Ratings Report: Who's In Trouble?

In case you’ve forgotten, here’s how this whole new show thing works…

First, a network orders a pilot. If they like what they see, they pick it up and order a number of episodes—usually 13. If the show does well, they give it a full season order and pick up the “back nine” for a total of 22 episodes. And then, of course, if the show does well all season, it gets renewed for another year.

It’s usually several weeks into the season before we start getting full pickup announcements, but this week, the CW showed some early “XO XO” to “Gossip Girl” by giving it a full order (For the record, its ratings were not outstanding, but pretty good for CW, and it is improving.). Also this week, NBC ordered additional scripts for “Chuck,” “Bionic Woman,” “Life” and “Journeyman.” Script orders are not as definitive as pickups, but they’re usually a good sign. ABC is expected to issue a full order to “Private Practice” any day now, since it is, thus far, the season’s #1 new show.

So who’s in trouble? FOX’s “K-Ville” and CBS’s “Cane” are prime candidates for early hiatus. If not a reality show, CBS’s “Kid Nation” would probably have been pulled already. FOX’s “Back To You” is struggling, but I think FOX will stick it out. And apparently, NBC is going to give some time to “Life” and “Journeyman,” even though they are both leaking viewers—especially “Life.”

The picture will start getting clearer in the next few weeks, so stay tuned…