Showing posts with label superior donuts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label superior donuts. Show all posts

Superior Donuts Canceled After Two Seasons

Superior Donuts has served its last batch of donuts. The workplace/hangout sitcom set at a Chicago donut shop has been canceled after two seasons, with 34 episodes in the bag. While the show didn't do badly, it didn't exactly light the world on fire either and its demise isn't a huge surprise. The show has averaged a 0.9 thus far, making it a lower-rated comedy for CBS. It has, however, been a decent retainer of Man With a Plan, losing about a tenth on average. It featured a large and diverse cast, led by Judd Hirsch and Jermaine Fowler. Also appearing are David Koechner, Katey Sagal, Maz Jobrani and Diane Guerrero. This was a correct prediction for The TV Ratings Guide.

What do you think of this news? Are you going to miss the regulars of Superior Donuts? Let us know in the comments below!

The Disappearance of Anna Baryshnikov

The Disappearance of Anna Baryshnikov
CBS has been known for their lack of diversity and lackluster programs but back in 2016, I felt like all of that was going to change with one of their latest sitcoms, Superior Donuts.

CBS


On paper, Superior Donuts looked really different from all the other CBS pilots at the time. It had an attractive setting (Donuts!), writers who previously worked on Community and most of all, it featured a cast consisting of sitcom legends Katey Sagal and Judd Hirsch, up and coming comedian Jermaine Fowler and lastly, Anna Baryshnikov.

After several months in development, Superior Donuts finally began airing in 2017 and it was... ok. Despite all the positive aspects I listed above, the show's main problem was that it wasn't funny. The jokes felt like they were tailor-made for the standard CBS audience and no one else. But the reason I still watch the show is because it too shows the people in the diner as a family and many of the characters do have good chemistry with each other. It also tries to show how difficult it is for an African American person in America though I do believe other shows have done a better job of conveying this difficulty.

By now you might be wondering "so what about Anna?" Well, that's where I felt like the show was really being disrespectful. See, Anna played Maya, a university student who frequented the donut shop. While she wasn't too important in most episodes, she was still considered to be a part of the "family". But when Season 2 premiered back in October, she along with fellow cast member Darren Sills-Evans were gone.While Darren Sills-Evans' character was written out by saying that his character, a cop had been transferred to another police station, No one was talking about Maya nor were they acknowledging her absence. It was as if she had never existed.

Giphy

In her place was now a new character played by Diane Guerrero, named Sophia. In contrast to Maya, Sophia is actually more active in storylines and added more diversity to the cast by constantly expressing her views and opinions. Diane was a fine addition to the cast but I never forgot about Anna. Not because she was a big part of the show or anything, but because of how her character was treated. When Erin Hayes was written out of Kevin Can Wait, there was quite a bit of publicity and uproar but none of that happened with Anna. Anna may not have been too important but she did not deserve to be treated this way. CBS has been known for their unfair treatment of female actors and this is further proof that they didn't learn their lesson. C'mon CBS, get yourself together.

Superior Donuts hasn't been doing too well lately. Its ratings have fallen to a mere 0.7 per episode and are now listed as likely to be canceled on our website's Renew/Cancel Index. I'm really not surprised by this considering how uninteresting the show has felt lately. I think the last time I actually enjoyed the show was back in February and since then it's quality felt downhill for me. Anna is probably lucky to no longer be associated with the show. Heck, every cast member deserves better than this show. All I know is that whether or not it gets canceled this month, I am done with Superior Donuts. 

CBS Renew/Cancel: ‘Criminal Minds’ Likely to be Renewed + ‘Instinct’ Downgraded

"Criminal Minds" (CBS)
Welcome to the CBS Renew/Cancel Watch. All in-season, scripted primetime shows airing on CBS in the 2017-18 season are included in the prediction table below. My predictions are current as of April 24, 2018.

The key to the right indicates the colors associated with each prediction. The data in the table includes current season lows, highs, and averages (Adults 18-49 demo), as well as the year-to-year changes for returning shows. The shows are ordered by their season averages against other scripted CBS shows.



