CBS has decided that the Jay Mohr starring vehicle just doesn’t have the ratings to deserve another season

The show was performing at well under the network average, pulling a dismal 1.9 (18-49) rating and under 7 million viewers – making it one of CBS’ poorest performers.

I think that you should feel lucky that the show lasted this long…

I don’t and can’t understand why this show lasted until this season, let alone why I’m contemplating (possibly) another. I know that there is a lack of comedies in syndication, but really?

The show is performing at well under the network average, pulling a dismal 1.9 (18-49) rating and under 7 million viewers – making it one of CBS’ poorest performers.

My guess: canceled. My hope: canceled.

On a night with a sure fire American Idol win, ABC’s comedies and Criminal Minds were also strong.

American Idol led FOX to victory last night, posting a 9.8 rating and 26.7 million viewers – still holding very strong vs. last year. At 9, the second episode of Human Target was roughly level with last nights pilot repeat posting a 3.4 (18-49) rating and 10.4 million viewers.

CBS was second for the night, starting off with a weak Old Christine (1.9, 6.5 million) and equally weak Gary Unmarried (1.9, 6.2 million). Criminal Minds was the nights second strongest show, posting a 4.3 (18-49) rating and 15.3 million viewers. At 10, CSI: NY was solid with a 3.7 rating and 13.9 million viewers.

ABC was third with a mixture of reruns and originals. At 8, a Modern Family rerun posted a 1.6 (18-49) rating leading into a rerun of The Middle, which posted a 1.7 rating and 4.7 million viewers. At 9, a new episode of Modern Family posted a very strong 4.1 (18-49) rating and 9.8 million viewers leading into a new Cougar Town, which posted a 3.4 (18-49) rating and 7.6 million viewers – up vs. last weeks 3.1. At 10, Ugly Betty was level with last weeks 1.6 rating and 4.6 million viewers.

Fourth was NBC, which went with a new episode of Mercy at 8, drawing 5.8 million viewers and a 1.4 (18-49) rating. A rerun of Law & Order: SVU was fourth in the 9pm hour, posting a 1.4 rating and 5.6 million viewers – it just can’t wait to get back to 10pm. The Jay Leno Show was poor last night, posting just a 1.2 (18-49) rating and 4.6 million viewers.

The CW was in reruns last night, with a second airing of new show Life UneXpected posting a 0.7 (18-49) rating and 1.7 million viewers (Better than the last original airing of Melrose Place). A Gossip Girl rerun posted a 0.4 rating and 0.8 million viewers at 9pm.

Full Breakdown:

8:00 – FOX – American Idol – 9.8 (18-49) rating - 26.7 million viewers
CBS – New Adventures of Old Christine – 1.9 - 6.5 million
ABC – Modern Family (R) – 1.6 - 5.1 million
NBC – Mercy – 1.4 - 5.8 million
CW – Life Unexpected (R) – 0.7 - 1.7 million

8:30 – CBS – Gary Unmarried – 1.9 (18-49) rating - 6.2 million
ABC – The Middle (R) – 1.7 - 4.7 million

9:00 – CBS – Criminal Minds – 4.3 (18-49) rating - 15.3 million viewers
ABC – Modern Family – 4.1 - 9.8 million
FOX – Human Target – 3.4 - 10.4 million
NBC – Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (R) – 1.4 - 5.6 million
CW – Gossip Girl (R) – 0.4 - 0.8 million

9:30 – ABC – Cougar Town – 3.4 (18-49) rating - 7.6 million

10:00 – CBS – CSI: NY – 3.7 (18-49) rating - 13.9 million
ABC – Ugly Betty – 1.6 - 4.6 million
NBC – The Jay Leno Show – 1.2 - 4.6 million

American Idol won the night for FOX last night and in doing so forced all other shows to slip except – unexpectedly – Cougar Town, which was at its season-to-date average.

Idol posted a 10.1 (18-49) rating last night between 8-9.30, down almost 15% from yesterdays 11.7. The show also lost 3 million viewers, taking its total to 26.4 million. At 9.30, a rerun of The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special was shown, pulling a 3.6 rating and 8.1 million viewers.

