ABC is “absolutely” be open to the idea of a “Scandal” spinoff should creator Shonda Rhimes want one, network president Channing Dungey said Tuesday.
But Dungey said the decision whether or not to continue with the “Scandal” universe will ultimately be left up to Rhimes. “For those of you know Shonda, there’s no one who keeps things closer to the vest,” Dungey said. “Besides, maybe, Marvel.”
Dungey’s comments came in a conference call with reporters to discuss her network’s upcoming fall schedule, which will see “Scandal” return for its seventh and final season.
Also Read: ABC Sets Fall Schedule, Orders 'Bachelor,' 'DWTS' Spinoffs
“We are still talking about the total episode count,” Dungey said, adding that she only has a “top-line view” of what the final season will be.
The decision to end the Kerry Washington-led political drama stemmed from conversations with Rhimes, who said that she believed the seventh season to be the best place end the show creatively, a decision backed by the network.
“I always prefer to end the show when you’re creatively on top,” Dungey said. “That was the decision that she felt really good about and we support whole-heartedly.”
Also Read: 'Quantico' Renewed for Season 3 at ABC
Dungey also discussed the decision to revive “American Idol” after having reportedly passed on the show in the in past. “It was less of a pass initially, there were some very early conversations that were floated,” she said. “That was just a very early, kind of preliminary inquiry.”
The exec promised that the new version of “Idol” will see some format changes and will “have a very clear ABC hallmark and brand on it.” However, she declined to offer any details regarding the scheduling of the show come midseason or which talent will be involved.
“From where we sit, we feel like it’s the perfect time to bring the series back,” Dungey said.
Also Read: 'Last Man Standing' Cancellation Sparks Call for ABC Boycott
The exec also pushed back on speculation that the cancellation of Tim Allen’s “Last Man Standing” had anything to do with the star’s politics. “Sadly, a large part of these jobs is managing failure,” Dungey said. “I canceled ‘Last Man Standing’ for the same reasons that I canceled ‘The Real O’Neals,’ ‘The Catch’ and ‘American Crime.'”
Though the show’s Friday night ratings have held steady across the last few seasons, the network decided to move “Once Upon a Time” and its two Marvel series to Fridays this year, and there wasn’t enough justification for “Last Man” to move to another night of the week.
“Once we decided to not continue comedies on Fridays, that was where we landed,” Dungey said.
All 96 Broadcast TV Shows That Have Been Renewed or Canceled This Season (Updating Photos)
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From all the Sondaland dramas to The CW's entire fall lineup, from "Bones" to "Grimm," here's everything that's for sure returning or not returning.
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ABC
RENEWED: Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
The seminal Shondaland drama will return in the fall for Season 14. -
ABC
RENEWED: Speechless (ABC)
The 20th Century Fox Television-produced comedy starring Minnie Driver will be picked up for Season 2. -
ABC
RENEWED: Fresh Off the Boat (ABC)
The family comedy starring Constance Wu and Randall Park will come back for a fourth season. -
ABC
RENEWED: Modern Family (ABC)
The hit comedy was renewed for two more seasons -- all the way through the 2018-19 season. -
ABC
RENEWED: Black-ish (ABC)
The hit Emmy Award-winning sitcom is coming back for Season 4. -
ABC
RENEWED: How to Get Away With Murder (ABC)
Viola Davis will return for more murder and mayhem in Season 4 of the Shondaland drama in the fall. -
ABC
RENEWED: The Middle (ABC)
The family sitcom got an early renewal for Season 9 in January. -
ABC
RENEWED: Scandal (ABC)
Kerry Washington will handle more Washington intrigue when the political nighttime soap returns for a seventh and final season. -
ABC
CANCELED: Time After Time (ABC)
