Shows "On the Bubble"

March 28, 2007

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It’s that time of year again, and many producers are feeling like the gimpy kid in gym class as their shows get further and further away from making it back onto the team. In TV talk, this is referred to being "on the bubble." Will you return? Or will you not?

NBC is hoping some of their underachievers will catch on next season a-la The Office. But while we’ve all but buried Studio 60 and have a lot of faith in 30 Rock, a lot shows are still up in the air. The brilliant (and brilliantly underappreciated), Friday Night Lights has struggled to find its audience. A little too teen-drama for sports fans and a little too sports for teen-drama fans, this little gem may sadly join the ranks of Brilliant But Cancelled. Our favorite psychic mom also has an uncertain future. With sharp writing and inventive stories, we blame Medium’s predicament more on the Scheduling Department than the show. Still dead is dead in Network TV.

ABC isn’t fairing much better. Six Degrees found that a story of strangers who kind of know each other is kind of… boring. After such a long rest period, it had better get some traction or risk getting bumped off. What About Brian won’t bring any tears if it passes on, but that’s hardly ABC’s biggest worry. With so many of their comedies unable to really make a dent, and their returning shows just sliding by, this network is starting to learn that laughter is serious business.

Good news is bad news for those underperforming at CBS. With some big success stories and a hot development slate, struggling show have a harder time coming back. Jericho got stomped by Idol, and Old Christine lost the coveted (ratings-wise only) spot after Two and a Half Men. But Christine could bump The Class out instead. Close to Home has had decent ratings, but without a big splash, CBS may not see it as worth the investment.

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