Shows on the chopping block: Community, Rules of Engagement and more up for cancellation

It may just be spring, but the top network channels are already deep in the process of planning what shows will fill airtime next September. That means approving new pilots, renewing old favorites and making tough decisions about shows on the edge. And, with cable shows continually pulling viewers away from network channels, there are fewer guarantees.

Right now, more than 50 network shows are unconfirmed for additional seasons. But, with absolute hits such as Parks & Recreation and Modern Family on the list, it isn’t time to declare anarchy yet. Based on the Zap 2 It analysis of scripted shows, here are some of unannounced renewals you can bet on: Criminal Minds, Parks & Recreation, Castle, Grey’s Anatomy, Last Man Standing, The Middle, Modern Family, Nashville, Once Upon a Time, Revenge, Scandal and Suburgatory.

Unfortunately, there are many more shows that are still up in the air. Most of these haven’t faired so well in the Neilsen Rankings, which is the go-to method of measuring a show’s success. However, more and more “poorly ranked” shows are being kept alive thanks to Internet audiences. Here are some shows that could really go either way: Community, Go On, Hannibal, Whitney, Body of Proof, How to Live With Your Parents, Malibu Country and The Neighbors.

To fans, some of those shows on the chopping block may be surprising. Take Community for example. The comedy has a high rating of 8.7 on the Internet Movie Database, which is the exact same as Modern Family. However, unlike Modern Family, Community has always struggled to pull in large numbers of viewers.

Then there are the shows that are currently being read their Last Rites. The renewal of any of these shows would be surprising: CSI: NY, Golden Boy, Rules of Engagement, Vegas, Touch, 1600 Penn, Deception, Guys With Kids, The New Normal, Happy Endings, Red Widow and — as we previously reported — The Carrie Diaries.

With many of these shows, it seems the problem isn’t with the quality of the writing or acting. Rather, the networks have simply struggled to find a consistent place for them in the line-ups. For example, Rules of Engagement started out back in 2007 as a mid-season replacement for a failed show. As one TV blogger recently wrote, the show has never really been given a chance to grow its audience, considering it’s been more of a reliable alternate than a properly nurtured starting player.

Honestly, with decisions like these, it’s no surprise that more and more people are tuning into cable channels for their favorite shows.

What shows do you hope will be renewed? Make your case in the comments!