The outlook is looking better for “Dollhouse” but not so bright for “Chuck” according to a new report in the Hollywood Reporter.
The trade paper looks at series that are “on the bubble” for renewal and rates the odds of them returning for a new season. In the good news, the paper reports that Fox is currently 50/50 on renewing Joss Whedon’s “Dollhouse” for a second season. As reported last week, Whedon has said that the renewal of his freshman drama may depend on how the series closes out ratings-wise.
Meanwhile, things are looking a little more bleak for “Chuck.” With Jay Leno taking five-hours of prime-time real estate in the fall for his nightly variety show, NBC’s schedule is now at a premium. “Chuck” has a solid, vocal fan base and a tough time slot. NBC has shown faith in the series but the Hollywood Report states the solid start to the new Thursday drama, “Southland” may put “Chuck” in greater jeopardy than before.
Other series on the bubble include the Nathan Fillion series, “Castle,” and CBS’s “Eleventh Hour.”
We’ll keep you updated on the latest news and let you know of any fan efforts mounted to save these series.
UPDATE: New Jersey Star-Ledger television columnist Alan Sepinwall has a column today imploring NBC to save “Chuck” and listing reasons why the show should come back. The idea of having “Chuck” as a block of Must-See-TV Comedy on Thursday is particularly appealing.
Sepinwall also reports that Chuck TV is enlisting fans for the Buy/Watch/Share plan. It includes ways to get the word out, who to contact at NBC about the series and a plan for fans to all go to Subway on the night of the finale and buy a footlong Chicken Terriyaki sub (featured in last week’s episode).
NBC is completely insane if they cancel Chuck. Please, nobody watch the Jay Leno 5 hours of crap this fall. Send NBC a message that we don’t want mindless crap on TV. Make Jay Leno’s ratings abysmal and don’t watch that crapfest.
I don’t even watch Jay Leno now.
I hope “Castle” makes it, that’s a great show. And “Eleventh Hour” is good too.
they canceled it?? well that was our last sci fi related show here. I guess it’s dvds from now on. No sense in getting involved with any show anymore. look for book sales to rise.
Tim
Cancel Heroes it is lost anyway, or whatever they show on Tuesday and Friday nights.
No Tim….Chuck’s not canceled yet, but fans will really have to work hard to keep NBC from removing it from their schedule next season.
They’ve already renewed “Heroes” for another season, a few months ago. I guess they assumed that ratings would go up since Bryan Fuller returned to the series.
“Heroes” has no official renewal yet…they have a verbal commitment for a fourth season. So, it’s not technically on the bubble, but it could be canceled still technically…
“Chuck” hasn’t got the word either way…
Whew had me worried there. Don’t tell anyone we watch it, don’t want to jinx anything.
Tim
After last night’s episode I don’t know how anyone at NBC could even think to cancel Chuck. Who knew Chevy Chase could be so good at playing it straight as a villain? I am really looking forward to next week’s show now when all hell looks like it will break loose at Elie’s wedding.
i’m pretty sure that jay’s show won’t last past one season. i honestly can’t imagine the ratings being anything but abysmal. variety shows just don’t work in prime time anymore. i don’t know why nbc thinks jay is some kind of magic ratings god. he’s not.
and yes, chuck on NBC’s Thursday Night Done Right sounds awesome. Move Southland to mondays and give Chuck a Thursday night time slot. Let it follow The Office and 30 Rock guarantee you it’ll post consistent ratings.