<span style="font-size:10.5pt;">With the May upfronts creeping closer, networks have pared the number of remaining shows considered on the bubble for renewal.

Fox's "Fringe," the CW's "Smallville" and NBC's "Community" were rescued by their networks. Fox's "24" and ABC's "Ugly Betty" were not as lucky. Meanwhile, broadcasters have received added clarity about the strength of their remaining uncertain contenders for next season.

On ABC, "FlashForward" and "V" had nearly even odds for a pickup during their four-month hiatus. Now that they've returned, "FlashForward" is considered highly unlikely to get a second season, as its ratings having dropped below the 2.0 threshold in the key 18-49 adult demographic on Thursday nights.

After its midseason premiere last week, "V" remains uncertain, but if the sci-fi drama can maintain its current ratings level, the show's evil reptiles will most likely invade ABC next season.

On NBC, "Heroes" is the network's biggest question mark, with the Peacock strongly considering a final-season order. Like every bubble show, the quality of the network's pilots will play a key role in deciding how many shows return. "Chuck" is less of a mystery -- the network is more optimistic this year than last. If freshman drama "Parenthood" can remain stable in the coming weeks, NBC likely will give the series another shot in the fall. "Law & Order" is pricey and modestly rated -- the two most lethal causes of death for older shows -- but NBC will find it tough to resist the lure of making "L&O" the longest-running drama series in history.

NBC's medical dramas are another story. "Trauma" has no chance for a pickup, and "Mercy" is on life support. NBC keeps pulling for "Mercy" to succeed and feels the show has creatively improved, but its numbers are below the line and this week it was beaten by a repeat of the game show "Minute to Win It" NBC put in its Wednesday slot.

NBC's other game show, "The Marriage Ref," is considered a lock for a pickup. Although its ratings have slipped a fair amount, "Ref" has performed solidly for an unscripted program in a tough time period.

Fox only has a couple of bubble shows left: "Human Target" and the new comedy "Sons of Tucson." "Target" has managed to win a humble Wednesday time period with an equally humble number. But the network likes the show, and its ratings have appeared to stabilize at a level Fox finds acceptable for its slot.

Like most live-action comedies put into Fox's Sunday animated lineup, "Tucson" has struggled to gain traction and is considered a long shot for a comeback.

For a network with few slots to fill, CBS has plenty of bubble shows: "Cold Case," "Numbers," "Ghost Whisperer," "Medium," "Accidentally on Purpose," "Gary Unmarried" and "The New Adventures of Old Christine."

This group is tougher to prognosticate as all the shows are fairly stable in the ratings and CBS pilots will play a heavy deciding role. "Numbers" and "Cold Case" are considered the least likely to return among the dramas, with "Old Christine" the most likely renewal on the comedy side.

On the CW, veteran "One Tree Hill" and freshman "Life Unexpected" continue to duke it out for a presumed single slot on next season's schedule, with the former tending to pull stronger ratings but the latter a less expensive show.</span>

Hollywood Reporter

Edited April 5, 201015 yr by Sylph

How expensive can Law and Order be? S. Epatha Merkerson is gone, and aside from Sam Waterston, every one left is a relative newbie. Their production team are leftover reject promotions from CI, another lower-budget show.

Now that CBS/Paramount has over 100 episodes for Medium and Ghost Whisperer, it's time to put those ridiculous shows out to pasture.

So many of these shows have aged badly, so many shouldn't have had a chance to air at all, and some (like you point out — Whisperer and Medium) are just plain ridiculous.

Im almost wishing they'd can Heroes. Im watching out of habit but would love to see NBC pull the plug on that little habit bc I havent enjoyed it since season 1. The show is horrible with each season getting worse than the last

I wish they cancelled it too.

Cancel Rules of Engagement. I'm still bitter about this crap show replacing The Class.

Everything?

Heroes, Chuck, Melrose Place, 90210 (I think its renewed), Fly Girls, High Society, Flash Forward, Trauma, Mercy, Being Erica, One Tree Hill, Southland...

The CW's FG and HS are cheap reality shows... so they might be back. SN need to forget about BE. Averaging under 200,000 viewers per episode is really bad. SN should use the money to buy the rights to air an excellent drama like "Footballers Wives" or something... Or even put more money to air Hollyoaks and EastEnders.

At least L&O still delivers an occasional punch, I'm sick of all the smug winningness on shows like CSI, Bones etc.

The CW has A LOT of pilots. They all actually sound good too, better than half what they have on tv right now.

They should take Unexpected over OTH. Melrose can go, even though it has become much better in the last two episodes. Top Model only should run one cycle. As much as i have LOVED Gossip Girl, it could go too but its already been picked up. They should keep 90210 right where it is and dont even think about moving Vampire. Supernatural should go after Smallville on fridays.

They really should pick up all their pilots, but what are the odds of that? They have HMS, Hellcats, Betwixt, Nomads and wyoming. Of those three id really like to see HMS & Nomads, so both will prob not be picked up. lol.

I would do it like this-

Mon- HMS, Nomads

Tue- 90210, Hellcats

Wed- Top Model, Gossip Girl

Thurs- Vampire, Nakita

Fri- Smallville, Supernatural

That would leave Betwixed, Life Unexpected and Wyoming for mid season or if one of the new shows flops hard (TBL anyone?). If they bring back Melrose it should be for 12 episodes or so and kept for mid season as well.

I would also advise the CW to STOP airing new episodes for like two months, go away from 3 weeks, come back for 2 weeks, go away for a month, come back for a week, go away from three, come back for two, go away for 4 months, come back for 2 months, etc... just air the shows, take a normal winter break. as much new programing as you can. at some point this season they had 2 hours of new programing a week. Why?!

Edited April 7, 201015 yr by JackPeyton

I hope CW picks up Life Unexpected for a second season. Although I can't stand Lux as a character, I love Shiri Appleby

NBC should renew Parenthood & Chuck and cancel Heroes, Mercy and Trauma.

As for ABC, I don't really care. I didn't like V, didn't see FlashForward.

CBS - hmmmm. I think they will renew Ghost Whisperer and possibly Medium for midseason. Isn't Numbers already done? Cold Case is a goner too. Too bad, I really enjoy that show.