It’s not surprise that NBC has suffered the past couple of seasons. The network which once boasted “Must See TV” has been reduced to a group of shows just trying to find an identity. However, do not fear this season, NBC faithful, as the network has put together a package of shows that should be as entertaining as any other season. Thursday nights boasts one hour of Donald Trump’s The Apprentice, but only after brand new episodes of Joey and Will & Grace. With that lineup intact, the network could regain its stronghold over the Thursday night roster of TV shows.

While it’s been mostly about Thursday nights for the NBC network in recent years though, the other nights are also becoming important to the network, as evidenced by some of the shows that it has added onto the fall schedule. Wednesdays will feature another installment of The Apprentice, only this one will be manned (or is it, “womanned?”) by the charismatic Martha Stewart. Las Vegas strikes Monday nights at 9PM with enough bright neon lights to attract some new viewers. The second season of The Biggest Loser and the debut of Hi, My Name is Earl should also help the Tuesday night lineup weigh in against the other networks.

By reestablishing itself as a major player in the Thursday night lineup, NBC has set down the foundation to regain the footing that it lost after Friends and Frasier went off the air. Joey will fair better the second time around than it did the first, with the series shifting towards some subtle differences that could result in a huge one overall. Look for NBC to capitalize off the Apprentice series as well and make some huge waves in the fall 2005 schedule. It looks like “Must See TV” will really be “must see” this year again.