Smallscreen News

Summer slate roundup for NBC, AGT, The Voice, The Marriage Ref highlight

By April MacIntyre Mar 21, 2011, 18:49 GMT

03/15/2011 - Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green and Carson Daly - NBC\'s "The Voice" Press Conference - A Center Studios, 1201 W. 5th Street - Los Angeles, CA, USA © Andrew Evans / PR Photos

Summer is sizzling for NBC, with returns of oldie but goodies and a new competition hosted by Carson Daly.

Today NBC revealed its slate of original series programming for Summer 2011 that features the sixth-season premiere of summer’s top-rated “America’s Got Talent” on Tuesday, May 31 (9-11 p.m. ET), the announcement of the new alternative series “It’s Worth What?” and the second-season debut of “The Marriage Ref” on Sunday, June 26 (10-11 p.m. ET).

In addition, NBC rolls out “The Voice” (regular day and time Tuesdays, 8-9 p.m. ET) through June as well as the new alternative series “Still Standing” (working title in the U.S.) and “Love in the Wild” (days and times TBA). Original episodes of the drama “Law & Order: Los Angeles” (Mondays, 10-11 p.m. ET) also continue.

Also the broadcast network premiere of the final season of “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” comes on Monday, May 30 (9-10 p.m. ET). Meanwhile, the last season of “Friday Night Lights” (Fridays, 8-9 p.m. ET) also continues well into the summer.

The announcements were made today by Bob Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment.

“We want to make it clear that NBC considers the summer as an important part of its overall season and will continue to offer a varied lineup of original programs,” said Greenblatt. “Our viewers will have plenty of options with new series such as ‘It’s Worth What?’ and ‘Love in the Wild’ as well as continuing shows such as ‘The Voice’ plus returning favorites like ‘America’s Got Talent.’ We even have scripted series such as ‘Friday Night Lights,’ and episodes of two separate ‘Law and Order’ franchises as we build momentum toward the fall season.”

The shows, from NBC

“America’s Got Talent”

Set to premiere its sixth season on Tuesday, May 31 (9-11 p.m. ET) with a two-hour broadcast. After its debut, the series will resume its run on Tuesdays (9-10 p.m. ET) from June 7 through June 28. The series then will begin two-hour Tuesday editions (9-11 p.m. ET) starting July 5 until September 6. “America’s Got Talent” will debut its Wednesday broadcasts on June 1 (9-10 p.m. ET) -- and will continue on that night through September 7.

On Tuesday, September 13, the show returns to one hour (9-10 p.m. ET) for its penultimate episode before returning for its season finale on the next night – Wednesday, September 14 (9-11 p.m. ET).

“It’s Worth What?” (day and time TBA)

This is a new alternative series hosted by comedian Cedric “The Entertainer” (“The Steve Harvey Show,” “The Original Kings of Comedy”). “It’s Worth What?” is a game show that taps into America’s love for cost and value, such as the hidden gems found in one's attic. A pair of contestants is taken through a series of challenges that escalate in level of difficulty. As a result, they are tasked with discerning the price of the items in each round. If they successfully complete the challenges, contestants can win up to $1 million.

“It’s Worth What?” is produced by Merv Griffin Entertainment. The series is created and executive-produced by Lara Spencer (“The Insider”) and Roy Bank (“Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?”). Cedric “The Entertainer,” Barry Poznick ("Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?), John Stevens ("Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?”) and Ron Ward (“Million Dollar Mind Game”) also serve as executive producers.

“The Marriage Ref”

Brings Jerry Seinfeld back and in the producer's chair for an all-new and improved second season. In this revealing comedy panel series, real-life married couples take center stage as their quirky, funny, and relatable disputes are explored, examined -- and ultimately judged. New for this season, couples will appear in-studio and face a panel of “experts” composed of top celebrities and comedians who weigh in and decide which spouse is right. This will give couples something they have always wanted but have never had -- a clear winner.

At the end of each episode, the studio audience will vote to make one of the winners "The Rightest of the Right." That person will receive $25,000 and their own billboard, in their hometown, declaring they are right. Comedian Tom Papa ("The Informant!") returns as the host and the “ref.” "The Marriage Ref" is produced by Seinfeld's Columbus 81 Productions. Seinfeld, Ellen Rakieten ("The Oprah Winfrey Show"), and Page Hurwitz (“Last Comic Standing”) serve as executive producers. Javier Winnik (“Last Comic Standing”) is the co-executive producer.

“The Voice”

New competition debuts Tuesday, April 26 (9-11 p.m. ET) and will continue with new episodes through the end of June. On “The Voice,” four famous musician coaches -- Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton -- will each select singers to mentor into artists during the blind auditions. Once they have their teams, the star coaches will bring in their personal songwriters, producers, and high-powered friends to help their teams evolve. Ultimately, America will decide which singer will be worthy of the grand prize.

Carson Daly hosts the show’s innovative format that features three stages of competition. The winner will be named “The Voice" -- and will receive the grand prize of a recording contract and $100,000. “The Voice” is a presentation of Talpa Productions, Mark Burnett and Warner Horizon Television. The series is created by John de Mol, who will executive-produce along with Burnett and Audrey Morrissey.

“Still Standing”

This is a unique and thrilling game show designed to keep both contestants and viewers on their toes. The new competitive series is based on the hit Israeli series of the same title, which offers contestants the chance to win by out-guessing 10 opponents in 10 fast-paced and dramatic trivia battles. At the start of the game, each player stands behind a coin whose value ranges between $1.00 and $50,000. The value of the coin is hidden from the players, however, and will not be revealed until one of them loses and drops out of the game – literally – through the trapdoor in the studio floor on which he or she is standing.

“Still Standing” is a Universal Media Studios production in association with Armoza Formats. Craig Plestis and Tim Puntilllo serve as executive producers.

“Love in the Wild”

An adventure dating series that will put relationships to the ultimate test. Ten single men and 10 single women, all looking for love, will experience a romantic adventure unlike anything they could have ever imagined. The series will follow them as they head deep into the remote jungles of Costa Rica, paddle down crocodile-infested waters, navigate through bat infested caves, and hang 200 feet above the rain forest floor as they descend down one of the most majestic waterfalls all in the hope of finding that special someone.

During an elimination unlike anything seen before, the couples will come together to reveal whether a connection has formed with their current partner -- or if they would like to switch and get to know someone else. At the end of every episode, two heartbroken singles will be sent home. The series will culminate with one couple left standing, who will have completed the adventure of a lifetime and found the one thing they’ve been looking for – “Love in the Wild.” The series is produced by Endemol USA. Tom Shelly serves as executive producer. Liz Shulze, Eric Gardner and Mark Allen are co-executive producers.