NBC’s Chuck

Now, even as the rest of network lineups ready short spring seasons, the five remain in limbo until fall, when they’ll be relaunched with the hoopla usually reserved for new series. The shows: ABC’s entire Wednesday lineup of Pushing Daisies, Grey’s Anatomy spinoff Private Practice and Dirty Sexy Money, along with NBC’s Chuck and Life.

Chuck’s wait gives producer Josh Schwartz, whose Gossip Girl returns April 21, the chance “to come back early and plan out the season without the pressure of ratings.” (The early schedule means most of the shows will have completed filming the initial 13 episodes before viewers see any of them.)

But the delay leaves some anxious. “We were just building momentum with the audience, and we feel like that’s being snatched away from us,” says NBC Studios chief Katherine Pope of Life. “It was frustrating that we couldn’t capitalize.”