Fox has renewed comedies “The Last Man on Earth
” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” for the 2016-17 season, the network announced Thursday.
Both shows have been stable performers for Fox as the network has struggled this season with live-action comedy. “Last Man on Earth” is averaging a 1.9 rating in adults 18-49 and 4.32 million viewers overall in Nielsen’s “live plus-3” estimates this season, making it the network’s top-rated live-action comedy. “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” is close behind, averaging a 1.8 in the demo and 3.85 million total viewers in L+3.
Freshman comedies “Grandfathered” and “The Grinder” have failed to gain traction with viewers on Tuesday nights. Returning series “New Girl” has continued to see its ratings decline. Another new comedy, “Cooper Barrett’s Guide to Surviving Life,” was just moved to 7:30 p.m. Sundays, a sign of its own ratings struggles.
Amid this field, “Brooklyn” and “Last Man” have stood out and enjoyed critical success. No other current Fox comedies have yet been renewed for 2016-17.
“We’re so proud of these comedies. Each has its own unique voice, but they both boast terrific ensembles with stand-out characters and, of course, phenomenal writing, which are the hallmarks of all great comedies,” said Fox entertainment president David Madden. “We’d like to thank the executive producers, casts and crews of ‘Brooklyn nine-Nine’ and ‘The Last Man on Earth’ for their tremendous work this season, and look forward to what’s in store next year.”
Currently in its second season, “The Last Man on Earth” stars Will Forte and is produced by 20th Century Fox Television. Forte, Phil Lord, Chris Miller, Seth Cohen and Andy Bobrow serve as executive producers.
Produced by Universal Television, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” heads into its fourth season. Last year, Fox chose not to pick up another Universal comedy, “The Mindy Project,” for a fourth season. Universal took the series to Hulu, where it awaits word on a Season 5 order. “Brooklyn” stars Andy Samberg and is exec produced by Dan Goor, Michael Schur, Luke Del Tredici and David Miner.
