FRESHMAN SCORECARD: May

It's time for the final Freshman Scorecard for the 2010-2011 season. With just two new series renewed for next season, many remain "on the bubble." As always, these shows are ordered from best to worst chance of survival.

Also, please check back often this month as there will be many extra features with upfront season fast approaching. This week, I will offer "what the networks SHOULD do" - NBC on Monday, FOX on Tuesday, ABC on Wednesday, and CBS on Thursday. Next week, I will offer "what the networks WILL do" with the same schedule. The third week of May is Upfront Week, so I will offer commentary on the official fall schedules. And finally, the fourth week of May will have a "Season in Review" - plenty to come back for!

ABC

Body of Proof - ABC's surest bet for a renewal by a longshot. After a season of failed dramas, this show has been a solid performer airing after the results edition of Dancing with the Stars. Although it appears to be old-skewing, it has more than held its own against The Good Wife and Parenthood, which offer lots of crossover audience. It's a slam dunk for renewal and a decent show, though nothing spectacular.

Happy Endings - ABC's newest comedy has been an interesting case so far. It had a lackluster debut after Modern Family but then performed decently in an episode immediately following in the 10pm hour. The next week, it aired back-to-back in the 10pm hour to dwindling results. But the third week it perked back up with just a 10pm airing, getting a 2.1 demo. As a result, ABC has decided to double-pump episodes in the 10pm hour throughout May Sweeps, which has to be looked at as a good sign. ABC promoted it a lot and seems bent on making it work, so it wouldn't be surprising to see a renewal, possibly to continue in this slot.

Mr. Sunshine - ABC's other new comedy this spring had the unfortunate task of airing after repeats and often competing with American Idol. But it still underperformed severely and the fact that Happy Endings has been holding up better so far doesn't help its cause. But still, it may get a midseason renewal if ABC wants to put together an adult comedy block (including Endings and Cougar Town). If it gets renewed, I expect somewhat of a creative overhaul.

Better With You - This show took a six week break and returned to series lows on Wednesday. Although it had a very promising performance following Dancing with the Stars this past Monday, it stumbled again on Wednesday. If Monday's sampling had led to Wednesday success, I probably would have had this leapfrog Mr. Sunshine but it didn't so it's probably a goner. It never quite fit into the comedy block ABC has on Wednesday anyway.

Off the Map/No Ordinary Family/Detroit 1-8-7 - Any glimmering hope these shows may have had is probably gone with the success of Body of Proof. Some people expected a mercy save for one of its dramas so all of them wouldn't be cancelled but now that Proof will get the renewal, these shows are probably gone for good. Another sign that they won't be coming back is the fact that all three ended their season weeks ago.

Skating with the Stars/The Whole Truth/My Generation - Cancelled long ago.

CBS

Mike & Molly - The most successful freshman comedy on any network, Mike & Molly is not ready to take over the 9pm slot as an unsuccessful performance there this month proved. But it's been holding its own in the 9:30 slot even with reruns in front of it since February thanks to Charlie Sheen. It's all but officially renewed.

Hawaii Five-0 - Another show that's all but officially renewed. Hawaii Five-0 remains a solid but unspectacular show on Monday night. Expect it to come right back to the same slot next fall.

Blue Bloods - Some think Blue Bloods isn't a sure bet for renewal because it's the worst demo performer on the network that hasn't been cancelled. But it airs on Friday at 10pm and the total numbers have been strong. CBS shouldn't mess with a good thing in a very difficult slot.

Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior - The Criminal Minds spinoff has shown a little life lately with its best numbers since the second week in its last original episode followed by two weeks of decent repeat numbers. At this point, it seems to be a toss up but CBS certainly likes its franchises and they might try to make this work one more year.

Mad Love - CBS's Monday night comedy has aired amongst a block of repeats for most of its run but its still been an underperformer. CBS also doesn't seem to promote this show much which isn't a good sign. But it may still have a chance at a midseason renewal - a very slim one, though.

$#*! My Dad Says/The Defenders - These shows ended their seasons months ago and were the weak links of a decent lineup of new shows from the fall. They stand almost no chance of renewal with $#*! My Dad Says probably having an ever-so-slightly better chance.

Chaos/Live to Dance - Cancelled with Chaos being the first show pulled from CBS's schedule with episodes remaining this year.

NBC

The Voice - NBC's newest show has only been on a week but seems a slam dunk for renewal after the best demo premiere of any show since CBS's Undercover Boss following the 2010 Super Bowl. It also got decent numbers on a next-day repeat. This may be the hit NBC desperately needs.

Harry's Law - The old-skewing drama had been a self-starter all winter and despite a series low for the season finale, it seems likely to come back and hopefully with a more compatible lead-in.

Law & Order: LA - After a big retooling, Law & Order: LA returned to low ratings. It had been a decent performer in the fall but has been floundering in its return. Still, NBC has a lot of holes and this reliable franchise name may get a mercy renewal and a chance to find its footing.

Outsourced - NBC's comedy seems to have been forgotten in the sleepy 10:30 timeslot. It was an underperformer at 9:30 and its new slot seems to have pushed it off the edge. It seems very unlikely to return.

The Event - The hyped sci-fi/mystery series has been a huge disappointment, sinking to even more lows this past month. With four episodes left, it was hopefully written to play like a series finale because it's not coming back.

America's Next Great Restaurant - The season finale of this underperforming reality show airs tonight and while there's a chance it could come back in the summer or something like that, even that seems unlikely as it has gotten no interest.

Perfect Couples/Chase/The Cape - Not officially cancelled but let's get real, they are.

The Paul Reiser Show/School Pride/Undercovers/Outlaw - Officially cancelled with The Paul Reiser Show the newest entry to the list after two pathetic airings.

FOX

Raising Hope/Bob's Burgers - Already renewed despite ho-hum ratings.

Breaking In - This show has the benefit of following the most popular show on tv and while it squanders most of its audience, its overall numbers are still decent. Because of that, FOX may give it a renewal but it seems unlikely it will do adequate if it doesn't have a huge lead-in.

The Chicago Code - FOX's midseason drama has been a fairly stable but unspectacular performer on Monday night. At this point, its best case scenario is probably a midseason renewal which wouldn't be a bad idea as insurance.

Million Dollar Money Drop - It won't be on the fall schedule but could be seen down the road in some capacity.

Traffic Light - It's still airing but is the definition of a Dead Show Walking with miniscule ratings. There's no way it's coming back.


Running Wilde/Lone Star - Cancelled long ago.