Apparently not even the failure of two series can stop the eye from chasing you…

CBS have been looking for a star to headline the greenlit remake of the Hawaii Five-O remake, and Alex O’Loughlin is top of the list.

An insider said: “Talks are ongoing. CBS really wants to do another series with him”.

As you may remember, O’Loughlin recently starred in fan favorite Moonlight and the complete and utter failure that was Three Rivers.

Last night saw the Colts beat the Patriots with a last gasp attack and it was NBC which reaped the benefits.

At 7pm, a football overrun helped FOX win the hour with The OT from 7.30-8. Football Night in America was second for NBC, pulling in a 2.7  rating and 7.3 million viewers.

As usual, Sunday Night Football won the night for NBC, averaging a 7.5 rating and just under 19 million viewers. In other news, Three Rivers and Cold Case were up a couple of ticks vs. last week, The Simpsons got a nice post- NFL bump and Brothers and Sisters were up 9% from last weeks series low (2.9 vs. 3.2).

7pm -
FOX – Football Overrun/ The OT - 6.6 rating (A18-49) – 17.5 million viewers. 
NBC – Football Night in America – 2.7 rating (A18-49) – 7.3 million viewers
CBS – 60 Minutes – 2.2 rating (A18-49) – 12.2 million viewers
ABC – America’s Funniest Home Videos - 2.2 rating – 8.5 million viewers

8pm -
NBC – Football Night in America/ SNF – 6.7 rating (A18-49) – 16.25 million
FOX – Simpsons/ Cleveland Show – 3.8 rating (A18-49) – 8 million viewers
ABC – Extreme Makeover: Home Edition – 3.6 rating (A18-49) – 11.58 million
CBS – The Amazing Race – 3.2 rating (A18-49) – 11.64 million viewers.

9pm -
NBC – Sunday Night Football – 7.7 rating (A18-49) -  20.9 million viewers.
ABC – Desperate Housewives – 4.9 rating (A18-49) – 14.4 million viewers. 
FOX - Family Guy/ American Dad – 3.5 rating (A18-49) – 7.1 million viewers
CBS – Three Rivers – 2.0 rating (A18-49) – 8.5 million viewers

10pm -
NBC – Sunday Night Football – 7.0 rating (A18-49) – 17.5 million viewers.
ABC – Brothers and Sisters – 3.2 rating (A18-49) – 10.2 million viewers.
CBS – Cold Case - 2.1 rating (A18-49) – 9.2 million viewers.

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

In an update from last week, the Trauma production team have been told that they’re done once the 13 episodes that have been produced have aired. Also, cancelled WB series ‘Southland’ was picked up by TNT and will start airing on January 12. Scrubs (Dec 1) season 9 and Better Off Ted season 2 (Dec 8) were given premiere dates (it’ll be interesting to see how they do) and NBC ordered 6 more episodes of ‘Chuck’, taking its total to 19 (we still don’t believe it’s going to start airing in March though).

This week i’m starting with an endangered species, ABC’s Ugly Betty. I know that ABC has a pretty strong schedule this year and thus there was no choice but to move Betty to Friday’s, which was a big mistake. In its first 3 hour long episodes the show, now in its fourth season, has averaged just a 1.4 rating (that;s Jay Leno territory) and just under 5 million viewers. The problem is that this show has quite a large cast and therefore probably quite a large pay packet to cover. The show is made by ABC studios so it has to directly cover these costs which I can’t see them wanting to do for much longer. In comparison, it was averaging a 2.2 rating last year….
My Prediction: Gone by the end of the season. With those numbers, even on a Friday ABC can’t justify keeping it around…

Three Rivers – My prediction was again wrong. CBS was mostly in repeats last week but Three Rivers wasn’t. It AGAIN averaged just a 1.7 rating which is not good enough (even for NBC!) but it lived to see another day. CSI and The Mentalist reruns out-rated it last week by around 40%!  I’m not sure if they’re just burning off episodes but this show is definitely gone by Christmas.
My Prediction: Cancelled by Christmas.

Eastwick – This week Eastwick was up a tick in the key ad demo and total viewers but it still isn’t good enough. ABC might want to pretend that they’re happy with this shows performance but who are they kidding. This show was also outrated by a few of CBS’s reruns and one night of Leno last week which is simply not good enough. I know that they probably just want to burn off episodes (like  Three Rivers…) and get the show out of there quietly without too much fuss. They’re leaving it on through sweeps simply because any reruns they could put off would rate lower than the freshman show
My Prediction: Santa comes, Eastwick goes.   

