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Have you ever heard the sounds of a peacock taking its last breath? Just stayed tuned to the Fall lineup of now Comcast owned NBC and maybe you will hear the faint death rattle of a network that has run out of ideas, or at worst has become reactive trying to mimic other shows on other networks, rather than crafting their own brand, which CBS has done so well with its myriad CSI shows, and raunchy comedies.

In an earlier column, http://www.crazedfanboy.com/npcr11/the-peacock-is-not-dead-yet.php I suggested that Comcast had no interest in the time-honored Peacock network. Judging by the fall lineup just released it seems by initial feeling was correct.

NBC's big renewal for the fall is "Chuck"! Does anyone watch this? Meanwhile they have cancelled "Law and Order LA" after one dismal season, instead of trying to retool the franchise. "Law and Order SUV" has been renewed, yawn, for another season.

According to online reports, NBC passed on picking up David E. Kelley's "Wonder Woman", to instead renew the boring "Parenthood" and offer up their version of "Glee" called "Smash".

Using the safe TV programming ideology of lets remake British TV shows, NBC will debut their version of "Prime Suspect", the hit BBC show with Helen Mirren, as well as "Free Agents" based on another BBC show.

NBC debut's two new comedies, "Up All Night", with Christina Applegate and Will Arnett, which is probably their only sure fire hit of the season. Their new Thursday comedy is based on the comedy of Whitney Cummings. Whitney who?

Hitting a new low is a show based on Chelsea Handler's book "Are You There, Vodka? It's Me".

NBC promises a mid season series based on John Grisham's "The Firm". Also something called "The Playboy Club", which makes me very afraid. The only fantasy, sci-fi offering is a show called "Grimm", that has something to do with the Brothers Grimm which was probably originally scheduled for the SyFy network, also owned by Comcast.

Wow, that is a lot of new stuff, but most of it is derivative and lacking any vision for NBC. Remaking BBC shows has run its course. Maybe NBC can appeal to the lowest common denominator with "The Playboy Club" and "Vodka blah blah". But I feel the poor peacock is crying out. "Help me!", "Help me!", but like "The Fly" no one is hearing the call.