Pickups: ABC, CW Give Back Orders for ‘Revenge’, ‘Ringer’, ‘Suburgatory’, and More

ABC's 'Suburgatory'

It’s been a busy day for the networks as a total of 5 freshman shows were given full season orders and 1 returning show got an additional script order. First, let’s begin with The CW, who gave full season orders to 3 hour-long dramas: Ringer, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, The Secret Circle, executive produced by The Vampire Diaries’ Kevin Williamson, and Hart of Dixie, starring Rachel Bilson. Although all three are new, their performances in the ratings department have varied, with Secret Circle being The CW’s highest-rated new show, although that might be because it has The CW’s overall highest-rated show The Vampire Diaries as it’s lead-in. Secret Circle has averaged 2.4 million viewers and a 1.0 rating among adults 18-49 since its premiere back in September. Ringer has been struggling in the ratings, with it’s most recent episode drawing 1.7 million viewers and a 0.7 rating among adults 18-49. Hart of Dixie hasn’t done so well either, as the show has averaged 1.9 million viewers and a 0.8 with adults 18-49.

Now to ABC, where they renewed two freshman shows, Revenge, airing after it’s hit-comedy Modern Family, and Suburgatory, which airs before it. Both shows have been performing well in their slots, notably Revenge, which recently beat CSI in the ratings just last night. Suburgatory also did well, nearly beating Survivor with a 3.1 rating. Happy Endings, a veteran comedy currently airing its second season, got an order of six additional scripts, with the possibility of it being ordered to produce them at a later time.

The shows have jumped a hurdle, but they still have a major one: Renewal.

Any guesses?

News Flash: Steve Jobs Passes Away At 56 — 1955-2011

Via Apple:

Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.

If you would like to share your thoughts, memories, and condolences, please email rememberingsteve@apple.com

Steve Jobs has changed my life in immeasurable ways. I will never forget what he did for computers, technology, and the world. He will never be forgotten by me.

From all us iPhone users: Thank you, Steve Jobs.

10 Years Ago

10 Years Ago, my life changed. Your life changed. The world changed. Has it been for better or for worse? I’d say a mixture of both.

10 Years Ago, it was a beautiful Tuesday morning in New York City. I was in class. I went to lunch, and I saw my teachers crying, and I didn’t know why. I eventually heard my name, and felt a tug of my arm. My mother came to pick me up early from school. What was going on? As I left, many other kids and parents were leaving the school as well. I am still clueless.

10 Years Ago, I arrive home to a television where two towers are standing and one of them is burning. I asked my mom where that was, and she said it was right here in the city. I immediately opened my window, thinking I could see the tower from my Bronx apartment. Even though I couldn’t, the smell of smoke was as clear as that Tuesday morning itself. I went back to my television where I attentively watched at 7 years old, the terror that was occurring. I continued to watch, as the other tower got hit, and eventually collapsed. Those images will never leave my brain.

10 Years Ago, I thought that the world was a peaceful and sound place. Wars were a thing of the past. Boy was I wrong. If I want to accomplish anything with this, it will be to say thank you to everyone. The firefighters, the victims, the ones who fought back. Everyone. We live in a world where security is a top priority, and even though that may not always be a positive, it opened our eyes to the real world. One thing that I’d like back as well as those that we lost is the patriotism and bond that our country had after the attacks. Everyone was so humble and loving, I honestly never see us getting to a point like that. The only moment we get even close to that is when we remember what happened 10 Years Ago.

We will never forget.

CORRECTION – News Flash: Jersey Shore opens MASSIVE

Many people estimated big numbers for Jersey Shore’s premiere, and those people were overwhelmingly correct. According to preliminary numbers from Nielsen media research, the season 4 premiere of MTV’s Jersey Shore attracted 9.7 million viewers and a huge 4.6 rating among adults 18-49. Even though its likely to be adjusted in the final numbers, it should become the highest rated show of the week.

Story developing…

CORRECTION: Final viewership numbers were just released, and it was averaged down to 8.8 million viewers and a 4.3 rating among Adults 18-49.

News Corp’s Disaster Week: News of the World Shut Down

This week ends as one of Rupert Murdoch and son James’ worst, with the long-running newspaper/tabloid The News of the World shutting down after 168 years.

A series of scandals have plagued the already discredited tabloid, but a massive phone-hacking scandal (reportedly over 4000 mobile phones) seems to have been the breaking point for News Corporation, owner of NOW. News Corp. Deputy COO James Murdoch delivered the news to NOW staff alongside former editor Rebekah Brooks, whom staffers say is responsible for corruption at the troubled brand.

Brooks is a confidant for the Murdoch’s and is being heavily guarded and defended by them, and they are still defending her during this scandal. Here’s what James Murdoch said in an interview just yesterday with BBC Television: “She has a good standard of ethics and her leadership is the right thing for the company. It’s her leadership that has really got to grips with this whole period in the company’s history.” According to Sky News, she told employees “You may be angry with me, I understand, but I’m angry with the people who did this [hacking] and feel bitterly betrayed.”

Meanwhile, dozens of NOW staffers are out of jobs and Andy Coulson, former employee of British Prime Minister David Cameron, was just arrested on phone hacking and corruption charges. When asked about hiring Coulson, Cameron said “I decided to give him a second chance. The decision to hire him was mine and mine alone and I take full responsibility.” A public inquiry has begun on the company. The final edition of The News of the World will be released on Sunday.

Story still developing…

News Flash: Casey Anthony is found NOT GUILTY for First-Degree Murder.

The jury has reached a verdict in the Casey Anthony trial, and the verdict is:

NOT GUILTY For First-Degree Murder

Many are calling this the new trial of the century, and after months of revelations and analysis, the trial has come to an end.

Story developing…

UPDATE 2:35PM EST:

Casey Anthony was found guilty on four counts of false information to a law enforcement officer. The maximum she can serve on these charges combined are four years in prison.