The networks haven't announced their official fall schedules yet. That happens next month at the network upfronts, or whatever each network is now calling them - upfronts, announcements, presentations. But just from seeing the ratings of certain shows and stories that have leaked to the press already we can get at least a fairly accurate idea of which shows are going to definitely be renewed, which are probably canceled, and which shows are "on the bubble." ("On the bubble" means they're in the middle, balanced on the fence between getting canceled and being renewed. It's named after Sebastian Bubble, an executive at NBC in the early 50s.)USA Today has a complete rundown of all of the network shows you might be wondering about (in handy chart form!). After the jump, a look at some of the more interesting possibilities.
Over at ABC, it's a no-brainer that shows like Lost, Desperate Housewives, and Grey's Anatomy will be renewed, but Samantha Who? is on the bubble. NBC's 30 Rock, The Office, and Heroes are coming back (and I would bet that Parks and Recreation will be back too), but Chuck (noooooo!) and My Name Is Earl are both in the bubble category. As for CBS, you can guarantee that The Mentalist, Two and a Half Men, and all of the various CSI shows will be back, but it looks like longtime favorites Cold Case, Without A Trace, and The Unit aren't a sure thing to come back at all. It looks like FOX is going to cancel Dollhouse and The Sarah Connor Chronicles, but most of their other shows will be back.
As for The CW, the only show there's a question about is Privileged. Gossip Girl, 90210, Smallville, Supernatural, and One Tree Hill will all be back next season.
Now we just have to wait for those network announcements next month and see which new shows will be coming this fall.
Season-Ending Spoilers 2009
- Watch 'Brothers & Sisters' Full Episodes
- Rent 'B&S' on DVD (Netflix)
- Buy 'B&S' Season 2 DVD (Amazon)
- Watch 'Desperate Housewives' Full Episodes
- Rent 'Housewives' on DVD (Netflix)
- Buy 'Housewives' Season 4 DVD (Amazon)
- Watch 'Grey's Anatomy' Full Episodes
- Rent 'Anatomy' on DVD (Netflix)
- Buy 'Anatomy' Season 4 DVD (Amazon)
'CSI: NY'
Expect a death before the season ends. A cop killer will target a member of the team, which will "forever change" the lineup, according to Entertainment Weekly. Whoa. That sounds serious.
Related Links
CBS
'24'
After a dramatic exit during season 5, Jack Bauer's daughter Kim returns -- with a husband and daughter in tow. Meanwhile, first daughter Olivia Taylor proves to be the show's "most ruthless villainess since Sherry Palmer," claims Entertainment Weekly. And, of course, you can expect more deaths -- but the big question, will Jack and Renee Walker just hurry up and kiss already?
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Fox
'90210'
Naomi and Liam get closer after taking part in a drag race together, and Naomi's pushy sister Sara visits the famous zip code and sets her sights on Ryan. Original cast alum Donna Martin drops by to open a new store while Brenda returns for the season finale -- could she be interested in adopting Adrianna's baby?
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CW
'Bones'
Booth's brother Jared returns, as will Booth and Brennan's first therapist, Gordon Wyatt. The psychiatrist will be teaming up with Sweets to work on a case, exposing some shocking info about Sweets' past. Booth and Brennan will wind up in the same bed during the season finale, but alas Angela and Hodgins will not reunite. Well, at least someone's getting some action (we think!).
Related Links
Fox
'Brothers & Sisters'
Sarah Walker gets her job back at the family business. Half-brother Ryan and Holly Harper's daughter Rebecca get extremely close, while Kitty develops feelings for a man who isn't her husband. When Tommy's legal woes come to a head, he decides to hide out in Mexico. Are they phasing out Balthazar Getty?
