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RENEWAL ALERT: Happy Endings, Body of Proof, Shark Tank, Secret Millionaire

In preparation of the Upfronts, ABC made a flurry of moves on Thursday and Friday with Cancellations, Renewals, and Pilot Pickups. Among those renewed were two freshman midseason shows after cancellations of all their fall freshmen (see post still to come).

Midseason comedy Happy Endings was a late entry in the season but showed enough promise to ABC to get a second season. While the ratings have been modest, it has handled a tough timeslot for comedies (back to back episodes at 10pm Wednesdays) fairly well and has garnered some solid fan support online (though I fail to see why so far). The fact that ABC decided to double pump its episodes during sweeps was seen as a good sign. In 9 episodes, it has averaged 4.6 million viewers and a 1.9 in the demo. ABC is trying to make this show work and I have no qualms with it getting a second chance but I don't see it becoming a hit.

Midseason drama Body of Proof was also renewed but there was no surprise there. After all of ABC's fall dramas tanked as well as early midseason entry Off the Map, Body of Proof has been a success airing after the results edition of Dancing with the Stars. It had a great debut and has remained solid though it is getting older-skewing. In 7 episodes that have aired in its regular timeslot, it has averaged 11.4 million viewers and a 2.4 in the demo.

Also renewed was the reality show Shark Tank for a third season. The show has not been a huge hit in either of its first two seasons but it was a significant improvement over the now-ended Supernanny in the same Friday night timeslot. It probably wouldn't work anywhere else but is decent enough for Friday nights. In its Friday slot, it has averaged 4.8 million viewers and a 1.3 in the demo.

Finally, the midseason entry Secret Millionaire was also renewed. This show has a failed run on FOX a few seasons ago but ABC revamped and relaunched it the Sunday after the Oscars and it was a success, getting better ratings than Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in the same timeslot. In its brief 6 episode spring run, it averaged 10.7 million viewers and a 2.8 in the demo.

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