• by Wayne Friedman , December 10, 2007

The NBC writers' strike has tainted the mid-season lineup, which is headlined by a mix of old and new and returning reality shows and scripted series.

The biggest changes will be getting rid of its prized Monday lineup--featuring "Chuck," "Heroes" and "Journeyman"--and replacing them with reality fare and the return of "Medium" at 10 p.m. All three of NBC's Monday scripted shows have no episodes left to run this season, due to the writers' strike.

NBC will go with a new version of the syndicated athletic classic "American Gladiators" at 8 p.m. on Monday, January 6, and then move to "The Baby Borrrowers" in that time slot, Feb. 18. "Baby" is a show based on a British format, in which five teenage couples quickly become adults: getting a home, job and becoming parents over the course of three weeks.

NBC's best prime-time utility player, "Deal or No Deal," will air twice a week starting in January--anchoring Monday nights at 9 p.m. and then another run at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

On Thursday, NBC will return "The Celebrity Apprentice" to 9 p.m., its original time period when it debuted four years ago to big ratings. "ER" will continue to run at 10 p.m. until Feb. 7, when NBC offers up new scripted drama "Lipstick Jungle." It will run two yet-to-be announced comedy series between 8 and 9 p.m.

With the NFL "Sunday Night Football" series coming to an end, NBC will air a bunch of specials and theatrical movies. This includes the Golden Globe Awards (Jan. 13), "The Guinness Book of World Records Live!" on Jan. 27 and "Top 100 Most Outrageous Moments" on Feb. 10.

NBC's schedule starting in January is as follows:

Mondays (effective Jan. 7, 2008)

8-9 p.m. "American Gladiators" (premieres Sunday, January 6, 9-11 p.m.)

9-10 p.m. "Deal or No Deal" 10-11 p.m.

"Medium" (season premiere)

Tuesdays (effective Jan. 1, 2008)

8-10 p.m. "The Biggest Loser"

10-11 p.m. "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"

Wednesdays (effective Jan. 9, 2008)

8-9 p.m. "Deal or No Deal"

9-10 p.m. "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (broadcast premiere)

10-11 p.m. "Law & Order" (premieres January 2 with a two-hour debut)

Thursdays (effective Jan.3, 2008)

8-8:30 p.m. NBC Comedy Series

8:30-9 p.m. NBC Comedy Series

9-10 p.m. "The Celebrity Apprentice" (season premiere)

10-11 p.m. "ER" ("Lipstick Jungle" premieres February 7 in time slot)

Fridays (effective Jan. 4, 2008)

8-9 p.m. "1 vs. 100"

9-10 p.m. "Friday Night Lights"

10-11 p.m. "Las Vegas"

Additional dates:

Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008

7-9 p.m. "Deal or No Deal"

9-11 p.m. "American Gladiators" (two-hour series premiere; regular night Jan. 7)

Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008

8-11 p.m. "The 65th Annual Golden Globe Awards"

Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008

9-11 p.m. "The Guinness Book of World Records - Live!"

Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008

10-11 p.m. "Lipstick Jungle"

Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008

9-11 p.m. "Top 100 Most Outrageous Moments"

Mondays (effective February 18, 2008)

8-9 p.m. "The Baby Borrowers" (series premiere)

advertisement

advertisement