NBC GIVES VIEWERS A SNEAK PEEK AT ITS FALL TV SEASON WITH ANNUAL 'NBC PREMIERE WEEK PREVIEW SHOW' IN AUGUST-SEPTEMBER

NBC GIVES VIEWERS A SNEAK PEEK AT ITS FALL TV SEASON WITH ANNUAL 'NBC PREMIERE WEEK PREVIEW SHOW' IN AUGUST-SEPTEMBER

BURBANK, Calif. -- August 10, 2005 -- NBC pulls the curtains back on its new Fall program lineup for 2005-06 with its 10th-annual "NBC Premiere Week Preview Show," hosted by Nikki Cox and Vanessa Marcil of NBC's "Las Vegas," featuring an upfront look at the network's new and returning series. The 30-minute event is designed for broadcast on NBC's affiliates -- as well as on such sources as CNBC, DirectTV, USA, SCI FI, Bravo, Trio, nbc.com, Mun2, Universal HD, E!, TV Guide Channel and on United Airline flights.

Produced by Apogee Productions and NBC, "The "NBC Premiere Week Preview Show" will be offered for telecast on selective days and times throughout August until September 18 (the day before NBC's new Fall programs premiere on Monday, September 19). This period marks the widest window of availability ever for NBC affiliates to showcase the program.

This year's fast-paced edition will provide viewers with a night-by-night, backstage view of NBC's six new drama, comedy and unscripted series -- as well as an update of changes in many of the popular returning series. The focus will include last season's finale cliffhangers and time-period shifts, such as the recently Emmy Award-nominated "Will & Grace," "The West Wing," "Las Vegas" and "Medium," among others.

The program will also be available for broadcast at various alternative dates and times on most of NBC's 232 affiliate stations. In addition, it will be offered on select cable systems and on a video-on-demand basis.

The new dramas include "E-Ring" (Wednesdays, 9-10 p.m. ET) from executive producer Jerry Bruckheimer ("CSI" franchise) and Oscar-nominated director/producer Taylor Hackford ("Ray"), starring Benjamin Bratt (NBC's "Law & Order") and Dennis Hopper ("Speed") in this pulsating hour set inside the nation's ultimate fortress: the Pentagon. "E-Ring" is a production of Jerry Bruckheimer Television in association with Warner Bros. Television Production Inc. produces "E-Ring." Thirty-time Emmy nominee Bruckheimer serves as executive producer along with Jonathan Littman ("The Amazing Race," "CSI: NY") and co-creator David McKenna ("S.W.A.T.," "Blow").

Also new to NBC's Fall drama scene is "Surface" (Mondays, 8-9 p.m. ET), an expansive global adventure series that centers on mysterious sea creatures in the deep ocean. The four main characters include Laura Daughtery (Lake Bell, "Boston Legal"), a young oceanographer who discovers the secret; Dr. Aleksander Cirko (Rade Sherbedegia, "Snatch"), a government scientist; Richard Connelly (Jay R. Ferguson, "Judging Amy"), a Louisiana fisherman; and Miles (Carter Jenkins, "CSI: New York"), the young boy who brings the creatures ashore. "Surface" is from NBC Universal Television Studio and was created by Josh and Jonas Pate ("Dragnet"), who also serve as executive producers.

Another new NBC drama is "Inconceivable" (Fridays, 10-11 p.m. ET), focusing on the doctors at the Family Options Fertility Clinic where one of the most complicated questions is to conceive -- or not to conceive. Clinic co-founders Rachel Lu (Ming-Na, NBC's "ER") and Dr. Malcolm Bowers (Jonathan Cake, "Fallen"), along with new partner, Dr. Nora Campbell (Angie Harmon, NBC's "Law & Order"), have their own adventures involving sex, deception and secrets. The cast also includes guest star Alfre Woodard ("Beauty Shop"), Joelle Carter ("American Pie 2"), Mary Catherine Garrison ("How to Deal"), David Noro?a ("Mr. Sterling") and Reynaldo Rosales ("She Hate Me").

