Mr. Robinson: Starring comedian Craig Robinson as lead singer and keyboardist of a rock band, Craig (Craig Robinson) knows a thing or two about working the crowd. However, it’s his day job where he really makes the grade! Every struggling artist knows the drill: you have to pay the bills while you wait for that big break. So when Craig finds himself short on cash, he takes a job as a substitute teacher. It’s an easy gig, right? Throw a DVD in the player, dim the lights and sleep off last night’s party. When he realizes that the kids think his class is an easy A, Craig is inspired to inspire his students. Music is his passion and he is not about to let anyone sleep though this period… period! The school principal (Jean Smart), is a woman who believes rules are made to be strictly upheld. She is not fond of Craig’s unorthodox teaching style or his crush on the pretty English teacher. If he wants to keep his gig, get the girl and teach these kids the joys of music, he will have to buckle down, shape up and rock out! No date or time has been given for the show as of yet.
Mr. Robinson is the only new show on the NBC featuring an African American in a lead role. NBC has added three new shows where African Americans play prominent or co-starring roles:
Bad Judge: A comedy about a judge who has her own way of giving out justice during the day and plays in a band at night. Tone Bell plays Ted Ward, the bailiff, for the Judge Rebecca Wright (Kate Walsh).
The Mysteries of Laura: Considered a dramedy (drama/comedy)— Debra Messing marks her return to NBC where she plays detective Laura Diamond trying to balance her home life with two kids and a soon to be ex-husband. The women are going to love Laz Alonzo as Billy Soto, Laura’s partner on the force.
State of Affairs: While everyone is busy paying attention to Katherine Heigl’s return to television as CIA Analyst, Charleston Tucker, they are missing the fact that Alfre Woodward has a great role as the president of the United States in State of Affairs. This is one to keep your eyes on as the storyline is really interesting.
As always, for more information about NBC’s Fall lineup, visit: www.NBC.com. Please visit The Baltimore Times Facebook page, Facebook.com/TheBaltimoreTimes, to look at the trailers for many of these shows.