While NBC's streaming service Peacock is set to debut on July 15, 2020, word is that the service actually soft-launched on April 15, 2020. We're not sure if any of those shows are actually fire, though; we've not been granted whatever access is needed to check the series out. We only got to see the trailers that they recently released via Twitter. That said, we figure these trailers packed enough info in them to accurately grade the show/film being advertised...right?
You know how these big network streaming services go; alongside the classic content like The Office and other shows that will no doubt drive viewers to the service, NBC is set to reboot vintage IP like the '90s staple Saved By The Bell, the '80s staple Punky Brewster, as well as more modern series like A.P. Bio and Psych. The NBCUniversal family is so large, there's enough under that umbrella to craft a solid streaming network with. There's also enough to totally brick these new looks at classic shows. That's not to say that Peacock is just remixed content, though; new series like Angelyne are getting props, and they are also bringing over series from the UK starring some very familiar faces. It's well-rounded, but are they ill?
That's where we come in. We've taken a look at these trailers and thrown a grade on them. Maybe we're off; the "three episode" rule should apply to anything listed here, and while our word isn't set in stone, we're also pretty certain that we get the gist of many of these properties based on these teasers NBC has released. While we're waiting for Peacock to figure out a way to suck up more of our screentime, here are our grades for these Peacock series, based solely on their trailers.
'A.P. Bio'
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Starring: Glenn Howerton, Paula Pell, Patton Oswalt
Logline: Disgraced Havard professor returns home to teach A.P. Bio class
Premiere date: n/a
Grade: B
The once canceled A.P. Bio has found a second life on Peacock. The Glenn Howerton and Patton Oswalt-led comedy series lasted two seasons on NBC before the plug was pulled, only to be reshuffled off to the network’s streaming service. Fans of the show will be happy to see it get a new life and another shot from new viewers.
The basic premise for those who missed it originally focuses on Howerton’s Jack Carson Griffin, a former Havard philosophy professor who is forced to return to Ohio to teach the titular A.P. Bio course at a local high school.
Candidly, I didn’t check out A.P. Bio when it was originally airing, but heard from viewers who watched that the show had begun to hit its stride (especially in its second season). The new, third season looks to pick up right where things left off, making catching up a breeze. Fans of Howerton—especially his work on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia—won’t want to miss out on a second chance to see the comedic actor in command of his own ship. —William Goodman
'Angelyne'
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Starring: Emmy Rossum, Jefferson Hall, Alex Karpovsky, Martin Freeman
Logline: Deep dive into the origins of a beloved LA icon
Premiere date: n/a
Grade: A
Shameless star Emmy Rossum is almost unrecognizable as Los Angeles-based icon Angelyne in the Peacock limited series of the same name. An influencer before we had the term, Angelyne plastered herself all over the skyline in a series of “teasing” billboards that garnered equal parts fame and mystery. Her story was detailed in an extensive 2017 Hollywood Reporter story by writer Gary Baum, which serves as the inspiration for the series.
Angelyne is notable for being executive produced by the icon herself, Rossum, and her husband Sam Esmail—whom you might recognize him from a little show called Mr. Robot. Baum will serve as a consultant on the show, while its showrun by Allison Miller, and each one of the episodes will be directed by The End of the F***ing World director Lucy Tcherniak.
The show instantly feels more in-line with the programming of USA or other premium cable channels, making it feel decidedly against the grain of a show you’d see on NBC. Fitting, as the show will undoubtedly lean into the inherent sex appeal of the titular woman herself. Based on the caliber of talent involved behind the scenes, we were already pretty excited for this one—but the trailer goes out of its way to play up the show’s larger thematic tones of fame and celebrity while showing off how dynamite Rossum is. You had our curiosity, but now you have our attention. —William Goodman
'Brave New World'
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Starring: Demi Moore, Alden Ehrenreich
Logline: An imaginative adaptation of the classic Aldous Huxley novel.
Premiere date: n/a
Grade: C
Huxley's classic is a bold and intriguing choice, and having Demi Moore on the series can be a huge plus. It's a dystopia disguised as a utopia, with some Westworld-y vibes to it. We'll give it a few episodes. —khal
'The Capture'
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Starring: Holliday Grainger, Callum Turner, Ben Miles, Laura Haddock, Barry Ward, Ralph Ineson, Famke Janssen, Ron Perlman
Logline: Former special forces officer commits a grizzly crime...or did he?
