Bubble Watch: Please Welcome 'Fringe,' 'Harry's Law,' 'The Cape'' and 'Outsourced' to the Bubble

When it comes to bubble status, like the Renew/Cancel Index we're focusing on the likelihood that a show will be renewed for next season (2011-12).  Certain shows are toss-ups where based on the ratings, the renewal decisions could go either way and not be surprising.

Quite a few changes this week, and not just with additions to “bubble watch”. I’ve gotten a bit of feedback about using one table instead of separate tables and to also include shows that have already been canceled and renewed. I’m giving that a try this week. I find it a bit unwieldy (not to produce, to read), but we’ll see.

Here are the highlights:

• After Monday’s performance, The Cape is on the bubble and likely headed on a quick trip to likely to be canceled.
• Harry’s Law premiered on the bubble.  If its premiere numbers hold up it will stay on the bubble.
• Perfect Couples debuted on the bubble.
• Parks & Recreation made a triumphant return with ratings at the “certain to be renewed” level. With only one data point I have it as “likely to be renewed.”
• Outsourced made its 10:30 premiere at levels that would be “more likely to be canceled than renewed” but with only one week of data, I have it on the bubble.
• Fringe made its Friday premiere at a level where it will be renewed if it can maintain those numbers. With only one week of Friday data, I have it on the bubble.

Note: only scripted shows that have aired at least one episode are in the table below.

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