TV networks are finalizing shows to keep or kill for their fall lineups WILL YOUR SHOWS MAKE THE CUT?

April 25, 2013 at 12:05a.m.

By Gail Pennington

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

This is crunch time for the broadcast networks. They’ve seen their potential new series; they know how the shows now on the air have done; and it’s time to decide:

Which series will earn a spot on the fall schedule?

And which won’t?

Some of your favorite shows probably have already been renewed. Others, also maybe favorites, have long since been canceled. But still others remain “on the bubble,” as they say in the TV business. Originally a carpenters’ term, “on the bubble” means something that could go either way.

The networks will announce their fall lineups the week of May 13, with ceremonies in New York directed at advertisers. The events are called “upfronts” because the point is to sell commercial time for the new season in advance, or “up front.”

Until then, here’s a network-by-network look at where shows stand, with educated guesses about what their prospects are.

NBC

In this difficult season for NBC, only “The Voice” has been a stand-out success. Look for two seasons a year for the near future.

A more-recent success is “Hannibal,” which grew in viewership from its first episode to its second, always a good sign. At the moment, a second season is looking good.

“Revolution” and “Chicago Fire” look likely to get second seasons on NBC, and “Grimm” is sure to be renewed. So is the last surviving member of the “Law & Order” family, “SVU.”

Matthew Perry’s “Go On,” the most successful of the new comedies, also is more likely than not to be renewed. “The Biggest Loser” probably will return; “Celebrity Apprentice” might not be (although how NBC will ever escape Donald Trump is uncertain).

“Smash,” which is being burned off on Saturdays, almost certainly won’t be back.

Series on shaky ground at NBC include “Parenthood,” as always. However, I’m betting that the network will realize how passionate “Parenthood” fans are about the show and give it another season, probably a shorter one like this year’s.

Another relatively low-rated NBC series with passionate fans is “Parks and Recreation,” and I choose to believe there, too, that NBC will order another season. With “30 Rock” gone and “The Office” ending its run in May, NBC needs at least one veteran comedy to anchor Thursday nights.

That brings us to “Community,” for which renewal would be a (happy) surprise. If NBC decides to bring back “Whitney,” “1600 Penn,” “Guys With Kids,” “Deception” or (to a slightly lesser extent) “The New Normal,” the decision would make news.

“Up All Night,” which lost star Christina Applegate amid a series of disastrous changes, is highly unlikely to be back. “Animal Practice” and “Do No Harm” have already been canceled by NBC.

CBS

CBS has renewed a big chunk of its lineup: “The Big Bang Theory,” “Blue Bloods,” “CSI,” “Elementary,” “The Good Wife,” “Hawaii Five-0,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “The Mentalist,” “Mike & Molly,” “NCIS,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “Person of Interest” and “2 Broke Girls.” Only a contract impasse would keep “Two and a Half Men” from returning.

“The Amazing Race” and “Survivor” also have been picked up for additional seasons, as has “Undercover Boss.”

So what isn’t in the clear? “Criminal Minds,” “CSI: NY,” “Golden Boy,” “Vegas” and “Rules of Engagement.” (Also “Unforgettable,” which airs this summer.)

On another network, any one of those might survive. But CBS, with so many strong shows and so little space for new entries, doesn’t tolerate even marginal performers. I’d expect “Criminal Minds” to be back, but none of the others.

“Made in Jersey” and “Partners” have already been canceled by CBS.

ABC

Even though ABC hasn’t handed out early renewals, many of its shows are as good as picked up for next season. They include “Castle” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Middle,” “Modern Family,” “Once Upon a Time” and “Scandal.” “Suburgatory” also is likely to return.

Newcomer “How To Live With Your Parents [for the Rest of Your Life]” could be back if its ratings hold up. “Happy Endings” seems unlikely to have a happy ending.

Unless there’s a shocker, ABC will bring back “The Bachelor,” “The Bachelorette,” “Dancing With the Stars” and “Shark Tank.”

ABC shows “on the bubble” include “Body of Proof,” “Last Man Standing,” “Malibu Country,” “Nashville,” “The Neighbors” and “Revenge.” I don’t have a guess on how it will go for those, except to say that ABC has done better on Friday nights with the two comedies than anyone expected, and that Tim Allen’s “Last Man” is a better bet than Reba McEntire’s “Malibu.” “Nashville” has been a bit of a disappointment both creatively and in the ratings, and “Revenge” has lost buzz in its second season.

“Private Practice” ended its run on ABC. “666 Park Avenue,” “Don’t Trust the B- in Apt. 23,” “Last Resort,” “Red Widow” and “Zero Hour” were canceled.

Fox

Top shows on Fox have already been given renewal notices: “American Dad,” “Bob’s Burgers,” “Bones,” “Family Guy,” “The Following,” “Glee” (for two seasons), “The Mindy Project,” “New Girl,” “Raising Hope” and “The Simpsons.”

“American Idol,” “Hell’s Kitchen” and “The X Factor” also will be back; “Kitchen Nightmares” is unconfirmed.

“Touch” is not likely to return; neither is “The Cleveland Show.”

“Fringe” ended its run on Fox this season. “Ben and Kate” and “The Mob Doctor” were canceled.

THE CW

Early renewals on the CW went to “Arrow,” “Supernatural” and “The Vampire Diaries.”

On the bubble are “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Carrie Diaries,” “Hart of Dixie” and “Nikita,” with “90210” and “Gossip Girl” ending their runs.

“Cult” and “Emily Owens, M.D.” have been canceled.

“America’s Next Top Model” will air a new, coed edition this summer.