Ups and downs of new TV shows

South Florida Sun-Sentinel (MCT) - TV is getting to be like the movies: You open big or you're dead.

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"Do Not Disturb" didn't, and Fox pulled it within two weeks.

The season is barely a month old, yet there has already been at least one other cancellation _ "Opportunity Knocks" by ABC, which had only two new series _ and production has been halted on the three new CW Sunday night series. Several other freshmen could get suspended or expelled before November sweeps get under way on Wednesday.

Here's a look at where this season's rookie crop stands:

_Hits

"The Mentalist"

"Fringe"

_OK so far

"11th Hour"

"90210"

"Gary Unmarried"

_Hanging on

"Life on Mars"

"Knight Rider"

_Too soon to tell

"Crusoe"

"Stylista"

_Endangered list

"Kath & Kim"

"My Own Worst Enemy"

"Privileged"

_All but dead

"The Ex List"

"Worst Week"

"Easy Money"

"Valentine"

"In Harm's Way"

_Gone and forgotten

"Opportunity Knocks"

"Do Not Disturb"

Several second-year shows whose runs were curtailed by the writers' strike last season also are in jeopardy. "Pushing Daisies'" ratings have gone down by the week. So have "Dirty Sexy Money's." Life is on life support. "Lipstick Jungle" is so low-rated, there is no logical reason for it to still be on the air. If "Chuck's" ratings don't pick up, some of its episodes could wind up airing next summer.

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Tom Jicha: tjicha@SunSentinel.com

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© 2008, Sun Sentinel.