RATINGS RECAP: 3/29/14

ABC
8:00 Mixology (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3
8:30 Mixology (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.2
9:00 20/20 Saturday
Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
10:00 Nightline Prime
Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

CBS
8:00 2 Broke Girls (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
8:30 Mom (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
9:00 48 Hours
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
10:00 48 Hours
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

NBC
8:00 Dateline Saturday
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
10:00 Saturday Night Live (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

FOX
8:00 Almost Human (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
9:00 The Following (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3 

RATINGS RECAP: 3/28/14

ABC 
8:00 Last Man Standing
Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
8:30 The Neighbors
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Shark Tank (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

CBS
8:00 NCAA Basketball
Viewers: 8.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
10:00 NCAA Basketball
Viewers: 10.1 million, 18-49 demo: 3.6

NBC
8:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 8.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
10:00 Hannibal
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

FOX 
8:00 Rake
Viewers: 1.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
9:00 Enlisted
Viewers: 1.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
9:30 Raising Hope
Viewers: 1.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5 

PILOT REVIEW: Surviving Jack

SURVIVING JACK

Starring: Christopher Meloni, Rachael Harris, Connor Buckley, Claudia Lee, Tyler Foden, Kevin Hernandez

Inspired by the Book "I Suck at Girls" by Justin Halpern
Created by Justin Halpern and Patrick Schumacker
Written by Justin Halpern & Patrick Schumacker, Directed by Victor Nelli Jr.

Surviving Jack is a new family sitcom set in 1991 in Southern California. Jack Dunlevy (Christopher Meloni) is an ex-military man and doctor who is scaling back his hours at work so his wife Joanne (Rachael Harris) can go to law school. Gruff Jack is taking on more responsibility with his two teenage kids: awkward and hormonal Frankie (Connor Buckley) and rebellious Rachel (Claudia Lee). Rounding out the main cast are Frankie's two friends Mikeya and George (Tyler Foden and Kevin Hernandez)

THE GOOD: First of all, I love the 1990s setting! This is the first sitcom I've seen set in the 1990s from a nostalgic/historical perspective. The soundtrack and look to the show were fun in an era that's seeming more and more dated by the day. Christopher Meloni is funny as the dad and got better as the episode went along. At first, he seemed a little too gruff and too much of a caricature but the slightly softer moments he had played better and were funnier. Connor Buckley is strong as the gangly, awkward freshman in high school and the dynamics between him and Meloni seem authentic. Overall, it was a solid start to a fun family sitcom.

THE BAD: There have been SO many family sitcoms this year that they are starting to run together because so many of them have had some sort of combination of awkward teen boy or rebellious teen daughter (Mom, The Michael J. Fox Show, Sean Saves the World, The Goldbergs, Trophy Wife, Growing Up Fisher). I feel like people who write family sitcoms need to broaden the stereotypes a little bit and stay a little more grounded in reality. Some of the early lines from Meloni seemed a little fake like they were unnecessarily playing up the "gruff dad" approach.

BOTTOM LINE: Despite the stereotypes - as far as family sitcoms go, Surviving Jack did not seem quite as enjoyable as The Goldbergs but more so than the others. The dynamic between Meloni and Buckley is at the heart of this show and the realness of it means this show has promise. It didn't get great ratings but I'm going to enjoy it while I can. Keep the 90s music coming!!

CANCELLATION ALERT: Mind Games, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland

ABC cancelled two shows late this week. Mind Games and Once Upon a Time in Wonderland were added to the scrap heap in a year of drama bombs for ABC.

Mind Games was cancelled after five episodes and will be pulled immediately from the schedule. Following in the footsteps of the disastrous Lucky 7 and Killer Women, Mind Games bombed in the Tuesday 10pm slot. It premiered to a very low 3.6 million viewers and 1.1 demo. It tumbled to a 0.6 demo the following week and then regained a few viewers after that but never approached the 1.0 demo again. Once Upon a Time in Wonderland was the latest victim of Thursday at 8pm on ABC. Despite the success of the parent show, it received very little attention. It premiered to 5.8 million viewers and a 1.7 demo. By November, it was below a 1.0 demo. It took a couple months off and returned just as low. ABC's biggest problems is they cannot find a way to fix Tuesday at 10pm or Thursday at 8pm and these two shows are just the latest examples.

Mind Games and Once Upon a Time in Wonderland joined The Assets, Back in the Game, and Lucky 7 in the official cancellation category with Betrayal, Super Fun Night, Mixology, and Killer Women sure to join them. Slam dunk renewals include Dancing with the Stars, The Bachelor, America's Funniest Home Videos, Scandal, Grey's Anatomy, The Middle, Modern Family, Last Man Standing, Shark Tank, Once Upon a Time, and likely Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Resurrection, The Goldbergs and Revenge. Bubble shows include Nashville and The Neighbors and it's not looking good for Trophy Wife. ABC is the only network with no official renewals. Resurrection repeats and then Celebrity Wife Swap on April 15 will replace Mind Games while Once Upon a Time in Wonderland airs it series finale next week.

RATINGS RECAP: 3/27/14

ABC
8:00 Once Upon a Time in Wonderland
Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 Grey's Anatomy
Viewers: 8.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
10:00 Scandal
Viewers: 9.0 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1

CBS
8:00 NCAA Basketball
Viewers: 7.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
10:00 NCAA Basketball
Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6

NBC
8:00 Hollywood Game Night (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Hollywood Game Night (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 Parenthood
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4 

FOX
8:00 Hell's Kitchen
Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
9:00 American Idol
Viewers: 8.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
9:30 Surviving Jack
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3 

On Thursday night, FOX premiered a new sitcom but it didn't go very well. First up though, Hell's Kitchen was up a tenth in viewers and the demo at 8pm. American Idol's results show shrunk to half an hour and was down four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo for a new series low. Who would have thought we'd see the day when Hell's Kitchen tied American Idol in the demo? At 9:30pm, the series premiere of Surviving Jack had an old-skewing soft debut. Idol doesn't mean anything as a lead-in anymore and this show only got mild attention that's likely to drop from here. On ABC, the just cancelled Once Upon a Time in Wonderland was down a tenth in viewers but up two tenths in the demo. The series finale airs next week. At 9pm, Grey's Anatomy was up three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo while Scandal was down a tenth in viewers and up two tenths in the demo. On NBC, Parenthood was up two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo for its best performance since October 3.

