you don't know what you're talking about here. Pilots may be greenlit and not get to a series, but entire seasons series aren't greenlit with writers already being paid and then get the rug pulled out from under them. especially series which started as the number one show of the summer. at worst, if the ratings went down, they'd retool... but they haven't done that.
cheesebeef....maybe your not understanding what I am saying is more like it. Shows have been canceled during the season many times. I am pretty sure I can come up with a list of shows renewed and canceled mid-season. I also remember in recent years instances were episodes were shot but never aired after cancellation or "hiatus". I am sure in those instances writers were paid, actors were paid even though the episodes never aired.
I am definitely not referring to pilots. I am very familiar with the concept of pilots and I used to work for a company that screened them to audiences for feedback to the networks. I also have family that has worked in both television and for movie studios. For example, unlike writers, my brother who helped choreograph fight scenes never got paid that far in advance. He was paid during and after production of the actual shooting of an episode on TV of film.
I was not referring to writers getting the rug pulled out from under them and I wasn't predicting an early cancellation either. Was really just a general comment about getting vested in a series only to find out the ratings slide and the show ends up getting canceled. Because the show has good ratings I am sure you are right we will see them all at least through season 3.