NBC announced its fall schedule today for the 2011-12 season. The full press release follows and you can watch clips from the new shows by clicking here!
NBC has introduced its 2011-12 primetime schedule, showcasing six new dramas and six new comedies from a roster of renowned hit-makers that includes Steven Spielberg, Lorne Michaels, Brian Grazer, Tom Werner, John Grisham and Peter Berg, among many others.
The seasonâs new dramas are âSmash,â âPrime Suspect,â âThe Playboy Club,â âAwake,â âGrimmâ and âThe Firmâ; and the new comedies are âUp All Night,â âWhitney,â âAre You There, Vodka? Itâs Me, Chelsea,â âFree Agents,â âBest Friends Foreverâ and âBent.â
Returning shows include âParenthood,â âLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit,â âHarryâs Law,â âChuckâ (for its fifth and final season of 13 episodes), âCommunity,â âParks and Recreation,â âThe Office,â â30 Rockâ and âDateline NBC.â Among next seasonâs returning alternative series are âThe Voice,â âThe Sing-Off,â âThe Celebrity Apprenticeâ and âThe Biggest Loser,â each in two-hour formats.
The new lineup combines schedule stability with strategic changes that position the network for future growth. Key facets of the schedule include a new hour of comedy with the Wednesday debuts of âUp All Nightâ (8-8:30 p.m. ET) and âFree Agentsâ (8:30-9 p.m. ET) and an update to NBCâs critically acclaimed Thursday lineup with the premieres this fall of the new comedy âWhitneyâ (9:30-10 p.m. ET) and the first-year drama âPrime Suspectâ (10-11 p.m. ET). In addition, NBC has made a strong commitment to original scripted programming on Friday nights with the pairing of âChuckâ (8-9 p.m. ET) in its climactic season with the new drama âGrimmâ (9-10 p.m. ET).
The #1 new series of the current season, âThe Voice,â returns at mid-season on Monday nights (8-10 p.m. ET) and will serve as the lead-in to the new musical drama âSmashâ (10-11 p.m. ET). In the fall on Mondays from 8-10 p.m. ET will be another growing NBC reality success, âThe Sing-Off,â now in a weekly format following its strong December showings of the past two years.
Additional details unveiled in todayâs announcement include a run of uninterrupted originals for â30 Rockâ starting at mid-season and a post-football Sunday lineup of âDateline NBCâ (7-8 p.m. ET), âThe Celebrity Apprenticeâ (8-10 p.m. ET) and the new drama âThe Firmâ (10-11 p.m. ET). Additional new series ready for mid-season include the drama âAwakeâ and the comedies âAre You There, Vodka? Itâs Me, Chelsea,â âBest Friends Foreverâ and âBent.â
The announcements were made by Bob Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment.
âNext season begins the rebuilding of the NBC primetime schedule, and our goal is to reinvigorate our audience with a line-up of appointment television that includes our best returning shows and a variety of innovative and attention-getting new series. Weâll be placing a great deal of emphasis on how we launch each one of our programs and on maximizing the networkâs strengths throughout the fall and well into mid-season,â said Greenblatt. âConsidering itâs only been three months since new management took over, Iâm very pleased with what has resulted from a very strong pilot season. And with a powerful new asset like âThe Voiceâ already in hand, we go into the 2011-12 season with cautious but incredible optimism.â
NBC FALL 2011-12 SCHEDULE
*New programs in UPPER CASE; all times ET)
MONDAY
8-10 p.m. â âThe Sing-Offâ
10-11 p.m. â âTHE PLAYBOY CLUBâ
TUESDAY
8-10 p.m. â âThe Biggest Loserâ
10-11 p.m. â âParenthoodâ
WEDNESDAY
8-8:30 p.m. â âUP ALL NIGHTâ
8:30-9 p.m. â âFREE AGENTSâ
9-10 p.m. â âHarryâs Lawâ
10-11 p.m. â âLaw & Order: Special Victims Unitâ
THURSDAY
8-8:30 p.m. â âCommunityâ
8:30-9 p.m. â âParks and Recreationâ
9-9:30 p.m. â âThe Officeâ
