Fewer TV shows on the verge of cancellation, thanks to strike
By Gary Levin, USA TODAY
The strike-hobbled TV season has one bright spot for producers: The fewest yet are enduring nail-biting weeks of uncertainty, waiting to see if their shows will come back for another season.
Just 11 series are left in limbo, half as many as last year's candidates, in USA TODAY's 11th annual Save Our Shows poll.
Five others considered "on the bubble" between renewal and cancellation were renewed just as the strike ended in February: ABC's Pushing Daisies, Private Practice and Dirty Sexy Money, and NBC's Chuck and Life. The theory: They weren't given enough of a chance to prove themselves, producing just nine to 13 episodes, which ran out by January.
NBC's early schedule announcement last week sealed the fate of three other maybes, Friday Night Lights, Medium and Lipstick Jungle: All will be back next season.
Fan favorite How I Met Your Mother has virtually secured its return, thanks to improved performance in a new time slot — and a well-timed appearance by Britney Spears. Perennial SOS candidate Scrubs has been canceled by NBC, but ABC, which produces the series, is poised to make good on its two-year promise to pick up the comedy.
For others, the bubble burst earlier — though no less surprisingly — because of the strike, with ABC's Big Shots and NBC's Journeyman making quiet exits. That leaves the poll short on such cult favorites as last year's Jericho, which was canceled, resurrected and now is gone for good.
And there are no aging former hits such as Law & Order, which earned longevity because of budget cuts and NBC's worse problems elsewhere. The same strategy rescued ER for a 15th and final season, and a lucrative deal with DirecTV allows Lights to stay on, but only after a three-month wait while the satellite-dish provider gets first crack at 13 new episodes.
What's left? A few fall newcomers — ABC's Women's Murder Club, Fox's Back to You, CBS' Moonlight and CW's Reaper — each of which will have to prove itself with a handful of episodes resuming later this month. It leaves newer midseason dramas, ABC's Eli Stone and Fox's Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles. And it leaves a handful of longer-running series that have had their ups and downs: CBS' The New Adventures of Old Christine and The Unit and ABC's Boston Legal.
Their chances are improved by a shortened development season that offers networks fewer replacement series from which to pick. But with TV viewers increasingly flocking to cable, the bar for network success has been lowered. Ratings that just a year or two ago were grounds for cancellation are now considered acceptable.
The only 2 that I care if they return or not are Women's Murder CLub and Eli Stone.
Old Cristine is bound to find a new home (probably ABC) if CBS does not renew it, which it probably will, even for a handful of episodes, just to keep it out of ABC's hands. And I'm now back into How I Met Your Mother, which has done incredibly well since its return and should have no trouble getting renewed... or picked up by another network if not renewed by CBS.
Boston Legal--Renewed 13 episodes Eli Stone--Renewed 13 episodes Women's Murder Club--Cancelled Moonlight--Renewed 13 episodes (although should be cancelled) The New Adventeures of Old Christine--Renewed 22 episodes Rules of Engagement--Renewed 22 episodes (surprised they haven't done it already) Shark--Renewed 13 episodes The Unit--Renewed 13 episodes Back 2 You--Thought it was renewed already Terminator: Sarah Connor--Cancelled unless they have a fantastic movie tie in Reaper--Cancelled
Originally posted by mushu_jj: I know one of these will get the ax, maybe two, and mostly likely they will be on CBS, but here's my guess:
Eli Stone: Canceled, 13 eps at midseason seems the best possible scenario.
WMC: 13 eps and a return to Fridays.
Boston Legal: 13 eps and who knows where.
Reaper: 13 eps regardless of ratings because the CW needs to fill holes.
B2Y: Renewed- full season.
SCC: Renewed.-13 eps
Christine: Renewed- full season.
The Unit/Shark/Moonlight: 2 get 13 eps, the other is gone.
Agree with your assessment. Boston Legal may be iffy. Basically 13 episodes would be great for 20th Century Fox for syndication puposes, gets them to the 'magic' 100 episodes, and with that in mind, they may make it lucrative for ABC to renew, (ie. cost wise?)
I agree with almost all of your picks, mushu. I'll only add that Christine is 'full season' only if she moves to a new night of comedy; otherwise, just 13. As for your 2 out of 3: I'll take Shark as the odd man out.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Obveeus,
Monkey see, monkey do. Maybe move Jericho off the cancelled list and onto the bubble. Apparently, CBS is in talks with Comcast about doing the same kind of deal as FNL/NBC. NT Times link
Originally posted by Obveeus: I agree with almost all of your picks, mushu. I'll only add that Christine is 'full season' only if she moves to a new night of comedy; otherwise, just 13. As for your 2 out of 3: I'll take Shark as the odd man out.