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ABC
'Chuck'
The good news: there'll be guest stars galore! Tricia Helfer plays an agent sent to evaluate Sarah's performance as Chuck's handler. Chuck meets one of his heroes (Chevy Chase), and papa Bartowski (Scott Bakula) is introduced. Plus, Matthew Bomer and Jordana Brewster return as Bryce Larkin and Dr. Jill Roberts, respectively. The bad news: Morgan quits the Buy More, there's a death and someone finds out Chuck's secret.
Related Links
NBC
'Desperate Housewives'
Unless you've been living under a rock, you already know this season's biggest spoiler: Edie Britt is going to be killed off. Or is she? Creator Marc Cherry has been dropping hints that, no matter what happens, we haven't seen the last of Nicollette Sheridan's character yet.
Related Links
ABC
'Ghost Whisperer'
Now that Jim remembers that he's stuck in Sam's body, Melinda's less stressed -- allowing her to realize that she's pregnant. Jim decides to pursue a dream he has always had in order to keep him occupied. Becoming a doctor, maybe? There will be a significant death before the season ends -- but it's not one of the main characters, just someone close. Phew.
Related Links
CBS
'Gossip Girl'
Serena falls for Gabriel Serrano (Armie Hammer), the heir of a tobacco company, whose bad boy ways land her in jail. Sparks fly when Georgina (Michelle Trachtenberg) returns, but she's nothing like she was a year ago. Blair kisses both Nate and Chuck, Rufus buys an engagement ring and Jenny winds up in a 'Mean Girls'-style storyline. So, basically, it's business as usual on the Upper East Side.
Related Links
CW
'Grey's Anatomy'
Derek proposes to Meredith, who may discover even more long-lost siblings. Owen visits Seattle Grace's shrink (Amy Madigan) for his post-traumatic stress disorder. And while it's still not confirmed if Izzie and George will exit by the end of this season, word on the Web is that Katherine Heigl and T.R. Knight will not be regulars next season. Here's a plan to explain their absences -- Izzie and George reunite, elope and go start up a children's clinic in Africa. Hey, that's normal compared to some of the show's actual storylines.
Related Links
ABC
The TV Squad Podcast: The Prisoner, '80s TV, soap news and more
Let's talk about spoilers ...
The Prisoner -- An early look
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 12)
4-16-2009 @ 1:47PM
Tom said...
SAVE SARAH CONNOR!!!
Reply
4-16-2009 @ 7:38PM
Jason said...
Unfortunately both TSCC and Dollhouse performed quite poorly in the ratings, even for a Friday. And TSCC had taken a big nosedive back in the fall when it was still on Mondays, so that was as good as dead either way. Dollhouse will add to the amazing statistic of FOX having not renewed a single scripted show that debuted on Fridays since at least the 99-00 season (!). Sad, as both have been quite good the last few weeks.
4-17-2009 @ 11:18PM
Tracy Akers said...
I agree, Sarah Connor should be saved... It is one of the best shows on Fox (besides 24) in a very long time....
4-17-2009 @ 5:37PM
Ang said...
This news just SUCKS!!
I really love watching Dollhouse. It is so different from everything else out there!! UGH!!
I just wish these networks would give shows a chance. It seems like they put stuff out there and if it isn't a hit right away then they toss it. They are really losing out on some awesome shows!!!!!!!
4-18-2009 @ 1:24PM
Jerry said...
Why is it that networks no longer give new & innovative shows a chance to get a foothold? Many popular shows from the past started off with terrible ratings and then gained a foothold to become popular shows. They gave the writers & viewers time to get comfortable with the shows & their characters.
They should save DOLLHOUSE, BIG BANG, PARKS & RECREATIONS, PRIVLEDGED and FRINGE. NO more mind-numbing reality shows!!!!
5-01-2009 @ 12:57PM
Peter said...
Dollhouse, TSSC and Chuck are 3 of the 5 shows I watched this year. And I can't stomach another season of Heroes. So, damn... it's just 24 so far next year.
4-16-2009 @ 2:07PM
D said...
Since nothing will stop the nets from doing what they want to do let's all hope what replaces the lost shows is worth a poop which is a long shot.