RATINGS RECAP: 3/26/14

ABC
8:00 The Middle
Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
8:30 Suburgatory
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 Modern Family
Viewers: 10.1 million, 18-49 demo: 3.6
9:30 Mixology
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
10:00 Nashville
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 9.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
9:00 Criminal Minds (Repeat)
Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
10:00 CSI (Repeat)
Viewers: 7.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2 

NBC
8:00 Prince Harry's South Pole Heroes
Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 Law & Order: SVU (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
10:00 Chicago PD (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9


FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 9.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2 

On Wednesday night, ABC was fully new with originals. At 8pm, The Middle was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. At 8:30pm, Suburgatory was also down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. I'm thinking this is going to be cancelled but that could change again next week. At 9pm, Modern Family was up seven tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for its best performance since November 13. At 9:30pm, Mixology was up 1.2 million viewers and four tenths in the demo from last week when it followed a repeat of Family. It's decent enough to let it run the course of the season but that's it. At 10pm, Nashville was up a tenth in viewers and down a tenth in the demo despite the competition being in repeats and the lead-in being better. Only Survivor was new on CBS and it was up four tenths in viewers and down two tenths in the demo. Finally on FOX, American Idol was down half a million viewers and even in the demo.

RATINGS RECAP: 3/25/14

ABC 
8:00 Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 The Goldbergs (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:30 Trophy Wife (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
10:00 Mind Games
Viewers: 2.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

CBS
8:00 NCIS
Viewers: 17.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5
9:00 NCIS: Los Angeles
Viewers: 15.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
10:00 Person of Interest
Viewers: 12.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0 

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 12.5 million, 18-49 demo: 3.4
9:00 About a Boy
Viewers: 7.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
9:30 Growing Up Fisher
Viewers: 6.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 Chicago Fire (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

FOX 
8:00 Glee
Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 New Girl
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:30 Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Viewers: 2.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

On Tuesday night, FOX was miserable as usual even with the season finale of Brooklyn Nine-Nine. At 8pm, Glee was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. At 9pm, New Girl was even in viewers and down a tenth in the demo for a series low. Wow, this show has fallen hard, just like it's lead-in. The season finale of Brooklyn was up a tenth in viewers and two tenths in the demo. It built on its New Girl lead-in but was still pretty bad. However, a 1.2 or 1.3 demo gets you renewed these days on FOX. On NBC, The Voice started things off down eight tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo for a season low. At 9pm, About a Boy continued to show strength as it was down just two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. How would this do without The Voice lead-in though? At 9:30pm, Growing Up Fisher was down four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. I think both sitcoms will get renewed.

CBS saw small gains across the board. At 8pm, NCIS was up four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo with the first part of its backdoor pilot for the New Orleans spinoff starring Scott Bakula - being planned for 2014-2015. I don't think the ratings say anything about viewers' interest in a new show because this si right where NCIS has been lately. We'll see how it does next week with part two. At 9pm, NCIS: Los Angeles was up 1.3 million viewers and a tenth in the demo. At 10pm, Person of Interest benefited from Chicago Fire being a repeat. It was up 1.3 million viewers and three tenths in the demo for its best performance since February 4. On ABC, Mind Games followed all repeats but was down just three tenths in viewers and even in the demo.

RATINGS RECAP: 3/24/14

ABC
8:00 Dancing with the Stars
Viewers: 14.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
10:00 Castle
Viewers: 9.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8

CBS
8:00 How I Met Your Mother
Viewers: 9.0 million, 18-49 demo: 3.5
8:30 2 Broke Girls
Viewers: 7.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
9:00 Mike & Molly
Viewers: 7.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
9:30 Mom
Viewers: 7.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
10:00 Intelligence
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 12.9 million, 18-49 demo: 3.7
10:00 The Blacklist
Viewers: 10.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.8 

FOX 
8:00 Bones
Viewers: 5.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:00 The Following
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4 

Monday night saw big numbers for the next to last week of How I Met Your Mother. It had a big jump of 1.2 million viewers and six tenths in the demo. It should easily go over a 4 demo for the one hour series finale next week. The rest of the lineup only improved slightly. At 8:30pm, 2 Broke Girls was up two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Things could get ugly when this show has to take over the 8pm slot. At 9pm, Mike & Molly was up a tenth in viewers and two tenths in the demo while Mom was up three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. At 10pm, Intelligence was down three tenths in viewers and even in the demo. On ABC, week two of Dancing with the Stars was down seven tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo. This is not a bad drop from a decent debut. At 10pm, Castle was down two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. 

On NBC, The Voice fell back after last week's jump. It was down six tenths in viewers and four tenths in the demo. The better news for NBC came at 10pm where The Blacklist was down two tenths in viewers but up a tenth in the demo despite the lead-in being down. This is another good sign that this show is going to be OK when NBC inevitably moves it from this slot next season. FOX's lineup continues to get completely lost. At 8pm, Bones was up two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. Hard to believe it was actually doing better on Friday but maybe FOX has moved this show one too many times. At 9pm, The Following was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo.

