'Dollhouse' gets a second season

Fox has decided to give 'Dollhouse' another shot. The network has renewed the show for a 13 episode second season.

This is a pretty surprising move, the low-rated series was not expected to be renewed. In fact, 'Dollhouse' might very well be the lowest-rated in-season scripted drama to ever get a renewal on a major broadcast network. Almost certainly if based on where the show concluded -- a 1.0 among adults 18-49. But the show's DVR numbers are huge (averaging a 40% bump), online streaming is strong. It’s a sci-fi show, which tend to bring in strong ancillary revenue such as DVD sales for sister-company studio 20th TV. And it’s said that Fox execs rather like the series, especially the latter half of the season.

One big factor was the show's unaired 13th episode, which Joss Whedon shot on a shoestring budget for the first season DVD set. Whedon presented it to the network as an example of how 'Dollhouse' can achieve a high-quality production with a lesser budget.

The renewal also means Fox is bringing back all three of its freshman dramas for a second season -- 'Fringe,' 'Lie to Me' and 'Dollhouse'" -- which is a nice boast in challenging year for broadcasters.