My ABCs

There has been a ton of news breaks about shows that are being renewed for next year's television season, and there have been some pleasant (and not so pleasant) surprises.

First, the good news. Apparently, ABC has renewed two of my new favorite shows, Castle and Better Off Ted. The experts were expecting Castle to get a second season, but it wasn't a done deal due to OK, but far from stellar ratings. Better Off Ted on the other hand is a huge surprise because everyone had this show flatlining after poor ratings, but apparently ABC gave the smart and funny show a reprieve. Of course, nothing is official until ABC's upfront presentation next week, but it's some encouraging news to say the least.

Now, the not so good news. It seems like the 9th season of Scrubs is official, and Zach Braff & Sarah Chalke are supposedly coming back for 6 episodes to help pass the torch to "Scrubs: The New Class". I love Scrubs, and I've always been on the fence about a 9th season, but the more I think about it the more skeptical I become about it. "My Finale" was the perfect ending to the show, but now that last episode will be cheapened, despite what Bill Lawrence says, thanks to this new season. Sure, this season might be good, but oh how I doubt it. The thing is, I'm probably going to watch regardless.

So, it looks like I'm going to be watching a lot of ABC next season since I really don't have shows I'm dedicated to on CBS (except for How I Met Your Mother, but it's on thin ice) or FOX, and only two on NBC (Friday Night Lights and Chuck).

My New Bubble Show

My love for Chuck has been well documented, as well as the show's bubble status over at NBC, but the spy dramedy is not the only show I like that is on the bubble. Unfortunately, ABC's Castle is also at risk of being cancelled.

Now, I'm more emotionally invested in Chuck because I've been watching since day one, and it has a mythology and larger storyarcs in place that have me hooked, whereas Castle is a by-the-book procedural. The thing is, Castle is a more entertaining procedural than all of the CSIs put together (and don't get me started on the other ho-hum cop shows on CBS). Sure, Castle has the same case of the week premise, but the chemistry between Nathan Fillion (Rick Castle) and Stana Katic (Kate Beckett) is fun to watch. Plus, Fillion is a pure pimp.

I'm a little shocked that Castle is on the bubble because I knew that the ratings weren't stellar, but far from bad. I guess I was wrong, and it looks like my new favorite crime drama is going to have the same fate as my last favorite crime show (Pushing Daisies), which is just saddening.

The thing is, I think Castle could catch on with audiences, even more so than PD, because it's not as quirky but still fun to watch. I could see the Fillion vehicle do well in a line-up that includes Desperate Housewives on Sundays (although I doubt ABC would give it Brothers & Sisters time slot since the latter is more established). Maybe even pair it up with Grey's Anatomy & Private Practice. Sure, I'm not a fan of those particular shows, but I'm for anything that would keep Castle around for a few more episodes.

Sadly, I don't see any big moves (or hope for that matter) in Castle's future, and more than likely it's a goner, which means it could join the aforementioned Pushing Daisies, Scrubs, Kings, and possibly Chuck on the list of my favorite shows that are not coming back next season. Sad day. This is exactly why I avoided watching TV in the past...the emotional let down is too great.

My Castle

Castle is a new crime dramedy from ABC, so more than likely it will be canceled before it gets its fair shot.

I'm actually really excited for this show because it looks like it's something new and fresh from ABC (but then again, so was Pushing Daisies and Eli Stone).

Plus, Castle has Nathan Fillion, and I'll watch whatever he does. The show also looks like it has some good, believable chemistry between the leads, and while it may not be as good as Malcolm and Inara, it's way better than that manufactured crap on The Bachelor.

I'm hoping Castle finds its audience and does well because I want Fillion to be on a show that lasts more than 14 episodes (but this show's not on FOX, so that might be a good sign).