RATINGS RECAP: 3/23/14

ABC
7:00 America's Funniest Home Videos
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
8:00 Once Upon a Time
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:00 Resurrection
Viewers: 9.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5
10:00 Revenge
Viewers: 5.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

CBS
7:00 NCAA Basketball Overrun
Viewers: 11.6 million, 18-49 demo: 4.0
7:30 60 Minutes
Viewers: 11.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0 
8:30 The Amazing Race
Viewers: 8.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
9:30 The Good Wife
Viewers: 9.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
10:30 The Mentalist
Viewers: 8.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3 

NBC
7:00 The Voice Recap Special
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
8:00 American Dream Builders
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Believe
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
10:00 Crisis
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

FOX 
7:00 Bob's Burgers
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
7:30 American Dad!
Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
8:00 The Simpsons
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
8:30 Family Guy
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:00 Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7  

Most shows were down on Sunday night. NBC's new Sunday lineup is not panning out for them. The new reality series American Dream Builders was DOA at 8pm. Airing at the same time where ABC had many great years of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, American Dream Builders was not able to tap into the feel good Sunday crowd. A recap of The Voice did better at 8pm last week. At 9pm, week two of the regular timeslot for Believe was down 1.5 million viewers and three tenths in the demo to a weak 1.2 demo. It's already heading below what bubble shows Parenthood and Revolution are getting so this looks like a short term player for NBC. Same goes for Crisis as its second episode was also down 1.5 million viewers and three tenths in the demo. The only good news for this show was it built on Believe for the second week in a row.

ABC saw everything take a step back. At 7pm, America's Funniest Home Videos was up half a million viewers but down a tenth in the demo. At 8pm, Once Upon a Time was down nine tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo. After two solid weeks back from its winter hiatus, it stumbled a bit this week. But the news was worse for week three of Resurrection at 9pm. It was down 1.8 million viewers and six tenths in the demo. Yes, it had a surprisingly huge premiere but it has fallen an alarming 1.3 demo points in just two episodes since its premiere. It's probably not done leveling off yet even if it doesn't dip as much in the weeks to come. Either way, this does not seem like ABC's big new hit anymore. At 10pm, Revenge was down half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo. A 1.5 demo is not great by any means but it's still an improvement on a timeslot that has been tough for ABC in recent years. 

On CBS, the NCAA Basketball coverage spilled over into primetime but the only show it helped was 60 Minutes as it was down four tenths in viewers but up three tenths in the demo. With everything starting half an hour later, The Amazing Race was up four tenths in viewers and even in the demo, The Good Wife was up seven tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo, and The Mentalist was up seven tenths in viewers and even in the demo. The Good Wife had a bombshell episode so it will be interesting to see if that show rises in the weeks to come. FOX's animated lineup was all within a tenth in the demo from last week's numbers but week three of Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey was down seven tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo. Its third week was not nearly as promising as its second week.

RATINGS RECAP: 3/22/14

ABC
8:00 Marvel Studios: Assembling a Universe (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
9:00 Nightline Prime
Viewers: 1.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3
10:00 20/20 Saturday
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

CBS
8:00 NCAA Basketball
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
10:30 48 Hours
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

NBC
8:00 Dateline Mystery
Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
10:00 Crisis (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

FOX 
8:00 Almost Human (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3
9:00 The Following (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3

RATINGS RECAP: 3/21/14

ABC
8:00 Last Man Standing (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
8:30 The Neighbors
Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Shark Tank
Viewers: 8.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 8.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8

CBS
8:00 NCAA Basketball
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:55 NCAA Basketball
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5 

NBC
8:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 7.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:00 Grimm
Viewers: 5.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
10:00 Hannibal
Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9 

FOX
8:00 Rake
Viewers: 1.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
9:00 Enlisted (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
9:30 Raising Hope
Viewers: 1.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4

With CBS continuing basketball coverage, it was a pretty quiet night for ratings news. NBC had Dateline NBC up a sizable 1.5 million viewers and three tenths in the demo, Grimm up a tenth in viewers and down a tenth in the demo, and Hannibal up two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. On ABC, The Neighbors was up two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo, Shark Tank was up eight tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo, and 20/20 was up 1.5 million viewers and even in the demo. Finally on FOX, Rake was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo and Raising Hope was even in viewers and down a tenth in the demo for a new series low. What a boring night.

RATINGS RECAP: 3/20/14

ABC
8:00 Once Upon a Time in Wonderland
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 Grey's Anatomy
Viewers: 8.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
10:00 Scandal
Viewers: 9.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.9

CBS
8:00 NCAA Basketball
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:18 NCAA Basketball
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

NBC
8:00 Community
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
8:30 Parks and Recreation
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Hollywood Game Night (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
10:00 Parenthood
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3 

FOX 
8:00 Hell's Kitchen
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
9:00 American Idol
Viewers: 8.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0

Thursday night had the NCAA Basketball tournament on CBS and the results were way below CBS' usual Thursday numbers as well as last year's tournament. Having so many games on so many networks has completely diluted this for CBS and they should really consider letting it fully be a cable offering, at least in the early rounds. Several competing shows were up without the CBS lineup including The Big Bang Theory. On NBC, Community was up half a million viewers and a tenth in the demo. The jury's still out on this one for next year. At 8:30pm, Parks and Recreation was up four tenths in viewers and even in the demo. Finally at 10pm, Parenthood was up three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo

On ABC, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland was up three tenths in viewers and even in the demo. Grey's Anatomy followed and was up seven tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Finally, Scandal dominated the 10pm hour and was up nine tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Lastly on FOX, Hell's Kitchen was down two tenths in viewers and the demo from last week's premiere. At 9pm, American Idol was down half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo for a series low. It nearly dipped below a 2.0 demo but was adjusted up in finals so it hasn't hit that low point yet. Still, it's just getting uglier. There's no reason Idol should have been down with CBS well below normal and NBC in repeats.

RATINGS RECAP: 3/19/14

ABC
8:00 The Middle (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
8:30 Suburgatory (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Modern Family (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
9:30 Mixology
Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
10:00 Nashville (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 9.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5
9:00 Criminal Minds
Viewers: 10.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
10:00 CSI
Viewers: 10.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0 

NBC
8:00 Revolution
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Law & Order: SVU
Viewers: 5.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
10:00 Chicago PD
Viewers: 5.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 9.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2

Wednesday night was a pretty boring night with nothing topping a 2.5 demo. That 2.5 demo belonged to Survivor which was down two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. It handily beat American Idol in the 8pm hour. At 9pm, Criminal Minds was down six tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo, tying a series low it has hit two other times this season. Will CBS or NBC budge on moving their crime drama from this slot next season? At 10pm, CSI was dead even with last week as it handily took care of the 10pm hour. ABC was almost fully in repeats but Mixology was new and it plunged six tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo for a series low.

