ABC gives early renewals to 12 shows
It's that time of year again when network executives are having meetings after meetings to decide which shows we should be watching next season. The CW announced the renewal of six of its shows about two months ago but besides that announcement, news of renewals have been rare when compared to news of cancellations. Today, ABC sent out a press release confirming the twelve of its series would return for the 2009-2010 season. As you'll see after the jump, it was pretty much a given that those series would get another year either due to their ratings or the low cost of production compared to the money the show brings in with sponsors and ads.
Since the network agreed with the show creators to end the show after six seasons, it's no surprise that Lost is found amongst the twelve shows renewed by ABC. It was also a given that Brothers & Sisters, Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy would be renewed due to their ratings. (Yes, sadly we will have to endure Meredith Grey's whining for another season.)
There are two slight surprises in the scripted shows category though. ABC decided to renew Private Practice and Ugly Betty. Private Practice had a so-so second season as it's still trying to find itself storywise. I guess what saved the show is the move to Thursdays at 10 p.m. right after Grey's Anatomy. Giving PP such a lead in surely helped ratings-wise which gave enough reasons for the network to renew the medical drama. As for Ugly, fans were really afraid that the show would get canceled when ABC decided to bench the series in favor of episodes of In the Motherhood and Samantha Who? Luckily for Betty fans, the network saw that they had a better product with Ugly on Thursdays than with their new comedy block.
In the reality category, America's Funniest Home Videos will be back for Season 20! Can you believe we have been entertained by stupid videos for that many years?! It's no surprise to see Dancing with the Stars return for a ninth season as the show is doing really well in the ratings and in the magazines! Feel good Sunday night reality series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will return as well as Fridays' reality duo Supernanny and Wife Swap.
Money must be talking because I don't understand why ABC renewed The Bachelor! Don't adjust your computer screen, you read right. We will get a 14th cycle of "the most dramatic rose ceremony ever!"
Are you happy with these twelve renewals? Do you wish some of those shows would have been canceled instead? What ABC show that has yet to be renewed to you want to see return next season? Let your opinion be heard in comments below.
My answers to those three questions are: No. Grey's Anatomy, Brothers & Sisters, Private Practice and The Bachelor. Castle.
[via Variety]

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