Back in September, I took a look the new fall television lineup and, using nothing but the shows description and my cunning intuition, declared 10 shows dead by Christmas Day. This type of assignment exposes you to the criticism of the passionate and loyal television viewer. I am not any more qualified than the average couch potato to predict what network trash the American public will treat as its treasure.
So lets see how I did:
Sean Saves The World (NBC)
My kill date: Nov. 11.
What I said then: This show might have stood a chance if it came out a couple of years after Will & Grace took its final bow. But 7 years later?
Status: Somehow this show is still on the air! Despite low ratings and accusations of a cast rift, NBC continues to produce new episodes. They even conned Megan Mullally into guest starring on the show’s 17th episode. The real question is, will it make it that long? If it gets cancelled before seasons end, I am calling this a win for me.
Sleepy Hollow (Fox)
My kill date: Dec. 7.
What I said then: I want this to work. I really do. I just don’t see how it sustains an audience much after Halloween, when the fad wears off.
Status: Not only is this show still on the air, its a critical and ratings darling AND its been renewed for season 2. Someone was WAY OFF THE MARK here. I am glad I was wrong about this show. The reviews have been positive since day one and its encouraging to see the network think outside the box use the successful cable formula of the 13 episode season. Quality over quantity! 0 for 2!
We Are Men (CBS)
My Kill Date: Dec. 12
What I Said Then: I am not sure anyone wants to spend 22 minutes having Jerry O’Connell dispense sage advice to the new guy.
Status: Cancelled after 2 episodes!!! Do I know my TV?? (current record now 1-2)
Mind Games, Mixology, Killer Women (all ABC)
My Kill Date: Oct. 14, Oct. 4, Nov. 28 (respectively)
What I Said Then:
(Mind Games) Christian Slater is television poison. Breaking In, My Own Worst Enemy, The Forgotten. None of these shows made it out of the first season. Lets add Mind Games to that. (Sorry, Steve Zahn!)
(Mixology) ABC might have better off calling it “Vibeology” and casting Paula Abdul as a former pop star trying to resurrect her singing career. MC Scat Cat would co star.
(Killer Women) My bet is we wont see “Killer Women Christmas.”
Status: MID SEASON REPLACEMENTS! These shows actually debutin the next few months. So you could say they weren’t cancelled by Christmas, but I am pretty sure this wont make it until… Easter? (new column idea) I am going to take a push on them. When I read the new show synopsis’ back in late summer, I was not aware that these shows were not “slated” for a fall debut. Lets check back in June and see if anyone remembers these gems.
The Goldbergs (ABC)
My Kill Date: Dec. 24
What I said Then: After watching the first half of the pilot (that’s all I could get through), I didn’t feel a connection to any of the characters
Status: The show has received a full season order from ABC. After the shows third episode, I chatted with fellow USF contributor and podcaster Tank about it. He had watched all three shows and said it showed signs of getting better each week. I decided to go back to the pilot and give it a shot. I am very happy to say I was wrong about this show.
The Goldbergs has its flaws, but it definitely has found its footing and could be a show that makes it to syndication. You might be drawn to it because of Jeff Garlin and Wendi McLendon-Covey, but the real heart of the show are the kids (Sean Giambrone, Troy gentile, and Hayley Orrantia) and “Pops” George Segal. If you took my original advice and avoided this show, you can still get caught up via HuluPlus.
Dracula (NBC)
My Kill Date: Dec. 17.
What I Said Then: My gut feeling is if this show isn’t well written and doesn’t come out of the gate strong, it’s (un)dead.
Status: Okay, it is still on the air, but barely. The show didn’t premiere until October 25th! I assume if it got an early September start, it would be off the schedule by now. Last week’s new episode had a 0.9 rating! But again, it IS NBC, and its not like they have a roster of hit replacement shows to fill in if they dump this blood sucker.
Friends with Better Lives (CBS)
My Kill Date: Dec. 17.
What I Said Then: Kevin Connolly and James Van Der Beek as gynecologists. No chance in hell.
Status: Damn it, another mid season replacement! I need a research assistant! This show is scheduled to premiere on March 31, 2014.
Dads (Fox)
My Kill Date: Oct. 18.
What I Said Then: Unless they move it from its current time slow (Tuesday, 8pm) its going to get slaughtered. It’s up against Marvel’s Agent S.H.I.E.L.D, NCIS, and The Biggest Loser.
Status: Somehow, some way, this show has received a full season pickup. It has been the worst reviewed new show in the Fall 2013 network lineup. Most of the critics panned the show for its racism and sexism and just lack of humor. And it isnt fairing well with audiences either. According to TVByTheNumbers.com, the show debuted with a 2.2 rating in the 18-49 demographic and dropped roughly 32% two weeks later. Fox picked up the show for a full season anywat! Weirdly, not long after the announcement that it was getting a full 22 episode order, Fox pumped the brakes and dropped that order to 19.
The numbers do not lie. I did not do well on these bold predictions. The only show I got right was We Are Men. I was so wrong on Sleepy Hollow, The Goldbergs, and Dads that they got full season pick ups already! Sean Saves The World and Dracula are on my suspect list- I doubt we are talking about a season two for either of these, and I will take a push on the mid season replacements.
Next up, we see how well I did with my “locks” to be renewed picks…
Mr. Serious (@chapmanrunner) has been selling his whole life, nowadays he happens to get paid for doing it. His long term goal is to retire young and spend his days watching old episodes of Saturday Night Live and tweeting about “the good old days”. He produces and edits the UnderScoopFire podcast.
How, HOW is “Dads” still on the air? Seriously! That show quite literally hurt to watch.
I too had “The Goldbergs” pegged for an early death but like many have been quite surprised at how the show has taken off. The cast really just works in this case and the nostalgia is just the icing.
you summed up The Goldbergs perfectly! Glad I came around on that one. There is NO EXCUSE for Dads, its just plain bad.
That’s exactly how I feel about the Goldbergs. To me, it’s just a funny show that happens to be set in the 80s.
You may end up right about Dads. It’s already been announced that it’s going away in Feb, with no real return date. They’re moving Glee back to Tuesdays, so Mindy and Dads are going on hiatus – maybe never to return.
yes!