Bubble Bustin’ Thursday

With the network upfronts a few days away, the bubble has burst for those “bubble shows”:

– NBC canceled four series: freshmen series 1600 Penn and Guys With Kids, and two others: Whitney (no surprise) and Up All Night, which was supposed to be retooled, but the idea never materialized. On Wednesday, NBC canceled Deception after one poorly-rated season.

– Fox announced it would not pick up soph drama Touch for another season. After starting out on Monday nights, the series was shoved to Fridays this season.

Also, the first of what is expected to be many changes to American Idol as Randy Jackson announced his departure after this season. Jackson had been on the show as a judge for twelve years. On Wednesday, a report surfaced that all four judges on Idol this season would not be asked back for 2014.

But with the cancellations came some renewals as CBS finally picked up Criminal Minds for a ninth season while The CW renewed both Nikita and The Carrie Diaries, both questionable decisions as each earned less than an one rating in the adults 18-49 demo this season.

Networks are making their decisions this week on these bubble shows as the networks start unveiling their 2013-14 primetime season schedules.

What does Friday hold? Stay tuned.