UPFRONTS 2012: What NBC Should Do

It is time for the annual Upfront Preview! This week I will look at what the networks SHOULD do. Next week, I make my official predictions for what they will do. And then I will analyze the official schedules when they come out two weeks from now!

This schedule is basically what I think they should do within reason given the shows that have been renewed, picked up, cancelled, etc. NBC has had a terrible year with precious few bright spots. After a disastrous fall, they shored up Monday with The Voice and to a lesser extent, Smash. When the results edition of The Voice moved to Tuesdays, it helped that night too and Grimm was a surprise on Fridays. However, Wednesdays and Thursdays are complete disasters and there are holes on other nights too. NBC has some real promising pilots especially in the drama department and they need to be aggressive. I said that last year and then felt they weren't aggressive enough. So here's what I would do.

MONDAY
8:00 The Voice
10:00 Smash
I had a really tough time with this. I understand why NBC feels the need to start The Voice in the fall and I guess at this point, I agree with them. They need a cornerstone to their network and it can't just be half a year. It might make fatigue set in sooner but oh well, NBC needs to turn things around now. I liked when I heard the idea that there were going to be different coaches in the fall and spring, but I haven't heard much recently. I feel like that would extend its life by keeping it more fresh. As for 10pm, part of me wants to put a new drama at 10pm but honestly, this is the only night working for NBC, so many other nights need more overhaul, and Smash is good counter-programming to Hawaii Five-0 and Monday Night Football. I would run Smash in the fall because of that and either give it only half a season or move it elsewhere in the spring and launch a new drama after The Voice in the spring. I would, however, use the first night of The Voice to preview one of their new dramas at 10pm and let Smash start in week two.

TUESDAY
8:00 The Biggest Loser
9:00 The Voice
10:00 CHICAGO FIRE
Tuesdays are interesting. NBC better not do two hour editions of The Biggest Loser anymore. Those episodes have been inflated for so long and it strengthens the 8pm hour to only have it there. I would air The Voice right from the start on Tuesdays with additional blind audition rounds and then the results shows. It might be overkill but NBC needs The Voice in as many spots as possible right now. They just do, given their situation. At 10pm, I would launch a promising new drama and I think a good fit would be Chicago Fire which sounds like a good traditional procedural from the logline.


WEDNESDAY
8:00 The Office
8:30 Parks and Recreation
9:00 COUNTY
10:00 Parenthood
Wednesdays need a complete overhaul. I considered putting Whitney back at 8pm but then when I decided what I wanted to do with Thursdays, I needed a spot for the aging single camera sitcoms. I would bring back The Office for one final season (as well as 30 Rock) and pair it with its companion, Parks and Recreation on a different night. Thursdays need a complete overhaul so why keep anything there. Instead, let these go to Wednesdays because most of them are on their last legs anyway and Wednesdays need something different. For the final two hours, I would pair the two Jason Katims dramas. I thought about flipping the two but I wouldn't want all the new dramas launching at 10pm. County could be good counter-programming in the very tough Wednesday 9pm timeslot.

THURSDAY
8:00 DOWNWARDLY MOBILE
8:30 UNTITLED JIMMY FALLON
9:00 1600 PENN
9:30 GO ON
10:00 Law & Order: SVU
NBC needs to kick-start what has been a very famous night for comedies since the 1980s. To do so, I would completely overhaul. It worked for ABC on Wednesdays two years ago and could dull CBS's attempt to go to four comedies here if they do. After all, networks had four sitcom blocks against each other all the time in the 1990s when sitcoms were booming and they're booming again. I would start with the two most promising multicams - shows from Roseanne and Jimmy Fallon. At 9pm, I would put the also promising 1600 Penn and then follow with the Matthew Perry starrer Go On. I'm not sure I believe that Go On will work but it's already been picked up so it has to go somewhere. At 10pm, I would get Law & Order: SVU away from CSI and put it in a slot that has been horrible to NBC recently. It can't do worse than Prime Suspect, The Firm, and Awake.

FRIDAY
8:00 Dateline NBC
9:00 Grimm
10:00 HANNIBAL
Fridays have one show that is actually working for NBC in Grimm. I would move Dateline from 10pm to 8pm so it doesn't have to directly compete with 20/20 anymore. At 10pm, I would launch Hannibal as a spooky counterpart to Grimm. If anything can work on Fridays, this could and the expectations are lower. NBC could have a nice little spookfest on Friday nights here. It seems like a perfect fit to me.

SATURDAY
8:00 Encores
NBC is not ready for Saturday originals. In fact, they're the furthest from it. But as I said last year, use it to give more exposure to new shows, not more SVU reruns!

SUNDAY
7:00 Football Night in America
8:00 Sunday Night Football 
Of course football will be here on Sunday nights in the fall and if it's another terrible fall, it will bail NBC out every week.

MIDSEASON: 30 Rock, Betty White's Off Their Rockers, Celebrity Apprentice, Fear Factor, Whitney, DADDY'S GIRLS, FRIDAY NIGHT DINNER, THE NEW NORMAL, NEXT CALLER PLEASE, BAD GIRLS, THE FRONTIER, MOCKINGBIRD LANE, NOTORIOUS
NBC has not had a great track record in the fall so I would stack up on midseason shows. 30 Rock should be renewed for one final season and air where they need it. Betty White's Off Their Rockers can plug in almost anywhere - maybe even Sunday nights at midseason. Celebrity Apprentice can continue on Sunday nights. It's not doing great but a 2 in the demo is good for NBC. Fear Factor would be a good bridge between the two editions of The Voice. I would actually renew Whitney as use it as a plug-in if one of the Thursday comedies bombs or pair it with 30 Rock on Wednesdays if County fails. As for the new shows, I think all the comedies have potential and NBC could continue to expand its comedy presence. I would just wait and see with these shows. As for the dramas, Bad Girls could be a Monday 10pm contender at midseason, same goes for Notorious. I so badly want a western on network TV so maybe The Frontier is wishful thinking. If Grimm and Hannibal work together, how great would it be to add Mockingbird Lane to the mix at 8pm?


