thePeanutBloggery

You can stop sending those Nerf footballs to NBC. Today the network announced its schedule through summer 2009, and “Friday Night Lights” is indeed on it (thanks to DirectTV). The acclaimed football drama is, as they say, off the bubble, rescued from that no man’s land between renewed and canceled.

However, some of our other favorite shows, which we’ve listed below, are still floating around on the bubble. We’re not panicking yet, but we’ve included some mail campaign ideas just in case.

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (FOX) – After suffering through the immensely disappointing “Bionic Women”, we were reluctant to tune into this chick-kicking-ass sci fi drama, but we were so glad we did. Reminiscent of mid-series “Buffy”, the acting is solid, the premise is meticulous (it picks up a year after T2), and every episode is about saving the world. (Show-saving suggestion: any kind of chip – use your imagination)

Cashmere Mafia (ABC) – We still haven’t decided whether we prefer “Lipstick Jungle” or “Cashmere Mafia”, but we know we’d like another season to debate the issue. The former got the green light from NBC today, so it would be pretty gutsy of ABC to go ahead and renew their version of “Sex in the City”-minus-the-sex. (Show-saving suggestion: shoes – we know you’ve got some you can give to a good cause)

October Road (ABC) – This show used to feel unoriginal, but somewhere during its abbreviated second season, derivative became nostalgic. Maybe it’s because we Peanuts are such fans of the movie Beautiful Girls, or maybe it’s because the wonky way they talk started to sound cool, but we’re hoping winter never comes to Knights Ridge. Unfortunately, ABC tried to sell the series to Lifetime, but its sister network wasn’t buying, so we may never find out if Eddie Latekka is Sam’s father. (Show-saving suggestion: Pizza – it’s impossible to mail an air guitar)

Reaper (CW) – This series started out strong, every episode had a perfect polish, but halfway through the season, we started to wonder if it was going anywhere. Well, it was. The boys have moved in next door to a gay couple who happen to be fallen angels looking to take down the big guy (that’s Satan). The creators of this show did some hard time on “Law and Order: SVU,” and now they’re having fun. (Show-saving suggestion: Devil Dogs, in honor of that awesome mini hellhound from the pilot)

How I Met Your Mother (CBS) – CBS has been quiet about its plans for this outstanding sitcom, now in its third and arguably best season so far. Hints during the past couple of episodes that we’re finally close to meeting “the Mother” are making us nervous about the network’s intentions for drawing out the series. Still boosted ratings from a smart scheduling change and guest appearance by an actually-funny Britney Spears could sway the execs to give this best kept comedy secret another shot. (Show-saving suggestion: yellow umbrellas, of course)