NBC is bringing sci fi back to broadcast TV — big time. As the network kicked off its presentations at the TCA press tour today, network entertainment co-chairman Ben Silverman said the fall schedule would be shifted around to surround breakout hit "Heroes" with two other fantasy shows: "Chuck," about a 20-something slacker who gets spy secrets implanted into his brain, and "Journeyman," which focuses on a reporter who finds himself traveling through time.
When NBC first announced its schedule in May, "Deal or No Deal" was slotted for the 8 p.m. spot that now will be occupied by "Chuck." But Silverman said he expects these three shows will make a strong lineup because they are built on character, not just fantasy. "Chuck has a bit of the quarter-life [crisis] going on," Silverman said. With his terrible job at a big-box electronics store and his woes with women, "he could just as easily be appearing in a Judd Apatow movie." "Journeyman," on the other hand, "is basically a love story with time travel underneath it," Silverman said.
I'm still a little surprised that "Bionic Woman" isn't in that lineup, but I see what Silverman's saying about the character-driven elements of these three shows. When I recently watched the "Chuck" pilot, I wouldn't have necessarily thought to call it sci fi; it was more about Chuck and his goofy friends. Plus, I could see "Chuck" drawing a young audience (thanks to "OC" creator Josh Schwartz's involvement), with "Journeyman" skewing older and "Heroes" somewhere in between. Silverman said we can expect to see a lot of advertising for the three shows during NBC's Sunday night football programming come fall.
Suss
Mulberry
Somewhere
I love Heroes, and can't wait for it to come back. Chuck honestly doesn't sound like something that will last long, but we'll see and Journeyman sounds ok, but also sounds a lot like Doctor Who. I love sci-fi but instinct tells me 2 out of 3 of these shows may disappoint me.
1the guy that plays chuck....HOT!
2Interesting move. Wonder if they hope Chuck will be a strong lead-in to Journeyman which might not hold viewers without it or if they hope surrounding the weaker show (Chuck) with two stronger ones will pay off? Like you, I didn't think Chuck was sci-fi; it will be interesting to see how they market these three together.
3The only one I plan to watch is Heroes. I am sooo in love with that show.
4i'll watch heroes for sure, but the others - i just don't know.
5Chuck looks interesting I'll check it out and I am already a huge fan of Heros, so I'm all over it.
6Journeyman looks dumb.
7I want to see Journeyman only because of Kevin McKidd, he plays the main role and he was amazing in Rome. I wish that show was still on
Heroes is great 
8I completely agree with jmast!! I will watch it solely because Kevin McKidd is amazing. If any of you are interested in Roman history, you HAVE to rent the series "Rome". It's sooooo good and I was eternally sad when it ended also.
9I'm totally there for the return of Heroes. And I'll give the other two a try since they're bookending my favorite Monday night show.
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