Two years ago, I wrote about the sagging fortunes of one of the nation’s leading broadcasters, offering this observation: “The feathers have been fading for some time now on the peacock symbol of the NBC television network.”

Since then, there hasn’t been much improvement in the old bird’s plumage. You don’t have to take my word for this assessment. Speaking to the recent gathering of TV critics, NBC president Angela Bromstad acknowledged that her network had “fallen short in the past couple of years.”

When Bromstad continued on to say that the network’s goal is to bring back “high-quality, sophisticated dramas and comedies,” one can only guess that a revved-up action show like “Knight Rider” is not going to be revived once again.

The network president is also hopeful that reality programming can fit into the desired high-quality mold, citing “The Biggest Loser” and “The Apprentice” as examples.

Umm, I think this is a debatable point.

Let me digress for a moment from NBC’s programming plans, as I point out that history has a tendency to repeat itself constantly in the TV world.  

Two years ago, NBC reeled from the departure of its top executive, Kevin Reilly, and when then-new co-chairman Ben Silverman said to TV critics that Reilly “decided to move on,” this claim drew laughter from the assembled press.

Now, after internal tension became an object of speculation, Silverman has exited the network, and Bromstad drew some laughs when she said, “I think it has always been Ben’s plan to transition back to his entrepreneurial roots.”

Being the head of a network is like being the leader of a shaky banana republic, except the reign usually ends with a golden parachute rather than the firing squad.

For all the stated goals of reclaiming sophisticated shows, presumably through scripted entertainment, it is indeed curious that a big chunk of NBC’s fortunes will ride on “The Jay Leno Show” occupying the 10 o’clock time slot.

Leno’s new show sounds a lot like the old one, considering the host will launch into a monologue, leading up to at least one celebrity guest. Musical segments could feature multiple acts performing together.

As a lead-in to local news programs to follow, Leno will save some of his trademark skits for the end of the show. The new Leno show will also feature comedians acting as correspondents, reporting from the nation’s capital and elsewhere.

Meanwhile, NBC is struggling with the ratings drop for “The Tonight Show” under Conan O’Brien’s watch. The NBC brass seemed a bit nervous in backing up the advertising promotion of O'Brien as the “New King of Late Night,” when the claim rests on the foundation of a particular demographic group.

Bromstad advanced the notion that having started O'Brien in the summer will help him “get his rhythm for the show” because the “true test is going to come this fall.”

Rather defensively, she also said, “I think it’s fair to say we’re going to declare victories where we have them.” Any day now, the network executive could be declaring a candidacy for public office.

Research tells the network that the public clamors for more comedies, perhaps a reflection of the need to lift our spirits in troubled times.

New to the fall schedule is “Community,” a comedy series about a band of misfits who attend Greendale Community College.

At the center of the group is Jeff Winger (Joel McHale), a fast-talking lawyer whose degree has been revoked. To win the affection of a fellow classmate, Winger forms a study group which ends up learning a lot more about themselves than they do about their course work.

This new series also stars comedy legend Chevy Chase as Pierce, a man whose life experience has brought him infinite wisdom.

Gillian Jacobs’ Britta is a 28-year-old dropout with something to prove. Yvette Nicole Brown plays a sassy middle-aged divorcee named Shirley. The slightly off-center yet lovable classmate role belongs to Danny Pudi’s Abed.  Alison Brie’s Annie is a high-strung perfectionist and Donald Glover’s Troy is a former high school football star trying to find his way.  “Community” may get a boost from its placement after the hit comedy “The Office.”

From the executive producer of “Friday Night Lights” comes the new medical drama series “Trauma.”  It’s billed as the first high-octane medical show to live exclusively in the field where the action is. Like an adrenaline shot to the heart, “Trauma” is an intense, action-packed look at one of the most dangerous medical professions in the world: first responder paramedics.

When emergencies occur, the trauma team from San Francisco City Hospital is first on the scene, traveling by land, by sea or by air to reach their victims in time. From the heights of the city’s Transamerica pyramid to the depths of the San Francisco Bay, these heroes must face the most extreme conditions to save lives.

What’s not known at this time is if the pilot cast, which includes Derek Luke and Jamey Sheridan, will be the same in the regular series.

Things aren’t all bad for NBC. After all, a network that has shows like “The Office,” “Heroes” and “30 Rock” has something going for it. And they can always roll out Donald Trump as the center of attention for a reality show.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.