Tag Archives: renewed

Childrens Hospital renewed for fourth season

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With the healing power of laughter, anything can happen. Childrens Hospital, the web series-turned-TV show from Rob Corddry, Jonathan Stern, and David Wain, has been renewed for a fourth season. The new season will be comprised of 14 episodes; production begins later this year and it’ll premiere in 2012.

Corddry said this in a press release: “I’m very pleased and honored by this announcement. I’m also very surprised, given that I write this show when I’m very, very drunk. Season 4 promises to be a cry for help.” Stern added, “And people wonder why our economy is a mess.”

The brilliant ensemble cast is expected to return. That includes Corddry, Malin Akerman, Lake Bell, Erinn Hayes, Rob Huebel, Ken Marino, Megan Mullally and Henry Winkler.

Childrens Hospital airs Thursday nights at midnight on Adult Swim.

[Via IGN]

South Park renewed through 2013

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For those of you who were worried that Trey Parker and Matt Stone were ready to call it quits at the end of the latest South Park episode “You’re Getting Old,” please allow me to quell your fears. Comedy Central has confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that South Park will return for at least two more seasons. This means that the creators will continue to spit out new episodes through 2013, so South Park isn’t going anywhere just yet. In a recent interview with Jon Stewart of The Daily Show, the duo reassured fans, “We love South Park, that’s still our thing.” But now that they’ve acknowledged their exhaustion with the show and they will have had a long summer break, let’s hope that the second half of season 15 kicks off in grand South Park fashion. Another set of seven episodes begins October 5 at 10PM on Comedy Central.

[Via EW]

A&E renews ‘Breakout Kings’ for a second season

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I’ve got great news for fans of Dr. Lloyd Lowery and all his hilarious eccentricities: after a solid debut A&E has granted Breakout Kings a second season! Laz Alonso, Domenick Lombardozzi, and their gang of ‘Breakout Kings’ (Malcolm Goodwin, Jimmi Simpson, Serinda Swan, and let’s not forget analyst Brooke Nevin) are set to return in all-new episodes sometime next year. The show from the producers of Prison Break premiered with the highest demo numbers for an A&E drama series (1.5 million adults 18-49 and 1.6 million adults 25-54) and averaged about 2.2 million viewers throughout the season.

[Via Deadline; EW-InsideTV]

FOX renews ‘House’, ‘Bones’, ‘Family Guy’ & ‘The Cleveland Show’

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Well at least there’s one network that’s confident in their primetime lineup. The execs at FOX have greenlit the following shows to return for the fall 2011-12 season: House will return for it’s eighth and likely last season; Bones will be entering its seventh season; and Seth MacFarlane’s cartoons Family Guy and The Cleveland Show will continue to shine on Animation Domination Sunday, each entering their tenth and fourth seasons, respectively. These programs will join the previously renewed Fringe and American Dad on the network next season. FOX president of entertainment Kevin Reilly had a few words to say about the return of all these shows.

“Over the past seven seasons, House has redefined the medical drama and has given us one of television’s most compelling and iconic characters. From the producers to the incredible writers to the unbelievably talented cast and crew, the Houseteam is fearless in its creativity and I can’t wait to see what they have in store next year.”

“Bones is creatively fresh, it’s a rock-solid player every time it airs and this season it has helped us win on Thursday nights for the first time in our history. Hart Hanson and the fantastic cast and crew, as well as the millions of loyal Bones fans, make this show really special, and I’m excited to have it on our air for another stellar season.”

“For nine seasons, our viewers have been cracked up, delighted, surprised and, at times, gloriously disturbed by the mind of Seth MacFarlane — and they keep coming back for more. The Griffins and the Browns have become cornerstones of our Sunday nights, and we can’t wait to find out what new adventures Seth, Mike and Rich cook up for them next season.”

[Via Deadline 1, 2, 3]

HBO renews ‘Game of Thrones’ after a decent debut in the ratings

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Well that was quick. Just two after its series premiere, HBO has gone ahead and renewed fantasy series Game of Thrones for a second season. The next season will bow next year (a specific timeline has not been worked out yet), and it will be based on George R.R. Martin’s next book in the Song of Ice and Fire series, A Clash of Kings.

Michael Lombardo, president of HBO: “We are delighted by the way David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have brought George R.R. Martin’s amazing book series to the screen, and thrilled by the support of the media and our viewers. This is the continuation of an exciting creative partnership.”

