Sometimes I think I'm more interested in the business of television than the product itself. When I started watching Chuck, I became obsessed with ratings, development season and pilots, upfronts, scheduling and the whole she-bang. It's just fascinating to me, so I've decided to jot down some thoughts on the behind the scenes aspects of TV as we get closer to upfronts. Now, I'm by no means an expert, merely a fan, so don't take anything I write seriously and understand that this is more for my enjoyment than anything.
First off, "upfronts" refers to the period when the networks unveil their new programming line-ups to advertisers as a way to sell ad time. This is usually the time when fans will know if their favorite programs are coming back or not. While, the trend over the last couple of years has been for the networks to renew shows before their upfront presentations, these meetings tend to be the last word. This year's upfront presentations for the major networks are:
May 14, 2012 - NBC and FOX
May 15, 2012 - ABC
May 16, 2012 - CBS
May 17, 2012 - The CW
Since we're a month a way, I thought it'd be fun to be an armchair programmer over the next couple of days so I can pretend that I know a lick about the television business. First up, I'm going to share which shows have been picked-up, which ones might be renewed or canceled, and which pilots could be sent to series. It's going to be a lot of work, but it should be a good time, so I hope readers enjoy what I put together. I figured kicking off this series with ABC made the most sense, so here we go.
Really, ABC didn't have a horrible year since it had one of the few successful new dramas of the season in Once Upon a Time. It's just too bad most of the Alphabet's other new dramas didn't gain any traction, although the jury's still out on GCB and Scandal. Comedy wise ABC's fine, and it might be the strongest network of the bunch, but it still needs to find a fourth show for its Wednesday night line-up. I don't expect ABC to wipe the slate clean, but it's definitely going to have some large holes to fill.
Officially Renewed ABC Shows
None to date
Officially/Effectively Canceled ABC Shows
Charlie's Angels
Desperate Housewives
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Man Up!
Work It
Possibly Renewed ABC Shows
The Bachelor
Castle
Dancing with the Stars
Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23
GCB
Grey's Anatomy
Happy Endings
Last Man Standing
The Middle
Modern Family
Once Upon a Time
Private Practice
Revenge
Scandal
Shark Tank
Suburgatory
Wipeout
Possibly Canceled ABC Shows
Body of Proof
Cougar Town
Missing
Pan Am
The River
Comedy Pilots
American Judy
Awesometown
Counter Culture
Down to Earth
The Family Trap
How to Live with Your Parents For the Rest of Your Life
Malibu Country
The Manzanis
Only Fools and Horses
Prairie Dogs
Red Van Man
The Smart One
The Unprofessional
Drama Pilots
666 Park Avenue
Americana
Beauty and the Beast
Dark Horse
Devious Maids
The Gilded Lilys
Gotham
Last Resort
Mistresses
Nashville
Penoza
Scruples
Zero Hour
While it's near impossible to know which pilots are going to picked up, you can make guesses based on the network's brand and needs. That being said, on the comedy side I could see the following shows going to series: Counter Culture, The Family Trap, How to Live with Your Parents For the Rest of Your Life, Malibu Country, The Smart One. On the drama side: 666 Park Avenue, Beauty and the Beast, Devious Maids, The Gilded Lilys, Gotham, Last Resort, Mistresses, Nashville, Scruples.
Possible ABC Shows for 2012-2013
666 Park Avenue
The Bachelor
Beauty and the Beast
Castle
Counter Culture
Dancing with the Stars
Devious Maids
Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23
The Family Trap
GCB
The Gilded Lilys
Gotham
Grey's Anatomy
Happy Endings
How to Live with Your Parents For the Rest of Your Life
Last Man Standing
Last Resort
Malibu Country
The Middle
Mistresses
Modern Family
Once Upon a Time
Nashville
Private Practice
Revenge
Scandal
Scruples
Shark Tank
The Smart One
Suburgatory
Wipeout
Possible ABC Schedule for 2012-2013
Sundays
8-9p: Beauty and the Beast
9-10p: Once Upon a Time
10-11p: GCB
Beauty and the Beast seems like a natural fit with Once Upon a Time since ABC's in the fairy tale business now, and GCB has seen modest numbers but isn't established enough yet to be shifted around the schedule. This combination gives Beast a little cushion, allows Once to take centerstage and let's GCB grow.
Mondays
8-10p: Dancing with the Stars/The Bachelor
10-11p: The Gilded Lilys/Mistresses/Scruples
Castle is by far my favorite show on ABC, but even I've been shocked that it's been given four straight seasons behind Dancing with the Stars and The Bachelor. I don't see ABC moving its flagship reality shows, but I do see them trying out a different show at the 10 o'clock hour. I couldn't decide between The Gilded Lilys, Mistresses or Scruples but I'd bet on of the three since they line up with the more female skewing DWTS and Bachelor.
