Mar
5
As we start to enter the final months of the 2010/11 season, assuming the major networks don’t decide to have a few more month-long breaks in programming for no discernible reason, the news is starting to trickle in regarding what will be back next season and what won’t be.
With that in mind, here’s a handy guide to all of the main genre shows, with their likelihood of survival or failure. We’ll update it in separate posts as we hear more.
The Vampire Diaries
Network: The CW
Prognosis: Saved
Comment: The Vampire Diaries has been a real hit for The CW, building and maintaining its audience consistently throughout the season. Its renewal was more or less inevitable.
Smallville
Network: The CW
Prognosis: Saved
Comment: Well, this was left rather late from other renewal announcements in The CW’s slate. Smallville must be challenging Stargate for its Guinness World Record by now.
Supernatural
Network: The CW
Prognosis: Saved
Comment: Enough’s been made of the fact that Kripke only wanted the story to run for five seasons already, so we won’t go over that again. The Winchesters will be back for another year, with Sera Gamble as showrunner.
Fringe
Network: Fox
Prognosis: Healthy
Comment: Fringe is an experiment that probably wasn’t ever going to fail. Headed by three of the biggest names in the industry – Abrams, Orci and Kurtzman – its success has been patchy but visible nonetheless.
Heroes
Network: NBC
Prognosis: Dubious
Comment: Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Once the darling of NBC, Heroes has stumbled forwards since its first season, and although ratings have had an uptick lately, it’s still very much in the danger zone.
Stargate Universe
Network: Syfy
Prognosis: Saved
Comment: SGU has been a success for Syfy critically, although the ratings haven’t been exceptionally staggering to date. It seems to have settled in with fans, though, despite the huge direction change for the franchise.
Caprica
Network: Syfy
Prognosis: Healthy
Comment: Caprica’s ratings are truly dreadful, but this is Syfy that we’re talking about, and critically speaking the show has been tremendously successful. A second season renewal is likely, but not certain yet.
FlashForward
Network: ABC
Prognosis: Dubious
Comment: Despite a strong start from this show, its fortunes have been mixed of late. Falling ratings, coupled with a complicated plot have turned a few people off, although it’s not definitely out of contention.
V
Network: ABC
Prognosis: Dubious
Comment: Four episodes of this series have aired so far, and like FlashForward, it started out strongly but dipped. Its performance upon its return in the next few weeks will be utterly crucial, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see it stick around.
Chuck
Network: NBC
Prognosis: Positive
Comment: Chuck is very likely to receive a new season pick-up, having been a consistent performer for the network despite a reticent attitude toward it at first. Expect to see news of a renewal coming over the next few weeks.
Medium
Network: CBS
Prognosis: Dubious
Comment: Medium moved to CBS with a mild amount of coverage, but the quietly consistent show hasn’t proved to be much of a larger hit than it ever has done. Perhaps the network may actually pull the plug this time.
Dollhouse
Network: Fox
Prognosis: Flatlined
Comment: It received a shock 11th-hour renewal last year, but sadly, no such last-gasp save was forthcoming for Dollhouse’s sophomore season, despite a large creative uptick in the final acts.
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The Vampire Diaries – I am actually enjoying this show, and even though the first two episodes were really cheesy, it’s turned into something better. I love how Damon is sickly nice one minute and evil the next – oh, and I love Elena too for other reasons…
Smallville – I stopped watching it after season four to be honest, but is it too late for me to get back into it or have I missed too much?
Supernatural – I LOVE this show and I already have all four seasons on DVD! I’m loving season five so far, and that Paris Hilton episode wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be! Not sure where they can take the sixth season though, but Sera Gamble has written some excellent episodes so fingers crossed it will be good!
Fringe – This show, despite having a shaky start has gone from strength to strength, and my favourite has to be Walter! Some of his lines are just brilliant, as are Peter’s! But can we have more of Leonard Nimoy please?
Heroes – It has had a lot of hate thrown at it, but I think season four has been better than season three, and the storylines a lot tighter. Not sure about Claire’s storyline though but I will give it time, and it deserves a fifth season.
Stargate Universe – It started off slow but had some brilliant episodes later on, and that mid-season cliffhanger with Rush on the planet was ace… when is the second half coming back to the UK?
Caprica – I’m loving it at the moment, but from what I’ve heard people’s reactions have been mixed. I think it’s a strong emotional story, and I love how they switch between Zoe and Cylon. Not sure about the kid playing William though… Need to give it time.
FlashForward – Sorry, but this show really isn’t gelling with me. They seemed to have spent all the money on the great pilot episode and then things seemed to get complicated. If it comes back I will give it a second chance, but I won’t be sad if it goes…
V – From the five minute teaser opener I saw last year, this looked like it was going to be something special, but you say that it’s been up and down… When does this come to the UK?
Chuck – All I can say is: “I know Kung Fu!” Can’t wait to see Chuck, Sarah, Casey and the rest of the gang back on telly soon!
Medium – I am currently watching season one on Virgin 1 on Fridays the now, so I am a bit behind! However, I love the show and think Joe and Allison have a great chemistry, and the kids aren’t that annoying either!
Dollhouse – Such a shame this ended so quickly, as it really was picking up pace again by the end of season two. Loved Topher’s swap with Victor, and Epitah Two was a brilliant end to the series.
Now, for the other shows, Legend Of The Seeker should come back, and someone make a third series of Reaper and Pushing Daises! And finish off The Sarah Connor Chronicles as a TV movie at least! Oh, and can we have Spike movie and Ripper TV series too?….. :)