Nikki Finke, as well as others, are now reporting that ABC will renew Better Off Ted. It’s clear that past rules of series renewal are being broken left and right this spring. I will be eating some crow, as well as analyzing what happened in the coming week once all the news is in.
Christ, all I need now is for TSCC to get renewed or sold off to the CW or SyFy – and I’ll look like an idiot. LOL!
This makes no sense at all to me. I don’t understand what ABC gains by keeping it around. Is Fox offering it for free for some reason?
Great news. Love this show. Although, as you said…very surprising news…but good news anyways!!! It must have been due to that short video they put together protesting being bumped by Obama and making fun of GE in the process.
I’m so confused right now. I thought this show’s fate was sealed months ago lol. Perhaps I should have chosen a better time to jump in and learn. I’m so confused!
I remember reading this interesting article a while back, and it claimed that the new ratings bar to aim for from now on would be a 2.0,as networks are picking up shows based more on their price than anything else. I don’t suppose that’s starting to come true?
Woah…this is shocking! I haven’t watched this show so I don’t know much about it except that it’s ratings have been low…but wow. This is not what I expected! I’m going to have to check it out…
News flash! NBC Picks up Brisco County Jr for 2nd season!
I am quite curious about the analysis of this crazy season of spring planting by the networks and what they expect out of this harvest. :::shakes head:::
Btw, there is a crow casserole recipe at cooks.com… just saying
j/k
Jon, price definitely has something to do with it, which is why I wonder what Fox is giving this to ABC for. I mean, ABC can’t make any money off of DVD sales, and this isn’t something that can turn into syndication for them. (I suspect that the fact that ABC doesn’t own any comedies other than Scrubs still producing syndicationable episodes is why Sam Who will definitely be back next season. They need to build up whatever they can to syndication levels.)
ABC is desperate to create a comedy block. Comedy works in a recession.
Bill… gravatars aren’t showing for me, should they be?
Nick, were ABC’s comedy pilots so bad that they couldn’t find any that might possibly do better than what they already know BOT will do?
V & THE FORGOTTEN given offers, WB should be accepting by Monday.
Julia, I think they like BOT for quality, and hope that the new comedies will mix with it. I think they’ve given up on SAMANTHA WHO.
That surprises me about Sam Who. I guess they can only renew one show not yet in syndication that can pull 1.2.
V and THE FORGOTTEN were 6 episode orders (Pilot+5). This seems to be ABC’s thing for next fall. I think that is the 4th new show picked up in that format.
The day the Index died.
So it looks like a fall start for The Forgotten?
Weird about the order. Won’t that throw off the production schedule? By the time fall shows premiere they are usually filming episode six or seven, aren’t they?
Is ABC gone crazy? Why renew a show that has such horrible numbers? I don’t see it getting better ratings next year.
Julia, I think that is what Warner is trying to negotiate over the weekend. However an offer for pickup is a good sign the shows will be picked up. I’m not sure if it’s for the Fall or Mid-Season. These are offers.
This show is one of the funniest things I have ever watched. Since Christmas is coming early this year I really hope Chuck gets renewed and ABC studios syndicates Reaper.If that happens I will have gotten everything I wished for.
Honestly, I am completely stunned that this was renewed. I was enjoying the show, but fully accepted that I was just “along for the ride,” considering how little promotion (or ratings) it got, but I thought it was a funny show, so I’ll be watching in the fall.
I just wish I was a Nielsen home now. LOL
“Is ABC gone crazy? Why renew a show that has such horrible numbers? I don’t see it getting better ratings next year.”
While I can’t 100% back this up, it’s always seemed to me like comedies have a much higher chance of improving in the ratings after a poor showing – possibly/probably because most comedies allow viewers to jump on at any point.
Nick C. Only Six…Why?
Can I get $1 on Privileged being renewed?
Good God! Now Cynthia Littleton at Variety is claiming that The Unit has a good shot at getting renewed. At this rate, we’re going to need more than two hands to count the shows that the Index was dead wrong on.
Told you, Julia.
it’s nice to see a network give a show some time… especially one they like and others do too. isn’t that what we are always asking for? i always hear how networks trigger fingers are too quick. and you look at history and some of the biggest hits were flops at first. some that come to mind at the moment were cheers, moonlighting, seinfeld… all kept because the networks liked the shows and wanted to give them a second chance.
