BLOGS
Although the end of this TV season is still over three months away, there's already plenty of speculation about which programs might get cancelled and which will get renewed, causing us to worry that some of our favorites won't be around this time next year. After we had expressed concern for the shows on the bubble last spring, most of them ended up getting yanked (Life), put out to pasture (Better Off Ted, which hasn't officially been killed yet, but looks like a hopeless case), shuffled off to bad timeslots (Fringe) or screwed over in unexpected fashion (Southland). This time around, we're hoping the TV gods (and executives) will be kinder to our pleas of clemency for these series:
10. Life Unexpected
We're undecided about this one. It's got a sweet and wonderful old school WB vibe, which we truly appreciate, but a lot of what was so charming about the pilot has already worn thin a few weeks later. At first, we felt sorry for the sad little moppet with the annoying name who had suffered through lousy foster care, but we've since realized that she's kind of a brat with friends who are real jerks. However, it's still better than, say, 90210, which has already earned a third season, and some of the adults on the show have a ton of appeal, so we think it deserves time to grow.
9. Greek
While most of ABC Family's fare is way too geared towards teens for our liking, Greek is actually an enjoyable guilty pleasure that's as decent as anything that we watch on The CW (and yes, that's a compliment). It has an adorable cast, fun pop culture references and solid storylines. It's a shame that out of all of the network's shows, this is the one that may be in danger of getting the ax, but given that we're not exactly the ABC Family target demo, we're not entirely surprised. [Update: ABC Family renewed the show late Friday. So one down, nine to go.]
8. Melrose Place
Speaking of The CW, their troubled reboot of one of the most notorious primetime soaps of all time is in danger of getting shelved. It's not that we think the show is particularly awesome, but we like that that they finally wrapped up the annoying Sydney murder storyline, found a way to send Ashlee Simpson packing and got Heather Locklear to show up. We want to see what the show can do now that it's rid of some dead weight, and more importantly, we want the totally rocking Katie Cassidy to stay employed for as long as possible.
7. Mercy
We were very harsh on the show's pilot and deservedly so, considering its muddled mess of a medical drama, but we decided to give it another shot (the power of Dawson compelled us) and discovered that it's actually pretty decent. It's gone beyond a lot of the predictable stereotypes in the premiere and has developed its characters nicely. James Van Der Beek has been a great addition as a tough, sarcastic boss (which is perfect for him) and Michelle Trachtenberg's whiny nurse has actually grown a bit of a spine. It's far from the best show on television, but it's at least as deserving of a pick-up as Private Practice.
6. FlashForward
It's no secret that the show's had a difficult first season: declining ratings, a revolving door of showrunners, more than a few storylines that are just way too easy to make fun of -- and only a couple that are genuinely gripping -- and a lengthy, memory-wiping hiatus from December to March that could spell doom for its long-term prospects. But despite its missteps, the show has enough potential to make us want to root for it. The producers seem to realize that they screwed up their first chance and have taken measures behind the scenes to improve, and though we haven't seen any of the new episodes yet, we don't see any reason why it can't quickly become a brilliant show, not unlike Dollhouse did in its second season.
5. V
It's not terribly original (even as far as reboots go) and has been less than exciting to date, but we do like much of the cast, so if the writers would just get their act together, we'd love to watch a genuinely compelling sci-fi action show about earthlings fighting aliens and their nefarious universal health care. We suggest they start by giving the human characters personalities, which apparently got lost during the initial development process. Plus, if the show doesn't come back next season, we won't be able to see those cameos from Jane Badler, Mark Singer and Michael Ironside that we've been dreaming about.
4. Southland
As we mentioned above, this show was screwed over royally last year, effectively getting canceled by NBC just weeks before it was set to debut a second season. We're grateful that TNT picked up the six new episodes that had already been filmed and, after having seen two of them in advance, we're happier still to report the absence of any signs of a sophomore slump. But we'd be downright ecstatic if the cable network decided to give the gritty cop drama a third season, this time with an order of at least 13 episodes.
3. Caprica
This show is definitely not Battlestar Galactica, but that doesn't mean that it isn't quality sci-fi. Fans of BSG might be disappointed by the lack of action and the slightly more talky nature of this series, but there are still plenty of thought-provoking issues being raised each week, innovative storytelling techniques and some stellar performances, not to mention frakked-up teenage Cylons. What more could anyone want? We just hope that despite low ratings, Syfy will give this show a chance to expand its viewership.
