Worry no more. 

CBS today announced a mass renewal that includes The Big Bang Theory, Blue Bloods, Bull, Hawaii Five-0, Kevin Can Wait, Life In Pieces, MacGyver, Madam Secretary, Man With a Plan, Mom, NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, Scorpion, Superior Donuts, Survivor, 48 Hours and 60 Minutes. 

All 18 will return during the 2017-2018 series. As for The Big Bang Theory ( renewed for two seasons!) and NCIS, both of these series were already renewed, but the press release CBS release confirmed their return. 

Neither of the five renewed freshman series have been a breakout success, but they have performed well enough to stick around for additional seasons. 

Bull's renewal was hinted at earlier this week when it was announced a new showrunner would be brought in for Season 2.

With that good news, there is a shed of doubt for some of the series left off the early renewals.

Criminal Minds not one of the early renewals, but even with decreased ratings in the wake of several cast departures, it's still a lock to return for another season. 

The same cannot be said for its spin-off, Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders. Last season, a late renewal came in for both shows after it was announced they were packaged together when it came down to the wire in negotiations. 

It's unlikely a similar tactic will save the series again this year. Season 2 is averaging just 5.2 million viewers and a 0.9 rating among adults 18-49. 

There was no doubt about whether Madam Secretary and Scorpion would be renewed because of syndication purposes. 

Then, there are the following:

• Code Black
• 2 Broke Girls
• Elementary
• The Great Indoors
• The Odd Couple
• Undercover Boss
• Pure Genius
• Ransom
• Training Day
• Hunted

Out of those shows, only Code Black, 2 Broke Girls, and Elementary have a fighting chance at returning. We should have more clarity on what is toast in the coming weeks as we approach the network's upfront presentation in May. 

What do you think about the renewals?

Which show is missing from them that you want to make it into 2017-2018?

Hit the comments below!

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Apparently not on television in 2017.

While CBS isn't officially calling it a cancelation, Doubt has been pulled from the schedule after just two airings. It will be replaced first by a repeat of Bull and then by the (also not a hit) Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders.

CBS will likely be open to burning off the series during the summer, and that's probably the reason it's not being called a cancelation.

There were more than two episodes available for screening before the series debuted, and I can attest that Doubt Season 1 Episode 2 was the worst of the bunch.

If you read my initial Doubt Review, I said as much. At that point, and if you watched, you no doubt (ugh) saw it, too, the show was having an early identity crisis. 

Was it a legal drama to be taken seriously or one in the vein of Ally McBeal? It was difficult to tell.

But what else went wrong with Doubt? 

In my opinion, quite a few things. If you weren't paying attention to your local scheduling or you weren't an avid fan of one of the actors involved in the series, you didn't know it was coming to air.

The promotion for Doubt was almost nonexistent. 

It's possible CBS lost faith in the production before it ever made it to air and chose not to spend money backing a losing property.

Then again, the series took a long road to the screen, first cast with a different lead during a different pilot cycle and recast and reshot for a new season.

It also broke ground by casting the first transgender regular in a series with the addition of Laverne Cox as Cameron.

Additionally, the rest of the cast was top notch. Elliott Gould, Dule Hill, Judith Light and Steven Pasquale are all seasoned performers and were set to take their storylines to the next level.

Instead of letting it ride, as every other series this broadcast season chose to do, it became the first to be pulled off air after a couple episodes.

They could move the series to CBS All Access, because it's most likely filmed quite a way in advance and wouldn't cost anything to do so.

Moving it online with commercials would also be an option, as would selling the remainder of the episodes to a third-party streaming service.

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All of those options would only work if there were no plans to air it in the summer.

But all of CBS' sister networks paved the way for viewers to get closure on series whether the series deserve it or not. 

And I'm not sure Doubt got a fair shake up front to prove it didn't deserve better treatment overall.

What do you think? What are your expectations of shows that air partially and are yanked off the air these days?

Should it go online to air out the rest of the season?

Is there a good solution?

Was Doubt given a fair shake?

