I know this might sound crazy, but suddenly it seems like networks are actually listening to audiences. Credit the power of the fanboy for a cluster of just-announced series renewals. Despite low ratings, smart shows with loyal — and vocal — viewers are on the comeback trail.
Fox might have pulled the biggest surprise, giving “Dollhouse” a second season. It’s been treated shoddily at times, but maybe now that season-ending 13th episode can air. Word is the renewal is a vote of confidence for Joss Whedon, which is a nice change of pace from the quick-triggered treatment he got from Fox with “Firefly.”
I haven’t watched “Dollhouse” since the second episode — it just
didn’t do much for me, but I’ve been told it’s gotten progressively
better each week. It’s nice to see that improvement rewarded.
“Chuck” fans are rejoicing after NBC picked it up for an additional 13 episodes. It’s never drawn a huge audience, but its fans are passionate and vocal, and maybe there’s something be said for that. I like the 13-episode deal too (down from the usual 22). That should keep the writing and plots crisp, with much less mid-season bloat. I wish other shows would do that (“Heroes,” for one), following the British model — shorter seasons focusing more on quality than quantity.
ABC leaked word that it would renew “Better Off Ted,” which, while great news, sorta blows my mind. I figured that was a goner for sure. But its style of cartoonish satire matches well with “Scrubs,” which also got picked up. I’m a little dubious about “Scrubs” — it had an outstanding finale, I was ready to say goodbye to it and most of the familiar stars will be seen only in guest appearances next season. Still, in having to choose between “Scrubs” 2.0 and “Surviving Suburbia,” I’ll take the new batch of doctors any day.
Even “Reaper,” which I had given up for dead, is showing signs of life. Even if The CW cancels it, as is expected, it may continue in syndication and end up being sold back to The CW’s affiliate stations for their now-empty Sunday night lineups. It might be without Tyler Labine (Fox picked up his pilot “Sons of Tucson”) or creators (they’ve got pilots too), but a tweak here and a tweak there and it could work.
Patience? Rewarding fan loyalty? Risk-taking? Thinking out of the box? What’s happened to our TV executives?!?
Whatever the reasons, it’s a welcome sign, and hopefully an indication of a better network model that will result in more quality TV coming our way in the future.