CANCELLED: Are You There Chelsea?, Awake, Bent, Best Friends Forever, Chuck, Community, Fashion Star, The Firm, Free Agents, Harry's Law, The Playboy Club, Prime Suspect, Rock Center with Brian Williams, The Sing Off, Up All Night, Who Do You Think You Are?, Who's Still Standing?
NBC has a lot of dead weight and I would cancel all these including Community and Up All Night. NBC can't renew all their low rated sitcoms. I would also cancel Harry's Law just because the only place it might go would be Fridays and I have other thoughts for that night. Even though the total viewer number is good, it is getting below a 1 in the demo.

Tomorrow: FOX! 

RATINGS RECAP: 4/28/12

ABC 
8:00 Movie: The Blind Side
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

CBS
8:00 NCIS (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
9:00 The Mentalist (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
10:00 48 Hours Mystery
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

NBC
8:00 Escape Routes
Viewers: 1.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3
9:00 The Firm
Viewers: 2.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
10:00 Law & Order: SVU (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

FOX
8:00 NASCAR Racing
Viewers: 5.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

GOOD WEEK/BAD WEEK: Week 32

GOOD WEEK: "PRIVATE PRACTICE"
ABC has some real interesting decisions to make with its dramas as upfronts approach. They have a lot of promising drama pilots and will likely put at least three on their fall schedule. With Once Upon a Time, Revenge, Castle, Grey's Anatomy all likely or certain renewals and Missing most likely gone with Desperate Housewives ending, that leaves Body of Proof, Private Practice, GCB, and Scandal jockeying for what I see as two slots, possibly three. Proof was a likely goner until it showed strength in its final couple weeks following Dancing with the Stars. GCB has been up and down on Sundays but ABC really seems to want it to work while Scandal has held steady at a 2.0 demo for four consecutive weeks. That leaves Private Practice, which looked dead in the water when it moved to Tuesday and got a 1.7 demo after Dancing with the Stars. However, this week was much better as it rose an impressive half a demo point at a time of year where series usually see declines. I was thinking it should go but maybe ABC should give it one more year on its own somewhere and see what it can do. It certainly shouldn't return to the post-Grey's slot. For what I think they should do with all the shows, check out my daily Upfront previews starting Monday!

BAD WEEK: CBS THURSDAY
It's not too often that a CBS night would occupy this spot but Thursday was a rough go for them. The Big Bang Theory was still at a 4.1 demo but that was a season low. The worse news was for Person of Interest and The Mentalist which wilted, possibly due to competition from the NFL Draft. Interest has had a great spring but some are thinking it will move to 10pm. Another week with a 2.4 demo and CBS will be much more willing to move it as they think about what Big Bang could get at 9pm. However, it's possible that it could bounce back without the NFL Draft. We'll see. Either way, I think The Mentalist is on the move next season because CBS can do better at 10pm.

RATINGS RECAP: 4/27/12

ABC 
8:00 Shark Tank
Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:00 Primetime: What Would You Do?
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

CBS
8:00 Undercover Boss
Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
9:00 CSI: NY
Viewers: 9.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
10:00 Blue Bloods
Viewers: 10.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

NBC
8:00 Who Do You Think You Are?
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 Grimm
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
10:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

FOX
8:00 The Finder
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Fringe
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

On a low rated Friday, CBS's Undercover Boss was up two tenths in viewers and down a tenth in the demo. While the 1.6 demo is a series low, it was also the top demo of the night on any network. At 9pm, CSI: NY was even in viewers and two tenths in the demo. Falling to a 1.5 demo is probably making CBS's likely decision to cancel this veteran series easier. At 10pm, Blue Bloods was down four tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo, also registering only a 1.5 demo. On FOX, The Finder started off the night down three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo while the just-renewed Fringe was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo.

Over on ABC, Shark Tank started off the night down a tenth in viewers and two tenths in the demo from its last new airing. Primetime: What Would You Do? was down three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for a season low. This show should be held until midseason even if Shark Tank returns in the fall. At 10pm, 20/20 was up nine tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. On NBC, Who Do You Think You Are? was up seven tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for its best showing since March 23. Grimm was down three tenths in viewers and even in the demo, tying CSI: NY for the demo lead. Dateline NBC was down 1.7 million viewers and three tenths in the demo as 20/20 was the newsmagazine of choice this week.

RATINGS RECAP: 4/26/12

ABC
8:00 Missing
Viewers: 7.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:00 Grey's Anatomy
Viewers: 9.5 million, 18-49 demo: 3.3
10:00 Scandal
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory
Viewers: 12.7 million, 18-49 demo: 4.1
8:30 Rules of Engagement
Viewers: 8.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5
9:00 Person of Interest
Viewers: 12.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
10:00 The Mentalist
Viewers: 12.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2

NBC
8:00 Community
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
8:30 30 Rock
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
9:00 The Office
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:30 Parks and Recreation
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
10:00 Awake
Viewers: 2.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 14.9 million, 18-49 demo: 4.0
9:00 Touch
Viewers: 6.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9

On the first night of May Sweeps, every network was fully new. CBS started with The Big Bang Theory which was down six tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo from its last new episode. It's a season low but that's the nature of the beast this time of year. It was still over a 4 demo which is good. At 8:30pm, Rules of Engagement was up six tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo from last week when it was following a Big Bang repeat. At 9pm, Person of Interest was down a million viewers and a rough six tenths in the demo for a series low after several strong weeks. A likely contributor to this drop was the NFL Draft which negatively affected male skewing shows like this one. At 10pm, The Mentalist also took a hit as it was down six tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. 

Over on ABC, Missing started off the night down two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. Grey's Anatomy followed down three tenths in viewers and even in the demo. For whatever drops it has had over the years, a 3.3 is pretty strong for a drama in spring on broadcast TV. At 10pm, Scandal was also down three tenths in viewers and even in the demo. Each of its first four episodes have gotten a 2.0 demo. While nothing earth shattering, the consistency is extremely rare for a new show so that has to be considered a positive for one of ABC's many bubble dramas. 

