We’re a little over a month into the new fall U.S. TV season, so we thought we’d take a look at how some of the new shows are doing.
In the comedy department, there isn’t one major hit, though several shows even with modest ratings have received full-season orders.
Among them are NBC Universal’s Go On (airing on NBC — the Peacock — in the U.S.), starring Matthew Perry as a sportscaster trying to move on after the death of his wife; Twentieth Century Fox’s The New Normal (on NBC), about a gay couple who uses a surrogate to have a child; Twentieth’s Ben & Kate (Fox), about a single mom who hires her aimless brother as her nanny; and NBC Universal’s The Mindy Project (on Fox), starring ex-Office writer/star Mindy Kaling as a OB-GYN with romantic/personal obstacles.
The only sitcom that’s been axed so far is NBC Universal’s Animal Practice (on NBC), about a surly veterinarian. Episodes of the series will stop airing in November.
The U.S. networks are more willing to renew moderately successful comedy series, as they’re much less expensive to produce than dramas. For that reason, drama renewals take longer.
On the drama side, the biggest hit seems to be Warner Bros.’s Revolution (NBC), set in a futuristic world without electricity, and created by J.J. Abrams. The show has been renewed for a full season.
Other strong new drama series, like the Eye’s and CBS Studios’ modern-day Sherlock Holmes story, Elementary and Vegas, set in 1960s Sin City, are expected to be renewed, though no official word has been given yet.
Over at the CW, Warner Bros’ Arrow is a pretty sure thing in terms of renewal. Based on a comic book series, the show’s been garnering high ratings (though CW shows traditionally pull in much fewer viewers than their competing networks).
The first drama cancellation of the new season is Sony’s Made in Jersey (CBS), about a woman from a blue-collar background who gets a job at a white-shoe Manhattan law firm.
Though ratings have not been stellar, critics across the board have called Lionsgate’s Nashville (on the Mouse’s ABC) the best new show of the season. It’s pretty safe to say that ABC will hold off on any moves until the show (hopefully) attracts more viewers.
Despite lackluster ratings, ABC has given two more script orders to Warner Bros.’s 666 Park Avenue (ABC), about a New York building with supernatural occurrences, and to Sony’s submarine drama The Last Resort (ABC).
Rumors are flying that the next possible cancellations may be Sony’s The Mob Doctor (Fox), about a woman who is roped into working for the Mafia and Warner Bros.’s Partners (CBS), about a couple of friends — one gay and one straight — who are business partners.
Of course, only time will tell how the shows will end…
Interestingly, NBC — formerly the fourth-rated network among younger demographics — has found itself on top this season in regards to the advertiser-coveted 18-49s, surprising both observers and the network itself. Reality competition series The Voice is partly to thank for that.
