Skip to main content

FRESHMAN SCORECARD: January 2014

Happy 2014! Here is my Freshman Scorecard for January. As always, these shows are ranked by network by my opinion of best to worst chance for survival. There will be many more shows on this list for the February scorecard next month: The Assets, Intelligence, Killer Women, Chicago PD, Enlisted, and Rake.

Past January Scorecards: 2013   2012   2011

ABC

The Goldbergs - This is going to be the comedy that gets renewed unless the wheels completely fall off. The buzz seems to be growing but it should really have gotten the Wednesday 8:30pm slot over Suburgatory at midseason.

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. - It's coming off a downer for its fall finale but I still think this has a good chance for returning especially if ABC's new midseason dramas falter (and with their timeslots, there's a good chance they will).

Trophy Wife - I'd be surprised if this gets a second season but stranger things have happened. I still don't understand why this isn't getting a chance to air new episodes after Modern Family.

The Great Christmas Light Fight - I could see this potentially coming back for another December run next year.

Super Fun Night - Ending a season in February is a kiss of death from the networks and with ABC being more invested in other freshman comedies, this one will be a goner.

Once Upon a Time in Wonderland/Betrayal - They will air their initial run and that's it. No chance of any more episodes.

Back in the Game/Lucky 7 - Cancelled

CBS

The Crazy Ones - The three surviving comedies still seem close to me and I have a hard time predicting what will happen. But I still believe CBS is the most behind the Robin Williams comedy, it seems to be the most promoted of the three.

Mom - This show may beat out The Millers because its lead-in is so much lower and retention is so much better even though the raw numbers are well below what The Millers is getting.

The Millers - Retention is going to be the death of this show, I just know it is. CBS has never renewed shows like this. If Friends with Better Lives works on Monday later this season, I think this show will be the odd one out.

Hostages - Ending its initial episode run in January and that's the last we'll see of it.

We Are Men - Cancelled

NBC

The Blacklist - Renewed

The Michael J. Fox Show - Things would have to change big time in the second half of this season for this show to go beyond its 22 episode commitment. I don't see that happening.

Sean Saves the World - This show's chances are even less than Fox especially with a short extension and not a full season. Back to the comedy drawing board for NBC.

Dracula - I don't think we'll see anything beyond its initial order.

Welcome to the Family/Ironside - Cancelled

FOX

Sleepy Hollow/Junior Masterchef - Renewed

Brooklyn Nine-Nine - With a Golden Globe nomination, the Super Bowl slot, and lots of critical support, I think things would have to really go south for this to not get a renewal.

Almost Human - FOX is going to have a lot in the drama department with Bones, Sleepy Hollow, Glee, The Following, and potential new hits in Gang Related and the 24 reboot and to a lesser chance, Rake. I don't think there will be room for this show.

Dads - It had its full season order trimmed and that's another kiss of death from the network. It lasted longer than some thought but it won't see a season two.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

SEASON IN REVIEW: 2017-18 Miscellaneous Awards

As usual, I am ending the season with a few miscellaneous awards. The blog will be quiet this summer but I will continue to do the week ahead posts with broadcast TV news as it happens this summer. Then I'll be back for previews, pilot reviews, and more in the fall! BEST RETURNING COMEDY Superstore (NBC) - Superstore was awarded my "Best Returning Comedy" last year, but it only got better in season three. The funniest ensemble on TV took another step forward with some truly hilarious moments (the season premiere, the Golden Globes party, and the Christmas episode to name a few) and some major plot points moving forward. It also has the potential to be surprisingly sentimental at times. I think back to the first year of the show and how I felt like it had so many funny elements but didn't always bring it completely together. Well now it does on a weekly basis and it is one of those shows that just seems to be in the sweet spot of what will hopefully be a long run. ...

EPISODE GUIDES: Happy Days Season Five (Part 1)

On Thursdays, I take a detailed and critical look at a TV show by season. Today I am looking at Season 5 (Part 1) of  Happy Days ! HAPPY DAYS: SEASON FIVE 1977-1978 27 episodes Season Five is the year where Fonzie infamously jumps the shark. It happens at the beginning of the season and while  Happy Days  does eventually decline in quality, it is not this season. In fact, this season graded out slightly higher than the previous season even though it doesn't feel as strong. I think that's because there's not a lot of outright stinkers in this season. It's a very solid season with the show continuing to hum along. There are some signs of the troubles to come but it doesn't happen on a regular basis in the fifth season. Starring Ron Howard as Richie Cunningham  (27 episodes) Henry Winkler as Arthur Fonzarelli  (27 episodes) Tom Bosley as Howard Cunningham  (27 episodes) Marion Ross as Marion Cunningham  (27 episodes) Anson Williams as Potsie Webber  ...

EPISODE GUIDES: That 70s Show Season Seven

On Thursdays, I go through classic series with a critical look at each season. Today I am looking at Season Seven of  That 70s Show ! THAT 70s SHOW: SEASON SEVEN 2004-2005 25 episodes The seventh season of  That 70s Show  is the final season with Topher Grace as a series regular and also the final full season for Ashton Kutcher. Despite still having both of those cast member, the show finds itself flailing especially with Topher Grace's Eric, who is stuck in a terrible arc for most of the season. The show also brings many characters back at one point or another but everything just feels tired. This season actually graded out the worst for me. Even worse than the often maligned final season (more on that next week). Every title this season is named for a Rolling Stones song. Starring Topher Grace as Eric Forman  (25 episodes) Mila Kunis as Jackie Burkhart  (25 episodes) Ashton Kutcher as Michael Kelso  (25 episodes) Danny Masterson as Steven Hyde  (25 e...