Along with all the hoopla about the broadcast networks’ new shows, upfront season is also the day of reckoning for their existing lineups. And this month’s renewal and cancellation news has been nothing if not surprising. Here are my thoughts.
- The vultures were already circling when Cougar Town returned to ABC in February to even worse ratings than before, but then—huzzah!—TBS announced that it would be rescuing the show. First Conan, now Cougar? Dammit, TBS, I could kiss you all over the face right now.
- And speaking of criminally-underappreciated comedies, FOX’s Raising Hope and NBC’s Community were granted renewals. And I’m not worried at all that Community is moving to Friday nights—its small, diehard fanbase will move right along with it.
- Though I only saw one episode of Once Upon a Time once upon a time, I’m so pleased that a non-procedural drama is doing so well, let alone a “genre” show. Thanks to ABC for giving this show a shot at its happily-ever-after.
- Though I’ve never lost sleep over the fate of CSI: Miami, though I tend to dislike cop shows, and though I find David Caruso and his sunglasses to be laughable, I always feel pity for long-running shows that are cancelled unceremoniously without a chance to wrap up. CBS, pull these shenanigans with The Good Wife, and I will cut you.
- So much for Sarah Michelle Gellar’s triumphant return to television: The CW axed Ringer. True, I never saw it, but I respected it from afar for its premise and for its ambition. I’m not shocked that it got the boot, though, since it didn’t really seem like a CW show (i.e. there were no scandalous/supernatural young adults).
- I never would have thought that in this universe or any other one parallel, FOX would renew Fringe. Even for a Friday night show, its ratings seemed dismal. But, I guess reanimation is truly possible. I’m not even sorry that the fifth season will be a shortened, final season; nay, I’m excited to see the epic finale the storytellers have in store.
- While we’re on the topic of shortened, final seasons; I am sad that 30 Rock is ending its absurd saga next year. But it also feels right that it should go out strong. I wouldn’t want another Office situation.
- It was the new show I was most excited about, and therefore, it never had a chance. Nah, I kid. Awake was doomed not because I was rooting for it but because it was ambitious and complex and heavily serialized. Hey, viewers, did you miss that the protagonist was a cop? But you love cop shows!