FRESHMAN SCORECARD: October 2013

Welcome to the first Freshman Scorecard of 2013-14! Each network's shows are ranked by what I see as best to worst chance for survival. I couldn't include We Are Men because the ratings haven't come in yet but I have a feeling it would be at the bottom of the CBS list. By the time the November scorecard rolls around, there will no doubt be a cancellation or two plus many new shows will be included after they premiere: We Are Men, Super Fun Night, Ironside, The Millers, Welcome to the Family, Sean Saves the World, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, and Dracula!

Past October scorecards:   2012   2011   2010

ABC

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. - Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. got off to a stellar start with the best drama premiere on any network since 2009. Of course the bigger question is where will it go from here but it's got an awfully long way to fall before there are problems.

Back in the Game - I know The Goldbergs and Trophy Wife debuted to better ratings but Back in the Game seems like its in the best spot for success and it should have the best retention out of its lead-in.

The Goldbergs - The Goldbergs had a strong debut but retention out of Agents will be an issue for this show.

Trophy Wife - Trophy Wife fell a lot from its Goldbergs lead-in which is troubling since ABC's Tuesday block hinges on the comedies being compatible. This show's best chance might be if Super Fun Night fails and it moves to Wednesdays.

Betrayal - One of ABC's two DOA dramas, it debuted slightly better than Lucky 7 which might allow it to hang around a little longer but they're both gone before long.

Lucky 7 - Lucky 7 was completely dead on arrival. If it's not cancelled by the November scorecard, I'll be pretty stunned.

CBS

The Crazy Ones - There are a million questions for The Crazy Ones despite the biggest comedy debut in two years. First off, how will it do with The Millers as a lead-in instead of The Big Bang Theory? Will it be anchor material?

Mom - Mom had an underwhelming debut but We Are Men is likely to be worse which means Mom will get a longer leash. As if it didn't have that already with Chuck Lorre.

Hostages - It was a real disappointing debut for Hostages but it picked up some stream in the three day DVR ratings. Still, it's going to need to show improvement soon or the limited run will be just that, limited.

NBC

The Blacklist - NBC has only debuted two of its six new shows so far but The Blacklist is off to a roaring start. If it can hold up better than Revolution or Smash in the post-Voice slot, it's a slam dunk.

The Michael J. Fox Show - NBC's new Thursday comedy hope started off only OK with an older skewing demo but it has a 22 episode order so it'll be given plenty of time to prove itself.

FOX

Sleepy Hollow - Sleepy Hollow has had a great first two weeks as it surprised both in its debut and with how well it held up in week two. For now, it looks like it might be a pleasant surprise for FOX.

Brooklyn Nine Nine - Of the two new FOX comedies, Brooklyn Nine Nine shows far more promise as it has tons of critical love and has grown from its lead-in for two weeks. It seems like FOX will be patient with this show.

Junior Masterchef - So far so good for cheap reality filler on Friday night. It actually maybe deserves to be above Brooklyn but let's see how week two goes.

Dads - Despite being the most maligned new fall sitcom, it hasn't reached cancellation territory yet after two episodes, but it's getting there!