Pick-Ups and Early Deaths

The annual upfronts (where networks unveil their fall line-ups, including which shows have been granted another season and which have been cancelled) aren't until May, but the networks have already picked-up certain shows and axed others. Here's how things are shaping up so far (and please remember that this list is still very preliminary and most shows aren't going to be listed just yet).

EARLY PICK-UPS

• 30 Rock
• The Office
• The Biggest Loser
• Greek
• Lincoln Heights
• Leverage
• Raising the Bar
• Big Love
• The Secret Life of the American Teenager
• The United States of Tara
• Rescue Me
• Army Wives
• Smallville
• Gossip Girl
• 90210
• America's Next Top Model
• One Tree Hill (oh, just let it DIE already!)
• Supernatural
• The Simpsons (greenlit for 2 more disappointing seasons)
• Survivor
• The Mentalist (hasn't been officially picked up, but it will be)

CANCELLATIONS

• Swingtown
• Prison Break
• Kyle XY
• The Starter Wife
• The Middleman

The rest of the shows out there have yet to receive final word on whether or not they'll be returning next season, but I'll keep you posted on developments as they become available. There are, of course, shows out there like CSI, Lost, and House that will certainly get picked up for next season, but we all knew that a long time ago, so it's not really the focus of much gossip. Here are some shows I'll be keeping an eye on, however. Their fates are far less certain...

ON THE BUBBLE

• Life (The ratings are decent, but not spectacular. As much as I enjoy this show, it's not as good as it once was and I think I'd be able to survive without it. Stupid Sarah Shahi went and got knocked up, so that's going to seriously screw over the show's writers. Moron. She should have been fired on the spot.)
• Heroes (It will likely get picked up, but the mere fact that it's in question is a bad sign for the series--glad I dumped his ass when I had the chance.)
• Eleventh Hour (The ratings are actually really good, but CBS still doesn't seem to be backing the show entirely. I think it'll survive, but it could be close.)
• Chuck (Oh, my darling Chuck. Such a good, fun, easy show to watch, but the ratings just aren't there and I don't think NBC is smart enough to realize that that's becuse they have it in the WORST TIMESLOT IN THE HISTORY OF TELEVISION. The Monday night log-jam might just claim another victim...)
• Priveleged (didn't get picked up with the other CW shows...not a good sign)
• Reaper (ditto)
• Lipstick Jungle (that somehow clawed its way out of the depths of hell to be a possibility again)
• Knight Rider (which, if there's any justice in the world, will be canned very VERY soon)
• Kath and Kim (see notes at: Knight Rider)
• Terminator (will likely be terminated)
• Dollhouse (knowing Fox, it won't survive... which is a real shame, because it's shaping up to be a great show. Damn network...)
• Lie to Me (will likely get picked up--it's a pretty crappy show, but people like pretty crappy shows, it seems)