NBC had another low rated fiasco starting with Community which was up four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. The live episode of 30 Rock was up four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Its first live episode a couple years ago got a much bigger boost. At 9pm, The Office was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo for another series low. It may be one of NBC's few shows above a 2 in the demo but it is sinking fast. At 9:30pm, Parks and Recreation was down three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Awake closed out the night down six tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Can NBC even keep this on through May sweeps? It is doing terribly. They need to completely revamp Thursday. 
 
Finally on FOX, American Idol started off the night down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. It was a positive that it held steady against a new Big Bang and the NFL Draft. At 9pm, Touch was down nine tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo despite the lead-in holding steady. Honestly this show would be doing nothing without the Idol lead-in. Maybe FOX should cancel this one too and start fresh with Bones as the only returning drama next year.   

RATINGS RECAP: 4/25/12

ABC
8:00 The Middle (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
8:30 Suburgatory (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:00 Modern Family (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:30 Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
10:00 Revenge
Viewers: 7.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 9.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7
9:00 Criminal Minds (Repeat)
Viewers: 7.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
10:00 CSI (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5 

NBC
8:00 Betty White's Off Their Rockers
Viewers: 5.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
8:30 Best Friends Forever
Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 Rock Center with Brian Williams
Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
10:00 Law & Order: SVU
Viewers: 6.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7

FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 16.9 million, 18-49 demo: 4.8

On Wednesday night, ABC was in repeats from 8-9:30pm. At 9:30pm, week three of Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 tumbled 1.5 million viewers and six tenths in the demo from last week when it was behind a new Modern Family. A drop was expected but this was pretty severe. Still, let's reserve judgment until we see it air behind new shows again. At 10pm, Revenge was down eight tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. On CBS, Survivor was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. On NBC, Betty White's Off Their Rockers started off the night down two tenths in viewers but up a tenth in the demo. This show is really not doing badly for the peacock by their standards. The next two shows are though as Best Friends Forever was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo and Rock Center was up 1.1 million viewers and three tenths in the demo. To close out the night, Law & Order: SVU was up six tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Finally on FOX, American Idol was dead even with last week.

RENEWAL ALERT: Fringe

FOX announced today that it has renewed the low-rated Fringe for a fifth and final season of 13 episodes. The cult hit has never been a ratings smash for FOX but the network has always loved it and nurtured it. It was moved to Fridays during the 2010-2011 season where expectations have been lower. Even then, it's been awfully low but with each passing day, the likelihood of a renewal grew stronger as it's not surprising that FOX would want to give the show a proper sendoff. Through 19 episodes, it has averaged a very low 3.1 million viewers and a 1.1 in the demo.

Fringe joins American Dad!, Bones, The Cleveland Show, Family Guy, Glee, Kitchen Nightmares, Hell's Kitchen, New Girl, Raising Hope, The Simpsons, and The X-Factor as renewals for next year. Sure to join them is American Idol and Cops in some capacity while Napoleon Dynamite and Touch are on the bubble. Alcatraz, Breaking In, The Finder, and I Hate My Teenage Daughter are sure to Allen Gregory and Terra Nova on the cancellation list.

RATINGS RECAP: 4/24/12

ABC
8:00 Last Man Standing (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
8:30 Cougar Town
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 Dancing with the Stars Results
Viewers: 15.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
10:00 Private Practice
Viewers: 8.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2

CBS
8:00 NCIS (Repeat)
Viewers: 12.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
9:00 NCIS: Los Angeles (Repeat)
Viewers: 9.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 Unforgettable (Repeat)
Viewers: 7.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

NBC
8:00 The Biggest Loser
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:00 The Voice Results
Viewers: 8.9 million, 18-49 demo: 3.4
10:00 Fashion Star
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

FOX
8:00 Glee
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7
9:00 New Girl
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
9:30 New Girl (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4 

On Tuesday night, ABC started with a repeat of Last Man Standing but the rest of the lineup was new. Cougar Town was up four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo despite a repeat lead-in this week which isn't bad but probably not good enough. At 9pm, the results edition of Dancing with the Stars was up 1.3 million viewers but down a tenth in the demo. At 10pm, Private Practice's second go-round on Thursdays was much more successful than its first as it was up a strong 1.6 million viewers and half a demo point. Did people not know it was on Tuesdays last week? Either way, this is a clutch performance for a bubble show and ABC has between now an upfronts to sort out the muddled mess of Practice, Body of Proof, Scandal, and GCB. It doesn't seem likely that all of them would return. 

NBC had a very similar week to last week. At 8pm, The Biggest Loser was down a tenth in viewers and the demo. The results edition of The Voice remained the top demo draw as it was even in viewers and up a tenth in the demo. At 10pm, Fashion Star was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. Over on FOX, Glee's Whitney Houston tribute episode was up seven tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo while New Girl was even in viewers but down a tenth in the demo, which is surprising since the lead-in was up. A repeat of Girl closed out the night.

RATINGS RECAP: 4/23/12

ABC
8:00 Dancing with the Stars
Viewers: 17.6 million, 18-49 demo: 3.2
10:00 20/20 Special
Viewers: 10.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1

CBS
8:00 How I Met Your Mother (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
8:30 2 Broke Girls (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:00 Two and a Half Men (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
9:30 Mike & Molly (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 Hawaii Five-0 (Repeat)
Viewers: 7.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 10.3 million, 18-49 demo: 3.8 
10:00 Smash
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0 

FOX
8:00 Bones
Viewers: 7.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:00 House
Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3 

On Monday night, FOX started with Bones up two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. At 9pm, House was the biggest mover as it was up nine tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo. This is a good sign for the show's final stretch as it has been seeing series lows. Over on NBC, The Voice started off the night up three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo, going up for the first time since March 5. It should climb in its final two weeks but we'll see. At 10pm, Smash was even in viewers and up a tenth in the demo, also going up for the first time since March 5. Fun fact, this show has gotten exactly 6 million viewers four weeks in a row. Finally on ABC, Dancing with the Stars started off the night up a million viewers and three tenths in the demo for its best numbers in a few weeks. Unlike The Voice, this show is starting to gain strength towards the finale. A 20/20 special on Dancing with the Stars did numbers similar to usual occupant Castle. 

