Nicole Rivelli/NBCIt doesn't take a rocket scientist or Dwight Schrute to figure out which two NBC comedies must stick around to keep the network alive and kicking: The Office and 30 Rock.
And so today, to the surprse of no one, NBC has made an early announcement to pick up The Office and 30 Rock for the 2009-2010 season.
"These renewals represent our faith in The Office and 30 Rock as they continue to represent the gold standard in acclaimed and award-winning series," says NBC President Angela Bromstad.
NBC also picked up The Biggest Loser for another year.
But wait a minute. What about those other NBC fan favorites, like Heroes, Chuck, Lipstick Jungle, Friday Night Lights and Life? Will they survive? Well...
"Heroes is very secure," Bromstad tells reporters. "We have a great relationship with [executive producer] Tim Kring. I think what's important is we never lose sight of being responsible in production, and we want to make sure that show is on track."
So, um, is it?
"Tim and I have talked about it," Bromstad says. "I think what Tim is interested in doing is getting back to the core of the show. Ordinary people with extraordinary powers and they may have taken on too many characters and storylines."
As for fan-favorite Chuck starring Zachary Levi, Bromstad says no decisions have been made yet. "I love Chuck," she says. "I think it’s a really fun show. I think it’s a lot of fun paired with Heroes. It’s going to face tough competition, but it is a show we’ll be looking at when we make our decisions in the spring."
So what about that show that everyone keeps insisting is not canceled?
"We officially have not canceled Lipstick Jungle," Bromstead adds. "I think that there are alternatives that we may look into for Lipstick Jungle; it's all conversation for fall. We have to see what our pilots are."
And now the money quote that all you fans should be praying every night that Bromstad truly follows through with: "We feel very strongly about Life, Friday Night Lights and Lipstick Jungle," she says. "We won't replace shows that are loved by fans just for the sake of putting another show on."
Which NBC shows are you rooting for to stick around? Holler at the NBC suits below...
--Reporting by Natalie Abrams