NBC Re-Visiting Variety Format As Part Of Summer Roster

If one network has learned how to best utilize reality series it seems to be NBC. Investors already are well aware the Comcast

owned company has been able to dominate the traditional TV season period, but many are also realizing summer is a strong spot. Following the recent announcements centered on return dates for summer reality giants "America's Got Talent" and "American Ninja Warrior, NBC continued to reveal its plans for TV's "off-season" on Friday. After experimenting with the live variety show format in the fall with Neil Patrick Harris' "Best Time Ever," NBC is going at it again but this time with Maya Rudolph and Martin Short. "Maya and Marty in Manhattan" will debut Tuesday May 31st, following the premiere of "Talent." The variety show will air live from NBC's famed 30 Rock Headquarters and also include "Saturday Night Live" alum Kennan Thompson in its ensemble. "Maya and Marty" will follow the "SNL" route and include sketches and musical performances. Given the low numbers and poor response to "Best Time Ever," it may come as a surprise to investors NBC is trying the same approach not even a full season later. However the summer is a much more optimal time for this type of programming and with ratings leader "Talent" as its lead-in, this could prove to be a winning combination.