NBC had a rough night. At 8pm, Revolution was down three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo for a series low. This show is most likely a goner. At 9pm, Law & Order: SVU was down half a million viewers and a tenth in the demo despite a guest appearance from Alec Baldwin. At 10pm, Chicago PD was down a tenth in viewers and two tenths in the demo for a series low. It didn't really earn its renewal stripes after the announcement this week. FOX had American Idol fall another half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo to tie series lows it has hit on Thursday. It was only a 2.0 demo in the 8pm hour as this deterioration is continuing for TV's former top show.

RENEWAL ALERT: Grimm, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD

NBC handed out renewals today to three dramas that were obvious pickups: Grimm, Chicago Fire, and Chicago PD.

Grimm was renewed for a fourth season. Talk about a little show that could, the show should have been quickly forgotten with a Friday night slot in its first season (2011-12). Instead, it carved out a niche audience and has been solid ever since. NBC has tried to find it a partner this year with both Dracula and Hannibal but neither can hold on to much of Grimm's audience, which is decent by Friday standards. NBC has tried it on Mondays and Tuesdays for short time periods in the past but it didn't work so they have finally realized it belongs (and should stay) on Fridays.

Chicago Fire was renewed for a third season. Another little show that could, this one was low on NBC's priority list in 2012-13 with big premieres like Revolution and Go On to worry about. But it quietly surprised on Wednesday nights, often building on its Law & Order: SVU lead-in. NBC realized what they had and upgraded it to a better timeslot this year airing after The Voice in the fall. That helped a little bit but it has been remarkably steady even without a direct lead-in from The Voice. The show has also spawned a successful spinoff...

Chicago PD was a midseason spinoff this year from Chicago Fire. It took Fire's old Wednesday night timeslot and has done fairly well. It had one very impressive night crossing over with Law & Order: SVU and building on the lead-in. Most of time it is just very compatible. This is a franchise NBC is establishing so they probably had a low threshold for renewal, but it has done pretty well so it's renewal was a sure thing from pretty early on. Look for many more crossovers between the Chicago shows.

These dramas join previously announced NBC renewals The Blacklist, The Voice, Celebrity Apprentice (which has not aired this season), and Parks and Recreation. Other sure or likely renewals include About a Boy, The Biggest Loser, Hollywood Game Night, and Law & Order: SVU. Bubble shows are Community, Dracula, Growing Up Fisher, Parenthood, and Revolution. It's not looking promising for Hannibal and the new Believe and Crisis.

RATINGS RECAP: 3/18/14

ABC 
8:00 Marvel Studios: Assembling a Universe
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 The Goldbergs
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:30 Trophy Wife
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
10:00 Mind Games
Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

CBS
8:00 NCIS
Viewers: 17.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
9:00 NCIS: Los Angeles
Viewers: 14.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
10:00 Person of Interest
Viewers: 10.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7

NBC 
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 13.3 million, 18-49 demo: 3.6
9:00 About a Boy
Viewers: 7.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:30 Growing Up Fisher
Viewers: 6.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
10:00 Chicago Fire
Viewers: 7.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9

FOX
8:00 Glee
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 New Girl (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:30 Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1 

Tuesday night was another good one for NBC as three of the four shows were up from last week. At 8pm, The Voice was down two tenths in viewers but up a tenth in the demo. The best news came in the 9pm hour where About a Boy was up a tenth in viewers and the demo while Growing Up Fisher was up three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. NBC needed these shows to stabilize and they did while facing a new NCIS: Los Angeles as opposed to a repeat last week. I think Growing Up Fisher is even more impressive because it has less of the halo effect from The Voice. Say what you want about its lead-in but these numbers are good enough to get renewals with the state of NBC's comedy. At 10pm, Chicago Fire was down two tenths in viewers but even in the demo. The good news is it held steady even when it had to face a new Person of Interest in the hour this week.

CBS was new again after a week of repeats. At 8pm, NCIS was down eight tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. For the second week in a row, it hit its lowest number since the season one finale back in May 2004. At 9pm, NCIS: Los Angeles was down two tenths in viewers but up two tenths in the demo as it had excellent retention out of the mothership. I think next year is the year this show finally moves to a new slot, but I've been wrong about that the last couple years so who knows. At 10pm, Person of Interest was up three tenths in viewers but even in the demo. This show has had weak numbers the last couple weeks. I'm not really sure why but we'll see how the rest of the season goes for this one to see if it's the start of a bad trend.

On ABC, a Marvel special was lower than the usual Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. numbers. However, once again The Goldbergs proved it has an entirely different audience as it was up three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for its best performance since January 14. This show is absolutely coming back next year. At 9:30pm, Trophy Wife was up two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Mind Games slipped back again as it fell three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. The 100th episode of Glee gave it an ever so slight bump as it was up half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo. What a weak show this is now. A repeat of New Girl took Brooklyn Nine-Nine down to a new series low as it was even in viewers but dropped a tenth in the demo.