RATINGS RECAP: 4/22/12

ABC
7:00 America's Funniest Home Videos
Viewers: 5.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
8:00 Once Upon a Time
Viewers: 9.1 million, 18-49 demo: 3.0
9:00 Movie: Firelight
Viewers: 7.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

CBS
7:00 60 Minutes
Viewers: 13.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
8:00 The Amazing Race
Viewers: 9.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
9:00 The Good Wife
Viewers: 10.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
10:00 NYC 22
Viewers: 7.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

NBC
7:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
8:00 Harry's Law
Viewers: 8.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Celebrity Apprentice
Viewers: 6.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1 

FOX
7:00 Married... with Children (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
7:30 The Simpsons (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
8:00 Fox's 25th Anniversary Special
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8 

On Sunday night, CBS was all new with its regular lineup. 60 Minutes started off the night up 2 million viewers and four tenths in the demo. Getting 13 million viewers without a football lead-in is not bad. At 8pm, The Amazing Race was dead even in viewers and the demo. The Good Wife followed and was up two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Where will CBS put this show in the fall? Finally at 10pm, NYC 22 was down 1.5 million viewers and a tenth in the demo from its series premiere. It's not a terrible drop for Week 2 but it's a moot point since this show was DOA. FOX had a night of commemoration with its 25th Anniversary Special. A special airing of the pilot of Married... with Children did not do bad at all for a show that is over 20 years old and readily available on DVD and cable. The actual Anniversary Special did not do as well as expected but it did skew young, typical of FOX's history.

On ABC, America's Funniest Home Videos was down half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo. Once Upon a Time was up seven tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo from its last new airing and it hit a 3 demo for the first time since March 4. To be doing a 3 at 8pm this time of year is pretty darn good. A Hallmark Hall of Fame movie did better than the previous two but still skewed old. Over on NBC, Dateline NBC was down six tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo, Harry's Law was up three tenths in viewers but even in the demo, and Celebrity Apprentice was down four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Apprentice really should have been up since the finale is nearing and the competition was light.

PILOT PICKUP: Go On

NBC has made the first real pickup of pilot season by giving an early green light to the new Matthew Perry single camera sitcom Go On. In it, Perry plays a sportscaster who is dealing with a personal loss and finds friendship in a mandatory support group. The supporting cast includes Laura Benanti, Julie White, Suzy Nakamura, Allison Miller, and Khary Payton.

Perry was a hit on NBC for ten years as part of the Friends ensemble but has had two failed series in the years since - Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip was a lavish drama that faltered in the 2006-07 season on NBC while Perry returned to comedy in ABC's Mr. Sunshine last year. Despite airing after Modern Family, it never found its rhythm or audience. While NBC obviously likes Perry, this sounds a bit like all their other low-rated single camera sitcoms. If any network needs to go in a different direction with comedy (and in general), it's NBC. But we'll see how this goes.

Go On joins the straight to series orders of Hannibal on NBC and Mistresses on ABC as official new series for next season.

RATINGS RECAP: 4/21/12

ABC
8:00 Shark Tank (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 20/20: My Extreme Affliction
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

CBS
8:00 CSI (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
9:00 Hawaii Five-0 (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
10:00 48 Hours Mystery
Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

NBC
8:00 Escape Routes
Viewers: 1.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3
9:00 The Firm
Viewers: 1.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3
10:00 Law & Order: SVU (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

FOX
8:00 America's Most Wanted Special
Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8 

RATINGS RECAP: 4/20/12

ABC 
8:00 Shark Tank (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Primetime: What Would You Do?
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

CBS
8:00 Mike & Molly (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
8:30 Rules of Engagement (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 CSI: NY (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
10:00 Blue Bloods (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

NBC
8:00 Who Do You Think You Are? (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 Grimm
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
10:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 5.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

FOX
8:00 The Finder
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Fringe
Viewers: 3.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0 

RATINGS RECAP: 4/19/12

ABC
8:00 Missing
Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:00 Grey's Anatomy
Viewers: 9.8 million, 18-49 demo: 3.3
10:00 Scandal
Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory (Repeat)
Viewers: 9.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5
8:30 Rules of Engagement
Viewers: 7.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:00 Person of Interest (Repeat)
Viewers: 8.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
10:00 The Mentalist (Repeat)
Viewers: 8.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5 

NBC
8:00 Community
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
8:30 30 Rock
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 The Office
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:30 Parks and Recreation
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 Awake
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9 

FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 15.0 million, 18-49 demo: 4.0
9:00 Touch
Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1 

On Thursday night, ABC had its usual lineup starting with Missing which was down seven tenths in viewers and even in the demo. Grey's Anatomy followed and was up nine tenths in viewers and a good four tenths in the demo for its best performance since February 9. Week three of Scandal followed and it was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. The good news is that its first three weeks have been remarkably steady which isn't too common for a new show. The bad news is that its lead-in has gone up each week (and significantly this week) but Scandal stayed put. ABC has some real interesting decisions to make about its dramas.

NBC was new with its low-rated lineup. At 8pm, Community was down three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. NBC needs to cut ties with some of its low rated sitcoms and this would be a great one to start with. At 8:30pm, 30 Rock was up a tenth in viewers and the demo. The Office followed and was dead even with last week's series low. At 9:30pm, Parks and Recreation returned after several weeks off. It did better than Up All Night in this slot but was lower than its last new episode at 8:30pm on March 8. At 10pm, Awake was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo.

CBS was only new with Rules of Engagement which was down a big nine tenths in viewers and half a demo point. This is surprising since it held up so well last week airing amongst repeat. If it can perk back up amongst new episodes, it could probably cheat death yet again at Upfronts. FOX started off with American Idol which was down eight tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo. Touch followed and was down nine tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for a demo series low. I think this show would be floundering big time if it didn't have the Idol lead-in.

