TV Feature: What Will Happen to Your Favorite Network Shows

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ABC

ABC had an amazing 2011-2012, easily the best of any of the major networks. Sure, some of their risks didn’t work out (“The River” is unlikely to return), but one has to admire the direction they took creatively and many of their choices paid off. I expect that they will renew a number of freshman series, including “Once Upon a Time,” “Revenge,” and “Suburgatory.” Those are almost guaranteed. Fans of “Missing” and “Don’t Trust the B—— in Apt. 23” shouldn’t be as optimistic, but the fact is that a network that was desperately in need of new hits found them this year. Take notice NBC and FOX. Things can change in one year if you green light the right pilots.

Scandal Photo credit: ABC

ABC has yet to renew anything officially but they will probably have the least-changed schedule come Fall 2012. I expect many of their nights to look exactly the same.

The network’s two biggest question marks are their most recent premieres — “GCB” and “Scandal.” Neither has had enough time to really prove itself as a hit or a failure. I think “Scandal” will be given the chance to do so, especially since it’s getting numbers near “Private Practice,” another Shonda Rhimes show. “GCB” will be less lucky.

As for veterans, “Body of Proof” is the only drama likely to be shown the door and then we have the never-dead “Cougar Town.” It returned from the brink of cancellation yet again to produce its lowest numbers to date. TBS has reportedly been in talks to save it if ABC cancels it, which should make that decision even easier to make. Expect to see Courteney Cox on the same network as Conan O’Brien this time next year.

Predicted ABC Renewals:

“The Bachelor”
“Castle”
“Dancing With the Stars”
“Grey’s Anatomy”
“Happy Endings”
“Last Man Standing”
“The Middle”
“Modern Family”
“Once Upon a Time”
“Private Practice”
“Revenge”
“Scandal”
“Suburgatory”

Predicted ABC Cancellations:

“Body of Proof”
“Cougar Town”
“Don’t Trust the B—— in Apt. 23”
“GCB”
“Missing”
“The River”