What’s Up With ABC? – Part 2

It was announced yesterday that ABC was ordering two additional episodes of their four Wednesday night comedies, as well as Grey’s Anatomy, Castle and Once Upon A Time.

Well, isn’t that a bit crazy? In a time when shorter seasons seem to be the in thing, ABC has gone against the current and made seasons longer – but only for their successful shows.

What’s behind this decision? I hazard to guess that ABC is taking the approach of “cease the moment”.

Each of the shows being blessed with an extended season are hits for the alphabet network. Maybe not run away-Big Bang Theory- style hits, but not far off. ABC’s Wednesday night line up has become as solid as can be, and in my opinion will only continue to strengthen as the two newest shows on the night, The Goldbergs, and black-ish, grow into their own. Grey’s Anatomy, Castle, and Once Upon all have devoted fan bases that will welcome the two extra episodes this season, so really this decision seems like a no-brainer.

If you look at it from that angle things seem great! But if you look a bit deeper we may begin to see signs of a network (and this doesn’t just apply to ABC but all of the biggie networks) that is not too confident on their new batch of shows, or the ones waiting in the wing for mid season.

That theory shouldn’t surprise you though, as I discussed in the first part of this article a week ago, there’s been no cancellations so far this season. That can’t be a good thing, and coming into November sweeps time this definitely can’t be a good thing.

At least ABC have made some great decisions to pad out what looks to be a pretty lackluster season, and not in a cheap to make reality show kind of way. I applaud that.

So here’s going into sweeps month with a few bright spots to look forward to.

How many shows will see their demise at the end of November? Let me know in the comments.