TCA Summer 2012 Press Tour: Fox and NBC, Mindy Project and Ben & Kate to Preview Online in August

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

TCA Summer 2012 Press Tour: Fox and NBC, Mindy Project and Ben & Kate to Preview Online in August

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!

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Monday, April 6

The Neighorhood - "Welcome to Gemma Johnson's Day Off" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Gemma reaches her limit at work, and when a car issue forces her to slow down, an unexpected break helps her rethink what she really wants next. Meanwhile, Marty and Malcolm’s plans are thrown off course when unexpected opportunities arise, and Dave embraces a new career path.

The Neighorhood - "A Farewell Special" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
CBS presents The Neighborhood: A Farewell Special, an Entertainment Tonight production, airing Monday, April 6 (8:30-9:30 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+. Hosted by Entertainment Tonight's Kevin Frazier and filmed on location on The Neighborhood's stages, the special celebrates the acclaimed CBS comedy's final season, honoring eight seasons, 156 episodes, and eight unforgettable years of laughter, heart and community, leading up to the series finale on May 11.

This celebratory event features exclusive new interviews with the cast reflecting on their journey, revisiting early days on set, and looking back at the show's evolution and cultural impact. From its heartfelt exploration of friendship and family to its comedic take on life in a changing community, The Neighborhood has become a beloved part of CBS' comedy legacy.

The special includes never-before-seen footage and archival interviews from the ET Vault, offering fans a nostalgic look at the series' most iconic moments and the relationships built along the way. Viewers will get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the emotional final days of production, including the cast and crew's last table read, intimate moments from the final tapings, and heartfelt goodbyes.

Additionally, The Neighborhood: A Farewell Special brings audiences inside the cast's final wrap party, capturing the laughter, speeches, memories, and surprises that marked the end of an era. To cap off the evening, fans will get an exclusive sneak peek at the upcoming series finale, with the cast and producers sharing what viewers can expect as the Butlers and Johnsons say farewell to the neighborhood they've called home for nearly a decade.

The Neighorhood - "Welcome to New Horizons" (CBS, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Dave’s silent auction wins lead to a classical concert outing with Gemma and the Butlers that quickly goes off the rails. Meanwhile, Malcolm’s ghostwriting gig takes a surprising turn when Tina encourages him to dive into reality TV for inspiration – sparking an unexpected obsession.

St. Denis Medical - "We Make Time" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When a doctor becomes a patient, his co-workers rally around him, whether he likes it or not; Matt and Serena need to talk.

The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins - "The Loyalty Swamp" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Tobin's past comes back to haunt him; Reggie and Brina struggle to set a wedding date.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of April 6)

Monday, April 6

Jason Segel (Shrinking/How I Met Your Mother/Undeclared) - Watch Jason on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Lisa Ann Walter (Abbott Elementary/Emeril) - Lisa appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Keanu Reaves (Swedish Dicks) - Keanu is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS. He also talks about Outcome on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
Melissa Gilbert (Stand by Your Man) - ABC's Good Morning America has George Stephanopoulos' exclusive interview with Melissa sometime between 7-9am.
Laurie Metcalf (Big Mistakes/The Conners/Roseanne/The McCarthys/The Norm Show) - Laurie talks about Big Mistakes on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Kerry Washington (UnPrisoned) - Kerry chats with the ladies of The View on a repeat on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Mindy Kaling (Running Point/The Mindy Project/The Office) - Mindy talks about Mindy's Book Studio on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine-Nine/Are We There Yet?/Everybody Hates Chris) - Terry and Rebecca King-Crews make an exclusive announcement on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am. Terry will also be on in the 9am hour.
Sterling K. Brown (Starved) and Ryan Michelle Bathe (First Wives Club/Retired at 35) - Sterling and his wife Ryan Michelle tell Sherri about the highly anticipated new season of Paradise now streaming on Hulu & Disney+ on a repeat of Sherri, so check your local listings.
Amanda Peet (Brockmire/Togetherness/Bent) - Amanda talks season 2 of Your Friends & Neighbors and her new film Fantasy Life on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.