5 Spring TV New Series that Should Not Be Canceled

It is that time of year when networks decide to roll out new pilots with the hope of airing the first season of ten for the show. As usual, the offerings range from outlandish to intriguing. The networks will sit back and wait for the reviews and ratings. Most of the hopefuls will be axed. A chosen few will live on to see how they develop. Here are 5 spring TV shows that deserve to emerge from the carnage with a second chance.

1. The Beast. This A&E spring TV offering stars Patrick Swayze and Travis Fimmel as FBI agents. Patrick Swayze is the senior and more hardened member of the team. As would be expected in the mold of most crime stopper shows, this team is more than willing to bend and at time break the rules to do their job. Early reviews say that Patrick Swayze does not disappoint in delivering the expected star power to this drama. Any show that is not another installment of strange reality shows that are not very real has a vote to stay on the air. As an action show where sometimes even the good guys seem almost bad, this show should be good for at least a season or more to see how the characters develop and mature.

2. Cupid. ABC is actually reviving a dramatic comedy from 15 or so years ago. It did not do well in its first try. Now, with a new cast and new episodes built only on the idea of the previous offering, Cupid may actually have a great possibility of success. The show stars Bobby Cannavale in the title role. Cupid is thought to be a person with some mental issues. This sets up the interaction between Cupid and Dr. Claire McCrae played by Sarah Paulson. The exact basis for the show is that Cupid must unite 100 couples to get his place back with the Greek gods. The theme would seem like it should give plenty of fodder for many new plots and twists for a multiple season run.

3. True Beauty. This ABC reality show is the brainchild of Tyra Banks and Ashton Kutcher. This spring TV show is premised on the idea that Miss Congeniality should win the beauty contest. However, this is a twist that the contestants are kept in the dark about until they are given the boot from the contest. They are then exposed to the film account of their nasty behavior that cost them a spot on the show. The show assumes that most beautiful women and handsome men will have attitude problems that can be exploited to entertain the audience. This type of formula has worked for shows like "The Apprentice" where ugly behavior by contestants translates into ratings for the show. Cheryl Tiegs is the judge and Vanessa Minillo is the host of this show. It should get to stay on the air just for the novelty of the approach. Instead of the dog-eat-dog format, this show makes being nice a plus.

4. Better Off Ted. ABC has not announced when this show will hit the air. It stars Jay Harrington, Andrea Anders, Malcolm Barrett, Porcia de Rossi, and Jonathan Slavin. Ted works for a company that makes just about anything for a price. Much of what it makes is not good for the world. Ted is an evolving personality that produces conflict with his boss as he slowly begins to question whether he can continue to do what his company asks of him. The reviews of the early episodes not yet released to the public are positive. It promises to give plenty of room for the writers to make the most of a 30 minute comedy format.

5. Game Show in My Head. This is a strange reality show that asks contestants to wear an ear phone and go into public places and do the unorthodox. If the show does not get too carried away to be tolerated, it might have some promise. As a hidden-camera format, contestants will often look slightly deranged to the public who they must solicit for help without revealing that they are a part of a game show. Joe Rogan will be the host of this CBS spring TV offering. It deserves a chance to catch on with audiences just because of the audacious theme. In one early episode, one contestant is stripped down to his underwear and sent out to try to talk people out of the clothes that they are wearing. Of course, there is always a time limit just to up the energy level.