“It’s a great character, and a unique way of doing a procedural,” Bader says of the series, which was originally titled Wolf.
“That was a temporary title,” Bader explains. “It’s always better if the title tells you what the show is.”
NBC also has another medical show coming this fall, albeit in a very different key. St. Denis Medical is the network’s latest collaboration with Justin Spitzer, who previously created Superstore and American Auto for the network.
“It’s a special show, and very on-brand for NBC,” Bader says of the comedic take on a seen-better-days Oregon hospital staffed by seasoned laugh-generating staff like Wendi McLendon-Covey, Allison Tolman and David Alan Grier. “It’s smart, it’s funny and it has heart. We’re excited about it.”
Last, but not least, is Happy’s Place, the first starring sitcom role for country legend—and fan favorite Voice coach—Reba McEntire since 2012’s short-lived Malibu Country. Written by that show’s creator, Kevin Abbott, Happy’s Place finds McEntire inheriting the titular bar from her late father and working alongside the half-sister she just met. “Reba is a big presence for us on The Voice, so this is a great opportunity to launch another show with her,” Bader says.
It’s worth noting that rumors about McEntire’s future on The Voice have been swirling around the reality staple since its 25th season launched in February. “We’re announcing who the fall coaches will be on Monday,” Bader says when asked if Happy’s Place will impact the singer’s Voice commitments. “Stay tuned.”
Recent reports have indicated that Hollywood is still feeling the impact of last year’s historic double strike by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA, not to mention the looming threat of another strike as the various unions that make up IATSE navigate ongoing negotiations with the AMPTP. Both Bader and Kern indicate that NBC is in a good place no matter what the next few months have in store on the labor front.
“Many of our fall shows are already in production now because we learned to be prepared,” Bader says. “So they’re a good three or four months ahead of where they would’ve been otherwise, and we will be prepared for whatever happens if there’s another strike.”