CBS took a hit in the 8pm timeslot last night, with Gary Unmarried and The New Adventures of Old Christine averaging just a 1.9 rating and 6 million viewers – well down from the last new episode. At 9, Criminal Minds continued to perform well with a 3.9 (18-49) rating and 14 million viewers. CSI:NY performed better than its season-to-date average, posting a 3.6 (18-49) rating and 14.1 million viewers.

ABC was another network that was affected heavily by Idol, with The Middle posting just a 2.1 (18-49) rating and 6.1 million viewers. Modern Family was probably the most affected though, losing almost 25% in the key demo with just a 3.2 (18-49) rating and almost 20% in viewers, where it drew 7.6 million. Cougar Town was reasonably unaffected though, staying with its season average – a 3.1 (18-49) rating and 7.4 million viewers. Ugly Betty was steady with last weeks Wednesday night premiere, pulling a 1.6 (18-49) rating and 4.5 million viewers.

NBC has a less than stellar night too, with Mercy pulling just a 1.5 (18-49) rating and 5.9 million viewers (why did they pick up extra episodes of this again?). Law & Order: SVU posted a miserable 2.0 (18-49) rating and 7.7 million viewers – I think this will be the show that’ll improve most when moved back to 10pm. The Jay Leno Show was average – posting a 1.6 rating and 5.4 million viewers.

The CW went with something, I don’t really care though.

Full Breakdown:

8.00pm – FOX – American Idol (8-9.30pm) – 10.1 (18-49) rating – 26.4 million viewers
ABC – The Middle – 2.1 – 6.1 million
CBS – The New Adventures of Old Christine – 1.9 – 6.2 million
NBC – Mercy – 1.5 – 5.9 million

8.30pm – CBS – Gary Unmarried – 1.9 (18-49 rating) – 5.8 million viewers

9.00pm – CBS – Criminal Minds – 3.9 (18-49 rating) – 14 million viewers
ABC – Modern Family – 3.2 – 7.6 million
NBC – Law & Order: SVU – 2.0 – 7.7 million

9.30pm - FOX – The Simpsons – 3.6 (18-49 rating) – 8.1 million viewers
ABC – Cougar Town – 3.1 – 7.4 million viewers

10 pm – CBS – CSI: NY – 3.6 (18-49 rating) – 14.1 million viewers
NBC – The Jay Leno Show - 1.6 – 5.4 million
ABC – Ugly Betty – 1.6 – 4.5 million

Even though it was the So You Think You Can Dance finale last night, it was CBS that took the ratings crown.

In Brief:

So You Think You Can Dance drove FOX to second with it’s highest (18-49) rating in some time with a 2.6.

Criminal Minds took the nights top (18-49) rating with a 3.7, beating CSI: NY (3.1) into second.

New Adventures Of Old Christine and Gary Unmarried posted their highest numbers in a while with a 2.4 and 2.5 (18-49) rating respectively.

Winners:
Criminal Minds (CBS)
So You Think You Can Dance (FOX)
CSI: NY (CBS)

Losers:
ABC Reruns
CW Reruns
The Sing-Off

8:00 – FOX – So You Think You Can Dance – 2.5 (18-49) rating – 6.7 million viewers
CBS – New Adventures of Old Christine – 2.4 - 7.8 million
NBC – The Sing-Off – 2.1 - 6.9 million
ABC – Disney Prep & Landing (R) – 2.0 - 6.8 million
CW – Vampire Diaries (R) - 0.5 - 1.3 million

8:30 – CBS – Gary Unmarried – 2.5 (18-49) rating - 7.9 million
ABC – The Middle (R) - 1.7 - 5.5 million

9:00 – CBS – Criminal Minds – 3.7 (18-49) rating - 14.6 million viewers
FOX – So You Think You Can Dance – 2.7 - 7.3 million
NBC – The Sing-Off – 2.2 - 6.4 million
ABC – Modern Family (R) - 1.9 - 5.2 million
CW – Vampire Diaries (R) - 0.6 - 1.4 million

9:30 – ABC – Cougar Town (R) - 1.8 - 4.6 million

10:00 – CBS – CSI: NY – 3.1 (18-49) rating - 13.5 million viewers
NBC – The Jay Leno Show – 1.6 - 5.5 million
ABC – Eastwick – 1.3 - 3.7 million

Last night saw Glee end on a high note and a Modern Family Christmas but it was CBS who took the ratings crown.

