Tim Goodman Gives the Odds on Which Fall Shows Will Survive
As the TV season kicks off, THR's chief television critic wagers his reputation on the scripted shows that will turn into this year's "2 Broke Girls" and what will go the way of "The Playboy Club."
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'Vegas' (CBS)
Odds: 3-1
This period-piece drama starring Dennis Quaid and Michael Chiklis could be fall’s biggest hit. Great performances. Bulletproof.
STORY: How Tim Goodman Fared in Last Season's TV Predictions
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'Elementary' (CBS)
Odds: 5-1
The modern take on Sherlock Holmes is extremely well done and perfect for CBS. It would be a real surprise if it fails.
STORY: How Tim Goodman Fared in Last Season's TV Predictions
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'Arrow' (CW)
Odds: 8-1
Now here’s a show that’s going to work on The CW. A nice lead-in to Supernatural.
STORY: How Tim Goodman Fared in Last Season's TV Predictions
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'Nashville' (ABC)
Odds: 10-1
A compelling, different and well-done soap. Good reviews may give it the time it needs to set the hook -- if it works, it could be huge.
STORY: How Tim Goodman Fared in Last Season's TV Predictions
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'Revolution' (NBC)
Odds: 10-1
This is an appealing apocalypse series that might lure enough Hunger Games and mystery fans (provided some of the illogical elements are explained away convincingly). Plus, The Voice is a strong lead-in.
STORY: How Tim Goodman Fared in Last Season's TV Predictions
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'Chicago Fire' (NBC)
Odds: 10-1
It may be just a rote procedural, but there’s action, it’s set in Chicago, and there are fires. No challenges, just entertainment.
STORY: How Tim Goodman Fared in Last Season's TV Predictions
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'The Mindy Project' (Fox)
Odds: 15-1
If the country falls for ex-Office star Mindy Kaling, this will be allowed to grow. If the audience is indifferent, Fox will have to either be patient or be cruel.
STORY: How Tim Goodman Fared in Last Season's TV Predictions
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'Ben and Kate' (Fox)
Odds: 15-1
The best network sitcom of the fall should be given a long leash by Fox.
STORY: How Tim Goodman Fared in Last Season's TV Predictions
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'Last Resort' (ABC)
Odds: 15-1
Leading off Thursday is a tall order for this series about a rogue submarine crew. It may be too dark for some, but it could be a dark horse. The pilot is compelling, the stars solid.
STORY: How Tim Goodman Fared in Last Season's TV Predictions
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'666 Park Avenue' (ABC)
Odds: 20-1
It’s not a scary enough or different enough horror drama to last, plus Americans might not be interested in a show about the devil on Sunday nights.
STORY: How Tim Goodman Fared in Last Season's TV Predictions
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'Made in Jersey' (CBS)
Odds: 25-1
Ugh. This doesn’t face much competition in its Friday slot, but the culture-clash drama about a girl at a N.Y. law firm is hammocked between two shows (CSI: NY and Blue Bloods) that are vastly different in tone. And it’s not good.
STORY: How Tim Goodman Fared in Last Season's TV Predictions
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'Beauty and the Beast' (CW)
Odds: 30-1
The network rarely cancels anything in season, but this bit of ridiculous corn dog will test the boundaries of even the youngest demo.
STORY: How Tim Goodman Fared in Last Season's TV Predictions
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'The Mob Doctor' (Fox)
Odds: 35-1
She’s a doctor. And she works for the mob. But she’s going to need a lot of meds and a lot of muscle to get renewed. Or even sampled.
STORY: How Tim Goodman Fared in Last Season's TV Predictions
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'Partners' (CBS)
Odds: 40-1
Not even being wedged between two hits on CBS will save this unfunny sitcom. It may not go quickly, but it’ll go.
STORY: How Tim Goodman Fared in Last Season's TV Predictions
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'Animal Practice' (NBC)
Odds: 50-1
Kicking off Wednesdays with dubious sitcoms is, well, not a good strategy. Neither is working with animals. So despite a fine cast (Justin Kirk, Tyler Labine), there won’t be enough monkeyshines to save this one.
STORY: How Tim Goodman Fared in Last Season's TV Predictions
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'Emily Owens, M.D.' (CW)
Odds: 55-1
What are the odds that The CW cancels two shows in a season? Long. But this annoying doctors- acting-like-teens drama will be shunned by its target audience.
STORY: How Tim Goodman Fared in Last Season's TV Predictions
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'Go On' (NBC)
Odds: 60-1
On a Tuesday packed with comedies, this sitcom pales and doesn’t get the balance right between schmaltz and sarcasm. Poor Matthew Perry might strike out again.
STORY: How Tim Goodman Fared in Last Season's TV Predictions
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'The New Normal' (NBC)
Odds: 60-1
Well, if Go On goes down as a lead-in, then New Normal will find itself in trouble. But hell, it has enough trouble already in that it’s boring, obvious and desperate to be noticed. It won’t be.
STORY: How Tim Goodman Fared in Last Season's TV Predictions
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'Guys With Kids' (NBC)
Odds: 75-1
Wow, NBC. Really? This is a skit. It’s one joke -- hey, dads will raise their kids -- and that joke is lousy.
STORY: How Tim Goodman Fared in Last Season's TV Predictions
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'The Neighbors' (ABC)
Odds: 80-1
Brutally bad. Slotted on a great night. ABC needs to move it out of its posh Wednesday comedy neighborhood and kill it.
STORY: How Tim Goodman Fared in Last Season's TV Predictions
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