To Return or Not Return: Primetime Programs On the Fence for Next Season - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

BLT · 05-07-2003, 06:53 PM

To Return or Not Return: Primetime Programs On the Fence for Next Season
Tuesday May 6 5:54 PM ET

As we inch closer to upfront week, here is a listing of the questionable primetime series still waiting word on renewal:

ABC
Dragnet, The Practice, Regular Joe, Whose Line is it Anyway?

Notice the absence of The Drew Carey (news) Show, which could be back at some point in 2003-04 given the sitcom was renewed two years ago for three more seasons. Big oops. Ditto for Carey's Whose Line is it Anyway?, which costs next to nothing to produce. As for The Practice, I smell a made-for movie (or two) for next season but doubt ABC will officially renew the deteriorating -- and costly -- law drama. Last night's two-hour installment was promoted as the finale.

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Considering Dragnet has been losing steam for weeks, I would not count on a renewal. The same is true for short-lived Daniel Stern sitcom Regular Joe, which was pulled after only a handful of episodes.

----------

CBS
The Agency, Becker, Hack, My Big Fat Greek Life, Still Standing

Although Becker did better than expected on Sunday, was it really enough of an audience to warrant a renewal? And, please, let's hold off on renewing My Big Fat Greek Life until the over-reactive Nia Vardolos gets acting lessons. Chances are both The Agency and Hack will be back. Ditto for Still Standing, which got considerably funnier as the season progressed.

----------

NBC
A.U.S.A., America's Most Talented Kid, Boomtown, Ed, Good Morning, Miami, Kingpin, Watching Ellie

Ed -- come on down. Now that you're -- finally -- getting together with Carol NBC is likely to give you that fourth season. As for A.U.S.A., Good Morning, Miami and Watching Ellie, with three to four new comedies vying for time periods next fall, there is minimal programming real estate left. As for Boomtown and Kingpin, despite the critical acclaim don't count on either drama returning for a second season. America's Most Talented Kid, which was far from a bust, is a long shot at best because it lost audience as the weeks progressed.

Ratings challenged but critically applauded American Dreams, which was excluded from this list, is a shoo-in for 2003-04.

----------

Fox
Cedric the Entertainer Presents, Fastlane, Futurama, John Doe, Oliver Beene, The Pitts, Wanda at Large

Most Likely to Be Renewed:
Wanda at Large, which fits better out of lead-in Bernie Mac (news) than Cedric the Entertainer did.

Most Likely to Be Canceled:
The Pitts, which unfortunately lived up to its title.

As For the Rest:
The best of the bunch, John Doe, lost steam in the latter part of the season and is unlikely to return. Ditto to Friday partner Fastlane, Sunday's veteran Futurama, Malcolm-wannabe Oliver Beene and, unfortunately, Cedric.

----------

UPN
Platinum, The Twilight Zone

True, The Twilight Zone was far from a fizzle. Then again, it wasn't much of a hit either. As for Platinum, patience could be a virtue for this unusual, but minimally sampled, drama. If there is no room for Platinum on the fall schedule maybe a midseason reprieve could be possible.

----------

WB
Angel, Black Sash, Greetings From Tucson, Jamie Kennedy (news) Experiment, On The Spot, What I Like About You

Best Shot at Renewal:
What I Like About You, which will only get better now than the non-pregnant Jennie Garth (news) can do more physical comedy. Simon Rex (news), though, needs to join Ms. Vardolos in that acting class.

Most Hopeful For a Pick-Up:
Jamie Kennedy Experiment, which is too funny to be given a pink slip.

As For the Rest:
Angel at a 50-50 shot has the best shot of survival. You can forget about recent entries Black Sash and On The Spot.

-- Marc Berman (mediaweek.com)

DarleneIllyria · 05-07-2003, 08:17 PM

I hope Angel gets picked up.

GoldenFamilyTies · 05-07-2003, 08:41 PM

I hope the Practice stays... it just doesn't seem like it's time to go, and the "finale" was REALLY bad!

Christopher · 05-07-2003, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jenny
I hope Angel gets picked up.

If The WB doesn't pick it up, UPN might or some other network. Joss isn't ready to end Angel yet.

