Fall Predictions: What Will Stay and What Will Go This Fall?

Next week the major networks will make their presentations to the New York advertisers, which simply means to TV viewers that we will finally find out what show are coming back and which ones will disappear.

Granted, all of the networks have already announced many early renewals for their existing dramas and comedies; but the decisions on the shows that are “on the bubble” – the shows that could go either way – are still up in the air.

These bubble shows – specifically the dramas – are what I want to focus on this week, making a prediction for what will stay and what will go this fall. But first, let’s take a look at the shows that will, for sure, be back on TV this fall.

Over on ABC, the following shows will, most likely, be back (please keep in mind that ABC has yet to make any official renewal announcements regarding their existing dramas): Castle, Grey’s Anatomy, Once Upon a Time and Revenge

Whereas, the following dramas are currently in various stages of jeopardy: Body of Proof, GCB, Missing, Private Practice and Scandal. As an avid viewer of four out of five of these shows, I have to admit it would be nice to see those four shows return in the fall, but I know that is not realistic at all.

My prediction for ABC: I think the network will go with Body of Proof and Scandal because both shows have held up ratings-wise over the course of their airings.

As for CBS, the network obviously has had a lot of success with their procedurals, including the already renewed dramas: Blue Bloods, Criminal Minds, CSI, The Good Wife, Hawaii Five-0, The Mentalist, NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles and Person of Interest.

The dramas that are in jeopardy are as follows: CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, A Gifted Man and Unforgettable. Given the poor performance by the new show A Gifted Man I don’t see it returning. As for the two long-running CSI spin-offs, despite the fact their predecessor has not only been renewed and has aired longer, I don’t see either of these shows coming back. Needless to say, that leaves the new show Unforgettable in line for a pick-up, but I’m not even sure if the powers that be will bring that show back either so it’s a toss-up what CBS will actually do.

FOX has officially renewed Bones, Fringe and Glee; but the status of the network’s remaining dramas – Alcatraz, The Finder and Touch – are still up in the air; and to be honest, I cannot say that I would want to see any of the latter three to return. Perhaps it is time for FOX to clean the slate and start fresh.

Where NBC is concerned, the only two dramas that have received official renewals are Grimm and Smash; but rumor has it that Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Parenthood are safe bets for renewal despite their low ratings. Harry’s Law could go either way, although I have to say I would rather see this Kathy Bates series a chance to continue on rather than Parenthood and SVU. Both Awake and The Firm are not long for this world no matter what; quite frankly I’m surprised they have lasted this long.

Lastly, The CW recently announced the official renewals for 90210, Supernatural and The Vampire Diaries. That leaves a number of returning and new dramas still hanging. I really doubt, because of poor performance in the ratings, that Ringer and The Secret Circle will be back. Much the same can be said, unfortunately, for Nikita; but I want to believe that the network will stick with the one show that truly is the best-written, most consistently strong female dramas on TV to have another season. I have a feeling that the network, though, will go with Gossip Girl despite the fact this show should have faded away several season ago. As for the new series Hart of Dixie, the ratings may not be top-notch, but the series has struck a chord with the network’s favorite demographics and I would like to name this show my dark horse choice for renewal.

But, I would love to hear what our readers think. Which shows on the major networks would you most like to see renewed for the fall? Please share your thoughts below.