The networks are having a good year launching new hits -- but the upbeat buzz doesn't extend to a number of familiar favorites.
A number of veteran shows are seeing some disturbing Nielsen declines, and some shows seem all but certain to fade away after this season.
It's hard to see how NBC keeps up the expense of "Heroes," which, after a slew of relaunches, finally seems to have run out of lives.
Likewise, comedy fans everywhere are praying Fox will finally put "Til Death" out of its misery. And Joss Whedon has already told fans of "Dollhouse" that he's planning to give the show's last episode of the season finality.
Even at diminished levels, hits such as "CSI" and "Dancing With the Stars" remain tentpole players. They will be back next season, no matter what. But for others, the long-term future is cloudier.
These shows all have issues -- be they creative, ratings-related, or both -- that raise questions about just how long they'll remain on the air.
These are shows TheWrap is putting on probation.
We're not predicting imminent death -- because it's still early in the season, it's not too late for these shows to reverse course. Cool guest casting, a killer plot line, a timeslot change -- all could lead to reversals of fortunes.
So consider the following list of 5 shows on probation more of a warning shot than an obit.
Do you agree with our choices? Think we left a show off the list? Sound off in the comments:
"BROTHERS & SISTERS" (ABC)
What the numbers say: Three weeks into the season, the family soap has fallen 23 percent in adults 18-49 from last fall's numbers. It's averaging about the same tune-in as it did in the May sweeps, however, and it still dominates its 10 p.m. hour in the demo.
Why it's on probation: With its oh-no-they-didn't plotlines and unapologetic heartstring-pulling, "B&S" has always been a love-it-or-hate-it kind of show. Lately, those who dislike the Walker clan have been given plenty of fodder for their hate, with many accusing the series of losing complete touch with reality. Meanwhile, a just-introduced cancer storyline could either result in some acting Emmys, or completely overtake the show.
"It's been over the top from the first minute and set itself up to have to keep going bigger and broader and more tragic and more ridiculous," Gail Pennington, TV critic for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, told TheWrap. "I'd want a vacation from my own family if they had this many problems. Heart attack, marital strife and now cancer? Who'd blame viewers for running from this mess?"
What's still working: One of the most talented casts on TV, led by Sally Field, means viewers can count on some first-class acting (even if the plots defy logic).
"I really think it's unique to TV at the moment in its Zwick/Herskovitz 2.0