RATINGS RECAP: 3/17/14

ABC
8:00 Dancing with the Stars
Viewers: 15.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
10:00 Castle
Viewers: 10.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8

CBS
8:00 How I Met Your Mother
Viewers: 7.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.9
8:30 2 Broke Girls
Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:00 Mike & Molly
Viewers: 7.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
9:30 Mom
Viewers: 7.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
10:00 Intelligence
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1 

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 13.5 million, 18-49 demo: 4.1
10:00 The Blacklist
Viewers: 11.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7 

FOX 
8:00 Bones
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:00 The Following
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4 

Dancing with the Stars returned on Monday for its 18th edition and the results were not bad. It was down from recent premieres, but they didn't have to face The Voice. It was actually up from every episode in the fall except the premiere. I think this overperformed since I felt like there wasn't a lot of buzz this time around. At 10pm, Castle was up 1.6 million viewers and two tenths in the demo from its last airing two weeks ago. On NBC, The Voice rebounded as it was down three tenths in viewers but up four tenths in the demo. Its demo is hurt against The Bachelor while total viewers are weaker against Dancing with the Stars. At 10pm, The Blacklist was dead even with its last airing two weeks ago though its lead-in was stronger then so that's encouraging.

On CBS, How I Met Your Mother was up a tenth in viewers and two tenths in the demo. Only two more weeks for this show. At 8:30pm, 2 Broke Girls was down 1.2 million viewers and four tenths in the demo for a series low. Does CBS really want to try this as an anchor show again in April? At 9pm, Mike & Molly was dead even with last week despite having a new lead-in this week. At 9:30pm, Mom was down 1.3 million viewers and two tenths in the demo for a series low. Intelligence closed out the night down 1.3 million viewers and two tenths in the demo for a series low. FOX was completely lost in the shuffle with both shows hitting series lows. Bones was down a million viewers and three tenths in the demo while The Following was down nine tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Who would have guessed that Almost Human would be a stronger lead-in than Bones?

RATINGS RECAP: 3/16/14

ABC
7:00 America's Funniest Home Videos
Viewers: 6.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
8:00 Once Upon a Time
Viewers: 7.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
9:00 Resurrection
Viewers: 11.3 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1
10:00 Revenge
Viewers: 6.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7

CBS
7:00 60 Minutes
Viewers: 11.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
8:00 The Amazing Race
Viewers: 8.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
9:00 The Good Wife
Viewers: 8.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
10:00 The Mentalist
Viewers: 8.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

NBC
7:00 The Voice Special
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:00 Believe
Viewers: 6.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
10:00 Crisis
Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

FOX
7:00 Bob's Burgers
Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
7:30 American Dad!
Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
8:00 The Simpsons
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
8:30 Family Guy
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
9:00 Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0

Sunday night had the premiere of NBC's new Sunday drama lineup and the results were not too impressive, as expected. Believe followed up its solid 2.7 demo premiere after The Voice to a 1.5 demo in its timeslot premiere. No surprise, it took a huge drop after the preview episode indicating that people didn't like what they saw in the preview episode and were unwilling to follow it to a new slot. The same thing happened with Intelligence on CBS in January. At 10pm was the premiere of Crisis. The good news is it actually built on Believe's demo which means it was a bit of a self-starter. The bad news is it still had a very low number that's likely to drop from here. I feel like NBC might have been better off airing Crisis as the preview show behind The Voice because it may have a little bit more upside.

Resurrection had a strong second week for ABC. But first on the alphabet network, America's Funniest Home Videos was down six tenths in viewers and even in the demo from its last new airing back in January. Not bad at all considering Daylight Savings. At 8pm, Once Upon a Time was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. This show seems a little bit revitalized since its winter hiatus. Week two of Resurrection was down 2.6 million viewers and seven tenths in the demo. While that's a big drop, last week had a huge premiere so it's not unexpected. It still posted big numbers and it seems to be having a halo effect on the whole night for ABC. At 10pm, Revenge was down four tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. It has poor retention but so far seems to be a big improvement in the 10pm timeslot. ABC was wise to switch the originally planned slots for Resurrection and Revenge. 

FOX's animated was all up slightly: Bob's Burgers and American Dad! were up two tenths in the demo, The Simpsons were up three tenths in the demo, and Family Guy was up a tenth. Cosmos: A Spacetime Oydssey held up very well in week two. It was down eight tenths in viewers and just a tenth in the demo from last week's premiere. CBS started with 60 Minutes up six tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. At 8pm, The Amazing Race was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. This show is having a weak cycle so far. At 9pm, The Good Wife was down half a million viewers and even in the demo. The Mentalist closed out the night down 1.3 million viewers and three tenths in the demo. Not a good performance for a show that didn't get an early pickup from CBS.

PILOT REVIEW: Crisis

CRISIS

Starring: Dermot Mulroney, Rachael Taylor, Lance Gross, James Lafferty, Max Martini, Michael Beach, Stevie Lynn Jones, Halston Sage, Max Schneider, Joshua Erenberg, and Gillian Anderson

Created by Rand Ravich
Written by Rand Ravich, Directed by Phillip Noyce

Crisis is a new kidnapping thriller set in and around Washington DC. When students from a very privileged high school including the president's son are kidnapped, it throws the nation into crisis mode. Key players include FBI Agent Susie Dunn (Rachael Taylor) who is working the case which involves her powerful sister Meg Fitch's (Gillian Anderson) daughter (Halston Sage). Marcus Finley (Lance Gross) is a rookie secret service agent who is betrayed by his partner. Francis Gibson (Dermot Mulroney) is an ex-CIA agent who is accompanying his daughter (Stevie Lynn Jones) on the trip, but there's also more to that (I won't spoil it if you want to check the pilot out). The pilot was basically laying the pieces for the series.

THE GOOD: I thought this was a pretty intriguing start to a series. It definitely left a lot more on the table for a longer run than the other kidnapping show this season (CBS' Hostages). There are a lot of pieces to this puzzle and the pilot didn't answer many questions. Instead, it introduced tons of characters that were all connected by this kidnapping. Now if the series turns out to be too many questions, that will be a problem. But for a pilot, this was fitting and interesting. It was hard to pick out specific characters in a pilot that was full of exposition, but veterans Dermot Mulroney and Gillian Anderson seem like early standouts. Rachael Taylor is better here than she was in her last two series (ABC's failed Charlie's Angels reboot and 666 Park Avenue).

