2010 Upfront Preview: Which Will Be ABC’s Lost: FlashForward or V?

By: Adam Wright

ABC has had a remarkable season this year for several reasons. It celebrated the resurgence of their comedy-night. It said goodbye to one of its favorites (LOST), and it said goodbye to a less-favorite (Ugly Betty). The network also stumbled on questionable decisions (SCRUBS!).

Going into this year’s Upfront Event, ABC is going in with only a few question marks. First let’s look at what’s coming back.

Of course we’ll see Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters, and Castle all back again in the fall.

Also coming back is their successful new comedy-block. This past season, we saw the resurgence of the comedy on ABC with The Middle, Modern Family, and Cougar Town. All three will be back, and mark my words; Modern Family will earn some Emmy recognition. Along with Glee, Modern Family was the most well-received new shows of the season.

Some of ABC’s new shows this past season didn’t do so well. The Forgotten is now an after-thought, and The Deep End is now six-feet under. Scrubs tried to make its comeback without its stars, but the audience rejected. And the under-appreciated Better Off Ted is unlikely to return.

For ABC, their biggest question marks lay on two of their new shows of the past season. These two shows were expected to fill in for the network’s lost of LOST. However, both have underperformed. Of course I’m talking about FlashForward and V.

Chances are, only one of them will make it back for a second season. As it sits right now, V stands a better chance of renewal because it has seen a slight increase in ratings this past week. Also it carries more star power, with former-LOST star Elizabeth Mitchell. As for FlashForward, I do not expect it to return. In fact I would be shocked ABC picked it over V.

Whether the network picks V or FlashForward, they have to realize that they have to stop looking for a LOST replacement.

Now let’s look at the new pilots coming up next fall.

ABC has already picked up the superhero series No Ordinary Family. It has a star-studded cast including: The Shield star Michael Chiklis, Dexter star Julie Benz, The O.C. (and Entourage) star Autumn Reeser, and movie funny-man Romancy Malco (40-Year-Old-Virgin, The Love Guru).

Also expected to be picked-up is Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes’ new series Off the Map, and the crime dramedy Detroit 187.

For comedy, Matthew Perry’s Mr. Sunshine looks good for a pick-up, so is the doc-style dramedy Generation Y.

It will be interesting to see if  ABC can continue its role with comedies, while keeping their dramas strong.

Be sure to check in here on TVDoneWright.com on Monday May 18^th for all the coverage of 2010 ABC Upfront Event.

Update

- ABC has renewed V

- ABC has cancelled FlashForward

Which shows are coming back? Which aren’t? And what are the new shows coming? To find out, check out the Renewal/Cancellation Chart

Posted by Adam Wright on May 13, 2010. Filed under Features, News, Preview. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry