Bubble Shows ‘The Conners,' ‘Walker,' ‘Lopez vs. Lopez' and Other Series Await Their Fate as Upfronts Approach
Bubble Shows ‘The Conners,’ ‘Walker,’ ‘Lopez vs. Lopez’ and Other Series Await Their Fate as Upfronts Approach
Some of this TV season’s blood has already been spilled – looking at you, “NCIS: Hawai’i” – but as we head toward upfronts week, there are still a number of broadcast shows “on the bubble.”
But as the networks settle in on a diet of mostly stable franchises and fewer series pilots, there’s also less primetime schedule frenzy this year. The days before upfronts week which would normally mean a rapid fire few days of broadcast series renewals and cancellations announcements. But normal left the building a long time ago.
The broadcast network portion of upfronts has been so significantly pared down from years past that it hardly resembles what it used to be. These days, most of the broadcast networks announce renewals and cancellations well ahead of their actual presentations.
Take CBS, which has already announced its new fall and spring schedules as well as all of its renewals and cancellations. And NBC just announced another early renewal, this time for the multi-cam comedy “Night Court.”
For the series still awaiting their fate, here’s a look at what has the best chance of coming back – and what is likely done after this season.
ABC
ABC has renewed most of its scripted shows for next season already, while the show “High Potential” starring Kaitlin Olson will debut during the 2024-2025 season after it was originally ordered to series last year but held due to the strikes. ABC has also given a straight-to-series order to a new medical drama from Ryan Murphy called “Dr. Odyssey” starring Joshua Jackson.
The only two shows still awaiting word at ABC are the single-cam comedy “Not Dead Yet,” starring Gina Rodriguez, and the multi-cam “The Conners.” According to sources, “Not Dead Yet” will likely be done after its sophomore season, with the show failing to break out in the ratings. (Should “Not Dead Yet” become just “Dead,” then ABC will at least still be in business with Rodriguez via the new gamer “Lucky 13,” which she hosts.)
“The Conners,” ABC’s long-running “Roseanne” spinoff, has faired better in the ratings. Still, reports have already emerged that the show is going to wrap up with an abbreviated seventh season – a possibility that sources have also confirmed to Variety. ABC declined comment.
ABC has just two pilots in the wings this year – the multi-cam comedies “Shifting Gears” starring Tim Allen and Kat Dennings and “Forgive & Forget” starring Ty Burrell. Neither will shoot until after upfronts, however.
The CW
The CW has pretty much abandoned completely original scripted programming, opting instead to shift its focus to sports, unscripted shows and international co-productions/foreign imports. The network also has WWE’s NXT weekly show joining its primetime lineup in the fall.
The three remaining shows from the previous CW regime are “All American,” “All American: Homecoming,” and “Walker.” Of the three, sources say “All American” has the best chance of coming back for another season, given its continued popularity. But even that is by no means a guarantee.
“Walker” and “Homecoming” are likely to be done after their current seasons, according to sources, though neither will be airing their season finales until after upfronts. That fact may work against “Homecoming,” though, as The CW just announced that the show’s third season will debut on July 8, and airing a scripted series over the summer is never a good sign for renewal chances.
Fox
Fox technically has five shows awaiting word on new seasons, but at least for the time being, it’s really just three. Dramas “Alert: Missing Persons Unit” and “The Cleaning Lady” and animated comedy “The Great North” have been airing new seasons this spring, while “9-1-1: Lone Star” and “Accused” are being held for now as their latest seasons were delayed by the strikes. Neither of the latter two shows have set a premiere date yet so don’t expect any major decisions on their fates any time soon.
Sources say that “Great North,” “Alert” and “The Cleaning Lady” are all looking good to come back. They are aided by the fact that Fox’s live-action scripted offerings are slim at the moment, though the network does have the new shows “Doc” and “Rescue: Hi-Surf” debuting next season, as well as the animated comedy “Universal Basic Guys/The Hoagie Bros.” It is also important to note that Fox will be getting two hours of primetime back in October when WWE’s “SmackDown” leaves the broadcast network for its new home at USA Network.
NBC
NBC also has just two shows on the bubble at present – the multi-cams “Extended Family” and “Lopez vs. Lopez.” Both shows could go either way, but sources say that “Extended Family” is the more likely of the two to get a renewal at this point.
The network still has the dramas “Brilliant Minds” (fka “Dr. Wolf”) starring Zachary Quinto and “The Hunting Party,” as well as the comedy “St. Denis Medical” waiting in the wings from last year. They also have three pilots in contention – “Suits: LA,” meant to capitalize on the renewed interest in the USA Network show “Suits,” as well as “Happy Places” (starring Reba McEntire) and the drama “Grosse Pointe Garden Society.” Of those, only “Happy Places” is expected to be ready for a possible upfront week pickup.
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