CBS started the night with a combination of The New Adventures of Old Christine and Gary Unmarried, which averaged a 2.3 rating and 7.5 million viewers. At 9pm, Criminal Minds was strong with a 3.8 (18-49 rating), up a couple of ticks vs. last original airing. CSI: NY ended the night roughly level with last week with a 3.2 rating and 13 million viewers.

FOX was second with the combination of So You Think You Can Dance (2.3, 6.7 million) and Glee, which averaged a stellar 3.6 rating (A18-49) and a whopping 5.4 in Adults 18-34, which was still down 10% vs. last week.

ABC was third with Shrek The Halls (R)/ The Middle at 8pm which averaged 2.6 (18-49) rating and 8.1 million viewers. Modern Family had a strong night, averaging a 3.8 rating and 9.6 million viewers. At 9.30, Cougar Town was down from the lead in to a pretty poor 2.8 rating. At 10, the Barbara Walters Special averaged a solid 3.1 rating and 10.5 million viewers.

NBC had a very quiet night last night with Mercy at 8 (1.8, 7.1 million) and Law & Order: SVU, which was below its season-to-date average with a 2.3 rating and 8 million viewers. The CW was last with a rerun of Gossip Girl (0.3, 0.9 million) and a rerun of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show (0.7, 1.7 million).

Full Breakdown:

8:00 – ABC – Shrek The Halls (R) - 2.6 - 8.5 million
FOX – So You Think You Can Dance – 2.3 - 6.7 million
CBS – New Adventures of Old Christine – 2.2 (A18-49) - 7.7 million viewers
NBC – Mercy – 1.8 - 7.1 million
CW – Gossip Girl (R) – 0.3 - 0.9 million

8:30 – ABC – The Middle – 2.5 (A18-49) - 7.7 million viewers
CBS – Gary Unmarried – 2.4 – 7.2 million

9:00 – CBS – Criminal Minds – 3.8 (A18-49) - 14.3 million viewers
FOX – Glee – 3.6 (A18-49) - 8.1 million
ABC – Modern Family – 3.8 - 9.6 million
NBC – Law & Order: SVU – 2.3 - 8 million
CW – Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show (R) – 0.7 - 1.7 million

9:30 – ABC – Cougar Town – 2.8 - 6.9 million

10:00 – CBS – CSI: NY – 3.2 (A18-49) - 13 million viewers
ABC – Barbara Walters Special – 3.1 - 10.5 million
NBC – The Jay Leno Show – 1.3 - 4.5 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.

Last night saw a massive dip for all networks – maybe they should’ve gone with repeats?

CBS’ combination of New Adventures of Old Christine/ Gary Unmarried led off the night, pulling a 1.9 rating and 6.9 million viewers. Criminal Minds posted the nights highest 18-49 rating with a 3.1 at 9. CSI: NY was the nights second highest rated show at 10 with a 2.9 rating

NBC led off the night in the lead with a Biggest Loser special, which averaged a 2.6 rating and 7.7 million viewers between 8-10pm. Leno pulled a 1.6 rating at 10 to give NBC second place for the night.

ABC should’ve given its freshman comedies the night off yesterday, as all 4 timeslots were down vs last week. The Middle was down 25% to a 1.8 rating (from a 2.4), Modern Family was down (and hit series lows) over 33% vs. last week with just a 2.4 rating (3.7 last week), Cougar Town was also down almost 33% to a 1.9 rating (vs. 3.1). Eastwick also hit series lows with a 1.1 rating.

