FOX Renew/Cancel Watch: Family Guy Already Working on New Production Cycle

Canceled	Certatin to be Canceled	Likely to be Canceled	Watching	Likely to be Renewed	Certain to be Renewed	Renewed
Minority Report	Bordertown		Grandfathered	The X-Files	Family Guy	The Simpsons
Cooper Barrett’s Guide to Surviving Life	The Grinder					Bob’s Burgers
	Second Chance					Empire
	Sleepy Hollow					Scream Queens
						Bones
						Gotham
						Brooklyn 9-9
						The Last Man On Earth
						Lucifer
						Rosewood
						New Girl

Family Guy

I've done my research on Family Guy, and it appears that the team is already working on a new production cycle. While the one currently airing starts with "DAC", and there are still a few unscheduled episodes from the cycle, it is also to be noted that per Wikipedia listings there are a few "EAC" episodes already made, meaning that Family Guy has indeed gotten the go-ahead for another production cycle and has essentially been renewed. I'll keep it in the Certain to be Renewed column
for now in case FOX is planning on making an official announcement, but if they don't we are assuming it's renewed.

There have been rumors that they are planning to do a Family Guy movie, so now the question is if more episodes will be delayed while they work on a movie. Regardless, expect to see some Family Guy episodes at least on the schedule next season with a new production cycle. 

Cooper Barrett's Guide to Surviving Life

If you haven't noticed in the chart above, I've moved Cooper Barrett to the Canceled column after it was recently pulled from the schedule. Bordertown and Second Chance might as well already be there, it's only a matter of time before FOX officially announces it. 

The X-Files

It should be noted that there's a strong chance an official decision is not made on The X-Files by upfronts, as they would need to get the cast together again. FOX is said to be very interested in another season, but we don't know when that will be. I'll be keeping it in the table, but it may have to be thrown out of the predictions game if they don't say anything between now and the upfronts in about a month. 

Grandfathered

Now here is the tricky one. If you saw a certain earlier post, you would know about how FOX hasn't renewed more than six comedies in a season. With five already officially renewed + Family Guy essentially coming back as well, renewing Grandfathered would mean renewing one more comedy than normal. However, if they don't renew Grandfathered then no freshmen comedy will be returning, unless they count Scream Queens (which is more of a thriller dramedy from what I hear). Will they feel the need to keep a freshmen comedy, or will they point to the low ratings and cancel it? After all, they already treated it well by giving it a time slot upgrade midseason and it didn't capitalize on it. 

What do you think about these predictions and explanations? Where do you think Grandfathered will fall? Let us know in the comments below!

FOX Renew/Cancel Watch: Bordertown and Cooper Barrett are Now Certain to be Cancelled

Why Are Bordertown and Cooper Barrett's Guide to Surviving Life Certain to be Cancelled?
I legitimately thought both, Bordertown more than Cooper Barrett, had a chance at renewal last time I did my FOX Renew/Cancel Watch column. But a 0.7? That's really bad, and I highly doubt FOX can justify renewing two comedies that go that low this early in their run given the time slots. On top of that, Bordertown is headed to 7pm soon. I still hold out hope that FOX will swap Cooper Barrett and the stronger Bob's Burgers.

Why Am I Watching Grandfathered?
In my eyes, Grandfathered really needs to improve to at least a 1.1-1.2 in order to get a renewal, given that it airs after New Girl and still gets somewhat underwhelming ratings. However, the downfall of Cooper Barrett and Bordertown may just work out in Grandfathered's favor, as is the fact that it's really doing on par with Brooklyn 9-9 now (though that's more bad for the latter than good for the former). I still think that FOX will do the normal and renew 6 comedies, but if The Last Man On Earth comes back and tanks, it may just be Grandfathered's lucky day.

Why is Bones Likely to be Cancelled?
It was recently announced that Bones will not return until April 14. It still has 12 episodes left to air, meaning that if they air it straight through, one hour a week, it still won't finish until June 30. This is about four weeks later than last season and six after the "official" season ends. Strangely enough it did just fine in the summer last season; however, given its age and contractual negotiations, not to mention the low ratings, I'm willing to bet that Bones is too expensive to continue. I thought about the scenario of giving it another season to air in the summer, but again I think it would be too expensive. It may make a good pairing with Wayward Pines in June if that's the route FOX takes, but I'm sticking with a likely cancellation prediction. As it is I'm already predicting more dramas to be renewed than they have in the decade so far.

Why Was Rosewood Downgraded to Likely to be Renewed?
I do think that right now Rosewood looks renewable, but the fact that Lucifer has been doing decently and that FOX hasn't renewed 5 dramas in a long time makes me a little bit more unsure of Rosewood. It could face the chopping block if Lucifer holds and FOX decides to replace American Idol with all reality, but I still think it gets renewed. Scream Queens taking up a renewal definitely makes it more complicated, but I think it's here to stay. I'm just not as sure of it right now as much as I was before Lucifer entered the scene.

What's Next?
With Gotham returning on February 29 (yes, that's a day this year!), I'll probably get a better sense at how Lucifer can perform. If it holds in the mid 1s, I'm willing to upgrade it to a certain renewal, and if it tanks, it's probably gone and Rosewood is safer than safe. A prediction down grade for Sleepy Hollow is also probable.

Cooper Barrett, Bordertown, and Galavant Premiere Really Low

FOX

Things are not looking good for new FOX comedies Cooper Barrett's Guide to Surviving Life and Bordertown. Cooper Barrett premiered to a 1.2 in the all-important A18-49 demographic, and Bordertown a 1.1.

Other Sunday ratings include the season premiere of Galavant (0.9), and regular episodes of The Simpsons (2.0) and Family Guy (1.7).

Will they finish out their episode orders in these prime time slots? Or will The Last Man On Earth come back earlier than expected? Leave your thoughts below!