I love this show and am shocked but happy. Scrubs had run its course and shouldn’t continue but oh well. Not the first time they have run a show into the ground. I wonder what this means for Samantha Who? It is the only show with any chance (i.e. not The Unusuals, In the Motherhood) that is not officialy renewed. Seems to not be a good sign for that show.
Wow, TV by the Numbers was wrong on almost everything. I LOVE it!
I didn’t know ABC stood for We’re Giving Up.
NBC must be doing backflips today. Dollhouse renewed, Better Off Ted renewed, Scrubs renewed, suddenly the Peacock doesn’t look so stupid.
If only the Knights of Prosperity had this kind of chance.
WHAT! I don’t even know what to say….ummm….WHAT!
Jessica, all that needs to happen now is for Knight Rider and TSCC to be renewed, then, like a sun running out of fuel, we’ll completely implode
If that happens, we’ll go supernova
http://www.scienceray.com/Astronomy/The-Life-of-a-Star.115485
Alright, I’ve got another theory for all these renewals: According To Jim karma. Once ABC finally cancelled that show, a whole bunch of good TV karma was released into the world, which allowed a whole bunch low-rated, but generally well-liked shows to be given temporary reprieves.
Excuse me while I take a page from the C***k crew.
TED TED TED TED TED TED TED TED TED TED TED TED TED TED
TED!!!!!
Okay, as you were.
P.S. Yes, it’s a firm go, but I don’t know the episodic specifics. I’ll ask on Monday. The 6 episodes in the can are decidedly going to be rolled over. The question is, if it got 13 on top of that or 13 with that. The last — and only — Victor Fresco creation to get a second season got the latter.)
P.P.S. I much enjoyed reading the Hollywood Reporter comment. “As for “Ted,” the quirky single-camera comedy didn’t pop but showed solid retention from its lead-in “Scrubs.” Nellie Andreeva must be a RETENTIONISTA!
i think SW> is renewed they announced their summer schedule which includes REPEATS of SW? paired with NEW Motherhood episodes
Ok if this comes back they gotta bring pushing daisies back. Seriouslyy!! Wow, i guess ABC is noticing how theyre going downhill and they are officially desperate.
I never watched this show because I was sure it would get canceled with those ratings but I guess I’ll give it a try.
Wow, all of these shocking renewals put a real damper on the idea of predicting renewals based on a formula.
Here’s a theory:
The last few years’ worth of new shows (especially coming out of the writers guild strike) have been mostly disastrous. Perhaps the networks don’t have much confidence that the new stuff they get next year will be any better…in that case, perhaps it makes more sense to try to “tweak” and “polish” shows that you already have…work with known quantities, ’cause new stuff you get next year will likely be even worse…
And since more and more viewers are defecting from network shows to cable, maybe they figure its time to stop rolling the dice (which seem to have come up snake-eyes for most networks except CBS) and try to make the best of what they have…
Perhaps some of these network execs were Cub Scouts: when you get lost and feel in danger, hug a tree…don’t wander around looking for something new, or you might walk off a cliff…
What on Earth is happening with the main networks? Some of these renewed shows would’ve been canned even by cable networks. I’ve never seen something like this. And they’re complaining the ratings are going dows. Well, duh!. When you renew shows the get 3-4 million viewers of course the ratings will look bad
the way i see it ABC should have two comedy nights 1 male oriented
with : Scrubs,Better Off Ted, Hank + one more
Female oriented with : Samantha Who?, The Middle ,Cougar Town and Modern Family
Are we sure they won’t renew Jim too??
Guys and Gals….
Don’t forget that Cheers (which ended up running for 11 Seasons) was 77th out of 77 shows for it’s freshman season, yes that’s right it was dead last in the ratings and still got renewed.
BOT has a lot of potential to grow an audience IMHO and would make an excellent part of a comedy block.
Jim’s sets were destroyed etc. ABC is done with renewals except for Samantha Who? everything else not renewed is dead
I agree Joe- I liked Knights of Prosperity and did not like this show. This is very shocking as it has no chance at gaining an audience next year.
