TVWeek Blog Live From the Upfronts '07

As predicted earlier, “Underbelly” has been renewed.
The mid-season comedy gets another 13 episodes, giving ABC a freshman returning comedy in a season where most sitcom efforts have struck out.
“Underbelly” averaged a 2.

8 rating, mostly from airing Wednesday nights at 8:30 p.m., slightly better than other ABC freshman sitcoms in the hour including “Knights of Prosperity” and “In Case of Emergency” (both of which averaged a 2.

0).
“Til Death” has been picked up for a second season.
Ratings were anemic at first, but then a post-“American Idol” slot jacked its ratings.

After “Death” was put on its own again, its back-to-back April 11 season finale won the 8 p.m. hour (with a 2.

8 and 3.4 rating among adults 18 to 49).
Also in pickup land: Hearing “Pushing Daises,” about a man who can bring the dead back to life, is looking good for a pickup at ABC.

Pickup rumors are swirling as networks go in pre-upfront lockdown mode, lips pursed, refusing to officially confirm anything until their presentations next week.
That said, some rumors are stronger than others…
NBC has renewed “Scrubs” for 18 episodes for the fall, sources said. “Scrubs” was a huge question mark due to the show’s cost and modest ratings.

Net has also picked up hot pilot “Lipstick Jungle” for 13.
CBS is said to have picked up several game show pilots for the summer, including “Game Show in My Head,” “Power of 10” and “The Wizard.”
Some rumors about “Notes From the Underbelly” getting picked up, but things are still iffy there.

One possibility is pairing “Notes” with female-centric ABC pilot “Sam I Am.” Also rumors continue about renewing “Knights of Prosperity” with Ray Romano in the Mick Jagger role as a possible pairing with “Cavemen” (a pilot that has divided those who’ve seen it; I’ve heard it described as “extremely funny” and “absolutely horrible” with equal emphasis and enthusiasm).
Also at ABC, “Cashmere Mafia” is looking good, but nothing official yet.

The CW pilot “Gossip Girl” has been firmly picked up. “Pussycat Dolls: The Search For the Next Doll” is looking very close to a renewal (but, really, how many more Dolls does the group need?).