Cancelled shows and shows in danger

[Zogg]

A bit of new info here:

Veteran CBS crime dramas facing cancellation

With the broadcast networks' "upfront" presentations to advertisers less than a month away, it's do-or-die time for "bubble" series, those modestly rated shows walking a fine line between renewal or cancellation.

Not all shows that haven't been renewed yet are in jeopardy: For such series as CBS' "How I Met Your Mother," which traditionally gets picked up at the last minute, and ABC's "Ugly Betty," the orders are just a formality.

But that can't be said for a dozen or so other series anxiously awaiting their fate.

CBS has the most, including a quartet of long-running procedurals -- "Without a Trace," "Cold Case," "Numbers" and "The Unit" -- along with freshman drama "Eleventh Hour."

For all of them -- especially the two oldest, "Trace" and "Case" -- the decision is tied to the shows' economics, as the network pays most or all of the production costs at this point.

The odds for "Trace" and "Case" are considered 50/50 right now, with one of the two expected to come back.

"Numbers" looks good to return for a sixth season, as does its Friday-night companion, "Ghost Whisperer," which would enter its fifth cycle.

The prospects for "Eleventh Hour," meanwhile, do not look good. The military drama "Unit" also had been considered unlikely to come back, but in a hopeful sign, executive producer Shawn Ryan has been asked by the network to present ideas for a fifth season.

Of Fox's two bubble series, "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" and "Dollhouse," sophomore "Terminator" is considered all but gone, while freshman "Dollhouse's" chances are 50/50.

Along with Fox's sci-fi duo, the most discussed bubble show online is NBC's "Chuck," which finally showed a ratings uptick this past week but is still performing marginally despite a strong fan base. The dramedy's chances also have been hurt by the promising start of NBC's police drama "Southland," as the network will have only few hourlong slots in the fall when Jay Leno takes over the 10 p.m. hour every night.

Another NBC Monday series, the modestly rated but reliable procedural "Medium," is said to have slightly better odds to return than "Chuck," while the quirky cop drama "Life" is expected to join "Kath & Kim" on cancellation row.

Meanwhile, the original "Law & Order" series is expected to return for a record-tying 20th season, matching the run of "Gunsmoke," though its order will probably not be for a full 22-episode season.

Neither of ABC's midseason entries have broken through, but while "Cupid" has been pretty much written off, the comedy "Better Off Ted" and the dramas "The Unusuals" and "Castle" are still in consideration as ABC brass is said to be happy with the them creatively.

"Unusuals" has a major test this week: To boost its chances, the network has scheduled a second original episode of the show after the "Dancing With the Stars" results show in addition to its already prominent regular airing after "Lost."

Over at the CW, "Reaper" is gone, while the prospects for "Privileged" have improved, and the show is now considered for a possible midseason order.

I'm sad about Life, it's a really good show. We also really enjoy The Unit and Eleventh Hour, and NUMB3RS is decent enough. I'd miss them all.

But, of course, we have SAVE CHUCK! We need more Strahotski!

[mayhem70]

Originally Posted by Zogg

A bit of new info here:

Over at the CW, "Reaper" is gone, while the prospects for "Privileged" have improved, and the show is now considered for a possible midseason order.

I'm sad about Life, it's a really good show. We also really enjoy The Unit and Eleventh Hour, and NUMB3RS is decent enough. I'd miss them all.

But, of course, we have SAVE CHUCK! We need more Strahotski!

NoooooooOooooooOooooooooOOooooo! Not Reaper!

[TomXP411]

Reaper is a fun show, but it's just not mainstream enough for network TV. It should have been a cable series. I bet if it were on Spike or USA, it'd do just fine.

Chuck is probably underperforming, but I also think it's the best show on NBC right now. Even if its ratings are lower than NBC would like, do they really think they'll do better without it?

[ZetaVu]

Chuck is just the right mix of geek and sex and cool secret agent stuff. You've got some real comic relief at the Buymore, (they even brought in Buster from Arrested Dev) and any show that can utilize the charm of Adam Baldwin effectively must stay. I like the idea of bringing in Chevy and Scott for the last few episodes, hopefully that can push them over the top. Remember, they are competing on Mondays, which for me means three tuners running on Fox, CBS and NBC. (House, Chuck, HIMYM and big bang for those that watch it)

Reaper and Privileged are the only two new shows I've been recording on CW, and I'm sick of Privileged (Wife likes it). If it has to go I hope they at least give it an ending, sort out the whole story rather than just leave us hanging. Maybe they can send it over to scifi?