Tuesdays
8-8:30p: Don't Trust the B---- in Apt. 23
8:30-9p: Happy Endings
9-10p: Dancing with the Stars Results
10-11p: Castle
ABC tried out a new comedy block this season with the combination of Last Man Standing and Cougar Town, and while it wasn't as successful as they would've liked I could see them bringing it back. I don't see CT coming back though, and putting Apt. 23 with Happy Endings makes sense but the time slot are problematic since the subject matter of both shows would be better suited for a later start time. The Tuesday 10pm slot has been a black hole for some time now, so why not try putting one of the most established shows there to see if it can be saved, hence Castle being shifted by a day.
Wednesdays
8-8:30p: The Middle
8:30-9p: The Family Trap/How to Live With Your Parents For the Rest of Your Life
9-9:30p: Modern Family
9:30-10p: Suburgatory
10-11p: Revenge
Wednesday nights are by far the most stable for ABC, so why change things up too much? History has shown that Modern Family could be an effective lead in, but it's been squandered on incompatible shows like Cougar Town and Happy Endings (too soon to tell about Apt. 23). Suburgartory's been a nice surprise, so why not reward it by putting it behind MF. That leaves the 8:30 spot open for a new sitcom, and I could see either the Mandy Moore led The Family Trap or Sarah Chalke's How to Live With Your Parents filling it since they're both family oriented like the rest of the night. They might even do a timeshare like HE and Apt. 23. Revenge's been doing fine where it is so leave it be.
Thursdays
8-9p: Nashville
9-10p: Grey's Anatomy
10-11p: Private Practice
Another black hole on ABC's schedule has been the Thursday at 8pm slot, so we're definitely going to be seeing a new show in that space. With the relative success of Glee and Smash, I could see ABC jumping on the musical bandwagon by picking up Nashville. Putting it in the 8pm spot could be risky since it will more than likely be going up against X-Factor/American Idol, but its focuses on country music could be a blessing. Grey's stays put as does Private Practice if it's renewed.
Fridays
8-8:30p: Malibu Country
8:30-9p: Counter Culture
9-9:30p: Last Man Standing
9:30-10p: The Smart One
10-11p: 20/20
I still want ABC to bring back TGIF and revive the traditional, multi-cam, family sitcom. They already have Last Man Standing which could anchor the night, and they do have a few shows that could fit the new TGIF mold. I know that this move would be a long shot, but it could be a success if the rest of the networks keep their genre fare for Friday nights.
Mid-Season: 666 Park Avenue, Devious Maids, Gotham, Last Resort, Scandal, Shark Tank, Wipeout
Please note that these are just predictions and are shouldn't be taken as fact ... unless I'm right. Next up, I'll take a stab at CBS.
First off, "upfronts" refers to the period when the networks unveil their new programming line-ups to advertisers as a way to sell ad time. This is usually the time when fans will know if their favorite programs are coming back or not. While, the trend over the last couple of years has been for the networks to renew shows before their upfront presentations, these meetings tend to be the last word. This year's upfront presentations for the major networks are:
May 14, 2012 - NBC and FOX
May 15, 2012 - ABC
May 16, 2012 - CBS
May 17, 2012 - The CW
Since we're a month a way, I thought it'd be fun to be an armchair programmer over the next couple of days so I can pretend that I know a lick about the television business. First up, I'm going to share which shows have been picked-up, which ones might be renewed or canceled, and which pilots could be sent to series. It's going to be a lot of work, but it should be a good time, so I hope readers enjoy what I put together. I figured kicking off this series with ABC made the most sense, so here we go.
Really, ABC didn't have a horrible year since it had one of the few successful new dramas of the season in Once Upon a Time. It's just too bad most of the Alphabet's other new dramas didn't gain any traction, although the jury's still out on GCB and Scandal. Comedy wise ABC's fine, and it might be the strongest network of the bunch, but it still needs to find a fourth show for its Wednesday night line-up. I don't expect ABC to wipe the slate clean, but it's definitely going to have some large holes to fill.
Officially Renewed ABC Shows
None to date
Officially/Effectively Canceled ABC Shows
Charlie's Angels
Desperate Housewives
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Man Up!
Work It
Possibly Renewed ABC Shows
The Bachelor
Castle
Dancing with the Stars
Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23
GCB
Grey's Anatomy
Happy Endings
Last Man Standing
The Middle
Modern Family
Once Upon a Time
Private Practice
Revenge
Scandal
Shark Tank
Suburgatory
Wipeout
Possibly Canceled ABC Shows
Body of Proof
Cougar Town
Missing
Pan Am
The River
Comedy Pilots
American Judy
Awesometown
Counter Culture
Down to Earth
The Family Trap
How to Live with Your Parents For the Rest of Your Life
Malibu Country
The Manzanis
Only Fools and Horses
Prairie Dogs
Red Van Man
The Smart One
The Unprofessional
Drama Pilots
666 Park Avenue
Americana
Beauty and the Beast
Dark Horse
Devious Maids
The Gilded Lilys
Gotham
Last Resort
Mistresses
Nashville
Penoza
Scruples
Zero Hour
While it's near impossible to know which pilots are going to picked up, you can make guesses based on the network's brand and needs. That being said, on the comedy side I could see the following shows going to series: Counter Culture, The Family Trap, How to Live with Your Parents For the Rest of Your Life, Malibu Country, The Smart One. On the drama side: 666 Park Avenue, Beauty and the Beast, Devious Maids, The Gilded Lilys, Gotham, Last Resort, Mistresses, Nashville, Scruples.
