Running Wilde: FOX Sitcom Pre-empted; Cancellation Next?

The networks will tell you that a new TV show being pre-empted doesn’t mean anything but, more often than not, it isn’t a good sign.

According to FOX’s upcoming schedule, Running Wilde is being replaced by an additional installment of Raising Hope on October 26th. According to The Futon Critic, two episodes will follow the special “Rocky Horror Glee Show” episode of Glee. One of the Raising Hope episodes will also be Halloween-themed.

A lack of “good signs” isn’t anything new for Running Wilde unfortunately. While both freshman sitcoms are under-performing, Running Wilde has been doing particularly poorly. In its first week on the air, the Will Arnett and Keri Russell series attracted a 2.4 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 5.6 million viewers. It was in fourth place in the timeslot for both categories.

Last week, the numbers dropped to a 1.9 in the demo and 4.47 million viewers. Based on the early numbers, it’s looking like last night’s episode did even worse.

If double episodes of Raising Hope perform any better than the usual Raising Hope/Running Wilde combination, you can be sure that FOX will pull Running Wilde from the schedule for November sweeps. From there, cancellation can’t be far behind.

What do you think? Is this a bad sign for Running Wilde? Do you think it’ll be cancelled?