By Kimberly Rosales |Staff Writer|
A few recently debuted television shows are expected to be the heavy hitters in a new year of television programming for 2012. But not all syndicated programs are safe.
Shows like New Girl and 2 Broke Girls have become unexpected hits for their respective networks.
FOX’s New Girl premiered with approximately 10.3 million viewers while CBS’s 2 Broke Girls premiered with approximately 19.4 million viewers. TV by the Numbers reports that both shows have retained their higher rating in their time slots on primetime broadcasting.
2 Broke Girls however has recently been rocked by criticism. Entertainment Weekly reported that the show is being criticized for depicting stereotypes and disrespectful jokes.
“It is ballsy,” The show’s creator Michael Patrick King said “It is right in your face and hopefully funny.”
Despite the backlash, 2 Broke Girls maintains good ratings with 11.4 million viewers this past Monday.
Comedies such as NBC’s Community and ABC’s Cougar Town have also experienced turmoil in a different light.
Community stopped airing mid-season and Cougar Town was not renewed immediately, leaving fans to think both shows might be next on their network’s chopping block.
Community’s future is still on hold. Cougar Town, however, will replace Work It.
Another new and controversial show, Work It was targeted by the Human Rights Campaign and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance against Defamation.
Both the HRC and GLAAD accused the show of poking fun at transgendered people. With all the backlash and low ratings, Work It was canceled after only two episodes.
Much less divisive shows are doing well, including the drama American Horror Story on FX, ABC’s Last Man Standing, Suburgatory, and Happy Endings as well as their freshman drama Revenge.
Ratings for American Horror Story were at its highest during its season finale in late December. Since FX is a cable network, American Horror Story was able to out perform other cable shows, such as TV Land’s comedy Hot in Cleveland.
Due to the show’s success, American Horror Story will return for a second season with new cast members as an anthology show.
ABC’s comedy Last Man Standing is doing well, outnumbering FOX’s popular series Glee with 8.6 million viewers.
ABC newcomers, Suburgatory and Happy Endings matched their season lows due to FOX’s long-running American Idol. However, Suburgatory toppled over its competition, NBC’s Are You There, Chelsea?
ABC’s drama Revenge increased its viewership by 4 percent and is slowly building to be a hit show, while drama Pan Am was canceled and Body of Proof continues to be at risk.
ABC’s fairytale drama Once Upon A Time had been amassing a passionate fan base but has since dropped in ratings since the show’s mid-season premiere. Regardless, the show remains strong with 9.8 million viewers and is a high candidate for a season renewal.
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