The Hollywood Reporter | Live Feed

This could be Jack Bauer’s final day.

Fox’s “24” is on The Hollywood Reporter’s list of endangered shows this year, along with fan faves “Heroes,” “Chuck,” “Smallville” and “FlashForward.”

With networks issuing pilot orders for next season, executives are looking at their current lineups and estimating how many time slots they’ll have to fill. Their decisions rest on a few factors, including how these “bubble shows” perform over the next few months.

THR spoke to broadcast net insiders to compile a list of TV’s most prominent shows on shaky ground — and calculated the odds they’ll stick around.

>> “Heroes” — The expensive NBC series has always performed well overseas, but the network needs “Heroes” to pull decent numbers in its own backyard too. This season, “Heroes” continued its decline and is now at a level — around a 2.0 adults 18-49 rating — that would warrant cancellation under most circumstances. The deciding factor here is NBC’s internal balance sheet for the production. Don’t be surprised if NBC announces a 12-hour “final chapter” for next fall. 60%

 >> “FlashForward” & “V” — ABC’s attempted “Lost” replacements started strong in the ratings, dropped fast, changed showrunners (twice for “FlashForward”) and are now on a protracted winter hiatus. Expect ABC to keep one of these, and the “V” storyline seems more readily extendable to a second season. “FlashForward” 40%, “V” 60%

>> “Mercy” — Aptly titled. This hospital drama has been on life support since its debut, averaging a 1.9 in the ratings. That “Mercy” is still on the air is mainly due to NBC having a chaotic season. 25%

>> “24” — Fox’s action-drama continues to perform well, with its eighth season generating numbers in the low-to-mid 3s. Yet “24” is pricey to produce and has little syndication value. Producer Twentieth is exploring the option of spinning off “24” into a theatrical movie, signaling that this might be the Bauer’s final, real-time day-long adventure. Another long-shot option would be shopping “24” to another network. 40%

>> “Friday Night Lights” — The small town drama was already renewed for another season as part of a two-year pickup. But with actors free to pursue other deals, the chances of an extension beyond that are slim. 5%

 >> “Life Unexpected” & “Melrose Place” — Is it too soon to spinoff “Vampire Diaries”? “The Werewolf Journals,” perhaps? “Unexpected” struck a chord with critics, but hasn’t managed to entice a sizable number of CW viewers. “Melrose Place” hasn’t struck a chord with critics or viewers. “Unexpected” 55%, “Melrose” 5%

>> “Community” — Ratings for the NBC comedy may not be hot, averaging a 2.6 with DVR added. But it has been a solid performer on Thursdays and NBC likes the show. With “Parks & Recreation” having received an early pickup with lower numbers, expect another semester. 90%

>> “Trauma” — It’s dead! It’s alive! NBC should rename this medical drama “The Twilight Zone.” “Trauma” will get another turn at bat next month, with a stronger lead-in this time from “Chuck.” But if this show can’t grow, there’s little chance of another reprieve. 15%

>> “Numbers” & “Medium” — It’s the Case of the Missing Friday Night Viewers. CBS’ crime-drama lineup on Fridays might continue to top the ratings, but the night has weakened to the point where veteran scripted dramas are getting tougher to justify. Of the two, “Medium” pulls the higher number;, plus “Numbers” got its episode order reduced and star David Krumholtz is cast in another pilot. “Medium” 65%, “Numbers” 20%

>>> NEXT PAGE: THE DEEP END, SMALLVILLE, SUPERNATURAL, HUMAN TARGET, COLD CASE, CHUCK, FRINGE, FORGOTTEN, BETTER OFF TED, SCRUBS, ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE