Status of some bubble shows, from The Hollywood Reporter. This doesn't talk about some of the shows I care about (Women's Murder Club, Eli Stone, Boston Legal), but some of the ones discussed may be ones you're interested in:
At this point in the season, the strictly defined countries of "renewed" and "canceled" have acres of gray area in between. A couple dozen shows are clustered near the border, on the verge of being declared dead or alive for next season.
Without belaboring the obvious -- ABC's "Cashmere Mafia" isn't coming back; Fox's "Bones" is -- here's the latest industry buzz on some of the most talked-about titles:
-- "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles." Fans need not worry: Sources say that "Terminator" will be back. Fox executives like the creative product and thought the finale's performance last week was solid. The network also spent a considerable amount marketing the show, giving Season 2 some cost benefit. Also: The fourth "Terminator" movie comes out in 2009, and as "The Simpsons Movie" proved, there are promotional advantages to film-TV synergy.
-- "Scrubs." The dead comedy-turned-backroom hot commodity remains poised to jump to ABC from longtime home NBC. The cast has been told to return to work March 24. Castmember John C. McGinley said recently that he was told that "the 18 episodes we're going to do starting that day will be on ABC next fall." But ABC Studios insists the work is just "reshoots." Just, you know, everyday reshoots of a series NBC has refused to order more episodes of.
-- "How I Met Your Mother." Granted, "Mother" usually is the weakest ratings link in CBS' Monday night comedy lineup. But that lineup sets a high bar, representing the most successful comedy block on television. The headline-making stunt casting of Britney Spears in an upcoming episode is sure to boost viewership. Not to mention, CBS' comedy-starved rivals would be tempted to snatch up the show if canceled. Verdict: Probably not going anywhere.
-- "Knight Rider." The February movie performed well for NBC. Sources say the network is in talks with a showrunner who is familiar with NBC primetime, which suggests a regular series order is likely.
-- "Moonlight." CBS is playing wait-and-see with this Friday night show. The network is curious whether the show's fans return once it comes back from its strike-induced hiatus. But "Moonlight" fans are passionate, the show fits well into CBS' Friday night alternative crime block and an eventual pickup is probable.
-- "Jericho." CBS must make this decision quickly since only three episodes remain in Season 2 and the network has to choose Ending A or Ending B. Two conclusions to the season have been shot. One puts a narrative lid on the series (lest protesting fans pelt CBS executives with thousands of pounds of nuts again), the other more of a cliffhanger. CBS notes that the show gains from DVR viewership and online viewing, but after its performance the past two weeks, most doubt the citizens of "Jericho" will live to fight another season.
-- "Reaper." Critics loved the pilot of the CW's supernatural drama, then griped that the series lost its way. The show returns tonight against ABC's "Lost" and needs divine intervention to come back strong enough to make the network add it to its list of previously announced pickups. The chances for the CW comedy "Aliens" look even slimmer.
-- "Law & Order." The longest-running primetime drama on television will come back for a 19th season, sources say, with new co-star Anthony Anderson. USA Network's "L&O: Criminal Intent," which is repurposed on NBC, looks likely to return.
-- "Friday Night Lights." NBC is in talks with DirecTV for the satcaster to share the costs for a third season in exchange for some exclusive distribution opportunities.
-- "Prison Break." Producers are pitching a Season 4 story arc to Fox, which is expected to pick up the show.
-- "According to Jim." ABC's perennial bubble show is looking likely to escape the ax one more time.
-- " 'Til Death" and "Back to You." Despite modest returns, both Fox comedies probably will return in the fall.
Originally posted by xwiseguyx: The Big Brother twist did prove to be disappointing when James was voted back in.
The problem with not giving James a chance to return was that the "mystery houseguest" would be guaranteed at least the jury without really doing anything.
Personally, it didn't bother me, since I'm not wildly fanatic about any particular player.
Posts: 406 | Location: Arkansas | Registered: 25 January 2008
I agree- that entire twist was useless (I suspect that's why they didn't do text messaging for this)- Unless the other players were told who it was going to be, they were going to vote back in James (Sharon said later on she couldn't risk it being Jacob coming back)....and the twist has bitten Ryan in the butt, because one of the people who are against him won HOH (I won't say who)..he's definitely gone unless he wins POV this week...
