TV Shows on the Bubble 2010
From 'Chuck' to 'V' to 'Human Target,' HitFix handicaps TV Shows on the Bubble
BubbleWatch: ABC's 'FlashForward'
SHOW:"FlashForward" (ABC)
IN ITS FAVOR: ABC's Great Dramatic Hope of the fall has a fine ensemble cast and it has displayed some signs of minor creative improvements since its hiatus and showrunner overhaul. "FlashForward" has also apparently been performing better overseas and in this marketplace, that's sure to earn the series at least minor consideration. The fanbase, such as it is, is engaged and could rally in the event of a strong finale.
AGAINST IT: Two weeks ago, "FlashForward" lost to "The Vampire Diaries" in the 18-49 demographic. If you're losing to The CW, you're probably not coming back. After premiering to very good ratings last fall, "FlashForward" has dropped with almost every week and even factoring in DVR numbers, there's no way to spin the show's ratings as anything other than dismal. In addition, after premiering to respectful reviews, "FlashForward" picked the wrong time to go off the rails (immediately after the premiere) and the wrong time to slightly recover (after nobody cared anymore), so critical cheerleading is doubtful. Also, with a cast of regulars this big, "FlashForward" can't be cheap. Another consideration is that departed showrunner David Goyer admitted that the show burnt through two seasons worth of storylines already, so we'll see what gets pitched to ABC instead.
OUR TOTALLY UNINFORMED GUESS: Unless "FlashForward" is proving even more lucrative internationally than originally reported, the show is unlikely to continue. If ABC's going to bring back one of its exhaustively promoted serialized genre semi-duds, it'll probably be "V," which had less of a chance to prove itself.
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Login or create a HitFix account Login SignupDaniel
April 25, 2010 at 8:14AM EST Reply to CommentWhat about Legend of the Seeker?
dan Daniel - This is only a gallery for network TV shows, since they're the only ones impacted by upfronts next month. As for "Legend of the Seeker," the show hasn't *officially* be cancelled, but Tribune-owned stations of opted not to renew the show. The show's production company could theoretically find a new distribution deal, but it currently seems unlikely... -Daniel
April 25, 2010 at 2:59PM ESTstormshadow4life
April 25, 2010 at 11:52AM EST Reply to CommentI really hope Life Unexpected comes back. As for Chuck, I kind of lost interest in it this year...I think I'm done with it.
Trekscribbler
April 25, 2010 at 9:24PM EST Reply to CommentIn my opinion, FLASHFORWARD was just so horribly creatively mismanaged, and I think, to some degree, that might be because of the constant state-of-flux of mgmt behind the show. Some of the storylines introduced at the outset have been given, quite literally, little to no serious exploration as I would imagine ABC full-court-pressed the showrunners to create bigger and bigger cliffhanger endings. Instead of peeling back the layers, haphazard writing has torn pieces of story from these characters. It would've been far more interesting to explore more of the aftermath of the original blackout before hopping almightily into "there's going to be another blackout!" so quickly. The world doesn't seem all that different, so so what if there's going to be another blackout? Big effing deal! The consequences were glossed over in the exit of one showrunner to the arrival of the next. At this point, I think there's very little they could do to save the show, and even some of the regulars have gone on to book other gigs for next season (pending ABC's decision to keep them on their schedule w/FLASH or not).
Also, you've got Brannon Braga's fingerprints on the program, and that hasn't proved to have worked so well for shows these days.
forg
April 26, 2010 at 3:46AM EST Reply to CommentAlthough it is essentially cancelled but it's not yet made official so it was "cute" that you forgot to include ABC's The Forgotten on the list :D
dan forg - I also didn't include "The Deep End," "Past Life," "Brothers" or several other shows in various stages of "most sincerely dead." When it came to shows which are 99.9% cancelled, I was trimming at the end because the gallery was already fairly long... Gotta make choices! --Daniel
April 26, 2010 at 10:18AM ESTarash
April 26, 2010 at 3:05PM EST Reply to CommentI hope flashforward stays
April 26, 2010 at 3:23PM EST Reply to CommentI really hope the food revolution sticks around. It's a great show!
April 29, 2010 at 4:29AM EST Reply to CommentI don'T like LUX! I LOVE it. Wonderful stories with much heart and understanding. And understanding is the thing those most shows on CW is missing.
Stop with the cancellations already
May 1, 2010 at 12:17AM EST Reply to Comment"FlashForward can't be cheap" - Any show that isn't made with someone's hand held camcorder from the basement is considered expensive now. It's irritating. Scripted television needs to find a new medium.
Trekscribbler I just think they need better show runners.
May 1, 2010 at 7:01AM ESTSam
May 5, 2010 at 11:51PM EST Reply to CommentLife Unexpected is the best new show of the season! I really hope the CW sees what an awesome show they have got because it really deserves a full second season!!! GO LUX!!!!
P.S Shiri Appleby is the best :)