By Erin Somers
Well, the ratings in the U.S. are in and the whole world by now knows which of the fall shows are hits and which are flops. With cancellations freeing up slots in the networks’ schedules, it’s about time they called in their second string. What follows is a roundup of new midseason series coming to the airwaves just in time for NATPE, in winter and early spring of 2011. At NATPE all U.S. studio executives will be on hand to provide a variety of reasons why buyers should bet their Miami tans on the mid-season.
Fox’s overall primetime ratings were down 14.5 percent this fall, so presumably, it has high hopes for its midseason slate. Leading the pack is animated Bob’s Burgers, a much publicized comedy about a family-run burger joint. The series premiered on January 9 between The Simpsons and Family Guy. Another comedy, Traffic Light, about three life long buddies struggling to balance their relationships with their friendships. Meanwhile, sci-fi drama Terra Nova, which was picked up for mid-season last spring, has been delayed until fall 2011.
For its part, NBC unveiled the The Cape on January 9, a drama centering on a man who transforms himself into a costumed vigilante to fight crime and win back his family. Also new from the Peacock Net is legal dramedy Harry’s Law, which will debut on January 17 and stars Kathy Bates as a lawyer who is forced to start a practice from the ground up. NBC is also hoping for perfection with Perfect Couples, a sitcom about the trials and travails of three relationships, which will also make its entrance in January.
From ABC there’s Off The Map, which will begin January 12. A medical drama set in an exotic location, it was created by Grey’s Anatomy mastermind Shonda Rhimes. Meanwhile, the forecast for February is Mr. Sunshine. The Alphabet Net is banking on this sitcom starring Matthew Perry as the manager of a sports arena going a through mid-life crisis, as well as Happy Endings which will air on April 13.
Finally, CBS will mix things up in February, with a trio of new series. Criminal Minds spinoff Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior will debut on February 16, and another newcomer Mad Love is scheduled to begin in late February as well as a part of the Eye Network’s Monday night comedy block. Plus, for the reality fans out there, Paula Abdul’s new dance competition showcase Live to Dance recorded big ratings for its January 3 premiere.
All this is in addition to the many new cable offerings gearing up in January and February, most of which will be available in sunny Miami Beach two weeks from now.
