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The TCA Summer 2012 Press Tour began for the broadcast networks yesterday with Fox. We want to give you a recap of what Fox presented before we get into NBC, which is up today (and tomorrow). First up for Fox was a performance from So You Think You Can Dance? performers. All people on hand got some snacks such as Fox chocolate covered peanut butter pretzel balls--gotta love that! The panels began with So You Think You Can Dance, followed by a panel of upcoming new comedy The Mindy Project. Then it was time for a panel with the cast and crew of another upcoming comedy, Ben and Kate. We have some news on both new comedies below. Then it was the all-important executive session with Kevin Reilly. Among the announcements he made were Mariah Carey, one of the best-selling female recording artists of all time, has joined American Idol as a new judge starting in January. She will replace Jennifer Lopez and there has not been a replacement announcement yet for Steven Tyler. Quote of the day from Reilly: "It's going to be a competitive year. They've (CBS) got the Super Bowl this year, they've got the AFC (Championship) playoff game. I think it's going to be a very close year. In fact, we may not win this season this year. We've had a record eight years in a row, but I can tell you at the very least it's going to be close." Reilly also gave us a timetable on when a host (or hosts?) will be announced for The X Factor: "We're pretty close, it could happen next week, it could happen in two weeks." And as for having two hosts: "I really can't say for sure, I think that's going to be about who Simon finally selects." Also, Fox gave an official order for a fourth season of summer entry MasterChef, which is currently in its third season.

After lunch it was back to the panels, with upcoming new drama The Mob Doctor. Fox announced that Terry Kinney will join the cast starting with episode two. Then there was the panel for American Idol, with Britney and company live via satellite. Next there was a panel for the upcoming Gordon Ramsay series (yes another!), Hotel Hell. And finally the last panel is for the last season of Fringe. Then it was off to the Fox after party.

Among the major announcements announced by Fox, fans will be able to preview new Fox comedies Ben and Kate and The Mindy Project in advance of their fall primetime debuts on Facebook and other online sites for two weeks from Monday, Aug. 27 at 5:00 PM ET through Sunday, Sept. 9 at 5:00 PM ET. Beginning Aug. 27, Facebook fans can preview the series premiere episodes of both Ben and Kate and The Mindy Project on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/BenandKate and www.Facebook.com/TheMindyProject. On Facebook, fans will be able to watch the series premiere episodes, share their opinions and encourage their friends to watch. Fans who don't want to miss the Facebook preview should "like" both series on Facebook. The premiere episodes will also preview on numerous websites, including Yahoo!, Hulu, AOL, MSN, Fox.com and Xfinity, among others, and via participating cable, satellite and telco distribution partners, on both VOD and online platforms. As part of the all-new "Laugh Your Fox Off!" Tuesday comedy block, Ben and Kate (8:30 PM ET/PT) and The Mindy Project (9:30 PM ET/PT) debut Tuesday, Sept. 25 on Fox. In other Fox Tuesday news, this summer Fox is giving fans additional opportunities to catch up with the Emmy Award-nominated New Girl before the special Season Two debut on Tuesday, Sept. 25 (at 8:00 PM ET/PT and 9:00 PM ET/PT), including free streaming of all 24 Season One episodes on the "New Girl Summer Catch-UP" on Yahoo! TV, and a new interactive fan website www.addtothejar.com, beginning July 30 through August 26. Six or seven episodes will be rolled out every week through Aug. 26.

Today it is NBC's turn at the TCA Summer 2012 Press Tour. The first day of NBC will start off with an executive sessions with Robert Greenblatt after breakfast. Then it will be time for show panels with upcoming sitcom Guys with Kids kicking it off. A panel with the cast and crew of the upcoming drama Chicago Fire will follow, followed by a panel with new comedy Animal Practice. After lunch, NBC will showcase hyped new drama Revolution. New comedies The New Normal and Go On (starring Matthew Perry) will follow. Then NBC will have sessions with reality entries Ready for Love and Stars Earn Stripes. And the first day ends with a cocktail reception.

Among the important announcements was a chance to sneak peek their new series. NBC again will offer full-episode, pre-sampling versions of its new fall series prior to the network time-period premieres as each new primetime program will receive a digital sampling window for marketing and promotional purposes over multiple platforms leading into the regular series premiere. As NBC takes advantage of the Summer Olympics springboard to provide a full-episode and commercial-free network preview of the new comedies Go On (Wednesday, August 8) and Animal Practice (Sunday, August 12), the online preview for those shows will be available over a wide spectrum for viewing immediately following their initial broadcasts beginning August 9 and 13, respectively. All other new new fall series will receive a two-week digital sampling period leading up to the broadcast series premiere.
In addition, NBC will further maximize its Olympics platform by unveiling a special six-minute tease of the new fall drama Revolution on Saturday, August 4 at approximately 10:54 p.m. (ET) following the swimming competition that is expected to feature U.S. gold medalist swimmer Michael Phelps. Platforms where these shows will be available include: on demand and online through cable, satellite and telco providers; NBC.com; NBC Owned and affiliate station websites (should they choose to opt in); Hulu (including Hulu's online distribution partners); iTunes, Amazon and Xbox. Select shows will be available on the Hulu Plus subscription service as well.

Here are the online sampling dates: The New Normal [August 29; TV premiere is September 11], Go On [August 9, TV sneak peek is Aug. 8 and TV time period premiere is September 11], Guys with Kids [September 13, TV premiere is September 26], Revolution [September 13, TV premiere is September 26], Animal Practice [August 13, TV sneak peek is Aug. 12 and TV time period premiere is September 26], and Chicago Fire [September 27, TV premiere is October 10].

Stay tuned tomorrow for TCA Summer 2012 Press Tour: NBC Day 2!