Fall 2012 TV Preview: NBC Premiere Schedule and Trailers

Well, last season didn't turn out so great for NBC with that whole working their way back up in the ratings thing. Sure, "The Voice" did pretty well with its post-Super Bowl boost, but the reaction to the much-hyped "Smash" was lackluster and "The Playboy Club" died faster that Macaulay Culkin's character in "My Girl" at a honey farm.

Not only that, but the shows that did manage a renewal, like "Whitney" and "Up All Night," were mixed in their success. Ratings were not great for either of those shows, and only one managed good critical approval. We'll let you guess which one.

It's tough to say whether this year's lineup is more or less promising. NBC is certainly taking a broader approach with new sitcoms, which is in contrast to the understated comedies that the network is now known for. That could be good for ratings, but maybe not so good for loyal NBC fans or for critics.

However, NBC has one big thing going for it: this was a Summer Olympics year, and the network got to publicize the living bejeezus out of its shows during the most-watched non-U.S.-hosted Olympics ever.

New Shows:

"Go On" - Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 9PM

Matthew Perry of "Friends" fame returns to NBC once again in this new sitcom, which has Perry playing a recently widowed sports journalist who must undergo therapy to keep his job. Of course, everyone in his therapy group is very quirky and strange. That's sitcom life for you.

"The New Normal" - Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 9:30PM

"Glee" creator Ryan Murphy is the brains behind this new sitcom, which takes a page from "Glee" and "Modern Family" and tackles the issue of what makes a family. The show centers on a single mother who becomes a surrogate to a gay couple in Los Angeles, and has to deal with her racist, homophobic mother while she's at it. Sounds like fun, right?

"Guys With Kids" - Wednesday, Sept. 12 at 10PM

Just as the name implies, this is a show about guys who have kids. The show plays off "Up All Night" a bit with the theme of new Parenthood and how it affects marriage, but broader in tone and with a more male-skewing viewpoint. Expect to see some bad parenting.

"Revolution" - Monday, Sept. 17 at 10PM

Considering this one the "Terra Nova" of the season, though not quite as expensive nor as big of a gamble. The show is a sci-fi drama set in a post-apocalyptic future, in which all electronics across the world simultaneously shut down without warning or explanation. Now, a young woman must travel with her odd friends and family members to attempt to find a way to restore power to the world. There will be bows and arrows and sword fights, so this might appeal to the "Hunger Games" crowd.

"Chicago Fire" - Wednesday, Oct. 10 at 10PM

The title says it all: this show centers on a fire station in Chicago, along with the heroics, relationships and drama contained therein. Think of it like "Rescue Me" but without the snark. There are also quite a few talented younger actors in this one to watch for.

Returning Shows:

"The Voice" - Monday, Sept. 10 at 8PM

The little vocal competition show that could returns for another season earlier in the year than it usually does. That puts it up against "The X Factor" for the vocal competition show audience, though not directly as they will air on different nights (for now). With "X Factor" now sporting the publicity-friendly Britney Spears as a judge, we'll see if "The Voice" can keep its shine.

"Parenthood" - Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 10PM

Ray Romano joins this fourth season of the NBC dramedy about families and the complications therein. Yep, this show has been on for three seasons already. Ever so quietly.

"Up All Night" - Thursday, Sept. 20 at 8:30PM

Christina Applegate, Will Arnett and Maya Rudolph return for more laughs in the second season of this little comedy that could. Presumably, since their baby is now older, the title of the show won't really apply any more.

"The Office" - Thursday, Sept. 20 at 9PM

NBC's big sitcom has just one more season left, in which all loose ends will presumably be tied up, while a few new characters drop in. Will Steve Carell be making a return to the show before it ends? God, we hope so.

"Parks & Recreation" - Thursday, Sept. 20 at 9:30PM

The ratings have never been great for this little comedy, and it's not helping that the Emmys consistently snub the show despite tremendously great writing and an insanely talented cast. There will be no justice in the world until Nick Offerman at least gets a nomination.

"Grimm" - Friday, Sept. 21 at 9:30PM

NBC's supernatural crime thriller based loosely on the Brothers Grimm stories survived its first season despite the deadly Friday time slot, and is back for more. Promos show that our hero will be forever pursued, and that his sleeping beauty may be in danger as well.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" - Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 9PM

How many seasons is this, now? Oh who knows, I lost count of how many spin-offs there are, even. You know the drill here: Law & Order, only with the most horrendous crimes imaginable.

"30 Rock" - Thursday, Oct. 4 at 8PM

Tina Fey's long-running comedy masterpiece will return for what is presumably the show's final season. Then again, we can never trust what Alec Baldwin says, can we?

"Whitney" - Friday, Oct. 19 at 8PM

Somehow, Whitney made it out of its first season with a renewal for season two. The critics didn't like it much, the fans didn't like it much, but hey, sometimes all you need is the willingness to go to whichever night the network wants to send you to.

"Community" - Friday, Oct 19 at 8:30PM

The critical darling with a major cult following was miraculously renewed for a fourth season, albeit a short one. It will also be without its creator and original showrunner Dan Harmon, so it's tough to say how the show will be. However, many of the original staff writers are still on board, so there's hope for this short, 13-episode run. As for hopes of a renewal past this... well, don't hold your breath.