After ordering several drama pilots recently, NBC has begun shaping its comedy development for next season by ordering its first two pilots – Saving Kenan and Like Magic.
From Jackie Clarke (Marry Me), Saving Kenan stars Saturday Night Live‘s Kenan Thompson as a newly widowed father attempting to do everything he can to give his kids a sense of normalcy amidst major change. When it all becomes too much, he enlists the help of his father-in-law. Should the series get ordered, Thompson would likely scale back his role on the late-night comedy, if not leave entirely.
Like Magic is described as a workplace comedy centering on a young woman pursuing her dream to be a headlining magician in the eccentric and ego-driven world of the Magic Palace. The series comes from Superstore writers Bridget Kyle and Vicky Luu.
Out of the seven pilots they ordered last year, NBC wound up ordering new comedies I Feel Bad (unlikely to be renewed) and Abby’s during the lead up to upfronts. The network also granted a surprise renewal to Glenn Howerton vehicle A.P. Bio and famously rescued Brooklyn Nine-Nine after it was cancelled by FOX.
More pilot orders for NBC and the rest of the broadcast networks should be coming in the proceeding weeks.
