CBS was the winner last night, with Survivor narrowly beating Grey’s Anatomy to be the nights top show.

Survivor won the 8pm hour, averaging a solid 3.9 rating, up slightly vs. last week. Second was a brand new Bones on FOX, averaging a 2.6 rating and a solid 9.1 million viewers. Community and Parks & Recreation were third for NBC, averaging a 2.0 (18-49) rating and just over 4.4 million viewers. Fourth was The Vampire Diaries season finale, posting a 1.7 rating and 3.5 million viewers. FlashForward was last for ABC, which fell to a series low 1.4 rating and 4.5 million viewers.

At 9, CSI took over – averaging a 3.0 rating and 13.2 million viewers for CBS - steady with last week. NBC kept third place with a The Office (3.5 rating) and 30 Rock (2.5 rating) - both down vs. last week. Fringe was fourth place for FOX, posting a 2.3 rating - down 13% vs. last week. Supernatural was last on the CW (1.2, 2.4 million).
 
At 10, Private Practice posted their highest rated episode for a while for their season finale (3.2, 9.3 million) beating out a new episode of The Mentalist (3.1, 14.5 million). The Marriage Ref hit series lows with just a 1.7 rating and just over 4 million viewers.

There was so much promise from this freshman show. A mystery with a lot of the same elements as ABC hit ‘LOST’, a solid cast and plenty of promotion. However, this had a lot of the same problems that ‘V’ had when trying to establish a fan base: Why would people want to watch a show that’s like LOST but not as good?

The ratings have not been on a good trend. After initially starting in the high 3.0’s, the show started falling rapidly…to the point where a 3 month break was enforced. Now we’ve returned for the final few episodes, the show is hovering around the 2.0 point and is not looking good for renewal

My guess: cancelled.

It looks as if FlashForward and V were fighting for the same spot on the schedule – but the latter had aliens on their side.

The show has performed poorly since returning from hiatus – averaging just a 1.7 (18-49) rating just over 6 million viewers – down almost 33% vs. its earlier run.

 Happy/Sad/Don’t Care?

CBS won the night last night, while ABC moved Private Practice to 9pm…….oops.

CBS led off the night with Survivor at 8, which equalled its season high among A18-49 (3.8 rating). At 9, CSI fell to a 2.9 – still poor by former standards. At 10, The Mentalist was roughly level with a 2.9 rating and just under 14.8 million viewers.

NBC was second for the night with their usual comedy lineup. Community posted a 1.7 A18-49 rating and 3.9 million viewers, up slightly from last week. The first of two new episodes of 30 Rock equally season lows at 8.30, posting a 1.9 rating and just over 4.2 million viewers. At 9, The Office fell to a 3.3 rating and 6.2 million viewers – the leading demo numbers for the night. 30 Rock was up vs. the earlier episode (due to The Office) to a 2.5 (18-49 rating and just over 5 million viewers. At 10, The Marriage Ref posted a 1.9 rating, down from last weeks 2.3.

FOX was just beaten out into third with Bones, which posted season highs in both the key 18-49 demo (2.5 rating) and viewers (8.8 million) Fringe fell slightly from last weeks 2.5 to a 2.1 A18-49 rating – still above their season average though.

ABC led with FlashForward at 8 which posted a 1.6 (18-49)rating and 5.5 million) leading into a new Private Practice which posted a season (possibly series?) low 2.3 rating and just over 7.4 million viewers. A Grey’s Anatomy rerun posted a 1.4 rating and 4.3 million viewers at 10.

 The CW lad with a new episode of The Vampire Diaries at 8, posting a solid (1.5 rating and just over 3.2 million viewers. At 9, a new Supernatural posted a 1.3 rating and just over 2.6 million viewers – roughly level with last week.

CBS was the winner last night, with Survivor taking top honors.

Survivor won the 8pm hour, averaging a solid 3.7 rating, up slightly vs. last week. Second was a brand new Bones on FOX, averaging a 2.8 rating and a solid 9.8 million viewers. Third was The Vampire Diaries with a 1.5 rating and 3 million viewers. FlashForward was fourth for ABC, which fell to a series low 1.4 rating and 5 million viewers. A double rerun of The Office took last place, averaging a 1.4 rating and just over 4 million viewers. 

At 9, CSI took over – averaging a 3.1 rating and 12 million viewers for CBS – down 10% from last week. NBC took second place with a SNL special - Saturday Night Live in the 2000s - posting a 2.7 and 6.5 million viewers. Fringe was in third place for FOX, posting a 2.5 rating - up 13% vs. last week. Fourth was a Grey’s Anatomy rerun (1.4, 4.7 million) which just beat out Supernatural on the CW (1.2, 2.4 million).
 
At 10, NBC won with the second hour of their SNL special, posting a 3.0 rating and just under 7 million viewers. A The Mentalist rerun was second posting a 2.5 rating and 9 million viewers, beating out a Private Practice rerun on ABC (1.2, 3.7 million)

ABC was all in repeats this week, so CBS saw a rise in all shows (and won the night) and NBC saw minor gains.

