Fun Friday: Betting on Renewals and Cancellations

It can be a depressing time of year for a lot of people. We're only a month out from Network Upfronts Week (May 13-16 this year), and although we've already seen many cancellations and heard about many upcoming new pilots, there are still quite a few shows up for renewal, both freshman and returning. Back in January we did a Midseason Checkup on how the first-season scripted shows were doing so far. But, at that point there were still quite a few that hadn't even debuted, so a lot has changed. (and, actually, there still are some shows that have not seen the light of day yet, like Crossbones, Friend Me, The Goodwin Games, Save Me, Family Tools, and Mistresses.) That said, I wanted to go ahead and start predicting how things will go for freshmen series and the older series that this site follows. Again, this only covers the programming on the big five broadcast networks. If a show isn't on this list and you expected it to be, that's because its fate has already been announced, so check here.  

and, not, I didn't try to make the sections near-even, that's just a coincidence.

I think it'll be renewed:
Beauty and the Beast. While the numbers are decent for a series on the CW, there are many cable series that do better. Still, I think it's good enough for the situation. [update: we were right!]
Chicago Fire. Not the highest numbers, but the series is getting a spin-off, so you'd think they'd keep this around for some early publicity, crossovers, etc. [update: we were right!]
Golden Boy. The numbers are decent, but CBS can afford to be picky, so that might work against this drama. Still, the critics are more favorable than not on it, and although it's not my cup of tea, I could see it getting a second chance. [update: we were wrong!] 
Hannibal. For a series about the famed Dr. Lecter, it did not open well, and the second episode did about the same. It could be advantageous that the series does not plan full seasons but just 13-episode installments, and it's hard to make a judgment call after just two airings, but I think NBC could work with this.
How to Live With Your Parents (for the Rest of Your Life). It could be a good fit for ABC, maybe even joining the TGIF lineup if the network could scare up some more family comedies to throw in there. After two episodes, it's still early, but the numbers are decent, even if it does have Modern Family as a lead-in at the moment. [update: we were wrong!]
Last Man Standing. (listed because it's one of the few non-freshman network series we cover that has not yet been renewed/canceled) The numbers are high enough for a renewal, and although I don't think the stories are going anywhere, I think it's a safe show for ABC's Friday night lineup. [update: we were right!]
Malibu Country. The numbers aren't where they could be, but the stories could go far, plus it pairs well following Last Man Standing. [update: we were wrong!]
The Middle. (listed because it's one of the few non-freshman network series we cover that has not yet been renewed/canceled) The numbers are better than last year's and the storylines could easily keep going, so I don't know why this would get canceled. [update: we were right!]
Nashville. The numbers aren't terrible for a 10pm slot, and it got decent critical praise. [update: we were right!]
The Neighbors. The numbers are on the weaker side and it's not a critical favorite, but it's high-concept and fits into the "family" block on Wednesday nights. [update: we were right!]

I think it'll be canceled:
1600 Penn. The numbers are absolutely abysmal, and the comedy packs in too much drama. [update: we were right!]
The Carrie Diaries. The CW operates by slightly different rules, but this series still has weaker numbers than Emily Owens, MD, and that's already been canceled. [update: we were wrong!]
Deception. The numbers are poor and there are two episodes to air that aren't even scheduled at the moment, which is not a good sign. [update: we were right!]
Go On. The numbers suggest that it just fell too far. Combined with a last-minute timeslot move and the very droll plots, I don't see this going anywhere. [Update: we were right!]
Guys with Kids. The numbers were never great for this one, and it aired against the more-established family comedy block on ABC on Wednesdays. It never even got a full season pickup, so as much as it pains me, I don't think it'll make it. [update: we were right!]
The New Normal. The numbers have been on a downward slope, and I think the stories would be scattered should the series continue. [update: we were right!]
Red Widow. The numbers are dropping, and month-long gap between the last episode and the next won't help anybody. [update: we were right!]
Revolution. The numbers have been falling drastically since the pilot, and it's a bit too high-concept for the show to try and "solve" the problem of the power so soon. [update: we were wrong!]
Vegas. The numbers have been pretty steady, although the move to Friday will keep many guessing as to how the remaining five episodes will do. Still, it's a big-budget show, and although another network might risk another season, CBS may not. [update: we were right!]

what do you think will happen? check out the poll to the right and let us know which series you think will be renewed!