ABC's time-travel drama following fictional versions of H.G. Wells and Jack the Ripper was pulled from the schedule after five episodes. -
ABC
RENEWED: Designated Survivor (ABC)
Kiefer Sutherland's freshman standout has been picked up for a Season 2. -
ABC
RENEWED: American Housewife (ABC)
This sitcom about a suburban housewife was able to stand out for a second season. -
ABC
RENEWED: Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC)
Marvel's first cinematic universe TV outing is coming back for season 5. -
ABC
RENEWED: Once Upon a Time (ABC)
Despite its lead, Jennifer Morrison, exiting at the end of the current season, the show will be back for Season 7. -
ABC
CANCELED: American Crime (ABC)
This show made it three seasons and won two Emmys (so far) but ratings couldn't keep it on the air. -
ABC
CANCELED: The Real O'Neals (ABC)
The sitcom about a close-knit Catholic family and its many secrets was canceled after two seasons. -
ABC
CANCELED: The Catch (ABC)
The Shondaland drama about a high-stakes game of cat and mouse won't go on forever. It was canceled after two seasons. -
ABC
CANCELED: Dr. Ken (ABC)
This sitcom starring Ken Jeong lasted just two seasons. -
ABC
CANCELED: Secrets & Lies (ABC)
The network couldn't solve the mystery of how to keep this show on the air for more than two seasons. -
ABC
CANCELED: Imaginary Mary (ABC)
The live-action/CGI comedy barely made it one season. -
ABC
CANCELED: Last Man Standing (ABC)
The Tim Allen sitcom ran six seasons before getting the ax. -
CBS
RENEWED: The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
The hit multi-camera comedy was renewed for two more seasons, securing its place on the network through the 2019. -
CBS
RENEWED: Blue Bloods (CBS)
Long-running police drama was picked up for Season 8 in March. -
CBS
RENEWED: Bull (CBS)
Michael Weatherly's TV follow-up to "NCIS" has been renewed for a second season. -
CBS
RENEWED: Criminal Minds (CBS)
"Criminal Minds" will return for a 13th season despite star Thomas Gibson's departure early last fall. -
CBS
RENEWED: Hawaii Five-0 (CBS)
Reliable Friday night drama has been picked up for Season 8. -
CBS
RENEWED: Kevin Can Wait (CBS)
Kevin James comedy was one of 18 CBS shows renewed in March. -
CBS
RENEWED: Life in Pieces (CBS)
Family comedy led by Dianne Wiest and James Brolin has been renewed for a third season. -
CBS
RENEWED: MacGyver (CBS)
CBS' reboot of the classic TV series was one of two freshman dramas given an early renewal at the network in March. -
CBS
RENEWED: Madam Secretary (CBS)
Tea Leoni's political drama has been renewed for Season 4. -
CBS
RENEWED: Man With a Plan (CBS)
Matt LeBlanc comedy was one of 18 series renewed by CBS in March. -
CBS
RENEWED: Mom (CBS)
Emmy-winning comedy starring Allison Janney and Anna Faris has been renewed for a fifth season. -
CBS
RENEWED: NCIS (CBS)
The military procedural was renewed for two seasons in 2016, and will premiere Season 15 this fall. -
CBS
RENEWED: NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS)
All three iterations of "NCIS" have been renewed for additional seasons at CBS. -
CBS
RENEWED: NCIS: New Orleans (CBS)
All three iterations of "NCIS" return in the fall. -
CBS
RENEWED: Scorpion (CBS)
Katharine McPhee-led drama has been renewed for Season 4 at CBS. -
RENEWED: Elementary (CBS)
Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu will return to the scene of the crime for a sixth season.
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RENEWED: The Amazing Race (CBS)
The Emmy-winning globe-hopping reality competition series will be back for its 30th season.
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CBS
RENEWED: Code Black (CBS)
The medical series starring Marcia Gay Harden follows the doctors at Angels Memorial Hospital.
-
CBS
RENEWED: Superior Donuts (CBS)
The Jermaine Fowler comedy was one of 18 shows renewed by CBS in March. -
CBS
CANCELED: 2 Broke Girls (CBS)
Despite six seasons on the air, CBS opted out of renewing this sitcom. -
CANCELED: The Great Indoors (CBS)
The Joel McHale sitcom is a gone after just one season.
