Look for SF on TV

NBC picks up San Francisco-based medical drama. Here's a look.

NBC unexpectedly picked up BOTH of the post-"ER" hospital dramas that it was developing, including the shot-in-San Francisco series "Trauma."

While other networks are scheduled to have their "upfronts" for advertisers and media in the coming weeks, NBC jumped out front with a string of renewals and pick ups. Amy Poehler's "Parks and Recreation" was renewed, as was the cop drama "Southland." NBC also picked up "Parenthood" - based on the movie and currently filming in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland - and "Mercy," another hospital drama being filmed in the East Coast (and originally the odds-on favorite to get picked up over "Trauma").

The pick-ups of "Parks and Recreation" and "Southland" were not entirely surprising, though neither has killed in the ratings. The latter did decently well and receieved critical acclaim, while "P&R" - clearly an "Office" spin-off even if NBC won't cop to it - was an investment that the Peacock wanted to nurture. So far no renewal of "My Name Is Earl" has happened (neither has it for "Chuck," "Law & Order," or "Life."). More announcements from NBC are expected soon.