Fall 2012 Network Shows: GONNA PASS!

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

By this point you've probably already seen a little bit about which shows each major broadcast network has picked up and when they're planning to air them. Some sites have covered them show by show, others network by network, and at least two decided to break it down night by night. We decided to go with our interest in them - what we can't wait for, what we don't think is worth the time, what falls somewhere in the middle, and even what we don't think will last. Of course, this is subject to change, especially come late July when so much more comes to light! Today we look at the ones that we're not really planning on checking out at all. Some of them sound like they could get a nice audience, others maybe not...

Arrow (CW) is based on the comic book Green Arrow, a superhero vigilante who rights wrongs in Starling City. I just don't need a comic book show in my life, but I can see how it could work for other people.

The Carrie Diaries (CW) looks at Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw's senior year of high school. I never could stand Sex and the City, so I have no desire to see another incarnation of it. That said, the show had a large following, so this could work.

Cult (CW) is a journalist blogger and a production assistant who investigate mysterious disappearances. This sounds a bit boring to me, but the contemporary idea of a blogger being a main character could do well.

Vegas (formerly Ralph Lamb, CBS) is 1960s mobsters. Stars Dennis Quaid. Not for me. The setting could do great for others, as could Dennis Quaid.

The Mindy Project (formerly It's Messy, FOX) is Mindy Kaling's (The Office) show where she plays a physician living life. Not a fan of Mindy, don't like the premise as it relates to medicine, nothing really grabs me at all. Some people will tune in for Mindy, though... 

The Following (FOX) looks at an FBI agent "in the middle of a network of serial killers." It stars Kevin Bacon. Kevin Bacon isn't enough to draw me in, and this screams "procedural" and "crime-solving" too much for me to bat an eye.

R: Patrick Ecclesine/FOX

Red Widow (ABC) focuses on a woman who is left to take over a small criminal business where her husband is murdered. Eh. How many gangster or family-coming-together shows need to premiere in 2012-2013? This one just blends in and doesn't seem to offer anything special.

How to Live with Your Parents for the Rest of Your Life (ABC) has divorced mom Sarah Chalke moving back in with her parents - Brad Garrett and Elizabeth Perkins. Perhaps the cast is enough to make you tune in, but not me. Perhaps you're interested in people moving in with their parents, but I'm not. The combination doesn't make it any better. And, I agree with the ten thousand others who have already said it: shorter title, please.

666 Park Avenue (ABC) is a drama based on the book series, following a young couple taking over a devil-haunted NYC apartment building. Yeah... I don't do creepy. I think that Sundays at 10pm will be a good slot for this creepy mess, so it might do great, just not with me.

Chicago Fire (NBC) is about firemen in Chicago. Look for Jesse Spencer as some eye candy. Chicago isn't my favorite city, firemen aren't my favorite profession, and Jesse Spencer isn't my favorite hottie. Where's the draw?

(Photo by: Sandro/NBC)

Do No Harm (NBC) will be a Dr. Jekyll/Mr.Hyde type medical drama, starring a brain surgeon. Phylicia Rashad is set to co-star. This borders on creepy, but could also be part House, what with a random time-bomb-type doctor and all. I think this show is trying a bit too hard... and that some concepts are better left off serials.

Next Caller (NBC) is a satellite radio DJ who now has to share a show with an NPR feminist. Stars Dane Cook and Jeffrey Tambor. Meh... I'm a very big fan of Frasier, but hated the episodes where he had tension with coworkers - be it Bulldog's pranks, Dr. Mary's comments, or his love/hate relationship with several others. I just don't see the appeal here.

Hannibal (NBC) based on the characters in the classic novels, a criminal profiler is looking for a serial killer, and partners with an amazing empathizer. Again, I don't do creepy. Or serial killers, for that matter. But I could see this becoming popular with others.