"Inconceivable" is a Touchstone Television production in association with Tollin/Robbins. Mike Tollin ("Smallville"), Brian Robbins ("Smallville"), Joe Davola ("Smallville"), Oliver Goldstick ("Desperate Housewives") and Marco Pennette ("What I Like About You") serve as executive producers.

NBC welcomes the highly anticipated new comedy "My Name Is Earl" (Tuesdays, 9-9:30 p.m.) starring Jason Lee ("Almost Famous," "Chasing Amy") as Earl, who has taken one too many wrong turns on the highway of life. However, a twist of fate turns his life into a tailspin of life-renewing events when he wins a small lottery -- and after an epiphany, he is determined right all the wrongs from his past.

Also starring are Ethan Suplee ("Cold Mountain"), Nadine Velazquez ("The Bold and the Beautiful"), Eddie Steeples ("Torque") and Jamie Pressly "Not Another Teen Movie"). The series was created and written by Greg Garcia ("Yes, Dear") and is executive-produced by Garcia and Marc Buckland ("Medical Investigation," "Ed"). The comedy is produced by Twentieth Century Fox Television.

On the unscripted side, "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart" (Wednesdays, 8-9 p.m. ET) will retain the general format of the original "Apprentice" series, including weekly eliminations. However, the style and feel will be tailored to Martha Stewart's personality and brand identity and tasks will center around Stewart's expertise in media, home renovation, entertaining and design, among others. Mark Burnett is the creator and executive producer of the series. Donald J. Trump and Jay Bienstock are also executive producers; Conrad Riggs and Kevin Harris are co-executive producers.

Also on NBC for Fall is "Three Wishes" (Fridays, 9-10 p.m. ET), an inspiring and heartwarming new alternative series starring five-time Grammy Award-winning recording artist Amy Grant ("Rock of Ages...Hymns & Faith"). The series features Grant leading contributors Carter Oosterhouse (NBC's "Today"), Eric Stromer ("Clean Sweep") and Diane Mizota ("Trading Spaces: Boys vs. Girls") who go to communities all over the country to grant wishes. Individuals, families and even entire towns are affected as Grant and her team witness the extraordinary consequences of their wish-granting. Andrew Glassman (NBC's "Average Joe 1-4") and Jason Raff ("Average Joe: The Joes Strike Back") are the executive producers of the series for Glassman Media and NBC Universal Television Studio.

Viewers can eyeball what's in store for their favorite returning NBC series ? especially those with riveting season finales. For example, on "Medium" (Monday, 10-11 p.m. ET), will Captain Push (Arliss Howard) survive his latest heart attack to help Allison DuBois (Patricia Arquette) stop a serial killer? Or in last May's finale of "Las Vegas," who will be the new owner of the Montecito Hotel? Lara Flynn Boyle ("The Practice") joins the regular cast and Rachael Lee Cook ("She's All That") becomes a recurring regular.

Everyone will want to see who the new President of the United States will be on "The West Wing," now moving to a new night on Sundays (8-9 p.m. ET) as Emmy winners Jimmy Smits and Alan Alda continue their roles as presidential candidates. Chris Noth returns as Detective Mike Logan -- his former "Law & Order" character -- along with new partner and new series star Annabella Sciorra as Detective Carolyn Barek, in alternating episodes of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (Sundays, 9-10 p.m. ET).

Among the returning comedies, "Will & Grace" (Thursdays, 8:30-9 p.m. ET) begins its final season with a rare live episode after nabbing a series record of 15 Emmy nominations in July. Among NBC's popular returning shows will be "The Apprentice" (Thursdays, 9-10 p.m. ET) as another group of 16 wannabe business executives competes to become "the apprentice" to business titan Donald Trump.

"The NBC Premiere Week Preview" was executive-produced by Rick Ouellette from Apogee Productions. The program was produced by Apogee Productions. Mike Valerio was the director and writer. The line producer was Brady Nasfell.