NBC SUMMER PREMIERE DATES

NBC announced today the summer premiere dates for new and returning series and specials. And for the first time in over 30 years, the network announced it will telecast the "62nd Annual Primetime Emmy® Awards" live coast-to-coast on Sunday, August 29 (5-8 p.m. PT, 8-11 p.m. ET).

Summer's top-rated series "America's Got Talent" will return with a two-hour premiere on Tuesday, June 1 (8-10 p.m. ET) with the Wednesday edition debuting June 2 (9-10 p.m. ET). "Last Comic Standing" will return with a two-hour premiere on Monday, June 7 (8-10 p.m. ET) before moving to its regular time period the following week, Mondays (9-10 p.m. ET).

Joining NBC's returning shows is the new comedy series "100 Questions" (Thursday, May 27, 8:30-9 p.m. ET) and the drama mystery series "Persons Unknown" (Monday, June 7, 10-11 p.m. ET).

In addition, episodes from the ninth season of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (which premieres on USA Network in March) will encore on NBC beginning Sunday, June 20 (10-11 p.m. ET) with repeats of those episodes airing Saturdays beginning June 26 (8-9 p.m. ET).

NBC will also broadcast special programming this summer including the two-hour original movie "The Jensen Project" on Friday, July 16 (8-10 p.m. ET) as well as "The Making of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" on Sunday, June 6 (7-7:30 p.m. ET) and "The Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular" (Sunday, July 4, 9-10 p.m. ET).

As previously announced, new broadcast television episodes of the critically acclaimed "Friday Night Lights" premiere on Friday, April 30 (8-9 p.m. ET) and will continue through the summer.

"America's Got Talent" returns as the perennial top-rated summer hit as Howie Mandel ("Deal or No Deal") joins the series as a new judge along with returning judges Sharon Osbourne and Piers Morgan. Nick Cannon also returns to host.

The Emmy-nominated "Last Comic Standing" competition series returns to NBC for its seventh season in search of the funniest comedian in America with new host Craig Robinson (NBC's "The Office"). The show scans the country looking for the best stand-up comedian with the winner receiving an exclusive talent deal with NBC and $250,000.

"100 Questions" is a new comedy series written and executive-produced by Christopher Moynihan ("For Your Consideration"). Charlotte Payne (Sophie Winkleman, "Peep Show") is looking for love but she has yet to meet Mr. Right. When she joins an online dating site, Charlotte takes a 100-question compatibility test -- and each one requires her to recount a humorous time in her life. Also starring are Michael Benjamin Washington ("Mamma Mia"), Smith Cho ("Fired Up!"), Collette Wolfe ("17 Again"), Christopher Moynihan and David Walton ("Quarterlife").

"Persons Unknown" is a one-hour mystery drama in which a group of strangers must come together to solve the puzzle of their lives. The series is from Oscar-winning writer Christopher McQuarrie ("The Usual Suspects") who executive-produces with Heather McQuarrie and Remi Aubuchon. The series stars Alan Ruck ("Spin City") and Jason Wiles ("Third Watch").

The roller-coaster adventure movie "The Jensen Project" explores the secret community of world-class geniuses who do cutting-edge research that they share anonymously to help the world. Starring are Patricia Richardson ("Home Improvement"), LeVar Burton ("Star Trek: The Next Generation"), Kellie Martin ("ER") and Brady Smith ("CSI"). "The Jensen Project" is produced by Muse Entertainment and Procter & Gamble Productions, Inc.

In "The Making of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter," viewers will receive an inside peek at this spectacular new theme park environment based on the bestselling books and mega-hit feature film series at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida.