The NBC television network has fared much better in the last year or so, as opposed to not long ago when it was floundering in last place among the four major TV networks.

Comedy shows have been a big part of the network’s resurgence. The success of “Undateable” was inspired programming that now anchors the Friday night slot.

The unique success of this ensemble comedy was the result of a launch more than a year ago during the summer doldrums, getting a jump on the fall season.

Speaking to the nation’s TV critics just last month, Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment, noted that “comedy is very important to us, and it’s no secret we only have two comedies on the fall schedule.”

The network chief observed that NBC has “been in a difficult transition in the last couple of years after the departure of ‘The Office,’ '30 Rock’ and now ‘Parks and Rec,’ and frankly, we struggled to find those classy new anchor shows.”

Recognizing the competitive nature of the Thursday lineup for all networks, NBC is shifting direction in a big way by deploying three event dramas on the coveted Thursday night with the return of the second season of “The Blacklist” and two new series.

“Heroes Reborn” follows the 2006 “Heroes” series with an epic 13-episode event program that chronicle the lives of ordinary people who discover they possess extraordinary powers.

I must confess that I barely remember the origin show from years ago, and consequently, wonder if there was any clamoring to bring it back. Somehow, I never witnessed the petition drive outside Rite-Aid or Walmart.

In any case, Jack Coleman returns as Noah Bennet, who has gone off the grid, after a terrorist attack in Odessa, Texas has left the city decimated. This can only mean that some of the origin characters are no longer with us.

Meanwhile, conspiracy theorist Quentin Frady (Henry Zembrowski) finds Noah Bennet, aka HRG, and opens his eyes to the truth behind the Odessa tragedy.

New people on the scene include Zachary Levi’s Luke and Judith Shekoni’s Joanne, two vigilantes who are seeking to avenge a tragic loss. Other characters, while in hiding, have discovered newfound skills.

“Heroes Reborn” has its target audience with those who followed a series that ended five years ago, but there could be plenty of interest for Noah Bennet’s quest to find out what happened to his daughter (Hayden Panettiere).

Also on the tough Thursday night schedule is the new drama series “The Player,” set in the glittering world of Las Vegas, which represents a chancy roll of the dice for a new dramatic twist on the gaming world.

Wesley Snipes stars as mysterious casino pit boss Mr. Johnson, assisted by Charity Wakefield’s Cassandra King as his dealer for a high-stakes game where an organization of wealthy individuals gamble on one man’s ability to stop big crimes from happening.

The pawn in the action-packed deadly game is former military operative Alex Kane (Philip Winchester) turned security expert who is drawn into a perverse game of chance where the stakes are measured in thwarting criminal acts and saving human lives.

Coming off his stint as a commando in the high-stakes action series “Strike Back,” Philip Winchester is the right guy for this role. Oddly enough, his former co-star in that Cinemax series, Sullivan Stapleton, has a prime role in the new NBC series “Blindspot.”

Unless you have failed to notice the high-profile advertising campaign for “Blindspot” from TV commercials to billboards, the presence of a beautiful woman covered in hieroglyphic-style tattoos as the central character is unmistakable.

Jaimie Alexander’s Jane Doe is found naked in Times Square in a duffel bag. Sullivan Stapleton’s FBI agent Kurt Weller comes into the picture because his name is inexplicably tattooed on her back.

With no memory of her past, or why she should come to the attention of the FBI because of a luggage tag, Jane Doe’s body is a roadmap into a larger conspiracy of crime, which may lead to the discovery of her true identity.

At first blush, “Blindspot” offers a vast and complex mystery about the girl that should draw the attention of viewers and not just the government agents. Unlike some shows that are DOA from day one, this drama series seems to be worth a look to see how the early episodes unfold.

It wouldn’t be accurate to call “Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris” a comedy show, even though the titular character has a knack for delivering laughs.

The multi-talented Harris, winner of five Emmys and a Tony Award, seems the right fit to bring back a one-hour variety show which will feature stunts, comedy skits, celebrity appearances, performances and mini-game shows.

More straight-forward comedy is in the offing for later in October in a time slot to follow “Undateable.”

Two married couples that are both neighbors and best friends supposedly engage in conversations on all topics, even ones considered taboo in a politically correct world.

Yet to be seen, this comedy series “Truth Be Told” could prove aptly-named, if Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Vanessa Lachey, as one couple, have frank discussions about life, sex and race that push the envelope, with the other couple, Tone Bell and Bresha Webb.

Rounding out the fall season in mid-November is another chapter in the Dick Wolf “Chicago” franchise. Joining the third season of “Chicago P.D.” and the fourth season of “Chicago Fire” is “Chicago Med.”

It should come as a surprise to no one that “Med” is a drama about doctors, nurses and staff holding it all together at a trauma center.

The ensemble cast for “Chicago Med” is headed by S. Epatha Merkerson’s Sharon Goodwin, the hospital head, and Oliver Platt’s Dr. Daniel Charles, the brilliant Chief of Psychiatry with a troubled personal life.

What’s next for Dick Wolf, “Chicago Medical Examiner?” Actually, what might prove dramatically disturbing and unsettling might be “Chicago School System.” This is just a thought for NBC executives to ponder.

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