It makes sense from the point of view of ABC’s MO. They like to give ratings challenged shows with some critical acclaim a second chance, and they are more tolerant with the ratings of comedies than with those of dramas.
Besides, the Scrubs and Better Off Ted duo where the comedies in their line-up with less viewer erosion during the period they where aired together. Actually, BoT is the new show with the smallest viewer erosion.
Having watched Ted, it only took them 3 episodes to figure out what was not working, the office romance, and Ted, and what was working, Veronica, Phil, and Lem. That goes to their credit, as a show that has a direction.
On a side note, yay! I will sit through the 22 minutes just to see the Veridian Dynamics ads.
This is great news. BoT is hilarious, and I had a feeling the network could give it a shot at a second chance, since it was indeed royally screwed over and yet got good reviews from the few people who did see it. It should also be quite cheap to make – no real stars in the cast except De Rossi, and is basically shot in an office building on a single floor. I’m looking forward to more.
I have to say that given the overnight news about renewals for shows that looked done for: Dollhouse, Better Off Red, etc. I would be very interested to see a topic from Bill explaining just what happened in the last 24 hours. Many of us who come here still believe the renew/cancel index is a decent indicator of show longevity, after all it’s not like Cupid is going to be back, is it? Still, I’m glad Castle did though.
I meant Better Off Ted… still, looks good for Chuck getting a third season, doesn’t it?
Better Off Ted surprises me but it doesn’t shock me that they Renewed it. ABC has always said that they really liked the show. They may be thinking that it could be ABCs version of The Office….slow to start but builds its audience. Now the only thing BoT needs is buzz about the show.
Pilot previews must be seriously fracked for all these renewals. It’s crazy, I can’t– I don’t understand– NOBODY WATCHES THE FRIGGIN SHOW!
Maybe the concern is that viewer’s aren’t banking new shows so they should get a relaunch. All of the surprise (Dollhouse, Ted) and expected (Parks and Recs, Southland) renewals with clunker numbers have been midseason replacements. The explanation for NBC was clearly a hope that with a proper launch the numbers might improve (though so far they’ve just tanked farther)…perhaps Fox and ABC are thinking the same thing.
CBS in the 80’s was Number 1 because of crime Dramas, NBC and ABC gave them a run for the money w/ Comedy…ABC’s biggest problem this year was that, w/ the way they launched the shows, and a Presidental Speach every other week, they never had any consistant comedy blocks. Tue/WED/Fri all could work for 2 hour blocks, they still need to pick up Bob Sagets show for year 2 and who knows how the Good Family will do….if it does well then both of those shows plus Scrubs 2.0/Ted combo for Wed…or relaunch TGIF, for all that is said NBC had to break down and relaunch Thur..and it worked.
Shut up, Chris.
“Julia, I think they like BOT for quality, and hope that the new comedies will mix with it. I think they’ve given up on SAMANTHA WHO.”
Nick, I’m glad you’re presenting this as opinion/speculation because it really doesn’t make sense. ABC has seven new episodes, yet they’ve scheduled reruns in the summer rather than the new ones. They have an Emmy winning actress and a lead on the cover of People’s “Beautiful People” issue. There were most DEFINITELY extenuating circumstances in the horrible Thursday ratings (airing it AFTER Motherhood instead of before, having an unexpected Idol airing against the return episode). Plus, ABC can make syndication and DVD money off of SW?, which they can’t off of BOT.
To me, the strongest evidence in favor of a “Samantha Who?” renewal is twofold–first, that ABC doesn’t have to order very many episodes to make a season since they already have seven unaired in the can. Second, that they have scheduled reruns instead of burning off the new ones in the summer.
Doesn’t ABC have a lot of Comedy pilots they are looking at? I’m thinking that ABC may finally decide to do the right thing and have a 2 hour comedy block. Now if they can pick a night and stick to it – it may actually work! I can see it now.
8PM – Scrubs
8:30 – Better Off Ted
9PM – Surving Suburbia
9:30 – Cougar Town
This will probably be on Wednesday nights in the fall so that they don’t mess with Dancing With the Stars. I think ABC would be too afraid to move the cheap reality stuff from Friday night, but the idea of TGIF for adults does sound good.
Yeah, no way does SS get renewed over SW?
No way.
