Just hours ahead of its move to Thursday, “The Blacklist” has been assured its performance in the new time period won't actually matter.
The James Spader thriller was one of five dramas earning renewals from NBC on Thursday (February 5) morning.
Joining “Blacklist” on the renewal heap are “Grimm” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” Last year, if you'll recall, the last jewel in Dick Wolf's “Law & Order” crown went down to the wire with negotiations, but fans of the drama won't have to sweat out that Season 17 news.
And speaking of Dick Wolf, just as news is beginning to burble about a “Chicago Medical” spinoff, both “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago PD” are going to be back for their fourth and third seasons respectively.
“The creative vision of the executive producers who”ve guided these outstanding dramas has been nothing short of incredible,” blurbs Jennifer Salke, President, NBC Entertainment. “We”re highly appreciative of the passion they bring to their shows at every step of the creative process and we”re thrilled to reward that dedication with these renewals.”
This seems like as good a time as any to glance at NBC's Bubble as we head into the spring.
“Grimm,” the “Chicago” duo and “Blacklist” were always sure-thing renewals and the only thing standing in the way of “SVU” being a sure-thing renewal was last year's delayed deliberations.
NBC has “Parenthood” already deceased and “Parks and Recreation” heading off into the afterlife later this month. [“A to Z” and “Bad Judge” are also dead, but in a different way.]
Is anything else actually still likely to get renewed?
By consistently improving the time period audience over “Revolution” and other programming from last season, “The Mysteries of Laura” deserves consideration for a second season, but as the numbers dwindle among adults 18-49, renewal seems a longer and longer shot. When it was still drawing seven or eight million viewers and doing a 1.2 or 1.3 in the key demo, “Laura” could make a “We're a bit like 'Harry's Law,' but slightly higher” argument, but down at six million viewers and a 1.0 in the key demo, it's less persuasive.
“State of Affairs” is presumably dead and although “Constantine” isn't officially dead, it will take outside intervention and not actual ratings to keep it around. Like if DC Comics and WBTV say, “We'll make this worth it to you, because it's worth it to us,” maybe NBC relents, but nothing in the numbers would justify it.
“Allegiance” and “The Odyssey” have yet to premiere, obviously. Ditto with “Night Shift,” though NBC's decision to give that medical drama a post-“Voice” berth suggests a ton of confidence and pretty much guarantees ratings sufficient to trigger a third season. And “Hannibal” probably won't premiere during this season and “Hannibal” exists in its own strange foreign-finance realm.
On the comedy side, it sure feels like NBC is going to be clearing house. “Marry Me” is as good as dead. “About A Boy” has proven its ability to build on “Marry Me” and NBC's love for Jason Katims is well-known, but there's limited logic behind bringing back such a low-rated comedy without any award juice.
“One Big Happy” and “Undateable” have yet to premiere.
That's the lay of the land at NBC.
Are you surprised/pleased/annoyed by any of the NBC renewals?