So You Think You Can Dance started the night off in fourth place for FOX hitting a series low 1.6 rating. At 9, Glee fell almost 25%, posting just a 2.5 rating (vs. 3.2) and 6.1 million viewers.

CW were in all repeats last night with movie presentation Gracie, which averaged a 0.4 rating and 1.3 million viewers.

Overall Average

CBS - 2.6 – 11,026,000 million viewers
NBC  - 2.4 – 6,836,000
FOX – 2.0 – 5,491,000
ABC - 1.7 – 5,248,000
CW – 0.4 – 1,342,000 

Time/A18-49 Viewers        Show Title
 Net    rating    

8pm -
NBC   2.5      7,599,000       THE BIGGEST LOSER:  WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
CBS    1.8       7,005,000      THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE
ABC  1.6       5,536,000        MODERN FAMILY (R)
FOX   1.5      4,697,000        SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE
CW    0.6       1,631,000        GRACIE

8.30pm -
NBC   2.8   7,809,000          THE BIGGEST LOSER:  WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
CBS    1.9   6,799,000          GARY UNMARRIED
ABC   1.8  5,999,000            THE MIDDLE
FOX   1.7   5,054,000          SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE
CW     0.4   1,194,000           GRACIE

9:00pm -
CBS   3.1  13,171,000          CRIMINAL MINDS
NBC  2.9   7,880,000          THE BIGGEST LOSER:  WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
FOX  2.5   6,084,000          GLEE
ABC   2.4  7,122,000          MODERN FAMILY
CW    0.4   1,246,000           GRACIE

9:30pm -
ABC  1.9   5,529,000            COUGAR TOWN
CBS   3.2  13,851,000          CRIMINAL MINDS
NBC  2.8   7,501,000          THE BIGGEST LOSER:  WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
FOX  2.5   6,130,000          GLEE
CW    0.4   1,297,000          GRACIE

10:00pm 
CBS   2.8  12,651,000         CSI: NY
NBC  1.7   5,435,000          THE JAY LENO SHOW
ABC  1.2   3,892,000          EASTWICK

10:30pm 
CBS   2.9  12,681,000          CSI: NY
ABC  1.0  3,412,000            EASTWICK
CBS   2.9  12,681,000          CSI: NY
NBC  1.5   4,792,000          THE JAY LENO SHOW

ABC did a little better last night, even though they’ve yanked Hank from their lineup. Cougar Town and Modern Family bounced back although CBS still took the victory.

The Middle hit its best numbers since the premiere back in September with the help of a Modern Family rerun as its lead in. The Janet Jackson special outperformed Eastwick by over 25% this week which is why it has also been pulled.

Glee hit series highs amongst A18-34 with a 5.1 rating but fell slightly among A18-49 vs. last week.

8:00 – CBS – New Adventures of Old Christine – 2.2 A18-49 rating - 7.5 million viewers

FOX - So You Think You Can Dance – 2.1 A18-49 rating - 5.7 million viewers

NBC – Mercy – 2.0 A18-49 rating - 7.8 million viewers

ABC – Modern Family (R) - 1.9 A18-49 rating - 6.2 million viewers

CW – America’s Next Top Model – 1.7 A18-49 rating - 3.7 million viewers
8:30 – CBS – Gary Unmarried – 2.5 A18-49 rating - 7.2 million viewers

ABC - The Middle – 2.4 A18-49 rating – 7.1 million viewers
9:00 – CBS – Criminal Minds – 3.7 A18-49 rating - 13.5 million viewers

ABC – Modern Family – 3.7 A18-49 rating - 9.2 million viewers

FOX - Glee – 3.2 A18-49 rating - 7.29

NBC – Law & Order: SVU – 2.6 - 8.43

CW – America’s Next Top Model (Clip Show) – 0.8 A18-49 rating - 1.8 million viewers

 
9:30 – ABC – Cougar Town – 3.2 A18-49 rating - 7.9 million viewers
10:00 – CBS – CSI: NY – 3.2 A18-49 rating - 13.7 million viewers

ABC – Robin Roberts: Janet Jackson – 2.3 A18-49 rating - 6.64

NBC – The Jay Leno Show – 1.4 - 4.8 million viewers

To view the latest What’s Next To Be Cancelled #6, Click Here

So, it’s Tuesday again and time to look at what’s transpired in the world of television renewals and cancellations.

