FRESHMAN SCORECARD: January 2013

Happy New Year! It's time for another Freshman Scorecard - as always, these are ranked by my opinion of best to worst chance for survival. If interested, check out last month's scorecard as well as the January scorecards from 2011 and 2012. By the time the February scorecard rolls around, we can add NBC's Deception and Do No Harm, FOX's The Following, and ABC's The Taste to the list!

ABC

Malibu Country - It hasn't been overly impressive but ABC wants their Friday block to work and it seems to be compatible with Last Man Standing. I think it stands a very good chance to be renewed.

Nashville - I wavered between putting this and The Neighbors second but I went with Nashville because it seems like ABC is so invested in this show and I don't see their midseason drama entries breaking out.

The Neighbors - I think this show has a decent chance for renewal too but it had a troubling drop right before Christmas so let's wait and see. I think it'll be on the fence all the way until upfronts.

Last Resort/666 Park Avenue - Already cancelled. Last Resort will air its series finale this month while 666 Park Avenue had its final four episodes pulled.

CBS

Elementary - With a Super Bowl airing and with it being the only semi-successful freshman on CBS, this is a slam dunk renewal.

Vegas - It's gonna be a tough call to renew this one with ever sinking ratings but the total viewer number may save it depending on what CBS does with Friday and how Golden Boy does.

Made in Jersey/Partners - Already cancelled. Look for the burned off Partners to episodes to air on Saturday at some point the same way Made in Jersey did.

NBC

Revolution - On a break until March 25 but it gets to be paired with The Voice when it comes back and it was the fall's hottest new show. It will have to fall pretty hard to not get a renewal.

Go On - It gets put to the test this month when it follows Betty White's Off Their Rockers instead of The Voice but it is NBC's highest rated comedy. Like Revolution, it'll have to fall pretty hard to get cancelled.

Chicago Fire - This show seems to rise and fall based on the competition but it is doing better than most thought. I think it stands a really good chance of being renewed.

The New Normal - This one is more of a toss-up. It seems like NBC is gearing up for an "out with the old, in with the new" purge but this has been weak. I'd say it's slightly more likely than unlikely to get a renewal, maybe 55/45?

1600 Penn - It had only one preview airing in December but it delivered disappointing numbers and now it must air in NBC's troubled Thursday lineup. I don't like its chance.

Guys with Kids - This show has managed to survive so far but it is clearly the weakest of NBC's new shows left. I think this show's survival chances fully depend on how NBC wants to go forward with mulitcam comedies and a lot of that depends on what they develop for next season.

Take it All - NBC's Christmas game show entry started ok but fell apart when the lead-in was bad. There's a chance it could return next Christmas but I wouldn't count on it.

Animal Practice - Cancelled.

FOX

The Mindy Project - Still FOX's best chance of a renewal despite miniscule ratings. This show might get renewed because FOX is committed to building its comedy lineup but it seems like a niche success at best.

Ben and Kate - Despite the 18 episode order, I really don't see this making it past season one. FOX wants it work but it'll have to surprise in the spring.

The Mob Doctor - Not officially cancelled but airing its final episode of the season this month and everyone, including the creators, seem to be resigned to its fate.