The Forgotton - wins! Well not really. It did win the 10pm hour for ABC last week but was only up against The Good Wife (rerun) and Leno. It pulled a solid 2.0 rating in the key demo (18-49) and 8.5 million viewers (which itself is not terrible). I think that this show will stay on the air until christmas also, but only because of the same reason as Eastwick, there’s notthing to replace it and we’re in sweeps. ABC’s having a better development year this year so I can’t see them being massviely bothered by this not grabbing the 4.0 rating the network is searching for.
My Prediction: Same as Eastwick and Three Rivers

Cold Case - This show has been a solid performer for CBS but after the way that the ratings have dipped this season I wouldn’t expect to see it back next season. The show pulled just a 1.5 rating on Sunday night, which is over 33% down on where it was at the end of last season. In fact, I think that this show is now the lowest rated scripted programming that they have on the air. It’s had a good run but it’s time to say goodbye…
My Prediction: End of its 22 episode season.

The Others -

- Fringe - Didn’t air this week due to the World Series. Needs to improve or gone after 22.

- Hank - replaced by Charlie Brown this week which led The Middle to its best ratings since its series premiere. Hasn’t got a chance of a back 9 pickup.

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

- Dollhouse – Replaced by a House rerun which outrated it by 33%. 13 and out.

- Brothers - Didn’t air due to a House rerun which also outrated it by over 33%. Possibly run until the end of the season.

- Law and Order – Apparently NBC are talking about ordering an extra 4 eps this season? Still looks bleak. 18 and Out.

- Gary Unmarried/ New Adventures of Old Christine – In reruns last week. Similar to last season. Possible 2010 pickup.

- Heroes - A 2.5 isn’t enough to save this expensive show. Gone after 18.

Last night the Yankees again beat the Phillies to take a 3-1 World Series lead. FOX, on the other hand, is 4-0 for the series.

FOX again took the nights honors between 8-11p, drawing a 7.7 rating and 22 million viewers with a nice lead in from the close Packers- Vikings game.

ABC’s lineup performed better than last week up against the Baseball coverage with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition pulling a 3.4 18-49 rating, Desperate Housewives rising to a 4.9 rating and Brothers & Sisters steady with a 3.3 rating.

CBS was downvs. last week with The Amazing Race pulling a 3.2 adults 18-49 rating, Three Rivers steady (but low) with a  1.7 rating, and Cold Case dropping to a series low 1.6 rating.

There wasn’t an NFL game on NBC last night so it went with Football Nght in America at 7, which averaged an anemic 0.6 rating and 2.6 million viewers. At 8, NBC went with the movie “National Treasure” which averaged a  1.6 rating and 4.8 million viewers between 8-11 pm.

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

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

In an update from last week, Community, Parks and Recreation and Mercy were given back 9 pickups by NBC. The Vampire Diaries was given a full season and Melrose were given an extra 5 episodes. What does this say about the chance of a the others? Find out below.

So we’ll again start with Three Rivers. My prediction was wrong. It lived to see another day… I can’t really see how much longer CBS are willing to put up with these numbers, especially seeing CSI and The Mentalist reruns out-rate it last week. I haven’t yet seen the numbers from last night but I predict that they’ll be lower than last week.
My Prediction: I’m puzzled. Although with November sweeps coming up I believe cancellation is imminent.

Eastwick – Last week ABC released a statement that they’re happy with Eastwick and will continue showing it and I believed them, to an extent. I believe that they’re happy with the content and creative direction that the show is going but there isn’t a chance in hell that I believe that they’re happy with the numbers. I will concede that this show isn’t going to get cancelled before Christmas but will not be picked up for a back 9. Judging by last weeks ratings which were steady with the week before at a (1.7 18-49), there’s no way that advertisers are happy with the performance.  
My Prediction: End after 13 episodes.  

The Forgotton - I was slightly surprised that this show actually bounced back slightly from last weeks ratings low and posted a 2.0 A18-49 rating. I know that NBC’s comedies Parks and Recreation and Community were picked up with similar numbers last week but still. This isn’t NBC, it’s ABC. They expect more from their shows and aren’t just trying to make the best of a bad situation.
My Prediction: Gone after 13 Eps

Fringe - Unfortunately Fringe has made it into the main list this week. This isn’t because it’s a bad show or it’s numbers are at Three Rivers levels but because it’s down so much from last season. The problem is the shows timeslot. It’s clear to see that FOX went with counter-programming when finding this show a slot. They’ve put it against two of the most successful shows of the last decade in CSI and Grey’s Anatomy along with demo powerhouse The Office & 30 Rock. They could’ve had a better response if they put something like Glee or So You Think You Can Dance in this slot.
My Prediction: Full 22 and who knows? I can’t imagine it’s a cheap show so it needs to get to at least a 2.5 for next year consideration.