Share your thoughts about the cancelation and all the presented options in the comments below.

You know we want to hear from you!

The post Doubt Canceled?? Pulled by CBS After Two Airings appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Doubt Season 1 Episode 2 picked up in the middle of Sadie and Albert testing Billy under pressure.

It didn't go well, but the real issue is the tension between Sadie and Albert over the DNA test.

Just like real couples, work husbands and wives fight, but the closest ones will work it out.

I think the biggest indication there was a real problem was when Sadie learned Albert took Cameron to Hamilton instead of her. It was like he cheated on her.

Hey, I'd be upset too. I'm dying to see Hamilton, and Cameron didn't even appreciate it.

Albert: I have an extra ticket to Hamilton tomorrow night, are you free?

Cameron: I feel like the Speaker of the House. Third in the line of succession. You broke up with Gemma, you and Sadie aren’t talking, so I get to go to Hamilton?

Albert: My pain is your gain.

_{🔗 permalink: My pain is your gain.}

Luckily, they worked out their differences, because they're just too great together to work separately.

Cameron couldn't enjoy Hamilton because she had other things on her mind.

Learning Isaiah's policy about defending snitches was interesting, especially when we found out it stemmed from Sadie's mom's case. Everything seems to keep going back to her, doesn't it?

Cameron realized that rules are made to be broken, and sometimes exceptions have to be made. I have to admit, there was a moment there when Daryl was on the stand that I thought he was going to change his mind. I really couldn't decide what I wanted him to do.

That's a really hard decision to make, especially when the person you're snitching on is your cousin. But he had to think about his own life, too.

You know you're watching a good show when you're putting yourself in the character's shoes. 

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He asked Cameron what she would do, and we never got to see her answer. It doesn't matter though, because that's a decision he had to make on his own. He's the one who has to live with it.

Of course we knew Cameron wouldn't really be fired for it. Isaiah didn't even seem to care. He trusts his people to do what's best for their case, rather than try to micro-manage.

Granted, he did get a little too involved in Sadie's case, but he stepped aside and let her do her thing, despite the cranky judge wanting him to take over.

Judge Porter was obnoxious and hard to root for, but being the great lawyer she is, Sadie made him vulnerable. There wasn't a dry eye in the house after she put him on the stand.

Doubt is doing a fantastic job so far at getting their audience emotionally involved in the cases.

They're also doing a great job of sprinkling in enough humor to keep it light, because otherwise some of these cases could get pretty heavy.

Albert: The judge just asked my opinion on a pair of shoes. I said I didn’t like them. Now he’s mad at me.

_{🔗 permalink: The judge just asked my opinion on a pair of shoes. I said I didn’t like them. Now he’s mad…}

Albert's an honest guy. I can appreciate that. But when a judge asks for an opinion on a pair of shoes, maybe don't be quite so honest.

The main characters are solid, but they're also starting to flesh out the supporting cast.

I liked watching Tiffany and Nick work discovery together. It could only be a matter of time before they're the next Sadie and Albert.

Tiffany's got a great quirkiness about her, and she's a lot of fun to watch. She's kind of like a ticking time bomb ready to explode at any moment.

Nick wasn't wrong when he said she's insane, the opposite of normal.

He's pretty down to earth though, which is why they make a good team. I think we could all bet money that he'll never be without a change of clothes at work again.

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As for Billy's case, we're still waiting on the DNA results. Apparently this isn't TV, so they don't come back overnight. Maybe someone should tell Albert this actually is TV, and we want to know now.

Of course being that this is TV, they want to make us squirm. They need us to believe he might really be guilty, and that's where those pictures come in.

Hopefully there's a reasonable explanation for why he changed shirts the night Amy was killed. I don't want to believe that Billy could be guilty.

I'm glad that Sadie continues to keep things professional between them. I hope that lasts until the case is over.

I'm concerned showing this smart, professional woman as unable to resist her client's advances would be sending the wrong message.

Yes, I'm aware that Isaiah clearly got involved with his client, but that's all the more reason for Sadie to learn from his mistakes and keep her distance until the case is over.

