NBC's Bromstad on fall pilots, 'Chuck,' 'Heroes'

THR: What are NBC's biggest needs going into next season?

Angela Bromstad, president of primetime entertainment, NBC and UMS: We have a very strong need in the one-hour. Our Thursday night comedies are holding steady, though obviously we'd like that to be bigger, so we're looking for something to be complementary or share a time slot. And then if we wanted to open another night of comedy, something that's big enough on that front to be a self-starter. We've cast the net very wide in terms of different genres, big names, big ideas.

THR: How has opening up 10 p.m. midstream changed the pilot-season process for you?

Bromstad: I think we're making more pilots than we have -- 10 drama pilots. I'm thankful we bought a few pieces aggressively early on: "Chase" with Jerry Bruckheimer, J.J. Abrams' script and David E. Kelley's "Kindreds."

THR: Based on what's working and what didn't for broadcast this season, what are some take-away lessons this season?

Bromstad: If you can have some hook in terms of presold (titles) like "NCIS: LA," if there's something the audience can grab onto like Julianna Margulies in "The Good Wife" -- what's the familiarity that can give you the leg up? And then you have "Modern Family" and "Glee," which are two distinct shows that were not on. So now you have to fight the trend to imitate because that's usually not going to work; you have to find the next new thing. It's tough to be "what isn't on" because there is so much on.

THR: You have a lot of big-name producers this year, did NBC feel the need to make a statement to the community that the network was back in full swing?

Bromstad: We wanted to repair our reputation; that was a big, important piece for us. However, even when you're working with an established producer, there's no sense that, oh, "this ensures success." In each of these cases, we read the scripts or heard the pitches and felt genuinely excited about the idea. I will say we relied more on outside studios, particularly with Warner Bros., because of the combined network-studio structure we have in place. It's great to have the strength of Warner Bros. back in the fold. Warner Bros. has been able to make some of the big deals that just aren't going to the in-house studios.

THR: How many new comedy and drama series are you planning to pick up?

Bromstad: We'll look for five or six dramas and probably four or five comedies.

THR: If you pick up that many half-hours, is the presumption that you're going to open up another night of comedy?

Bromstad: I think if we have the comedies, we would look at that. But that's said every year.

THR: Presumably the plan is to keep the Thursday block intact?

Bromstad: Yes, that's the plan.

THR: So "Community" is coming back?

Bromstad: I cannot confirm or deny whether "Community" is coming back, but it's hopeful.

THR: Is there a scenario in which NBC wouldn't pick up a J.J. Abrams pilot to series?

Bromstad: We'll see the final outcome, but from dailies and scripts and working with J.J., I don't see (passing on it) happening. He's deeply invested in this, and that means a lot to us.

THR: Once fall hits, will NBC go all scripted at 10 p.m., or will there still be a mix of scripted and reality in the hour?

Bromstad: The way we have it planned is scripted, but we don't have any hard rules.

THR: Let's run down some of the bubble shows. "Heroes"?

Bromstad: We met with ("Heroes" creator) Tim Kring (last week) and talked about a lot of things. It's a wait-and-see for us.

THR: If "Heroes" does come back, is there a chance of it being announced as a final season?

Bromstad: We're going to cross that bridge when we come to it.

THR: "Chuck" -- a bit surprising on Mondays?

Bromstad: Pleasant surprise, and they're doing great work.

THR: So fans presumably won't have to buy Subway sandwiches again this year?

Bromstad: Well, it's got to maintain, and it depends on development.

THR: If Fox passes on doing another season of "24," would NBC be interested?

Bromstad: I think it would be expensive for us. It's been floated. It's all going to come down to how strong our development is.

THR: But you wouldn't rule that out as a fit for NBC?

Bromstad: I wouldn't rule it out. I wouldn't think it's likely, but I wouldn't rule it out.

THR: Fridays have been a real challenge for everybody. Any thoughts on how broadcasters can keep that night viable?

Bromstad: You might want to talk to me next season about that; I'm going to worry about Monday-Thursday first. It's like the expression, "Bigger fish."

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