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CBS
CANCELED: Doubt (CBS)
Katherine Heigl's legal drama was pulled from the schedule after only two episodes. -
CBS
CANCELED: Great Indoors (CBS)
Joel McHale's sitcom stirred controversy with millenials and didn't survive more than one season. -
Fox
RENEWED: Bob's Burgers (Fox)
The animated Belcher family were renewed for two more seasons in 2015, with Season 8 set to premiere in the fall of 2017. -
Fox
RENEWED: Empire (Fox)
The hip-hop drama was given an early Season 4 renewal in January, surprising absolutely no one. -
Fox
RENEWED: Lethal Weapon (Fox)
The buddy cop comedy was renewed for a second season in February. -
Fox
RENEWED: Lucifer (Fox)
The fan-favorite devil comic book adaptation will return for Season 3 in the fall. -
Fox
RENEWED: The Mick (Fox)
Kaitlyn Olsen's midseason comedy was renewed for Season 2 in February. -
Fox
RENEWED: The Simpsons (Fox)
The Simpsons aren't going anywhere, and has just been renewed for two more seasons, bringing it to a record-breaking 30 seasons. -
Fox
RENEWED: Star (Fox)
Lee Daniels' "Empire" follow-up will return for Season 2 in the 2017 season. -
Fox
RENEWED: Gotham (Fox)
The Batman prequel is getting a fourth season. -
Fox
RENEWED: Last Man on Earth (Fox)
The cast of this Will Forte-led sitcom survived the apocalypse and survived for a fourth season. -
Fox
RENEWED: Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Fox)
Nobody messes with the Nine-Nine. This comedy was picked up for a fifth season. -
Fox
RENEWED: New Girl (Fox)
The ensemble comedy centers on a free-spirited young woman (Zoeey Deschanel), her three male roommates and her female best friend. -
Fox
RENEWED: The Exorcist (Fox)
This adaptation of the iconic horror film will be back for Season 2. -
Fox
CANCELED: Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders (Fox)
“Beyond Borders” never matched the success of its parent program and was canceled after two seasons. -
Fox
CANCELED: Scream Queens (Fox)
Fox has “no plans to tell more stories" after two seasons of the Ryan Murphy-produced series. -
Fox
CANCELED: Sleepy Hollow (Fox)
The supernatural drama that (started off) as a take on the classic tale was canceled after four seasons. -
Fox
CANCELED: Son of Zorn (Fox)
The hybrid sitcom was canceled after one season due to production problems. -
Fox
CANCELED: APB (Fox)
The cop drama about a billionaire who gets control over a police department couldn't make it to season 2. -
Fox
CANCELED: Rosewood (Fox)
The police procedural starring Morris Chestnut wasn't rosy enough to make it past two seasons. -
Fox
CANCELED: Bones (Fox)
The long-running procedural ended after the current Season 12. -
Fox
CANCELED: Pitch (Fox)
Dan Fogelman's freshman sports drama starring Kylie Bunbury and Mark-Paul Gosselaar was canceled after one season. -
NBC
RENEWED: The Good Place (NBC)
Kristen Bell will return to the Good Place (or is it the Bad Place?) in Season 2, premiering in the fall. -
NBC
RENEWED: The Blacklist (NBC)
The NBC crime drama starring James Spader in an amazing suit is coming back for Season 5. -
NBC
RENEWED: Great News (NBC)
Great News for "Great News" since it's returning for a second season. -
NBC
RENEWED: Blindspot (NBC)
We'll learn more about Jane Doe's past in the third season of this crime drama. -
NBC
RENEWED: Taken (NBC)
Audiences were taken by this series, based on the popular film trilogy. It's coming back for Season 2. -
NBC
RENEWED: Chicago PD, Chicago Fire, Chicago Med (NBC)
Let's lump these three Dick Wolf shows together, since they've all been renewed for the 2017-2018 TV season. -
NBC
RENEWED: Superstore (NBC)
