NBC There... Be There!

NBC announced in their upfronts, which is the important unveiling of shows to their most important customers - their advertisers. Here's what we know:

Come fall, four new scripted series are slated:

• "My Own Worst Enemy," a drama starring Christian Slater as a humdrum family man plagued by a Mr. Hyde streak. On first read, I swear I read Mr. Hyde steak... that's comedy. A haunted Muppet steak that... oh, streak? Not so much - just kind of playing yourself there, eh Chris? Welcome to television.

• "Kath & Kim," a mother-and-daughter comedy adapted from an Australian hit and starring Molly Shannon and Selma Blair. NBC has a 9/10 fail on adapting shows from other countries. Terrible odds.

• "Knight Rider," an updating of the 1980s action-fantasy about a man and his robotic car (reintroduced earlier this season as a TV film). And it's been re-tooled so many times - they basically greenlit this thing for title alone. Look for an explanation here, a story called "Did NBC actually see Knight Rider?"

• "Crusoe," based on the classic novel. Lost, but funnier and more racist?

The winter-spring 2009 schedule will introduce four more series:

• "The Philanthropist," a drama about a selfish billionaire who, after a spiritual awakening, will do anything to help people in need. Scrooge, the day after Christmas. No one wants to watch this.

• "Merlin," a fantasy drama set in mythic Camelot. Didn't they do this with Sam Niel? Why not put Merlin in present day and have him on a quest to find King Arthur's heir and then the third season he can start looking for Excalibur, and the fourth they can start looking for the Grail...

• "Kings," described as an "exploration of the timeless David vs. Goliath struggle" and starring Ian McShane ("Deadwood"). Unless Ian's cursing a lot - I could give a rip.

• An as-yet-undescribed comedy spinoff from the producers of "The Office." I'm going to take a guess it'll be something like the "Mailroom" or "Help Desk?" The idea probably seems a lot funnier on paper than the execution.

"ER" will come to an end next season — its 15th.

This year's freshman dramas "Journeyman" and "Bionic Woman" have been axed, as has the long-running "Scrubs," which will finish its run in May.

New Poll

What was the Best (US) Sitcom Ever?

Do we need to spell this out? There are ten programs - and an eleventh choice for you pains-in-the-asses out there who think that Diff'rent Strokes is the best show that was ever made. Cosby Show isn't on the list because the most culturally significant episode was when Theo lost his comb. And Everybody Loves Raymond isn't on there either. You like a show THAT much? Fine, then make an intelligent case for it in the comments bar, and we can add it to the poll. If you tell us that Family Ties was the Best Show Evar, then you better come up with an iron clad case, Perry Mason - because you've got to get past the Tina Yothers factor.

And this is situational-comedy. Humans with a script. Not variety or sketch show. Those are completely different.

We've also decided to exclude all the British sitcoms too by specifying US Sitcoms. I know you like the Office - but it's British. Yeah, there's the US one now, but it has only been on for 3 and a half seasons.... a smidge little premature to crown it "Best of all time" don't you think?

Simpsons is a cartoon, and a PARODY of a sitcom. Our rules. No Simpsons. (And besides, it would win!)

Let's go to the list:

The choices are based on the historical record of decade, and import based upon their cultural significance. Is Archie Bunker more important than Jackie Gleason's Ralph Kramden? Or is funny the basis of the Best ever?

Does funny trump social message?

Longevity might have something to do with your choice? Hawkeye served more time on TV than the actual length of the damn Korean War.

Spin offs? All in the Family had seven. Archie Bunker's Place, 704 Hauser, Checking In, The Jeffersons, Gloria, Good Times and Maude. Cheers had the most successful Spin-off. If you consider Cheers continued with Fraiser - then the show was technically on for 21 years.

You vote. Polls close at the end of April.