RATINGS RECAP: 4/18/12

ABC
8:00 The Middle (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
8:30 Suburgatory
Viewers: 5.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
9:00 Modern Family
Viewers: 10.2 million, 18-49 demo: 4.1
9:30 Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23
Viewers: 6.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
10:00 Revenge
Viewers: 7.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 10.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.8
9:00 Criminal Minds (Repeat)
Viewers: 7.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 CSI (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

NBC
8:00 Betty White's Off Their Rockers
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
8:30 Best Friends Forever
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 Rock Center with Brian Williams
Viewers: 2.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
10:00 Law & Order: SVU
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6 

FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 16.9 million, 18-49 demo: 4.8 

On Wednesday night, ABC started with a repeat of The Middle but the rest of the night was new. At 8:30pm, Suburgatory was down three tenths in viewers and tenth in the demo. While it was a series low, this is a good performance nonetheless because it was behind a repeat for the first time and didn't see much of a drop. ABC has to be happy with that. At 9pm, Modern Family was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. It's a season low but a 4.1 isn't bad for this time of year. Week two of Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 followed and was down half a million viewers and three tenths in the demo. The viewer drop isn't bad but the demo could be better. We'll see how week three does. At 10pm, Revenge returned after several weeks off up three tenths in viewers but down a tenth in the demo. Considering it hasn't aired since February 29, this is a pretty good return from the break.

CBS was only new at 8pm with Survivor which was up a tenth in viewers and the demo from last week's low. NBC had another low Wednesday starting with Betty White's Off Their Rockers which was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. All things considered, this isn't doing terribly for NBC. At 8:30pm, Best Friends Forever was even in viewers and down a tenth in the demo. Just pull this one already, NBC. At 9pm, Rock Center was even in viewers and up a tenth in the demo. Finally, Law & Order: SVU was up four tenths in viewers but down a tenth in the demo despite CSI being a repeat on CBS. This is a bad performance for this show as it should have gone up. On FOX, American Idol was up a tenth in viewers and down two tenths in the demo for a Wednesday low.

RATINGS RECAP: 4/17/12

ABC
8:00 Last Man Standing
Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
8:30 Cougar Town
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:00 Dancing with the Stars Results
Viewers: 14.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5
10:00 Private Practice
Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7

CBS
8:00 NCIS
Viewers: 18.1 million, 18-49 demo: 3.0
9:00 NCIS: Los Angeles (Repeat)
Viewers: 11.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
10:00 Unforgettable (Repeat)
Viewers: 8.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5 

NBC
8:00 The Biggest Loser
Viewers: 7.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
9:00 The Voice Results
Viewers: 8.9 million, 18-49 demo: 3.3
10:00 Fashion Star
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5 

FOX
8:00 Glee
Viewers: 6.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
9:00 New Girl
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7
9:30 Raising Hope
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8

On Tuesday night, several shows had bad showings. On ABC, Last Man Standing started off the night down three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for series lows. This show is really starting to flounder this spring but I still think its a sure-bet for renewal with a new multi-camera friend in the fall. At 8:30pm, Cougar Town was down three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. The results edition of Dancing with the Stars was up eight tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo from last week's lows but that didn't help the Tuesday premiere of Private Practice, which was significantly down from last week's Body of Proof season finale in raw numbers and especially retention. This is a real interesting turn of events because all of the sudden, Proof is looking better and better while Practice is looking like it can't survive without its Grey's Anatomy lead-in. Throw in GCB and Scandal and ABC has some interesting choices to make about its dramas. 

Over on CBS, NCIS was the only new show and it was up four tenths in viewers but down a tenth in the demo for a season low. NBC was all new with its unscripted trio. At 8pm, The Biggest Loser was up half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo as it climbs towards the finale and has really benefited by only being in the 8pm hour. At 9pm, The Voice Results was down a tenth in viewers and two tenths in the demo while Fashion Star closed out the night down two tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo. NBC is wasting its The Voice lead-in on this dud of a reality show.

Finally on FOX, Glee started out the night down six tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo for a series low. This show had a decent return from hiatus last week but fell this week and has come so far from its peak just about a year and a half ago. Still, it bolsters the night for FOX as New Girl was even in viewers and down just a tenth in the demo. Glee may be fading but it has saved New Girl from reaching one series low after another. At 9:30pm, the season finale of Raising Hope was dead even in viewers and the demo. It has been renewed but where will it air? If FOX does a four sitcom block, it will certainly be in there. If not, it's anyone's guess. Honestly, even Sunday wouldn't shock me if FOX starts to break up Animation Domination.

RATINGS RECAP: 4/16/12

ABC
8:00 Dancing with the Stars
Viewers: 16.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.9
10:00 Castle
Viewers: 11.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1

CBS
8:00 How I Met Your Mother
Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1
8:30 2 Broke Girls
Viewers: 8.5 million, 18-49 demo: 3.4
9:00 Two and a Half Men
Viewers: 11.2 million, 18-49 demo: 3.8
9:30 Mike & Molly
Viewers: 9.5 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1
10:00 Hawaii Five-0 (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 10.0 million, 18-49 demo: 3.7
10:00 Smash
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9

FOX
8:00 Bones
Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:00 House
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0 

CBS was new from 8-10pm and started on a down note as How I Met Your Mother was down eight tenths in viewers and four tenths in the demo for a season low. This is a big drop and for some reason, this show seems to wilt more than most every spring. At 8:30pm, 2 Broke Girls was down three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. While a series low, the week to week drop was much less severe. Two and a Half Men bucked the general trend as it was up eight tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo which is a surprising performance considering the rest of the night. At 9:30pm, Mike & Molly was down a tenth in viewers and the demo. It seems like Men and Mike & Molly each have their own audience and not a ton of crossover. All things considered, Mike & Molly is doing very well against the strongest half hours of ABC and NBC's reality shows.

On a night of depressed numbers, ABC had its usual lineup. At 8pm, Dancing with the Stars was up two tenths in viewers but down a tenth in the demo. Castle followed and was down half a million viewers but even in the demo from its last airing. On NBC, The Voice was down half a million viewers and three tenths in the demo for a series low. It continues to drop but remains far and away NBC's top show. At 10pm, Smash was even in viewers but down another tenth in the demo for a series low. The retention out of The Voice was better, however. FOX was all new starting with Bones which was down four tenths in viewers and even in the demo while House was down four tenths in viewers but up a tenth in the demo.

