Fun With Trailers: Let's Prejudge NBC's New Fall Shows!

NBC ... Smart As A Peacock!

It's no secret that NBC has not been our favorite TV network lately. Between the Southland debacle and the dangling of, then taking away of the Tyler Briggs carrot, it's not been a good time for gay visibility from the network that brought us Will & Grace.

Will the upcoming fall season be better? NBC has released trailers for some of its new shows. Let's take a look at 10 and guess which ones will still be around mid-season, and more importantly, which might throw us a gay character bone!

The Event (Monday 9PM EST) - "What if there was a cover-up so big that even the President was on a need-to-know basis? And what if some average guy stumbled upon the truth - a secret so powerful it could literally change the course of humanity? You think that guy would stand a chance of survival?"

Cast - Jason Ritter, Laura Innes, Blair Underwood, Zeljko Ivanek

Gimmick shows are hard to predict. When they work you get Lost, when they don't you get Flash Forward. It has a great timelsot, though, and the big "secret" should keep people interested. Until it leaks on the internet. Plus Zeljko Ivanek always makes things interesting.

Nothing we can see from the trailer. Maybe Blair Underwood plays the first gay president! That's ... not likely. Maybe Laura Innes' scientist is a lesbian? Could be. Or maybe Zeljko's Dick Cheney? That would be hilarious.

Chase (Monday 10PM EST) - "U.S. Marshal Annie Frost likes to stay one step ahead of the outlaws. As far as this cowboy boot-wearing girl is concerned, they can run, but they can't hide from her forever. Annie has a sharp mind, a big heart, and an attitude to match. Throw in a unique perspective and personal style, and she is the reason you don't mess with Texas.

Cast - Kelli Giddish, Cole Hauser, Jesse Metcalfe

That patronizing description ("cowboy-boot wearing girl?" Why not just call her "little lady") is awful, and the trailer just looks like leftovers from a USA Network action show. The only plus side would be trying to watch Jesse try to act with his shirt on.

How fantastic would it be if this cowboy-boot wearing girl was into other "little ladies?" NBC could go a long way toward restoring their gay-inclusion image. Oh, wait a minute. It's produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. Forget that.