EW NAMES HOTTEST PROJECTS FOR 2012: “The New Neighbors”

Entertainment Weekly recently named some of the hottest TV projects for 2012. Two of the shows that are on that list include The New Neighbors(different sources have it spelled The New Nabors) and Seth MacFarlane’s take on The Flintstones. After the jump, get the inside scoop of what we know so far about these two shows and let us know which ones you are most excited for! First up, The New Neighbors.

So, you may remember last year we reported on Henson Alternative launching a bunch of new Muppets-esque projects. One of those projects is premiering on NBC and its called The New Neighbors, and its about a family in Palm Springs that are mortified by the fact that puppets just moved in next door.  The show itself will be written by 30 Rock scribe John Riggi and John Hoffman and is being exec-produced by the Henson Company.

I’m curious to see where this goes. The last time NBC tried a puppet comedy, it was called ALF and apparently it was a nightmare on set, cost a lot of  money, and wasn’t really popular(I thought it was just OK, at the time)  but its good to see NBC try and experiment with old franchises like The Munsters and Frankenstein on network television but then also re-try proven art forms it had failed at in the past such as puppetry and animation. And despite the fact that some people think The Muppets are socialist, most see potential here…hell even presidential hopeful Mitt Romney plans to sell advertising on Sesame Street if elected!

There are a few questions however about The New Neighbors. For one, how is it spelled? I’ve seen it as both The New Neighbors and The New Nabors and am not quite sure which way is the correct way. I will also be curious to see the direction in which they take the script-writing/dialogue. Will NBC grow a set and try and be edgy? Or is this going to be a family show like Alf?  In any case, sound off on the comments below and let me know what you think!