Coming in a very late announcement last night (usually reserved for cancellations), FOX has renewed both Gotham and The Last Man on Earth. Neither renewals come as a surprise and Gotham has been expected for some time. That show is in the syndication stretch and another 22 episode season assures it the 88 episode count that will give it extended life in an encore run. Third season shows with around 66 episodes under their belts are typically assured the fourth year renewal these days, though FOX does not own Gotham (it is a Warner Bros. series) and sometimes the network may bow out at this point if the show is not performing well in the ratings. But Gotham has been pulling decent numbers for struggling FOX, so I have had the show at the Renewal Likely Status all season. I was surprised that a renewal was not announced at the same time Lucifer received its third season nod back in February (both come from the same studio), but I assume that additional contract negotiations were required for Gotham.
As for The Last Man on Earth, that show is also in its third season, but is well short of the 66 episode mark because it has had 13 or 18 episode orders over its first three years. Its ratings are also on the low side, but it is a relatively inexpensive sitcom and has developed somewhat of a cult following. Seeing as the network has struggled with non-animated comedy entries of late and the fact that The Last Man on Earth is not a costly show that has at least a consistent audience, the network apparently decided to stick with that one for at least one more year. And since two more 18 episode seasons gets that show very close to the 88 episode syndication threshold, I would not be surprised if that one manages to stick around through a fifth year.
Gotham is a Batman prequel series that follows a younger Bruce Wayne and Jim Gordon before they assume their iconic roles from the comics and that also focuses on the rise of the villains that will populate the Caped Crusader’s rogues gallery. It stars Ben McKenzie, Donal Logue, David Mazouz, Morena Baccarin, and Robin Lord Taylor.
The Last Man on Earth follows a small group of people that has survived a plague that has wiped out most of humanity but who are struggling to live with each other. It comes from executive producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller and stars Will Forte, Kristen Schaal, January Jones, Mel Rodriguez, and Mary Steenburgen.
Next week the broadcast networks will have their Upfront presentations when they unveil their schedules for the 2017-18 season which means the we can expect even more renewal and cancellation announcements over the next few days (you can see the full rundown of this season’s cancellations and renewals at this link). Be sure to stay tuned to this site and the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site for updates and breaking news.