The CBS chief was defensive about the network’s older viewers, chastising rival networks for favoring the 18-year-old consumer over the 50-year-old. He derisively noted seeing a reference to “upscale” 18- to 34-year-olds: “The only 18-34 upscale people I know are my children, and they come to me when they want to buy a car … It’s a bullshit demographic.”
Similarly, Moonves said the notion that the older demo was set in its ways in terms of purchases was “a great old wives’ tale. We think the boomer is still where the money is and where we want to go.”
He makes a point but at the same time its just Moonves off to his old tricks.
-- "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles." Fans need not worry: Sources say that "Terminator" will be back. Fox executives like the creative product and thought the finale's performance last week was solid. The network also spent a considerable amount marketing the show, giving Season 2 some cost benefit. Also: The fourth "Terminator" movie comes out in 2009, and as "The Simpsons Movie" proved, there are promotional advantages to film-TV synergy.
Yeah, but not in this case.
Still, this is pretty much what I thought would happen. Too embarassing for the people who greenlit this turkey to admit so early on that it's a flop.
It'll have to prove that next season, and it will, handily.
And it will never make one dime of profit, but that could be said of so many other FOX dramas. Good thing they don't rely on dramas for their income.
Originally posted by robert: FOX must be drugged or something if they want to renew SCC which was the bomb of the season alongside VL
What? Are you the one on drugs? Yes the show is expensive. Yes it lost some viewers along the way. In no way is it Viva Laughlin. Fox likes it and that's all that matters. The people on drugs are those at ABC who are returning disasters in Jim and Scrubs, two shows that deserved to die 2 years ago.
Originally posted by robert: FOX must be drugged or something if they want to renew SCC which was the bomb of the season alongside VL
What? Are you the one on drugs? Yes the show is expensive. Yes it lost some viewers along the way. In no way is it Viva Laughlin. Fox likes it and that's all that matters. The people on drugs are those at ABC who are returning disasters in Jim and Scrubs, two shows that deserved to die 2 years ago.
How can you renew a show that premieres out of a 40 + million lead in and ends up with 7.9 million. It's very expensive, it lost viewers all the way, it aired against weak competion, it got huge promotion during the most watched event EVER. How can you renew such a disaster?
And you can clearly see According to Jim and Scrbus have nothing in common with SCC. That doesn't mean those 2 shouldn't be canceled as well
I'm glad--and not remotely surprised--that HIMYM is probably coming back. One factor that isn't mentioned is that Jason Segel is both the writer and star of the latest Apatow-produced comedy. They are not going to throw away free publicity like that for the not-awful ratings HIMYM has been getting.
They shouldn't let it go past five seasons, though.
Originally posted by pisher: I'm glad--and not remotely surprised--that HIMYM is probably coming back. One factor that isn't mentioned is that Jason Segel is both the writer and star of the latest Apatow-produced comedy. They are not going to throw away free publicity like that for the not-awful ratings HIMYM has been getting.
They shouldn't let it go past five seasons, though.
Originally posted by TV-aholic: A quote from Leslie Moonves
I guess this means that CBS will continue to be out of touch with the viewers that advertisers are willing to pay the most for.
CBS doesn't mind that but you are. Strange.
Do you have stocks or something? Are you losing money?
Your understanding of the world is limited if you believe that only people who own stock in CBS would be able to figure out that CBS is going to make less money with old folks shows than with shows that appeal to an audience that advertisers are willing to pay for.
Yes the show is expensive. Yes it lost some viewers along the way.
Yeah, but only half of them! Okay, more than half of them. Like 65% of them. In nine episodes. After a massive initial PR campaign, followed up with heavy promotion on the second most-watched broadcast in American network history. And okay, it was airing during a period when there was hardly any first-run scripted programming against it. But it's not like EVERYBODY has given up on it. Yet.
No, I doubt it will, but CBS can still make use of the free publicity--they desperately need to shake their old-fogey image, and much as I hate the whole Apatow school of comedy, it's definitely attracting a young audience.
Not saying it's sufficient reason in and of itself, but it's certainly going to be a talking point when they make the final decision.
