The Annual Rise and Fall of U.S. Primetime Shows

It’s May. The time when your favourite American primetime shows are on the scaffold to hear the verdict of their TV future (note: this is based on U.S. broadcasters ABC, CW, CBS, NBC and Fox). Several shows got the axe last week and new lineups have been announced. The number of shows cancelled surprised the audience so much that some started petitioning to renew their beloved series. The successful Mindy Project, Forever, The Following, The Mentalist, Two and a Half Men and Revenge were among the victims.

 

Award-winning series ‘Revenge’ surprisingly got the axe. Photo Credit: ABC.

 

The survivors include The Big Bang Theory, Elementary, Empire, The Flash, Gotham, Grey’s Anatomy (I can’t be the only one who thought it ended already), Hannibal (which is set to return next month), How to Get Away with Murder, the surprising iZombieGalavant and Once Upon a Time.

 

‘iZombie’ surprisingly made the cut and has been renewed for its second season. Photo Credit: The CW.

 

Agent Carter was renewed for its second season over the weekend after a period of nervous waiting and fans calling for a renewal following rumours of cancellation. CSI, American Odyssey and NCIS are among those who are still teetering on the plank. There are rumours that CSI might wrap up with a movie instead.

 

Agent Carter renewed after an overwhelming response to its possible cancellation. Photo Credit: ABC/Marvel Studios.

 

In the meantime, new shows and revivals have been announced and scheduled for later this year, including the much-anticipated comedy-horror Scream Queens, created by Glee and American Horror Story‘s Ryan Murphy and Brad Fulchuk. Grandfathered starring John Stamos is also expected to start airing soon, as well as Minority Report and variety show Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris.

Heroes: Reborn and The X-Files will return to the small screen and hopefully they reclaim their former glory.

If your favourite shows aren’t among those poor souls, breathe a sigh of relief. For now.

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