While we at theTVaddict.com have traditionally shied away from speculative pieces on whether or not your favorite “on the bubble” shows will be coming back next season, the likes of The Hollywood Reporter, The Wrap and Entertainment Weekly do not. Which is why — coupled with the lack of television news thank-you-very-much Olympic Games — we’ve decided to take the if you can’t beat ’em join ’em approach this year and present our take on which shows might soon be joining the likes of EVERWOOD and ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT in that great television graveyard in the sky. First up: NBC.
CHUCK
Working in its favor: The first step in NBC’s image rehabilitation following the messy Conan/Leno Late Night debacle probably doesn’t include canceling this critical and fan favorite.
Working against it: You mean aside from a disappointing average of 6.8 million viewers per week? The production of a second high profile spy series called UNDERCOVERS by some guy named J.J. something-or-other.
Renewal Odds: Positive.
HEROES
Working in its favor: The fact that NBC allowed Tim Kring to end the season off on a cliffhanger has us thinking that they’ll give the show thirteen episodes to wrap things up next season.
Working against it: How many people would really care if they didn’t find out what happens next?
Chance of renewal: Positive.
COMMUNITY
Working in its favor: The show seems to get funnier week after week. Plus, if there’s one thing NBC does do right, it’s nurture ratings anemic freshman comedies (see: THE OFFICE, PARKS AND RECREATION and 30 ROCK)
Working against it: Emphasis on ‘ratings anemic,’ with COMMUNITY averaging a mere five million viewers and regularly coming fourth in its timeslot.
Renewal Odds: Positive.
TRAUMA
Working in its favor: NBC may be scrambling to come up with enough programming next season to make up for the void left by the failed Jay Leno experiment.
Working against it: Its 3 million dollar per episode price tag combined with the fact that we have yet to meet one person who watches this show.
Renewal Odds: Don’t hold your breath.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
Working in its favor: DirecTV, without which this show would have been cancelled two seasons ago.
Working against it: A certain in-the-know TV journo who we may-or-may-not have a massive friendcrush on all but canceled the series last week. Talk about your downer Smurf.
Renewal Odds: Not good.
MERCY
Working in its favor: High profile guest stars and the addition of DAWSON CREEK alum James Van Der Beek have kept this show from flat-lining.
Working against it: If NBC is serious about reclaiming respectability in the creative community, it’s gonna need to do a lot better than a less interesting version of GREY’S ANATOMY.
Renewal Odds: Since we always bet on the ‘Beek,’ we’re gonna go out on a limb with this one and say positive.
Be sure to tune in tomorrow when we put ABC under the microscope. Same Bat Time, Same Bad Channel. 