[groucho111]

Some of the shows I don't really care about but losing Chuck would really disappoint me. Life is a great show also. Terminator is one of my favorites also. I can't believe Fox would cancel it and keep Dollhouse. My two cents.

[LionRed]

Omg....they might cancel Life? That is an awesome show! Not Life =(

Guess that is why I have started watching older shows like Magnum PI and Chips lol

[rugby]

I might just stop watching TV altogether if shows get cancelled after 1-2 years. There's no point in following anything anymore as it could just get cancelled.

[Nick Burns]

I really wouldn't mind if they actually made "seasonal" shows. A story that could be told from start to finish in one full season - remember when a season consisted of 24 episodes?
The Days was a summer 1 season show if I recall correctly.
Reunion was definitely supposed to run that way, but was quickly cancelled.
Several other recent shows were designed to be a one or two season show, but they've been cut short.

[TomXP411]

Originally Posted by Nick Burns

I really wouldn't mind if they actually made "seasonal" shows. A story that could be told from start to finish in one full season - remember when a season consisted of 24 episodes?

Here's what I find amusing.

Dollhouse and Fringe are both longer than normal shows, because they have fewer commercials. (I think it's 50 minutes.) When I was a kid, 50 minutes was the norm, but sometime in the 90's, TV stations stole 6 minutes from us.

But the funny part is, the guys over on IO9 keep complaining about the extra 6 minutes of program material, saying that the show moves too slowly because the show is longer than its "natural" 44 minutes.

aarrgh!!!

[ZetaVu]

I know not of these IO9 people but they sound like dicks. No show has a natural time, specifically science fiction. I grew up on Dr. Who and at the time those shows would be 4-6 24+ minute episodes, in fact a two episode story was a rarity. I used to get annoyed because they would initally show one episode a day, eventually they switched to either one 4 episode or 1/2 a 6 episode show every Saturday. Anyone that complains that 50 minutes is too much is one of the reasons the world is abusing ADD medication. A story needs time to develop, time to bring you in, this one story a week things basically gets you 30 minutes of buildup and 15-20 minutes of rushing the story to the end. I see it in House, in Dollhouse, in Fringe some episodes, Burn Notice, a lot of shows with really good writing that if you took away the time restrictions would proceed in such a better pace. Then you have to do the serial shows like Lost, Heroes and 24, and then you are almost better off saving it and watching over a few days (did that with Jericho, much more satisfying).

[ZetaVu]

Would be nice if the networks listened to polls like this - Bubble show poll results: You really, really want 'Terminator' and 'Chuck' back - From Inside the Box - Zap2it

Highest scoring, Terminator, Chuck, Dollhouse, Life, Castle... Reaper and Better of Ted didn't do too bad.

Vote here - http://www.zap2it.com/news/custom/ph...0.photogallery

[ZetaVu]

On a different note, according to Spoiler Roundup (warning, spoilers ) The Spoiler Roundup 04.30.09 | The TV Remote Not only is Monk doing its final season this year (next year? not sure when it is finished) but Nip/tuck is finally (way overdue) calling it quits, next season (still no start) is their last.

[ZetaVu]

Heroes is renewed, but so is parks and recreation (anyone watching that< I gave up after the pilot) NBC News: Heroes, Parks and Recreation Renewed; Joel McHale Pilot Picked Up - E! Online Should know the fate of the remaining shows May 19th.

This seems to have a good listing of what's on the bubble and the upfront dates per network. http://tvdramas.about.com/

Another reference http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/show...ext-fall-.html talks about new shows but includes this line

Gone forever are: "Lipstick Jungle," "Kath & Kim," "Knight Rider," "Kings," "My Own Worst Enemy" and "Crusoe."

[ZetaVu]

Oh for Christ's sake, looks like Life may have been cancelled - Canceled! A Scorecard of Canceled TV Series and Shows in Danger 'Life' is over at NBC - From Inside the Box - Zap2it

Chuck is still up in the air, some sites say it looks good, won't know until the upfronts the week of the 18th.

New Christine might move to ABC - ABC wants 'Old Christine' if CBS doesn't - Sitcom has a backup plan for next season - Zap2it

Reaper is rumored dead, losing Sock. Same with Cupid, Kings, Terminator (ranking fan favorite for renewal of doomed shows)

Castle, Rules of Engagement, Dollhouse and Eleventh hour are still alive but unknown. HIMYM is likely. Better off Ted, Earl, Scrubs also unknown.

[ZetaVu]

Another nice table - TV Watch - Los Angeles Times

Nothing new. Based on the poll, Terminator, then Chuck and Dollhouse are the fan favorites to keep, Castly doesn't look good, or Reaper, I like both a lot.