9:30-10 p.m. â âWHITNEYâ
10-11 p.m. â âPRIME SUSPECTâ
FRIDAY
8-9 p.m. â âChuckâ
9-10 p.m. â âGRIMMâ
10-11 p.m. â âDateline NBCâ
SATURDAY
Encore programming
SUNDAY
7- 8:15 p.m. â âFootball Night in Americaâ
8:15-11:30 p.m. â âNBC Sunday Night Footballâ
NBC 2012 MID-SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
*New programs in UPPER CASE; all times ET)
SUNDAY
7-8 p.m. â âDateline NBCâ
8-10 p.m. â âThe Celebrity Apprenticeâ
10-11 p.m. â âTHE FIRMâ
MONDAY
8-10 p.m. â âThe Voiceâ
10-11 p.m. â âSMASHâ
2011-12 NEW SERIES DESCRIPTIONS
New Dramas
âPRIME SUSPECTâ â Based on the critically acclaimed British television series of the same name, âPrime Suspectâ has been redeveloped for American audiences by writer Alexandra Cunningham (âDesperate Housewives,â âNYPD Blueâ), director Peter Berg (NBCâs âFriday Night Lightsâ) â and stars Maria Bello (âA History of Violenceâ) as tough-as-nails Detective Jane Timoney. Timoney finds that being a homicide detective in New York City is tough enough and having to contend with a male-dominated police department to get respect makes it that much tougher. Sheâs an outsider who has just transferred to a new precinct dominated by an impenetrable clique of a boysâ club. Timoney has her own vices too â with a questionable past â and she tends to be forceful, rude and reckless. But sheâs also a brilliant cop who keeps her eye on one thing: the prime suspect. Also starring are Aidan Quinn (âUnknownâ), Brian OâByrne (âFlash Forwardâ), Tim Griffin (âStar Trekâ), Kirk Acevedo (âFringeâ), Joe Nieves (âHow I Met Your Motherâ), Damon Gupton (âThe Last Airbenderâ) and Peter Gerety (âBlue Bloodsâ). âPrime Suspectâ is produced by Universal Media Studios, ITV and Film 44. Cunningham is the executive producer/writer along with executive producer/director Berg and executive producers Sarah Aubrey, Julie Meldal-Johnson, Paul Buccieri and Lynda LaPlante.
âTHE PLAYBOY CLUBâ â From Academy Award-winning executive producer Brian Grazer, âThe Playboy Clubâ is a provocative new drama about a time and place that challenged the social mores, where a visionary entrepreneur created an empire and an icon changed American culture. Itâs the early â60s, and the legendary Playboy Club in Chicago is the door to all of your fantasies â and the key is the most sought-after status symbol of its kind. Inside the seductive world of the bunny, the epitome of beauty and service, the clientele rubs shoulders with the decadeâs biggest mobsters, politicos and entertainers. Nick Dalton (Eddie Cibrian, âCSI: Miamiâ) is one of the cityâs top attorneys and the ultimate playboy, rubbing elbows with everyone in the cityâs power structure. With mysterious ties to the mob, Nick comes to the aid of Maureen (Amber Heard, âZombielandâ), the stunning and innocent new bunny who accidentally kills the leader of the Bianchi crime family. Dating Nick is Carol-Lynne (Laura Benanti, âTake the Leadâ), a bombshell and established star at the club who knows her days as a bunny are numbered and finds herself continually at odds with Billy (David Krumholtz, âNumb3rsâ), the clubâs general manager. Adding to the charm of the Playboy club is Janie (Jenna Dewan Tatum, âAmerican Virginâ), the carefree life of the party who is dating Max (Wes Ramsey, âCSI: Miamiâ), an overly protective bartender. Also starring are Naturi Naughton (âFameâ) and Leah Renee (âTrue Confessions of a Hollywood Starletâ). In addition to Grazer (âA Beautiful Mind,â âAmerican Gangsterâ), the executive producers on âThe Playboy Clubâ include Chad Hodge (âTru Callingâ), Francie Calfo (âScoundrelsâ), Jason Burns (âThe House Bunnyâ) and Dick Rosenzweig (âKendraâ). Hodge also wrote the pilot, which was directed by Alan Taylor (âMad Men,â âThe Sopranosâ). The series is produced by 20th Century Fox Television and Imagine Television.
