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Networks Are Giving New Shows More Time To Prove Themselves

"Manhattan Love Story" became the first canceled show of the season, but it took a while.

Networks Are Giving New Shows More Time To Prove Themselves
John Clifford / ABC
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Congratulations "Manhattan Love Story," you are officially the first canceled show of the fall. But hey, you were given a lot more chances than shows typically get.

"Nice rack. Does he really think that I can't tell he's starting at my breasts?"

Critics claimed the constant inner monologues of the show's main characters just got old. 

ABC has canceled the show after four episodes gathered less than stellar ratings. But actually, four shows is a lot in the TV sitcom world. In years past, failing sitcoms get cut much earlier into the season, usually within the first couple weeks. 

So why the hold up this year? Entertainment Weekly points to DVR as being part of the reason shows are getting the ax later. 

More and more people are choosing to DVR their favorite shows and watch them later, because come on, who wants to sit through all of those commercials?

But it takes networks longer to get the numbers on who's watching what on DVR, so that might cause them to hold off on canceling shows. 

Another reason networks might be rooting for their shows: they might not have something better to replace their first attempts. Who's to say the back up show will be more popular?

Now ABC shouldn't feel too bad about having the first canceled series of the season. After all, it also has "Black-ish" which is the fall's highest-rated new comedy.

The network will be replacing "Manhattan Love Story" with an extra episode of its new show "Selfie this week," which actually has gotten poor ratings itself. 

"Can't you say anything nice?

Across the board, critics say "Selfie" or NBC's "A to Z" could be next to get the ax.