A couple of months ago, I made predictions about how long new shows on cable networks, ABC, and Fox would last. As all the shows have aired for a few weeks, it’s time for an evaluation of my predictions, although for some shows, the final word is not in yet. Such an evaluation follows:
Cable
Hell on Wheels
Predicted: Renewal
What happened: Renewed away – not as successful commercially as AMC stalwart The Walking Dead or critically as Mad Men or Breaking Bad, but good enough. It’s no Rubicon.
Homeland
Predicted: Renewal
What Happened: Renewal – right on, everyone else agreed with me and I agreed with everyone else that this is the best new show of the year. It’ll be back with a vengeance.
American Horror Story
Predicted: Renewal
What Happened: Renewed – I still don’t understand it, and I don’t mean that in either a good or a bad way, but it’s become a bit of a sleeper hit.
Boss
Predicted: Renewal
What happened: Renewed – Cheating, it was renewed before it aired. Still, it got good enough reviews, for whatever that’s worth.
Enlightened
Predicted: Renewal
What happened: Renewed, but barely, as it survived the great HBO comedy extermination of 2011, which saw the ends of personal favorite Bored to Death, Hung and How To Make It In America.
ABC
Charlie’s Angels
Predicted: 12-
What happened: Cancelled. One of the five easiest predictions to make all year. Had no chance from day one.
Last Man Standing
Predicted: 12-
What happened: Picked up for full season so far. Probably the prediction I got wrong which I would have staked the most on. I still don’t think it will last past this year, but I would have said it’d be gone after three or four episodes, so who knows.
Man Up
Predicted: 12-
What happened: Second of the top five easiest decisions. Didn’t have a shot in hell, and shouldn’t have.
Once Upon A Time
Predicted: 13+
What happened: Picked up a for a full season, likely renewal. It’s become a family hit, and although it hasn’t been renewed yet, so I could technically still be right, it probably will be renewed and I’ll be wrong. Oops.
Pan Am
Predicted: Renewal
What happened: Not cancelled officially yet, but looking like all but a formality. This was one of the more difficult shows to call.
Revenge
Precited: Renewal
What happened; Picked up for a full season, and looking likely for renewal. Very pleased about both my call, which wasn’t obvious, and the popularity of one of the better new shows.
Suburgatory
Predicted: 13+
What happened: Picked up, with a renewal likely. It’s been kind of a surprise hit on what’s become a bit of a surprise hit Wednesday night comedy block on ABC, with Modern Family, The Middle, and Happy Endings next to Suburgatory.
Fox
New Girl
Predicted; Renewal
What happened: Picked up for a full season, it would be a total shock if it was not renewed. One of the biggest new show hits of the season so far.
Allen Gregory
Predicted: 12-
What happened: Cancelled – not a shocker by any means. Bad show, bad spot, no chance. Third of my five easiest cancellations to call.
I Hate My Teenage Daughter
Predicted: 12-
Renewed: Uncertain, as it didn’t start until the end of November. That said, I still feel fairly confident in a cancellation.
Terra Nova
Predicted: Renewal
What happened: This is the closest show on the list, and it could still go either way. I wouldn’t take odds one way or the other.
Television, the Drug of the Nation 
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