The last few days have been abuzz with news of TV renewals and cancellations, and some fans have undoubtedly been bitterly disappointed by some networks' decisions. Fortunately, fans of two ABC comedies don't need to worry about any disappointments just yet. Sitcoms Speechless and Fresh Off the Boast have scored official renewals from ABC. The laughs will continue!
Speechless debuted last fall to rave reviews that praised both the performances and the honest portrayal of a family with a disabled member. The show has found the way to bring laughs without poking fun at very serious subjects, and the cast has been pretty wonderful together. The series had a pretty big advantage when it comes to getting people talking as well, landing a place in the ABC comedy block that Deadline reports has been well-anchored by The Goldbergs and Modern Family, both of which scored multi-season renewals earlier this week.
While Speechless hasn't exactly been the highest-rated new series in the 2016-2017 TV season, it has done well. Season 1 currently averages 5.41 million viewers and a 1.57 rating in the essential 18-49 age demographic in Live+Same day calculations. The numbers were evidently good enough for ABC to give the go-ahead for Season 2. And it's not even the only ABC comedy to just land a renewal!
Fresh Off the Boat is currently airing its third season, which has continued to chronicle the stories of the Huang family in Orlando, Florida. The clash of Chinese culture with the American dream has been charmingly (and hilariously) portrayed over the first three seasons, and my personal favorite Constance Wu only seems to get funnier with time. Fresh Off the Boat wasn't expected to get the axe, but the renewal nevertheless comes as a relief.
Of course, Fresh Off the Boat hasn't fared quite as well in the 2016-2017 TV season as Speechless, pulling in an average of 3.96 million viewers and drawing a 1.18 in the 18-49 demo in Live+Same day ratings. Given that it airs in Tuesday's less-consistent comedy block, the numbers are actually pretty great, and clearly good enough for ABC to want more episodes.
Neither Speechless nor Fresh Off the Boat are quite finished for the 2016-2017 season just yet. The Fresh Off the Boast Season 3 finale airs on Tuesday, May 16 at 9 p.m. ET, and the Speechless Season 1 finale airs on Wednesday, May 17 at 8:30 p.m. ET, both on ABC. Our TV season finale schedule can give you all you need to know about all your other shows ending, and don't forget to check out our summer TV premiere schedule to discover all your viewing options now and in the coming weeks. Be sure to drop by our rundowns for cable/streaming and broadcast TV renewals and cancellations as well.
