Is it just me, or does this season seem like one of the shortest ones in recent years? Because of the Olympics, so many series are going on hiatuses, taking winter breaks or cutting to half-season orders that it’s reminding me of the frenzied Writers Guild of America strike season of 2007-08.
In three short months, series will wrap in anticipation of summer shows and the development months, when many networks produce what they hope will become next fall’s sleeper hit. Until then, those same networks are scrambling to schedule their current show orders and remain competitive within a fighting industry.
One of the key players in all of this is NBC, the No. 1 network until its plummet in 2005. Now, the Peacock is known for making rash decisions and early announcements, so unsurprisingly it’s the first out of the gate with its finale dates.
The Biggest Loser, which the network is now pitting against ABC’s Lost, will finale on May 25 with a two-hour episode, a day after the two-hour season finale (series finale?) of Chuck.
Freshman medical dramas Mercy and Trauma will finish during the week of May 10, while freshman comedy Community will last a little longer, finishing on May 20 alongside Parks and Recreation, The Office and 30 Rock.
There is still no news of when or if Law and Order: Criminal Intent will make it onto the Peacock’s schedule, but its sister shows L&O and L&O: SVU will wrap May 24 and May 19, respectively.
The Celebrity Apprentice 3, which doesn’t première until March 14, will run on Sunday nights with two-hour instalments until its grand finale showdown on May 23.
Thoughts? amber@tvguide.ca or comment below.
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