Mar 13, 2016 4 min read

Last week’s relative heat wave came at an opportune time for TV fans. Porch sitting was suddenly a viable option to viewing a multitude of network repeats or searching for shows that seemed to have disappeared.

March is indeed madness for TV viewers as networks bounce hit shows on and off the schedule like so many basketballs. In the interim between the February and May ratings sweep, the Big Four (and the CW) typically test potential fall series and bench or barely schedule hit series, the better to string together a one-two-three punch of uninterrupted new episodes to wrap up the season.

March is likewise madness for TV columnists, who inevitably hear from panicked fans concerned about the status of favorite shows.

Not to worry.

The good news is that, more than ever, long-running series are likely to be in Energizer Bunny mode. With relentless cable competition, CBS and company know their primary attraction is stability. To that end, dozens of series have already been renewed for next season. And one series that already announced it was ending its run may well be convinced to delay that grand finale.

So far this season, just seven shows have been canceled – “Angel from Hell,” “Blood and Oil,” “Heroes Reborn,” “Minority Report,” “The Player,” “Truth Be Told” and “Wicked City.” Like millions of others, you probably never sampled an episode, anyway.

Barring a major spike in ratings, those unlucky seven will be joined by freshmen shows “Bordertown,” “Cooper Barrett’s Guide to Surviving Life,” “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” “CSI: Cyber,” “Family,” “The Muppets,” “Second Chance” and “Telenova.” Unless you’re a big Muppets fan, no big loss in that group, either.

Of the veteran series, three are bowing out voluntarily – “American Idol,” “The Good Wife” and “Mike and Molly” – and I suspect they’ll be joined by “Agent Carter,” “Castle,” “Elementary,” “Galavant,” “Grimm,” “Nashville,” “Sleepy Hollow” and “Undateable.”

Everything else should be back, including newcomers “Blindspot,” “Chicago Med,” “Quantico,” “Shades of Blue,” and “Superstore,” which have already been renewed, and “The Carmichaels Show,” “Dr. Ken,” “Life in Pieces,” “The Real O’Neals,” “Rosewood” and “Lucifer,” which are slam dunks to return.

Earlier this month, a CBS executive hinted all of its current new shows would be returning, but he used a number as opposed to naming the shows. Many concluded “Rush Hour,” which has yet to premiere, was not on the renew list, but I tend to think it’s still a tossup. If “Rush Hour” is a spring hit, the plug may be pulled on the ratings-challenged “Code Black” instead.

CBS’s dilemma is two-fold. While it has a wildly popular schedule (albeit mostly with older viewers), it has to be extremely careful in rebuilding Sunday night with “Good Wife” and “CSI”Cyber” departing. Rather than chance a collapse with two new programs, it might well opt to hammock a new series between “Madam Secretary” and a 10 p.m. repurposed veteran show. I’d propose “Blue Bloods,” an aging, but still high-rated series whose lifespan just might increase if moved from the black hole that is Friday. And “Hawaii 5-0,” which once seemed like a sure cancellation, could slide in to the 10 p.m. Friday slot.

Fox has heavily promoted that this is the final season for “American Idol,” and while it’s certainly time for the series to bow out, viewers evidently don’t agree. The long-running reality show has been in the top 10 almost every week – even with half the audience it had just a few years ago. At the same time, Fox has had a bad year. Its potential and actual casualties include nearly half of its schedule.

That’s why I believe (or hope) it will hang on to the low-rated “Grinder,” by far the best new sitcom of the season. It’s also why I think it will attempt to bring “American Idol” back in some form. Otherwise, Fox will have the unenviable task of creating an entire schedule around “Empire,” and “Gotham,” its only solid hits. At this point, Fox needs its golden “Idol” for at least another year. It should prepare to write that check.