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Dancing with the Upfronts: ABC Dumps "The Unusuals," FOX Officially Axes "Sarah Connor," CBS Renews "Cold Case"

While I am still over the moon about NBC's decision to renew Chuck for a third season this fall, this weekend didn't bring good news for fans of several series.

ABC has confirmed that it will not be renewing freshman drama series The Unusuals for a second season. The Sony Pictures Television-produced series, created by Noah Hawley, had struggled in the ratings this season, launching in the post-Lost berth on Wednesdays at 10 pm (traditionally a show killer). ABC attempted to test The Unusuals in an alternate timeslot, airing one episode in a Tuesday slot at 10 pm but the series, about the cops in Manhattan's quirky 2nd Precinct, never quite gelled with audiences.

Which is a shame as the series offered a fantastic character study each week, some bizarro crimes, and one of the best ensembles on television today, with all of the actors--including Amber Tamblyn, Jeremy Renner, Adam Goldberg, Harold Perrineau, Kai Lennox, Monique Gabriela Curnen, Joshua Close, and Terry Kinney--turning in memorable and fully realized performances. The Unusuals is slated to wrap its first season run with a handful of unaired episodes beginning May 27th.

Meanwhile, FOX has finally confirmed what many have known for some time now: it has terminated Sarah Connor Chronicles. The series, from Warner Bros. Television, will not be returning for a third season, despite an outpouring of fan support for another go-around.

While it seemed like on-the-bubble Privileged, which wrapped its freshman season earlier this year, could be returning for a second season on the CW, it's now thought to be extremely unlikely that Privileged will return.

CBS reached a deal with studio Warner Bros. Television to renew cop procedural Cold Case for a seventh season this fall. However, it's thought very unlikely that fellow procedural Without a Trace will return.

And should NBC not be decide in the eleventh hour to renew supernatural drama Medium, CBS has reached a deal with sister studio CBS Television Studios (formerly CBS Paramount Network Television) to pick up the Patricia Arquette-led drama, much like ABC picked up Scrubs after NBC passed on continuing the series.

Meanwhile, ABC has a deal in place to pick up The New Adventures of Old Christine, should CBS not renew, but it's thought that Old Christine will get a spot on CBS' fall schedule, after all.

Stay tuned.

Comments

That's sad about The Unusuals. It was a really fun, quirky show. I didn't think I'd like it that much but I've gotten completely sucked in. The characters are really endearing and the story is unique. I didn't think it would last long but I was hoping!
Annie said…
Really sad about Unusuals. I have been enjoying watching it. Would rather have that on air than Ugly Betty.
Lizzy D said…
I feel like The Unusuals didn't get enough exposure. It is a really enjoyable show with a great cast. I think that, had they promoted it more, it may have had a better chance in succeeding.
Kelley said…
Like you, I am happy about Chuck, but so bummed about so many other shows that are not being given the same respect.

Life and The Unusuals were the best cop shows on television. Both successfully blended crimes of the week with satisfying season/series long mysteries and both had unbelievable casts. NBC should have never given up its 10:00 slot to Jay Leno and ABC should stop trying so hard to be the new Fox.

I hope the CW surprises everyone and picks up Privileged. It's the best show on their crap ass network. Speaking of the CW, what have you heard about their pilots? Any hope for The Body Politic?
Anonymous said…
The Unusuals being canceled just proves that ABC is definitely run by morons!

Maybe now Noah Hawley can write a movie starring Jeremy Renner, Amber Tamblyn, Harold Perrineau and Adam Goldberg? That would be awesome!
CL said…
Jace, what did you think about Terminator? I remember you writing about it for a while in the beginning, but then you kind of tapered off. Did you lose interest?
Jace Lacob said…
Spadada,

There's very little chance that Body Politic will get ordered to series. Vampire Diaries and Melrose Place are locked. The final slot will likely go to Beautiful Life, I think.

Chris,

Watched the first few eps of Terminator and then lost interest pretty quickly.
Tempest said…
@Spadada -- I hear you. I loved Life. (However, I was glad that the ending did give some closure.) And I really think The Unusuals just needed some time to catch on. I'm bummed because everything else I wanted to be renewed was . . .

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