TCA Press Tour Recap: NBC Does Jay Leno, 'Community' & 'Top Chef' Lunch

The TV Critics' Press Tour saw NBC's family of networks trotting out the stars of their new shows. You can follow me for all the notable moments and breaking news on Twitter (@TheTVShowGirl), but here's a handy recap of the day's events.

For NBC, we saw panels on 'Trauma,' 'Mercy,' 'The Jay Leno Show' and my personal favorite, 'Community,' while also getting news on 'Southland,' 'Friday Night Lights' and 'Chuck.' Then it was USA's 'White Collar' and Syfy's 'Stargate Universe.' But the highlight of my day (OK, week) was the 'Top Chef' quickfire lunch, hosted by Bravo's own Padma Lakshmi and Gail Simmons.

Click here to see all the highlights ...The TV Critics' Press Tour saw NBC's family of networks trotting out the stars of their new shows. You can follow me for all the notable moments and breaking news on Twitter (@TheTVShowGirl), but here's a handy recap of the day's events.

For NBC, we saw panels on 'Trauma,' 'Mercy,' 'The Jay Leno Show' and my personal favorite, 'Community,' while also getting news on 'Southland,' 'Friday Night Lights' and 'Chuck.' Then it was USA's 'White Collar' and Syfy's 'Stargate Universe.' But the highlight of my day (OK, week) was the 'Top Chef' quickfire lunch, hosted by Bravo's own Padma Lakshmi and Gail Simmons.

Here are all the highlights ...

'Chuck' vs. the Schedule
NBC's president of primetime entertainment Angela Bromstad opened the day of panels by artfully dodging almost every question asked. She did have news on some fan favorites though -- including everyone's favorite Subway sandwich-eating spy: 'Chuck' will not return until March, but Bromstad says "they're on a great track creatively."

Summer School?
'Friday Night Lights' is another critical darling that continues to struggle with ratings. Bromstad called it "a sensational show," but reiterated that it doesn't have the numbers they need "you know, to justify it on the fall schedule." So where to? Looks like a prime summer slot for all the Panthers games.

The Scope of 'Southland'
Expect a few "creative adjustments" on cop drama 'Southland,' specifically a tighter focus on stars Regina King and Ben McKenzie. Fine by my -- as long as they don't lose the love for Michael Cudlitz and Patrick Fischler, I'm still tuning in.



A Great 'Development'
'Community' was the first show panel of the morning, and I can now say from experience that I like waking up to Chevy Chase and the hilarious Joel McHale. Executive producer Joe Russo compared the quality of the cast to that of 'Arrested Development,' which he also had a hand in. Let's hope that doesn't mean this one is destined to be underappreciated and cancelled too soon as well.

On Fire
Bravo hosted a 'Top Chef' quickfire lunch, pitting alums Fabio, Antonio and Ryan -- who cooked up seared halibut with summer corn and tomato succotash and a corn puree -- and some new guys from the upcoming Las Vegas season, who opted for the winning dish, a brilliant hamachi crudo with radish, onion seed and a pistachio puree. Fielding questions, chatting with the chefs and keeping an eye on the 20-minute countdown, host Padma Lakshmi and Gail Simmons were a delight.

Syfy Does Stargate ... Again
'Stargate Universe' (a.k.a. 'SG-U') had a rocky go at their panel, with the fire alarm repeatedly going off in the middle of things. 'Stargate' producers laughed that the fire alarms went off 12 years ago while they were pitching 'SG-1,' so they see it as a good omen.

Jay Running
Jay Leno's appearance was a highly anticipated event -- mainly because we all want to know what to expect from 'The Jay Leno Show' -- and Jay surprised us with news, some laughs and a slimmer physique. (He admitted he's been running four miles a day to get in shape for the new show after his 'Tonight Show' rut.) Some details: Jay says the new show will "play to all of America -- I think there will be something there for everyone." Offers are still out to first guest options, but some celebrity correspondents are in place, including D.L. Hughley talking politics ("D.L. in D.C.") and comedian Mikey Day and Rachael Harris. Also, there will be no desk for Jay, except maybe for the last 15 minutes of the show so he can do Headlines. The rest, we'll have to wait and see.

Up next: Fox's panels. Follow all my live updates on Twitter (@TheTVShowGirl)!

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