No matter how the show did in the ratings it was destined to return for at least second season. Adapting Martin’s vast world of Westeros is a huge undertaking, there’s no way it all would have been squandered after just one hack at it. It did, however, fare decently in the ratings. 2.2 million viewers tuned into the 9PM premiere; for comparison’s sake this is down 54% from the Boardwalk Empire premiere which drew 4.8 million viewers in September. HBO was smart to air the premiere in three time-slots and across their various channels Sunday night. They picked up an additional 1.2 million and 800,000 viewers for the second and third telecasts, respectively. All together, a solid 4.2 million people watched the Game of Thrones premiere that night, and we’ll have to wait and see how these numbers hold up come next Sunday. Whatever the case, fans of the book series can rejoice in knowing that so much more is in the works.

Game of Thrones airs Sundays at 9PM on HBO.

[Via EW, here & here]

HBO renews ‘The Ricky Gervais Show’

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Can’t get enough of Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, and Karl Pilkington? Well good because HBO recently greenlit a The Ricky Gervais Show for a third season. The animated program is based on a podcast with the same name and it brings to life the seemingly random yet fascinating conversations between Gervais and his comedic pals. Though the show is no ratings boon for the premium cable network it fits right in with HBO’s lineup and demographic. The season 2 finale airs this Friday, April 15 at 9PM.

[Via Deadline]

FOX renews ‘Fringe’ for fourth season [Update: official press release statements]

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HOLY PARALLEL UNIVERSE, BATMAN! Executive producer J.H. Wyman has announced via Twitter that Fringe has been picked up for another season! In so many words he said:

“Fringe was picked up!!!! Thanks Fringedom!”

A FOX spokeswoman confirms that the show will return next fall in full force–that’s right, meaning a full, 22 episode fourth season will be underway. CELEBRATION TIME, commence.

Oh, and take that Friday nights; guess you’re not the night where all shows go to die after all.

Update: Jump after the break to find the official press release celebrating the Fringe-tastic news.

[Via Twitter] Continue reading FOX renews ‘Fringe’ for fourth season [Update: official press release statements] →

NBC renews ‘Community’, ‘Parks and Recreation’, ‘The Office’

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Fantastic news everybody: NBC has renewed Community, Parks and Rec, and The Office for a third, fourth, and eighth season, respectively! NBC’s other staple comedy 30 Rock was renewed for a sixth season late last year. It will surely be interesting to see how The Office performs without its star Michael Scott (Steve Carrell) and I’m equally looking forward to the return of the Greendale and Pawnee gangs. These shows have proved time and time again that they’ve found their stride. I am beyond elated that NBC has saved these shows from sitting on the cancellation fence and determined their value residing in the network’s Thursday night comedy lineup.

NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt: “Along with 30 Rock, they represent the best of what the NBC comedy brand stands for in terms of originality, wit, and sophistication. The Office continues to fire on all cylinders on the most competitive night of television; Parks & Recreation has come into its own this season as the rightful companion to The Office; and Community is one of the freshest comedies on any network and a solid foundation for Thursday night.”

Greenblatt has ordered 13 comedy pilots each vying for a spot in this talented lineup. Things are not looking up for Outsourced and midseason player Perfect Couples.

For those of you who follow the ratings game: The Office averages a 4.0 rating/10 share in adults 18-49 and 7.7 million viewers; Parks and Rec sees a 2.8/7 and 5.5 million viewers; Community gets a 2.1/6 and 4.7 million.

[Via Deadline; EW]

FOX renews ‘American Dad’ for seventh season

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Good morning USA! I got a feelin’ that it’s gonna be a wonderful day. That it is for animator/creator Seth MacFarlane. The man known for dominating FOX’s “Animation Domination” lineup with his imaginative and relevant comedies must be feeling an enormous sense of relief after hearing today’s news that American Dad will be joining long-time staple Family Guy and newcomer The Cleveland Show for the 2011-13 TV seasons. No, that’s not a typo and I’ll explain why. The Smiths have been guaranteed a seventh season with a full 22-episode order. However, because FOX has ordered two new animated shows Allen Gregory and Napoleon Dynamite (yes, based on the movie) for next season, scheduling only an undisclosed portion of American Dad episodes will air in 2011-12, and the remaining eps will overflow into the 2012-13 season. And believe it or not, this is the way the show has aired since the 2005 Super Bowl. So no harm done here. Packaged with this news of renewal is a hint of what’s to come later this season; upcoming guest voices include Anjelica Huston, Elisabeth Shue, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Burt Reynolds, and Cee-Lo Green.

