NBCUniversal Upfront: Here’s What Happened At Radio City Music Hall

Lynette Rice
·4 min read
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After an opening performance by a guitar-picking Jimmy Fallon — who sung about, among other things, how “next year I’ll be a hologram” — the NBCUniversal upfront got underway Monday at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

So you didn’t make it to the home of the Rockettes? Here’s what you missed:

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-NBCUniversal Chairman Mark Lazarus briefly took the stage to crow “while others have been spinning, we’ve spent the last year investing in our content, tech and overall experience.” “No one else can do what we do,” he added.

-Talent like Jabari Banks and Jesse L. Martin talked up content like The Irrational and Bel-Air before tossing to a breathless video package touting NBCUni content that was hosted by Mark-Paul Gosselaar.

-NBCUniversal Studio Group Chair and Chief Content Officer Donna Langley chatted about how she’s “excited to build up our story legacy across film, TV and streaming.” Exhibit A: She shared plans on how they plan to maximize their Wicked IP, like how the musical witches will make an appearance around the Olympics, and how Peacock will stream the film adaptation of the Broadway musical after the first of two parts will be released on Nov. 27. Langley then introduced the film’s first trailer. (Those who streamed the presentation didn’t get to see it. Boo!)

-Fresh from the Tom Brady roast, Kevin Hart made his upfront debut to talk about how fun it is to “play in the sandbox that is NBCUniversal.” He then introduced Taraji P. Henson before they tossed to a video montage of upcoming Peacock originals, like their Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist miniseries about the armed robbery that occurred on the night of Muhammad Ali’s comeback fight. There were also scenes from James Wan’s horror thriller TeaCup, and the comedy Laid starring Stephanie Hsu.

-Wendi McClendon-Covey, Zachary Quinto, Isabella Castillo, Danilo Carrera introduced trailers for St. Denis Medical (think The Office in a hospital), Happy’s Place with Reba McEntire, Brilliant Minds, Telemundo’s sexy drama Sed de Veganza and Brilliant Minds (a genius doctor who tries to make a difference in a hospital. Clever!).

-Tom Hanks, via video, teases a “steady stream of holy cow” before introducing the nature docuseries The Americas that he also narrated for NBC’s midseason lineup. Gorgeous footage of penguins follow with accompaniment from a live orchestra.

-Amanda Seyfried introduces teasers for her upcoming limited series Long Bright River, an adaptation of Liz Moore’s bestselling novel about police officer handling a crisis in Philadelphia; Those About To Die, a gladiator series starring Anthony Hopkins; and the series The Day of the Jackal starring Eddie Redmayne as the mysterious assassin. All are for Peacock.

-Kenan Thompson, Bowen and Heidi Gardner promoted the upcoming 50th Anniversary of SNL that includes a February special in primetime.

-Kevin Hart and Thompson then get to talk up the summer Olympics in Paris and how they are set to recap the games for Peacock. Cue: teaser video for the games with images of past U.S. medalists. Tirico then introduced Snoop Dogg and how he will serve as an Olympic correspondent. Dressed for success in a leather USA jacket and a très blingy medallion, Snoop said he will be spending some “quality time” at Versailles.

-NBCUni News Group Chair Cesar Conde and anchor Lester Holt were there to remind everyone that they still do news and they’re passionate about what they do, dammit!

-McEntire, via video, promotes how she will be back for season 26 of The Voice and how Snoop will join judge’s row. Snoop then returns to introduce returning Voice coach Michael Bublé, who’s apparently so thrilled to share the stage with the infamous rapper that he tries to perform a little hip hop himself. Fortunately, it ends after a few seconds so he can perform something more in his wheelhouse — “You’re Nobody till Somebody Loves You.”

-Andy Cohen is in the house to remind everyone that that Watch What Happens Live has been around for 15 seasons and has been picked up through 2025. The show will go on the road for a week of shows in a “city soon to be announced.” He then tosses to a video package about The Traitors narrated by Alan Cumming.

–Today‘s Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb get their turn on stage to talk up NBC’s holiday programming. They then introduce Little Big Town, who will host a special from the Grand Ol’ Opry. The group then sings a medley of tunes like “Take Me Home” and “It’s Christmas Time Pretty Baby.”

-Seth Meyers does some stand up. Among his yuks: “The Fox News upfront is happening at a lower Manhattan courtroom” and “NBC is launching the new adventure Destination X. It was originally titled the Linda Yaccarino story.”

-Chairman of Global Advertising and Partnerships Mark Marshall comes on to give his requisite spiel before introducing Kelly Clarkson, who sings “Whatever Makes You Stronger” and “Since U Been Gone.”

-Presentation ends at 12:22 p.m. ET.

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