Hammond On Cannes: Robert Redford’s Brave New Role … 
Hot Trailer: Jennifer Aniston And Jason Sudeikis’ … 
Warner Bros Tells Space Story, From The Bra Designers Who … 
Brad Pitt’s Plan B Banner Promotes Jeremy Kleiner As … 
Hot Trailer: ‘Don Jon’ 
Billy Crystal-Starring Comedy From Matt Nix & Larry … 
RATINGS RAT RACE: ‘Dancing With The Stars’ … 
Hammond On Cannes: A New Day Comes To The Fest As HBO and … 
Cannes: Fleming Reflects And Finds Talented Trio A Breath … 
Hot Trailer: ‘Man Of Steel’ 
Former Digital Domain CEO & Auditors Sued For Fraud By … 
ABC’s ‘Nashville’ Undergoes Production … 
CBS Wins Season & Ties Sweep In Demo; ABC Tops Adults … 
Alki David Agrees To End Name Games With Aereo And Barry … 
Next-Gen Xbox One Unveiled With Content Including … 
Cannes: Weinstein Co Acquires Keanu-Reese Sci-Fi Pic … 
Hot Trailer: ‘The Wolverine’ 
Ang Lee Departs FX Pilot ‘Tyrant’ 
How Many Times Does Seth MacFarlane Have To Say No To The … 
Cannes: Stanley Weiser To Script ‘Three Graves … 
Cannes: Deadline Crashes Palais Forum With Costa Gavras, … 
The summer TV season is over but USA Network is yet to make renewal decisions on all of its series. While some are no-brainers, like Burn Notice, whose producers are already negotiating an extension of the lease on their production facilities in Miami, Suits, Royal Pains, White Collar and Covert Affairs. And then there are the question marks, Necessary Roughness, Fairly Legal and Common Law. (Veteran Psych is on a different airing schedule.)
I hear at least one of them, freshman Common Law, is not likely to continue. USA has let the options on the cast, led by Michael Ealy and Warren Kole. Additionally, Craig Sweeny, executive producer/showrunner on the first season, has moved on, joining CBS’ new drama Elementary as an executive producer. Sweeney is under an overall deal at CBS TV Studios, which produces Common Law, and it is technically possible for him to return if there is a second season, but USA will also have to negotiate new deals with the cast, something considered highly unlikely. Common Law, about cops (Michael Ealy, Warren Kole) ordered into counseling, debuted in May to 2.48 million viewers. Its freshman season, which aired on Fridays, has averaged a little over 2 million viewers with a 0.6 18-49 rating to rank as the lowest-rated scripted series currently on USA.
The odds for sophomores Fairly Legal, which narrowly escaped cancellation after Season 1 with a total revamp, and Necessary Roughness, are considered 50-50. The praised Political Animals was introduced as a limited series, and, given its soft ratings, it is unclear whether another cycle is on the table.
TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.
Loading ...
Is Coverrt Affairs a definite lock for a pick up? It’s ratings have really dropped since its season 1 premiere and it is losing 18-49 viewers from its lead-in, White Collar. Guess it depends what USA has in development. Loving Suits and White Collar this season, Covert Affairs, not so much. As far as Common Law goes- mercy killing.
It seems that everyone commenting here is forgetting something: to USA, Fridays aren’t a death slot. Monk was on Fridays and ruled it, Psych started there with Monk before moving to Wednesdays, and White Collar had its first half of season one there after Monk. USA has always been considered smart in programming there, but post-Monk saw that there was more of an audience on other days in the week. Granted, the FL and CL ratings are not fantastic by any means, but when you consider the network’s ratings as a whole, they are definitely not shiny. USA tried going back to Fridays this year – let’s applaud them for trying. Will they continue? Maybe, maybe not. But at least someone is trying.
Loved Common Law– but Friday night time slot stinks!! It needs a second season!!!
Common Law had a lot of behind the scenes drama that flavored what was seen on screen. The pilot, two reshoots cut in with original footage. It blew goat chunks. The writers: wobbly at first then sorted out. DP: unexpected death. First production designer: went MASSIVELY over budget for the main sets, got canned. The show aired on Friday. Most social people are out on the town having fun and the low brow crowd is watching wrestling. A second season with a new show day and better writers would have seen this show shine.
Also: Suits is the crappiest USA show and it got a second season.
Really hope they renew Necessary Roughness (which picked up this season after they jettisoned the Marshal Pittman character), and would love a second season of Political Animals (which was really hurt by its timeslot and being outside of the usual USA box).