   Rank     
Show
    Season Low High /Average     
 Y2Y Change
1
 The Big Bang Theory 
2.4 / 4.1 / 2.79
-10%
2
Young Sheldon
1.8 / 3.8 / 2.25
--
3
Mom
1.3 / 1.8 / 1.48
+3%
4
NCIS
1.2 / 1.6 / 1.42
-18%
5
Kevin Can Wait
0.9 / 2.3 / 1.21
-25%
6
Bull
1.0 / 1.3 / 1.19
-17%
7
Life In Pieces
0.9 / 1.3 / 1.14
-10%
8
SEAL Team
0.8 / 1.5 / 1.04
--
9
Man with a Plan
0.8 / 1.1 / 1.01
-19%
10
Me, Myself & I
0.7 / 1.6 / 1.00
--
11
Hawaii Five-0
0.9 / 1.1 / 0.99
-13%
-
Criminal Minds
0.9 / 1.3 / 0.99
-28%
13
S.W.A.T.
0.8 / 1.1 / 0.97
--
-
NCIS: New Orleans
0.8 / 1.1 / 0.97
-18%
-
9JKL
0.7 / 1.5 / 0.97
--
16
NCIS: LA
0.8 / 1.3 / 0.94
-28%
17
Blue Bloods
0.8 / 1.1 / 0.92
-26%
18
Superior Donuts
0.8 / 1.0 / 0.91
-22%
-
  Wisdom of the Crowd  
0.7 / 1.3 / 0.91
--
20
MacGyver
0.8 / 0.9 / 0.85
-21%
21
Instinct
0.6 / 1.3 / 0.88
--
22
Scorpion
0.7 / 1.0 / 0.81
-32%
23
Living Biblically
0.6 / 0.8 / 0.70
--
24
Madam Secretary
0.5 / 0.8 / 0.65
-26%

The table has been updated to reflect the recent renewals for the following series: Mom, NCIS, Bull, SEAL Team, Hawaii Five-0, S.W.A.T., NCIS: New Orleans, NCIS: LA, Blue Bloods, MacGyver, and Madam Secretary. These were correct predictions by the CBS Renew/Cancel.

As of 4/19, Living Biblically has been pulled from the schedule and is effectively cancelled with five episodes unaired. This was a correct prediction. 

Below are two prediction changes in this edition of the CBS R/C. An analysis for each adjustment has been provided.

CRIMINAL MINDS
The show has been on the bubble for practically the entire season. It's a tough one to predict, considering that the networks are increasingly unpredictable with what they're willing to keep. Some shows that seem like they should be relieved of duty are just not to that point as far as the network heads are concerned. I previously decided to lean into a cancellation for Criminal Minds prior to all the early renewals, but I've since decided to upgrade it to a likely renewal. While it's likely to be the veteran series to end first due to its age, declining ratings, costs, and lack of full net ownership, it's still a respectable player that has done OK in its move to 10. As the season's gone on, its stability in the 0.9-1.0 range doesn't look horrible, especially since none of their new dramas (SEAL Team and S.W.A.T., specifically) have managed to regularly rate above that. It hasn't been moved to a lower priority Friday or Sunday slot at this point, so while the present time slot downgrade suggests CBS is phasing the procedural out, there is room for alternative scheduling before it's completely off the air. CBS can probably do better with cheaper alternatives going forward (especially on Wednesdays), but a 14th season that sends the series off with over 300 episodes might be just what CBS and ABC Studios are capable of negotiating. They frankly don't have to do anything for the show -- in fact, the network failed to give "final seasons" to past long-running dramas -- but some of them weren't around for as long as Criminal Minds. CSI is probably the most comparable series in this situation, and that iconic show at least had a movie to wrap things up (as much as you can "wrap up" for a crime procedural). Something tells me that CBS knows they could've prepared better for CSI's end, and they'll do a bit better with Criminal Minds. That might mean a reduced order for the last season, but they can find a way to air it if it's worth producing and ensures a smooth transition into CBS's next chapter post-Minds.

My reluctance to promote a renewal prediction throughout the current season has been, perhaps, tied up in my thinking that CBS has to end something soon. Criminal Minds always seemed like a fair candidate (and it is, no doubt) because of the reasons I've already mentioned, in addition to its inability to launch successful spinoffs like NCIS has achieved. It's in a vulnerable position where the network could truly take it or leave it, so I don't think my general pessimism has been unwarranted with that in mind. Ultimately, CBS didn't end any veterans last year, though they did send Code Black and Elementary to summer. This pretty much says that while they still need slots on the fall schedule for new shows, they don't really need to cancel much in order to make that happen. Criminal Minds could be held until midseason, as could Scorpion and/or Madam Secretary. It's doable, or at least CBS would probably think as much and navigate that scheduling when the deadline hits. Whether or not it makes financial sense for CBS to keep all these shows is another question altogether, but it's nearly impossible to predict how negotiations for Criminal Minds will go when it's consistently down to the wire between the network and studios involved. The positive it's looking at is that cast contracts for the original actors seem to be good to go for a Season 14, which should make talks somewhat easier. As such, I'm leaning into a renewal at this point, but a cancellation would be far from a surprise. 

