The Fate of the 2009-2010 TV season

With 24's recent cancellation, Ugly Betty's not so recent cancellation, the triumphant renewal of my beloved show on the fringe, Fringe (See what I did there? Ha.) and the return of two of my favorite shows (United States of Tara and Breaking Bad!), I decided it was due time for a TV post. It also happens to be make it or break it time for network shows as they are either getting the axe or being renewed for another season.

It's that time of year, folks! May sweeps are nearing, and it's TV renewal/cancellation scorecard time.

Behold the fate of the 2009-2010 TV season. Credit to Michael Ausiello for compiling this daunting list of network shows.

Sidebar:
What's missing? NBC's new crop of 10pm slot inserts following the collapse of The Jay Leno Show. I'm talking about The Marriage Ref, Parenthood, and Who Do You Think You Are?.

I've seen three or four eps of each, and they're all a little too lukewarm and very vanilla tasting to me. They are geared towards an older demographic, which is a strategic move on NBC's behalf, considering the 10pm timeslot is a lead-in for the local news. The Marriage Ref has its entertaining moments, but that's all dependent on who makes up their celebrity panel each week, and so far it's been a hit or miss. They're only on their fifth episode and they've already had a repeat panel of celebrities with Alec Baldwin, Kelly Ripa, and Jerry Seinfeld for the second time around. That can't be good. Parenthood is sweet at times, but it's unfunny when it's trying to be funny, and very awkward when it's trying to be dramatic. I actually really enjoyed the first ep of Who Do You Think You Are? with the very charming Sarah Jessica Parker, but see, therein lies the problem: not everyone can be as charming as Sarah Jessica Parker.

Maybe they'll grow on me. For now, I'm not too worried as I look forward to full seasons of United States of Tara and Breaking Bad, and I'm still doing a triumphant fist pump for Fringe's renewal. I was worried for a minute there considering its tricky and competitive Thursday 9pm time slot, but we prevailed.

Oh, how I love thee, my TV.

ABC
Officially Renewed:

• Cougar Town
• The Middle
• Modern Family

Officially Canceled/Ending:

• Hank
• Lost
• Ugly Betty
  

Likely to be renewed:

• The Bachelor
• Brothers & Sisters
• Castle
• Dancing with the Stars
• Desperate Housewives
• Grey’s Anatomy
• Private Practice

Chopping Block:

• Better Off Ted
• The Deep End
• FlashForward
• The Forgotten
• Scrubs
• V

CBS
Officially Renewed:

• The Amazing Race
• The Big Bang Theory
• The Good Wife
• How I Met Your Mother
• NCIS: Los Angeles
• Survivor
• Two and a Half Men

Officially Canceled:

• Three Rivers

Likely to be renewed:

• Criminal Minds
• CSI
• CSI: Miami
• CSI: NY
• Gary Unmarried
• Ghost Whisperer
• The Mentalist
• NCIS
• New Adventures of Old Christine

Chopping Block:

• Accidentally on Purpose
• Cold Case
• Medium
• Numb3rs
• Rules of Engagement

FOX
Officially renewed:

• American Dad
• Bones
• The Cleveland Show
• Family Guy
• Fringe
• Glee
• The Simpsons

Officially canceled:

• 24
• Dollhouse
• Brothers
• Past Life
• ‘Til Death

Likely to be renewed:

• American Idol
• House
• Lie to Me

Chopping block:

• Human Target

NBC
Officially renewed:

• 30 Rock
• Community
• Friday Night Lights
• Law & Order
• The Office
• Parks and Recreation

Likely to be renewed:

• The Biggest Loser
• Celebrity Apprentice
• Law & Order: SVU

Chopping block:

• Chuck
• Heroes
• Mercy
• Trauma

The CW
Officially renewed:

• 90210
• America’s Next Top Model
• Gossip Girl
• Smallville
• Supernatural
• The Vampire Diaries

Chopping block:

• Life Unexpected
  
• One Tree Hill
• Melrose Place