For some reason I think CBS still wants Shark to do well. If they didn't, it wouldn't get put post-NCIS. The Unit has been off the air for a long time and its for a certain reason. Its not like CBS didn't have timeslots for it to air in.
Originally posted by Obveeus: Monkey see, monkey do. Maybe move Jericho off the cancelled list and onto the bubble. Apparently, CBS is in talks with Comcast about doing the same kind of deal as FNL/NBC. NT Times link
Please, NO!
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Originally posted by Obveeus: I agree with almost all of your picks, mushu. I'll only add that Christine is 'full season' only if she moves to a new night of comedy; otherwise, just 13. As for your 2 out of 3: I'll take Shark as the odd man out.
For some reason I think CBS still wants Shark to do well. If they didn't, it wouldn't get put post-NCIS. The Unit has been off the air for a long time and its for a certain reason. Its not like CBS didn't have timeslots for it to air in.
Yes, they do want SHARK to do well, but getting to a demo that would both best THE UNIT and preempt CBS from trying something new in the period next year shapes up as a tall order for SHARK. TA retention out of NCIS will improve in all likelihood, that's about all that can be said at this point.
Neither is in good shape as both are probably only insurance in case development doesn't produce a lead out for NCIS or that new show blows out. Either could be considered for the 10pm hour, but decouple even by an hour THE UNIT from NCIS and it drops, and if SHARK can't produce demo at 9pm, it won't at 10pm. THE UNIT's proven record in the tough 9pm hour gives it an edge at this point over SHARK, which still has to put its runs on the board.
I think MOONLIGHT is on somewhat shaky ground, with development calling for at least one paranormal pilot not counting THE MENTALIST, which I doubt would end up on friday anyway.
Whereas SHARK and other shows on various nets are getting shots in new periods, MOONLIGHT goes back to an hour where it has an established but apparently unconvincing level of performance. It is the best period for the show, of course, but one senses a gun cocked to its head. I say its fate is out of its hands.
Given the success of various comedies and numerous pilots being called for, I do think another hour of comedy is in the offing and thus CHRISTINE sticks around, and I frankly think the worrying about it is overdrawn.
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Originally posted by Obveeus: Monkey see, monkey do. Maybe move Jericho off the cancelled list and onto the bubble. Apparently, CBS is in talks with Comcast about doing the same kind of deal as FNL/NBC. NT Times link
Please, NO!
I'm down. I enjoyed the final eps immensely and want to see more of them.
Using the USA Today list of 'bubble' shows, supplemented of course with a clutch of MyNetworkTV shows that sit atop Mr. Meidel's 'bubble', here is my assessment network by network:
ABC: Boston Legal -> Renewed, 22 episodes Eli Stone -> Renewed, 8 episodes Here Come the Newlyweds -> Renewed, 8 episodes Miss/Guided -> Renewed, 8 episodes New Adventures of Old Christine -> Pick-up from CBS, 13 episodes Oprah's Big Give -> Renewed, 10 episodes Samantha Who -> Renewed, 22 episodes Scrubs -> Pick-up from NBC, 11 episodes Women's Murder Club -> Renewed, 8 episodes
Cancellations: Carpoolers, Cavemen, Dance Wars, Duel, Just for Laughs, Men in Trees (breaks my heart--hope Warner finds another network for it), October Road
CBS: Moonlight--Renewed 13, episodes Rules of Engagement--Renewed, 22 episodes Shark--Renewed, 13 episodes The Unit--Renewed, 13 episodes
Cancelled: Cane, Kid Nation, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Welcome to the Parker TBD: Secret Talents of the Stars
FOX: Back 2 You -> Renewed, 13 episodes Canterbury's Law -> Renewed, 6 episodes (mid-season) New Amsterdam -> Renewed, 13 episodes Terminator: Sarah Connor -> Renewed, 13 episodes Cancelled: Next Great American Band, The Return of Jezebel James, 'Til Death, Unhitched
THE CW: Aliens in America -> Renewed, 13 episodes Beauty & The Geek -> Renewed, one cycle Reaper -> Renewed, 13 episodes Cancelled: Crowned, The Game, Life is Wild, Pussycat Dolls TBD: Farmer Gets a Wife
MyNetworkTV: Celebrity Expose -> Renewed, specials (not weekly series) Jail -> Renewed, full season Street Patrol -> Renewed, full season Whacked Out Videos -> Renewed, one cyle
Cancelled: Control Room Presents, Decision House, MyThursdayMovie, NFL Total Access, Paradise Hotel (hard to let go of, but the ratings keep falling, now a third of debut levels) TBD: Under One Roof
dumont, I believe it's welcome to the captain not parker.
anyways, with your list this is what I think...
