ABC announced today that the network will renew “V” for a second season, while canceling freshman show “FlashForward,” “Romantically Challenged” and veteran comedies “Scrubs” and “Better Off Ted.”
Although initial ratings for “Flashforward” premiered in 2009 to great numbers, it has steadily declined over the course of the season. The sci-fi series will cease production immediately after the finale airs on May 27. Despite the long hitaus due to the Winter Olympics, “V” has fared much better, possible due to its “Lost” lead-in.
“Scrubs,” “Better Off Ted” and “Romantically Challenged” will essentially be replaced by ABC’s new comedies – “Modern Family”, “The Middle,” and “Cougar Town” – which have solidified solid ratings on Wednesday nights.
Testing the waters for next fall will be six new pilots. A trio of comedies – “Mr. Sunshine,” “No Happy Endings,” and “Better Together” – and a trio of dramas – “The Whole Truth,” “Detroit 187,” and “My Generation.” Together, they will join the recently ordered superhero drama “No Ordinary Family” on the fall schedule.
Here are some synopsis regarding the new pilots picked up by ABC:
BETTER TOGETHER
Plot: “Two couples, from two different generations, have very different outlooks on love.”
Cast/Crew: created by Shana Goldberg-Meehan (Friends)
DETROIT 187
Plot: “A documentary crew gives us an insider’s view of the homicide unit, capturing the professional crises, as well as the raw personal heartbreak and heroism of these inner-city cops.”
Cast/Crew: created by Jason Richman (Bangkok Dangerous); stars Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos)
MR. SUNSHINE
Plot: “The middle-aged manager of a mid-level sports arena, some juggles a wide variety of sports and entertainment acts, while handling his erratic boss and apathetic staff.”
Cast/Crew: co-created by star Matthew Perry (Friends); cast includes Allison Janney (West Wing), Andrea Anders (Better Off Ted), and Portia Doubleday (Youth in Revolt)
MY GENERATION
Plot: “A documentary crew captured Greenbelt High School’s class of 2000 on film. Now, it’s ten years later and as the former classmates return home.”
Cast/Crew: created by Noah Hawley (Bones)
NO HAPPY ENDINGS
Plot: “For years, perfect couple Dave and Alex drew their friends in and held them together. Now that they’ve split, does this group have the stuff to stay together?”
Cast/Crew: cast includes Damon Wayans Jr. (My Wife and Kids), Elisha Cuthbert (24), Eliza Coupe (Scrubs), and Casey Wilson (Saturday Night Live)
NO ORDINARY FAMILY
Plot: “A seemingly normal American family one day finds that they have developed superabilities.”
Cast/Crew: co-created by Greg Berlanti (Green Lantern); stars Michael Chiklis (The Shield) and Julie Benz (Dexter)
THE WHOLE TRUTH
Plot: “While victims and defendants wait breathlessly to learn their fate, lawyers are working behind the scenes and in the courtroom, making frantic moves and countermoves of complex legal wrangling to tilt justice in their favor.”
Cast/Crew: produced by Jerry Bruckheimer (CSI), created by Tom Donaghy (Without a Trace); cast includes Rob Morrow (Numb3rs) and Joely Richardson (Nip/Tuck)