THE BAD: I liked a lot of things they were doing in the pilot but some of the acting from the teens didn't working for me. I just felt like some of the dialogue as they were being kidnapped came across as fake considering their present situation. Also, the show had a few too many plot cliches amongst the high school crowd (a teacher/student affair, the outcasts versus the popular girl, the nerdy/fat kid who didn't make it with the rest of them). I don't think this show aims to be a typical high school drama so they don't need to make stereotypes. And as always with a show like this, I worry that they will lead us down a road to no return or stretch the appropriate length of a plot to keep the series going (if it lasts that long, that is).

BOTTOM LINE: I'm surprised that NBC chose Believe to showcase over this one because this shows more promise and it seems like it's following in the footsteps of high stakes thrillers that have been hits recently like Scandal and The Blacklist. That being said, I remember reading how they halted production for awhile in the fall to redirect the plot so maybe a promising pilot is going to evaporate into a weaker series. But I'll hold out hope that this is going to be a thrilling new series.

RATINGS RECAP: 3/15/14

Check below this post for my Weekend Rewind from CBS 2001-02!

ABC 
8:00 Resurrection (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 Nightline Primetime
Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
10:00 20/20 Saturday
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

CBS
8:00 Movie: Summer Dreams
Viewers: 1.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
10:00 48 Hours
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

NBC
8:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
10:00 Believe (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

FOX
8:00 Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
9:00 The Following (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3 

GOOD WEEK/BAD WEEK: March 15, 2014

GOOD WEEK: SCI-FI PREMIERES
Even in an era of diminishing results, it seems like the networks can still get people to turn out in droves for premieres of sci-fi shows and that was proven twice this week. On Monday, NBC's Believe got a prime slot premiering after The Voice and it delivered a strong 10.6 million viewers and 2.7 demo, on par with recent numbers for The Blacklist but with a lower lead-in. Just a day earlier, ABC's Resurrection was even stronger with a stunning 13.9 million viewers and 3.8 demo for its premiere. These two shows got off to hot starts but so did Intelligence in January and many other sci-fi shows that fizzled out before that (think of The Event, V, FlashForward, etc in recent years). They will have to hold up well competing in the same Sunday 9pm timeslot. It's going to be a tougher road for Believe as NBC tries to carve out a scripted presence on the night.

BAD WEEK: FOX FRIDAY
Look, I know that numbers are getting worse and worse for the networks but Friday is just an embarrassment for FOX. Its new trio of Rake, Enlisted, and Raising Hope were all under two million viewers and a 0.7 demo. While I know FOX moved Rake so it could be more competitive on Thursdays, they may as well have cancelled it outright. Repeats of Bones, reality shows, anything could do better on this night. Since their stuck with Glee anyway, move it over to Fridays. Enlisted is sure to be cancelled as well and Raising Hope will finish its four year run in early April. But time to just pull the plug on Rake.  

RATINGS RECAP: 3/14/14

ABC 
8:00 Last Man Standing (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
8:30 The Neighbors
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 Shark Tank
Viewers: 7.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 7.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9

CBS
8:00 Undercover Boss
Viewers: 6.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Hawaii Five-0
Viewers: 9.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
10:00 Blue Bloods
Viewers: 11.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

NBC
8:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Grimm
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
10:00 Hannibal
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9 

FOX 
8:00 Rake
Viewers: 1.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
9:00 Enlisted
Viewers: 1.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
9:30 Raising Hope
Viewers: 1.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5 

On Friday night, CBS started with the season finale of Undercover Boss was down eight tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. It was just renewed this week so it will be back, but it could be held for midseason. At 9pm, Hawaii Five-0 was down nine tenths in viewers but even in the demo. At 10pm, Blue Bloods was down three tenths in viewers even in the demo. CBS will be airing basketball over the next couple Fridays. On ABC, Last Man Standing was a repeat. Despite that, The Neighbors was down just a tenth in viewers and the demo. At 9pm, Shark Tank was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Finally, 20/20 was down eight tenths in viewers and up a tenth in the demo. This newsmagazine has shown a ton of life at 10pm recently.

On NBC, Dateline NBC was down 1,3 million viewers and four tenths in the demo. At 9pm, Grimm was down a tenth in viewers and up a tenth in the demo as it continues to be a solid Friday performer - as good as anything on Wednesday or Thursday for NBC this week. At 10pm, Hannibal was even in viewers and up a tenth in the demo. FOX was completely off the map as Rake moved to Fridays and got absolutely no interest. The show was bombing on Thursdays so it's no surprise that it bombed even more on Fridays. Enlisted was down four tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for a series low while Raising Hope was down two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. All three shows were below two million viewers and hit a 0.5 demo so they are barely worth talking about.

RATINGS RECAP: 3/13/14

ABC 
8:00 Once Upon a Time in Wonderland
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 Grey's Anatomy
Viewers: 7.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
10:00 Scandal
Viewers: 8.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.8

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory
Viewers: 17.3 million, 18-49 demo: 4.9
8:30 The Millers
Viewers: 10.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
9:00 Two and a Half Men
Viewers: 9.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
9:30 The Crazy Ones
Viewers: 6.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 Elementary
Viewers: 8.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7 

NBC
8:00 Community
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
8:30 Parks and Recreation
Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Hollywood Game Night
Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
10:00 Parenthood
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2 

FOX 
8:00 Hell's Kitchen
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
9:00 American Idol
Viewers: 8.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2 

On Thursday night, FOX had a slightly revamped lineup. At 8pm was the new season of Hell's Kitchen. It immediately paid dividends for FOX. Though it was down from FOX's 8pm offering last week (Idol), it was way stronger than the 9pm show (Rake) so it contributed to a much better night for FOX. Plus, it held its own against The Big Bang Theory. At 9pm, American Idol was down nine tenths in viewers and even in the demo. Considering it was at an easier time and actually had a lead-in, it probably should have gone up. But at least it didn't hit another series low. On ABC, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland was down a tenth in viewers and the demo, tying a series low. At 9pm, Grey's Anatomy was down eight tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo, also tying a series low. However, Scandal did not follow suit as it held up much better. It was down three tenths in viewers and even in the demo.

