We're coming up to the time of year when our favourite TV shows get threatened with the axe. Last year, you may remember this was around the time that the final nails were hammered into the coffin of The Sarah Connor Chronicles, while Chuck was bounced around on its way to the chop, before getting an unexpected reprieve.

So, how's everything faring this year? Over at Entertainment Weekly, Michael Ausiello, whose finger tends to be on the pulse of such matters, kicks off with some good news on his show watch list. For he seems confident that Fringe will get the chance to build on its strong second season and will be recommissioned for a third - "a safe bet", he describes it as.

He's less confident with a few other shows we've been following though. Listed under "could go either way" are Heroes (which we'd be shocked if it'd done enough to earn a fifth run), V (which surely deserves a second run) and FlashForward (which doesn't). 24 is also up in the air for the time being. Expect announcements on them over the coming weeks.

On to finish on the upside: the recent performance of Chuck in the ratings hasn't gone unnoticed. It, too, is listed as a "safe bet" for a new season commission. Furthermore, The Big Bang Theory has already got a new season order, Smallville is likely to return and Supernatural is almost certain to be back, too.

Read the Ausiello piece here.