Which shows do fans want saved?

A few weeks ago, I told you about the “USA Today” annual Save Our Shows survey.

So which shows do “USA Today” readers want to save? Out of 63,000 online votes, 56% said “Law & Order” should be saved, followed by “Scrubs,” “Friday Night Lights” and “Law & Order: Criminal Intent”—all NBC shows.

Here’s the entire list…

“Law & Order”—56%
“Scrubs”—50%
“Friday Night Lights”—49%
“Law & Order: Criminal Intent”—47%
“The New Adventures of Old Christine”—38%
“The Unit”—37%
“Crossing Jordan”—33%
“Medium”—33%
“Jericho”—33%
“Ghost Whisperer”—30%
“Gilmore Girls”—28%
“Supernatural”—26%
“The Class”—22%
“According to Jim”—20%
“October Road”—19%
“What About Brian”—17%
“George Lopez”—13%
“The War At Home”—12%
“Knights of Prosperity”—9%
“In Case of Emergency”—6%

I seriously doubt that the networks give this poll any credence, but it’s interesting to see which shows have support. “USA Today” did not include “Veronica Mars,” because they believed it to already be a goner (but I’m not as sure)…

So what is the prognosis for some of these shows? Both “Law & Order” shows are in danger, with “Criminal Intent” being in the most trouble. “Friday Night Lights” is expected to return and if “Scrubs” is cancelled by NBC, ABC is expected to pick it up. Recent reports say that “Crossing Jordan” will survive, which is probably bad news for “Law & Order” and “Medium,” which has a slim chance of a CBS pickup. “Gilmore Girls” will not return and I would bet against “According to Jim,” “George Lopez,” “The Class,” and “What About Brian.” Michael Rappaport has been cast in another FOX pilot, so I would also bet against “The War at Home.”

We’ll find out officially next week when the networks announce their schedules during the upfront presentations. And, of course, I’ll be here to keep it all straight for you…

I'm so confused...

So yesterday, after I reported to you that “The Black Donnellys” would end its run April 16th, NBC changed its mind and pulled the plug immediately. Next week it will be replaced by “Thank God You’re Here,” the improv program that was originally scheduled to air at 9 p.m. “The Real Wedding Crashers” will start in the slot April 23rd. You can see the unaired episodes of “Donnellys” on NBC.com…

And I hesitate to even tell you anything about ABC’s schedule because they change it on an almost hourly basis, but here goes anyway. After TV critics almost universally trashed ABC’s decision to replace “October Road” with “Notes From the Underbelly,” the network has changed its mind. “Underbelly” will premiere Thursday, April 12th at 10:00 p.m. with back-to-back episodes. Then April 18th, it will move to Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m., allowing “Road” to finish its six week run. So, does this mean “Men In Trees” will come back this season after all? ABC has made no announcement yet…

ABC has also changed its mind about “In Case of Emergency,” deciding to allow the show to air all 13 of its episodes. I like this show, so I’m happy about this decision and hope they stick with it. The only problem is that because ABC had originally planned to air only 11 episodes, they started showing them out of order to get the Jane Seymour arc in before the end and now things are a little confusing (Yeah, ABC. That’s the way to get people to watch. Mess up the order of a serial comedy.). “Emergency” airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m…

The ax falls on four shows...

The ax has fallen on four series...

“The Wedding Bells” will air its last episode this Friday on FOX…

NBC has pulled the plug on “The Black Donnellys,” which will air for the final time on April 16th. Does this mean that “Studio 60” will return to the schedule? No. “Donnellys” will be replaced by “The Real Wedding Crashers,” a new reality show from Ashton Kutcher…

ABC has cancelled “Six Degrees” effective immediately. I’m not sure why they even bothered to bring it back…

And the CW has announced that this will be the final season of “7th Heaven.” Of course, we’ve heard that one before…

Also, if you’re looking for “The Great American Dream Vote” this week, don’t bother. After only two airings, ABC has pulled the plug. I’m so sorry, Donny…

Is Your Favorite Show In Trouble?

The networks are just a little less than two months away from announcing their fall schedules. So now is the time they give serious thought to which shows won’t return.

So are any of your favorites in trouble?

Here’s a look at which ones are on the bubble, according to a recent article in “Variety”…

NBC is expected to show patience with two of its struggling, but critically acclaimed shows, “30 Rock” and “Friday Night Lights.” But “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” will not be back, according to most sources. Also in trouble are “Crossing Jordan” and “Medium,” although there’s a good chance “Medium” could end up on CBS.

Another show that could end up switching networks is “Scrubs,” which will more than likely end up at ABC, if ABC Television Studio (which produces the show) doesn’t lower its license fee.

And somewhat surprisingly, two members of the “Law & Order” family are on the bubble: “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” and the original “L&O.” But unless NBC has a ton of unbelievable pilots in the wings, it’s likely the original will return. Creator Dick Wolf is meeting with NBC execs this week to try and strike a deal…

ABC showed patience last season by renewing the struggling “What About Brian?” but it’s not likely to return since it’s already squandered a second chance. “The Nine,” one of the most critically acclaimed shows before the season began, is highly unlikely to get a second season.

Although the network pulled “The Knights of Prosperity” from the schedule, it’s a favorite of ABC President Steve McPherson and many at the net are hoping it could show second-season growth like NBC’s “The Office,” so it could return. “Men In Trees” is likely to return and “Six Degrees” could be renewed if it does well when it returns later this month. “Big Day,” “Help Me Help You,” “In Case of Emergency,” “According to Jim” and “George Lopez” are probably all goners…

As the #1 network, CBS’s biggest problem is where to put new shows with so many successes. Sitcoms “The Class,” “The New Adventures of Old Christine” and “Rules of Engagement” are all on the bubble with “Engagement” having the best chances to return, though I can’t imagine “Christine” not coming back as well. One show not likely to return is “Close to Home”…

FOX is still hoping to turn “’Til Death” into a hit, but if it doesn’t score well after “American Idol” it will probably be a goner. Also in question is “The War at Home” since several other pilots are interested in star Michael Rappaport. It’s too soon to tell for “The Winner” and “The Wedding Bells” and “Standoff” has one more shot to make it when it returns on Fridays later this month…

“Veronica Mars” fans will want to be sure to catch the season’s final episodes in May, because they will likely be the show’s last. “Gilmore Girls” will return if the actors sign new contracts. “7th Heaven” will probably be gone—again—and “All of Us” is also in trouble. But since the CW has limited its number of pilots in development, anything’s possible…

I’ll keep you posted…




Photos of "Friday Night Lights," "The Nine," "Six Degrees," "The Class," "'Til Death" and "Veronica Mars" courtesy of Gannett News Service