âSMASHâ â âSmashâ is a musical drama that celebrates the beauty and heartbreak of the Broadway theater as it follows a cross-section of dreamers and schemers who all have one common desire â to be a âSmash.â The series centers on a desire to create a Broadway musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe â written by the successful songwriting duo of Tom (Tony Award nominee Christian Borle, âLegally Blonde: The Musicalâ) and Julia (Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, âWill & Graceâ). Julia recently began the process of adopting a child with her husband of many years, but her focus is torn when she has the opportunity to write another Broadway hit. A rivalry soon forms for the lead role between a youthful, inexperienced Midwestern beauty (Katharine McPhee, âAmerican Idolâ) â who is trying to find fame in the big city against all odds â and stage veteran (Megan Hilty, â9 to 5: The Musicalâ), whoâs determined to leave the chorus line and finally get her big break. A tenacious producer Eileen (Oscar winner, Anjelica Huston, âPrizziâs Honorâ) discovers the âMarilynâ project and jumps on board with a brilliant director (Jack Davenport, âPirates of the Caribbeanâ films) â whose talent is matched by his cunning and egocentric amorality. The series stemmed from an idea of executive producer and multiple Emmy and Oscar winner Steven Spielberg (âER,â âSchindlerâs Listâ). The pilot was written by acclaimed playwright/screenwriter Theresa Rebeck (âMauritius,â âNYPD Blueâ). Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (Oscar-winning âChicago,â âHairsprayâ) and Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey (âUnited States of Tara,â âThe Borgiasâ) will also serve as executive producers. Original songs are written by Tony and Grammy Award winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (âHairspray,â âCatch Me If You Canâ), who also serve as executive producers. âSmashâ is a production of Universal Media Studios in association with DreamWorks. The pilot was directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (âSpring Awakening,â âAmerican Idiotâ).
âGRIMMâ â âGrimmâ is a new drama series inspired by the classic Grimmâs Fairy Tales. Remember the fairy tales your parents used to tell you before bedtime? Those werenât stories â they were warnings. Nick Burkhardt (David Guintoli âTurn The Beat Aroundâ) thought he prepared himself for the realities of working as a homicide detective until he started seeing things he couldnât quite explain. When his ailing Aunt Marie (guest star Kate Burton, âGreyâs Anatomyâ) arrives, Nickâs life turns upside down when she reveals they are descendants of an elite group of hunters, also known as âGrimms,â who fight to keep the balance of humanity safe from the supernatural creatures of the world. As Nick digs deeper into her past, he realizes that he will have to shoulder the responsibility of his ancestors â and contend with a larger-than-life mythology of the Brothers Grimm that is now all too real. Russell Hornsby (âLincoln Heightsâ), Bitsie Tulloch (âQuarterlifeâ), Silas Weir Mitchell (âPrison Breakâ), Reggie Lee (âPersons Unknownâ) and Sasha Roiz (âCapricaâ) also star. âGrimmâ is a production of Universal Media Studios and Hazy Mills Productions. Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner (âHot in Clevelandâ) serve as executive producers, Jim Kouf (âNational Treasure,â âAngelâ) and David Greenwalt (âBuffy the Vampire Slayer,â âAngelâ) are the creators/executive producers and Marc Buckland (âMy Name Is Earlâ) is the director.
âAWAKEâ â âAwakeâ is an intriguing drama about a detective (Jason Isaacs, âHarry Potter,â âBrotherhoodâ) who finds he is leading an arduous double life that defies reality. When Detective Michael Britten (Isaacs) regains consciousness following his familyâs car accident, he is told that his wife Hannah (Laura Allen, âTerriersâ) perished but that his teen son, Rex (Dylan Minnette, âSaving Graceâ), has survived. As he tries to put the pieces of his life back together, he awakens again in a parallel reality in which his wife is very much alive â but his son Rex died in the accident. In order to keep both of his loved ones alive at one time, he begins living two dueling realities in parallel worlds, which churns up confusion â in one moment, Michael and his wife debate about having another child to replace their son, while in the other reality, he is attracted to his sonâs tennis coach, Tara (Michaela McManus, âThe Vampire Diariesâ), to fill the void from the loss of his wife. Trying to regain some normalcy, Michael returns to police work and solves crimes in both worlds with the help of two different partners â Detective Isaiah âBirdâ Freeman (Steve Harris, âThe Practiceâ) and Detective Efrem Vega (Wilmer Valderrama, âThat â70s Showâ). Also starring are Emmy Award winner Cherry Jones (â24â) and BD Wong (NBCâs âLaw & Order: Special Victims Unitâ) as therapists in each respective world. The series is produced by 20th Century Fox Television. Kyle Killen (âLone Starâ) and Howard Gordon (â24â) are executive producers. David Slade (âTwilight: Eclipse,â â30 Days of Nightâ) also serves as executive producer and directed the pilot written by Killen.
