RENEWAL ALERT: The Biggest Loser, The Sing-Off, Who Do You Think You Are?

NBC has renewed a trio of reality series for the 2011-2012 season. It's not too surprising that these three reality shows were renewed as they are among the more stable performers on NBC's troubled lineup.

The long running inspirational weight-loss show The Biggest Loser was among the renewals. Long a staple of NBC's Tuesday nights, last fall's edition was lower-rated but it has perked back up with the Spring Couples edition, the show's 11th. This edition has been averaging 8.5 million viewers and a 3.1 demo through seven episodes, which puts it among NBC's top-rated shows. The show will have to go on without trainer Jillian Michaels, who announced that the current edition would be her last. With NBC's lineup in shambles, this stable two hours has been necessary but if NBC's lineup could get stronger again, it may someday get reduced to one hour.

Also renewed was the popular December talent competition The Sing Off. After a so-so debut in December 2009, it returned a year later to strong results. In five episodes, it averaged 8.6 million viewers and a 2.9 demo. The question is, will NBC leave it as a successful limited series during a slow ratings month or will it expand to be a regular series? Although NBC has lots of holes, it might limit its appeal by having it be yet another weekly series. It seems to work best as it currently is.

NBC also ordered a third season of genealogy show, Who Do You Think You Are? The series, from Lisa Kudrow, has made NBC competitive on Friday nights averaging 6.6 million viewers and a 1.3 in the demo in three airings this winter in a sleepy timeslot. While not stellar numbers, it has been a major improvement over the disaster School Pride in the fall. The show was also a reliable performer last spring and it may be held again for the midseason come next year.

NBC has a lot of decisions to make for next year with yet another underperforming lineup. Along with these shows and the already renewed 30 Rock, sure renewal bets include Law & Order: SVU and The Office. Other likely renewals include Harry's Law, Parenthood, Minute to Win It, and Parks and Recreation while Community, Chuck, The Event, Law & Order: Los Angeles, and Outsourced could go either way. Perfect Couples, Chase, The Cape, and School Pride are pretty much certain to join Outlaw and Undercovers in the cancellation bin. Still to debut this season are The Marriage Ref, Celebrity Apprentice and the new America's Next Great Restaurant.