Can you feel the tension in the air?
TV’s Pink Slip Day is looming. In less than two weeks the networks begin to reveal fall lineups at the annual “upfront” presentations to potential advertisers.
Returning shows will be praised; new shows will be hyped; and crocodile tears will be shed for the lamented fallen.
“Oh, we really, really love [fill in the blank],” the networks will say. “But, sadly, it never found favor with viewers, although we tried everything we knew to make a go of it.”
Example? NBC’s Smash. One of the most highly touted, promising programs from last spring is now winding down in the black hole of Saturday nights.
At least Smash gets to limp off into the sunset. Others, such as ABC’s thriller Last Resort, were unceremoniously chopped halfway through the season or (worse) after two or three episodes.
Others that fell early are 666 Park Avenue; Animal Practice; Ben and Kate; Cult; Do No Harm; Don’t Trust the B-- in Apartment 23; Emily Owens, M.D.; The Job; Made in Jersey; The Mob Doctor;Partners; Ready for Love; Red Widow; and Zero Hour.
Don’t forget, each of these series debuted with heaps of hoopla.
Still, the networks have all those nightly hours to fill. By now, each has seen all the pilots they commissioned and has begun the process of deciding which of those are promising enough to get a fall tryout and which existing shows “on the bubble” will be given their walking papers.
Each year about this time, the cognoscenti at TV Guide compile a list of bubble shows they hope will survive the cut. Here, for your consideration, are their Top 11 bubble shows with my commentary. Feel free to add your own and discuss among yourselves.
The Carrie Diaries (CW). The Sex and the City prequel is full of juicy teen angst. Is more on the way?
Community (NBC). It has a talented ensemble cast and catchy banter. NBC can’t be too picky these days.
CSI: NY (CBS). The network has already renewed most of its lineup and this aging veteran already has been on the bubble for three seasons.
Go On (NBC). It’d be nice to see one Friends alumnus (Matthew Perry) have a comeback on broadcast TV. Fortunately, his chances look good.
Happy Endings (ABC). Another talented, wacky ensemble. Is it enough? Not looking good.
Law & Order: SVU (NBC). Will there be a 15th (!) season? Probably.
Nashville (ABC). The critics (including me) love this show. It’s swell soap opera, y’all. And the soundtrack is pretty darned good. Why aren’t more folks watching?
The New Normal (NBC). This series sometimes feels the heavy hand of creator Ryan Murphy. Is it too heavy?
Parks and Recreation (NBC). Now that 30 Rock has retired, this is where we’ll get our goofy fix each week.
Suburgatory (ABC). We never miss this one at our house. We want more of George and Dallas and the ongoing feud between Dalia and Tessa. The show is witty and seems likely to be back.
Vegas (CBS). What? On the bubble? How can you go wrong with Michael Chiklis and Dennis Quaid and the 1960s? Unfortunately, not enough viewers agree to make this a sure thing.
Meanwhile, a number of series already have been renewed and others seem to be sure bets. Here’s a brief overview.
NBC. The Voice is the network’s only smash hit, but Hannibal seems to have found favor. Also looking safe are Grimm, Chicago Fire and Revolution.
CBS. Getting early renewals for next fall are The Big Bang Theory, Blue Bloods, CSI, Elementary, The Good Wife, Hawaii Five-0, How I Met Your Mother, The Mentalist, Mike & Molly, NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, Person of Interest, 2 Broke Girls, The Amazing Race and Survivor.
Besides the two mentioned above, other CBS shows facing the ax are (possibly) Criminal Minds, Golden Boy and Rules of Engagement.
ABC. Other than the three above, those in danger of disappearing are Body of Proof, Last Man Standing, Malibu Country, The Neighbors and Revenge.
Certain to make the ABC cut are Castle, Grey’s Anatomy, The Middle, Modern Family, Once Upon a Time, The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, Dancing With the Stars, Shark Tank and Scandal.
Fox. Already renewed are American Dad, Bob’s Burgers, Bones, Family Guy, The Following, Glee (for two seasons), The Mindy Project, New Girl, Raising Hope, The Simpsons, American Idol, Hell’s Kitchen and The X Factor.
Probably gone are Touch and The Cleveland Show.
CW. Back next fall will be Arrow, Supernatural and The Vampire Diaries.
Holding their breath are Beauty and the Beast, Hart of Dixie and Nikita.
Program Note: Syfy’s Haunted Collector visits the “haunted” Lake Norfork Inn in Henderson at 8 p.m. Wednesday.
The TV Column appears Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. E-mail:
Style, Pages 30 on 04/30/2013