ABC: Boston Legal -> Renewed, 13 episodes Miss/Guided -> Renewed, 13 episodes New Adventures of Old Christine -> Pick-up from CBS, 22 episodes Oprah's Big Give -> Renewed, 13 episodes Scrubs -> Pick-up from NBC, 13 episodes Women's Murder Club -> Renewed, 13-22 episodes
Cancellations: Carpoolers, Cavemen, Dance Wars, Duel, Eli Stone, Just for Laughs, Here Come the Newlyweds, Men in Trees, October Road
CBS: Rules of Engagement--Renewed, 22 episodes Shark--Renewed, 22 episodes The Unit--Renewed, 22 episodes
Cancelled: Cane, Kid Nation, Moonlight, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Welcome to the Captain TBD: Secret Talents of the Stars
FOX: Back To You -> Renewed, 22 episodes Canterbury's Law -> Renewed, 7 episodes Terminator: Sarah Connor -> Renewed, 22 episodes 'Til Death -> Renewed, 22 Episodes Cancelled: New Amsterdam, Next Great American Band, The Return of Jezebel James, Unhitched
THE CW: Aliens in America -> Renewed, 13-22 episodes Beauty & The Geek -> Renewed, One-Two Cycles Reaper -> Renewed, 22 episodes The Game -> Renewed, 7-13 episodes or 13-22 episodes Cancelled: Crowned, Life is Wild, Pussycat Dolls TBD: Farmer Gets a Wife
MyNetworkTV: Celebrity Expose -> Renewed Jail -> Renewed Paradise Hotel -> Renewed Street Patrol -> Renewed Whacked Out Videos -> Renewed
Cancelled: Control Room Presents, Decision House, NFL Total Access TBD: Under One Roof
This message has been edited. Last edited by: yankeesrj12,
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ABC: Boston Legal - Renewed, 22 episodes [final season maybe?] Eli Stone - Renewed, 13 eps [don't know if it deserves it though] Miss/Guided - Renewed, 13 eps [ABC needs to start rebuilding their comedy line up] Samantha Who - Renewed, 22 eps [11eps in fall, the rest in spring] Oprah's Big Give - Renewed, 13 eps [does fairly well, if paired with Extreme Makeover it could benefit for ABC pretty nicely] Women's Murder Club - Renewed, 13 eps [did fairly reasonably for ABC on Fridays, toss in a good lead-in it could be respectable if not huge]
Cancellations: Carpoolers, Cavemen, Dance Wars, Duel, Just for Laughs, Men in Trees, Here Come the Newlyweds, October Road (could be a good idea for The CW to pick it up for 13eps)
New Adventures of Old Christine -> Renewed, 16 eps CBS or ABC, should totally back it up for a 4th Season. It at lease deserves a farewell season at the lease.
CBS: Moonlight - Renewed, 13 eps Rules of Engagement - Renewed, 16/22 eps [depends if CBS does do another comedy night or not. along with if it keeps Christine] Shark--Renewed, 13 episodes The Unit--Renewed, 13 episodes
Cancelled: Cane, Kid Nation, Welcome to the Parker
TBD: Secret Talents of the Stars
FOX: Back 2 You -> Renewed, 22 eps [FOX needs more sitcoms, and defiantly less Cartoons unless they decided to bring back Futurama ] 'Til Death - Renewed, 13 eps [fans deserve closure] Canterbury's Law - Renewed, 6 eps [good to have backup cause as we know FOX is known to be trigger happy] New Amsterdam - Renewed, 13 eps [should air after PB in the fall] Terminator: Sarah Connor - Renewed, 13 eps [if planned right, FOX can air PB in the fall-winter. Then in the spring Terminator can be paired with 24]
Cancelled: Next Great American Band, The Return of Jezebel James, Unhitched
THE CW: Gossip Girl - Renewed, 22 eps [defiantly the biggest new show out of the net this season, critical wise and exposure for the net] Reaper - Renewed, 13 episodes [The CW doesn't have much going for it, why not take a chance once again] America's Next Top Model - Final Cycle [i heard Tyra was stepping down and could possibly mean no more ANTOM for CW]
Cancelled: Aliens in America, Crowned, The Game, Life is Wild, Pussycat Dolls
TBD: Farmer Gets a Wife
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