Ah, November. The leaves are on the ground, the wind chill is picking up and the Christmas decorations are out in full force. But the temperature ain’t the only thing that’s dropping, and a good chunk of fall’s newest TV series have already been canceled. Some series got picked up immediately for a second season (like smash hit “Sleepy Hollow”), and others got the ax after only a few episodes (fare thee well, “Ironside”). So, it’s time to evaluate the fall TV series of 2013 and play “winners and losers.”
WINNER: “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”
It’s been a while since we’ve seen a good sitcom that manages to merge sweetness with sophomoric humor, so Andy Samberg’s “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” certainly deserves its success. Ratings have been consistently high, so it’s no wonder this comedy about a lovable but occasionally hapless police department got picked up for a full season.
LOSER: “We Are Men”
As a general rule, getting canceled after only two episodes qualifies you as a loser. And when you look at the premise, the cancellation of “We Are Men” is not much of a surprise: The show followed a group of middle-aged single men chasing women and cracking crude jokes. So yeah, goodbye, “We Are Men.” You won’t be missed.
WINNER: “The Blacklist”
NBC has given us a new anti-hero to root for in this drama about a fugitive who begins helping the FBI. “The Blacklist” just received a full season order, and we’re looking forward to seeing more of James Spader as the scene-stealing, fedora-wearing criminal mastermind.
LOSER: “Welcome to the Family”
NBC Thursdays haven’t been the same since we lost “The Office” and “30 Rock.” In an effort to reboot the network’s comedy lineup, this sitcom about two families united by their teenagers’ unexpected pregnancy has been canceled. “Welcome to the Family” felt stale and too much like a desperate effort to compete with “Modern Family,” so here’s hoping NBC can get back on its comedy feet soon.
WINNER: “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”
Everything Joss Whedon touches turns to gold, and “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” is no exception. This superhero series got picked up for a full season, and with an upcoming crossover episode to promote the release of a big-budget sequel like “Thor: The Dark World,” “S.H.I.E.L.D.” has nowhere to go but up.
LOSER: “Lucky 7”
“Lucky 7” was a winner, in a way: Winner of the “which show is going to be canceled first?” category. And you can’t blame ABC for canceling this show about a group of gas station employees who win $45 million in the lottery, seeing as “Lucky” brought in some of the lowest numbers for an ABC drama premiere in years. I guess you could say that wasn’t very … lucky.
Twitter: @DevanCoggan
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