shows on the bubble

[Temis the Vorta]

There are so many shows on the bubble that it's worth a thread just to follow their fates. Here's when we find out for sure about everything: Network upfronts schedule.

May 5 - NBC

May 18 - FOX

May 19 - ABC

May 20 - CBS
May 21 - CW

And here is analysis about the fates of various shows, focusing on the ones that have some kind of following round here:

Chuck Update: Chuck executive producer Chris Fedak tells us exclusively, "Currently we're talking with the studio and the network and everybody's really positive about the show. The network and the studio have been big fans throughout the process through both seasons. We have high hopes. But on the other side of things, we definitely want our fans out there telling their friends and family, as well as blogging and talking about how much they like the show. That's superimportant."

Dollhouse Update: Contrary what you might have heard this week, Dollhouse has not already been canceled. Sources tell us that Fox is "100 percent in the decision phase" regarding a renewal.

Kings: Awful debut ratings, a complicated premise, lack of network promotion and high production costs mean Kings is in big trouble. Now that NBC is burning off the eight remaining eps on Saturday nights, it seems certain that the kingdom is falling. In this case, chances of David (smart show) beating Goliath (the Nielsen monster) are slim to none.

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles: Averaging less than 3 million viewers an ep in the demo, this show just doesn't have the numbers to survive on a major broadcast network. The good news is that we'll surely see show runner Josh Friedman and star Summer Glau again soon on something else.

 

[tharpdevenport]

I've heard good things about "Kings" -- anybody have some thoughts about it?

 

[Angel4576]

^^ IMO, Chuck's the only one of those shows that stands a chance of returning next year. The rest are largely dead.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

I've heard good things about "Kings" -- anybody have some thoughts about it?

It's well made and some of the actors (Ian McShane, Susannah Thompson, Leslie Bibb) do a nice job with the weirdly formal and stylized dialogue. That can be fun to watch. But I find it hard to care about the characters or the situation. I'd give it another shot tonight except I'm not sure if it's still on Sundays or already has been booted to Saturdays.

^^ IMO, Chuck's the only one of those shows that stands a chance of returning next year. The rest are largely dead.

Chuck may survive because the guy in charge of NBC needs a "win" to show he isn't a total chump:

Perhaps corporate butt-covering will save Chuck?

I wouldn't discount the role that this plays in the fate of a show that is riiiiight on the borderline of renew/cancel. Silverman has a motive to spare Chuck and let the axe fall on another marginal show, that wasn't ever his baby: he doesn't want to look any more incompetent than he already is. Chuck is the sole survivor of all Silverman's forays into the scripted drama realm - for him to only have a couple reality shows to his credit is gawwwdawful! Bionic Woman may save Chuck from beyond the grave.

Silverman's track record. Yowch! (Make sure you scroll all the way to the end of the charts .)

 

[kitkat]

Chuck is an awesome show. Me and the hubby love it!! I hope it gets picked up again.

 

[Star Wolf]

I've heard good things about "Kings" -- anybody have some thoughts about it?

It's well made and some of the actors (Ian McShane, Susannah Thompson, Leslie Bibb) do a nice job with the weirdly formal and stylized dialogue. That can be fun to watch. But I find it hard to care about the characters or the situation. I'd give it another shot tonight except I'm not sure if it's still on Sundays or already has been booted to Saturdays.

When I first heard that it wasn't on the schedule for tonight I thought I would have to wait for the DVD. I guess we figured out it has been sent to Saturday to die. Perhaps God will step in and make it a ratings monster and once again the network schedule will include Saturday nights.

 

[Aragorn]

Saturday nights haven't been a timeslot for scripted tv shows since... Early Edition, Dr. Quinn and Walker, Texas Ranger.

 

[Starbreaker]

I think everything but Chuck and maybe Cold Case and Without a Trace are goners. Sucky year for TV.

 

[Mistral]

The really sad part of this bubble is that SCC and Kings are worthwhile shows. SCC took forever to get anywhere-but what a season finale cliffhanger! And Kings is probably too sophisticated for Joe-Bob Redneck from Podunk, USA so its doomed. I just hope it gets a worthy DVD treatment.