Network Upfront Notes

Sorry I've been gone so long! I was out of town since early Friday morning! I'll be doing the weekly ratings report again tomorrow, so look out for that!

For now, though, I'll post some early network upfront notes. I just want to say, though, that I won't go into much detail. I'm looking at all these "leakings" as still just temporary. Are they real? Are they not? Nothing will be for sure, in my opinion, until the actual upfront presentations. And, I hope everyone keeps that in mind.

Continuing, let's start with ABC. As for renewals, they've announced many early: Castle, Samantha Who?, Scrubs, and Better Off Ted. The only real surprise here - Better Off Ted. I wasn't expecting it. It had less than 4 million viewers for the season finale. Can somebody please let me know why this was renewed? As for Scrubs and Samantha?, both could be disasters next season, especially Scrubs, with the format and cast changes. (By the way, Samantha Who? and cancelled In The Motherhood will be airing Fridays at 8pm beginning June 5). Castle - it's done good for its first season. I'd say it deserves another chance.

Announced pickups so far are comedies Modern Family, Cougar Town, The Middle, Awesome Hank, with Romantically Challenged and The Law still close to pickups, perhaps for midseason. On the drama side, it's Flash Forward, Happy Town, The Associates, The Forgotten, Eastwick, and V that all got the pickups. All I have to say - that's a LOT of new shows, with so little room for them to go. So that's the question - where are they all going to go? I am glad to see all the comedy, though. Hopefully (at least) half of these comedies will catch on. I'd especially like to see The Middle and Awesome Hank work, because they sound good, along with Cougar Town.

Meanwhile, The Unusuals, Surviving Suburbia, and Cupid look to be dead. In the poll, The Unusuals and Suburbia remain fan favorites. I'd be sad to see both cancelled. And Cupid - it was expected, right?

Moving onto CBS, although they remain tight, seems like Cold Case will definitely be getting a renewal, with Rules of Engagement in contention for 13 episodes. Without a Trace is losing steam at the network, although it continues to be a ratings winner, and The Unit can at this point be counted out. Meanwhile, Miami Trauma, Three Rivers, The Good Wife, NCIS: Legend, and U.S. Attorney all look good to go, and no word has been made yet on Old Christine and Gary Unmarried. I'd expect Christine to get a pickup, but Gary could go either way.

At FOX, a lot of news. With the premiere of Glee this Tuesday, FOX has been looking to partner it up with a similar show, which they've found in So You Think You Can Dance. The summer reality series will be launching its first fall edition, set to pair up with new drama Glee. Meanwhile, comedies Brothers and Sons of Tuscan will be held for midseason now, where drama Human Target is set for a fall launch. Lie to Me may be going to Mondays with House, and Bones will most likely stick on Thursdays. Dance will air Wednesdays, with Glee, and Thursdays. And, Dollhouse has been renewed for 13 more episodes (No, I'm serious). Kitchen Nightmares is also set to return, and Hell's Kitchen will be spilling its season into the fall.

Not much new at NBC. Medium is pretty much renewed at this point. Law & Order is just about there as well. And Chuck is still in strong contention. Meanwhile, NBC is done with My Name is Earl it seems. FOX doesn't seem to interested, either, so Thursday's episode could have been its last. Their schedule, though, is still up for grabs.

And there you have it, folks. Upfronts begin this week, so we'll be back tomorrow with your ratings, and the first of the upfront information.