Tommy SS is being burned off in the summer like In the Motherhood AKA cancelled
Yes, and they’re airing repeats of SW?, not the seven new ones, AKA likely renewal. I don’t see the basis of Nick’s comment that they are giving up on SW? at all.
i think Nick C was just speculation regarding SW?
Nick C seems to know mostly about FOX/CW/NBC never seen him display much knowledge of ABC / CBS
I think both SS and SW are gone, I just didn’t know the name of another pilot to put there. SS just sucks. And SW can’t stand on it’s own without Dancing. So even though some have made decent points about the scheduling they still aren’t enough. Having 7 Episodes on hold doesn’t mean renewal. It means that ABC had absolutely no faith in it and have decided that if everything new sucks next year they have some kind of half-*ssed backup. SW may come back next year but thats only if everything tanks and they throw it a bone.
True Beauty renewed too
Having 7 Episodes on hold doesn’t mean renewal. It means that ABC had absolutely no faith in it and have decided that if everything new sucks next year they have some kind of half-*ssed backup. SW may come back next year but thats only if everything tanks and they throw it a bone.
Yeah, I don’t buy that either. There were two back-to-back episodes that aired in December without “Dancing” that performed decently. Supporting actress is a major Emmy win. The lead on the cover of a major issue of “People” is not a minor thing. And you’re utterly ignoring the fact that ABC owns the show and makes DVD/syndication money, which they don’t with BOT. To “have no faith” in a show that drew 10 million consistently in the fall AND gets consistent critical praise…yeah, that strains credulity, Tommy. Sorry. The “stand on its own without Dancing” argument doesn’t make any sense. I guess that’s true for any comedy they air after Dancing, as SS most definitely proved.
Not to mention that SW doesn’t fit the kind of Comedy ABC has been putting out there lately. Scrubs and Better Off Ted are both adult humor and it looks like Cougar Town may be as well. SW just doesn’t fit the lineup
And ABC are just idiots if they don’t see the obvious truth that “In the Motherhood” just left such an enormous stench that it polluted the Thursday airings of “Samantha?”
Emmy wins are only good for generating buzz. The show has had it’s chance for that. And syndication means nothing if no one is watching it.
Your evidence isn’t convincing Tommy:
1. Major Emmy win
2. 10 million consistent retention after Dancing
3. Sucked down on return by a horrible lead-in
4. Stellar cast
5. High critical praise
6. Owned by the network
7. Repeats scheduled in the Summer (not true of Surviving Suburbia and In the Motherhood)
I won’t believe it until I hear it on Tuesday.
10 Million watched it after Dancing and Motherhood polluted its return. Renewing Ted but not Samantha makes no sense at all. Bill and Robert had it at 75% in the last odds.
Better Off Ted was renewed because the Network liked it. It too gets critical praise (Which only helps a show when it’s new!) And it fits the type of comedy ABC is trying to go for. The only good point they you make is being owned by the network. It may get the According to Jim treatment but remember that the post Dancing spot was the only place the show did well in. They aren’t going to put it back there and lose the chance to launch a new show.
Hm, maybe i’ll check this show out. I try not to watch shows that people are convinced will be cancelled, no point getting attached when I’m already attached to enough cancelled shows as it is.
Better Off Ted is worth watching if you like stuff like The Office, 30 Rock, etc… It’s odd humor but I still think it’s pretty funny
Hack, old or new frenemy, since you were first up out of the topsoil … you’re not the only one. Methinks even the sacred script, ie Renew/cancel index, needs must be red around the cheeks. I mentioned somewhere that the nets may well just renew everything. They can get an angel to help fund projects,( the movie industry has thrived for years on foreign investors who want to rub elbows with LA celebriries), they can bargain with a cable production company they half own the rights to for syndication, etc. We may even see a return to the old Texaco presents milton berle or whatever – consumer stocks like P and G, or J and J, or how bout Payless Shoes presents Lifetime Movie of the Week … We already have the Adobe Rent a Car Bowl, and we even had Enron Astrodome, now I think Minutemaid Park. I said onetime rent the original Bedazzled: Satan, peter cook that is, tells schlemiel dudley moore, I may have lost this one, but I alwways have advertisers to go to. Advertising shall never die, not even if 90% of the rest of us are swimming in radioactive soup. ( I guess Chuck fans are happier now. The rest of us, tho, may have another year of vicarious nailbiting to dread. I beg NBC: leave Chuck on long enough to get syndicated on scifi or USA or whatever!)
