craig T. Nelson, who plays Zeek Braverman, and made his way around with his wife, but it was slowly delayed as more of the cast started to filter in. With such a big cast, the interviews halted the tent to a stop, and actually ran late, but fortunately, there was a screening of an episode so the stars did not have to leave right at 7 PM.

Monica Potter, who plays Kristina Braverman, looked stunning in her grey dress and boots, posing beautifully to every photographers' whim and request, even blowing out kisses to them.  It was any man's dream come true.  Having one of the meatiest storylines this season (her character was diagnosed with breast cancer) it was interesting to hear during the panel that this idea originated from her (although she modestly credits creator Jason Katims) during her annual breast exam as she waited for a the results.

Monica Potter blowing kisses to photographers

The Braverman children were out way past their bed time and ready to play.  They seemed to relish the attention and bask in the spotlight, especially Max Burkholder, who plays Max Braverman and whose character had a lot of growing up to do this season.  Like the character, he was the funniest of all the other young actors, cracking jokes with journalists but also answering the questions thoughtfully and earnestly.

Unfortunately, even with the extra time, there still wasn't enough of it for everyone to get to everyone, so stars like Lauren Graham and Peter Krauss were rushed through, only answering a couple questions per interview or just skipping sections completely.  I was lucky enough to get in a quick question to Krauss before he was ushered along.

After a screening of an episode of Parenthood, moderator, Michael Ausiello, called out the cast of Parenthood and each one came out to the beat of their own drum, with a standing ovation for Craig T. Nelson.

It was definitely an interesting panel.  The biggest question on everyone's mind was whether there would be a season five.  Creator Jason Katims dodged the question by passing it on to the real man in charge...Max Burkholder, who said he was optimistic.  I was lucky enough to speak to Katims backstage and ask him about his thoughts.  He felt optimistic, too.  He wasn't worried that he would have to go the same route with Parenthood like he did with Friday Night Lights with the DirecTV exclusivity deal before it airing on NBC.  When asked about being a show with consistent ratings on the struggling network, he said that as long as it's on a network, he would be happy.

Returning back to the panel, topics ranged talking about the multiple storylines in the fourth season: from Kristina's breast cancer to Erika Christiansen's Julia Braverman and Sam Jaeger's Joel Graham's adoption.  There was a lot of speculation on whether Jason Ritter's Mark Cyr would return after his news that he was starring opposite Alexis Bledel, Lauren Graham's previous faux daughter, in the new tv show Friends and Family.  When asked about how she felt, Graham wittingly responded "They always trade you in for a younger one."  Have we seen the last of Mark Cyr?  Ausiello and the audience hope not as the crowd erupted in applause when asked if they would rather see Graham's Sarah Braverman end up Mark Cyr instead of Ray Ramano's Hank Rizzoli.  I guess everyone doesn't love Raymond.

There were more serious topics discussed on the stage, especially with young actor Miles Heizer's storyline about abortion.  On the episode that had Heizer's Drew taking Amy to the clinic regardless of his own feelings, director Peter Krauss had nothing but praise for the young thespian.  The feeling was mutual as Heizer was awestruck working with Krauss as a director.  

Katims discussed about how dealing with controversial issues is definitely hard because he doesn't want to politicize it through his show.  When asked by an audience member if he ever thought about doing a gay storyline, Katims said he definitely thought about it, but because these characters are so well established, it might be hard to do it organically within the family and not just bringing in a brand new character that no one cares about.  Not opposed to the idea, Craig T. Nelson made a crack about having him come out of the closet in his signature deadpan comedic delivery.

While the panel was definitely touching, seeing how much of a family the cast really is, they know that with a show with some many characters with different story lines, some will naturally leave.  With Heizer's Drew Holt going to UC Berkeley and Sarah Ramos' Haddie having left for college already and Ritter's Mark Cyr breaking it off with Sarah, some cast members felt the pangs of pain with this realization.  Just like they have created a family within the show, their family have become our family and we didn't want them to go as the panel ended.  Here's hoping for a season five for this critically acclaimed show that shows that TV series don't have to have antiheroes or violence to be great.

Special thanks to Samsung Smart TV for sponsoring my coverage of PaleyFest 2013. Make sure to like Samsung TV USA on Facebook for an insider look at red carpet photos, video highlights, recaps from the day's events and more. Also, don’t forget to follow @PopCultureBeast on Twitter for live updates during the screenings and panels.

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TV News: NBC Unveils New Shows!

NBC has announced it's fall schedule today and in doing so unveiled a slate of new shows to begin airing in the fall. We'll get to those in a moment but first I wanted to give people the relief of knowing which shows they can expect to return!

NBC is bringing back Heroes, Southland, and Parks and Recreation which will be joining the previously renewed The Office, 30 Rock, Law & Order: SVU, Friday Night Lights, Celebrity Apprentice, and The Biggest Loser.

Sadly, there is no news yet for fans of Chuck (that announcement has been delayed until May 19), Law & Order, Medium, Life, or My Name is Earl. I have heard that Earl and Life have been canceled but apparently no official statement has been made.

NBC of course announced the new series coming in the fall and they include four dramas and two comedies and the return of Weekend Update Thursdays!

Click the Rawr! for the titles and descriptions!

New Dramas:

Parenthood:
A contemporary re-imagining of the blockbuster film, depicting the Braverman family -- four grown siblings sharing the headaches, heartaches and joy of being parents. Starring Peter Krause, Maura Tierney, Craig T. Nelson, Dax Shepard, Bonnie Bedelia, Monica Potter, Erika Christensen and Sarah Ramos. Ron Howard and Brian Grazer executive produce.

Video here: http://www.nbc.com/upcoming-shows/video/clips/preview/1094629/
Web site here: http://www.nbc.com/parenthood/

Trauma:
Peter Berg (Friday Night Lights) executive produces "Trauma", a medical drama series that follows first-responder paramedics in the San Francisco Bay area. Stars Derek Luke ("Notorious"), Cliff Curtis ("10,000 B.C"), Anastasia Griffith ("Damages"), Aimee Garcia ("George Lopez"), Kevin Rankin ("Friday Night Lights") and Jamey Sheridan ("Law & Order: Criminal Intent").

Video here: http://www.nbc.com/upcoming-shows/video/clips/preview/1094570/
Web site here: http://www.nbc.com/trauma/

Mercy:
A new medical drama with a unique point of view, portrays the lives of the staff at Mercy Hospital as seen through the eyes of those who know it best -- its nurses. Stars Taylor Schilling ("Dark Matter"), Jamie Lee Kirchner ("Rescue Me") and Michelle Trachtenberg ("Gossip Girl"). Joining writer/executive producers Liz Heldens (NBC’s "Friday Night Lights") and Gretchen Berg & Aaron Harberts ("Pushing Daisies," "Pepper Dennis") are executive producers Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun. Emmy Award winner Adam Bernstein (NBC’s "30 Rock," "Rescue Me") is the director.

Video here: http://www.nbc.com/upcoming-shows/video/clips/preview/1094574/
Web site here: http://www.nbc.com/trauma/

Day One:
Executive producer/writer Jesse Alexander ("Heroes," "Lost," "Alias,") "Day One" tells the story of life on earth following a global catastrophe that has devastated the world's infrastructures. Beginning with the immediate aftermath of the cataclysmic event, "Day One" follows an eclectic band of survivors -- played by Adam Campbell ("Date Movie"), Catherine Dent ("The Shield"), Julie Gonzalo ("Eli Stone"), David Lyons ("ER"), Derek Mio ("Greek"), Carly Pope ("24"), Thekla Reuten ("Sleeper Cell") and Addison Timlin ("Cashmere Mafia")

Unfortunately, no video is available yet for Day One.
Web site here: http://www.nbc.com/day-one/

New Comedies:

100 Questions:
Charlotte Payne (Sophie Winkleman, "Peep Show") is looking for love and has rejected multiple marriage proposals -- but she has yet to meet Mr. Right. When she joins a popular online dating site, she gets a little help from her dating counselor Ravi (Amir Talai, "The Ex List") – who requires her to take a 100-question compatibility test. The questions aren’t easy for Charlotte to answer, and each one requires her to recount a poignant and humorous time in her life with friends Leslie (Elizabeth Ho, "Women’s Murder Club"), Jill (Joy Suprano, NBC’s "Law & Order"), Mike (Christopher Moynihan "For Your Consideration") and Wayne (David Walton "Quarterlife"). James Burrows ("Will & Grace," "Friends,") directs, and Christopher Moynihan ("For Your Consideration") executive produces.

Video here: http://www.nbc.com/upcoming-shows/video/clips/preview/1094628/
Web site here: http://www.nbc.com/100-questions/

Community:
Directors Joe and Anthony Russo ("Arrested Development") bring us "Community," a comedy series about Greendale Community College, whose student body is made up of high-school losers, newly divorced housewives, and old people who want to keep their minds active. "Community" focuses on a study group lead by a lawyer whose degree has been revoked. Starring Joel McHale, ("The Soup"), comedy legend Chevy Chase, Gillian Jacobs ("The Book of Daniel"); Yvette Nicole Brown ("Rules of Engagement"); Danny Pudi ("Greek"); and Alison Brie ("Mad Men").

Video here: http://www.nbc.com/upcoming-shows/video/clips/preview/1094573/
Web site here: http://www.nbc.com/community/

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