CBS led off the night with Survivor: Samoa, which equalled its season high among A18-49 (4.2 rating). At 9, CSI climbed to a 3.9 – a solid number for the once powerhouse. At 10, The Mentalist was roughly level with its last original outing with a 3.6 rating and just under 16.5 million viewers.

NBC was second for the night with their usual comedy lineup. Community posted a 2.2 A18-49 rating and 5.5 million viewers, up slightly from last week. Parks & Rec was level with its last original ep, posting a 2.1 rating and just under 5 million viewers. At 9, The Office jumped slightly to a 4.2 rating and 8.5 million viewers – the leading demo numbers for the night. 30 Rock posted a season high in A18-49 with a 3.2 rating.

FOX was just beaten out into fourth with Bones, which posted season highs in both the key 18-49 demo (3.1 rating) and viewers (10.5 million) Fringe fell slightly from last weeks 2.5 to a 2.3 A18-49 rating – still above their season average though.

ABC was all in repeats with FlashForward (1.0, 3.96 million), Grey’s Anatomy (1.4, 4.9 million) and Private Practice (1.2, 3.9 million). The CW was also in repeats with The Vampire Diaries (0.7, 1.7 million) and Supernatural (0.7, 1.4 millon)

Full Breakdown:

Flashforward (R)
- 3.96 million viewers
- 1.0 A18-49

Grey’s Anatomy (R, 61 minutes)
- 4.9 million viewers
- 1.4 A18-49

Private Practice (R, 59 minutes)
- 3.9 million viewers
- 1.2 A18-49

Survivor
- 13.3 million viewers
- 4.2 A18-49

CSI
- 16.4 million viewers
- 3.9 A18-49

The Mentalist
- 16.372 million viewers
- 3.6 A18-49

Community
- 5.5 million viewers
- 2.2 A18-49

Parks and Recreation
- 4.903 million viewers
- 2.1 A18-49

The Office
- 8.5 million viewers
- 4.2 A18-49

30 Rock
- 6.7 million viewers
- 3.2/9 A18-49

The Jay Leno Show
- 4.96 million viewers
- 1.6 A18-49

Bones
- 10.9 million viewers
- 3.1 A18-49

Fringe
- 6.3 million viewers
- 2.3 A18-49

The Vampire Diaries (R)
- 1.7 million viewers
- 0.7/2 A18-49

Supernatural (R)
- 1.4 million viewers
- 0.7/2 A18-49

We all knew that V was taking a long break after its fourth episode but what we didn’t know was that FlashForward was joining it.

The network announced yesterday that FlashForward will go on hiatus after last nights episode until March 4, where it will return to its regular Thursday 8pm timeslot. V will return on March 20 where it will follow the final season of Lost on Tuesdays at 10pm, a move which is sure to improve the freshman shows falling ratings and help avoid the American Idol freight train.

Most likely midseason drama to replace FlashForward? I think it’s probably going to be The Deep End – a legal drama in a similar tone to Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice.

Are you surprised by this move?

A 9pm without Grey’s Anatomy and with a CSI rerun saw The Office take advantage to be the highest rated show of the night in the key adult demo.

Overall, CBS won the night with Survivor Samoa having the best hour of the night (3.9 A18-49) and CSI (2.3) & The Mentalist (2.6) posting solid numbers for reruns. ABC was second for the night with FlashForward posting season lows in the key demo (2.2) and viewers (7.3 million). At 9, there was no Grey’s Anatomy but a double Private Practice, which posted a 3.3 rating and 9.5 million viewers.

FOX was third last night with a brand new Bones at 8, which drew just under 10 million viewers and a 2.9 rating. Against lesser competition Fringe bounced back from its last original airings 2.0 rating to a 2.5, proving to FOX that it isn’t the creative direction of the show, it’s the timeslot. NBC was fourth for the night even though Community and Parks & Recreation were up vs. last week, averaging a 2.2 rating. At 9, The Office was the top rated show of the night posting a 4.1 rating, followed by a solid ep of 30 Rock (3.0)

The CW was in repeats with The Vampire Diaries and Gossip Girl averaging a 0.7 rating and just under 2 million viewers.

Full Breakdown:

8:00 – CBS – Survivor: Samoa (Adults 18-49 rating) – 3.9 - 12.8 million
FOX – Bones – 2.9  – 10 million viewers
ABC – FlashForward – 2.2 – 7.3 million
NBC - Community – 2.2 - 5.4 million
CW – The Vampire Diaries (repeat) - 0.8 - 2 million

8:30 - NBC Parks and Recreation – 2.1 (Adults 18-49 rating) - 4.8 million viewers

9:00 – FOX – Fringe – 2.5 (Adults 18-49 rating) - 6.9 million viewers
ABC – Private Practice – 3.1 – 9.3 million
CBS – CSI (repeat) – 2.3 - 9.9 million
NBC - The Office – 4.1 – 8.1 million
CW – Supernatural (repeat) - 0.8 - 1.9 million

9:30 – NBC – 30 Rock – 3.0 - 6.2 million

10:00 – ABC – Private Practice – 3.4 (Adults 18-49 rating) - 9.7 million viewers
CBS – The Mentalist (repeat) - 2.6 – 10.7 million
NBC – The Jay Leno Show – 1.5 – 4.7 million

Another week another series low? Let’s look at what’s happened in the world of TV renewals and cancellations.

