There was a lot going on today, for a Sunday! Fortunately it's not like this every Sunday.
Multiple sources earlier in the day reported that The Unusuals was canceled. There was so much going on already, it was seeming like overkill to post on it, plus, constant mainstream media salivating all over a story simply because the news first broke on Twitter (which was the case with The Unusuals) is starting to get annoying.
We'd posted one speculative Fox schedule today, and now USA Today has a slightly different one. We'll have the real deal on Monday, so the wait won't be long.
In addition to stuff we'd already heard today (like it's not looking good for CBS' Without a Trace), The LA Times Show Tracker blog is reporting that CW doesn't seem likely to pick up Privileged. Look for a big TOLDJA! from Bill G. regarding Privileged later in the week. Privileged not getting renewed probably isn't going to offset headlines like "Better Off Ted, Dead" and "Dollhouse Foreclosed," (or, to use one of mine, "Say Goodbye to Dollhouse"), but I have a feeling a Privileged renewal would sting even more. At least for Bill.
People will take us to task for some of our misses. And that's fair, but really, it looks like the index is holding up very well as a predictive tool, particularly for hour long scripted shows excluding Dollhouse. Our expectations for Friday were lower, but...
The sticking point for the index so far mostly seems to be with marginal or low performing 30 minute sitcoms, particularly on ABC and Fox. It does seem that the decisions that couldn't be predicted exclusively based on ratings whether sitcoms or Dollhouse are a flight to lower cost and/or higher benefit, rather than specifically ratings and the advertising dollars they equate to. Unfortunately for us, outside of the ratings data, hard data on costs and revenues are not easy to come by. While it would be nice if things like "syndication revenue" could be baked into the index, it's much easier said than done.
I'm sure Bill will be writing about the index's hits and misses once all the announcements have been made.
Not surprised about The Unusuals, though I do like it and hope ABC will still air the remaining episodes.
I hope that these reports about Privileged mean good news for Body Politic (I’m sorry if I sound annoying about this show, but I really want to see it). Nick C. said it came down to either Privileged or BP but I still don’t want to get my hopes up.
Eh, that seems to go against what the majority of what others have been reporting(in regards to Privileged). I’m still crossing my fingers it manages a pickup. Its a nice, clean, family show. CW would do good by supporting it.
The best headline would have been ‘ABC decides it’s better to off Ted’ or ‘ABC’s future better for offing Ted’ or even prior to the announcement, the succinct ‘ABC better off Ted’.
Damn, I was kind of hoping for Privileged to be renewed, and I’ve never even seen it. It’s not that I have anything against you guys or want you to look dumb, but chaos just kind of appeals to me. For these same reasons, I’m hoping to see The Unit get renewed.
I know with more than 1 schedule option on the table for Fox its a wait and see for a few more hours… but for spec purposes I post!
The USA Today friday Schedule would be a giant hot mess – even by Fox Fri standards! I know putting a fresh drama on Fridays is pretty deadly, but the pieces fit together so much better. I mean 1 hour of (marginal) comedy followed by Dollhouse? Ok, that is sort of comedic.
But then yet – schedules are puzzles and sometimes you just gotta shove the wrong pieces in to be done with it. God, this week needs to end so I can start my summer of peace! Upfronts – be done!
Maybe you are already planning it, but you should do a combined renew/cancel index at the end of the season for all of the networks, like the original, so that we can better see where the line generally is.
From the USA Today link: “Fridays will likely see the return of Brad Garrett comedy ‘Til Death, Brothers and Dollhouse, which won a surprise 13-episode reprieve despite weak ratings.”
Yikes for Brothers and Dollhouse too! ‘Til Death isn’t exactly a solid performer, ratings-wise, so what kind of lead-in can it be? However, some people might prefer comedy on a Friday over GW-type drama (remember TGIF on ABC?). Kudos to FOX if they give this sked a chance. By the looks of the scheduling rumors, I’m hoping that a Friday CHUCK can at least pull a solid, consistent demo “tie” with GW for its time slot. I believe it can.
Clutz, Chuck would have to increase on Fridays to tie with GW.
Well, if CW’s target audience of “young women” won’t watch Privileged, a wonderful show completely targeting the demo, what hope is there? Is it really wise to continue solely pursuing such a frivolous audience?
demonhog, I will definitely do a final Renew/Cancel roundup when the season is complete. In fact, I’ll probably do an interim one this Tuesday with whatever I have to that point.
privileged shouldn’t be renewed. the numbers dont justify it.
The problem is, The CW has limited slots this year, by getting rid of sundays. The definites to return are Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill, 90210, America’s Next Top Model, Smallville, Supernatural, and the definite new series Melrose, Vampire Diaries and The Beautiful Life, with these series all likely airing in the fall, here’s how I think the schedule could look.
Mondays
8:00 Gossip Girl
9:00 One Tree Hill
Tuesdays
8:00 90210
9:00 Melrose
Wednesdays
8:00 America’s Next Top Model
9:00 The Beautiful Life
Thursdays
8:00 Smallville
9:00 Supernatural
Fridays
8:00 TBA
9;00 Vampire Diaries
With this possible schedule this leaves one open spot, presumably for either an extended hour of The Game (unlikely), or Privileged (even more unlikely), however stranger things have happened this season already…….Dollhouse
I actually liked The Unusuals but I knew it would be canceled. Too bad
Ditto for the Unusuals. Good cast, wish one of the smaller networks would pick it up or a cable network.
Dan, what about The Body Politic? I’ve heard great, great things about the pilot and the cast, as well. It would also add some diversity to the CW’s lineup. If they’re really serious about bringing in viewers (which they need to be if they’re going to make it much longer), they’re not going to do that by picking up the same old stuff that obviously isn’t working.
I’m not suprised
I really liked the Unusuals – started to remind me of NYPD Blue. I think it has great potential, just was not given enough time to build characters. Wish they would keep it.
The Unusuals keeps getting better each week that it’s on. How ridiculous to cancel after about five episodes. I also hope some other network with more brains picks it up.