RATINGS RECAP: 4/15/12

ABC
7:00 America's Funniest Home Videos
Viewers: 6.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
8:00 Once Upon a Time (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Titanic the Miniseries Part 2
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
10:00 GCB
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

CBS
7:00 60 Minutes
Viewers: 11.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
8:00 The Amazing Race
Viewers: 9.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
9:00 The Good Wife
Viewers: 10.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
10:00 NYC 22
Viewers: 8.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

NBC
7:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
8:00 Harry's Law
Viewers: 8.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Celebrity Apprentice
Viewers: 6.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2

FOX
7:00 The Simpsons (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
7:30 The Cleveland Show (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
8:00 The Simpsons
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
8:30 Bob's Burgers
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
9:00 Family Guy (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:30 The Cleveland Show
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1 

On Sunday night, CBS's lineup was all new starting with 60 Minutes which was down seven tenths in viewers and eight tenths in the demo from last week which was fueled by the Masters as a lead-in. As always, 60 Minutes rises and falls based on the afternoon lead-in. At 8pm, The Amazing Race was down a tenth in viewers and up a tenth in the demo and was the top demo draw of the night on any network... at a 2.6. At 9pm, The Good Wife was up four tenths in viewers and even in the demo from its last new episode. The series premiere of NYC 22 was dead on arrival, not surprisingly as it was CBS's annual late drama burnoff show. For some reason, CBS decided not to get behind this show and an April 15 bow on the most stable network is not a sign of renewal. 

Over on ABC, America's Funniest Home Videos started off the night on a good note as it was up nine tenths in viewers and four tenths in the demo from its last new airing. The Titanic miniseries, pardon the pun, sunk in the ratings and proved to be more of a bother to ABC. It also negatively impacted GCB which was down eight tenths in viewers and a big four tenths in the demo to a series low. We'll see how it does when it comes back in two weeks to see if this was a blip or a troubling direction for the freshman bubble show. 

On NBC, Dateline NBC started off the night down three tenths in viewers but up three tenths in the demo for its best demo number since February 12. At 8pm, Harry's Law was up six tenths in viewers and down a tenth in the demo. Wow, this show skews old. At 9pm, Celebrity Apprentice was up two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo as it continues to slowly climb with the finale nearing. Three animated comedies were new on FOX. The Simpsons was down three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo from its last new airing. Bob's Burgers was up two tenths in viewers and the demo with a better lead-in. The Cleveland Show aired at 9:30pm and did much better than its usual 7:30pm numbers.

PILOT REVIEW: NYC 22

NYC 22

Starring: Adam Goldberg, Leelee Sobieski, Stark Sands, Judy Marte, Harold House Moore, Tom Reed, Felix Solis, and Terry Kinney

Created by Richard Prince
Written by Richard Prince, Directed by James Mangold

NYC 22 is a new cop show on CBS that focuses on six rookie NYPD police officers just starting out in Upper Manhattan. Each of the six main cops have different back stories, which were only explored a little bit in the pilot. They are all being supervised by the gruff but caring Daniel Dean (Terry Kinney). The pilot showed their rocky first day on the job.

THE GOOD: This is actually a really solid cop drama. It's not reinventing the wheel by any means but not every show needs to. The cast is strong enough to overcome the potential stereotypes that make up their backstories. Each one of the six rookies showed vulnerability and uncertainty yet showed how much they care about doing the right thing. The show has a gritty nature to it that isn't quite at the levels of the iconic Hill Street Blues or NYPD Blue or last year's fantastic but underrated Detroit 1-8-7 but if could get there if it had time. All in all, it did justice to the police genre thanks to the strong cast including standout Leelee Sobieski who delivered an interesting performance in the pilot where she said very little but showed a lot.

THE BAD: Not everything was wonderful as the show might have some growing pains. For starters, the treatment of the rookies from the veteran cops seemed a little overplayed and unrealistic in the opening scene.
Would they really be that unfriendly? I may be naive but I don't think they'd be that nasty to the newcomers. Also, the angry husband didn't play real to me. The cops in the scene (Adam Goldberg and Judy Marte) did well but the guest star was way overacting. The good news is he is not a regular character.

BOTTOM LINE: This season has seen many unique shows that I've said deserve to succeed if only because they are something different. Once Upon a Time, Revenge, Smash, and Grimm are all examples from this season. However, not every show needs to be groundbreakingly different and unique. Sometimes a good cast with a familiar story can be enough and that is true with this cop drama. There's no crazy conspiracy twists or anything like that, it could just be a solid cop show if CBS gives it time, which is sadly unlikely. It's surprising they didn't try to put this on Fridays with fellow NY crime dramas CSI: NY and Blue Bloods. I must also mention that it has a theme song, which is forever a plus.

RATINGS RECAP: 4/13/12

ABC 
8:00 Shark Tank
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
9:00 Primetime: What Would You Do?
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

CBS
8:00 Undercover Boss
Viewers: 7.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:00 Lionel Richie and Friends in Concert
Viewers: 7.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4 

NBC
8:00 Who Do You Think You Are? (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Grimm
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
10:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

FOX
8:00 The Finder
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Fringe
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9 

On Friday night, NBC was new from 9-11pm. Grimm was up half a million viewers and a nice three tenths in the demo. This show benefits from airing new episodes in a row as it has recovered nicely in recent weeks. At 10pm, Dateline NBC was up six tenths in viewers and eveh in the demo. FOX was barely competitive with its combo of The Finder and Fringe. At 8pm, The Finder was down five tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for a series low. At 9pm, Fringe was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. This show really doesn't deserve to come back for even a shortened final season but I could definitely see that happening.  

ABC had a pretty typical evening. At 8pm, Shark Tank was down three tenths in viewers but up a tenth in the demo from its last new airing. Primetime: What Would You Do? was down a tenth in viewers and two tenths in the demo from last week despite having a better lead-in. At 10pm, 20/20 was up a tenth in viewers and the demo. CBS started with Undercover Boss which was down eight tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo for a series low. A Lionel Richie concert special followed and did decent in total viewers but skewed old in the demo.

