See ya, Ted. (ABC photo)

I was happily surprised in May when ABC renewed the very funny but audience-deprived “Better Off Ted.” I had figured it was a show just a bit too quirky for network TV. And that may yet be proving to be the case, as it appears ABC is burning through the remaining episodes.

Since it returned a few weeks ago, “Ted” has been drawing miserable ratings, and its lead-in, the revamped “Scrubs,” isn’t doing much better (and is lame, to boot).

So in January, ABC will be doubling up on “Ted” and “Scrubs” – two episodes of “Ted” will sandwich “Scrubs” on Jan. 1 (wow, there’s a guarantee no one will be watching), and both shows will air two episodes on Tuesdays starting Jan. 5. Each series has only made 13 episodes, and at that rate they’ll both be done by the end of January. It’s the same strategy Fox is using to get rid of “Dollhouse.”

So bottom line: Don’t hold your breath for either series to be renewed.