On CBS, The Big Bang Theory was down eight tenths in viewers and four tenths in the demo, tying a season low. It may have been negatively impacted by Daylight Savings though that hasn't been a huge issue this week. At 8:30pm, The Millers was down 1.1 million viewers and half a demo point. Once again, retention out of Big Bang was below 50%. However, it doesn't matter anymore since The Millers snagged a renewal anyway. At 9pm, Two and a Half Men was down a million viewers and two tenths in the demo. Its retention from The Millers is way better than The Crazy Ones' retention was. Speaking of The Crazy Ones, it was down three tenths in viewers and even in the demo. The fact that it didn't get a renewal this week, when the other CBS shows did, is a bad idea. At 10pm, Elementary was up four tenths in viewers and down a tenth in the demo. As usual, NBC was not very competitive. At 8pm, Community was dead even with last week. At 8:30pm, Parks and Recreation was down three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. At 9pm, Hollywood Game Night was down four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. It's hard to believe this is a better lineup than it was in the fall. At 10pm, Parenthood was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo.

RENEWAL ALERT: NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, Criminal Minds, CSI, Person of Interest, 2 Broke Girls, Mike & Molly, Two and a Half Men, The Amazing Race, 48 Hours, 60 Minutes, The Millers, Mom, The Good Wife, Blue Bloods, Hawaii Five-0, Elementary, Undercover Boss

For the third year in a row, CBS renewed pretty much all their shows in one March swoop. 18 series were renewed by the Eye network, joining the already renewed Survivor and The Big Bang Theory. A few were left in the cold (more on that below).

The "no brainer" renewals included NCIS (12th season), NCIS: Los Angeles (6th season), Criminal Minds (10th season), CSI (15th season), Person of Interest (4th season), 2 Broke Girls (4th season), Mike & Molly (5th season), Two and a Half Men (12th season), The Amazing Race (25th/26th edition), 48 Hours (28th season), and 60 Minutes (47th (!) season). All of these shows were sure to come back even as some like The Amazing Race and Criminal Minds are slipping and others like 2 Broke Girls are still question marks in terms of their ability to hold their own. Two and a Half is rumored to possibly be for a 13 episode final season, but that's not confirmed.

Two freshman were on the list: The Millers and Mom. The Millers is TV's top new sitcom this year but a lot of that may have to do with the mammoth lead-in of The Big Bang Theory. Its retention has hovered around 50% and that cancelled shows like Rob, $#*! My Dad Says, and even eventually Rules of Engagement. But The Millers will get another year, though I doubt it will continue to air after Big Bang as that will most likely go to a new show. Mom had less of a lead-in on Monday nights but it has been remarkably steady even as the lineup has shuffled around when 2 Broke Girls didn't work in the anchor slot. It has pretty much gotten a 1.9-2.4 demo all season and comes from Chuck Lorre so that was a feather in its cap too.

Several shows were less sure things but nothing was a surprise: The Good Wife (6th season), Blue Bloods (5th season), Hawaii Five-0 (5th season), Elementary (3rd season), and Undercover Boss (6th season). Even with middling ratings, The Good Wife has been having a creative renaissance this year. Hawaii Five-0 made a very successful move to Fridays and that has helped Blue Bloods. Elementary benefited by holding its own against Scandal as well as the two new CBS drama (Hostages and Intelligence bombing). Undercover Boss is a reliable plug-in show when something goes wrong.

Left off the list was The Mentalist, The Crazy Ones, Hostages, and Intelligence along with the departing How I Met Your Mother and cancelled We Are Men. Hostages and Intelligence are dead while it doesn't look good for The Crazy Ones after a strong start. The Mentalist would be the toughest cancellation but CBS often has to end a reliable veteran drama and that may be it this year. Still to premiere for CBS is Friends with Better Lives and Bad Teacher.

RATINGS RECAP: 3/12/14

ABC
8:00 The Middle
Viewers: 7.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
8:30 Suburgatory
Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
9:00 Modern Family
Viewers: 9.4 million, 18-49 demo: 3.4
9:30 Mixology
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
10:00 Nashville
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 9.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5
9:00 Criminal Minds
Viewers: 10.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
10:00 CSI
Viewers: 10.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0

NBC
8:00 Revolution
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 Law & Order: SVU
Viewers: 6.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
10:00 Chicago PD
Viewers: 5.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6 

FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 10.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4

Wednesday night was a pretty typical night for the networks with a few shows moving up and down. First up on ABC, The Middle was up two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. At 8:30pm, Suburgatory was down three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo despite the lead-in being up. This is the biggest bubble sitcom on ABC because the fates of the others seem pretty obvious. At 9pm, Modern Family was up two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. Week three of Mixology didn't do as well as week two as it was down three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. Retention out of Family was a pitiful 44%. At 10pm, Nashville was even in viewers and down a tenth in the demo. This is another bubble show for ABC and I wonder if potential success from Resurrection puts this or Revenge on the chopping block? 

On CBS, the crime dramas went in opposite directions. But first, Survivor was up a tenth in viewers and the demo. It beat American Idol both in the timeslot and overall... wow. Maybe it's more of a reflection of Idol's downward trend, but this is still a great piece of news for the grandfather of reality shows. At 9pm, Criminal Minds was down a noticeable seven tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo. Despite the lead-in taking a dip, CSI was up nine tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo. This makes little to no sense to me. Criminal Minds was down big despite the lead-in being up. Then CSI was up significantly after a down week. And the competition was the same. So who knows what happened here, but it was an odd little night.

NBC had a very steady night. Revolution started things off down two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. At 9pm, Law & Order: SVU was up three tenths in viewers and even in the demo. To close out the night, Chicago PD was down three tenths in viewers and up a tenth in the demo. SVU and Chicago PD are nothing if not compatible. On FOX, American Idol was down two tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo for a new Wednesday low. It was still down nearly 25% year to year. I thought the year to year bleeding would get better as the season went on but it's not happening and Idol seems to STILL be on a sharp downward trend.