RATINGS RECAP: 4/12/12

ABC
8:00 Missing
Viewers: 7.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:00 Grey's Anatomy
Viewers: 8.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.9
10:00 Scandal
Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory (Repeat)
Viewers: 9.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.8
8:30 Rules of Engagement
Viewers: 8.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7
9:00 The Big Bang Theory (Repeat)
Viewers: 10.2 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1
9:30 2 Broke Girls (Repeat)
Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
10:00 Person of Interest (Repeat)
Viewers: 8.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8

NBC
8:00 Community
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
8:30 30 Rock
Viewers: 3.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:00 The Office
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:30 Up All Night
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
10:00 Awake
Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 15.8 million, 18-49 demo: 4.3
9:00 Touch
Viewers: 8.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3 

CBS had an interesting evening even though most of its lineup was repeats. The so-called "test" of comedies at 9pm saw mixed results. The repeat of The Big Bang Theory was a beast, doing a 3.1 and beating all the other networks. It's scary to think what new episodes of Big Bang could get at 9pm if CBS were to make that move, but would it weaken the 8pm hour? The news wasn't as good for 2 Broke Girls which didn't repeat as well at 9:30pm and proved it needs to grow some more. A Person of Interest repeat at 10pm did well but I still think CBS should leave well enough alone. Yes, Big Bang could be a monster at 9pm but it might be sacrificing other times, nights, and shows. CBS did have a new Rules of Engagement at 8:30pm and it was down just a tenth in viewers and even in the demo despite its lead-in being a repeat this week. This is a much better utility player than Rob and deserves to cheat death once again.

ABC was all new starting with Missing which was up seven tenths in viewers but down a tenth in the demo for a series low. The viewers have held up surprisingly well but the demo is just too low to get another season. At 9pm, Grey's Anatomy was up seven tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Week two of Scandal followed and it was exactly even with its premiere. It had limited competition and its lead-in was up but it's still a good thing to hold 100% of a premiere audience. That does not happen very often so consider this a good second week for Scandal. Over on FOX, American Idol was up 1.5 million viewers and four tenths in the demo while Touch was up a million viewers and even in the demo. It looks like Touch has leveled off here but how much of that is due to its big lead-in?

NBC was all new but in trouble as usual. At 8pm, Community was up a tenth in viewers and the demo. It probably should have been up more with a Big Bang repeat opposite it. At 8:30pm, 30 Rock was up two tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. The Office returned after several weeks of repeats and was down half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo for a series low. It was obvious a series low was coming at some point this season and with rumors of NBC trying to reboot the show for next year, it just needs to be put out of its misery. Yes I know a 2.2 is hard to come back on NBC these days but this show deserves to go out with what little dignity it had left. At 9:30pm, the season finale of Up All Night benefited a bit from having a new lead-in as it was up half a million viewers and three tenths in the demo. Renewal could go either way for this show which disappointed greatly this spring. At 10pm, Awake was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. 

PILOT REVIEW: Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23

DON'T TRUST THE B---- IN APARTMENT 23

Starring: Krysten Ritter, Dreama Walker, Liza Lapira, Michael Blaiklock, Eric Andre, and James Van Der Beek

Created by Nahnatchka Khan
Written by Nahnatchka Khan, Directed by Jason Winer

Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 is a new sitcom from ABC with an oddball premise. Midwestern girl June (Dreama Walker) moves to the city for a big hob but she's out of luck when the company is shut down by the government. Looking for a roommate, she falls for con artist Chloe's (Krysten Ritter) tricks of stealing roommate's money and then forcing them out of the apartment by being an unbearable roommate. But June hangs with her and the two even show hints of friendship. Rounding out the main cast is Robin (Liza Lapira), a neighbor with a crush on Chloe, Eli (Michael Blaiklock), a perverted neighbor, Mark (Eric Andre), a friend and co-worker of June's, and... the gimmick... James Van Der Beek as an exaggerated version of himself who used to date and is still friends with Chloe.

THE GOOD: I don't know quite what to make of this show. Like honestly, I don't - it is one of the more difficult ones to review. So I guess I'll list things I liked - I liked Dreama Walker in general. That kind of role can be done a lot (naive girl new to the city), she was believable and not annoying. It has a theme song! I always like that even if it's short. There were some funny bits in the pilot such as the roommate interviews June went on that didn't work out. James Van Der Beek was funny in the pilot but I'm not sure if his character will stay funny or if he will wear thin. Krysten Ritter was good in her role but I'll get to her later.

THE BAD: Yes, Krysten Ritter was good in her role but I'm not sure what to say about her character. It's so odd for a lead in a series to have no likable qualities. Maybe we'll get some in future episodes but I think even the most obnoxious characters have to have some redeeming qualities (think Ted Baxter, Michael Scott to name a couple). There was nothing to like about Chloe in the pilot. Even her attempt to prove that the fiance was cheating on June was done in such an odd over the top way. I like the way Ritter played the role but I'm not sure I like how the role was written. I'm not saying everyone needs to be nice, I'm just saying this character needs to be flushed out more and given something for viewers to identify with. There were a few other things that didn't work in the pilot (parents on skype, the neighbor down the hall) but that always happens with sitcom pilots.

BOTTOM LINE: I will certainly give this show another chance if only because I was so perplexed by the pilot, I need to see how it develops in the coming weeks. I could see it going the New Girl route (working out its quirkiness and becoming a great ensemble comedy) or going the 2 Broke Girls route (veering into crassness and staleness). I'll give it some time and I have a feeling ABC will too.