“This is fantastic news,” said Roger the Alien in a statement. “But you do realize I’m not real, right?”

[Via Deadline]

CBS renews ‘The Big Bang Theory’ through the 2013-14 season

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Hope you like The Big Bang Theory because it’s not going anywhere for a very long time.  Today CBS renewed the nerd-tastic comedy three times over, confirming its stay on the most-watched network through the 2013-2014 season.  The news comes shortly after the show was crowned primetime’s #1 scripted series in adults 18-49 and the #2 comedy among viewers for the 2009-2010 season.  The show managed to successfully transition to its new Thursday 8PM slot where it’s been averaging 13.8 million viewers, that’s up 7 percent versus the year-ago time period.

CBS Nina Tassler: “It doesn’t take a theoretical physicist to see why this show is a BIG part of our comedy future. From ratings to critical acclaim to pop culture buzz, it’s struck a chord on all levels.  The creative genius of Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady and the on-camera talents of an amazing young ensemble have created a comedy that will entertain viewers for a long time.  We’re proud to partner with Warner Bros. on another highly successful, long-running comedy.”

Warner Bros. Television head Peter Roth: “We are delighted and grateful that CBS has once again rewarded The Big Bang Theory with a multiyear renewal. This is a testament to the inspired and brilliant work of the show’s entire creative team, and we look forward to continuing this highly successful partnership.”

I couldn’t be happier to know that Leonard, Sheldon, Penny, Howard, and Rajesh will be sticking around for years to come.  And here’s a nice TBBT scoop for you: Jessica Walter (aka Arrested Development‘s Lucille Bluth) will guest star in an upcoming episode slated to air in February.  According to TV Line, she will play “Barbara Latham, a wealthy donor to the university whose upcoming grant to the science department may be contingent upon Leonard compromising his virtue.”

[Via Deadline]

FOX renews ‘Raising Hope’ early, comments on cancelled shows & Fringe’s move [Update: J.J. Abrams addresses the move, too]

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One day after ABC granted early renewals to six of its series, competitor FOX decided to show its muscle by renewing its freshman series Raising Hope.  The Greg Garcia comedy was actually the first freshman series of the year to receive a back-nine episode order, so it’s certainly fitting that today it became the first freshman program to be renewed for a second season.  Go Hope!  The laugh-out-loud family comedy is FOX’s highest-rated new series; having that Glee lead-in doesn’t hurt.  The show’s creator Garcia said, “I’m happy that the show is getting another year. But the fact that I’ve been trying to think of a funny quote for the last two hours and this is the best I could come up with makes me a little nervous about season two.”  FOX prez Kevin Reilly also shared his excitement about the continuation of Hope: “Raising Hope has emerged as a comedic standout: wickedly smart, hilarious and full of heart. Greg Garcia and his great cast have established an appointment show on Tuesday nights this season and we’re confident it’s just the beginning of great things to come.”  Raising Hope returns with new episodes Tuesday February 8 at 9PM.  If you’re not watching this show, it’s never too late to start.

Update 3: Click here to watch Hope‘s Golden Globes plea.  Greg Garcia and the cast put together this “For Your Consideration” video and sent it to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association hoping it would help their chances at landing a nomination.  It didn’t, but it’s still well worth a watch.  Let’s just say Cloris Leachman brings down the house with her wildly NSFW language. Continue reading FOX renews ‘Raising Hope’ early, comments on cancelled shows & Fringe’s move [Update: J.J. Abrams addresses the move, too] →

Nickelodeon renews ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ for season number nine

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Nickelodeon, my favorite network growing up, just decided to greenlight another season of one of my most treasured cartoons, SpongeBob SquarePants.  When the 26-episode ninth season airs in 2012, it will breeze past the coveted 200 episode milestone.  Says Brown Johnson, President, Animation, Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group: “SpongeBob‘s success in reaching over 200 episodes is a testament to creator Stephen Hillenburg’s vision, comedic sensibility and his dynamic, lovable characters.  The series now joins the club of contemporary classic Nicktoons that have hit this benchmark, so we’re incredibly proud.”  Hillenburg, who still serves as an executive producer, handed off day-to-day responsibility to director/writer Paul Tibbitt after the series found its long-lasting success.  “We never imagined we would be on for that long but we’re going to keep going,” Tibbitt said.  “The trick is to try to keep the episodes funny and simple and press from there.”

SpongeBob has ranked as the #1 animated TV series with children (ages 2-11) for a whopping ten consecutive years.  Season 9, I’m ready!

[Via Deadline; EW]