Good news, bad news

There is an impressive number of TV series I've fallen for only to have them killed by idiotic TV networks and programming executives: Firefly, Freaks and Geeks, Andy Richter, Undeclared, and Wonderfalls are just the tip of the iceberg. So it's always nice to hear that a great show struggling in the ratings will be returning for a second season, like Veronica Mars will be in a triumph of hope and quality over low ratings:

For UPN, gambling on a sophomore year of "Veronica Mars" was an easy call, network president Dawn Ostroff said. The Tuesday 9 p.m. drama starring Kristen Bell generated significant affection from critics and pop culture chatter, especially for Bell.

"This is the type of smart, compelling show we want viewers to expect from UPN," Ostroff said.

Unfortunately, ABC is screwing around with Boston Legal:

Meanwhile, ABC has demonstrated its faith in its highly promising midseason entry "Grey's Anatomy" by confirming that the medical ensemble drama that has taken off behind "Desperate Housewives" on Sunday will remain in that slot for the rest of the season, displacing another freshman drama, "Boston Legal." "Legal," however is assured of returning in the fall by an early pickup ABC gave the drama last week.

Granted, the show's been picked up for another season, but it's hard not to look at this sort of network futzing around with a good show and see it as bad mojo on the wall.