2008 – 2009 Cancelled Shows: Update on NBC Renewals and Cancellations

Chuck NBC is holding their first presentation to advertisers on Monday morning in New York. Though most renewal and cancellation decisions won’t be officially announced until then, some have leaked out early.

The peacock network will have far fewer primetime hours to fill next season (because of the plan for Jay Leno’s new show to occupy 10-11pm on weeknights) and licensing costs are playing a large role in which shows escape the cancellation axe. The series that are expected to be renewed include:

Chuck — Though the comedy-action series hasn’t been attracting enough viewers, it has developed a devoted group of fans and critical support. That’s better than most NBC shows have. Unofficially, the network is renewing the series for 13 episodes but won’t announce it for a couple weeks. Could this show make it to syndication?

Law & Order — Creator Dick Wolf wants his show to beat Gunsmoke’s 20 season record and will probably make concessions to help it get there. NBC is likely to renew the venerable cop drama but it probably won’t be announced for a couple weeks.

Medium — The Patricia Arquette drama has dropped significantly in the ratings this season but it often builds on its Heroes lead-in. It’s expected that the series will once again return mid-season with a 13-18 episode order.

My Name Is Earl — The network and 20th Century Fox have reportedly been in discussions this weekend to find a way to bring the comedy back for another full season. The sitcom’s ratings have dropped significantly over its four year run but the studio would like more installments for its syndication package. If a deal isn’t reached with NBC, it’s looking very likely that Earl will move to FOX.

Parks and Recreation — The freshman sitcom has been under performing since it debuted last month and averages fewer than six million viewers each week. NBC wants to make this Amy Poehler vehicle work and it’s a good partner for The Office on Thursday nights so it’s coming back.

Southland — This new cop drama debuted pretty strongly last month but has been falling in the ratings. Though it won’t be able to keep its Thursday night timeslot next season, NBC has given it a 13 episode renewal.

Previously renewed series include Friday Night Lights, The Office, 30 Rock, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Celebrity Apprentice, and The Biggest Loser. It was indicated awhile back that Heroes would return for another year but it’s likely to be a shorter than usual season. Dateline and Deal or No Deal are presumed to be returning as well.

Bubble shows that are very likely to be cancelled include Life and Kath & Kim. Law & Order: Criminal Intent runs on USA and then repeats on NBC so we may not know its fate for awhile.

Other series that are presumed dead or have already been officially cancelled include Crusoe, Kings, Knight Rider, Lipstick Jungle, and My Own Worst Enemy.

Image courtesy NBC.

More about: 30 Rock, Chuck, Crusoe, Dateline, Deal or No Deal, Friday Night Lights, Heroes, Kath & Kim (US), Kings, Knight Rider (2008), Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Life, Lipstick Jungle, Medium, My Name Is Earl, My Own Worst Enemy, Parks and Recreation, Southland, The Apprentice, The Biggest Loser, The Office (US)