âTHE FIRMâ â Based on the blockbuster feature film and best-selling novel by world-renowned author John Grisham (âThe Pelican Brief,â âThe Clientâ), âThe Firmâ continues the story of attorney Mitchell McDeere and his family 10 years after the events of the film and novel. As a young associate, McDeere brought down the prestigious Memphis law firm of Bendini, Lambert & Locke, which operated as a front for the Chicago mob â and his life was never the same. After a difficult decade, which included a stay in the Federal Witness Protection program, Mitch and his family now emerge from isolation to reclaim their lives and their future â only to find that past dangers are still lurking and new threats are everywhere. âThe Firmâ is produced by Entertainment One in association with Sony Pictures Television and Paramount Pictures. The executive producers are Grisham, Lukas Reiter (âLaw & Order,â âBoston Legalâ), John Morayniss (âHaven,â âHungâ), Michael Rosenberg (âHung,â âSkinsâ) and Noreen Halpern (âRookie Blue,â âHungâ).
New Comedies
âWHITNEYâ â A hilarious look at modern love, âWhitneyâ is a new multi-camera comedy series about Whitney (Whitney Cummings, âChelsea Latelyâ) and Alex (Chris DâElia, âGlory Dazeâ), a happily unmarried couple. Together for five years, the duo is in no rush to get hitched. However, after attending yet another one of their friendsâ weddings, Whitney realizes that she and Alex are dangerously close to relationship boredom. Determined not to let that happen, Whitney consults her close circle of opinionated girlfriends â including Lily (Zoe Lister-Jones, âThe Other Guysâ) and Roxanne (Rhea Seehorn, âThe Starter Wifeâ) â and then snaps into action. A few awkward sexy costumes and one botched seductive evening later, the couple ends up in the emergency room. Even so, Whitney and Alex realize that while their relationship might not be perfect on paper, they really do love each other â and that works for them. Also starring are Maulik Pancholy (NBCâs â30 Rockâ) as Lilyâs perfect boyfriend, and Dan OâBrien (âHow I Met Your Motherâ) as an eternal bachelor. âWhitneyâ is produced by Universal Media Studios and Scott Stuber Productions. Stuber (âThe Break Upâ), Quan Phung, Betsy Thomas (âMy Boysâ) and Barry Katz (âLast Comic Standingâ) are executive producers. Cummings also serves as executive producer/writer. Andy Ackerman (âSeinfeld,â âThe New Adventures of Old Christineâ) is an executive producer and directed the pilot.
âUP ALL NIGHTâ â From Emily Spivey (NBCâs âParks and Recreation,â NBCâs âSaturday Night Liveâ) and legendary Emmy Award-winning producer Lorne Michaels, comes âUp All Night,â a modern take on parenthood that shows the challenges of balancing a career, marriage and a new baby. Christina Applegate (âSamantha Who?â) stars as Reagan, a successful public relations executive, and Will Arnett (âArrested Developmentâ) plays Chris, Reaganâs supportive, stay-at-home husband. The two have just become parents â a surprise that has set their lives on a new path as responsible adults â for the most part. Maya Rudolph (âSaturday Night Live,â âBridesmaidsâ) stars as Ava, Reaganâs outlandish boss and best friend, whose whirlwind social escapades serve as constant reminders of Reaganâs former carefree life. James Pumphrey (âHigh Roadâ) portrays Brian, Reaganâs socially awkward hipster assistant. âUp All Nightâ is a production of Universal Media Studios and Broadway Video. Spivey is the creator and serves as executive producer along with Michaels and Jon Pollack (NBCâs â30 Rockâ).
