Already like it. Bring it on and...show of interest everyone???? I'm in.
I found my rules for the TV Death Pool, which were devised in a simpler time before every random channel had original programming. It probably will be a lot easier to stick with the five major networks (errr three major networks and then CW and NBC) since all the random channels like to broadcast shows at random times of the year with random numbers of episodes and a disturbing habit of airing them all before pulling the plug.
You pick six new shows that you think are going to be disasters, three new shows that you think will succeed, and one existing show that you think will get the plug pulled on it.
Points are given based on how quickly the new shows get cancelled. You lose the points if the show in question is one you picked to survive. One (or zero) episodes before cancellation = 100 points, two = 50, three = 35, four = 25, five = 20, six = 15, seven to ten = 12, eleven to fourteen = 10, fifteen to twenty = 7, cancelled after all episodes air = 5. If a show is renewed, zero points. If a show is brought back on another network, you get 40% of the points. If a show is pulled from the schedule and never airs another episode during a ratings sweeps period (November, February, May), it is considered cancelled when it was pulled, unless it gets renewed after all that.
Points for the existing show are: one to four episodes before cancellation = 50 points, five to fourteen = 25, cancelled after fourteen or more episodes = 10, renewed on another network = 5, renewed on same network = 0 points. You can take a show that is definitely done (How I Met Your Mother) to get the easy 10 points, but it is 10 points even if the final season has less than 14 episodes (Nikita). The higher point totals are still possible if the show is pulled and the remainder of episodes are not shown (or held until the summer or a similar dumping ground).
There are three bonus points awarded for any of the following situations: a time slot change, the removal of a major character, the addition of an actor of note, a significant change of location, situation, or set. These points are not awarded if they were planned from the beginning (actor too good for television dies in second episode!)
Enough people need to play that each can be assigned a network (or group of shows) and update me each week on if a new episode was broadcast. Anyone can update me on potential bonus point situations. I am also welcoming any suggestions for other bonus point situations. If enough people are interested, I can make a new thread for it.