Post by DNA on Mar 2, 2007 8:31:17 GMT -5
TVGuide.com
TV Death Watch
A look at shows facing cancellation before the fall
Stephen Battaglio[/i]
The networks have started working on new fall series, which means pink slips are coming for some of your old favorites. Here's what could be on the chopping block.
NBC
Did you ever imagine the day when Law & Order would be canceled? We're not saying it's going to happen — it probably won't. But costs on the show have risen while its ratings have dropped, which means its renewal is no longer automatic every year. NBC's other middling crime dramas — Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Crossing Jordan and Medium — are more vulnerable. The network has also yet to decide on another season for The Apprentice.
Stick a fork in Studio 60. It held little of the audience from its lead-in, Heroes, and began to slip even further in its last two airings. Prospects are better for Friday Night Lights, which has a small but steady following and is a favorite with critics (it also doesn't hurt that NBC owns it). On the comedy side, the network has to decide if it's willing to show patience with the funny but struggling 30 Rock. Word is it will swap time periods with Scrubs later this season to see how it does with The Office as a lead-in.
ABC
The network's comedies continue to get clubbed by competition from American Idol. So it could be the end for According to Jim, George Lopez, In Case of Emergency and Knights of Prosperity. What About Brian has failed to grow its audience, but insiders put its chances of returning at 50-50. While Men in Trees doesn't hold much of Grey's Anatomy's audience, it's a favorite among ABC execs and could survive to a second season. Remember, you can't cancel everything.
CBS
Second-year crime drama Close to Home has been an underachiever between Ghost Whisperer and Numbers, and CBS will look hard for an upgrade in the time period. With mid-season comedy Rules of Engagement working, it's uncertain that The Class will graduate to a second season. Jericho will also have to get closer to the ratings it scored in the fall to survive.
Fox
Brad Garrett's sitcom 'Til Death will get a shot after the American Idol results show before the network decides on its fate. Producers are looking to cast Michael Rapaport in new shows, which means The War at Home might be over. With Standoff banished to Friday nights, the chances of it being rescued from cancellation are slim.
CW
It's goodbye to the Gilmore Girls unless stars Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel decide to sign on for another season. Veronica Mars will likely solve her final case this spring. Monday sitcoms All of Us and The Game are vulnerable. If 7th Heaven doesn't get canceled after this season, you'll know that the CW's new-show development is lousy.
TV Death Watch
A look at shows facing cancellation before the fall
Stephen Battaglio[/i]
The networks have started working on new fall series, which means pink slips are coming for some of your old favorites. Here's what could be on the chopping block.
NBC
Did you ever imagine the day when Law & Order would be canceled? We're not saying it's going to happen — it probably won't. But costs on the show have risen while its ratings have dropped, which means its renewal is no longer automatic every year. NBC's other middling crime dramas — Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Crossing Jordan and Medium — are more vulnerable. The network has also yet to decide on another season for The Apprentice.
Stick a fork in Studio 60. It held little of the audience from its lead-in, Heroes, and began to slip even further in its last two airings. Prospects are better for Friday Night Lights, which has a small but steady following and is a favorite with critics (it also doesn't hurt that NBC owns it). On the comedy side, the network has to decide if it's willing to show patience with the funny but struggling 30 Rock. Word is it will swap time periods with Scrubs later this season to see how it does with The Office as a lead-in.
ABC
The network's comedies continue to get clubbed by competition from American Idol. So it could be the end for According to Jim, George Lopez, In Case of Emergency and Knights of Prosperity. What About Brian has failed to grow its audience, but insiders put its chances of returning at 50-50. While Men in Trees doesn't hold much of Grey's Anatomy's audience, it's a favorite among ABC execs and could survive to a second season. Remember, you can't cancel everything.
CBS
Second-year crime drama Close to Home has been an underachiever between Ghost Whisperer and Numbers, and CBS will look hard for an upgrade in the time period. With mid-season comedy Rules of Engagement working, it's uncertain that The Class will graduate to a second season. Jericho will also have to get closer to the ratings it scored in the fall to survive.
Fox
Brad Garrett's sitcom 'Til Death will get a shot after the American Idol results show before the network decides on its fate. Producers are looking to cast Michael Rapaport in new shows, which means The War at Home might be over. With Standoff banished to Friday nights, the chances of it being rescued from cancellation are slim.
CW
It's goodbye to the Gilmore Girls unless stars Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel decide to sign on for another season. Veronica Mars will likely solve her final case this spring. Monday sitcoms All of Us and The Game are vulnerable. If 7th Heaven doesn't get canceled after this season, you'll know that the CW's new-show development is lousy.
