ABC Announces Early Renewals for Castle, Modern Family, and More!

Modern Family and Castle headline ABC's early renewal list.

By Andrew Godoski | Jan. 11, 2011

Did you hear? We got renewed!

All you primetime network television fans just got an early treat from ABC as six of their current shows received early renewals. Second year comedies The Middle, Modern Family, and Cougar Town are all coming back for a third season. I absolutely love Modern Family. Its one of the few network shows that I can actually get into. Also renewed were medical dramas Grey’s Anatomy and its spinoff, Private Practice. And let's not forget about Castle. I always thought Castle's premise was really great and I’ve had a couple friends guest star on it, so, needles to say, I’ve been a pretty big fan. Sure, the show’s confined by the limitations of a network procedural, but I think it’s extremely well done for what it is. And now it’s time for a funny Nathan Fillion story!

Last night I was driving a golf cart on the Paramount lot and someone on a Razor scooter pulls up next to me. It was Nathan Fillion. He wanted to race and gunned it off the line. It was a pretty epic encounter.

Anyway, also notable about ABC’s early renewals are the shows that didn’t show up on the list. Brothers & Sisters and its lead-in Desperate Housewives were both notable absences. Now, this doesn’t mean both of these shows won’t be back. It just means that ABC is weighing all of its options with them. ABC has a bunch of new shows waiting to find a primetime slot, so it’ll be interesting to see how all of this shakes up. What do you all think? Do you even watch any of these shows?

32 Comments

audiosnagon Jan. 11, 2011 at 11:07 a.m.

I wish I had a good Nathan Fillion racing story...
Who won?

MrMazzon Jan. 11, 2011 at 11:23 a.m.

yay for more nathan fillion on my tv i still dont see whats so great about modern family

Zaccheuson Jan. 11, 2011 at 11:24 a.m.

I like the characters and their interactions in Castle, but the actual crime stories in it are pretty mind numbing cliche boringness. I just watch the characters and don't give a shit about the murders. Pretty weird, but not the first time I only focus on the characters. It's the main reason I watch TV-shows.

CherryBombon Jan. 11, 2011 at 11:28 a.m.

Desperate Housewives <3

Sek0non Jan. 11, 2011 at 11:31 a.m.

Very happy to hear both Modern Family and Castle are renewed. Both great shows.

And, who won? lol

Zeninnnnnnnnon Jan. 11, 2011 at 11:42 a.m.

No way I watch Desperate Housewives. I thought that show was garbage 5 years ago and I still do.

Radio_Resistanceon Jan. 11, 2011 at 11:43 a.m.

Awesome. Castle and Modern Family are my go-to shows at any given time and I'm happy ABC sees this too. I'm just about finished with NBC and FOX just waiting to cancel the shows I watch (2007/8 was a tough time, with Journeyman and Life getting axed). Now if only Human Target pulls through to a third season, all the shows I really care about will be accounted for.

hagridoreon Jan. 11, 2011 at 12:46 p.m.

Yay Castle. My guiltiest TV pleasure.

Martin_Blankon Jan. 11, 2011 at 12:46 p.m.

I think the quality of Castle's writing is mediocre, at best, but who doesn't like Nathan Fillion? No Ordinary Family, is similar in the respect that it has actors who I loved in previous shows, but the writing is fucking abysmal. Even for safe, family programming, it's an abomination.

StormtrooprDaveon Jan. 11, 2011 at 1:11 p.m.

Nathan Fillion is great but Castle is too lightweight for me.

PRIMAV3RAon Jan. 11, 2011 at 1:15 p.m.

Modern family is an absolute gem they would be crazy not to renew it, and Castle has a steady stream of faithful followers watching the show. I love both and faithfully try to watch them. If i miss them, i instantly go to hulu.

AndrewGodoski staff on Jan. 11, 2011 at 1:23 p.m.

@audiosnag: @sek0n: Haha, I was waiting for someone so I couldn't accept. But I was in a golf cart, so I would have smoked him.

PatVB moderator on Jan. 11, 2011 at 1:23 p.m.

Castle is pretty good, but I mostly watch it for Nathan Fillion. The Firefly reference in last year's Halloween episode was priceless.

skiddon Jan. 11, 2011 at 1:32 p.m.

I'm ashamed to admit that I've actually watched Cougar Town, mainly because Bill Lawrence was making it. The second half of season 1 was pretty decent, but the 2nd season not so much. I still think it's got a pretty dumb name...
If they'd ever get round to releasing Castle on region 2 dvd, I'd buy it - looks pretty interesting

President_Barackbaron Jan. 11, 2011 at 1:46 p.m.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Desperate Housewives get the boot, it doesn't seem like it holds the kinda water anymore that made it the cornerstone of ABC programming. And I'm sure ABC would take a risk on finding their next really huge show.

FreylikeDaveon Jan. 11, 2011 at 1:52 p.m.

I love Castle. Even for the weaker episodes the presence of Fillion makes it oh so worth it. It's just great to finally have a Fillion tvshow get passed one season....

FrozenPeason Jan. 11, 2011 at 2:17 p.m.

I dropped off Castle halway through this seasons but seeing it got picked up for another season I'll probably try and catch up ASAP. It's a decent show, it's become alot like House become for me, the weekly storylines weren't fascinating but I couldn't get enough of the character interactions.

Mr. Kamikazeon Jan. 11, 2011 at 2:53 p.m.

I actually watch all of these shows, with the exception of Cougar Town and Castle. I watch a lot of Network television....makes up a huge chunk of my life. o.O

Desperate Housewives lost my interest like 2 years ago, it's getting boring. Brothers and Sisters consists of the same thing every episode. But I continue to watch them because i'm a completest...and it's what I do.

Demyxon Jan. 11, 2011 at 6:05 p.m.

YES! like both of these shows.

mylifeforAiuron Jan. 11, 2011 at 7:24 p.m.

I really can't explain my irrational love for Nathan Fillion >_>

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