NBC Gives 'Superstore' Creator's 'American Auto' The Green Light

Fans of “American Auto” are in for some good news.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, NBC has picked up “American Auto” for a second season. NBC has also renewed “Grand Crew” and a third season of “Young Rock.” All three shows are produced by NBC’s sister studio, Universal Television.

“Superstore” might be over, but creator Justin Spitzer was back on TV lending his comedic prowess to “American Auto,” which is set in the office of a Detroit automaker company. The cast features “Saturday Night Live” alum Ana Gasteyer leading an ensemble cast that includes Harriet Dyer, Jon Barinholtz, Humphrey Ker, Michael B. Washington, and Tye White.

In a recent interview, Spitzer discussed the future of network sitcoms after first getting his start writing for “The Office.”

“I mean, I don’t know that network sitcoms are any worse than in any other time. Networks, I think, have a broader audience to reach,” he said. “In terms of what drives the zeitgeist right now in TV culture,  it’s not network sitcoms.”

“It’s not like it was with the Cheers era, Seinfeld, Friends. It’s a different era,” he admitted. He added that “come awards time, it doesn’t help for your show to be on a network. And that’s something those of us on a network have come to accept, but that can still change.”

“I think there’s a lot of very good network comedies, and I think a lot of good writers writing on networks,” Spitzer continued. “And I feel like if you have a show that can appeal to a broad audience, that doesn’t feel like it’s too niche, why not make it available for as many people as possible?”

“And that’s not to say I would never want to do streaming or cable, I think I absolutely do,” he added. “But this show feels like it can be on a network. And having grown up in the world of Cheers, and Friends, and eventually The Office and stuff, there’s still something kind of nice about that. About that eight o’clock, same time every week. That, I don’t know, maybe the nostalgic part of me still loves.”

Unfortunately, the show only holds a 51% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

“If this show were written by predictive text it would have been far better,” wrote Jesse A. “The characters are flat and empty. The actors appear to be doing their best to fight the poor writing and direction but just don't yet have the chemistry to pull it off.”

However, Isaiah M wrote, “I was a bit worried American Auto would be the typical CBS sitcom aimed at disillusioned Boomers waiting to die. Although it periodically feels this way at times as it finds its way, American Auto is overall a hysterical new show that's willing to deal with our awkward, unlikeable selves in a way that continuity makes them all the more likable.”

Greg M wrote, “This show is much better than the audience thinks. I will say much of the humor is a pretty dark look at modern capitalism, but if you've ever been in a large company, parts are simply so hilarious and a bit too close to reality.”

It remains to be seen if “American Auto” will be able to pull in new audiences for its sophomore season. A release date has yet to be announced.