It’s always a kick to come across a site like this and learn that so many share my lifelong fasciation with the business of tv programming. I have my schedules all filled out and am looking forward to the news coming out next week.
The Better Off Ted renewal is wonderful. Before it and Castle came on this spring, I hadn’t watched ABC in years. Its numbers may not be great now, but it has real potential if given a nurturing slot, like Seinfeld in the beginning.
Great news, even if it is surprising. And I actually just got picked up as a Nielson family, so hopefully I add to this (and dollhouse)
One last point. I think that while its a decent indicator of renewal, the index used on this site is more archaic than anyone realizes. With cable increasing ratings and such, networks have to alter their business model. Maybe this site should consider that rather than saying “everyone’s gone crazy”
Bob I wouldn’t advertise that you’re now one of those…You will get mobbed by people here saying please watch my show. (on a side note please watch Chuck!) HAHA
Wow, I can’t believe it! This totally made my morning – I love BOT – I think it has a lot of potential, but I wasn’t holding my breath that it’d get renewed.
Scott R, “It’s crazy, I can’t– I don’t understand– NOBODY WATCHES THE FRIGGIN SHOW!”
True. So let’s change that. EVERYBODY WATCH THE FRIGGIN’ SHOW! Seriously. All of you. Watch it. I promise if you watch, you’ll be gruntled.
I believe there were a lot of reasons that entered into ABC’s decision to give it a second chance (which it deserved). I’ve outlined them on here. The people who are acting surprised.stunned.shocked. that it got picked up just didn’t want to listen.
Dont get me wrong….this website is WONDERFUL. But it is TV by only one number (ratings) and doesn’t include a crucial other number (cost). Shows with low ratings but also low costs (Friday Night Lights) are being renewed. I wouldnt be surprised to learn, for example, that NBC makes more profit from Friday Night Lights than they do from Heroes.
wow
i like this show so i like i can still watch it
but like the others very surprising considering the numbers
I think there has been alot of shuffling by the networks about the accuracy or nielson.
and i think they are starting to think about DVR internet etc
neilson got sued and a few companies have their numbers as completely off
Considering the economy and advertising dollars
i expect to see more surprises
we got shows that shouldnt be renewed by all accounts renewed
we got LENO in primetime
all bets are off i think
all networks are scrambling…
and richard steven hack if TSCC gets renewed or moved
which i would like btw…
im gonna go buy a lotto ticket
lolz
Rob, we’d love to have the show costs to include in our analysis, but that’s very unlikely. Ratings = revenue, and all we can do on the cost side is guess. I think what we are seeing this spring, in a reversal with the past, is that costs are being pounded down like never before by broadcast networks. In the past, increasing profits was more about increasing ratings rather than controlling costs.
Julia,
A guy can hope and dream can’t he. If I got better off ted back, which admittedly will be a miracle, I may as well ask for the others as well.
This show didn’t win me over immediately but by the 3rd or 4th episode I loved it. Glad it will be back.
Robert & Bill – guys, if you are going to have to eat crow, so it most of the industry… what’s happening doesn’t make any sense whatsoever, if you look at past precedent. I can only conclude that a good deal of what might have been available for some of these networks didn’t “move” them enough to take the chance of putting on the fall schedule. I guess the saying, better to deal with the devil you know seems to be in play. Castle’s renewal I can get and even the reasons for Dollhouse’s return I can live with – (sort of) – but Better Off Ted ?! … nope, does NOT compute. If TSCC gets renewed, save a plate of crow for me – and throw the whole foundation of what criteria is used for a show’s renewal out the window.
I don’t mean to rain on anyone’s parade during this happy time, but something very strange is going on at ABC. Am I the only one who’s noticed that they’ve got way too many shows on their roster now, with all the renewals no one expected AND the new pilots they’re picking up?
Veterans:
Grey’s, Lost, Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty, Scrubs, Brothers & Sisters, Bachelor, DWTS, Private Practice, Supernanny (and maybe Samantha Who?)