RATINGS RECAP: 4/11/12

ABC
8:00 The Middle
Viewers: 7.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
8:30 Suburgatory
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:00 Modern Family
Viewers: 10.4 million, 18-49 demo: 4.2
9:30 Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.9
10:00 Revenge: From the Beginning
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 9.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7
9:00 Criminal Minds
Viewers: 11.8 million, 18-49 demo: 3.0
10:00 CSI
Viewers: 9.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4

NBC
8:00 Betty White's Off Their Rockers
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
8:30 Best Friends Forever
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Rock Center with Brian Williams
Viewers: 2.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
10:00 Law & Order: SVU
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7

FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 16.8 million, 18-49 demo: 5.0 

On Wednesday night, ABC's comedies were all new for the first time since March 14. At 8pm, The Middle was down two tenths in viewers and even in the demo which is not bad after nearly a month off. At 8:30pm, Suburgatory was also down two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. As usual, these two shows fit together like a glove. At 9pm, Modern Family was down two tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo for a season low. It's a far cry from the mid-5 demos it was getting back in the fall and winter but that's what happens this time of year. At 9:30pm was the series premiere of Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23. It had a solid but not spectacular debut. It managed to get similar numbers to Happy Endings even though the lead-in was way down. Next week will be more telling. 

Over on CBS, Survivor started off the night down half a million viewers and a tenth in the demo for a season low. Criminal Minds followed and was up half a million viewers and even in the demo. This is a great showing against new ABC comedies and, as always, American Idol. At 10pm though the news was not as good for CSI which tumbled a big 2.1 million viewers and half a demo point. A lot of this could have been due to the return of Law & Order: SVU as CSI has been overperforming recently. FOX had American Idol which was down three tenths in viewers but up a tenth in the demo. After a few weeks losing to The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, and The Voice, Idol has come back to be the top demo draw again.

NBC was in trouble as usual. Week two of Off Their Rockers was down 1.3 million viewers and two tenths in the demo. If it stays here, it is just above what Whitney was getting in the same slot. At 8:30pm, week two  of Best Friends Forever was down 1.1 million viewers and three tenths in the demo proving to be another disastrous Wednesday comedy for NBC this season after Free Agents, Are You There Chelsea?, and Bent. At 9pm, Rock Center was down four tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo from last week's 10pm edition. Yikes, at a 0.5, NBC is in CW territory and not even competing. At 10pm, Law & Order: SVU returned and was up two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. NBC would be wise to move this away from CSI next season.   

RENEWAL ALERT: Hell's Kitchen

Even before its 10th edition premieres this summer, FOX has renewed long-running reality show Hell's Kitchen for two more editions. The show has been all over the schedule, airing mostly in summer, but spending some time in-season during Spring 2009 and Fall 2010. While the renewal isn't surprising as it's a reliable utility player for FOX, it is very unlikely it will air during the season. This is likely for next summer and beyond. Still awaiting their fate for next season on FOX are Alcatraz, American Idol, Bob's Burgers, Breaking In, Cops, The Finder, Fringe, I Hate My Teenage Daughter, Napoleon Dynamite, Q'Viva: The Chosen, and Touch. Idol is certainly coming back while Breaking In, Daughter, and Q'Viva have all been benched to late nights or summer and are essentially cancelled. The other shows remain on the bubble for now though Cops is being reduced and The Finder is very unlikely to come back.

RATINGS RECAP: 4/10/12

ABC
8:00 Last Man Standing
Viewers: 6.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
8:30 Cougar Town
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 Dancing with the Stars Results
Viewers: 13.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
10:00 Body of Proof
Viewers: 10.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9

CBS
8:00 NCIS
Viewers: 17.7 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1
9:00 NCIS: Los Angeles
Viewers: 12.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
10:00 Unforgettable
Viewers: 9.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8

NBC
8:00 The Biggest Loser
Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:00 The Voice Results
Viewers: 9.0 million, 18-49 demo: 3.5
10:00 Fashion Star
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8

FOX
8:00 Glee
Viewers: 6.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7
9:00 New Girl
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.8
9:30 Raising Hope
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8

On Tuesday night, FOX returned to the competition as Glee propelled the lineup to better numbers after the troubling four sitcom results. Airing for the first time since February 21, Glee was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo which is not bad considering that was in the pre-Daylight Savings time. It also was a huge improvement over the sitcoms that were airing in its place. At 9pm, New Girl was up six tenths in viewers and half a demo point. The demo was the best since March 13 and it reversed the bad downward trend the show had been on. At 9:30pm, Raising Hope was actually down a tenth in viewers but up two tenths in the demo. It really should have done better in this slot but it's been renewed already. 

NBC saw increases across the board starting with The Biggest Loser which was up a tenth in viewers and the demo. NBC should not let this go back to two hours. The one hour episode is so much stronger. At 9pm, the results edition of The Voice was up half a million viewers and three tenths in the demo which is a great showing in a tough time period. At 10pm, Fashion Star was up six tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo, tying a series high in the latter category. It's still probably not enough though. It would be interesting to see what Parenthood would be doing with this better lead-in.

CBS had a rough night as their dramas were down across the board. At 8pm, NCIS was down a million viewers and four tenths in the demo for its worst demo number in years. At 9pm, NCIS: Los Angeles was down a really rough 1.9 million viewers and six tenths in the demo for a series low. The competition is fierce in the 9pm hour but Los Angeles was only in third in the demo which isn't great. I still think this series is ready to fly on its own at 10pm or on another night next season. At 10pm, Unforgettable was down a million viewers and three tenths in the demo for a series low. There's no way this one was coming back anyway, but to tie with Fashion Star in the demo seals its fate.

Over on ABC, Last Man Standing returned after two weeks off and was down two tenths in viewers and the demo for a series low. This isn't too surprising considering the time of year but ABC really needs to find a companion for this show next season and there are plenty of pilots on their list that might fit that role. At 8:30pm, Cougar Town was up four tenths in viewers but down a tenth in the demo. At 9pm, the results of Dancing with the Stars was down 2.2 million viewers and half a demo point. This is awfully low for Dancing and it finished in fourth in the 9pm half hour which is troubling. This show is skewing older and older. The news was better at 10pm where Body of Proof was down four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo but it posted much better retention and won the hour. This show was dead in the water a few weeks ago but has had a bit of a rebirth with the Dancing lead-in. We'll see how Private Practice does starting next week but Body of Proof may have reentered the conversation which I did not see coming.