'Cane,' NBC dramas earn orders for more scripts

Only one new show this fall -- The CW's "Gossip Girl" -- has been picked up for a full season, but several others have now taken a step in that direction.

All four of NBC's new dramas -- "Bionic Woman," "Chuck," "Journeyman" and "Life" -- and CBS' "Cane" have received orders for additional scripts. The NBC shows have been asked for three scripts each, while CBS wants four more "Cane" teleplays, the showbiz trade papers report.

An order for extra scripts is by no means a guarantee of a pickup; "Justice," "The Nine" and "Help Me Help You" were among the shows that got script orders last year, only to see the new episodes go unproduced. But it's often a good sign that networks at least want to see where a series is headed.

This year the extra script orders could also serve as a hedge against a possible writers strike. The current Writers Guild contract expires at the end of the month, and word coming out of negotiations has not been positive.

None of the five series has been a breakout hit thus far, but all have turned in passable ratings numbers. "Bionic Woman" is faring the best so far, averaging 12.5 million viewers over its first two airings, with delayed viewing yet to be factored in.