DarleneIllyria · 05-07-2003, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by *Chris*

If The WB doesn't pick it up, UPN might or some other network. Joss isn't ready to end Angel yet.

That would be awesome. Thanks for the info, Chris.

dawsongirl · 05-07-2003, 11:06 PM

That Berman guy doesn't like Dragnet. Well I for one hope it gets renewed or I'll never watch new TV again!!!

Cashodeen · 05-10-2003, 01:01 AM

Marc Berman can go take a hike. Zap2it.com says a renewal for Boomtown looks good. And if they're wrong, I'll eat me hat.

Czas na Zywiec · 05-10-2003, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BLT
Fox
Cedric the Entertainer Presents, Fastlane, Futurama, John Doe, Oliver Beene, The Pitts, Wanda at Large

Most Likely to Be Renewed:
Wanda at Large, which fits better out of lead-in Bernie Mac (news) than Cedric the Entertainer did.

Most Likely to Be Canceled:
The Pitts, which unfortunately lived up to its title.

As For the Rest:
The best of the bunch, John Doe, lost steam in the latter part of the season and is unlikely to return. Ditto to Friday partner Fastlane, Sunday's veteran Futurama, Malcolm-wannabe Oliver Beene and, unfortunately, Cedric.

I said it once and I'll say it again. Fox can bite my shiny metal ass.

I hate FOX and will hold a grudge with it for a very long time, if not for eternity.

SBTB Geek · 05-10-2003, 01:37 AM

I doubt, "Oliver Beene" or "Wanda At Large" will be going anywhere soon. "Wanda" gets an average 12 million mark, and "Oliver" gets 9 million most of the time. Both of which are very impressive by FOX standards.

The quality of FOX's Friday-line is very good. Both, "John Doe" and "Fastlane" get ratings around the 6 million point--- which is not bad when comparing to the networks. UPN gets practically below 1 million, and WB's highest rated Fri. sitcom, "Reba" gets 3 million at the most. ABC gets lukewarm ratings in Friday's as well.

FOX should keep "Fastlane" AND "John Doe."

David · 05-10-2003, 08:44 AM

I hope they pick up What I Like About You.. I think if the show had less Nickelodeon-flavor, it will be a really good show.

*PinkLady* · 05-10-2003, 11:15 AM

I hope that Regular Joe, Still Standing, Whose Line and Wanda at Large stay.

Adamantium · 05-10-2003, 01:16 PM

If I didn't list it, I've never seen it.

I Think these shows should stay:
Dragnet (ABC)
Regular Joe (ABC)
Whose Line is it Anyway? (ABC)
Becker (CBS)
Hack (CBS)
Boomtown (NBC)
Ed (NBC)
Futurama (FOX)
The Twilight Zone (UPN)
Angel (WB)
Jamie Kennedy Experiment (WB)
==========================================
These shows should be cancelled:
The Practice (ABC) It's just time to end. Nothing lasts forever.

Still Standing (CBS) I've never liked this show. It seems it was only made just to air with the other "Guy" shows on Mondays.

A.U.S.A. (NBC) Not funny. Even Heather Locklear passed because it wasn't good enough.

America's Most Talented Kid (?) The title says it all.

Good Morning, Miami (NBC) Okay. This show I don't like. Some say that it's a NewsRadio rip-off. I can see see bits of NewsRadio, but for the most part, I don't think it's a rip-off. I am a fan of The Weber Show, a show that was only in the top 20 because of it's timeslot. They cancelled it, so why wouldn't they cancel this?

Watching Ellie (NBC) It's stupid. It had a good premise when the show debuted but has since become an ordinary sitcom. That's not good enough.

Cedric the Entertainer Presents (FOX) I just don't like it.

Oliver Beene (FOX) I don't like this show. Whether it's like the Wonder Years or not, I don't like it.

The Pitts (FOX) Stupid.

Wanda at Large (FOX) Annoying.

On The Spot (WB) Simply not funny.

What I Like About You (WB) Stupid. But then again it's on WB's Friday Nights, so maybe it's supposed to be stupid.

Czas na Zywiec · 05-10-2003, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TVAdam
Futurama (FOX)

Futurama does much better in the ratings than a repeat King of the Hill or The Simpsons in it's slot, but obviously FOX doesn't see that.

