Latest buzz: Is your favorite show going to be renewed, or canceled ?
By fred | March 13, 2008
Many shows have seen their fate settled already, but for quite a few the future remains uncertain. Taken from Hollywood Reporter, here are the latest buzz on those shows. Note that, of course, this is nothing official and all subject to change…
In short, here’s the most important things with first, the bad news :
- After that stupid movie, NBC is looking to get Knight Rider back into a full series…
- It seems that Reaper could not come back next season. I don’t get that whole “pilot was good but after that not so much” crap, the show has been really fun and actually managed not to get stuck with a given formula, it’s evolving nicely, and more important it was always funny! New ratings might play a part in The CW’s decision, but putting new episodes on Thursdays against Lost is pretty much not wanting the show to do well…
- Prison Break could come back for a fourth season. I don’t get it, I don’t want it, even though I’m sure die-hard fans would love nothing more. I say we’re done with it, no more Michael escaped form yet another prison, and no female spin-off either, please. But producers are pitching a season 4 story arc, and it could happen.
- CBS hasn’t officially decided which ending to air or Jericho, the one with a cliffhanger for another season, or the one that ends things here. But looking at the ratings, we pretty much know they’ll go with the later…
And now the good news :
- Not so good, cause it’s still “uncertain”, but there is hope for How I Met Your Mother to get renewed, especially if the latest Spears casting does boost viewership… I say if CBS doesn’t renew this show, I won’t watch anything they have.
- Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicle should be coming back, because it’s doing well, Fox likes the show, and of course a new movie is coming up… so it’s pretty much a done-deal.
- Still no real official announcement, but as recently confirmed by actors, Scrubs should have its final season, on ABC.
Here’s the full list :
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 Law & Order: 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.
From Hollywood Reporter
Posted in News
Shows: According To Jim, Aliens In America, Back To You, Bones, Cashmere Mafia, Friday Night Lights, How I Met Your Mother, Jericho, Knight Rider, Law & Order, Law & Order: CI, Moonlight, Prison Break, Reaper, Scrubs, The Sarah Connor Chronicles
I have felt all along that Jericho would not be renewed. I know just what ending they are going to use. You just can’t cram 22 episodes into 7! Maybe 11, but not 7. When are networks going to realize that you just can’t determine a show’s popularity by the Nielson box alone? I for one do not know one person with a ratings box, including myself. Years ago someone came to my door and asked if I would be interested in one, but my three kids changed his mind. No fair.