Save Our Shows 2021
Is your favorite series canceled, renewed or ‘on the bubble’?
Decision time is here again. Major broadcast networks are weighing the fates of 25 endangered sitcoms and dramas, hovering “on the bubble” between renewal and cancellation. USA TODAY’S 24th annual Save Our Shows poll asks you to weigh in on which you’d like saved – and which dropped – as the networks set their 2021-2022 schedules to be unveiled in mid-may.
Last year’s winner: NBC’S “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” the musical drama that is once again “on the bubble” due to modest ratings and high costs. Many factors go into renewal decisions, including Nielsen ratings, creative quality, profitability, digital viewership and program ownership.
The coronavirus pandemic, which shuttered production of pilot episodes for new series replacements last spring, remains a factor, but network executives say it’s less critical this year in determining the fate of series.
Instead, it may have an impact on when (not if) they continue: NBC’S “Brooklyn Nine-nine” was renewed last spring for what was planned as its final season. The pandemic prevented a return to production until this month, so 10 remaining episodes won’t air until fall. And CW’S “Supernatural,” due to end in May 2020, delayed its final episodes until last fall.
Here’s a status update for every series, based on conversations with top executives at each of the major networks.
Vote now at usatoday.com/entertainment
ABC: Will ‘For Life,’ ‘The Rookie’ return?
Renewed, or almost: Big Sky, Black-ish, The Conners, The Good Doctor, Grey’s Anatomy, Station 19
On the bubble: American Housewife, For Life, The Goldbergs, A Million Little Things, Mixed-ish, The Rookie
Canceled, or nearly dead: Call Your Mother
CBS: ‘Macgyver,’ ‘S.W.A.T.’ are at risk
Renewed, or almost: Blue Bloods, Bob Hearts Abishola, Bull, The Equalizer, FBI, FBI: Most Wanted, Magnum P.I., NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, The Neighborhood, Young Sheldon
On the bubble: All Rise, B Positive, Clarice, Macgyver, SEAL Team, S.W.A.T., The Unicorn, United States of Al
Canceled, or nearly dead: Mom, NCIS: New Orleans
Fox: ‘9-1-1’ is a sure bet to return
Renewed, or almost: Bob’s Burgers,
Duncanville, Family Guy, The Great North, 9-1-1, 9-1-1: Lone Star, The Simpsons
On the bubble: Call Me Kat, The Moodys, Prodigal Son, The Resident
Canceled, or nearly dead: Bless the Harts, Filthy Rich, Last Man Standing, Next
CW: ‘Supergirl,’ ‘Black Lightning’ to end
Renewed, or almost: All American, Batwoman; Charmed; Dynasty; The Flash; In the Dark; Legacies; Legends of Tomorrow; Nancy Drew; Riverdale; Roswell, New Mexico; Superman and Lois; Walker
On the bubble: Stargirl
Canceled, or nearly dead: Black Lightning, Supergirl, Supernatural
NBC: ‘Zoey’s Playlist,’ ‘Kenan’ uncertain
Renewed, or almost: The Blacklist, Brooklyn Nine-nine, Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Chicago PD, Law & Order: SVU, Mr. Mayor, New Amsterdam, This Is Us
On the bubble: Good Girls, Kenan, Law & Order: Organized Crime, Manifest, Young Rock, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist
Canceled, or nearly dead: Debris, Nurses, Superstore