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So over the past few editions of Make an Argument, I’ve been cutting through the list of prospective broadcast dramas and deciding out of which of ‘em would likely appear on a TV set near you in September.

In week one, I surveyed ABC’s lot and considered its Charlie’s Angels reboot and Marc Cherry-helmed Hallelujah as safe bets for orders. And in week two, I figured CBS would no doubt pick up Person of Interest (from J.J. Abrams) and Hail Mary, which puts a spin on the buddy cop by combining sassy Brit (Minnie Driver) with young comedian (Brandon T. Jackson).

I had planned to cover all four networks - CBS, ABC, NBC and Fox - over a six-week period, but learned earlier today that Fox will present the same day as NBC on Monday, May 16th. Make an Argument next appears on BOP two days after that - May 18th.

So, I’ve forced myself to decide between NBC and Fox this week, and have sided with NBC for really no reason in particular. Had I done this whole thing over again, I probably would have dumped CBS altogether because the creativity in their drama slate is about as exciting as a knitted tree skirt.

To keep things even, though, I’ll probably do something special for Fox once the new primetime season heats up. Maybe I’ll take a good look into what Fox actually picked up and reason which of the newbs will likely get canned. Cool?

So getting on with the task at hand, I have to hand it to NBC. They’ve got what on paper looks like the best fall slate I’ve seen. I’ve whittled its list of ten down to six, and will dig into them first. The final four rounding out the column are projects that I don’t think will make the cut.

Reconstruction

I’ll start things off with Reconstruction, because it makes my list of good bets for fall, but is, as well, the one I’m least confident about. Set in a post-Civil War America, Reconstruction (aka The Crossing) is about a soldier who settles into a Missourian town and is welcomed in as a savior.

The idea doesn’t mesh well with what network typically develops - I can’t remember the last time NBC launched a successful period piece - but being in fourth place, NBC can afford taking more risks.

Playboy

Speaking of periods, NBC’s Playboy - a ‘60s-era historical drama set at Chicago’s Playboy Club - seems to have gained momentum over the past two months or so. It comes from the likes of Brian Grazer and Alan Taylor, and stars Laura Benanti as a 30-year-old Bunny who thinks her days at the club may soon be over because of her age.

Playboy feels like a no-brainer because of the names attached, as well as the humbling fact that NBC would have an excuse to shoot an hour’s worth of bombshell every week for the sake of a TV show.

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