2. Damages
It's hard to say what FX will do with this series. It's already been granted three seasons despite never having had great ratings, but trying to predict a network that commits to shows simply because they're genuinely good is a little difficult due to its rarity in the TV biz. If they are considering canceling Damages, they shouldn't. Season 2 was a big disappointment, but this current season is so good it's almost erased all memory of every 10-minute-long scene with Marcia Gay Harden pretending that straightening her thigh-highs constitutes art (translation: about 60% of Season 2; we wish we were joking). And for the first time since the debut season, we're rooting for Patty Hewes again. A continuance is respectfully requested, your honor.
1. 24
This show is expensive, but the ratings are perfectly respectable and Kiefer loves being Jack Bauer. Our gut tells us that it's going to come back for one more year, but if it doesn't, it'll be the end of an era and a premature finish. Seasons 7 and 8 have been just as compelling and absurdly fun as the show's early years, and that's without CTU mercilessly torturing people every week (a real-life policy change many thought would end the show). They've found a way to successfully reinvent the franchise without losing what made the series and lead character great to begin with, and for that, 24 deserves another 24 episodes next year.
We realize that Heroes is not on this list, but that's mostly because after watching a full season centered around a carnival, we're not entirely sure that we actually want the show to come back, despite our strong affection for characters like HRG. And we didn't mention Chuck because we're hoping that assuming it'll come back will somehow cosmically make it so. And because we can't stand the thought of eating even more Subway sandwiches to save it again.
Get the scoop on Southland from star Michael Cudlitz.
Watch TWoP's editors discuss the shows that deserve another chance in this segment airing on the New York Nonstop cable news channel:
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Really? Melrose Place and Mercy but no love for the excellent, underrated, and unfairly-screwed-by-ABC Better Off Ted? Shame on you.
I'm not a fan of many of these shows (Southland and V are ok). But, I just read through the list of pilots ordered, and they all seem either very formulaic or terrible, so you might as well keep around this substandard lot.
What a ridiculous list. The only ones on there any good at all are Damages - which is kind of meh this season - and Southland - which is really up in the air to me. The rest of those shows are GARBAGE. 24 could still be great, but it just so tiresome now. Caprica sucks ass. I'm surprised you don't have Medium on your list, yeesh. Come on. Where's Better Off Ted! Human Target! You guys have the weirdest lists sometimes.
Better off Ted! Human Target! Fringe!
"Better Off Ted" is mentioned in the intro, people-who-can't-bother-to-read-intros.
It doesn't sound like you like any of these shows. Life Unexpected is boring, V's characters have no personalities, FlashForward has bad story lines.... You should be rooting against these shows returning!
I totally agree, Better Off Ted and Human Target defintely belong on this list over Mercy and Melrose Place. For that matter, The Forgotten's another seriously underrated show that's on the bubble.
And say what you will about Heroes, but the setup for the next season looks intriguing, and I kinda want to see where they go with it. (Then again, I said the same thing about the "hunted by the government" storyline. And Hiro being dropped in feudal Japan. And the return of Arthur Petrelli....)
I love Better Off Ted, but it doesn't belong on a list of shows that deserve to come back but might not. Ted is dead. It is an ex-show, it is pining for the fjords, it has ceased to be.
So was Southland, and THAT still made the list....
kw isn't ted already cancelled? these are bubble shows...?
.
i picked up mercy and it's great. i am so surprised how much i like it and wow that last episode was NOT what i was expecting and oh so good!
i wish the critics would talk about it again, no one watched it in the beginning because you all panned it so hard.
i really like human target and i'm surprised that it's struggling to find an audience. guess they need a hot chick.
i picked up mercy and it's great. i am so surprised how much i like it and wow that last episode was NOT what i was expecting and oh so good!
i wish the critics would talk about it again, no one watched it in the beginning because you all panned it so hard and yet it's a quiet little lovely show.
so sorry, no idea how my draft comment got posted...
Ted isn't on the list because it's obvious (sadly) that the show is already dead.
Southland is on the list because it jumped networks. The initial blurb was for what happened to the show last year on NBC, it's on the list now as a plea to TNT.
I really hope TwoP gives Spartacus: Blood and Sand a view. It is so awsome and probably the most fun show that I have seen in a long time. It needs more word of mouth!
Fringe, I believe, has been picked up for next year.
Human Target needs to be renewed.
As for the ones on this list, the only one I feel strongly about is Caprica. I really didn't think it was going to be any good, but it's been an interesting ride so far. Though I really don't get why the security people are so hellbent on framing Zoe for the bombing--having destroyed the evidence of their incompetence, there's no logical reason for fingering Ben as the real bomber.
