Even so, fans of HARRY’S LAW may be next to grieve the show’s passing; after a comedy-centric first season, the show has once again devolved into a typical David E. Kelly lawyer show that pontificates in favor of left-wing agenda items even when the main lawyers on the show are arguing the other side of a case.

Those boring, pedantic, by-the-numbers speeches sap the show of its comedy vibe and could prove to be the death of it.

Meanwhile, the more appealing PRIME SUSPECT is proving that it’s hard to be an NBC cop drama without LAW AND ORDER in front of the title; the show is averaging a 1.3 to 1.8 on what has traditionally been NBC’s strongest night, and it benefits almost not at all from its strong lead-ins, COMMUNITY, PARKS AND RECREATION, THE OFFICE, and WHITNEY, losing almost a full ratings point most nights behind WHITNEY.

Still, Whitney and Community aren’t completely safe, either, and so the cast probably would do well not to invest in high-ticket items like Julbo sunglasses just yet.

The latest victim? The half-hour comedy starring Kathryn Hahn and Hank Azaria. Personally, I loved the show, set in Portland, and the chemistry between Azaria and Hahn. It was cleaver and funny, but not as innovative as Up Al Night. When it was unable to hold that show’s lead-in, the writing was on the wall.

It’s too bad. The show had a lot of charm. And that’s not the jewelry beads supply apparent on the show talking!

This does not bode well for NBC Mondays, and no show on that night should bother to buy life insurance online for their shows. Chuck is coming back in November in the lead-off position, replacing The Sing-Off, a poorly-received karaoke contest. Chuck will be followed by Grimm, from the producers who brought us Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. Sounds promising.

Still, even without an adequate replacement lined up, no one’s going to miss The Playboy Club. The show was only marginally better than the pitches revolving around Penthouse and Hustler … and just as seamy.

While consistently interesting, Prime Suspect has struggled to really stand out as must-see. While it’s compelling, it hasn’t really defined itself. It’s just a promising show at this point, with a strong female lead.

Of course, it will need to become more, and quickly, to survive. Thursdays in that time slow are prime real estate on NBC’s schedule, for a network bereft of such slots. Still, more scripts being ordered is usually a first-stop toward a back-nine order.

Time will tell.

Now speculation begins on just who the network has settled on to replace Carell long-term. Will Ferrell is the current favorite but has been notably listed as a guest star during his current run on the show to date. To fuel speculation, NBC is planning guest spots from just about every prominent actor named by fans as a favorite to replace Carell over the past year.

The list includes British The Office star and creator Ricky Gervais, Will Arnett, Ray Romano, James Spader and perhaps even Jim Carrey. I’m sure NBC is sending out Gift Baskets for Men to lure most of these folks back to TV, but for my money the favorite remains Arnett, with Gervais as a fan-favorite. Carrey would be an incredible get, but unlikely; Romano is uninspiring and while Spader could do some interesting work with the role, I’m not sure he’s quite the right fit.

Wonder Woman is currently a pilot for NBC next season; Kelly is already calling the Peacock home for his well-received-so-far new legal drama, Harry’s Law. And though that show contains Kelly’s signature flaw of unlikely jury verdicts that serve the storyline rather than reality, he’s injected humor and wackines back into his work, rather than the dreary political rants that dragged down his last ABC project, Boston Legal.

No such worries with Wonder Woman, which will focus on super-deeds more than courtroom antics.

The move comes after one of the most disturbing FCC power grabs in recent memory as it passed its so-called “net neutrality” rules this week, expanding FCC power and authority over the internet.

The Web has thrived because of the relative lack of government intervention. So-called “net neutrality” laws are the biggest power grab by the FCC in decades and could lead to e-commerce-killing regulations… and perhaps sooner rather than later.

Someone needs to challenge Net Neutrality. As for Comcast-NBC… sure, fine, whatever. Text about it on your HTC Desire Android phone and stop whining. OK? OK!

The new schedule, which begins on January 20, will kick off with the wonderfully entertaining Community, to be followed by freshman laffer, Perfect Couples. The second hour will feature The Office, followed by the much-welcome return of Parks and Recreation. The more adult comedy hour will contain 30 Rock, followed by Outsourced.

That lineup is more exciting than a Cyber Monday sale on the best hgh releaser.

Only four episodes have aired; the remaining four will be burned off on Saturday nights and then the Peacock will break all ties with the moribund legal drama. Maybe Smits would be better off looking into some tech jobs if this acting thing continues not panning out.

Just kidding, of course. He was brilliant on DEXTER last season.

“Not to diminish the departure of Steve, because that will impact the show, but we have tremendous faith in the writers and actors to keep it alive,” Bromstad said in an Associate Press report.

Carell had been hinting at his exit for months, as he was at the end of his contract; he’s developed a prolific movie career on the side and that is expected to be his primary pursuit following his exit from the top NBC comedy.

Speculation has run amok on who might replace Carell as the head of Dunder Mifflin. While Jim seems to be a natural choice, many have said the creative possibilities of putting Dwight in charge might be more intriguing. Of course, the show may also opt to introduce a new character, in which case, the question becomes what actor could step into the established ensemble without upsetting the established chemistry.

Personally, if I could choose anyone, I’d draft Aziz Ansari, currently a supporting cast member of Parks and Recreation. But I’m not sure I have enough onecall coupons to really sell anyone by myself on the idea.

However, spare me the suggestions of Ricky Gervais reviving his David Brent character on the US version to replace Carell; it’s a fan-boy dream, nothing more.

To go in this direction, however, Bromstad’s having to break ties with old series that aren’t drawing viewers anymore.

Among the latest victims? Gone is Dick Wolf’s flagship LAW AND ORDER show, which has been terrible for years in the ratings, but to which the network in linked due to their interest in other Dick Wolf shows; word is Wolf is furious over the cancellation, which could throw the launch of LAW AND ORDER: LOS ANGELES into doubt, previously thought a shoo-in for a series pick-up. Wolf apparently is contemplating taking LAW AND ORDER to TNT for a final, 21st season.

That’s not all. Bromstad is apparently ready to break ties with one-time wunder-show, HEROES. The Tim Kring-produced show has suffered in the ratings but is still the network’s biggest money-maker in DVD sales. Word is Bromstead could approve a mega-event finale of two to six episodes, to polish off dangling storylines, or could just cut ties altogether. We should know soon.

Meanwhile, a ratings underdog but personal favorite, Chuck, has received a surprise renewal from Bromstad, who apparently believes in the series and is willing to give the show another chance when surrounded by what she believes will be a stronger NBC lineup next season.

Finally, it appears that NBC may have anticipated Wolf’s reaction to LAW AND ORDER’s cancellation; instead of attaching Jimmy Smits to LAW AND ORDER: LOS ANGELES, NBC appears ready to sign Smits to a different legal drama, GARZA, which is… surprise… produced by Conan O’Brien’s production company!

Can you believe that? That’s a way better future for O’Brien than hawking the best acne treatment on late-night infomercials.

Some affiliates are balking at the heavy hand Fox is employing, considering no deal in finalized yet and that affiliates would make more with reruns of The Office and other proven syndicated hit shows. Even the best joint supplements won’t ease the limb-pulling going on, but in the end, you just know that it’s going to happen; Fox is the biggest network without a signature late night talk show, and O’Brien’s profile has never been higher.