Freshmen pick-ups:
Castle, Better Off Ted (I’m guessing Cupid, Unusuals, and Suburbia have been cancelled? or maybe their renewals haven’t leaked yet?)
New pilots:
Cougar Town, Hank, The Middle, V, Happy Town, Eastwick, The Forgotten
That’s 19 shows already guaranteed to come back, more if Suburbia and/or Samantha Who also get reprieves. I’m sure some of them will be midseason, but even still, where in the world is ABC going to find room for all these shows? Is picking up this many old and new shows the norm, or is ABC going a bit crazy this year?
I called this one too. I said Ted was likely for renewal and luckily it has been renewed. It still has 6 unaired episodes for season 2, along with 13 more makes 19.
shelly keep in mind that not all of them will air in the fall and spring. Lost for example won’t start until spring. And it’s unlikely to go to spring without something getting canceled.
Samantha Who is definitely back, no question. Its just a matter of scheduling. With the renewal of Castle and Ted, it looks like all of my renewal predictions so far for ABC have been right (Suburbia still has yet to be renewed)
So ABC’s returning comedies are:
Scrubs
Samantha Who?
Better off Ted
The new comedies are:
Modern Family
Awesome Hank
The Middle
Looks like we may see a lot more comedy on the fall schedule.
Thank GOODNESS!!! I missed the first couple of episodes, and boy am I sorry I did. This show is terrific. It is the closest in comedic styling to Arrested Development we have gotten since that champ of all sitcoms has gone off the air (beating out former closest to AD in comedic styling champ 30 Rock).
It has been a rough year for my preferred sitcom, the single camera, no laugh track required sitcom. Some truly fantastic shows look like they’ve come to an end. Everybody Hates Chris is 99.999% dead (why oh why didn’t more people watch this brilliant show?), My Name is Earl looks like it may be dying too, and Scrubs, well Scrubs just won’t be the same next year. At least we’ll have some more Ted to look forward to!
shelly – Looking at your post, I think that your lists themselves might explain what’s going on. I mean, look at that list of pilots – all of these sound DREADFUL…and those are the good ones that actually got picked!
I mean, a TV show based on the “Witchs of Eastwick”? The folks at the networks must’ve taken a look at the pilots they got this year and said, “Oh crap…”
@Bill Gorman, @Robert Seidman
No crow for either of you guys, you made your predictions based on a solid numbers and thats all anyone can do. Keep it coming.
~Lanie~
That’s what I thought too Tommy, but that many shows still seems odd to me.
I think that SW only chance at renewal comes from it being owned by the network. It’s really only a question of if ABC thinks they can make money off it in syndication. Other than lifetime I don’t see anyone that would be interested in buying license rights to it though. We’ll see but I still think that it’s odds are really slim at best.
Do we know how many episodes? 13?
I’m glad, because I like it, but clearly new rules are getting their space in the renewal-cancelling thing.
Julia, THE FORGOTTEN was changed from a 6 (5+1) to 13 episode order and accepted by Warner, they’re currently trying for the same on V.
Excellent news! BOT is the only new comedy of the 08-09 season that I REALLY enjoy. Gary Unmarried has some good episodes here and there, but is too inconsistent, and Parks & Recreation is pretty much humorless. Thank goodness ABC had the good judgment to bring it back!
I amazed that ABC is so desperate to get a comedy block off the ground that they’ve renewed Better Off Ted and Scrubs. Scrubs I can kind of understand because its ‘their’ show but how cheap must Ted be…? At this rate Surviving Suburbia and In The Motherhood will be back next year as well.
Philosophically, to the extent human behavior, even human commercial behavior ( either microeconomics or corporate behavior based on mathematical models like the act of renewing or canceling tv shows ) can be 100% predicted by an artificial model of said behavior, Bill and Robert are golden. The point is, determinism of any sort, Calvinism, Marxism or numbersism, is never a sure or even safe bet. Suppose it is revealed that the same exec at ABC who greenlighted all these shows had been tripping on something when he or she did it? Or somebody in a time-machine – Ben Silverman? Les Moonves? – had clobbered that person on the head with a nine iron the day before? Always remember the ‘69 Mets, Hitler’s rise to near world-domination in four years, and other so-called statistical freaks – the evolution of life on earth probably being one as well. Even Cardano and Bayles are subject to this fatal, Humesian caveat. ( A show called According to Jim once ran for twenty years, my History 2022 media anthropology prof once said …)
“Richard Steven Hack says: Christ, all I need now is for TSCC to get renewed or sold off to the CW or SyFy – and I’ll look like an idiot. LOL!”
