TV Shows on the Bubble in 2009 - Will They Be Back?

What shows are on the bubble for renewal in fall 2009? Here are some shows that are sitting in that precarious bubble spot, maybe renewed, maybe not. Is your favorite show on the bubble list destined to float forward to fall or pop as the current season comes to an end? This list is by no means comprehensive.

SAMANTHA WHO? Samantha, who may not be renewed. Though this show was a big hit in its first season, it has had so-so success when it returned midseason 2009. With a winning star, Christina Appelgate, and not much success in the sitcom department, ABC may be tempted to give Samantha Who another shot. Or maybe not.

SCRUBS. Scrubs made a big move this season, from its old home of NBC to ABC, for what many considered to be a last and possibly unnecessary season. No one is sure if the show will return though rumor has it Zach Braff is definitely not coming back. What would Scrubs be without JD (don't let me answer that. I hate JD...). The hospital sitcom may stay put another year or perhaps ABC will - wait for it - pull the plug.

Did I just say "wait for it?"

MEDIUM. Does everyone remember that Patricia Arquette got a Emmy for her role as the psychic detective Alison DuBois? Critical acclaim doesn't exactly pop into mind when you think of this series, but it's been something of an old reliable for NBC. Whether it will be reliable once again next season, as a midseason replacement even, is unknown. Maybe the producers of the show should ask the real Alison Dubois for a look into the future.

That was a rather predictable joke, too, wasn't it?

CHUCK. What the Chuck? NBC's series about a nerdling who is also a spy may not make it to season 3. I have never watched even a single episode of this series, and I don't intend to start now. But it's got a vocal online following. NBC hasn't got a lot of slots free what with Jay Leno hogging 10PM all week. Chuck - I mean, check back in May to see if the nerd spy gets to stay.

COLD CASE. Wasn't this the coolest premise for a show back when it began? Criminal procedural-wise at least. But now, perhaps the novelty has worn off and CBS has gone cold on Lily Rush and the rest of the crew. Don't worry, it's not certain yet and it's also CBS, if you wait five seconds, another ensemble crime drama will show up.

WITHOUT A TRACE. On the surface, it seems weird that they'd be getting rid of this show, but WAT is actually pretty old. You can only mix and match office couples....uh, I mean, trace missing people for so long before it gets to be too much. More to the point, a snazzy show like this is pricey to produce. The ratings for Trace have not disappeared, so I'd say this is a pretty good bet for another season.

PRIVILEGED. A middle class 20-something tries to be a role model for two really rich girls and also tries to get her life in order. I watched the first few episodes of this one and really liked it, but I didn't stick with it. Maybe too many people did the same. It's always hard to know what the CW is up to. They're lucky if a season goes by without their having to change their initials...