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NBC has announced its upcoming original programming initiatives for this summer. Featured will be new scripted comedy “Marlon, loosely based on the life of Marlon Wayans;” new scripted drama “Midnight, Texas;” new reality series “Little Big Shots: Forever Young” from the producers of “Little Big Shots;” new reality/competition “World of Dance;” ”SNL” spinoff “Saturday Night Live: Weekend Update;” new episodes of “The Wall;” and new seasons of “America’s Got Talent,” “American Ninja Warrior,” “Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge,” “The Carmichael Show,” “The Night Shift” and “Hollywood Game Night.”
First up is “World of Dance,” with judges Jennifer Lopez, Derek Hough, NE-YO and host/mentor Jenna Dewan Tatum, on Monday, May 8 at 10 p.m. ET. It moves into the Tuesday 10 p.m. hour (out of “America’s Got Talent”) effective on May 30. The live edition of “America’s Got Talent” begins on Wednesday, Aug. 16 from 8-9 p.m.
Sitcom “The Carmichael Show,” starring comedian Jerrod Carmichael, opens season three on Wednesday, May 31 at 9 p.m. And “American Ninja Warrior” returns on Monday, June 12 from 8-10 p.m. into season two of “Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge” at 10 p.m.
“Little Big Shots: Forever Young,” hosted by Steve Harvey and executive produced by Harvey and Ellen DeGeneres and showcasing seniors, opens on Wednesday, June 21 at 8 p.m. Next are new episodes of recent game show entry “The Wall,” hosted by Chris Hardwick, beginning Thursday, June 22 from 8-9 p.m. “The Wall” leads into the fourth season of medical drama “The Night Shift” at 10 p.m.
Additionally, “Hollywood Game Night,” hosted by Jane Lynch, returns for a fifth season on Monday, Aug. 7 at 10 p.m. Half-hour “Saturday Night Live: Weekend Update,” featuring Colin Jost and Michael Che, bows on Thursday, Aug. 10 at 9 p.m. And family comedy “Marlon” launches with back-to-back episodes on Wednesday, Aug. 16 from 9-10 p.m. The cast includes Marlon Wayans, Essence Atkins, Bresha Webb, Diallo Riddle, Notlim Taylor and Amir O’Neil.
What follows are the new program descriptions:
“WORLD OF DANCE”
In partnership with preeminent global dance brand World of Dance, the series brings the world’s elite dancers together to compete in epic battles of artistry, precision and athleticism for a life-altering prize of $1 million. Solo dancers will compete against duos and crews in an unlimited range of dance including hip-hop, popping, locking, tap, ballet, break dancing, ballroom, stomping and more.
Jennifer Lopez, NE-YO and Derek Hough will be at the judges table with Jenna Dewan Tatum set as host/mentor.
Handpicked from qualifying events around the nation and thousands of online submissions, competitors are divided into three divisions: Junior (any size act, 17 years old and under), Upper (groups of 1- 4, 18 and older) and Team (groups of 5+, 18 and older). Our panel of experts score the acts using a precise point system developed by World of Dance, using the following criteria: Performance, Technique, Choreography, Creativity and Presentation. The competition consists of five rounds: Qualifiers, Duels, The Cut, Divisional Final and the World Final. In the first four rounds, dancers only compete within their division, but in the World Final – the winner from each division will compete against each other for the grand prize of $1 million and the title “Best in the World.”
“LITTLE BIG SHOTS: FOREVER YOUNG”
Following up on the phenomenal success of “Little Big Shots,” in which kids brought their amazing talents to a primetime audience, “Little Big Shots: Forever Young” is where young-at-heart seniors will showcase their hidden talents, vibrant personalities and incredible wisdom.
The comedy/variety series, from Warner Horizon Television, will be executive produced by Ellen DeGeneres and series host Steve Harvey.
As the #1 new series last season among total viewers and the most watched new alterative show in six years, “Little Big Shots” showcased the talent and comedy of the very young. Now the spotlight turns to America’s seniors, where Harvey will showcase undiscovered rare talents and hysterical encounters with musicians, singers, dancers and every form of “elderkind” in the country. With many years of experience and wisdom, these seniors are sure to delight the audience with their strong opinions, incredible talent, and heartwarming stories.
“MIDNIGHT, TEXAS”
Based on the best-selling book series by Charlaine Harris (author of the novels that inspired “True Blood”), “Midnight, Texas” stars François Arnaud (“The Borgias”) as Manfred, a charming, powerful psychic who can communicate with spirits and finds safety in Midnight surrounding himself with both human and supernatural allies. Midnight is also home to Bobo, proprietor of Midnight’s local pawn shop (Dylan Bruce, “Orphan Black”); Fiji, a witch who owns the local wiccan shop (Parisa Fitz-Henley, “Luke Cage”); Olivia, a mysterious assassin with a weapon for every occasion (Arielle Kebbel, “The Vampire Diaries”); Joe, an angel who knows all of Midnight’s secrets having been around for millennia (Jason Lewis, “Sex and the City”); Lemuel, a wise vampire with a long history in Midnight (Peter Mensah, “True Blood”); Creek, an aspiring writer with big dreams (Sarah Ramos, “Parenthood”); and Rev. Emilio Sheehan, who can’t resist the pull of a full moon (Yul Vazquez, “Captain Phillips”).
“SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE: WEEKEND UPDATE”
NBC is bringing a late-night institution to primetime with a four-episode order for “Saturday Night Live: Weekend Update.” The half-hour telecast will feature “Weekend Update” anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che. Additional “Saturday Night Live” cast members will also make appearances.
Weekend Update,” which comments on and satirizes the news and current affairs of the week, has consistently ranked as one of the most popular segments of “Saturday Night Live” throughout the show’s storied 42-year history. Previous “Weekend Update” anchors include Chevy Chase, Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, Dennis Miller, Norm Macdonald, Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers.
“MARLON”
Loosely inspired by the real life of star Marlon Wayans (“In Living Color,” “Scary Movie”), this update to the classic family comedy centers on a loving (but inappropriate) father committed to co-parenting his two kids with his very-together ex-wife. While his misguided fatherly advice, unstoppable larger-than-life personality and unpredictable Internet superstardom might get in the way sometimes, for Marlon family really always does come first – even if he’s the biggest kid of all.