America Ferrera's sitcom got an early renewal for Season 3, which will premiere in the fall. -
NBC
RENEWED: This Is Us (NBC)
It's not a surprise the season's bona fide breakout hit got an early renewal, but the 2-season, 36-episode order certainly was. Yay, more Pearsons! -
NBC
RENEWED: Law & Order: SVU (NBC)
Olivia Benson and company will be around to battle rapists for a 19th season. -
NBC
RENEWED: Timeless (NBC)
After initially being canceled, the time-travel drama got picked up for a second season thanks to a rampant fan base as well as a USA Today poll. -
NBC
CANCELED: Chicago Justice (NBC)
The fourth Dick Wolf "Chicago" show, starring Carl Weathers, couldn't survive its first season. -
NBC
CANCELED: Emerald City (NBC)
The "Wizard of Oz" adaptation starring Vincent D'Onofrio was given the ax after one 10-episode season. -
NBC
CANCELED: The Blacklist: Redemption (NBC)
The "Blacklist" spinoff lasted for only eight episodes and one season before getting the axe. -
NBC
CANCELED: Grimm (NBC)
The dark fairy tale drama's current sixth season will be its last, as announced last August. -
NBC
CANCELED: Powerless (NBC)
The DC Comics comedy was pulled from the schedule in April with three episodes yet to air. -
CW
RENEWED: The 100 (The CW)
The CW's hit sci-fi drama was renewed for a fifth season in March. -
The CW
RENEWED: Arrow (The CW)
The granddaddy of the Berlantiverse will return for Season 6 in the fall. -
The CW
RENEWED: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (The CW)
Rachel Bloom's Golden-Globe winning show "deserved" another season, according to network president Mark Pedowitz, and it got one. Season 3 premieres in the fall. -
The CW
RENEWED: The Flash (The CW)
Barry Allen will keep running really, really fast in a bid to protect Central City when Season 4 premieres in fall 2017. -
The CW
RENEWED: Jane the Virgin (The CW)
Jane may have lost Michael but she will persevere and deal with more telenovela drama in Season 4. -
The CW
RENEWED: Legends of Tomorrow (The CW)
The cast of characters may change, but the time-traveling continues, in Season 3. -
CW
RENEWED: Riverdale (The CW)
Greg Berlanti's spooky take on the classic Archie Comics was picked up for a second season in March. -
The CW
RENEWED: Supergirl (The CW)
Kara Zor-El made herself right at home on her new network after moving over from CBS, and is settling in for the long haul, or at least for Season 3. -
The CW
RENEWED: Supernatural (The CW)
Sam and Dean will continue to battle demons both inner and outer, for a mind-blowing Season 13. -
The CW
RENEWED: iZombie (The CW)
The quirky zombie series will live to feast for a fourth season. -
The CW
RENEWED: The Originals (The CW)
"The Vampire Diaries" was canceled this year, but its spinoff will make it to Season 5. -
The CW
CANCELED: Reign (The CW)
The story of Mary Queen of Scots will come to an end following the conclusion of the current fourth season of the historical drama. -
The CW
CANCELED: The Vampire Diaries (The CW)
After eight seasons, the supernatural creatures of Mystic Falls are saying goodbye, with a little help from former leading lady Nina Dobrev, who returns for the series finale. -
The CW
CANCELED: Frequency (The CW)
The Peyton List-Riley Smith drama was one of only two series to get canceled by the youth-driven network this season. -
The CW
CANCELED: No Tomorrow (The CW)
The Tori Anderson-led dramedy was canceled after one season.
This list is being updated as broadcast networks make final decisions
From all the Sondaland dramas to The CW's entire fall lineup, from "Bones" to "Grimm," here's everything that's for sure returning or not returning.