Summer comes early for NBC

March 05, 2008 The network will premiere three series -- the new seasons of "American Gladiators" and "Last Comic Standing" and the debut of "Fear Itself" -- during the May sweep, followed by four others in June. For the first time, USA Network import "Nashville Star" and "Last Comic Standing" will run as 90-minute episodes every week. After Fox's megahit "American Idol" spread to three nights a week, expansion strategies were adopted by ABC's "Dancing With the Stars," NBC's "Deal or No Deal" and "The Biggest Loser."

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