Cancellation Watch

Its always just a matter of time when it happens, but when it does, it starts a chain reaction. The networks began the fall ritual of cleaning house of the low performing series they attempted to sell us on the previous 4 months.

NBC started the trend by quickly cancelling THE PLAYBOY CLUB on Tuesday, just after the fast national Nielsen numbers were released.  48 hours later, they did it again to low rated comedy FREE AGENTS. Bith series were only pulling about 3 million viewers and a 1 in the 18-49 demographic. Both should have been pulled a week earlier, but NBC was trying to be patient.

Later on Thursday afternoon, it was the CW's turn. The axed the new H8R reality series. It was struggling to stay above 1 million viewers. But honestly, with the CW, they could have done this with about 5 of their existing series.

Come Friday afternoon, the worst kept secret came out. CBS pulled HOW TO BE A GENTALMAN after just two airing in the prime, post THE BIG BANG THEORY time slot. HTBAG barely kept half of the delivered audience and was hurting the lead out programs. Although it is not officially cancelled, yet, production has stopped and the remaining produced episodes will air on Saturdays.

So, with a new week, come new shows to get the pink slips. The leading contenders are....

CHARLIE'S ANGELS - Last Thursday, the action series pulled a mere 5.93 million viewers and a dreadful 1.2 demographic rating.  How it was spared cancellation last week, is beyond me, but ABC must have wanted to stay away from the chop shop last week, so it could have the room to itself this week. (cancellation odds, 1:1)

HAPPY ENDINGS - Although it is not a new series, it could be axed before the remaining 23 new shows. Its poor retention numbers, less than 50%, out of MODERN FAMILY has its head on the chopping block, just waiting on the executioner to show up. (Cancellation odds - 2:1)

PRIME SUSPECT - One of the most anticipated new shows of the season, has failed from the start. Currently, its is still (just) above 5 million viewers and a CW-like 1.2 demo rating. The only thing that may save the crime drama is that NBC has so many other problems, it may be given a stay of execution as the death chamber is over crowded at 30 Rockefeller. (Cancellation odds - 4:1)

Then, there are the series that have yet to premiere. ABC has two comedies, LAST MAN STANDING and MAN UP that have the smell of 2009's HANK.

Fairy Tale dramas, ONCE UPON A TIME (ABC) and GRIMM (NBC), air just before Halloween.  The could be gone just before Thanksgiving.