The Others -

- Eastwick - Stayed the same this week. Their unlucky number is 13

- Hank - Pulled a season low 1.5 rating this week and really hasn’t got a chance of a back 9 pickup.

- Trauma - Although it wasn’t mentioned when P&R, Community and Mercy got picked it, the lack of a mention said more than if it was…13 Episodes. ‘Nuff Said.

- Dollhouse – Pulled a 0.8 rating and 2.2 million viewers this week. Don’t get too attached. 13 and out.

- Brothers - a 0.8 again this week, no rerun on Sunday. Possibly run until the end of the season.

- Law and Order – Say goodbye after 20 prosperous seasons.

- Gary Unmarried/ New Adventures of Old Christine – Similar to last season. Possible 2010 pickup.

- Heroes - A 2.5 isn’t enough to save this expensive show. Gone after 18.

UPDATE: Melrose Place encores have just been pulled from Wednesday Nights and are to be replace by The Vampire Diaries encores – sound move.

What do you think’s next to go? Sound off below!

A NFL overrun on FOX combined with the ALCS Game won the night, beating out NBC’s Sunday Night Football for the top spot- a seasons first.

The NFL overrun on FOX lasted until the start of the Angels-Yankees game averaging 21 million viewers and a 7.8 rating from 7-8pm. The AlCS game averaged a 5.2 rating and 15.5 million viewers for the rest of FOX’s night, giving them a 5.5 18-49 average and 15.8 million viewers, the best of the night.

NBC’s Football Night in America (2.0 rating, 5.5 million viewers) and Sunday Night Football (13 million, 5.0 rating) between the hours of 8-11pm (incuding 1/2 hour of Football Night in America) was good enough for second spot.

ABC ran with America’s Funniest Home Videos at 7, pulling a 2.3 rating and 8.4 million viewers, up slightly from last week. At 8, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition drew a 3.0 rating and 10.6 million viewers, also slightly up from last week. At 9, Desperate Housewives drew 13.6 million viewers and a 4.6 rating – roughly level with last week. At 10, Brothers and Sisters brought in around 10 million viewers and a 3.3 rating which was also up vs. last week.

CBS’ lineup was actually not affected by a NFL overrun this week (thank God!). 60 minutes at 7pm pulled a 2.1 rating and 12.1 million viewers which cannot be compared to last week because of the NFL overrun. At 8, The Amazing Race was level with last week, pulling a 3.2 and 10.9 million viewers, also level with last week. At 9, Three Rivers averaged a 1.7 which is equally as bad as last week but did gain a couple of points in the viewers (7.9 million). Cold Case seems to be heavily affected by its lead in, pulling just a 1.7 and 8.8 million viewers to round out the night for CBS.

With a rainout in the Yankees- Angels ALCS game, ABC beat the Saturday competition to take the night with an average 1.4 rating and 4.4 million viewers.

Fox showed 4 lots of Cops in place of the baseball which averaged a 1.2 rating and 3.8 million viewers over the 2 hours.

CBS went with repeats of Three Rivers (0.7, 3.8 million), a repeat of 48 hours Mystery (1.0, 5.04 million) and a brand new 48 Hours Mystery, which brought in a 1.5 18-49 rating and 6.5 million viewers, the highest of the night in both categories.  

NBC came in last with repeats of Mercy (0.5, 2.5 million viewers), Trauma (0.6, 3.3 million) and Law and Order: SVU which brought in a 1.1 rating and 4.7 million viewers.

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

So, another week of TV viewing has passed and the average viewership numbers have changed again. Now I’m not saying they’ve changed enough to matter, but just that they’ve changed.

In this weeks edition, I’ll be looking at Community, Parks and Recreation, The Forgotton, Brothers, Mercy and Three Rivers. I’ll also take a look at how the others did this week.

So we start with Three Rivers. This is my bet to die a very sudden death in the next few days. Last night it pulled just a 1.7  A18-49 rating (which is the rating the network is interested in), half of what CBS would expect. Although the show didn’t lose any traction this week it also didn’t gain any. CBS would have probably given it 3 weeks after they saw the numbers last week and once it didn’t improve….Ker-Blam.
My Prediction: Say buh-bye, it’s gone within the week

Brothers – I personally didn’t give the show a chance at the beginning of the season. I even wondered why FOX ordered it in the first place. I couldn’t wrap my head around why you would order a show and then give it the worst slot in your schedule. But looking at the encore episode numbers on a Sunday I can see the problem straight away. Put it on Sundays damnit! It’s pulling almost double what it’s pulling on a Friday and could, with the shuffle, pull over a 2.0 rating. Who cares what you put in its place, although a double Til Death would help burn those episodes off quickly.
My Prediction: End of 13/ Possible back 9 pickup.  

