The primetime bloodletting began this week as networks slashed the first round of ratings weaklings from their schedules. CBS gave ''Bette'' the boot (just one episode after ''Airplane'' star Robert Hays made his debut as her new husband), while the WB dropped the sketch comedy ''Hype'' and Eddie Murphy's animated ''The PJs.''
But the TV massacre is just getting started. EW.com gives you our spin on which shows will be toast -- and which could eke out a renewal notice -- when the fall schedule is unveiled this May.
NETWORK THE WB
ON THE EDGE ''Popular,'' ''Jack and Jill,'' ''The Gilmore Girls''
UN-'POPULAR' A critical hit, ''Popular'' hasn't been able to seduce viewers. Ranked No. 133 last season, the savvy high school comedy isn't faring any better this year -- and the WB is only willing to coast on critical raves for so long. ''The show is extremely vulnerable,'' says says Marc Berman of Mediaweek. ''I'm 90 percent sure it isn't coming back.''
DOWN THE HILL Though the WB rejuvenated ''Felicity,'' its time slot buddy wasn't so lucky. This month ''Jack and Jill'' was whomped by UPN's ''Voyager'' (which will soon be off the air) by a painful 117 percent. In other words, Amanda Peet fans will soon have to see her at the movies.
'GIRLS' WANT TO HAVE RERUNS ''The Gilmore Girls'' is getting clobbered on Thursday nights trying to face down both ''Friends'' and ''Survivor'' 2. But because critics (like EW's Bruce Fretts) love the show, the WB will likely give it another chance. But couldn't they give it another chance on Mondays?
NETWORK NBC
ON THE EDGE ''Third Rock from the Sun,'' ''DAG,'' ''The Weber Show''
'ROCK' OF AGING After 29 Emmy nominations and eight seasons, ''Third Rock'' is facing the black hole of cancellation. Though NBC hasn't made an official announcement, producers have already prepared for the show's extermination by filming a ''final'' episode with Elvis Costello crooning ''Fly Me to the Moon.'' Not only has the sitcom slipped dramatically in the ratings, its stars are raking in more dough than NBC can justify paying out for a flop. Last year John Lithgow snared a hefty $200,000 per episode. Need we say more?
'DAG' WILL BE BAGGED The polished comic timing of David Alan Grier and a cameo by Lil' Kim (who played a temp) couldn't boost ''DAG'''s abysmal ratings. Though the show made a promising debut in 22nd place, it didn't stay there long, dropping to 47th. ''There's no way it's coming back,'' says Berman. ''NBC will want to try something new.''
'WEBER' IS CURSED Despite a title change from the prophetic ''Cursed'' and a midseason makeover, ''Weber'' hasn't improved its luck. NBC yanked the show prior to February sweeps. Though star Weber told EW he thought escaping a timeslot opposite ''Survivor'' 2 was a blessing in disguise, critics don't agree. ''That's a bad sign,'' says Tom Watson of Western Initiative Media. ''It means the network just doesn't consider it strong enough to survive sweeps.''
NETWORK ABC
ON THE EDGE ''The Geena Davis Show,'' ''Two Guys and a Girl,'' ''Norm,'' ''Spin City''
'GEE' WHIZ? Davis' see through dress at the Oscars was only the first sign of desperation. Her sitcom was critically savaged (EW gave it a D) and quickly sank in the ratings despite its Top 20 debut. But don't count ''Geena'' out completely: ''It's scheduled to return later this season,'' says Berman. ''But it's very iffy.''
'NORM,' 'TWO GUYS' On Friday nights, these so so sitcoms have hovered near invisibility, scoring even lower ratings than Gabriel Byrne's short lived ''Madigan Men.'' Even so, ''Two Guys'' may have a shot at renewal. ''Keeping it for a fourth season may be worth it just to sell it for syndication rights,'' says Berman. But ''Norm''? Berman shoots back, ''Forget it.''
'SPIN' CONTROL Critics are mixed on the fate of ''Spin City,'' starring Charlie Sheen and Heather Locklear. ''The ratings have been dropping significantly,'' says Berman. ''It can't anchor a time period anymore, and ABC is preempting it for about six weeks to try a new show.'' But Watson argues that the series is being ''rested'' for May sweeps: ''There are only 22 episodes of most shows, so you need to bench your key players during March and April. This is actually a good sign for 'Spin City.'''
NETWORK CBS
ON THE EDGE ''Some of My Best Friends,'' ''The Fugitive,'' ''That's Life''
LESS THAN 'FRIENDS' This ''Will & Grace'' rip off debuted in a pitiful fourth place Feb. 28 to vicious reviews (EW gave it a D+ and deemed the show's gay and Italian American stereotypes equally offensive). Its ratings were only slightly better than the now canned ''Bette.'' ''Even if it seems like it's too soon to cancel this one, with those numbers it was dead on arrival,'' says Berman.
'FUGITIVE' FROM SUCCESS Despite a tie in to a hit movie and plenty of pre- launch hype, ''The Fugitive'''s ratings have been dwindling since the fall. After taking over ''CSI'''s Friday at 9 p.m. time slot, the show scored 5 million fewer viewers. Even when producers added a love interest (Stacey Edwards) for the elusive Dr. Richard Kimble (''Wings''' Tim Daly), the downward spiral continued. This time, it looks like ''The Fugitive'' is getting away for good.
SIGNS OF 'LIFE' Though ''That's Life'' is struggling in its Saturday at 8 p.m. time slot (despite the presence of Oscar nominee Ellen Burstyn), there is a ray of hope. CBS is counting on its 9 p.m. social worker follow up, ''Kate Brasher.'' ''If 'Brasher' does well, CBS could have a two hour block of female dramas,'' says Berman. ''But the odds for both shows are 50 - 50.''
NETWORK FOX
ON THE EDGE ''Grounded for Life''
GETTING 'GROUNDED' It's been a good year for Fox, thanks to the reality hit ''Temptation Island'' and solid Monday and Tuesday night lineups (''Boston Public,'' ''Ally McBeal,'' ''That 70's Show,'' ''Titus,'' and ''Dark Angel''). But now that ''Temptation'' is off the air, its previous lead in, ''Grounded for Life,'' could falter. ''It's the only thing on that network that might be shaky,'' says Berman. ''And the ratings did slip this week. Still, I think Fox will want it back.''
NETWORK UPN
ON THE EDGE ''Celebrity Deathmatch,'' ''Level 9''
'DEATHMATCH' DIVE UPN has discovered that rehashing MTV's leftovers is no guarantee of bringing in that ever desirable male teen demographic. The claymation mayhem show is the lowest rated in its time slot.
'LEVEL'-ING OFF? Currently on hiatus, ''Level 9'' follows a group of computer experts who track down techno- terrorists and hunt for viruses. Yawn. Last minute cast changes didn't help. But with the cult hit ''Voyager'' signing off this season, UPN may decide to hold on to the techno- heavy show to cling to any lingering ''Voyager'' geeks. Still, overall, UPN is hanging by a thread. Other than the spark of ''The Parkers'' and ''Moesha,'' the network is a hit free zone.
