The big TV stories from the past week didn’t concern anything that’s actually on now. In fact, it was all about upcoming projects that the networks have put in script orders for. During the fall, they are usually busy plotting the future, even as many of their plans aren’t going so well.
Let’s look at ABC first. The big news there this week was a report that Body of Proof could be revived. Cancelling this show in May was not only surprising, but really stupid. Who cancels a show that regularly draws 11 million viewers? ABC, I guess.
After Lucky 7’s super quick demise, ABC has to be kicking themselves for axing the Dana Delany-starring show in the first place. The network will have to move fast if they want to get it up by midseason and we would have to hear a confirmation within the next couple of weeks. The main issue is that many of the show’s cast and crew have already moved on.
As zombies get ready to roam our streets on Halloween, long-thought-dead TV shows are coming back. It’s very early, but CBS is reportedly looking to bring back the WB show Charmed, which has been off the air since 2006.
A Murder, She Wrote reboot at NBC might be even further along, since The Help’s Octavia Spencer is on board to play the Angela Lansbury role. That show’s been off the air since 2006. NBC is doing this because, you know... that reboot of Ironsides did so well for the network this season.
The more immediate issues concern NBC and Fox, which just announced its January line-up. Fox decided to trim the American Idol results shows to only 30 minutes. The long-running singing competition has seen declining ratings and with Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban coming back to judge - along with Harry Connick Jr. - there’s no guarantee that it’ll be back on top.
NBC’s issues are still on Thursday as Parks & Recreation goes on a mini-hiatus. It’s sad, but NBC is trying to lift Sean Saves The World and The Michael J. Fox Show. Needless to say, it didn’t work.
image: NBC