Oh don’t worry, you’ve already succeeded in that goal.
Thanks, Nick!
Chris, I was talking to the other Chris (yoshue). Sorry, reading comments in admin view so it’s hard to see what else has been said.
I know some are reporting V as picked up for a limited run event. However I’ve heard Warner hasn’t accepted that offer. They want a series.
everyone get excited abc is going the way of nbc.
Stupid ABC stupid stupid!
Renewing Scrubs and Better Off Ted with a regular of 1.7 in the 18-49 demo is very stupid! I expect Surviving Suburbia is too be renewed too
Stupid ABC!
Good shows deserve more than 13 shows to sell themselves. I hope that’s what we’re seeing here.
Apart from that, the TV biz has to move beyond Nielsens at some point. There’s just too many ways to watch shows now, and there should be plenty of ways to get revenue from those outlets if it’s handled right. Just like the music business got past compact discs and Billboard charts, TV networks need to think differently. I hope we’re seeing that too.
Checking again, I guess Better off Ted only had 7 aired episodes, which I definitely don’t think is enough to make a sound decision.
Julia,
I figured that might be the case. Its the unfortunate problem of having a popular first name. Thus now i’m using a new variation of my name. Hope it clears the confusion.
Nick C: “I know some are reporting V as picked up for a limited run event. However I’ve heard Warner hasn’t accepted that offer. They want a series.”
I think Nikki Finke reported that, too.
Chris K, 7 obv isn’t enough for a second season but its good because now ABC will only have to order a minimal 13 episodes for production season 2 to make 20 for next year. I’m soooo happy Ted was renewed. Its likely ABC will keep the combo of Scrubs and Ted.
I don’t understand this pickup at all. It’s completely stupid. ABC should have kept Emmy Winning Pushing Daisies instead.
Score.
Now if Suburbia gets canned and Samantha gets renewed my ABC oddsmakers will be right on.
Other ABC updates, since I couldn’t find a better place on the first page to put this.
“The Unusuals” is cancelled. (Leftover episodes scheduled for May 27-June 17 in regular time slot.)
“Cupid” is cancelled. For the second time. (Leftover episode scheduled for June 16 in regular time slot.)
I do not know the status of “Samantha Who?”
Thanks for the updates, Riff. Any updates on Suburbia?
I’ve still steamed that ABC chose to pick up an ALREADY-FAILED SHOW than give Pushing Daisies the second chance it so rightfully deserved.
As for The Unusuals, I really can’t say I’m surprised. I gave it several chances and couldn’t even make it through the first 10 minutes without being completely bored and wondering what the heck was going on in it.
Chuck
shelly writes, “Thanks for the updates, Riff. Any updates on Suburbia?”
Believed to be dead, but I don’t have official confirmation of that. Like “The Unusuals,” burn-off starts Wed, May 27 (9:30/8:30). Following ABC’s other MRC show, “The Goode Family.”
See, this is why I don’t really buy this website’s “Will be” or “Not Likely to Be Renewed” tables. Did anyone on this website ever predict this show would be renewed?
The danger in going by pure numbers and assuming that any show above ____ rating will and any show below ___ rating won’t be renewed, doesn’t take into account other factors that only the network may know like budget ($) or which Studio produces the show, etc etc.
I mean did any of you think 3 years ago that low-rated 30 Rock would still be around? I bet not.
@Allen
No one, on any site, believed Better off Ted was going to be renewed. Like it says in the article, there renewing shows that they normally would of cancelled. No one would of guess this would be happening. But all I know is Im happy, especially for Dollhouse. I jsut started watching BOT and its a pretty good show, Im gonna have to watch season 2.
Wait, so a comedy that is actually funny gets renewed? What the heck is going on around here?
Hey KellyH are you convinced now that Sam Who is canceled?
Ted renewed?? OH HAPPY DAY!
Now, can we get Life renewed please?