Your turn, are you guys invested in Doubt? Do you think Billy is innocent? Would you have taken the plea if you were Daryl?

Here's hoping the ratings perk up. It would be really disappointing if it got canceled before the conclusion of Billy's case. Don't leave us hanging!

If you need to catch up, you can watch Doubt online anytime.

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The post Doubt Season 1 Episode 2 Review: Then and Now appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Sadie defends a judge who is being accused of raping his wife, who has Alzheimer's disease. Judge Porter is a friend of Isaiah's.

Albert and Sadie are at odds over submitting Billy's DNA.

Albert gives Tiffany the grunt work of going through boxes of evidence to learn the prosecution's case. She enlists the new guy's, Nick's help.

Sadie tells Jonah of a plea deal, but it would require him to stay away from his wife. He refuses.

The prosecutor on Cameron's case wants her client to testify against hit two friends involved in a shooting.

Judge Porter is not happy with Sadie as his lawyer, despite the fact that she is trying to help him.

Cameron and Albert are against their client, Daryl, testifying. The firm is against defending snitches.

Billy saves a kid's life in surgery and he just wants to tell Sadie. Sadie tells him she can't be that person for him.

Cameron talks to Daryl about snitching to avoid jail.

Sadie puts a woman on the stand who knows Gina Porter from her home and can see what makes her happy and what makes her upset. She says Judge Porter makes her happy.

Billy is put on a leave of absence when a parent doesn't want him operating on their daughter.

Sadie puts Judge Porter on the stand and he cries and gets emotional.

Daryl takes the deal. Cameron's going to continue representing him, even though Isaiah could fire her. Albert offers to go to court with her, but she says no.

Isaiah doesn't fire Cameron.

Billy tells Sadie and Albert that he slept with Amy's best friend, and that's why she broke up with him.

Isaiah asks Sadie's mom if she ever regrets not taking the deal. She says no. She's full of regrets, but not snitching is not one of them.

Nick finds a picture that shows Billy changed his shirt the night Amy was killed.

The post Doubt Season 1 Episode 2 Recap: Then and Now appeared first on TV Fanatic.

It can ruin friendships, relationships, and lives when given too much power.

Doubt Season 1 Episode 1 gave us our first look at what has potential to be a very intriguing series.

The premise, of course, is doubt.

Very few cases are clear cut. Even if someone is found not guilty, doubt still exists unless there is physical evidence.

Exonerated people often have to live the rest of their lives wondering whether their families and friends believe they are guilty.

So, while giving his blood may not have been the wisest legal move for his defense, it's hard to blame Billy for wanting to do it. Physical evidence is terribly hard to deny, and he said how important it is to him that Sadie believes he's innocent.

Personally, I'm already invested in his case and their relationship. I can't wait to find out what those test results reveal.

I believe he's innocent. His story is believable, and he seems very sincere. Plus, it's hard to believe he'd willingly submit to the blood test if he were guilty.

My biggest question is why it took 24 years to try this case. I don't think there was an explanation for that, but regardless that detail didn't feel too important. I found myself wrapped up in the particulars of the case, and as I said, I'm already invested in the outcome.

Isaiah: See if you can put together a winnable case.

Albert: And if not, you’ll re-approach Brennan.

Sadie: Yes, Albert. I’ll use my serious, scary voice to get him to take the plea.

Albert: Do it once right now.

Sadie: No.

Albert: Just a little?

Sadie: I’m not doing the voice!

Albert: There it is.

_{🔗 permalink: There it is.}

So far it feels like this series could be a mixture between serialized and procedural storytelling. 

Billy's case is the primary focus, and will probably be told over multiple episodes, perhaps even over the entire season.

Cameron, on the other hand, could have a new case every week, giving the series that procedural element.

I think that could work well and be a creative way to keep viewers invested over the long haul, as well as bring back those who may just check in from time to time.

Tiffany: Maybe I should just move back to Iowa. I don’t know if I’m cut out for this.

Cameron: The fact that you’re having these feelings means you’re good at your job. The minute you stop feeling for your clients is when you should go back to the farm.