Reply
4-16-2009 @ 2:15PM
Nornny said...
Rooting for Chuck, Better Off Ted, and Earl to join the Renewed column.
Praying for some miracle that would allow Reaper another season.
Reply
4-18-2009 @ 11:03AM
Heri said...
CHUCK needs to be saved. Best comedy/action around plus the hot babes that make special appearences. The plots are incredible and funny. NBC is nuts to let this show go.
4-16-2009 @ 2:20PM
Karen said...
If Dollhouse and SCC go, there'll be not one single thing left on the airwaves for a sci-fi & fantasy fan (with a modicum of taste).
This sucks!
PS. Lost doesn't count 'cause its nearly over, and Heroes doesn't count 'cause...well, it's lame-ass freakin' Heroes. Maybe I'm forgetting a good series out there in my fog of depression over Dollhouse & SCC; but even if I am, the damn TV schedules just look so utterly bleak. Canned laugh tracks over corny sitcoms, predictable procedurals and the ever-downward spiral called reality TV. Yuck, yuck, yuck!
Reply
4-17-2009 @ 2:05PM
louis said...
i think your forgetting fringee
and if your not watchin it
you should =]
4-17-2009 @ 7:26PM
weze said...
comedy is good ,watch Big Bang,has intelligent sounding people-not the run of the mill cookie cutter people
4-17-2009 @ 10:33PM
Nick said...
yeah, Fringe is a good show. watch that.
4-16-2009 @ 2:20PM
Gary said...
"As for The CW, the only show there's a question about is Privileged. "
What about Reaper?
Reply
4-16-2009 @ 5:18PM
CMG said...
Of the shows "on the bubble," I'm hoping for a return of Chuck and Castle.
This site may have slammed Castle in it's early review, but I have yet to talk to anyone who has watched it who hasn't enjoyed it. As for Chuck - It is one of the best shows on TV right now. What more can be said?
4-17-2009 @ 4:35PM
Spooky said...
Reaper is getting canceled. The actor that plays Sock is going to be on another show and the creators of the show just signed a new deal with Fox.
4-16-2009 @ 2:26PM
chris said...
What about Life? Sweet show. As for the others, I certainly hope Chuck doesn't get the axe and I wish that Reaper wouldn't either but that might already be a lost cause even though its probably a darkhorse for one of the best comedies on TV period. I'm a little suprised to see Eleventh hour on that list of almost gones as well.
Reply
4-16-2009 @ 6:06PM
bruce said...
I've already resigned myself to the fact that Terminator TSCC is gone. If both Life and Chuck go too, I won't have anything left to watch other than Lost and Bones. I can't believe Life didn't get better ratings, it was one of the most unique, interesting shows on TV. I've looked forward to every episode. The show was really hurt by the writers' strike and brief first season, and I don't think it fully recovered (not in quality but in maintaining a fanbase). Still, I really hope Life is not cancelled. NBC would be so insanely stupid to cancel Chuck. I can understand cancelling Life, but I hope they don't do it. Give it time to find an audience, let it grow. There's a lot there. Plus it's not like they'll have anything better to put on. We don't need another reality show.
4-17-2009 @ 1:21PM
Monks said...
My whole house loves Chuck as well as Life and Eleventh Hour. Why don't the networks realize that we seniors like other things than jumping into bed with whoever is available at the time. We seniors are the ones that have the ability to support the net works by buying their products because we normally financialy secure. Enough of the STUPID so called reallity shows. Who the heck cares if you find a bride, the marriage probably won't last anyway, or if you can survive on an island where all your playmates are trying to knife you in the back by day and sleep with you at night.
I just want some nice clean entertainment and that is what Chuck and Life and a scant few programs are.
I sure hope they change their minds. As for Lost, that was good from the begining, but as it continues, it leaves my head spinning.
4-16-2009 @ 2:30PM
GigG said...
"According to Jim" is still on the air? I thought that got canceled years ago.
Reply