Community/ Parks and Recreation – These are both shows that I like very much. I watch them religiously and want no harm to come to them. However, last weeks numbers for the series’ were a 1.9 A18-49 rating, around the same as last week. Again, these numbers are unsatisfactory (even for NBC) when it comes to primetime. Although they work for Leno so who knows.
My prediction: End of the season.

The Forgotton - forget about it. This show got beaten by Leno last week. Not only that but it’s way more expensive to make and has a solid lead-in. This freshman show has been bleeding viewers since day one and will just about last until the end of the 13 episode order.
My Prediction: Gone after 13 Eps

Mercy - I haven’t seen this show, nor do I want to waste my time. This show is another NBC mistake. What did they think that they had a shot of replacing E.R. so ordered 2 medical drama’s and surely one would be a hit? Get real NBC!
My Prediction: 13 and out. Still doomed. No improvement in the ratings. Will last until the current Dancing With The Stars Cycle Ends.

The Others -

- Eastwick - Stayed the same this week. Their unlucky number is 13

- Hank - Nah Nah Nah Nah, Nah Nah Nah Nah, Hey Hey Hey, Good-bye. Has been dumped on October 28 for It’s a great pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Never a good sign. Will be replaced by Scrubs: Medical School after Christmas

- The Middle - A full 22 has been ordered. It could improve given the right lead in.

- Trauma - 13 Episodes. ‘Nuff Said.

- Fringe - Pulled another 2.2 rating this week. Needs to buck up its ideas. Completely wrong timeslot. Will stick around though.

What do you think’s next to go? Sound off below!

Sunday saw NBC win a night with Sunday Night Football coverage of the Chicago Bears @ Atlanta Falcons. Due to an NFL 75 minute overrun CBS was also strong.

A football overrun on CBS helped them win the 7pm time period, brining in a 6.5 A18-49 rating and 20.8 million viewers. NBC also had NFL coverage with Football Night in America pulling a 2.2 rating and 6 million viewers. Over on ABC, An hour of America’s Funniest Home Video’s brought in a 2.0 A18-49 rating and 7.8 million viewers. Fox went with their usual lineup of reruns of Brothers (1.7) and The Simpsons (2.1).

At 8, A 15 minute overrun and 60 minutes pulled a 4.3 rating and 16.3 million viewers. Football Night in America and The first half hour of the Bears/Falcons game brought in around 12.75 million viewers and a 4.8 rating for NBC. On Fox, The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror episode and a new ‘Cleveland Show’ saw 8.1 million viewers and a 4.0 A18-49 rating. On ABC, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition pulled a 3.0 rating and 10.3 million viewers.

Sunday Night Football kept its lead for NBC at 9, with a 6.1 A18-49 rating and 16 million viewers. Desperate Housewives was up vs. last week bringing in a 4.6 rating and 13.5 million viewers. On Fox, a Family Guy repeat and new American Dad brought in a 3.7 rating and 7.2 million viewers. The 60 minutes overrun and The Amazing Race brought in 10.7 million viewers and a 2.9 A18-49 rating.

At 10, the NFL coverage continued to be rampant pulling a 6.3 rating and 15.4 million viewers. Brothers and Sisters was up vs last week with 9.7 million viewers and a 3.2 A18-49 rating. The Amazing Race overrun and Three Rivers pulled a 2.0 rating, although Three Rivers was down to a 1.7 in the second half hour, which means that the 15 minute Amazing Race overrun probably contributed heavily to the 2.4 Three Rivers pulled from 10-10.30

CBS’ Three Rivers premiered last night. I have to tell you, the results were not excellent.

Despite a pretty solid lead in from The Amazing Race, the show only managed to hold on to 66% of its A18-49 rating (2.0 vs 3.0) and around 80% of its viewership (9.4 million vs 7.4million). This is not a good sign of things to come.

The only network those numbers would be OK on are The CW. Ok maybe NBC to some extent but definitely not CBS. CBS has a history of cancelling shows with an A18-49 above 2.5 (see Without a Trace, The Class) so I can’t really see how they can possibly live with a 2.0. I can’t see any way around it.

I give it three episodes, care to guesstimate with me?