Series get word this week on renewal or demise

This week, we’ll finally find out if we’ll ever again see our longtime or newfound friends Amy, Bernie, Joan, Jake, Jack and Bobby.

With a shrug of the shoulders and slight roll of the eyes, we’ve heard that Joey, Jim and Will and Grace will be back.

The networks set their fall schedules this week, finally answering the rest of our burning questions:

Will “Arrested Development” get put in the slammer?

Will “Eyes” get a second look?

Will “The Office” clock in again?

Sorry.

TV hype really gets those bad puns flowing.

Here’s a look at some shows I’m hoping make the cut, and which ones ought to become “Trivial Pursuit” fodder:

NBC

The network in the most turmoil and most desperate to re-establish an identity is NBC, which presents its fall plan on Monday.

Although other NBC sitcoms such as “Committed” and “Father of the Pride” scored more viewers this season, the network would do well to bring back its version of “The Office.”

With only six episodes in its first season and a dreadful 9:30 p.m. Tuesday timeslot (when most TV watchers were already half-hour into Fox’s “House” or CBS’ “The Amazing Race”), the show had little chance to prove itself. But its clever writing and mockumentary-style approach should catch on with more viewers if given another chance.

“Pride” has already been canceled and the fate of “Committed,” which was this season’s “Good Morning, Miami,” is to be determined.

A small, but faithful group of folks who watch “American Dreams” will have their hopes dashed. One fan Web site accurately notes that “NBC has made no official announcement yet of the cancellation of the show. They’ve declined comment in all articles.”

The comment will come Monday, and it won’t be good news.

ABC

Despite its success on the dramatic front, ABC is still struggling in the world of sitcoms.

If it’s any indication, “According to Jim” is the network’s most watched half-hour sitcom.

According to pretty much anyone, that isn’t good news.

“Jim” is the only ABC sitcom with an already confirmed return, and I won’t miss the rest if they disappear, with the exception of John Stamos’ “Jake in Progress.”

The season was awkwardly burned up in about six weeks, with half-hour episodes airing back-to-back in the 8 p.m. Thursday hour. The hip, edgy feel was a welcome change from the sitcom norm and deserves another chance to establish an audience.

“Eyes” is another stylish new show on ABC that I hope will return. Only five of the 13 episodes have aired and it was placed on hiatus for May sweeps. Despite just five airings, fans have started a Web site, www.saveeyes.com, in an effort to, well, save “Eyes.”

CBS

“Joan of Arcadia” and “Judging Amy” just don’t seem to have a place at the network that should change its name to “CSI: Reality.”

Judging strictly by the numbers, there isn’t much of a case to be made for the intelligent “Joan,” but an argument could be made for “Amy,” which still averaged more than 10 million viewers this season.

Fox

The serious questioning about Fox’s fall plans virtually begins and ends with “Arrested Development.”

More than 100,000 people have gone to www.getarrested.com to sign a pledge to save the show, but it might not be enough. The show’s fate was already doubtful as it entered a second season, and the viewership slid a bit from where it was. All we can do is hope.

“The Bernie Mac Show” would also be a welcome return.

UPN

UPN’s teenage gumshoe “Veronica Mars” is coming back to UPN in the fall, as is Tyra Banks with “America’s Next Top Model.”

What remains to be seen is whether “Kevin Hill,” the slick lawyer drama that didn’t quite fulfill expectations, will be back.

The WB

“Jack &Bobby” has had a rough run in its first season and deserves a chance to settle into The WB’s rotation. But the engaging drama about the boy who will become president in 2040 is among even The WB’s least watched shows.

Columnist Victor Balta: 425-339-3455 or vbalta@heraldnet.com.

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Fox

Father and son, George Bluth Sr. (Jeffrey Tambor) and Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman) share a moment while Dad, who escaped from prison, is hiding in the family’s attic on a recent episode of Fox’s “Arrested Development.”