âFREE AGENTSâ â âFree Agentsâ is a crooked workplace/romantic new comedy from creator John Enbom (âParty Downâ) and Emmy Award-winning director Todd Holland (âMalcolm in the Middleâ) based on the cult U.K. series of the same name that explores the trials and tribulations of two public relations executives on the rebound. Alex (Hank Azaria, âThe Simpsons,â âHuffâ) is newly divorced and can barely keep himself together while his co-worker Helen (Kathryn Hahn, âHungâ) thinks she has it together but is obsessed with her deceased fiancĂ© and actually is falling apart. Then a drunken Alex and Helen end up in bed together, and in the resulting sober confusion, Helen decides that they should only be friends. Meanwhile Alexâs co-workers, Dan (Mo Mandel, âLove Bites,â âModern Familyâ) and Gregg (Al Madrigal, âWizards of Waverly Place,â âGary, Unmarriedâ), and Stephen (Anthony Head, âMerlin,â âBuffy the Vampire Slayerâ) fail in their attempts to help him get back out on the dating scene. When Alex finally agrees to a date, Helen gets a little jealous, and he gets cold feet, so they end up back where they started â in a casual, intimate and beautifully awkward relationship. Also starring is Joe Lo Truglio (âBackwash,â âMad Loveâ) and Natasha Leggero (âUgly Americans,â ââTil Deathâ). âFree Agentsâ is a production of Universal Media Studios in association with Dark Toy and Big Talk Productions. Enbom is executive producer/creator along with executive producer/director Holland. Karey Burke (âMiss/Guidedâ) executive-produces, along with Big Talk Productionsâ Kenton Allen (âFree Agents,â BBC Network) and Nira Park, as well as Chris Niel.
âARE YOU THERE VODKA? ITâS ME, CHELSEAâ â Inspired by the best-selling book from comedienne/talk show host Chelsea Handler (âChelsea Latelyâ), the new comedy âAre You There, Vodka? Itâs Me, Chelsea,â follows the exploits of twentysomething bartender Chelsea (Laura Prepon, âThat â70s Showâ) a strong-willed force of nature who is determined to live life to the fullest and make no apologies. Her friends are along for the ride but they all know it is Chelseaâs way or the highway. Mark (Jo Koy, âChelsea Latelyâ) is a charming bartender whose wit makes him the perfect foil for Chelsea while Shoniqua (Angel Laketa Moore, âERâ) is a smart and sassy fellow waitress who looks out for Chelseaâs best interests. Close friend and fellow bartender Todd (Mark Povinelli, âWater for Elephantsâ) has a wry sense of humor that keeps her in check. Also starring are Natalie Morales (NBCâs âParks and Recreationâ) as Ivory, Chelseaâs feisty best friend; Lauren Lapkus (âThe Middleâ) as Dee Dee, Chelseaâs sheltered, shy roommate, and Lenny Clarke (âRescue Meâ) as Chelseaâs dad, Melvin. Handler has a recurring role as Chelseaâs sister Sloan, a happily married new mom who has little in common with her carefree sister. âAre You There, Vodka? Itâs Me, Chelseaâ is a production of Warner Bros. Television in association with Werner Entertainment and Borderline Amazing Productions. Dottie Dartland Zicklin (âDharma & Gregâ) and Julie Larson (âThe Drew Carey Showâ) are creators and executive producers. Handler serves as executive producer along with Tom Werner (âThat â70s Showâ), Mike Clements (âThe Life & Times of Timâ) and Tom Brunelle (âChelsea Latelyâ).
âBEST FRIENDS FOREVERâ â âBest Friends Foreverâ is a single-camera comedy that takes a look at what happens when best friends promise to support each other â no matter what the cost or circumstances. When Jessicaâs (Jessica St. Clair, âIn the Motherhoodâ) husband files for divorce, she immediately seeks comfort and flies across the country to move back in with her best friend, Lennon (Lennon Parham, âAccidentally on Purposeâ). Unfortunately, Lennonâs boyfriend, Joe (Adam Pally, âHappy Endingsâ), has just moved into the apartment and has turned Jessicaâs old room into his perfect home office. As Lennon and Jessica fall into their old routines â beloved traditions, Steel Magnolia marathons and epic girl-talk sessions â Joe begins to feel as if heâs the odd man out. While Lennon struggles to find balance between her previous life with Jessica and her new life with Joe, Jessicaâs reentry to single life is complicated by the unresolved feelings that an old friend, Rav (Stephen Schneider, âThe Funniest Movie EverâŠJust Kiddingâ), has for her and the fact that pleated khakis arenât the most flattering single girl look. âBest Friends Foreverâ is produced by Universal Media Studios and American Work. St. Clair, Parham, Scot Armstrong (âOld School,â âThe Hangover Part IIâ) and Ravi Nandan (âOff Dutyâ) are the executive producers. Fred Savage (âParty Downâ) directed the pilot.
