OUT OF SEASON
The network shows in danger of being axed
WITH the networks preparing to announce their fall schedules next month, viewers will have to brace themselves for separation anxiety when shows they’ve been watching for years are cancelled.
Take “Criminal Minds,” for example. While saner folks ask, “How is this show still ON?,” it keeps going year after year. With original cast members including Thomas Gibson gone, the CBS procedural may be headed for the chopping block.
But it is far from alone. Take a look at its fellow “bubble” shows and where they stand.
ABC: Aside from the blazing success of “Roseanne” and the solid performance of stalwarts such as “Modern Family” and “The Goldbergs,” the network is on shifting sands. On the one hand, there is the recordbreaking performance of “Grey’s Anatomy,” now, at 15 seasons, ABC’s longest-running series; on the other, there’s the clutch of new shows that never caught on. That would be the Jason Ritter feelgood drama “Kevin
(Probably) Saves the World,” the sci-fi adventure “Inhumans” as well as shaky mid-season replacements “Deception,” the legal procedural “For the People” and “The Crossing.”
More surprising, but not out of the question, would be the cancellation of Kiefer Sutherland’s futuristic White House drama “Designated Survivor,” which has gone through a parade of showrunners and isn’t pulling its weight in the coveted 18-to-49 demographic. “Black-ish” has been made vulnerable by the expected departure of its creator, Kenya Barris, due to clashes with execs over the direction of the series. The network could easily cut its losses and Barris could take his well-reviewed comedy to Netflix, as has been rumored.
In any case, expect ABC to announce the greatest amount of new series at the end of May. Fox: “The Simpsons” network had a good year with three new series — “The Orville,” “The Gifted” and “9-1-1” — receiving early renewals. That return on its investment gives Fox permission to shed some dead weight. You can safely say goodbye to “The Exorcist,” still struggling on Friday nights, but maybe there’s a pink slip coming for “Gotham,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and “Last Man on Earth,” well-liked shows that have run their course. Midseason replacement “LA to Vegas” seems like a goner as well. CBS: C The network has already alre given renewals to long-running lo shows such as a the “NCIS” franchise and the Chuck Lorre comedies “Big Bang Theory, “Mom” and “Young Sheldon,” so it’s likely to jettison underperforming comedies such as “Superior Donuts,” “Kevin Ke Can Wait” and “Man With a Plan,” starring Matt LeBLeBlanc. The reservoir of good will that surrounds “Instinct” star Alan Cumming will probably save that Sundaynight series. New series including “SEAL Team” and “S.W.A.T” have also been renewed. NBC: The network has enough high-profile hits in “This Is Us,” “Will & Grace,” “Superstore” and “The Good Place” that it’s easy to forget that not all of NBC’s shows are successes. Season 2’s episodes of “Taken” have been moved to Friday night. Time to order the coffin for that small-screen adaptation of the Liam Neeson film franchise. Expect cancellation notices for the struggling comedy “Great News,” the Anne Heche drama “The Brave,” the resurrected “Timeless” and Mindy Kaling’s midseason comedy, “Champions.”