Bubbles about to burst
Networks decide soon which shows get canceled
Is “Gotham” about to be razed? Could “Rise” fall for a final time?
Changes are coming to the commercial broadcast networks.
If you're a TV lover, it's a time to be nervous.
The networks will announce their fall schedules in a few weeks at the annual upfronts that set advertising rates for the coming season. To make room for those spiffy new shows, something's gotta go.
Will it be one of your favorites?
There's a new factor influencing their decisions: The smash success of NBC's “Will & Grace” and ABC's “Roseanne” has every executive digging into their libraries and scoping out which show is ripe for a revival.
What's in jeopardy? Unless it pulls off a great magic trick and makes viewers appear, ABC's “Deception” is not long for that network stage. “Kevin (Probably) Saves the World” needs to save itself first. “For the People” isn't drawing crowds. “Station 19” has that “Grey's Anatomy” synergy, and ABC would like to work with producer Shonda Rhimes for as long as possible.
“Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” may be on its final mission. As for “Marvel's The Inhumans,” star Anson Mount has already joined the cast of CBS All-Access' “Star Trek: Discovery” in the iconic role of Capt. Christopher Pike. What do you think that says about the future of “Inhumans”?
CBS is checking “Instinct” for a pulse. ”By the
Book” needs some divine intervention. “Scorpion,” where is thy sting? “9JKL” has all but been evicted.
Fox could be getting ready to cut loose some veteran series. “Gotham” and “Brooklyn NineNine” haven't been performing well. “The Exorcist” has been a ratings nightmare.
NBC is going to be taking a hot look at “A.P. Bio,” “Timeless,” “Taken,” “The Brave,” “Great News, “Champions” and “Rise.” (The latter is owned by the network, which improves its chances of returning.) Of course, anything with “Chicago” in the title is safe.
CW took the step of announcing renewals for almost everything on its schedule, from all the Arrowverse shows to “Supernatural” (going into its 14th season) and to “My Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” which is coming back for its fourth and final season, star and creator Rachel Bloom revealed.
CW has great incentive to be generous: It is expanding its programming schedule by one night, taking on Sundays next fall. The only shows on the bubble right now: “iZombie,” “Life Sentence” and “The 100.” And if I were a betting man, I would say “iZombie” wins a renewal, “Life” is terminated and “The 100's” final days are anyone's guess.
What can you do to help one of your favorite shows that's in jeopardy? Make some noise on social media. The networks pay attention. You might be heard.
Here's the thing: Even the lowest rated show has thousands, if not millions, of fans.
Every cancellation is somebody's loss.