There's a lot more room on 'the bubble' this year

From:USA Today
Date:April 4,2004
By Gary Levin

Viewers have become more picky, and so have the networks.

Just 12 prime-time series are hovering "on the bubble" between renewal and cancellation, a record low for USA TODAY's seventh annual Save Our Shows poll that asks you to pick which — if any — deserve another season.

Why so few? Network execs faced with bored viewers say they have cut their losses more quickly this year. And with the measuring stick for success lower than ever, more shows are being renewed early, including critical favorites but marginal performers such as ABC's Alias and NBC's American Dreams.

Last year, 19 shows were on the bubble, and in 2002, 24 made the list. But this year, each of the six broadcast networks has just a pair of series it's considering for fall; the rest have either been consigned to the trash heap or are destined for renewal.

Ten new shows are keepers, including NBC's Las Vegas, ABC's Hope & Faith, CBS' Cold Case and Fox's The O.C., while 26 others are goners. And along with nine other freshman series on the bubble are three lagging veterans: CBS' The District and The Guardian, and UPN's Star Trek: Enterprise.

Producers this month are frantically trying to save their shows by pitching changes — often belatedly — to unhappy networks. "If we pick up another season, you'll see the main character be more of an adult" and less "emotionally stunted," Guardian creator David Hollander says.

Despite a vacuum left by departures of long-running Friends, Frasier, Ed, Angel and The Practice (which will be spun off into a new drama with James Spader), it's tougher for shows on the bubble to win reprieves.

That's partly because of an increasing preference for tried-and-true spinoffs, with a new Law & Order and CSI on tap next season. And it reflects the increasing dominance of reality series, which account for the top-rated shows on five of the six networks. Though these shows are not represented here, don't look for American Idol, Survivor, The Apprentice, The Bachelor or America's Next Top Model to disappear anytime soon.

As for the rest, here's your chance to weigh in, by voting at life.usatoday.com. The deadline is April 19.