Except for Southland and maybe Caprica, I don't care about those tvshows. Well, if Fringe and V were better, I would be really angry but they disapointed me a lot.
All the others (except Damage and 24) are crap for me. I'm still pissed at Traveler's cancellation.
Fringe. My favourite show.
24's an odd one for me, it's a highlight of my January and I always obsess over it BUT, for the first time ever, I can say that I would be comfortable with it ending after this series. I can't imagine 24 with no Kiefer sutherland and you can't make him do it forever. I'd be happy with another series with Jack, but if it ends on it's own terms, I'm happier with that :)
I'd like to see another season of 24. I'm missing the grittiness of prior seasons this year. Hopefully it will be picked-up so it can go out on a bang and not a whimper.
What about Castle??
Fringe has not yet been renewed. Also, like others have said, most of the shows on this list really don't deserve to live. V and Life Unexpected are boring; Flashforward is god-awful most of the time; Caprica sometimes is interesting but is hardly must see; 24 and Southland are ok. The rest I have never even seen an episode. I wouldn't be disappointed if none of them came back, but I would be if all of them did.
Fringe has not yet been renewed. Also, like others have said, most of the shows on this list really don't deserve to live. V and Life Unexpected are boring; Flashforward is god-awful most of the time; Caprica sometimes is interesting but is hardly must see; 24 and Southland are ok. The rest I have never even seen an episode. I wouldn't be disappointed if none of them came back, but I would be if all of them did.
24? You've got to be kidding. That show is a joke and is well OVERDONE.
Better off Ted, Southland, Life Unexpected, Archer - pleeeease.
I can't sit through another episode of Caprica, let alone another season. Plus, the way the creators dropped the ball on everything in the Battlestar finale has me worried that any time any mystery is introduced on TV, there is never a plan (Prove me wrong, Lost).
Please stop mentioning Life. Every time I think about that show it's like a stab in the heart. Man, that could have been one of the best shows of all time, and to think it was cancelled for Jay. :( The humanity!
Anway, is there any talk of TNT renewing Southland? Like is that an actual possibility? I didn't watch it on NBC, but I've been watching it on TNT and I'm really enjoying it.
Also, I like FlashForward. What can I say? There's a bit of nonsense, that's for sure, but I'm hooked. This long hiatus is definitely lame, though. Why do they do that? Fox did it to Glee, as well. For some reason it works with USA and TNT when they do a summer half and a winter half of the seasons, but the way the networks do it seems so random.
Castle's not at risk, Ausiello has it listed as a sure thing for renewal.
I love Caprica and V and I hate that some people seem to be gunning for it to get canceled so early in the season. The cast is great and I think the story line has a lot of potential if people wait for it to get going.
As a BSG fan, I'm really trying to get into Caprica, but the show is trying my patience. It's just boring.
I like FlashForward and hope it'll get renewed for another season. Life Unexpected has its perks, but I'm pretty indifferent towards it. As for Fringe, why can't it go back to Tuesdays instead of being against Grey's Anatomy. I stopped watching Grey's a long time ago and was glad Fringe filled that time for me, but I'm sure there are other potential viewers who would make the reverse decision.
Caprica is destination television for me, and keeps getting better each week. The acting is top notch, I am increasingly fascinated by the world they've created, and I can only hope they will keep it going.
Human Target. That's all I have to say.
What about Friday Night Lights? I'm not sure their ratings are sky high. I truly hope Cougartown gets renewed.
Heroes most definitely should NOT get another season. I'm glad it's not on this fine list.
I want to see Caprica and Southland continue. And I do hope V picks up, I do like the cast and hope the writing catches up.
Greek is also a guilty pleasure, but I am shocked it's on the bubble list...and 24 as well. Don't they get good ratings and DVD sales?
I love Fringe and Greek, enjoy Caprica & V (mostly for the potential & the great actors). I'm pretty sure 24 will be renewed, I'd read that they were happy with Kiefer's renewed vitality (he looks absolutely wonderful this year!) Not so happy about the writing so far though. Think it was a mistake to have killed off or taken out of action so many of the better characters (Bill, Tony). Also not enough Chloe. Freddie Prinze is badly miscast and Katee has been a bad disappointment - not her fault, think it's the writing.
Human Target has been one big disappointment to me. Great leads but the writing really sucks. As has been noted elsewhere, the production qualities are BAD. I've watched every one so far, but I'm beginning to give up on it. By now they should have ironed out all the kinks. If it's cancelled, maybe the three of them can make it into much better shows.
Liked Better Off Ted the few times I saw it. Seemed to suffer from a non-existant marketing budget. Most of the time I couldn't find it on the schedule.
