TV Shows on "the Bubble"

[FilmNerdJamie]

Crunch time for bubble series
Dozen or so network series are anxiously awaiting fate
By Nellie Andreeva

April 19, 2009, 11:00 PM ET

With the broadcast networks' upfront presentations less than a month away, it's do-or-die time for bubble series.

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, Warner Bros. TV/Bruckheimer's "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.

The CBS Par-produced "Numbers" looks good to return for a sixth season, as does that series' Friday night companion, ABC Studios' "Ghost Whisperer," which would enter its fifth cycle.

The prospects for "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 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.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr...sion/news/e3i9adb8751e5603b1d90c1233925025b29

Surprised to hear that Dollhouse is in the "50/50" category. Ditto with Medium - assumed the Leno deal would have all but killed that show.

 

[Matt]

According to TVbythenumbers, Dollhouse as well as The Sarah Connor Chronicles are dead.

Here is an article on why even their DVR ratings won't save them

http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/04/1...nt-why-dvr-wont-save-dollhouse-and-tscc/16904

Here is a good cancel/renew index:


http://www.tvbythenumbers.com/category/renewcancel-index

 

[FilmNerdJamie]

No doubt, the Leno deal will have played a hand in killing some of those shows (i.e. Life) while others were dead regardless (i.e. Kath & Kim!) Hell if it wasn't for the continued DirecTV deal, Friday Night Lights would have most likely been dead after this season.

 

[TheComicbookKid]

Tvbythenumbers also said Priveleged was DOA but now it might be returning. It's all just opinion.

 

[Mister J]

I don't keep up with a lot of shows, but I'm not surprised about the vibe for T:TSCC or Dollhouse. Connor was doomed IMO with the ep before and two eps after the hiatus, which were terrible. The second season didn't build any real momentum until the end. I suppose there's always a chance until it's made official, but the writing has been on the wall here for some time.

50/50 is about all I'd expect for Dollhouse. It's in a suck time slot and isn't one of those 'instant gratification' shows. Combine that with Fox's meddling in the first handful of eps and that's what you get. I hope it gets renewed, but I know which network we're dealing with here.

I gave The Unusuals a shot last week and it was woeful.

 

[FilmNerdJamie]

They're also saying My Name is Earl is likely to return. But Deadline Hollywood Daily has said otherwise and that it could end up at Fox.

 

[Matt]

TVbythenumbers may be wrong, just as Boxofficemojo is at times, but in the end, it is the numbers that matter and that is exactly what they specialize in. That is what makes them the most accurate site.

At anyrate...I really hope DirecTV will step in and save Kings. That should really deserves it, but I don't think it has the numbers to justify it. Its unfortunate, it was a really good show and would be perfect for HBO. Its just not a good fit for network TV though.

This season has had some really great shows slip away this season. My Own Worst Enemy and Kings are the first that come to mind in the drama category and it looks like Better Off Ted and Worst Week will fill out the comedy ranks. Its too bad.

 

[BlackLantern]

I like 'Better off Ted'....all the characters are great and its an all around funny show

 

[amazingfantasy15]

Won't really be surprissed if Dollhouse gets cancelled. It was set up to fail from the beginning, I just hope we get to see all the episodes.

 

[TheComicbookKid]

I didn't like BOT until the Race in Workplace episode so I'm hoping it makes it in the According to Jim slot.(ie a show that should be cancelled but keeps getting a second chance)

 

[BlackLantern]

I didn't like BOT until the Race in Workplace episode so I'm hoping it makes it in the According to Jim slot.(ie a show that should be cancelled but keeps getting a second chance)

I thought that was over already.....and I loved that episode....the picture on the company newsletter "Black people....We See You" was great

 

[FilmNerdJamie]

Law & Order isn't going anywhere for a couple of more years.

 

[BlackLantern]

Law & Order isn't going anywhere for a couple of more years.

The original has been on for a long time, and I recently started watching it again because it has gotten better IMO....I like SVU as well

of all the "new" shows....and by new, I mean ones that started this year....the only one I can think of that I would like to come back would be 'Better off Ted' and 'Kings'

 

[FilmNerdJamie]

The original has been on for a long time, and I recently started watching it again because it has gotten better IMO....I like SVU as well

One of the best things to happen to L&O was the WGA strike. Upon its 18th season premiere back in January 2008, the ratings soared (due to lack of original programming at that time) and its overall quality upgrade (i.e. solid writing, Jeremy Sisto & Linus Roache joining the cast and making Waterston the DA of New York) got viewers to stick around.

L&O hasn't been this solid since the late 90s imo.

 

[O'Haire]

Out of all the shows mentioned. I only watch Chuck. I hope it sticks around for at least one more season.

 

[BlackLantern]

One of the best things to happen to L&O was the WGA strike. Upon its 18th season premiere back in January 2008, the ratings soared (due to lack of original programming at that time) and its overall quality upgrade (i.e. solid writing, Jeremy Sisto & Linus Roache joining the cast and making Waterston the DA of New York) got viewers to stick around.

L&O hasn't been this solid since the late 90s imo.

Agreed....when I saw Anthony Anderson on SVU, I was surprised with how well he handled drama and they bought the character back to work with Lupo (Sisto) and Linus Roache is the man....I love Mike Cutter...

 

[FilmNerdJamie]

SVU has gotten laughably bad for me. In fact if NBC actually grew some balls and replaced Meloni and Hargitay like they've threatened, it could prove to be interesting for the show.

 

[BlackLantern]

CI did it and they managed....I will miss Chris Noth, but he's left to run his two bars and be a full time dad....

Kings is getting the shaft hard....I wonder why a show like that isn't on an FX or something like that

 

[bunk]

Hopefully Fringe will be ok, it's my favorite show behind 24. Law in order is my third favorite, it's definitely been great lately.

 

[FilmNerdJamie]

I was under the impression Noth left because the film offers really started to pour in. That, and I've always believed he's still had a grudge against Dick Wolf for firing him from L&O way back in '95.

Fringe is definitely safe.

 

[BlackLantern]

I was under the impression Noth left because the film offers really started to pour in. That, and I've always believed he's still had a grudge against Dick Wolf for firing him from L&O way back in '95.

Fringe is definitely safe.

It could be....I did read his significant other is pregnant again or just had their second.....he's probably still a bit ticked about that and his character was written out of CI in a similar way that he was originally written out way back when

I'm on the fence about Fringe....Anna Torv just seems a bit blank sometime....Walter and Peter make that show for me

 

[FilmNerdJamie]

To be fair to Wolf, Noth was a *****e-bag during his run on L&O. Apparently had confrontations/fights with Michael Moriarty (the original ADA for the first four seasons before Waterston), George Dzundza (the original lead detective from season one) and Paul Sorvino (lead detective for season two and half of three!)

$20 says Jerry Orbach put him in his place when he came on-board in the middle of the third season.

 

[Lighthouse]

Kings is getting the shaft hard....I wonder why a show like that isn't on an FX or something like that

I'm guessing because Kings is very expensive.

 

[BlackLantern]

I read that Orbach was a notorious professional....if you're screwing around, he would let you know....L&O needs some more Bebe Neuwirth(sp?)

the guys that created Reaper already took other jobs....damn, guess they saw the writing on the wall

 

[Dr. Evil]

Wasn't there an SVU episode recently that saw the return of Stephanie March for one episode?