It seems like just yesterday we were greeting the lineup of the 2009-2010 television season; every show was equal, and no show had a better chance at success than any other. What a difference a few weeks make, as now some series are already looking down the barrel of a shotgun, ready to be canceled with barely a few episodes out the gate. Television is a cutthroat world indeed -- here we look at the series that are currently on thin ice, and the odds that they'll come out the other side.
Don't agree with our odds? Let us know!
ABC:'Ugly Betty'
It wasn't long ago that 'Ugly Betty' had its supporters in droves, proclaiming its brilliance to the heavens. Now, alas, the show seems to have been abandoned, allegedly returning this season only so it has enough episodes in the vault to qualify for syndication. Which it does, so there!
We loved Kelsey Grammer on 'Frasier.' We loved him as Hank McCoy/Beast in 'X-Men: The Last Stand,' a film that really doesn't deserve any love. We don't seem to love him on 'Hank.' Poor Hank.
ABC has called this series a "quiet success." It also has one of those crazy "Save Our Show!" online fan campaigns. Neither scenario will make much of a difference, unfortunately.
No one liked Christian Slater's show last season, 'My Own Worst Enemy,' and no one likes his show this season. Oh, Christian Slater ... Remember when we used to call him "the next Jack Nicholson?"
The adventures of a Midwestern family aren't quite clicking with audiences, though it may charm its way into a second season yet.
A mystery novelist helps crimefighters solve crimes in this high-concept drama that has managed to pull off a tightrope act between success and failure for going on two seasons. We probably won't know the fate of this one until the very last minute.
CBS:Attention television producers: Audiences don't want shows "like" 'ER.' They just want 'ER.'
This one had a good run, but it's time to throw in the towel. Kathryn Morris will probably immediately score a gig on 'Lost' or 'Heroes' the second this is canceled, anyway. It will run its full 22 episodes this season and then go kablooey.
Another neat-o series that has run its course; this one got an order of only 16 episodes this season. Six seasons is a damn good run.
This one has horrible ratings, but it's always kind of had horrible ratings. Julia-Louis Dreyfus is one of those TV actors that seems immune to cancellation until it's REALLY time to call it quits.
Again, this one doesn't have great ratings, but whatever. It's cheap, it's amusing, it fills a slot, it'll probably survive.
Ratings are so-so for this drama, but it has enough "class" to keep it going just on integrity alone. And star Juliana Marguiles has the power to steer through stormy ratings waters, most definitely.
CW:No one loves this show the way CW was hoping, proving that nostalgia for a bad '90s show doesn't necessarily translate into embracing a bad 21st Century show of the same name. However, it is 'Melrose Place,' and that might just be enough to keep it alive for another season.
Odds of cancellation: 10 to 1
Every other show on the CW is doing great. 'One Tree Hill,' 'Supernatural,' 'The Vampire Diaries,' 'Gossip Girl,' all that stuff. And the only thing keeping 'Smallville' from going on forever and ever is the cast and crew of 'Smallville.' Only they have the power to call it quits and start a new series -- 'Metropolis,' anyone?
FOX:
''Til Death'
Every other show on the CW is doing great. 'One Tree Hill,' 'Supernatural,' 'The Vampire Diaries,' 'Gossip Girl,' all that stuff. And the only thing keeping 'Smallville' from going on forever and ever is the cast and crew of 'Smallville.' Only they have the power to call it quits and start a new series -- 'Metropolis,' anyone?
FOX:''Til Death'
It was cute back in 2006. It's not so cute anymore. But cute goes a long way, especially with a sitcom that barely costs anything to produce.
There are only 13 episodes airing this season, and it's off the schedule for November sweeps. Yeah, this one's outta here.
Odds of cancellation: 2 to 1
'Dollhouse'
Odds of cancellation: 2 to 1
'Dollhouse'
Same kind of situation - only 13 episodes airing, and it's off the schedule for November sweeps. But it's a Joss Whedon series, and he's been known to pull off some magic. If 'Dollhouse' gets canceled, expect it to come back as a feature film.
Ha! It's doing fine. Not great, but probably good enough to warrant a renewal. We just put this one in here to make sure you were paying attention.
Odds of cancellation: 100 to 1
NBC:
'Law & Order'
Odds of cancellation: 100 to 1
NBC:'Law & Order'
This show has employed more New York actors - even if just for one day - than any other in history. Also, if it finishes this season, it will tie 'Gunsmoke' as the longest-running television drama ever. Might NBC want to go one more season just to break the record?
No one cares for the adventures of nurses at a hospital. Again, don't try to be 'E.R.' unless you're actually 'E.R.' Or 'Grey's Anatomy.'
It got picked up for an entire season, and it only takes up a tiny corner of a set, so if enough viewers remain amused, expect this to get renewed just for the hell of it.
It will not be canceled. Not a chance. There's no point in thinking it will. Even if it somehow gets even worse, it will live on. Just because it can.
Odds of cancellation: 100 to 1
Did we miss any? Which shows do you think are most likely to get canceled?
Did we miss any? Which shows do you think are most likely to get canceled?
Reader Comments (519)
damien at 4:59PM on Nov 9th 2009
Every other show on the CW is doing great. 'One Tree Hill,' 'Supernatural,' 'The Vampire Diaries,' 'Gossip Girl,' all that stuff
ROFLMAO!!! Thats right..carry the Time Warner water...but some of us have seen the ratings
shamus at 12:36AM on Nov 10th 2009
haha, I was immediately shocked when I read that line. There was literally a little bit of talk that Gossip Girls could get cancelled and that's the network's flagship show. The only way the line would make sense is if it said "Every other show on the CW is doing great...you know, for the CW."
dan at 6:46PM on Nov 9th 2009
Dollhouse and Castle should be saved and hopefully Kelsey Grammer gets into a good comedy next season.
Yankee109 at 8:28PM on Nov 9th 2009
I agree with the Castle part. I don't watch Dollhouse so I can't offer an opinion, but Castle DEFINITELY SHOULD NOT be canceled. I only make a point to take time out of my schedule 3 times a week to watch TV shows and that's for Castle, CSI, and Vampire Diaries. Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic are absolutely perfect in this series and ABC would be out of their mind to cancel one of the few dramas they have going for them.
mary at 8:47PM on Nov 9th 2009
KEEP "CASTLE" IT IS THE ONE GOOD SHOW ON AND IS ONE ADULT SHOW WITHOUT BEING CRUDE. IT HAS AN EVEN BALANCE OF DRAMA AND COMEDY. ALSO "LAW AND ORDER" HAS ALWAYS BEEN GOOD.
Jerye M at 11:13PM on Nov 9th 2009
Totally in agreement about CASTLE! Please, please keep it. As you said, it balances good, quirky, clean, comedy with good drama, which in my book, makes it a smashin' good show!!! and that's not to mention the chemistry between Castle and Beckett...yikes!!
J. M. at 12:52AM on Nov 10th 2009
I love Castle and all of the Law & Orders. Three Rivers is pretty good. Worth another season to polish it up.
Donna Unger at 9:25PM on Nov 9th 2009
I hope Law and Order, all versions, are saved. They are my absolute favorite.
Nikki at 9:38PM on Nov 9th 2009
I LOVE Law and Order. The Law and Order series are just about the only shows I watch on TV.
Roseaday at 3:59PM on Nov 10th 2009
I love law and order also. These shows are so to the point and carry shows dealing with the up to date news. I will miss them but then I think there will be enough reruns to keep us in tact for the next 3 yrs at least. But I will miss all the actors who are the greatest going. But I would guess that they all have been on so long they are all looking to say its done. I will miss it.