I will be very disappointed if Common Law is not renewed. It is a very enjoyable cop show with a different angle.
Loved Common Law and Fairly Legal. Hoping they will bring back both shows. They have so much potential.
Not every show has to be deep and heavy. I think Common Law did a wonderful job of being light and fun. I thoroughly enjoyed Michael Ealy and Warren Kole in this and will miss seeing them together if it gets cancelled. Still have my fingers crossed for a second season. Love Common Law!
Too bad. Though not the best show out there, “Common Law” was enjoyable, summer fun. Should USA or the viewers be surprised at this show’s fate? They put it on Fridays at 10pm. Then, after only 3-4 episodes, the show went off for a week and lost its lead-in. Then, it competed with the Olympics. Hmmm…. Is USA network saying they don’t believe in this show? All arrows point to yes.
Dear USA Network, please re-new Necessary Roughness and consider developing Political Animals into a series. I couldn’t have survived summer without them!!
I didn’t care for the changes in Fairly Legal. They turned a decent show into a romantic comedy about lawyers instead of the case-of-the-week plots I liked. I don’t know why a show with a female lead has to have a love interest or that has to be a love triangle.
I couldn’t get past the first few episodes of Common Law – it was an interesting concept but turned into the Honeymooners.
Royal Pains made a huge mistake writing out Jill Flint and making the Hank character a womanizer.
Burn Notice has run its course too. Kind of like the old “they’re out to kill us again Tony” plot in last season’s NCIS. Yawn.
I didn’t care for the changes in Fairly Legal. They turned a decent show into a romantic comedy about lawyers instead of the case-of-the-week plots I liked. I don’t know why a show with a female lead has to have a love interest or that has to be a love triangle.
I agree completely. They did the same thing with Necessary Roughness, ruining it too.
I really liked Necessary Roughness it’s first season. Then they had to go and make Dani more immature and bring in a stupid trial for Dani with Nico.
When it’s about therapy, it’s great. When it’s about the problems with Dani’s lovelife, it drags. And those kids need to go and live with their father.
I love common law talk about partners that make opposites attrack they work great together And really funny ease don’t cancel this show
I thought Burn Notice got a little too dark. Common Law really must of saw the end as the last show wound up the series nicely. I never got into Necessary Roughness, it seemed to be about the same thing week after week. Suits and Covert Affairs are the two best with Royal Pains and Burn Notice next.
I’m bummed about Common Law. I thought the show had lots of potential and the bromance between the two leads was fun. Lots to explore there and the season ending was one of the strongest episodes. You liked the 2 guys and given most of the shows on the air now, that’s saying something!
I can’t say I’m sorry to see Fairly Legal go. The 1st season was a disaster. When Kate lost everything, got fired, found out she wasn’t pregnant AND got tossed in jail at the end? I was actually thrilled. She was such a snot. Season 2 tried to fix the flaws but it wasn’t enough. The actress is great. The character is not. Total revamp was needed from the ground up. And the teasey romance with the new law partner was grating to me. I didn’t find it charming or sexy or even with chemistry.
I find myself watching USA less and less these days. Burn Notice used to be original but now… eh. I can take or leave it. But Psych is THE show that keeps me coming back. Shawn & Gus are outrageously awesome and the show is just laid back, can’t miss fun. I can’t wait for it to return.
LOVE COMMON LAW. BRING IT BACK FOR A SECOND SEASON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope they renew Fairly Legal; I enjoyed the interaction between the two sisters – and yes they are this annoying (I have two!).
I also enjoyed watching Ben go from tough guy to total wimp.
Please USA bring Common Law back for a second season! That show is awesome!
Loved common law! Intelligent writing, loved the cast. I’d love to see a second season.
I am so sorry Common Law will not return. Hoping Fairly Legal returns. Really enjoy Cover Affairs. I’m shocked about Burn Notice. I can’t bear to watch that show. Very painful!
I love Fairly Legal and Common Law. I want both back
I enjoyed both Fairly Legal and Common Law. Please don’t cancel these two shows. These are two of my favorites. I know many that enjoy them too.
LOVED Common Law! This is a must for a second season-total cliff-hanger at the end of the 1st season, can NOT wait for more!
It was nice to have a light hearted show with fairly legal. I am looking forward to another season and hope they return quickly. Kate needs to get back with her husband and go on. They need to allow these shows some time for them to get going. Clean fun and light hearted shows are very enjoyable.
Necessary Roughness can go at anytime, Calie Thorne deserves better.
Fairly Legal is a wash. Sarah Shahi and Virginia Williams are great eye candy but there is nothing else.