The news is not all bleak at ABC. While six series were cancelled in advance of the official upfront presentation, four bubble series secured renewals for the 2016-17 season.
ABC has officially decided to move forward with “American Crime,” “The Real O’Neals,” “Dr. Ken,” and “The Catch.”
None is a ratings winner, although none is an outright flop in today’s ratings-starved era. All, moreover, bring value to the network.
“American Crime” is a source of critical acclaim, while “The Catch” comes from the same Shondaland house responsible for ABC favorites “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal,” and “How To Get Away With Murder.”
As half-hour comedies that have performed within tolerable levels, “The Real O’Neals” and “Dr. Ken” have clear utility for the network. The former has also generated a decent amount of buzz, while the latter performed respectably on the notoriously difficult Friday night.