Premiere date: n/a
Grade: A
When closed-circuit television footage shows former British Special Forces officer Shaun Emery (Callum Turner) seemingly kidnapping and murdering his lawyer, the case looks to be about as open and shut as they come. But as Detective Inspector Rachel Carey (Holliday Grainger) digs deeper and deeper, not everything is as it seems. Headed to Peacock courtesy of BBC One, conspiracy thriller The Capture in line with classic UK crime shows like Prime Suspect, Broadchurch, Luthor, and Bodyguard.
Created by Ben Chanan (whom among other things directed a 2015 thriller staring Maise Williams called The Cyberbully) the show originally aired in 2019 to positive reviews, currently holding a 95% critical consensus on Rotten Tomatoes. Harry Potter fans will remember Callum Turner from his brief role in the Fantastic Beasts sequel, while movie fans will find joy in supporting performances from none other than OG Jean Grey Famke Janssen and the legendary Ron Perlman.
British crime shows can be a bit hit or miss, but every now and again there’s one that manages to make waves that crash on the shores of the United States as well. NBC clearly sees Bodyguard-like potential here, as a gripping crime show is inherently binge-worthy. Count us in as well. —William Goodman
'Intelligence'
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Starring: David Schwimmer, Nick Mohammed, Sylvestra Le Touzel, Gana Bayarsaikhan, Jane Stanness
Logline: What if Brooklyn Nine-Nine, but with spies?
Premiere date: n/a
Grade: C
Originally a British television series that aired on Sky One, Intelligence will find its American home on Peacock later this year. Created by British comedian and writer Nick Mohammed (who also stars), Intelligence focuses on an NSA agent played by David Schwimmer who is tasked with coming to the UK to form a new cybercrimes task force.
The tone of the trailer skews towards comedy, evoking feelings of other workplace comedies like The Office, Superstore, Parks & Recreation, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Schwimmer doesn’t look to have lost any of his specific comedic timing, but the material—at least in this trailer—is hard to fully gauge. The two gags hit like a shrug emoji for me, so we’re probably better off forming a full opinion until we see the final product. However, Sky One likes the show enough to have already ordered a second series, which hints towards the promise of quality. If nothing else, it skews towards a well-established formula that’s work for NBC in the past, featuring a beloved talent in Schwimmer, which means it’s at least worth a watch of the pilot. —William Goodman
'Madagascar: A Little Wild'
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Starring: n/a
Logline: Madagascar, but younger.
Premiere date: n/a
Grade: B-(?)
Previously set to debut on Hulu, this prequel to the massive Madagascar series is now touching down on Peacock. All of your favorite characters from that series are young (hence the "little" in the title). If you have kids, they are either hype AF or high-key over this series. —khal
'Psych 2: Lassie Come Home'
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Starring: James Roday, Dulé Hill
Logline: Did you like Psych? This is probably going to be amazing for you.
Premiere date: n/a
Grade: B-
Psych's one of those series that's developed a cult following over the years that has intrigued me. It's very pop-culture referential, while also paying tribute to television as an art form. It's also kinda goofy. Having never seen the series, it feels like this, the second in what could be a five-film series of Psych movies rings true to the spirit of the show. So if you're a fan, I'll just assume you're going to enjoy. —khal
'Punky Brewster'
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Starring: Soleil Moon Frye, Cherie Johnson
Logline: Better Things (The Punky Remix).
Premiere date: n/a
Grade: D
I remember watching Punky Brewster growing up. A bunch of raggamuffins running around the city, learning about life? It was a good time. I've seen this old school in the new era reboot too many times—Fuller House, Girl Meets World, Cobra Kai, Raven's Home. The thing is, shows like One Day at a Time (itself a modern reboot of a classic series), The Conners (which is what Roseanne was remixed into) and Better Things already slay this lane that Punky seems to be occupying. Good to see Soleil catching checks. —khal
'Saved By The Bell'
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Starring: Elizabeth Berkley, Mario Lopez, John Michael Higgins, Josie Totah
Logline: Saved By The Bell will be here forever. Like Twinkies.
Premiere date: n/a
Grade: C-
Not sure anyone needed a single-cam reboot of the '90s staple Saved By The Bell, but Peacock gotta get this IP off. At the very least, Mario Lopez gets to flex on some of the insanity of the show's storylines as an adult. With the most exciting thing about the series seemingly being the older cast members returning in a show that is probably driven by the newer cast members, it's going to be a tough sell in the long run if they don't connect. —khal
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