Overall, I think the schedule mostly makes sense. And I'm actually kind of impressed that they're going big with scripted programming. I was sure they'd keep Mondays and Tuesdays a Voice/Biggest Loser affair and load up on Wednesdays and Thursdays (with a bunch of stuff held till midseason).

Weirdly, The Office this year seems to be actively hurting it's leadouts.

I'm willing to give both New Normal and 1600 Penn a shot but they sound like Modern Family takeoffs.

I can see the logic to the Thursday lineup. That night is such a disaster – and the competition so tough – that they might as well leave their aging cult hits (and, er, UAN) there where they'll at least draw low but consistent ratings. Rock Center will at least be a lot cheaper than commissioning another doomed drama.…

I wouldn't be shocked to see Whitney move at some point. Guys With Kids looks like it's going to last about 5 minutes. Though maybe they'll keep it on Fridays, since I doubt they want to launch one of their new shows there.

Yeah. Plus while there's a case for Community as a Friday show (probable last season, cult fanbase, does better on DVR viewings anyway), I can't see why bother with Whitney on Friday. It did okay on Wednesdays but it doesn't have a passionate fanbase or anything.

I actually have some hopes for Animal Practice, seeing as it's being developed by a bunch of Community and Happy Endings alums.

Since everyone assumes Community is done after this season anyway, what's the problem with a move to Friday?

Yeah, I'm joking. (I liked Brendanawicz, but I can't see how he'd possibly fit on the show now.)

I actually don't think the schedule seems that bad. Thursday night basically is a "we surrender" night – leave in place the aging cult hits which will at least hold the fort on a difficult day. (UAN probably keeps a Thursday slot b/c of network politics – plus it being newer means they hope it can grow an audience.)

Dead.

Brendanawicz.

My guess is that it'll depend on the new shows. If one or more bomb, and Community has to come back earlier, it'll get a back 9. Otherwise, it may stay at 13 or get just a few extra episodes ordered.

I knew they weren't going to do this, but wouldn't there be some logic in, say, renewing Bent? After an unpromoted, blink-and-you'll-miss-it short run, couldn't it just get a 13-episode order and actual promotion?

Up All Night's ratings were a lot better in the fall. Network politics probably play a role too – Lorne Michaels as Exec. Producer, Maya Rudolph, Christina Appelgate, and Will Arnett (aka Mr. Amy Poehler) – important people they want to keep happy.

Wait till it comes on DVD?

Except that they appeared to have passed on Greg Daniels' pilot Friday Night Dinner. (Which looked like a certain pick-up last week and then… something happened.)

Any hope Awake could get a cable pickup?

How does the Writers' Strike affect syndication?

Whitney got renewed because they also picked up another multicam – Guys With Kids or something, and they want something to pair it with.