And post-Olympics,
return of Seinfeld
New reality series by the comic will air at 10 p.m.
By Diego Vasquez
Jan 15, 2010
Finally, something NBC can celebrate out of this whole primetime debacle: Jerry Seinfeld is heading back to Thursday nights.
The new reality show "The Marriage Ref," produced by the comedian, will be one of the programs filling in for "The Jay Leno Show," which will no longer air in primetime after the Winter Olympics.
Though Seinfeld himself does not appear on "Ref," in which couples receive comedic counseling from celebrity guests to fix their marital woes, the network has been using his name in promotions and is expected to push the show heavily during next month's Games.
"Leno" had been airing weeknights at 10 p.m., but the network abandoned that approach earlier this week after an outcry from NBC affiliates that have seen their ratings in the timeslot plummet, pulling down their 11 p.m. newscast ratings.
Instead, the 10 p.m. slot will be filled by a mix of scripted and unscripted programming starting on March 1, with "Ref" one of two new shows airing in the hour.
The other, the well-regarded drama "Parenthood," will air Tuesdays at 10.
NBC will move "Law & Order," currently airing Fridays at 8 p.m., to Mondays at 10, where "Chuck" will air at 8, followed by "Trauma" at 9.
"The Biggest Loser" will remain on Tuesday at 8, with the two-hour episode airing before "Parenthood."
Wednesday will lead off with "Mercy," and a rerun of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" will air at 9 p.m., likely because NBC does not want to put fresh programming on against Fox's "American Idol" in that hour. Original "SVUs" will air at 10 p.m.
On Thursdays the 8 to 10 p.m. comedy block will remain intact, followed by "Ref" at 10 p.m. NBC has such high hopes for the show that it will air a special sneak preview on Feb. 28, following the Olympic Closing Ceremonies.
New reality show "Who Do You Think You Are," in which celebrities trace their family history, will lead off Fridays, airing into a two-hour "Dateline."
Though Sunday will not be affected by the Leno move, it will also see one change. "Minute to Win It," a new game show, will air at 8 p.m. followed by a two-hour "Celebrity Apprentice."
The network did not announce what its post-Olympic late-night plans are. Though yesterday there were rumors online that the network had awarded Leno his former slot as host of "The Tonight Show," with O'Brien's final program airing next week. NBC has not confirmed that rumor.
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