Which TV shows are on the bubble?
Now more than ever, low-rated TV series are getting renewed, but they still can’t all be renewed. As a result, dozens of broadcast network shows are on the bubble.
Viewers will learn which way network execs go on these bubble shows the week of May 14 when the broadcast networks announce their 2018-19 schedules.
The list below indicates which programs are more in danger of cancellation. But, just like a weather forecast, this is an educated guess, not a promise. If a show isn’t mentioned, it’s because it either has been renewed or is a safe bet to return (e.g. “Grey’s Anatomy,” “black-ish”). Or the network has already announced it will end (“The Middle,” “Once Upon a Time”).
ABC
On-the-bubble veteran shows “American Housewife,” “Designated Survivor,” “How to Get Away With Murder,” “Speechless,” “Station 19” and “Fresh Off the Boat” seem likely to return, although there are no guarantees.
“Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D,” “Alex Inc.,” “The Crossing,” “Deception,” “Splitting Up Together,” “Kevin (Probably) Saves the World” and “For the People” are in greater danger of cancellation. (Too soon to say on “Quantico,” which returned this week.)
CBS
Bubble shows here include “Criminal Minds,” the just-returned “Code Black,” “Elementary” (returning at 10 p.m. Monday), “Instinct,” “Man With a Plan,” “Life in Pieces,” “Superior Donuts” and “Scorpion.”
“9JKL” and “Living Biblically” are effectively over. Last week CBS pulled “Biblically” from its schedule, replacing it with “Big Bang Theory” reruns.
The CW
The netlet essentially renewed everything with the exception of “The 100,” “iZombie,” “Life Sentence” and “Valor.” Those last two seem very much done for.
Fox
“Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Last Man on Earth,” “Ghosted,” “Lucifer” “The Mick” and “LA to Vegas” are iffy for renewal.
“The Exorcist” was a surprise returnee this season, but it may have a devil of a time getting another shot.
NBC
“Blindspot,” “Great News,” “Timeless,” “A.P. Bio,” “Champions” and “Rise” are the peacock network shows most in danger of cancellation.
“Brave” seems like it is finished as does “Taken,” which NBC announced last week will move to Saturdays at 8 p.m. May 26 for a summer burn-off.
If you still have questions about the prospects for any particular series, feel free to submit your query to TV Q&A at post-gazette.com/tv (lower right beneath the Hollywood sign).
Of local note
Producers of a new locally
produced program about technology, sustainability and innovation, “Tomorrow’s World Today,” are buying time on cable’s Science Channel to get the show seen.
Executive produced by Julian Taylor and hosted by entrepreneur George Davison, “TWT” will air new episodes at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday beginning May 5. Episodes featuring Pittsburgh include the premiere (Seneca Valley School District/Phipps Conservatory) and an upcoming episode, possibly airing May 19, featuring Knepper Press.
Kept/canceled
TBS renewed “The Last O.G.” for a second season and “Search Party” for a third.
Streamer Sundance Now renewed “This Close” for a second season.
Sony Crackle renewed “The Oath” for a second season.
Ahead of its Aug. 31 firstseason premiere, Amazon renewed “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan.”
National Geographic Channel just debuted “Genius: Picasso,” and producers are already at work on next year’s edition, “Genius: Mary Shelley,” about the author of “Frankenstein.”
HBO canceled “Here and Now” after a single season.
Netflix canceled the drama “Seven Seconds,” Starz canceled “Ash vs. Evil Dead,” and Hulu canceled “The Path.”
Channel surfing
NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” ends its season with three new shows. Donald Glover (who is also musical guest in his Childish Gambino persona) hosts May 5; Amy Schumer hosts May 12 with musical guest Kacey Musgraves, and Tina Fey hosts May 19 with Nicki Minaj. … Caroll Spinney, the puppeteer behind “Sesame Street” character Big Bird, will be introduced by David Newell (aka Mr. McFeely on “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”) for a Q&A before a showing of “Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird” at 1 p.m. May 12 and 13 at the Rangos Giant Cinema at Carnegie Science Center, North Shore. Photos and autographs will be available for purchase at 12:30 p.m. Screening cost: $13 for members; $15 for nonmembers (photos and autographs cost extra); museum admission not required. … HBO’s “Paterno” movie goes to digital download May 7; no word yet on a DVD release date. … Diginet Decades — available locally on Channel 2.2 over the air, 195 on Comcast and 483 on Verizon’s FiOS TV — debuts a documentary on the 90-year show business career of the late “Dick Van Dyke Show” star Rose Marie, “Wait for Your Laugh” (9 p.m. Tuesday).
Tuned In online
Today’s TV Q&A column responds to questions about “Once Upon a Time,” “The Good Witch” and flub-prone local news anchors. This week’s Tuned In Journal includes posts on “Genius: Picasso.” Read online-only TV content at http://communityvoices.post-gazette.com/artsentertainment-living/tunedin.
This week’s podcast includes conversation about “Scandal” and “Suits.” Subscribe or listen to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette podcasts at iTunes or at https://soundcloud.com/pittsburghpg.
TV writer Rob Owen: rowen@post-gazette.com or 412-263-2582. Follow RobOwenTV on Twitter or Facebook for breaking TV news.