RENEWAL ALERT: About a Boy, Hannibal

NBC handed renewals to two younger shows: About a Boy for a second season and Hannibal for a third season.

After the failures of NBC's new fall sitcoms, they had high hopes for About a Boy and gave it a preview during the Olympics and a slot after the Tuesday edition of The Voice. Things started out really well as it was holding its own audience, but it's been a little more dicey in recent weeks. While a renewal was a given (and deserved), it remains to be seen if this show can do anything at all without The Voice, and I have some serious doubts.

Hannibal might seem like a surprise given its miniscule ratings on Friday nights, but this was a situation where the cheapness and critical acclaim trumped the ratings in NBC's decision. It was worthy financial investment and it doesn't hurt to have a show that seems like a cable one on broadcast TV. I'm guessing something else will premiere after Grimm on Fridays in the fall while Hannibal is ready to take over at midseason again.

With these renewals and several cancellations (see post below), the only true bubble shows remaining on NBC are Dracula and Parenthood. Dracula is in a similar situation as Hannibal except it doesn't have the critical acclaim. Parenthood is in tense negotiations for a final season and there appears to be a standoff between the network and the cast. We'll see what happens in the next couple days.