Networks may snuff your favorite shows

By John Kiesewetter
Cincinnati Enquirer

Lorraine Toussaint, left, Jill Hennessy and Miguel Ferrer star on "Crossing Jordan," which could be headed for oblivion. NBC

With only five weeks until networks announce their fall TV renewals, it's time for fans of struggling shows to make their voices heard — before it's too late for "The Practice," "Third Watch," "Ed," "Angel" or "American Dreams."

Based on season-to-date Nielsen rankings for all 166 series, here are 15 shows likely on network executives' hit list:

"Good Morning Miami," NBC, No. 31. The important number is 3.7 million, not 31. That's how many viewers Mark Feuerstein's newsroom comedy loses from "Will & Grace" on Thursdays. It could be goodbye "Miami": Last year NBC dumped "Inside Schwartz" despite a No. 15 ranking.

"Third Watch," NBC, No. 42. Everybody loves "Raymond" on CBS and "Monday Night Football" on ABC, which leaves producer John Wells' excellent police-fire-paramedic drama a distant third at 9 p.m. Monday. Adding Tom Berenger for four weeks (he started Monday) doesn't compare to Wells' "ER" stunt casting (Sally Field, Ed Asner).

"Dragnet," ABC, No. 51. Just the facts: This revival of the '50s classic could be TV history by next month. Viewers haven't warmed to ABC's gritty "Law & Order"-style remake with Ed O'Neill.

"Crossing Jordan," NBC, No. 52. It doesn't take a forensics specialist to tell why Jill Hennessy's Dr. Jordan Cavanaugh, ranked No. 26 last season, isn't TV's top coroner. Newcomer "CSI: Miami" ranks No. 15, with 6 million more viewers.

"The Practice," ABC, No. 53. Could ABC dump the Emmy-winning drama that has lost 1.8 million viewers this year? Anything is possible after ABC bumped it from Sunday to Monday. "The Practice" wasn't among the 10 ABC shows renewed in February. Case closed?

"American Dreams," NBC, No. 57. This delightful '60s family drama with its clever "American Bandstand" re-creations needs more viewers to keep the beat going. On the flip side: NBC could have too many other holes to fill to cancel this one.

"Ed," NBC, No. 59. Tom Cavanagh, as the bowling-alley lawyer, could be in his final frame on this sophisticated drama, which was out of place at 8 p.m. Wednesdays. A ratings surge at 9 p.m. Friday this month could spare "Ed."

"Boomtown," NBC, No. 63. Critics' raves haven't translated into big ratings for this Los Angeles police drama told through multiple perspectives. "Boomtown" might go bust despite winning a Peabody Award April 2 for "refreshing and renewing the police procedural genre."

"The Agency," CBS, No. 83. Intelligence sources inside CBS say the Rocky Carroll-Beau Bridges CIA drama could be rubbed out in May by CBS programmers with an over-abundance of one-hour dramas.

"Cedric the Entertainer Presents," Fox, No. 91. The future is sketchy for Cedric, one of the Kings of Comedy, who looks like a pauper after Wanda Sykes' Fox sitcom debut nearly doubled the audience in his old Wednesday time slot.

"Miracles," ABC, No. 107. Yes, that's what Skeet Ulrich needs for his drama opposite "CSI: Miami" — a miracle.

"Just Shoot Me," NBC, No. 110. The David Spade-Laura San Giacomo comedy, ranked No. 19 last season, has lost more than half of its audience since leaving Thursday's "Must See TV" lineup. Just shoot me, indeed.

"John Doe," Fox, No. 119. John Doe (Dominc Purcell) can't remember his name, and viewers can't remember to watch. Fox, with "Fastlane" at No. 120, likely will be looking again for a new Friday strategy this fall.

"Angel," WB, No. 146. Since "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" left UPN two years ago, "Angel" has failed to draw at crowd on Sundays and Wednesdays. Will WB stick a stake in "Angel" after David Boreanaz appears on "Buffy's" UPN finale May 20?

"The Twilight Zone," UPN, No 157. This low ranking means this revival of Rod Serling's classic concept isn't as timeless as infinity. Next stop? Cancellation — unless UPN really wants an expensive signature drama.