Yesterday news broke that Three Rivers has been pulled from CBS’ Sunday lineup, to be replaced by an unspecified crime drama (could they have been more vauge?). The show was averaging just a 1.7 18-49 rating, which still doesn’t explain to me why they kept it around for as long as they did. In other news, TNT show Raising The Bar has been canceled after two seasons. Oh, and Hank was unsurprisingly canceled by ABC.

Ugly Betty – I’ve given up all hope for Ugly Betty. The show, now in it’s fourth (and what will be its final) season posted series lows again on Friday. It drew just 3.3 million viewers (down 700,000) and just a 0.9 rating. Now I’m not saying this to be mean but this show will be lucky if it reaches the end of the season. Those numbers are Dollhouse low and without the advantage of being dirt cheap to make. There was a rumor that Betty would be moving to Wednesdays which gave the fans some hope, but honestly I don’t think it would make that big of a difference. It looks like Mode is another publication which has seen its viewership drop.
My Prediction: Still gone by the end of the season ((AT BEST)).

Fringe - A couple of weeks ago the show posted a 1.7 rating and under 5 million viewers and I recognised that people may have been confused with the scheduling because of the World Series. However, last week the show posted just a 2.0 rating, its second lowest figure of the series-to-date. I know that FOX had to sacrifice something in the 9pm Thursday timeslot but why Fringe? I believe that Sou You Think You Can Dance could pull the same numbers as they are now if they were put there. Bones and Fringe should have been on Tuesday. Now I don’t watch the show but I have seen some of the coverage and it seems that fans and critics are in agreement - that the show’s creative direction has never been better. Maybe FOX were looking for a sacrificial lamb, just like they did with the O.C. a couple of years ago. Also, FOX just announced that Fringe will go on a 7 week hiatus soon. Hiatus’ are always good for the ratings, right?
My Prediction: If FOX don’t do something, it’ll be canceled.

FlashForward – I’d just like to welcome this show to the main list. I’m saying that because it’s a worry that it’s here. Did I think that after the solid numbers it opened with it would be here? No, but sometimes even i’m surprised. Am I worried. No. This show isn’t going to last past the end of the season and i’m glad. Maybe with a probable end date the show can end on a creative high, on the date of the FlashForward itself. I really wanted this show to have the chops to be the new LOST but it wasn’t. I know it isn’t Thanksgiving any more but i’m thankful that it will just be a one season story. I think that premise suited one season, which is what it will be. If you don’t believe me, just look at the A18-49 trend. It started with a 3.7 rating and has been dropping a couple of points every week, last time out pulling just a 2.4 rating.
My Prediction: 22 eps and out, which i’m happy about.

Cold Case – Maybe the problem isn’t its lead in? I’ve been thinking that Three Rivers was damaging the shows ratings but last week it was moved to the earlier slot with a solid Survivor Samoa Lead in and still only pulled a 2.0 rating (which is still up but not as much as I thought). Maybe viewers have just outgrown this show and it needs to drive off into the sunset? It will be interesting to see what it can do when the NFL regular season finishes at the beginning of next month.
My Prediction: Sorry fans, but say goodbye after 22.

The Others -

- Smallville – Posted a solid 1.2 rating on its last new airing. I’m really quite happy with the creative direction of the show, which has vastly improved the CW’s friday performance. Will be picked up for next year.

- The Forgotten - Will end its 18 episode run and be gone.

- Hank - pulled from ABC’s schedule and canceled.  

- The Middle – I said last time out that if ABC paired with Modern Family it would probably do much better. It was (a rerun anyway) and it did. I think it will get a second season. Hey, if they renewed Better Off Ted…..

- Trauma - 13 Episodes. NBC has pulled the plug.

- Dollhouse – Canceled. Last few eps are due to begin airing again on Fri. Dec. 4

- Brothers - Didn’t air last week due to a The 40 year old Virgin, which out-rated it by over 75%. Possibly run until the end of the season.

- Law and Order – Posted solid numbers on Friday. I’m really not sure. Possible 21st season……

- Gary Unmarried/ New Adventures of Old Christine – Nothing special. Similar to last season. Possible 2010 pickup.

- Heroes - Now that House is back on FOX, Heroes dropped to a 2.2 rating on its last original airing, definitely not enough to save this expensive show. Gone after 18.

FlashForward has taken a leaf out of the ‘Cougar Town’ book and has shut down production for a short break.

ABC has reportedly temporarily shut down production on the rookie drama. This comes after showrunner Marc Guggenheim left the show last month and is likely to be purely for creative reasons. However, a spokesperson from ABC has said that the show started production early so that they could have breaks if necessary.

The freshman show has also seen a steady decline in ratings since its Sept 24 premiere, reaching new lows last Thursday with just a 2.4 A18-49 rating and just 8 million viewers.

It isn’t the first time this season that a show has had a creative hiatus given to them by ABC – V was shut down for a month earlier in the season due to the network not being happy with the creative direction of the show.

It is due to resume production next Monday after just a 6 day break.