INSTINCT
The show is simply too weak to return in a priority slot next season. Through five airings, it's averaged a 0.88 rating in the demo, including two recent 0.6 performances without sports/event exposure. CBS has renewed soft midseason shows before, but the ones that come to mind had support from existing franchises (CSI: Cyber and Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders) in addition to strong international potential. Instinct really doesn't boast the same kind of package, and CBS doesn't need it. The only reason it might stand a chance is if it's internally liked to an irrational degree, but based on ratings performance, its late-in-the-game scheduling, and CBS's two freshman drama renewals, it's likely to be cancelled. 

Superior Donuts Season 2 Episode 16 Review


In this episode, Franco's girlfriend, Tavi, begins to question him if he still likes her when he takes advice from Sophia, instead of talking to her. Also, Fawz goes undercover as an employee at his sandwich shop because he wants to catch the employee who he thinks is stealing. I like the Franco/Tavi stories, since I like seeing Franco's dating life as a part of the show, and I also like the stories involving Fawz's businesses. I'm really excited for this episode, and I hope that it doesn't let me down.

The episode begins with Franco and Tavi walking back from lunch. Tavi then tells Arthur that her dad has a box in Wrigley Field, and she offers him tickets in May. Arthur then points out that there may be some tension with Tavi, Franco, and Sophia, since Franco just got out of a relationship with Sophia and is now with Tavi. All three say that it is not a problem. Tavi then leaves and reminds Franco that they are going to Philly that night to a concert. Fawz then walks in with a wig and in an employee costume saying that he is trying to catch a thief in his shop, so he can fire the thief.

Franco then tells Sophia that he feels bad that he doesn't do anything for Tavi, while she does everything for him. She says that he should ask her if she wants to hang out at his apartment. Fawz then is undercover as Brain at his sandwich shop. Tush then walks in and says that he is there to help him. Tush encourages Fawz to talk with the employees about their lives. Franco then gives Tavi a tour of his apartment. Tavi then gets upset that Franco talked to Sophia about their relationship, instead of talking to her instead. She leaves.

Randy understands Tavi's point about Franco and Sophia'a relationship. Everyone in the shop agrees, and Arthur wants to ban her. Tush then convinces Fawz to listen and be nice to people when they are talking to him. He tries to with Randy, and Fawz quickly is rude. The same thing happened with Arthur, although Sweatpants seemed to enjoy Arthur's manilla envelope story. Sophia then walked in, and Franco says that Tavi doesn't want him to talk with her, and Sophia leaves angry.

Fawz then walks in saying that he made friends with people at the sandwich shop. Fawz says that he become so attached to the employees, so he cannot fire them. Randy tells Sophia that she thinks that she has feelings for Franco. If true, Randy says that Sophia should talk to Franco about it. Franco then says that he is done hanging out with Sophia, since Tavi doesn't like it. Tavi then gets happy when Franco reveals that he has plans to go away with her this weekend. Sophia then walks to the apartment, and Franco tells her his plans with Tavi, so she does not talk to him.

I really enjoyed this episode. The jokes were very funny, especially from Tush and Fawz. I also enjoyed Arthur brining up the Cubs games and Randy's dead body pictures being used. Also, the storylines were very good and funny. I enjoyed both outcomes, and I also liked Fawz going out of his comfort zone a little. This was one of the best episodes of the season for me.

Score: 9.5/10

CBS Renew/Cancel: ‘Superior Donuts’ & ‘Criminal Minds’ Updated, ‘Instinct’ Debuts

"Superior Donuts" | CBS

Welcome to the CBS Renew/Cancel Watch. All in-season, scripted primetime shows airing on CBS in the 2017-18 season are included in the prediction table below. My predictions are current as of March 23, 2018.

The key to the right indicates the colors associated with each prediction. The data in the table includes current season lows, highs, and averages (Adults 18-49 demo), as well as the year-to-year changes for returning shows. The shows are ordered by their season averages against other scripted CBS shows.