As for the others, don't care. Never interested me enough to check them out.
According to Zap2It, Greek HAS been renewed for a fourth season. Yay! Now if only I could see it here in Canada - they only aired the first season.
(Hope I've not posted this twice. It didn't show up...)
24 is so much fun, I really hope it sticks around for a little while longer.
So basically, your rationale for most ofthese is "Yeah, they suck, but they could be worse, so let's keep them."
What about Fringe? The show as gotten better and better in every episode! Instead of keeping shows which aren't even good, try to save the shows that are!
Friday Night Lights is guaranteed a 5th season, at least the NBC/Direct TV deal was for two more seasons, so unless they change their minds (here's hoping not) we will get a 5th season. Thank the gods, because when that's shows over, I don't know what I'll do.
I like Caprica, or what I've seen of it so far, but the only reason I like Fringe is for Josh Jackson, and I spend most of the show wishing he was in something better. I find it tedious and ridiculous (although John Noble is brilliant). Really, the only bubble show that I'm legit concerned about is Chuck...
Caprica took a couple episodes to grow on me, but it's really starting to get amazing. Last friday's episode was really well done, and very resonating. I hope they give it a chance. For the people who liked BSG for the spaceships, and the battles, it might not be living up, but for the people who watched BSG for the human characters it portrayed and their interactions, Caprica is doing very well
Caprica is really a well written show and should be
able to continue. Thought
provoking, better than the dumb
down "24" that shows our kids that tourture is justified
and works when just the oppisite is true.
Oh PLEASE PLEASE PLEAAAASE let Caprica get a second season! This show is so smart, so refined, so stunning that it would crush me if it didn't last.
God, have we really descended into a nation of Jay-Lenos and The-Bachelors? Good lord...Why does no one appreciate the good? It pains me to think this show could be canceled.
Caprica rocks! It's not supposed to be like BSG. It's the story of the creation of the cylons, which means more science, less action. The many stories within the series are rich, well-written and, like BSG, designed to make viewers question our tendency to look for absolutes. Individually, love Sasha Roiz's character Sam Adama!
~The Forgotten's another seriously underrated show that's on the bubble.~
Word. I haven't been this invested in a show for a good while, and it kind of boggles my mind that nobody else seems to like it.
Jane Espenson's been tweeting that the network is talking to them about what they want to see in Season 2. That's not a pickup, as she's quick to point out, but it's certainly a positive indicator. I'm not sure why you think this show's in trouble as its ratings have been pretty good for a SciFi show (no, I will NOT use that stupid new name).
Really,though, this was just an awful list. Fring, V and 24 are the only shows I watch on it (no cable so see Caprica online), and I believe Fringe has already been picked up. (Btw, it's really sad when you guys aren't aware of things like that. I'm no entertainment news junkie -- just scan things here and there, and it seems I'm more in the know than your writers.) 24 is getting tired. V's ratings were solid, so again, I don't know why you think it's in danger.
Where's Human Target?
Caprica is definitely worth a second season at least and Damages is SO good this season! I actually went and ordered s1 & 2 on DVD because it got me back into the show so much.
V... I hate to say this since I'm a huge Elizabeth Mitchell and Morena Baccarin fan but that show needs retweaking like, A LOT. I hate the teen angst and I fear it'll ruin the show for me.
Fringe is really good so I'm really hoping it'll get picked up as well. All the rest can go.
Oh and yeah, Better Off Ted NEEDS TO BE PICKED UP! Like, right!now! That show is effing genius.
Really like Human Target & the stars. I like Southland very much and Damages is a very well written show & all 3 should be renewed. BUT, have any of you watched MI 5 on A&E? It's the most exciting show on TV! It was called Spooks in the UK & we're about 3 seasons behind but I've been watching it since A&E first aired it. Season six begins on March 22nd. It's fast & furious & I have one complaint; "when a character wants to leave, they always kill them off" - why not just transfer them? Anyway, I don't watch any other shows on your list so I don't care about them.
Fans of BSG might be disappointed by the lack of action and the slightly more talky nature of ["Caprica"]The trouble with "Caprica" isn't that it's talky, it's that it's a soap opera, with robots. And frankly, that Moore et al. reduced the random evil of the Cylons to nothing more than the angst of teenage girls with rebellion issues destroys the entire series (including the mess "BSG" became).
Visually, the series is interesting, and Sam Adama is the best character. The rest? Meh.
programs such as fringe, human target,ghost whisper should remain on the air. they are wonderful programs. also the law and order saga should remain on the air another 20 years.