TV: Will Their Bubbles Burst?

Will Their Bubbles Burst? TV Shows That May Be Cancelled Before Fall

 

Some shows seem destined for cancellation before they even hit the small screen, and the first few seasons are often a make-or-break indicator of their success.
We’re sizing-up the shows from major networks that seem to be hanging by the skin of their teeth, and wondering: could they be cancelled before fall? Or do they have what it takes to get renewed for another season?

Body of Proof

In keeping with the trend of shows based on forensic science, ABC’s Body of Proof was met with mixed reviews when it premiered in March 2011. Both the murder cases and the “inner demons” of the detectives working to solve them were deemed clichéd by critics, and since season two ended on April 10, viewers are wondering if it will be back for a third. The show stars Dana Delany, Jeri Ryan and John Carroll Lynch, and despite its poor critical reception, it ranked the #2 most-watched scripted drama on ABC, which could be grounds for a third season.

A Gifted Man

The series about a self-obsessed surgeon who’s visited by his ex-wife from beyond the grave may not see a second season based on its predictability. This medical-supernatural hybrid, which stars Patrick Wilson, Jennifer Ehle and Margo Martindale debuted to low ratings last fall, and has been declared CBS’s weakest drama. CBS executive producer, Neal Baer told tvseriesfinale.com, “[CBS] really likes the show, and we haven’t talked about the future at all except trying to just do great episodes… They’re very supportive of the show and I know they really like it, so we’re very hopeful about coming back in the fall.”

Pan Am

Set in the ‘60s and centered around the original Pan American World Airways, Pan Am’s chances of getting renewed for a second season are still “up in the air.” Last fall the show premiered on ABC, showing off its air traffic controller training as audiences soared past 11 million viewers. Ratings took a nose dive, however, when ABC aired the show up against major news events and popular dramas. After one of the show’s stars, Karine Vanasse tweeted, “Well, we received THE call #PanAm is only coming back for one more episode after Christmas” fans assumed the show had been cancelled, and ABC issued a public statement denying its cancellation. The season one finale aired February 19, starring Christina Ricci Margot Robbie and Michael Mosley. ABC reps told eonline.com, “Pan Am is still in contention for next season. We won't know about that until our upfront announcement in May.”

Best Friends Forever

NBC’s Best Friends Forever debuted on April 4 this year to low ratings. The show, which stars Lennon Parham and Jessica St. Clair centers around a pair of BFFs who move in together in New York City. NBC has only ordered six episodes, which is a bad indication of its faith in the show, and ratings for Best Friends Forever are much lower than Are You There, Chelsea? which previously held the same time slot.

Fringe

J. J. Abrams’s sci-fi show, Fringe has endured a few time-slot shakeups, from 9pm Tuesdays to 9pm Thursdays to the dreaded “Friday night death slot” -- 9pm Fridays, which has many critics questioning its fate. The show’s star, Joshua Jackson commented on the time slot shuffle, “It's not that not enough people are watching Fringe, it's that not enough people are watching Fringe during the hour that it's on the air, which is key for the network." Other Fox shows have thrived in this time slot, however, including The X-Files, so it remains to be seen whether or not Fringe will slip over the edge into cancellation.

Sources

tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/
www.hitfix.com/blogs
tvseriesfinale.com/
www.dailymail.co.uk