Cashodeen · 05-10-2003, 08:08 PM

I'm hearing some of these shows' most recent episodes being called "season finales." What gives? If a show isn't a shoo-in for next season, isn't it a little wrong to be calling an episode "season finale?" Or can they just be hopeful?

dawsongirl · 05-10-2003, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Original Prankster
Futurama does much better in the ratings than a repeat King of the Hill or The Simpsons in it's slot, but obviously FOX doesn't see that.

They can't see what they're not looking at, the stupid %$@#&!@#'s.

05-07-2003, 06:53 PM	#1
BLT Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 06, 2003 Posts: 496	To Return or Not Return: Primetime Programs On the Fence for Next Season To Return or Not Return: Primetime Programs On the Fence for Next Season Tuesday May 6 5:54 PM ET As we inch closer to upfront week, here is a listing of the questionable primetime series still waiting word on renewal: ABC Dragnet, The Practice, Regular Joe, Whose Line is it Anyway? Notice the absence of The Drew Carey (news) Show, which could be back at some point in 2003-04 given the sitcom was renewed two years ago for three more seasons. Big oops. Ditto for Carey's Whose Line is it Anyway?, which costs next to nothing to produce. As for The Practice, I smell a made-for movie (or two) for next season but doubt ABC will officially renew the deteriorating -- and costly -- law drama. Last night's two-hour installment was promoted as the finale. ADVERTISEMENT Considering Dragnet has been losing steam for weeks, I would not count on a renewal. The same is true for short-lived Daniel Stern sitcom Regular Joe, which was pulled after only a handful of episodes. ---------- CBS The Agency, Becker, Hack, My Big Fat Greek Life, Still Standing Although Becker did better than expected on Sunday, was it really enough of an audience to warrant a renewal? And, please, let's hold off on renewing My Big Fat Greek Life until the over-reactive Nia Vardolos gets acting lessons. Chances are both The Agency and Hack will be back. Ditto for Still Standing, which got considerably funnier as the season progressed. ---------- NBC A.U.S.A., America's Most Talented Kid, Boomtown, Ed, Good Morning, Miami, Kingpin, Watching Ellie Ed -- come on down. Now that you're -- finally -- getting together with Carol NBC is likely to give you that fourth season. As for A.U.S.A., Good Morning, Miami and Watching Ellie, with three to four new comedies vying for time periods next fall, there is minimal programming real estate left. As for Boomtown and Kingpin, despite the critical acclaim don't count on either drama returning for a second season. America's Most Talented Kid, which was far from a bust, is a long shot at best because it lost audience as the weeks progressed. Ratings challenged but critically applauded American Dreams, which was excluded from this list, is a shoo-in for 2003-04. ---------- Fox Cedric the Entertainer Presents, Fastlane, Futurama, John Doe, Oliver Beene, The Pitts, Wanda at Large Most Likely to Be Renewed: Wanda at Large, which fits better out of lead-in Bernie Mac (news) than Cedric the Entertainer did. Most Likely to Be Canceled: The Pitts, which unfortunately lived up to its title. As For the Rest: The best of the bunch, John Doe, lost steam in the latter part of the season and is unlikely to return. Ditto to Friday partner Fastlane, Sunday's veteran Futurama, Malcolm-wannabe Oliver Beene and, unfortunately, Cedric. ---------- UPN Platinum, The Twilight Zone True, The Twilight Zone was far from a fizzle. Then again, it wasn't much of a hit either. As for Platinum, patience could be a virtue for this unusual, but minimally sampled, drama. If there is no room for Platinum on the fall schedule maybe a midseason reprieve could be possible. ---------- WB Angel, Black Sash, Greetings From Tucson, Jamie Kennedy (news) Experiment, On The Spot, What I Like About You Best Shot at Renewal: What I Like About You, which will only get better now than the non-pregnant Jennie Garth (news) can do more physical comedy. Simon Rex (news), though, needs to join Ms. Vardolos in that acting class. Most Hopeful For a Pick-Up: Jamie Kennedy Experiment, which is too funny to be given a pink slip. As For the Rest: Angel at a 50-50 shot has the best shot of survival. You can forget about recent entries Black Sash and On The Spot. -- Marc Berman (mediaweek.com)
	__________________ I have nothing else to say.

