TV show on the bubble: Six new shows are blowin' it and could burst at any time

They’re about to pop — like soap bubbles.

For every hit show like “Seinfeld,” “Modern Family” or “Homeland,” TV networks must endure dozens of flops each year.

Now, just weeks into the new fall season, a slew of freshman series are already in danger. Two, NBC’s “Animal Practice” and CBS “Made in Jersey,” already have been yanked due to low ratings.

While it’s hard to predict exactly what network brass will do — sometimes there are complicated behind-the-scenes deals that keep horrible programs alive — a close look at ratings and buzz, or lack thereof, is a good way to predict which new shows are headed to the scrap heap.

Patrick Ecclesine/FOX

‘Mob Doctor,’ starring Jordana Spiro (center), may not survive a network triage.

Then there are the television industry analysts, like TV Insight’s Marc Berman, who weigh those elements and a dozen others, because their job is to be right about these things.

We asked Berman for some help sorting out which new shows might be headed for early graves.

“PARTNERS” (CBS)

Berman says: “There is an advantage of not being the first new show canceled on the network. It buys you some time. But this D-level ‘Will & Grace’ wanna-be has negatively impacted CBS’ entire Monday night lineup. And there should be a pink slip arriving any day now.”

The News says: The clock is ticking. This show aims to be the new “Will & Grace,” but it’s been done already — and better.

“THE MOB DOCTOR” (Fox)

Berman says: “Being preempted by baseball buys the ‘The Mob Doctor’ some time. But now that Fox is heavily promoting the midseason replacement ‘The Following’ with Kevin Bacon, the end could be just around the corner.”

The News says: We’re all about suspending disbelief, but a show about an earnest doctor who juggles doing favors for the mob with good deeds just doesn’t work.

“EMILY OWENS, M.D.” (CW)

Berman says: “If ratings continue to spiral downward [and there is not that far to drop, given its DOA debut on Oct. 16], not even a guest appearance by Meryl Streep will save her daughter Mamie Gummer’s kooky series.”

The News says: Buh-bye.

“666 PARK AVENUE” (ABC)

Berman says: “Terry O’Quinn and Vanessa Williams look ‘lost’ and ‘desperate’ in this Sunday night drama that is wasting the lead-in support from lead-in ‘Revenge.’ ”

The News says: So much promise. Such terrible execution.

“GUYS WITH KIDS” (NBC)

Berman says: The cancellation of lead-in ‘Animal Practice’ could be a second chance.”

The News says: The movie “Mr. Mom” was a big hit in the 1983.

“BEAUTY AND THE BEAST” (CW)

Berman says: “Here is an idea: Let’s remake a series that aired on CBS in the 1980s that was never a hit to begin with.”

The News says: The original didn’t work, and neither does this.

Source : nydailynews[dot]com