WHICH SERIES ARE ON THE BUBBLE?
Decision time is here again. h 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 Instead, it may have an impact on when Playlist,” the musical drama that is once (not if) they continue: NBC’s “Brooklyn NineNine” again “on the bubble” due to modest ratings was renewed last spring for what was and high costs. Many factors go into renewal planned as its final season. The pandemic prevented decisions, including Nielsen ratings, creative a return to production until this month, quality, profitability, digital viewership and so 10 remaining episodes won’t air until fall. program ownership. And CW’s “Supernatural,” due to end in May
The coronavirus pandemic, which shuttered 2020, delayed its final episodes until last fall. production of pilot episodes for new series replacements Here’s a status update for every current series, last spring, remains a factor, but based on conversations with top executives network executives say it’s less critical this year at each of the major networks. (Shows in determining the fate of series. that haven’t yet premiered are excluded.)