Tiffany: Not everyone from Iowa lives on a farm, okay? We’re not all unsophisticated hillbillies who sit around milking cows all day.

_{🔗 permalink: Not everyone from Iowa lives on a farm, okay? We’re not all unsophisticated hillbillies who…}

The cast is fantastic.

They're talented, diverse, and so far mesh very well. 

I know Katherine Heigl can be…controversial, but I like her, and I think this is a great role for her. The series even has a bit of a Shonda Rhimes feel to it.

Not to mention Sadie could not have had a better introduction. Who didn't laugh at her changing from bike shorts and tennis shoes to work attire right there on the street?

If she annoys you, hopefully, you can get past it, because Laverne Cox and Dule Hill are more than enough to make watching worthwhile.

You have to give Hill credit. It's hard to make a character who left a dog tied to a meter for 10 hours likable, but somehow he did it.

It's hard to blame his fiance for leaving him. You hear stories all the time about distracted parents forgetting to drop their kid off at daycare and leaving them in a hot car for hours. If he can forget a dog, he could forget a kid.

I'm an animal lover, so he loses points in my book, but Hill makes you want to forgive him.

And, besides, it was pretty adorable when he needed to know how the preemie was doing. Yeah, Hill's my favorite so far. 

Albert: She is the worst assistant.

Sadie: She’s a Make-A-Wish kid!

Albert: When she was 3. Now she’s 23, she survived cancer, she got a trip to Disneyland, and now she needs to be fired.

Sadie: You’re a terrible person. Leave her alone.

_{🔗 permalink: You’re a terrible person. Leave her alone.}

We've seen from Orange is the New Black that Laverne Cox can steal the show, and I have no doubt (no pun intended) she'll have plenty of opportunities here.

Isaiah is more or less the typical role that Elliott Gould tends to play. He's a little bit insane but still smart and astute enough to lead his team.

I'm intrigued by the dynamic between Isaiah, Sadie, and Sadie's mom.

Sadie's mom has been in jail since she was two, but she doesn't seem to have a lot of built up resentment towards her. She visits her, helps with her parole hearing, and tells her she needs her.

What's interesting, is Isaiah is the one too close to the case. He's the one too emotional to help. You would think Sadie being her daughter would be too close. I am looking forward to getting more insight into her case and Isaiah's feelings towards her.

I like the parallels drawn between Isaiah's experience and what Sadie is currently experiencing with Billy.

Seeing Sadie's mom in jail gives us an idea as to why she became a lawyer. It also tells us why she might be attracted to someone like Billy, who she thinks might be able to understand her family situation.

She's recused herself from Billy's case, which considering she's clearly into him, is probably a smart decision. I'm not expecting it to last very long, however. She'll be back on the case by Doubt Season 1 Episode 2.

At least, for now, she's doing the professional thing and resisting his advances, but I don't expect that to last too long, either.

So, what did you guys think? Are you invested in Doubt? What's the over/under on how many episodes it takes Sadie to give in to her attraction? Hit the comments with your thoughts!

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The post Doubt Season 1 Episode 1 Review: Pilot appeared first on TV Fanatic.

The DA offers a deal, but Sadie doesn't accept it. She's ready to go to court. He gives her 48 hours to reconsider.

Sadie takes the plea to her boss, Isaiah, and they discuss if they think they can win the case.

We're introduced to another lawyer in the firm, Cameron. Isaiah wants Sadie to help her with her case, but neither Cameron nor Sadie thinks she needs help.

Sadie got Billy out on bail, and they get dinner. He admits he has feelings for her.

Albert's fiance breaks off their wedding because he works too much.

Cameron tries to prove her client is crazy.

Sadie and Albert have Billy walk them through the night his girlfriend, Amy, was murdered. They think if they can get his confession thrown out, they could get the case thrown out. Otherwise, the plea is his best option.

Cameron's client is given the choice not to take his meds. He chooses not to, and has an outburst in court.

