ABC – With the holidays behind us, the network television schedules are filling back up. One of the big premieres last week was the return of V (6.59m/2.1). Unfortunately, it returned right around the number it left with last season. The number that had it on the fence for cancellation. That’s not a great start, but we’ll have to wait and see which way it goes. That was the theme of the night for Tuesday, as No Ordinary Family (6.75m/1.9) and Detroit 187 (5.2m/1.2) also failed to impress.
In much better news, Winter Wipeout (11.69m/3.8) had great numbers in the black hole that has been Thursday at 8:00. That led to another solid outing from Grey’s Anatomy (11.64m/4.2) and the demo friendly return of Private Practice (7.67m/2.7). Did anyone expect Wipeout to have more viewers than Grey’s? Earlier in the week, Sunday was fairly standard with Extreme Makeover (9.35m/2.7), Desperate Houswives (12.1m/3.8), and Brothers & Sisters (7.97m/2.4).
There are questions where the return of The Bachelor (9.04m/2.9) is concerned. That’s off the pace of last season, but the Bachelor audience is a fickle beast. There could still be big gains, depending on how well the casting works out. Castle (9.61m/2.4) also returned to below average numbers. Finishing things up, the comedy block looked good with The Middle (9.31m/2.8), Better With You (7.44m/2.5), Modern Family (11.83m/4.8), and Cougar Town (6.57m/2.8).
CBS - The big premiere for the week was Live To Dance. The first night (10.22m/2.4) was okay, but there was a sharp drop for the second outing (7.65m/1.8). It doesn’t look like there is a hit brewing here, and leaves me thinking that this might be better served as a summer show. The week started on good footing with CSI Miami (11.25m/2.5) and Undercover Boss (10.68m/2.7) before really taking off with the Monday comedies.
How I Met Your Mother (10.15m/3.9), Rules Of Engagement (9.76m/3.4), Two and a Half Men (15.36m/4.7), and Mike & Molly (12.39m/3.7) show no signs of slowing down. Hawaii Five-O (11m/2.9) remains solid as well, and has distanced itself from Castle. Not quite as exciting, the network also offered the People’s Choice Awards (9.52m/2.7). Not horrible numbers, but not even in the ballpark of what we’ll see from the Golden Globes.
Thursday also started big, with Big Bang Theory (13.98m/4.4). $#*! My Dad Says (10.79m/2.9) was okay, but I am curious about the drop-off. That demo makes this the last place comedy on the network, and I suspect we’ll see something else at 8:30 next fall. CSI (14.22m/3.3) and The Mentalist (14.88m/3.1) finished Thursday in typical fashion. The week ended with Medium (6.9m/1.4) and CSI NY (9.35m/1.6) on Friday.
NBC - The week started with the season finale of Sunday Night Football (15.79m/5.7). You know, the one where the Seattle Seahawks played their way into the playoffs so they could go on to destroy the Saints in the first round. That one. Biggest Loser (8.79m/3.3) was up next, and is looking better than it was earlier in the season. Parenthood (5.98m/2.3) is still struggling, but at this point any drama on NBC with over a 2 in the demo has a lot of shows behind it. Minute To Win It (6.69m/2.1) remains decent filler. The best news was probably from Law & Order SVU (10.6m/2.9). It’s been a strange up and down season of numbers, but getting north of 3.0 would be a much needed boost for the network.
FOX - It would appear that the scheduling department at FOX is still on vacation staffing. They only managed four hours for the week. Two each from Million Dollar Money Drop (3.82m/1.3 – 4.59m/1.4) and Human Target (6.18m/1.7 – 6.49m/1.7). Nothing too exciting in either case. I suspect they’re just marking time until Idol arrives.
Clacked by Brett Love 
on Jan 10, 2011 @ 10:00 EST5EDT
WEST COAST SPORTS BIAS!!
Ok, I was pulling for the Seakhawks, too :)
I just think it’s hilarious that only a superbowl vistory will give the Seahawks a better than .500 record.
*POST AUTHOR*
That east coast bias is a real thing. I turned on ESPN’s First Take this morning before leaving for work. In the first half hour they talked about Packers/Eagles, NCAA Championship, and Ravens/Chiefs. How do you not lead with the upset by the biggest home underdog in playoff history, in a game that featured the play of the weekend?
. . . . .
In answer to your question, Brett:
First, you have to work at ESPN …
Eh, Mike, I’ve got friends that work (and others that have worked) at ESPN. They just perpetuate the cycle.
Brett: Statistically, the odds are the games mentioned have a greater bearing on the rest of the playoffs than the Seattle game.
Personally, though, I think Seattle has a chance.
Don’t worry the Patiots will kick everyone’s ass around the field, destroying any bias.
. . . . .
So Mr. West … if I understand you correctly, there’s no possible way – because of the rampant nepotism – Brett will be able to realize his dream at ESPN … right?
Glad that Wipeout did so well. The premiere was funnier than I remember the show being.
No need to wait for fall. Rules of Engagement takes over Shat My Dad Says‘s Thursday slot starting February 24 this season, while Mad Love takes the Monday position.
*POST AUTHOR*
Thanks Ryan. I missed that schedule change. I’m guessing that Rules will be an upgrade in the slot.