âBENTâ â âBentâ is a new romantic comedy about two people who suddenly find themselves attracted to the qualities that typically repel them. On the surface, Alex (Amanda Peet, âStudio 60 on the Sunset Stripâ) and Pete (David Walton, âPerfect Couplesâ) could not be more different. The recently divorced Alex is a resilient and tough lawyer who now is raising her eight-year-old daughter, Charlie (Joey King, âRamona and Beezusâ), as a single mom. Unwilling to let anything get in her way, she downsizes into a smaller house, and she hires Pete, a recovering gambling addict and unapologetic womanizer, as the contractor to re-do her kitchen. The remodeling job is Peteâs last chance to prove that he is no longer a screw-up â but he doesnât know whatâs about to hit him when he encounters the force of nature that is Alex â nor does she realize that sheâs met her match in Pete, a man unafraid to call out her flaws. Jeffrey Tambor (âArrested Developmentâ) also stars as Peteâs father, Walt, an out-of-work actor, while Margo Harshman (âSorority Rowâ) stars as Alexâs wild younger sister Screwsie. This romantic comedy from writer and executive producer Tad Quill (âScrubs,â âSpin Cityâ) and director Craig Zisk (âNurse Jackie,â âWeedsâ) will prove that these resilient characters are âbent, not broken.â The series is produced by Universal.
âBETTY WHITEâS OFF THEIR ROCKERSâ â Ahhh senior citizens: blue-haired, discount card-holding pensioners slowly winding down through their golden years. So sweet, so kind, so⊠out of control and outrageous?! In the vein of Jackass and Punkâd, comedic sensation Betty White orchestrates a band of fearless senior citizens as they roam the streets pulling shockingly hilarious pranks on the naive younger generation. Delivering comedy in carefully crafted stunts, the results are jaw-droppingly funny candid moments and priceless reactions captured by cameras hidden in strategic locations. And with a fresh and edgy look, thereâs nothing old-fashioned about this series. The original Belgium version is the winner of the International Rose dâOr Best Program Award. Taking the world by storm, this ratings sensation finally arrives in America and proves that no matter how old you are, you should never act your age. Cast â Betty White: Host; Credits â Executive Producers: Betty White, Chris Coelen (Secret Millionaire, Donât Forget the Lyrics), Matilda Zoltowski (Dancing with the Stars), Tim van Aelst (Benidorm Bastards); Production Company: Kinetic Content
âBRIAN WILLIAMS NEWSMAGAZINEâ â Starting this fall Brian Williams, anchor and managing editor of Americaâs leading evening newscast NBC Nightly News, whose outstanding journalism has earned the program the highly esteemed Peabody Award and who was named one of Time Magazineâs â100 Most Influential People in The Worldâ, will spearhead an eye-opening new primetime newsmagazine. Drawing on the unparalleled strength of Americaâs premier news organization, the program will be an exciting showcase for journalistic excellence. Top correspondents and trusted anchors from NBC News, MSNBC and CNBC will all be tapped to contribute their formidable talents. The live broadcast will be built around the dayâs biggest and most interesting events, meaningful and in-depth stories, and timely newsmaker interviews. In addition to the innovative primetime television program, there will be a groundbreaking, constantly evolving on-line edition of the magazine. Provocative, illuminating and agenda-setting â the hour will not only focus on who and what America is talking about, but will also introduce them to the people and the topics that they will be talking about. Cast â Brian Williams: Host
âFASHION STARâ â Elle Macpherson is bringing the glitz and glam of fashion to primetime television. All across America, students, soccer moms, accountants, and people from all walks of life are sewing in their basements, selling jewelry at small town conventions and creating incredible works of fashion. And even though they all may come from different walks of life, they all share the same burning desire⊠to be discovered and expose their designs and creations on a national level, and most importantly, to see their dreams become a reality. This show will inspire them to do just that. In this serialized competition, Elle Macpherson â model, successful businesswoman, and an icon in the fashion world â is searching for the next big fashion star. In every episode, designers will be faced with challenges specifically crafted to further develop their fashion lines. With the help and guidance of Elle, they will present their new creations to a team of buyers and expert designers who will ultimately decide who stays and who goes each week. In the final episode, only one designer will be crowned the winner and their collection will be showcased in several major department stores across the nation for all of America to buy. Cast â Elle Macpherson: Host; Credits â Executive Producers: Ben Silverman (The Biggest Loser, The Office), Dan Cutforth & Jane Lipsitz (Top Chef, Americaâs Next Great Restaurant), Rick Ringback (Treasure Hunters); Studio: Realand Productions/Electus/The Magical Elves.