Accepting the fact that viewers cannot survive on luge and figure skating alone, NBC has launched digital spinoffs of some of its scripted series to satiate fans while its primetime schedule is dominated by the Sochi Olympics.
This month NBC will roll out original Web series based on characters from “Chicago Fire,” “Parks and Recreation,” “Grimm” and “Parenthood,” airing them on NBC.com, Hulu and YouTube.
“Chicago Fire” leads things off on Tuesday with a four-part digital series titled “I Am a Firefighter.” It follows Monica Raymond’s Dawson, who must put her training and confidence to the test when she is alone in the station during an emergency.
“Parenthood’s” digital series actually celebrates a former NBC show: “Friday Night at the Luncheonette,” which debuts Thursday, features guest stars Jesse Plemons and Derek Phillips who reprise their “Friday Night Lights” roles when “Parenthood’s” Amber (Mae Whitman) is tasked with keeping an eye on her cousin Max (Max Burkholder) while also working after hours at the Luncheonette. Then the band Crucifictorious shows up …
“Grimm’s” digital series, which debuts Friday, fittingly revolves around a Valentine’s Day spa party gone awry when Bree Turner’s Rosalee and Bitsie Tulloch’s Juliette discover a Ziegevolk casting a love spell.
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“Parks and Recreation’s” Web series will highlight some of the more entertaining Pawnee locals when it launches on February 20: “The Hapley Group” is Perd Hapley’s (Jay Jackson) political round-table of hot-button issues. His guests include radio shock jocks Crazy Ira and the Douche (Matt Besser and Nick Kroll), Joan Callamezzo (Mo Collins) and Mike Patterson (new cast member Seth Morris).
