NBC - The week started off well, thanks to the Golden Globes (17m/5.2). That was off just a bit from last year, but still a very nice result. Then the real fun started on Monday. Chuck was back (5.97m/2.1), and was up from where it left off. Unfortunately, that moves it from might be canceled to still might be canceled. Could have been worse though. The Cape (6.22m/1.8) also failed to impress in its latest go, but there might be some good news at 10. Harry’s Law (11.07m/2.2) had the benefit of facing a repeat Castle, and the demo isn’t exactly exciting. That said, anything premiering on NBC with 11 million viewers is worth taking note of. We’ll see how it holds up in week two.
Tuesday brought more of the same from Biggest Loser (8.24m/2.9) and Parenthood (5.58m/2.1). Wednesday was a little more curious. Minute To Win It (5.06m/1.6) was off against Idol, and we all knew Chase (4.35m/1) was done for. SVU (6.97m/2.3) though, continues to just be all over the map. The moving target schedule can’t be helping. Then, there was the big Thursday we have all been waiting for. The results are what I would call mixed.
Community (4.73m/2.2) and Perfect Couples (4.15m/2.1) were both in a very distant fourth place. There were small gains in the demo for Community, but the writing is on the wall with that one. It’s going to be a solid last place show for as long as NBC wants to keep airing it. That’s what they have. The news was much better at 9. With no new Grey’s, The Office (8.26m/4.5) and Parks & Rec (6.14m/3.2) took the hour in the demo. Or course, no new Grey’s is a big x-factor, and we do have to wonder what will happen with a non-premiere Parks, but it was a nice return. The most interesting bit came at 10, with 30 Rock (5.34m/2.7). Again, no competition from ABC there, but the fact that it was only one tenth off The Mentalist in the demo is encouraging. Outsourced (3.95m/1.8), as expected, tanked without the benefit of The Office.
FOX - If you were hoping that the exit of Simon would bring about the demise of American Idol, it didn’t happen. Not yet, anyway. The premiere (26.23m/9.7) was down almost 20% from last year. But when you ‘drop’ to a 9.7 demo, there isn’t a lot to be worried about. The Thursday numbers (22.9m/7.8) looked good as well, and offered a needed boost to Bones (10.55m/3.5), which had been slipping before the move.
Earlier in the week, the Sunday animation block of The Simpsons (6.38m/3.1), Bob’s Burgers (5.07m/2.5), Family Guy (7.06m/3.7), and Cleveland (5.52m/2.7) came back to earth without football. House (10.52m/3.5) was fairly normal, as was the still struggling Lie To Me (5.93m/1.8). Then Friday brought the return of Fringe (4.86m/1.9). The good news is that the 1.9 demo is up from the show’s last run on Thursday (1.7). The iffy bit comes from the fact that this was against repeats of CSI:NY and Supernatural. That, and the lingering question if FOX wants to be in the sub-5-million/1.9 scripted business on Friday. Fringe followed Kitchen Nightmares (4.26m/1.9)
CBS - Things started out with a football boosted Sunday that included 60 Minutes (17.4m/4), Undercover Boss (13.79m/3.4) and CSI Miami (10.91m/2.4). The big excitement, of course, came on Monday. Two and a Half Men (15.56m/4.6) remains the ratings king, but do note that How I Met Your Mother (10.54m/3.9) beat House in viewers and demo at 8. Rules Of Engagement (9.89m/3.3) and Mike & Molly (12.8m/3.7) were solid as well. Not having to face Idol this year, NCIS (21.09m/4.1) and NCIS LA (17.29m/3.3) continued to cruise right along. The Good Wife (11.43m/2.1) also had a typical showing.
The really bad news came when Live To Dance (5.08m/1) had to face Idol. I suspect that one is not long for this schedule. That didn’t do any favors for Criminal Minds (12.02m/2.9), but it’s still a good result versus the Idol premiere. Also a good sign, Blue Bloods (12.3m/2) managed to gain viewers from the Criminal Minds lead-in. Much like NCIS in year’s past, Big Bang Theory (13.63m/4.3) held up very well against Idol, as did $#*! My Dad Says (10.29m/2.8). CSI (14.34m/3.1) and The Mentalist (14.82m/2.8) finished Thursday around their usual numbers. The week finished up with the series finale from Medium (7.77m/1.6).
ABC - Sunday’s lineup of Extreme Makeover (7.92m/2), Desperate Housewives (10.25m/3.1), and Brothers & Sisters (7.07m/2) took a bit of a hit from the Golden Globes to start the week off. On Monday, The Bachelor (8.8m/2.7) continued to be down, but not out. Tuesday remains troublesome, with No Ordinary Family (5.71m/1.8) and V (5.7m/2) both failing to gain any real traction. The good news came Wednesday, where Modern Family (10.94m/4.6) looked just fine against the Idol premiere. The Middle (8.32m/2.6) also held up well. Cougar Town (5.68m/2.4) and Better With You (6.37m/2.1) weren’t nearly as lucky. The week finished with Wipeout (8.26m/2.6) holding steady on Thursday.
CW - Just one entry for the little network this week, in the form of the series finale of Life Unexpected (1.54m/.7).
CABLE - There was a bunch of interesting stuff happening on cable last week, including the return of White Collar (3.81m/1.3) and Royal Pains (4.43m/1.1) on USA, along with the premiere of the latest character on Fairly Legal (3.88m/1.1). I also wanted to make mention of The Game (5.94m/2.8) on BET. Not only is that better than the show was doing when canceled by CW, but that 2.8 demo also puts it ahead of 25 of the 45 scripted network shows last week. Amazing.
And finally, we need to talk about Jersey Shore again. In a special appearance to help out the Skins (3.26m/1.5) premiere, the show was again huge (7.7m/3.9). That was before setting another record in its regular spot (8.87m/4.7). If you want to make that network comparison again, only the Golden Globes and American Idol surpassed Jersey Shore in the demo. Other cable bits:
Basic:
Premium:
Clacked by Brett Love 
on Jan 24, 2011 @ 11:00 EST5EDT
The bad news for me is basically all my favorite broadcast shows are doing poorly (Community, Fringe, Chuck, etc.). The good news is at least some of my cable faves are doing well and the better news is I guess I’ll become an avid reader again.
Dear God, what is it with the American viewer liking all this damned trash and the continuing fascination with singing and dancing contests? I’m old enough to remember when such things were staples of the day like variety shows and Star Search, but they went the way of the dinosaur and should not have been ressurected.
I’m still completely convinced the ratings system is a complete pile of shit.