In an update from last week, Eastwick has been canceled, The Forgotten has been extended by 5 episodes (?) and ABC show Let’s Dance has been pulled from the schedule before it was even aired. There was also some news on CBS where  #1 (A18-49) network comedy The Big Bang Theory and #1 scripted show (in viewers) NCIS have been extended to 24 eps, as has How I Met Your Mother, NCIS: LA, CSI: Miami and Two and a Half Men with Criminal Minds, CSI: NY, The Good Wife, CSI, and The Mentalist, all having 1 extra ep ordered and Numb3rs has had its episode order reduced to 16.

This week I’m going to start with Fringe - Ruh-roh, a 1.7 rating and under 5 million viewers? Indeed. Fringe has its worst week of its relatively short life last Thursday which is a problem for them and for FOX. Last year the show was doing so well (even before Idol started airing) averaging and solid late 2’s/early 3’s and since then the show has gotten better. Now this is one of the rare incidences where I believe that most of this is caused by the timeslot and not the show itself. FOX needs to find a slot where this works or it will be gone by the end of the year. The problem is that FOX’s schedule is full of solid shows this year (both creatively and in the ratings). I think the 1.7 rating though can be attributed to not many people knowing it was on due to the World Series being cut short.

Ugly Betty – Ugly Betty posted series lows again last Friday and unless something drastic happens this show might not even make it until the end of the season. The dramedy, now in its 4th season posted just a 1.2 rating in the finals and just over 4 million viewers. Oops….spoke too soon. Apparently ABC are moving it to Wednesday nights. This could be in place of either Eastwick, which was canceled earlier today or a replacement for Hank/ The Middle. My bet – it replaces Eastwick.
My Prediction: Still gone by the end of the season. Renewed (geddit?) interest will lead to better ratings though.

Three Rivers – I really don’t know what’s going on over at CBS. The only reason that I can see as to why this is still on the air is because the shows advertising was pre-sold at a nice rate. Either that or it’s Julie Chen’s favorite new show and Les Moonves, the CBS president, doesn’t want to piss off his new wife! The show averaged just a 1.8 rating last week which was up but is still not good enough (even for NBC!) but it lived to see another day.
My Prediction: As soon as the prepaid ad money runs out, so does its luck.

Cold Case – Just a short one today on this. What I can’t understand is why Numb3rs’ episode order was cut short but not this show? The former is a better performer and is on Friday to boot. It pulled a 1.6 rating this week, up slightly from last week but still nothing to write home about and is still CBS’ worst performing scripted show. Yes, worse than Three Rivers even.
My Prediction: I can’t see how but it’ll make it to 22 and finish

The Others -

- Smallville – Posted series highs last week and isn’t going anywhere, even if Zod gains the powers of the yellow sun. Will be picked up for next year.

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

- Hank - Fell to a series low 1.2 rating this week. Hasn’t got a chance of a back 9 pickup & lucky to finish its limited run.

- The Middle – I don’t know. If paired with Modern Family it would probably do much better. Wait and See…..

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

- Dollhouse – Replaced by a Bones rerun which outrated it by 50%. 13 and out.

- Brothers - Didn’t air due to a House rerun which also outrated it by 50%. Possibly run until the end of the season.

- Law and Order – Posted its season best numbers on Friday (1.7/1.8) Was I wrong to count it out so early? Nope. 18 and Out.

- Gary Unmarried/ New Adventures of Old Christine – A 2.0 rating last week. Nothing special. Similar to last season. Possible 2010 pickup.

- Heroes - Now that House is back on FOX, Heroes dropped to a 2.3 rating last night which definitely isn’t enough to save this expensive show. Gone after 18.