Matt Buckler: It's never too early to play the renewal game
Oct. 15—We haven't reached Halloween yet, and the website TV Line is already predicting which new shows will be turning into pumpkins.
Apparently, the annual guessing game — which shows will be back, which are on the fence, and which are going to fall off the fence and get canceled — is starting earlier than ever.
Some shows need more time to find an audience, such as "Ghosts" on CBS.
TV Line has already made a judgment on other shows, including an old favorite that generated a lot of publicity this year.
"CSI: Vegas," a return of the old CBS blockbuster that stars William Petersen and Jorja Fox, was listed as a "longshot" to return for a second season. There have only been two episodes on which to base those opinions.
The opening episode, on Oct. 6, drew 3.9 million viewers, a audience which one website described as "decent."
Wednesday's episode took a backward step, however, averaging only 3.7 million viewers. Apparently that audience wasn't decent enough. And the show may already be on life support.
A long-running series that also may be in danger of getting the axe is "NCIS: Los Angeles." According to TV Line, a renewal for Season 14 "could go either way."
CBS canceled "NCIS: New Orleans" last season — perhaps it's "NCIS: Los Angeles'" turn to bite the dust.
If it is, there's probably another version of "NCIS" waiting in the wings.
The new Hawaii version of the franchise, meanwhile is "a safe bet," while the original "NCIS" is "a sure thing" to be renewed. Perhaps Mark Harmon's presence doesn't mean as much to the show as we originally thought.
On ABC, the new version of "The Wonder Years" has been hanging out at the basement of the ratings chart with less than 3 million viewers per episode. The website, however, lists Season 2 as "a safe bet."
Perhaps it's safer for a network to air a show that's based in the '80s instead of one that's based in 2021.
Three series already have been renewed on the Fox Network — "The Simpsons," "Family Guy," and "Friday Night Smackdown." Those couldn't have been tough choices to make.
NBC has also renewed several shows for next year, including all of its "Chicago" Series — "Chicago Med," "Chicago Fire," and "Chicago P.D." Also getting the go-ahead are "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and "New Amsterdam."
That means the actors on those shows can buy new cars and not worry about running out of money.
That's a look at the ratings crystal ball. You almost wonder why people examine the ratings. The season is only one month old and experts are already making predictions on next season.
Playoff push
The National Football League has a new player for its annual playoffs — Monday night.
The league announced Thursday that the one Wildcard Weekend playoff game, normally held Saturday at 1 p.m., has been shifted to Monday night. And ESPN will televise it for the next five years, including this season.
It's a great deal for ESPN. It has traded a Saturday afternoon game, which usually is the lowest-rated of the playoffs, to a Monday night game, which is guaranteed to bring in more viewers. ABC also will be televising the game.
There's an added bonus. The Manning cast, the alternate feed of the game hosted by Peyton and Eli Manning, will be part of ESPN's coverage.
The Manning brothers have been one of the rare parts of "Monday Night Football" that has received rave reviews, so its a natural to let them into the playoffs.
Besides, they played in enough games, they night know something about post-season football.
Follow Matt Buckler for more television, radio, and sports coverage on the JI's Twitter @journalinquirer, and see his articles on the Journal Inquirer Facebook page.
