NBC Renews ‘Parenthood’ & ’30 Rock’
NBC is bringing back two more series: dramedy Parenthood and comedy 30 Rock. As expected, the pickup of 30 Rock will be for a seventh and final season, and it is expected to be abbreviated one, consisting of 13-14 episodes. The two join previously renewed freshmen Grimm and Smash and veteran Law & Order: SVU.
Despite flying largely 
under the radar, thanks to a big DVR play Parenthood is actually NBC’s second-highest-rated drama only behind the Voice-boosted Smash, averaging a 2.6 18-49 rating in Live+7. Meanwhile, Tina Fey’s 30 Rock is the most acclaimed NBC series currently on the air with three best comedy series Emmys among other accolades. Still awaiting word are fellow bubble shows Up All Night, which is all but certain to return; Community; as well as Whitney and Harry’s Law, both about 50-50.
Related: ‘30 Rock’ Near Final-Season Renewal; NBC Eyes Short Orders For Returning Comedies
Do No Harm and Parenthood ordered: does that bode ill for County?
Something tells me NBC will still pick up one more drama, though I wonder if they are reserving it for MOCKINGBIRD LANE or that REPUBLIC OF PYRATES show.
Why only one?
Right now, it has “Smash,” “SVU,” “Parenthood,” “Grimm,” “Do No Harm,” and “Infamous,” formerly known as “Notorious.” Given that it probably won’t bring back “Awake,” like I hope, nor “Harry’s Law” and has no reason to put “Rock Center,” “Dateline,” “Who Do You Think You Are?” or “The Biggest Loser” all on the air at once, it could order more. “Hannibal” and “Mockingbird Lane” are set for midseason, from what I’ve read.
Great news for Parenthood.
Super excited for Parenthood. Such a great show.
Couldn’t possibly care less about 30 Rock’s return
Can someone please explain to me the purpose of these shortened final seasons?
Basically it’s because they have a whole new slate of comedies that they would rather schedule as mid-seasons. The concern is that running a full season of a lack-luster 30 Rock would detract from what could be a hugely successful new pickup.
They’re cheaper and they can stagger them as a way to introduce all the new comedies they’re picking up.
For whatever reason, the rumour is that Parks & Recreation and Community will get shortened seasons too, which would put them ~7 episodes behind the syndication 88.
My question is, will a show like “Parenthood” have the option for more episodes as a built-in feature for renewal? No doubt it always can produce more episodes if it airs early enough in the season, but how likely is it?
I don’t expect this to happen for “30 Rock,” given its age, but for “Parenthood,” “Parks & Rec,” and “Community,” might it happen?
Awesome! I’m not ready to lose the Bravermans.
I hope Parenthood gets a full 22 episode order this time.
Nellie, any news about CBS post-Super Bowl slot?
Person of interest must take that slot.
YES…!!!!!!! Parenthood is a truly terrific show on every level!!
Glad to see Bob hangin in there with quality instead of just
ratings!!
Agreed.
I am sorry to beat a dead horse here, but it’s absolutely puzzling to me that NBC is using its summer schedule to promote “SVU” over “Parenthood.” I can certainly understand why it’s promoting “Grimm,” and in fact I agree with that decision, but why not give the show a leg up? It’ll have been off the air for six or seven months when it finally comes back, no doubt with little to no promotion.
What gives, NBC?
They must renew Harrys Law. Even if it ends up a staple on their Friday nights.
Friday nights would be best because they could put on with Grimm. Low demos, but strong total viewers. Maybe if they committed to a time slot it would be doing better.
Honestly I think this is the only way that “Harry’s Law” is going to continue to survive. Below 1.0 in the demo is just embarrassing, but you can make a case of it on Fridays – and it will be easy to preempt it for specials or a run of another show for several weeks instead of reruns.
Exactly. As CBS has proven over the years with shows like NUMB3RS and BLUE BLOODS, Friday is a prime night for older viewers who prefer to stay home. It’s inexplicable that a show like HARRY, which draws upwards of 10 million very affluent viewers (and is a proven Emmy magnet) is on a very tiny bubble while a turkey like COMMUNITY, which is lucky to get even 25% of that number, gets renewed because its viewers are all in that damn, dumb demo. No, wait, it’s totally explicable: NBC LIKES being in fifth place!
Are viewers for “Harry’s Law” really that affluent? If so, why is the show on the bubble?
I’ve always thought it would make a good show to go on Saturdays. Putting it there would require yet another move, but its audience, while not huge, seems to be fairly loyal. It’s also still kind of young, so maybe if it were surrounded by other shows, it could grow its audience. But considering that NBC probably isn’t considering programming on Saturday nights, like it should, this won’t happen.
If I don’t read anything about Parks & Recreation’s renewal in the next few hours I’m going to be physically sick.
Yes!!! I love Parenthood! Especially Joel and Julia!