05-10-2003, 08:44 AM	#10
David mcphee. Forum Superstar Join Date: Jan 30, 2003 Location: jacksonville, FL. Posts: 28,115	I hope they pick up What I Like About You.. I think if the show had less Nickelodeon-flavor, it will be a really good show.
	__________________ v. 39 - katharine and chris elliott, you rock.

05-10-2003, 01:16 PM	#12
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,839	Re: To Return or Not Return: Primetime Programs On the Fence for Next Season If I didn't list it, I've never seen it. I Think these shows should stay: Dragnet (ABC) Regular Joe (ABC) Whose Line is it Anyway? (ABC) Becker (CBS) Hack (CBS) Boomtown (NBC) Ed (NBC) Futurama (FOX) The Twilight Zone (UPN) Angel (WB) Jamie Kennedy Experiment (WB) ========================================== These shows should be cancelled: The Practice (ABC) It's just time to end. Nothing lasts forever. Still Standing (CBS) I've never liked this show. It seems it was only made just to air with the other "Guy" shows on Mondays. A.U.S.A. (NBC) Not funny. Even Heather Locklear passed because it wasn't good enough. America's Most Talented Kid (?) The title says it all. Good Morning, Miami (NBC) Okay. This show I don't like. Some say that it's a NewsRadio rip-off. I can see see bits of NewsRadio, but for the most part, I don't think it's a rip-off. I am a fan of The Weber Show, a show that was only in the top 20 because of it's timeslot. They cancelled it, so why wouldn't they cancel this? Watching Ellie (NBC) It's stupid. It had a good premise when the show debuted but has since become an ordinary sitcom. That's not good enough. Cedric the Entertainer Presents (FOX) I just don't like it. Oliver Beene (FOX) I don't like this show. Whether it's like the Wonder Years or not, I don't like it. The Pitts (FOX) Stupid. Wanda at Large (FOX) Annoying. On The Spot (WB) Simply not funny. What I Like About You (WB) Stupid. But then again it's on WB's Friday Nights, so maybe it's supposed to be stupid.
	Last edited by Adamantium; 05-10-2003 at 02:46 PM.

05-07-2003, 08:17 PM	#2
DarleneIllyria Gone Forum Star Join Date: Oct 15, 2000 Posts: 19,086	I hope Angel gets picked up.

05-07-2003, 08:41 PM	#3
GoldenFamilyTies Por siempre tú Senior Member Join Date: Jan 15, 2002 Location: United States Posts: 1,329	I hope the Practice stays... it just doesn't seem like it's time to go, and the "finale" was REALLY bad!

05-07-2003, 11:06 PM	#6
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	That Berman guy doesn't like Dragnet. Well I for one hope it gets renewed or I'll never watch new TV again!!!

05-10-2003, 01:01 AM	#7
Cashodeen Hi. Forum Star Join Date: Aug 30, 2001 Posts: 11,363	Marc Berman can go take a hike. Zap2it.com says a renewal for Boomtown looks good. And if they're wrong, I'll eat me hat.

05-10-2003, 01:37 AM	#9
SBTB Geek Smooth Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 21, 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,004	I doubt, "Oliver Beene" or "Wanda At Large" will be going anywhere soon. "Wanda" gets an average 12 million mark, and "Oliver" gets 9 million most of the time. Both of which are very impressive by FOX standards. The quality of FOX's Friday-line is very good. Both, "John Doe" and "Fastlane" get ratings around the 6 million point--- which is not bad when comparing to the networks. UPN gets practically below 1 million, and WB's highest rated Fri. sitcom, "Reba" gets 3 million at the most. ABC gets lukewarm ratings in Friday's as well. FOX should keep "Fastlane" AND "John Doe."

05-10-2003, 11:15 AM	#11
PinkLady Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jun 04, 2002 Posts: 7,457	I hope that Regular Joe, Still Standing, Whose Line and Wanda at Large stay.

05-10-2003, 08:08 PM	#14
Cashodeen Hi. Forum Star Join Date: Aug 30, 2001 Posts: 11,363	I'm hearing some of these shows' most recent episodes being called "season finales." What gives? If a show isn't a shoo-in for next season, isn't it a little wrong to be calling an episode "season finale?" Or can they just be hopeful?