NBC on Monday confirmed rumors that it will soon be moving “30 Rock” and “Outsourced” to the 10PM hour in order to create a rare three-hour comedy block on Thursday nights.
Come midseason, “30 Rock” and “Outsourced” will air at 10PM and 10:30PM, respectively, bringing comedy back to the final primetime hour just a year after “The Jay Leno Show” flopped on that premise. “30 Rock,” nonetheless, has already received a pickup for next season, so NBC will evidently not be holding a struggle at 10PM against the Emmy-winning series.
The move opens up two slots within the existing Thursday night framework, which will go to new comedy “Perfect Couples” and returning critical darling “Parks and Recreation.”
“Couples” will follow “Community” at 8:30PM, while “Parks” will air in the post-“The Office” timeslot at 9:30.
Comedy Thursday was not the only night of change for the Peacock. The network also confirmed other scheduling moves:
Beginning in January, Monday night will feature “Chuck,” new series “The Cape” and new series “Harry’s Law.” The two new shows will later be replaced by “The Event” (returns with a two hour episode on February 28) and “Parenthood” (moves to Mondays at 10PM effective March 7).
The “Parenthood” move will open the door for “Law & Order: Los Angeles” to ultimately move to the Tuesday at 10PM timeslot. That will clear the way for “Law & Order: SVU” to move to 10PM on Wednesdays, an hour that has recently been more favorable for the series.
“Chase” moves to Wednesdays at 9PM in January, following new episodes of “Minute to Win It.” “America’s Next Great Restaurant” will replace “Chase” in the timeslot once its first season culminates.
Fridays will feature “Who Do You Think You Are” and “Dateline,” while post-football Sundays welcome “Dateline,” “The Marriage Ref” and “Celebrity Apprentice.”
“Friends with Benefits,” “The Paul Reiser Show” and “Love Bites” have not yet received assignments.
