The Amazing Race

Now that the scribes' strike has finally been resolved, networks have scrambled to determine which of their shows will immediately resume production on new episodes, which ones will be held off for a later date, and which ones will remain in limbo.  Aside from deciding what programs will begin filming the remaining installments of their current seasons, the networks have also been busy ironing out which ones get picked up for another go during the 2008-2009 offering.

Over at CBS, 11 scripted series have just been renewed for another season, following last month's announcement that two of its reality shows had been green-lit for another edition.  The Amazing Race was picked up for an impressive 13th season, while Survivor was renewed for an unprecedented 18th issue.

Aside from Survivor and The Amazing Race, which were both picked up in January, CBS announced last week that it was also renewing five procedurals, three crime dramas, two sitcoms and one supernatural drama.  Given extended tenure were five crime dramas/procedurals from mega producer, Jerry Bruckheimer's stable of shows.  This means more Cold Case, Without A Trace, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami and CSI: NY for all of us.

Also tapped for another go were Numb3rs, Ghost Whisperer, Two and a Half Men and the promising freshman series, The Big Bang Theory.  Still awaiting their fate are legal drama Shark, vampire detective vehicle Moonlight, and sitcoms How I Met Your Mother, Rules of Engagement and The New Adventures of Old Christine.

It's no surprise that The Amazing Race was picked up even ahead of such hit shows like the entire CSI franchise and the popular Two and a Half Men.  When CBS slipped reality competition's 12th edition to fill in the void left behind by the embarrassing musical-drama, Viva Laughlin, it premiered to the best debut ratings in its entire history.


-Rosario Santiago, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
(Image Courtesy of CBS)