Possible ABC Shows for 2012-2013
666 Park Avenue
The Bachelor
Beauty and the Beast
Castle
Counter Culture
Dancing with the Stars
Devious Maids
Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23
The Family Trap
GCB
The Gilded Lilys
Gotham
Grey's Anatomy
Happy Endings
How to Live with Your Parents For the Rest of Your Life
Last Man Standing
Last Resort
Malibu Country
The Middle
Mistresses
Modern Family
Once Upon a Time
Nashville
Private Practice
Revenge
Scandal
Scruples
Shark Tank
The Smart One
Suburgatory
Wipeout
Possible ABC Schedule for 2012-2013
Sundays
8-9p: Beauty and the Beast
9-10p: Once Upon a Time
10-11p: GCB
Beauty and the Beast seems like a natural fit with Once Upon a Time since ABC's in the fairy tale business now, and GCB has seen modest numbers but isn't established enough yet to be shifted around the schedule. This combination gives Beast a little cushion, allows Once to take centerstage and let's GCB grow.
Mondays
8-10p: Dancing with the Stars/The Bachelor
10-11p: The Gilded Lilys/Mistresses/Scruples
Castle is by far my favorite show on ABC, but even I've been shocked that it's been given four straight seasons behind Dancing with the Stars and The Bachelor. I don't see ABC moving its flagship reality shows, but I do see them trying out a different show at the 10 o'clock hour. I couldn't decide between The Gilded Lilys, Mistresses or Scruples but I'd bet on of the three since they line up with the more female skewing DWTS and Bachelor.
Tuesdays
8-8:30p: Don't Trust the B---- in Apt. 23
8:30-9p: Happy Endings
9-10p: Dancing with the Stars Results
10-11p: Castle
ABC tried out a new comedy block this season with the combination of Last Man Standing and Cougar Town, and while it wasn't as successful as they would've liked I could see them bringing it back. I don't see CT coming back though, and putting Apt. 23 with Happy Endings makes sense but the time slot are problematic since the subject matter of both shows would be better suited for a later start time. The Tuesday 10pm slot has been a black hole for some time now, so why not try putting one of the most established shows there to see if it can be saved, hence Castle being shifted by a day.
Wednesdays
8-8:30p: The Middle
8:30-9p: The Family Trap/How to Live With Your Parents For the Rest of Your Life
9-9:30p: Modern Family
9:30-10p: Suburgatory
10-11p: Revenge
Wednesday nights are by far the most stable for ABC, so why change things up too much? History has shown that Modern Family could be an effective lead in, but it's been squandered on incompatible shows like Cougar Town and Happy Endings (too soon to tell about Apt. 23). Suburgartory's been a nice surprise, so why not reward it by putting it behind MF. That leaves the 8:30 spot open for a new sitcom, and I could see either the Mandy Moore led The Family Trap or Sarah Chalke's How to Live With Your Parents filling it since they're both family oriented like the rest of the night. They might even do a timeshare like HE and Apt. 23. Revenge's been doing fine where it is so leave it be.
Thursdays
8-9p: Nashville
9-10p: Grey's Anatomy
10-11p: Private Practice
Another black hole on ABC's schedule has been the Thursday at 8pm slot, so we're definitely going to be seeing a new show in that space. With the relative success of Glee and Smash, I could see ABC jumping on the musical bandwagon by picking up Nashville. Putting it in the 8pm spot could be risky since it will more than likely be going up against X-Factor/American Idol, but its focuses on country music could be a blessing. Grey's stays put as does Private Practice if it's renewed.
Fridays
8-8:30p: Malibu Country
8:30-9p: Counter Culture
9-9:30p: Last Man Standing
9:30-10p: The Smart One
10-11p: 20/20
I still want ABC to bring back TGIF and revive the traditional, multi-cam, family sitcom. They already have Last Man Standing which could anchor the night, and they do have a few shows that could fit the new TGIF mold. I know that this move would be a long shot, but it could be a success if the rest of the networks keep their genre fare for Friday nights.
Mid-Season: 666 Park Avenue, Devious Maids, Gotham, Last Resort, Scandal, Shark Tank, Wipeout
Please note that these are just predictions and are shouldn't be taken as fact ... unless I'm right. Next up, I'll take a stab at CBS.
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