11 Shows On The Bubble
THE LAST MAN ON EARTH
UPDATE: A LONG-SHOT
THE LAST MAN ON EARTH
CON: Not even the high profile return of Kristen Wiig succeeded in significantly boosting Last Man's sagging Nielsens.
PRO: It's Fox's second highest-rated live-action comedy (behind Ghosted). And that's not saying much, but it is saying something!
ELEMENTARY
UPDATE: (STILL) COULD GO EITHER WAY
ELEMENTARY
CON: For the first time ever, the Sherlock Holmes drama — which was renewed last May despite earning record-low ratings — was held 'til midseason. Even more worrisome: CBS is holding Season 6 until late April.
PRO: Elementary (allegedly) banks serious coin internationally, which explains CBS' proactive decision to increase the series' Season 6 order from 13 to 21 episodes.
CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND
UPDATE: A SAFE BET
CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND
CON: The acclaimed musical dramedy has held relatively steady in the ratings in Season 3, which would be a PRO except we're talking about a 0.2 in the demo.
PRO: It remains The CW's most acclaimed series. And that ain't nothin'.
JANE THE VIRGIN
UPDATE: A SAFE BET
JANE THE VIRGIN
CON: As expected, Jane is drawing series-low ratings in its new Friday perch.
PRO: It remains The CW's second most acclaimed series, behind Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. And that ain't nothin'.
BLINDSPOT
UPDATE: (STILL) COULD GO EITHER WAY
BLINDSPOT
CON: Stop us if this sounds familiar: As expected, the drama's numbers have taken a beating on Friday night, with Blindspot now ranking as NBC's lowest-rated series.
PRO: We were surprised it was renewed for a third season, so maybe we shouldn't count Jane/Alice out just yet?
MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.
UPDATE: (STILL) COULD GO EITHER WAY
MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.
CON: After a decent-ish start to its delayed fifth season, S.H.I.E.L.D. sank by double digits in its second Friday telecast, drawing its lowest ratings ever (1.93 million viewers, 0.5 demo rating). And this show is not cheap to make.
PRO: Um..... Er... the cast gives really fun interviews?
BROOKLYN NINE-NINE
UPDATE: A LONG-SHOT
BROOKLYN NINE-NINE
CON: The cop comedy is enjoying something of a creative resurgence this season, but you'd never know it from looking at the ratings.
PRO: Did we mention the show is enjoying a creative resurgence?
THE EXORCIST
UPDATE: A LONG-SHOT
THE EXORCIST
CON: The Friday-night spooker wrapped its second season with barely over 1 million (live) viewers.
PRO: We named it 2017's most underrated drama for a reason: The show is really, really good.
MADAM SECRETARY
UPDATE: (STILL) COULD GO EITHER WAY
MADAM SECRETARY
CON: It's now officially CBS' lowest-rated scripted series.
PRO: It's performing much better than Elementary did last season on Sunday at 10/9c — which probably says more about the sorry state of Elementary (speaking of which.... )
CHANCE
UPDATE: CANCELLED
CHANCE
CON: Admit it: You're just now discovering that this Hugh Laurie-headlined thriller ever existed, let alone has been around for two seasons.
PRO: Season 2 ended a month ago and yet Hulu maintans no decision about the show's future has been made. Perhaps the streamer is hoping to bury the cancellation news on New Year's Eve?
ONCE UPON A TIME
UPDATE: CANCELLED
ONCE UPON A TIME
CON: Once has been clutching onto its series low demo since the season's third episode, and flirted with its smallest audience ever (2.29 million viewers) with its midseason finale.
PRO: While the "reboot" has disenfranchised some purists, it unarguably has given the series new life and energized the returning cast. And, although small, the audience remains engaged (for better or worse).