NBC Gives Four Comedies, One Drama a Spring Tryout

NBC will add four new comedies and one new drama to its prime-time schedule in April, expanding the list of new series receiving spring tryouts for possible inclusion on the network’s fall schedule.

The new comedies are “Carol and Company,” “Down Home,” “13 East” and “Working Girl.” The drama is “Shannon’s Deal,” which made its debut as a two-hour movie pilot and returns as a one-hour series. Spring series which already have been added to the schedule include “A Family for Joe,” “FM” and “Wings.”

The network also will announce “an innovative plan” to launch “The Seinfeld Chronicles” within the next 10 days. The half-hour show stars comedian Jerry Seinfeld in a format that blends traditional sitcom with Seinfeld’s stand-up comedy routines.

Three of the comedies will premiere Saturday, April 14. “Carol and Company,” which stars Carol Burnett in a different character role each week, will air at 10 p.m. following previews on the two previous Saturdays at 9:30 p.m.

“Down Home,” which stars Judith Ivey, will debut at 10:30 p.m., following a preview April 12 at 10:30 p.m. “Hunter,” currently seen in the 10-11 p.m. Saturday slot, will move to Mondays at 9 p.m. on April 16. “13 East,” which stars Diana Bellamy and was telecast last summer, returns with new episodes at 8:30 p.m. “Amen,” currently telecast in that slot, will go on hiatus until May.

“Working Girl,” based on the hit movie, will debut Monday, April 16 at 8:30 p.m. “The Hogan Family,” currently in that time slot, will go on hiatus until May. “Shannon’s Deal,” starring Jamey Sheridan as an underdog attorney, will premiere the same evening at 10 p.m. Its two-hour pilot movie will be re-broadcast at 9 p.m. on Friday, April 13.