Looking for an Exit Ramp


We are in that golden time of year when Networks make decisions about the future. They renew or cancel veteran shows, green light new shows, and set the schedule for the fall. It's a time when hope spring eternal and networks are prone to look past all flaws save for cost and ratings.

That doesn't mean there aren't veteran shows that need to plan their exit strategy, stat. Below are veteran shows that need to come up with an end date.

Bones
Status: Finishing its 10th Season on FOX; status for season 11 not announced.
Why: This show has lasted a lot longer than many would have thought, and it's done a lot of fan service. But now, it feels like the show is just going through the motions. After 10 seasons and 200 episodes, there's not a lot of new ground to cover. This show is likely renewed for an 11th season, but that should be a farewell tour.

Grey's Anatomy
Status: Completing its 11th season on ABC; renewed last night for Season 12
Why: This show has jumped the shark, and now it's starting to hemorrhage viewers. It's recent decision to kill a core character and follow that with one of the most ridiculous episodes in history shows that the problems are real. "Grey's" has had a good run, and that should wrap up next season.

Scandal
Status: Completing its fourth season on ABC; renewed last night for Season 5
Why: This might be the most controversial choice on this list, but I have a reason. Sure, it's not an incredibly old show, but it, too, has jumped the shark — big time. This fourth season has pushed past the bounds of ridiculous, and it's made all the characters unlikeable. A show like this might have a shorter shelf life than some others. It burned bright and it burned hot, and now, judging by the ratings, it's burning out.

CSI
Status: Completed its 15th season on CBS; no word on renewal or cancellation
Why: It's easy to forget now, but "CSI" premiered during the same season as "The West Wing," a great show that's been off TV for nearly a decade now. "CSI" was once the brightest bulb in the CBS universe, spawning three spin-offs. But that's no longer the case, as this season limped to the finish in the ratings and no one has thought about it since it ended in February. Sure, it seems like an inglorious end, but the time has long since come.

Person of Interest
Status: Completed fourth season on CBS; no word on renewal or cancellation
Why: This is another relatively young show, but it seems to be running out of gas. This season wrapped up nicely in its finale, but its ratings continue to decline. How much more story do they really have? Wouldn't it be better to end on a high note.

Hawaii 5-0
Status: Completes its fifth season tonight on CBS; no word on renewal or cancellation
Why: Another show that's not super long in the teeth, but it's time seems to have come. It feels like this has been a season of going through the motions for "Hawaii 5-0," and it might be time for some new blood on CBS.

We should know the fate of all these shows — and others — by the end of next week. Upfronts begin Sunday with NBC on the clock.

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