It's beginning to look like the Conan/Leno debacle at NBC is going to end up extending more than a couple of their struggling series this season. NBC has announced plans to pick up three more episodes of Law and Order, two more episodes of Law and Order: SVU, and four more episodes of Trauma. In addition to the dramas getting extended seasons, it appears that Community and Parks and Recreation will also pick up some extras at three and two more episodes, respectively.
Trauma, specifically, has been doing terrible in the ratings, and I can't help but wonder if it would have already been canceled if NBC wasn't dealing with suddenly having to fill five hours of prime time programming. All of the episode order increases are meant to serve the same purpose and keep original and new content on NBC as long as possible. But whether the good fortune for these ratings-plagued shows will extend into next season remains to be seen. For such terrible ratings performers like Trauma and Mercy, you'd think NBC would rather just start with some fresh content. But then again, there's no guessing at what NBC is going to do these days.
Originally NBC had ordered 20 episodes of Law and Order and 22 episodes of Parks and Recreation, Community, and Law & Order: SVU for the season.
Source: THR
