Some series already renewed for next season, others will be left hanging: cable edition

Cable is a different beast than broadcast networks because their seasons run at all different times, rather than the traditional September through May.  Still, many fans will be glad to know that It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The League, Greek, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Rescue Me, Big Love, Bored to Death, Hung, True Blood, Drop Dead Diva, Dexter, Nurse Jackie, United States of Tara, Weeds, The Tudors, Party Down, Eureka, My Boys, The Closer, Leverage, Men of a Certain Age, Psych, Burn Notice, White Collar, and Royal Pains, among many others, have been picked up for another season.  Some of those seasons begin soon, others will air next year.  Below are some shows whose fate is still unknown, though.  Again, I use Ausiello of Entertainment Weekly as reference for my list.

Archer ~ I love this half hour comedy on FX, but apparently, it's considered a long shot to be picked back up.  Teeming with great voice talent, it is a good addition to the network's other shows.   UPDATE 02/23: ARCHER HAS BEEN RENEWED FOR A SECOND SEASON.
Damages ~ This show was picked up for two more seasons at the conclusion of the first, but now that they are currently airing the third, FX is unsure if it would like more or not.  This one could go either way.  I, for one, would love to see it continue.  It has won and been nominated for several Emmys, and deserved them all.
Curb Your Enthusiasm ~ This show from Larry David, co-creator of Seinfeld, has run for seven years so far, and is quite funny.  It's a similar type of humor to his earlier effort, and last season featured the reunion of the Seinfeld cast.  It would be nice if HBO asks for another season, but even though it is already done airing the last season filmed, it's fate is still up in the air.
Caprica ~ Although billed as a spin-off of Battlestar Galactica, this prequel set nearly sixty years prior is definitely it's own beast.  So far it has been intriguing and exciting, and I hope it runs for several years.
Southland ~ "Wasn't that show already canceled?" you may ask.  And yes, it was.  However, TNT has been running the episodes that originally aired, plus new ones, and reserves the right to order more if it desires.  Considering that the cast and crew was let go last fall, it seems doubtful, but Ausiello lists this as a 'could go either way', so we'll see.
Crash ~ I've never seen it, and apparently most of you haven't either.  Based on the movie of the same name, Starz has tried and failed to market this show.  It probably won't be renewed, but you never know.

Southland returns on TNT

     Southland was a gritty cop show set in Los Angeles that aired on NBC last spring for seven episodes.  Although it was initially renewed for a thirteen episode second season, the premiere date in the fall was pushed back, and then the show was abruptly canceled, without the final six filmed episodes ever seeing the light of day.  Part of the reason the show was pulled was because of its dark tone.  The direction of the series also changed for the second season, focusing more on Adams, Sherman, and their partners, giving less importance to the rest of the ensemble.  It was also to be more procedural, less serial, than before.

     Beginning tonight at ten p.m., TNT will air all thirteen filmed episodes.  Depending on how the ratings go, perhaps they may even order more.  Though an extension has not yet been announced, TNT owns the rights to do so.  The episodes will air in production order, starting with an extended version (by about six minutes) of the pilot.  As of March 2nd, the show will have exhausted the already aired episodes, and begin showing new ones, for those fans who have already seen the first seven.  TNT has also restored language that was cut due to broadcast content standards that cable is not constrained by.

     The series stars Regina King (24), Benjamin McKenzie (The O.C.), Tom Everett Scott (That Thing You Do), and Michael Cudlitz (Band of Brothers) as the aforementioned partners.  Also starring are Kevin Alejandro (Shark), Arija Bareikis, Shawn Hatosy, and Michael McGrady (Day Break).  The show is not really my cup of tea, but if you enjoyed it last spring, this is all very good news for you.  It definitely stood apart from other cop dramas currently on television.

     SPOILER ALERT!  Although I have not yet been sent the new episodes, I can reveal that Ben will have to face dealing with John's pain medication addiction, Chickie will be ostracized by the other cops, Lydia will have trouble balancing her personal life and her job, and Sammy will feel left out when he and Nate join a drug task force with Gil, an old friend of Nate's.  Sammy also will be trying to have a baby, and Mercedes will not be very accepting of Nate as her father, which will end up causing something really bad.  Sal's daughter will manipulate him, black mailing him after she finds out about his affair.  These are but a few of the details already released about upcoming episodes.