What 2018 bubble shows are in danger of being canceled?
Photo Credit: FOX
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Two weeks ago, it would have been a no-brainer that the FOX comedy would be canceled. The show was pulling sad ratings and even the showrunners seemed positive this would be it. However, then Brooklyn Nine-Nine got moved back to Sunday nights and everything changed. It secured a 0.9 in the Nielsen ratings in its two Sunday broadcasts, which would have placed it in the middle of the packs for FOX shows.
Even though the comedy is incredibly expensive for FOX, the network pretty openly hoped to keep it on its fall slate. Critically beloved and from hitmaker Mike Schur, Brooklyn Nine-Nine was already being rumored to be saved by a streaming service if it was canceled. Following a group of cops in the NYPD, the series is reminiscent of Schur’s other comedy Parks & Recreation. If the season can continue averaging a 0.9, then a renewal seems all but confirmed for next year.
Verdict: Probably Renewed
Photo Credit: FOX
Gotham
FOX is in a precarious position next year because they no longer have Thursday night time slots available in the fall. That effects all of the lower rated dramas which are fighting for a spot on the schedule: namely Gotham. Before the DC Comics series returned from the break, it was one of the bubble shows tipping towards a renewal. However, a hard drop off in ratings diminished those chance greatly.
Monetarily, keeping Gotham around would make a lot of sense. The series scored a pretty nice syndication package, and it the international streaming rights was sold. Gary Newman, the FOX Chairman, also spoke earlier this month about his desire to keep the comic book series on the network. At the very least, it seems like Gotham will get a final season just to see Bruce Wayne finally becoming Batman compared to the “Batman-lite” version he is now.
Verdict: Probably Renewed
Photo Credit: FOX
LA to Vegas
LA to Vegas started off with decent ratings but has fallen pretty far in the recent weeks. It had remained relatively steady at 0.7 in the Nielsen scale, but this past week officially dropped by 0.1. Following a crew with Jackpot Airlines, the series was meant to be FOX’s new raunchy sitcom. However, despite the constant trips from LA to Vegas with plenty of funny characters the show continues to fall in the ratings.
Poor Dylan McDermott just hasn’t had the best of luck with television series in the past few years. Unfortunately, it seems like this is going to be another cancellation for him even with the small but loyal fan base. As sad as it is to see the show go, McDermott has been hilarious and hopefully, he continues to do more comedic work.
Verdict: Probably Cancelled
Photo Credit: FOX
The Resident
This medical drama received pretty negative reviews but a football lead-in helped boost the numbers to an impressive premiere. While the ratings have been on a decline since then, The Resident will leave to see another day. Every network needs at least one medical procedural, and FOX is hoping it will bounce back with better numbers next year. With the show most likely to stream on Hulu during the break, there’s a big chance it will build a bigger fan base.
The Resident is still drawing in about four million viewers per episode which is high compared to the other bubble shows. Yes, the Nielsen ratings are down to about 0.9, but that’s pretty good for FOX. Every network is down, and the show will probably keep anything averaging a 0.9 or higher on the schedule for next year.
Verdict: Probably Renewed
Photo Credit: FOX
Ghosted
What went wrong with Ghosted? If the series is canceled it’s most likely due to behind the scenes meddling. Shockingly, it pulled pretty solid numbers throughout its first half of the season before going on hiatus. Then, the break was extended while the series was re-tooled for its second half. Star, Amber Stevens West, also is expected to star in a new pilot which doesn’t give fans much hope the series is even expected to return.
Unless FOX plans on promoting the second half of the season to draw back returning viewers, Ghosted seems like a long shot for renewal. The network has said they needed to take a different direction for the series if it plans to have any sort of longevity. At this rate though, the Craig Robinson/Adam Scott horror comedy is probably not going to continue into next fall.
Verdict: Probably Cancelled