FRESHMAN SCORECARD: November

It's a new month so time for an update on the freshman shows. They are ordered from best to worst chance of survival for next year.

ABC
Better With You - The only new fall ABC sitcom was renewed for a full season but it hasn't had incredible ratings. It's dropping from the lead-in The Middle, but it's doing well enough to warrant a full season as it's hard to know if any other sitcom ABC has in the wings could do any better in this slot. Quality-wise, it's my favorite new sitcom. The characters are likable and promising.

No Ordinary Family - This show has been dropping week after week, hitting a new low in the demo each week. Still, this was ABC's highest hope for the season and they won't let it die easily. The temporary move to 9pm at the end of November/beginning of December is a good move. If it can't show improvement there, then ABC will have a problem on their hands. If either of ABC's promising midseason dramas hits, this show could be in hotter water. The problem with this show is that it just isn't that interesting... or good.

Detroit 1-8-7 - Detroit isn't doing great but it was given additional episodes and seems to be moving in the right direction as it has been rising in recent weeks. It is getting good critical buzz and has been great for the city of Detroit so it seems likely that ABC will continue to be patient with it. Quality-wise, I think it is the standout drama of the season and Michael Imperioli is just fantastic in the lead role. Every episode has been compelling.

The Whole Truth, My Generation - Already cancelled. We'll probably never seen the remaining episodes of the terrible My Generation but ABC will probably find a place for The Whole Truth to finish out its 13 episode run. Maybe it will continue in its Weds 10pm slot for December and early January and then finish out on Saturdays or in the summer.

CBS

Blue Bloods - Tom Selleck's new drama has pumped some much needed life into the Friday 10pm slot. The demo is low as expected but it is now getting the best total viewer numbers of any new show - on a Friday?! The demo really shouldn't matter for its timeslot, it's a hit.

Mike & Molly - Mike & Molly is doing fairly well. It's not getting the numbers The Big Bang Theory was last season but its retention has been good enough. Many think CBS will expand another hour of comedy next fall and Mike & Molly will certainly be a part of that. Quality-wise, it's been hit and miss. It seems to still be finding the line between crass and sweet and doesn't seem to quite have the right mix yet but give it time.

$#*! My Dad Says - After the horrible reviews, many thought this would be an early bomb, but it appears to have found its footing and has been solid in following The Big Bang Theory on CBS's new Thursday hour of comedy. For airing at 8:30, it's pulling very solid numbers - better than its Mon 8:30 counterpart Rules of Engagement. I didn't enjoy the pilot and haven't kept watching but I hear it has shown improvement.

Hawaii Five-0 - Don't get me wrong, this isn't going anywhere soon but it has been a disappointment. This was CBS's sure-thing but it's not getting anywhere close to the fading numbers CSI: Miami was getting in the same slot last fall. The demo particularly is concerning as it has dropped every week for all six episodes. It's still been posting solid numbers but CBS may not let it stay in this slot next season if it can't pull it together.

The Defenders - Like all CBS shows, this was given a full season, but it's on the shakiest ground. It has been losing a fair amount of its Criminal Minds lead-in and doesn't seem to get the buzz of some of the other new shows. Plus, CBS has a ready-made replacement in the Minds spinoff for the timeslot. It could certainly see a timeslot change (perhaps Fridays at 8?) that will give us a better sense of its survival chances for next year but CBS has to cut something at the end of the season and this could be an odd one out.

NBC

Law & Order: Los Angeles - The only solid numbers NBC has been getting for a new show is coming from a 20-year old franchise. It had a troubling drop one week but rebounded nicely the next week and is holding on well to SVU's audience. NBC has many problems, this is not one of them - it's been reliable as NBC hoped.

The Event - This hasn't been a success by any means but I still have to think NBC is going to do all in its power to keep it around. Although it's still dropping in the ratings, it probably has developed a loyal following (myself included) as it has been providing answers. It's a disappointment for sure but in the grand scheme of things for NBC, it's not the biggest concern.

Outsourced - NBC's only new fall comedy has been bleeding a lot of its lead-in (The Office) but it did show a little life with the Halloween episode last week that was supposedly the best one so far. NBC has given it a full season but has four sitcoms waiting on the bench including the critically acclaimed Parks & Recreation, which might get a long-overdue chance at 9:30pm. It's hard to see Outsourced making it to next year.

Chase - NBC's other new Monday show has had middling ratings but was surprisingly given a full season order, indicating NBC has some confidence in the show. The only reason it may escape cancellation for a little while is NBC is in such bad shape. Quality-wise though, I think it has shown a lot of improvement. I have actually stayed with the show after a lackluster pilot and it's grown on me.

Undercovers - When NBC was handing out full season renewals like they were candy, Undercovers only got more scripts orders. With tons of midseason shows in the wings, this is not likely to last much longer. It's too bad that it was so disappointing with JJ Abrams behind the scenes and attractive leads, but it just hasn't been interesting.

School Pride - It's not cancelled but it may as well be. The reality show had a completely DOA start and has dropped each week. It only made 7 episodes and the bigger question is if all 7 will air. There will certainly not be more beyond that.

Outlaw - Cancelled and airing its final two episodes this Saturday and next.

FOX

Raising Hope - The only FOX freshman that has any chance. It has been solid by itself but it is losing a ton of Glee's audience every week. Still, FOX has bigger problems and has given a full season to Hope. It seems to be developing a loyal audience though and could easily see a second season.

Running Wilde - It seems impossible to believe that this will see many more weeks, if any. It is getting some of the lowest numbers of any network series on Sunday through Thursday. FOX has the midseason comedy Mixed Signals and could always double pump Raising Hope so expect this to be gone soon. Maybe one more shot during November sweeps but that could be it.

Lone Star - Already cancelled. It would be nice to see the unaired episodes but it doesn't seem likely.