NBC unveils loaded summer programming lineup

NBC announced its summer programming lineup on Wednesday, which includes six new scripted series, a new unscripted series, as well as new seasons of “Last Comic Standing,” “America’s Got Talent” and “American Ninja Warrior.” In its announcement, the network says this is the most original summer programming for any network in 20 years.

First out of the gate will be eighth season of “Last Comic Standing” on May 22, which features 20 stand-up comedians vying for a single NBC talent deal. Roseanne Barr, Russell Peters and Keenen Ivory Wayans are the judges this year.

The new season of “American Ninja Warrior” premieres May 26, and “America’s Got Talent” returns May 27. All the judges from last year, including Mel B, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Howard Stern, are back for the show’s ninth season.

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May 27 is also the premiere date of the first of the new scripted shows, “The Night Shift,” which follows the sometimes wacky, sometimes deadly serious exploits of the night shift of doctors at San Antonio Memorial Hospital. Eoin Macken, Ken Leung and Brendan Fehr play three of the doctors, and Freddy Rodriguez plays their stressed-out new boss.

“Undateable,” the new comedy executive produced by “Scrubs’” Bill Lawrence, follows a group of sad sacks unable to figure out the game of love, but are taken under the wing of a smooth-talking ladies man, played by Chris D’Elia. Brent Morin, David Flynn, Ron Funches and Bianca Kajlich star. It premieres May 29 with back-to-back episodes.

The lavish pirate drama “Crossbones,” starring John Malkovich, premieres May 30. Malkovich plays Blackbeard the pirate, and the show shouldn’t be confused with Starz’s “Black Sails.” “Luther” creator Neil Cross serves as writer and executive producer of the series.

“Taxi Brooklyn” premieres June 25. The series is an action drama about a French-born NYC cab driver who becomes a de facto chauffeur for a driven NYPD cop. Chyler Leigh and Jacky Ido star.

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Amy Poehler and her brother Greg Poehler are executive producers of the Swedish-set comedy “Welcome to Sweden,” which premieres July 10. Greg makes his acting debut in this series, which he also created, based on his own experiences as an American moving to the frosty European country with his Swedish wife. Josephine Bornebusch, Lena Olin, Illeana Douglas and Patrick Duffy also star.

Another half-hour comedy, “Working the Engels,” also premieres July 10. The wife and children of a recently dead lawyer must work together to keep the family law office open, despite the fact that only one person in the family, a daughter, is qualified to practice law. Andrea Martin, Kacey Rohl, Azura Skye and Benjamin Arthur star.

The final new show on NBC’s summer schedule is the cooking competition reality show “Food Fighters,” which pits five amateur cooks against five professional chefs. “Man Vs. Food” host Adam Richman is also the host of this show, which premieres July 22.

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