Sadie's motion to supress the confession is denied. They plan to take the plea, but Isaiah finds out the witness wanted a book deal and they can destroy him in court. They turn down the plea and find out the DA found the murder weapon.

The weapon has blood on it, and Billy offers to submit his blood. He wants to prove he's innocent.

Cameron wins her case when her client is found not guilty by reason of insanity.

Sadie tells Billy she's gotten too close to him and that Albert should take over his case. Billy kisses her, but she pushes him away and leaves.

Sadie visits her mother who's been in jail since she was two. She's up for parole again and Sadie wants her out.

The post Doubt Season 1 Episode 1 Recap: Pilot appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Heigl is joined by Elliott Gould, Dule Hill and Laverne Cox for a legal drama that’s CBS’ attempt at cracking Shondaland’s ABC hits, even using two Grey’s Anatomy writers to do it.

Doubt comes in somewhere in the middle of current CBS and ABC fare. It's not too soapy or crazy like Scandal, and it's not too procedural like Bull. It stands on it's own, but its stability can't be determined based on what I've seen so far.

Doubt centers on a boutique law firm overseen by an attorney, Isaiah, (Gould), with an activist’s heart. He’s not only lived the life, but has carried his code over to his practice.

He maintains a very vigilant standard of operation and expects those who serve with him to do the same.

Even so, Isaiah extends his welcome to a well-rounded group of litigators. Whether you’re the good girl who earned her degree at the University of Iowa or the boy from the streets who got his while paying for his crimes in prison, all degrees hold the same weight if the person using them has the rest of the package.

At the top of the list is Heigl’s Sadie, a character with a long, complicated history with Isaiah.

Sadie risks falling into patterns all too familiar to Isaiah because of her keen intelligence, snappy wit and inability to keep her emotions in check. Despite the fact, she’s Isaiah’s weak spot.

Isaiah looks back at the mistakes he made because of his political motivations, and worries Sadie might have the same problem, even if not with the issues.

Cox’s Cameron is a trans attorney who spent her life wanting to emulate the idealistic man she saw on television as a child. Hill’s Albert is a pragmatic attorney trying to find a balance in his two loves of his life, his wife and the law.

And, yes, there really are two characters as noted above, Tiffany (Dreama Walker), the recent transplant from Iowa, and Nick (Kobi Libii), fresh out of prison with his own law degree.

Judith Light has a small supporting role on the show that plays to her strengths: she acts.

At the center of the first handful of episodes, at least, will be a case involving Sadie and a good portion of the firm’s resources in which a cold-case comes up to tear down a well-respected pediatric surgeon and all around handsome community man, Billy (Steven Pasquale).

As Sadie and the firm try to free Billy from the charges, she can’t quite escape the rest of the package, risking her career and his case with emotional entanglements.

The legal cases aren’t the best you’re going to see on television, and at times it’s unclear how seriously Doubt is trying to take itself.

For example, during the second episode, the events and music are so quippy and whimsical it brought to mind a less-Ally Ally McBeal, but by the third hour there’s much less whimsy and that was scratched right out of the potential notes.

Heigl hasn’t had a television hit since Grey’s Anatomy (although she was really great in State of Affairs), but she’s still an absolute joy to watch on screen. Her presence notwithstanding, Doubt may take a little bit of time to find its perfect pacing, but it has all the parts to do it. 

It’s not The Good Fight, which will pull a lot more attention this coming Sunday, but that will air on CBS All Access, which requires a subscription.

Is Doubt a decent second place? You bet. The timing may be more beneficial than realized, so don’t miss the premiere while you can. The lack of promotion is certainly worrisome, so it's going to need all the help it can get to make its mark.

The bottom lines is they’re good lawyers with colorful pasts trying to do what’s right while leaning to the left, sometimes focusing more on their moral compasses than that of their clients.

Although it gets a little hokey within the first three episodes, I was highly disappointed there wasn’t a fourth available for me to watch, and what more could you want from a new series?

Doubt Season 1 Episode 1 airs Wednesday, February 15 at 10/9c on CBS. No subscription required!

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