It was another very dark week of television with only two and a half hours of new scripted programming. And even without any new competition, only one half hour of that could be considered remotely successful. Better Off Ted (2.69m/1)was the first new show of the week on Tuesday, and it still landed in third place, barely besting a repeat Parks & Recreation (2.61m/.9). Eastwick (3.26m/1) didn’t have much more success on Wednesday, finishing third behind repeats of Leno (4.38m/1.2) and CSI: NY (10.85m/2.3).
The week wrapped up with Better Off Ted (5.62m/1.7) and Scrubs (3.53m/1.2) on Friday. At first glance, that looks rather impressive for Ted. Unfortunately, the fact that the boost came following the last half hour of the Rose Bowl (19.95m/5.8) takes a lot of the shine off of that particular result. Although, if you do prefer your Better Off Ted beaker to be half full, those 5.62 million viewers did come when the show was up against the Sugar Bowl (16.05m/5.1), so make of it what you will. Next week, we’ll be back to a much fuller schedule, with many more interesting numbers.
Clacked by Brett Love 
on Jan 04, 2010 @ 11:00 EST5EDT
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Even better, Friday’s new BOT didn’t even air in my area, which ran a repeat following the Scrubs episode instead. Tracking it down online, I was gratified to find it their best episode since “Racial Sensitivity.” I sure will miss this show once ABC finishes sweeping it under the rug.
Better off Ted episode last night was so funny. ABC get a clue and get behind this smart and funny comedy.