RATINGS RECAP: 3/11/14

ABC
8:00 Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:00 The Goldbergs
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:30 Trophy Wife
Viewers: 3.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
10:00 Mind Games
Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

CBS
8:00 NCIS (Repeat)
Viewers: 10.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 NCIS: Los Angeles (Repeat)
Viewers: 9.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
10:00 Person of Interest (Repeat)
Viewers: 7.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 13.5 million, 18-49 demo: 3.5
9:00 About a Boy
Viewers: 7.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
9:30 Growing Up Fisher
Viewers: 6.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 Chicago Fire
Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9 

FOX 
8:00 Glee
Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 New Girl
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:30 Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2 

CBS was in repeats on Tuesday night and other networks had mixed results. On NBC, The Voice started things out down a big million viewers and six tenths in the demo. It had Daylight Savings to contend with but should have done better without a new NCIS to worry about. At 9pm, About a Boy followed suit as it fell nine tenths in viewers and half a demo point. No surprise that this show seems to be very tied to The Voice. I feel like NBC doesn't want to see how this would do without The Voice as a lead-in because they know it could be trouble. Growing Up Fisher held up better as it slipped just six tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. This show has been surprisingly resilient so far. At 10pm, Chicago Fire was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. This is pretty good but it could have gone up with Person of Interest being a repeat. However, it built on its lead-in and continues to have its own audience so that's a good thing.

On ABC, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. rallied a bit from the series low it hit last week. It was up half a million viewers and three tenths in the demo. It benefited from a repeat NCIS. The better lead-in didn't help The Goldbergs as the comedy was up two tenths in viewers but even in the demo. Once again, it's obvious these two shows share next to no audience. At 9:30pm, Trophy Wife was up four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo from last week's series low. Finally, Mind Games was up three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. It makes no difference as far as long term chances but now I don't think ABC will prematurely yank Mind. FOX's Tuesday disaster continued with all three shows (which are all renewed for next season) hitting series lows. Glee was down four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo, going below a 1 demo. New Girl was down four tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo while Brooklyn Nine-Nine was down a tenth in viewers and the demo.

RENEWAL ALERT: The Big Bang Theory

Being TV's top rated show paid off as CBS renewed The Big Bang Theory for three (!) more seasons. It is now sure to be on the air through the 2016-17 season, which will be its tenth season. The Big Bang Theory is far and away the top show on broadcast TV with numbers that hover around 20 million viewers and a 5 demo. When DVR ratings are factored in, it often goes up past a 7 demo. In today's diluted viewing age, these are mammoth numbers. I don't think CBS will regret a multi-season pickup for this show the way FOX probably is with Glee. Big Bang isn't showing signs of deteriorating. With CBS airing Thursday Night Football for eight weeks, CBS has implied that Big Bang will start on Monday next year before moving back to Thursday.

The Big Bang Theory joins Survivor as the only official renewals for CBS. There is a report that they will renew Two and a Half Men for a 13 episode final season as well as Mike & Molly and Mom. All four shows are from the Chuck Lorre empire so it may be some type of package deal. Sure to join the renewal list for CBS is 2 Broke Girls, 48 Hours, 60 Minutes, The Amazing Race, Blue Bloods, CSI, Criminal Minds, Elementary, Hawaii Five-0, NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, and Person of Interest. Bubble shows are The Good Wife, The Mentalist, The Millers, and Undercover Boss while it doesn't look good for The Crazy Ones or Intelligence.

RATINGS RECAP: 3/10/14

ABC 
8:00 The Bachelor
Viewers: 10.1 million, 18-49 demo: 3.3
10:00 The Bachelor: After the Final Rose
Viewers: 11.0 million, 18-49 demo: 3.8

CBS 
8:00 How I Met Your Mother
Viewers: 7.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7
8:30 2 Broke Girls (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 Mike & Molly
Viewers: 7.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
9:30 Mom (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
10:00 Intelligence
Viewers: 6.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3 

NBC 
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 13.8 million, 18-49 demo: 3.7
10:00 Believe
Viewers: 10.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7

FOX 
8:00 Bones
Viewers: 6.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:00 The Following
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

On NBC, The Voice took a major hit perhaps due to a combination of The Bachelor finale and Daylight Savings. It was down 1.8 million viewers and a big eight tenths in the demo. It led into a preview of new Sunday drama Believe. It got off to a good start that was on par with The Blacklist from a week ago despite the much lower lead-in. Of course, if the Intelligence premiere on CBS in January showed us anything, it's that a preview behind a big lead-in means nothing. Sunday is what matters for this show and I don't think it's going to be pretty. FOX had the return of Bones to Monday, but it was only up a tenth from its last Friday airing and three tenths below its last Monday airing. Maybe it will go up when people get used to it being back on Mondays. It didn't help The Following at all as it was down three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo for a series low. I think FOX was premature in renewing this show, it seems to be heading down a bad path in the ratings.

ABC had another great night with The Bachelor finale. It soared 1.9 million viewers and a full demo point from last week. It was also very close to last year's finale numbers. This show continues to be impressive more than a decade after its premiere. I wonder if ABC will be tempted to do two cycles next year, but maybe less is more with this one and only airing two months of the year helps keep it fresh for audiences. The annual "After the Final Rose" special did better than the finale, as usual. CBS was only half new. At 8pm, How I Met Your Mother seemed to take a hit from Daylight Savings. It was down 1.4 million viewers and six tenths in the demo. There are only three weeks left for this show. At 9pm, Mike & Molly was down 1.2 million viewers and four tenths in the demo for a series low. Will this continue to be an anchor show next year? At 10pm, Intelligence was up 1.2 million viewers and a tenth in the demo despite a repeat lead-in. It's still not enough for this show.