   Rank     
Show
    Season Low High /Average     
 Y2Y Change
1
 The Big Bang Theory 
2.5 / 4.1 / 2.87
-7%
2
Young Sheldon
1.8 / 3.8 / 2.34
--
3
Mom
1.4 / 1.8 / 1.50
+5%
4
NCIS
1.2 / 1.6 / 1.44
-16%
5
Kevin Can Wait
1.0 / 2.3 / 1.25
-22%
6
Bull
1.0 / 1.3 / 1.20
-16%
7
Life In Pieces
1.1 / 1.3 / 1.17
-7%
8
SEAL Team
0.8 / 1.5 / 1.05
--
9
Man with a Plan
0.9 / 1.1 / 1.03
-17%
10
S.W.A.T.
0.9 / 1.1 / 1.01
--
11
Hawaii Five-0
0.9 / 1.1 / 1.00
-12%
-
Instinct
- / 1.0 / 1.00
--
-
Me, Myself & I
0.7 / 1.6 / 1.00
--
14
Criminal Minds
0.9 / 1.3 / 0.99
-29%
-
NCIS: New Orleans
0.9 / 1.1 / 0.99
-16%
16
9JKL
0.7 / 1.5 / 0.97
--
17
NCIS: LA
0.8 / 1.3 / 0.95
-27%
18
Blue Bloods
0.8 / 1.1 / 0.94
-24%
19
Superior Donuts
0.8 / 1.0 / 0.93
-21%
20
  Wisdom of the Crowd  
0.7 / 1.3 / 0.91
--
21
MacGyver
0.8 / 0.9 / 0.86
-20%
22
Scorpion
0.7 / 1.0 / 0.83
-30%
23
Living Biblically
0.7 / 0.8 / 0.73
--
24
Madam Secretary
0.6 / 0.8 / 0.66
-25%

CRIMINAL MINDS
The reasons for the show's uncertain fate have been written and explored time and again: it's old, expensive, co-owned, and has had to endure cast shake-ups in the past few years. Its move to 10pm this season accelerated its y2y decline, and while it's averaging an OK 1.0 rating in the slot, it's not bringing much weight to the night anymore. SEAL Team is arguably wasting the potential in Criminal Minds' previous 9pm slot, but there's reason to believe that CBS will want to protect its 100% owned, highest rated freshman drama, and #3 drama over the aging veteran. They need space on the schedule and this would be a reasonable cancellation to make if the costs are just too high for what they're getting out of a 13 year old show. The argument could be made that it deserves a sendoff season, though CBS isn't notorious for providing that treatment. Complicated negotiations with ABC Studios will likely leave the show off of CBS's early renewal radar, but for the purposes of making a more definitive prediction away from the bubble, I have it as Likely to be Canceled at this time. 

SUPERIOR DONUTS
What's clear is that CBS needs to improve their Mondays going forward. Kevin Can Wait and Man with a Plan are the strongest players on the night from 8-9 and are expected to be around for awhile. The revolving door of new comedies, including 9JKL, Living Biblically, and Me, Myself & I are not. While the Monday comedies are not really anchor-worthy, Superior Donuts is least qualified for that heavy lifting. To be fair, it's only down a tenth or two from the 8-9 block on any given week, but it's failing to make any sophomore gains (it's down 21% y2y) even with a fall start and a full season to play out at the top of an hour. It'll count 34 episodes by the end of the season, which is easily within the range of a painless cancellation. As for CBS's other comedies, Young Sheldon is the comedy breakout CBS needed to develop this year. The Big Bang Theory, Mom, and Life In Pieces are expected back, and that's all the network needs. CBS has made some interesting choices in the past, such as renewing The Odd Couple twice. Something similar could happen to Superior Donuts, but at this point it doesn't seem worth CBS's while to drag another low-rated sitcom to syndication. The quality of their pilots could be the determining factor, and that's not for me to try to predict. From what I see, it's Likely to be Canceled at this time. 

INSTINCT
Since it's aired only one episode so far, Instinct is firmly on the bubble. Its 1.0 premiere rating is fine, but it is likely to fall from this data point going forward as we've seen in the past. S.W.A.T. is probably the safest newbie, with SEAL Team fighting and Instinct yet to prove itself as a contender. CBS has renewed midseason shows in the past, though the ones that come to mind were spinoffs (CSI: Cyber and Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders). It shouldn't be included in a batch of early renewals, so I feel comfortable leaving it On the Bubble for now.