• Some wonderful news comes to us today as networks begin to announce their schedule for new and renewed programs for the Fall of 2005. “My Name is Earl”, starring Jason Lee, is the only new sitcom to make it to NBC’s fall premeire schedule (others come midseason). The show will air at 9:00 PM on NBC Tuesdays, which also indicates it’ll be on the edgier side of things (the pilot’s script certainly reads that way). We’re excited to have a dude who got his acting start in a View Askew production starring in a prime time show for the very first time. Some blurbs and article links on the show and NBC’s schedule:

NEW YORK TIMES

“…They were watching a seven-minute clip assembled from the pilot “My Name Is Earl,” a half-hour comedy starring Jason Lee about a ne’er-do-well who wins a lottery and vows to make amends to everyone he’s ever offended.

Had the producers of the program been there, they would surely have been elated that the three people gathered around an editing console – Kevin Reilly, president of NBC Entertainment; Jeff Zucker, president of NBC Universal Television Group, and John D. Miller, chief marketing officer of the television group – were laughing, heartily and continuously.”

CNN

“NBC said Monday that it will introduce six new series in September, including only one comedy: “My Name is Earl,” featuring Jason Lee (”Chasing Amy”) as a downtrodden lottery winner.”

ST LOUIS POST DISPATCH

“…The comedy addition is “My Name Is Earl,” with Jason Lee as a loser who decides to right all his life’s wrongs after winning a fortune in the lottery. Jamie Pressly plays Earl’s wife in the sitcom from Greg Garcia (”Yes, Dear”).”

HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

The press release states: “At 9:00 p.m., “My Name Is Earl” is an innovative, irreverent, single-camera comedy that should work well as a lead-in to the critically hailed “The Office” (television’s most upscale comedy).”

Congratulations to Jason Lee on what’s sure to be an exciting, talked-about program this Fall. And don’t forget, Lee’s Mallrats co-star Ethan Suplee has also joined the cast. For information on all shows expected to debut or return next year, see The Futon Critic.