They Had Me at Laura Innes!

One of my favorite pastimes is following pilot season and the network upfronts - the time (usually in May) when the networks hold meetings with the press and advertisers to announce their new shows for the fall, spring, and summer TV seasons and allow the advertisers to buy time "up front."

Here's a promising early NBC pick-up:

THE EVENT is an emotional high-octane conspiracy thriller that follows Sean Walker (PARENTHOOD'S Jason Ritter), an Everyman who investigates the mysterious disappearance of his fiancée, Leila (Sarah Roemer), and unwittingly begins to expose the biggest cover-up in U.S. history. Sean’s quest will send ripples through the lives of an eclectic band of strangers, including: newly elected U.S. President Martinez (Blair Underwood); Sophia (ER's Laura Innes), who is the leader of a mysterious group of detainees; and Sean’s shadowy father-in-law (GILMORE GIRLS' Scott Patterson). Their futures are on a collision course in a global conspiracy that could ultimately change the fate of mankind. Ian Anthony Dale (DAYBREAK) and Emmy winner Željko Ivanek (DAMAGES) also star in this ensemble drama.