RATINGS RECAP: 11/29/14

ABC
8:00 College Football
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

CBS
8:00 The Flight Before Christmas
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 The Story of Santa Claus
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
10:00 48 Hours
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

NBC
8:00 The National Dog Show
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
10:00 Saturday Night Live (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

FOX
8:00 Bones (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3
9:00 Sleepy Hollow (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3

RATINGS RECAP: 11/28/14

ABC
8:00 America's Funniest Home Videos (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Shark Tank (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

CBS
8:00 The Amazing Race
Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 Frosty the Snowman
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:30 Yes, Virginia
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
10:00 Hawaii Five-0 (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

NBC
8:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 7.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 Grimm
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
10:00 Constantine
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

FOX
8:00 Masterchef Junior (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 Gotham (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4

The day after Thanksgiving was another pretty quiet one for the ratings. Only NBC was fully new with its regular lineup. Dateline NBC was down seven tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo, but still pretty solid. At 9pm, Grimm was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. It held up the best of any regular show on Friday. At 10pm, Constantine was down two tenths in viewers and the demo. NBC announced that season one of Constantine will end after 13 episodes, but it may come back for a second season (however, that seems very unlikely). CBS only had a new The Amazing Race, and it down six tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo, tying a series low. On ABC, 20/20 was down 1.7 million viewers and four tenths in the demo from last week, when it followed a new Shark Tank.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Grimm (NBC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: The Amazing Race (CBS)

RATINGS RECAP: 11/27/14

ABC
8:00 Thank You America with Robin Roberts
Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
9:00 How to Get Away with Murder (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
10:00 How to Get Away with Murder (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory (Repeat)
Viewers: 8.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
8:30 Mom
Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
9:00 Two and a Half Men
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:30 The McCarthys
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 Elementary
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

NBC
8:00 Football Night in America
Viewers: 13.4 million, 18-49 demo: 4.4
8:30 Thursday Night Football
Viewers: 22.9 million, 18-49 demo: 7.4

FOX
8:00 FOX's Cause for Paws
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

NBC dominated on Thanksgiving night with the Seahawks-49ers game. CBS aired originals except for The Big Bang Theory. Not surprisingly, each comedy hit a series low. Things could have been worse though. A 1.6 for Mom at 8:30pm really isn't all that bad considering the circumstances. At 10pm, Elementary was actually up two tenths in the demo from the last two weeks. Maybe that bodes well for the next two months before How to Get Away with Murder comes back.


WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Mom (CBS)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: The McCarthys (CBS)

RATINGS RECAP: 11/26/14

ABC
8:00 A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
Viewers: 8.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:00 Modern Family (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:30 Black-ish (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
10:00 Nashville (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 8.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:00 Criminal Minds
Viewers: 11.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
10:00 Stalker
Viewers: 8.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

NBC
8:00 The Making of Peter Pan Live!
Viewers: 3.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
9:00 SNL Thanksgiving
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

FOX
8:00 Hell's Kitchen
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Red Band Society
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

Thanksgiving Eve only had CBS and FOX with their regular lineups. On CBS, Survivor started things off down a million viewers and three tenths in the demo for a series low. It was hit hard by the lower viewership on this night. Last year it set a then series low on Thanksgiving Eve as well. The crime dramas weren't as affected. Criminal Minds was up three tenths in viewers and down a tenth in the demo while Stalker was up three tenths in viewers and even in the demo. The viewership total was actually the best since the series premiere. FOX saw series lows for both of its shows. Hell's Kitchen was down half a million viewers and four tenths in the demo while Red Band Society was down four tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. FOX announced that it will air Red Band next week and then pull it from the schedule with three episodes remaining. It hasn't been officially cancelled, but the writing is on the wall. ABC decided to air A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving Eve this year and it went a lot better than when it has aired on Thanksgiving. NBC had a behind the scenes special of next week's Peter Pan Live! and it wasn't as big a draw as the making of The Sound of Music special last year. NBC must be hoping that's not a bad sign for their big event.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Stalker (CBS)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Red Band Society (FOX)

RATINGS RECAP: 11/25/14

ABC
8:00 Dancing with the Stars: The Road to the Finals
Viewers: 11.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
9:00 Dancing with the Stars
Viewers: 16.0 million, 18-49 demo: 3.0

CBS
8:00 NCIS
Viewers: 16.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5
9:00 NCIS: New Orleans
Viewers: 14.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
10:00 Person of Interest
Viewers: 9.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 9.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
9:00 Marry Me
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:30 About a Boy
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
10:00 Chicago Fire
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

FOX
8:00 Masterchef Junior
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 New Girl
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:30 The Mindy Project
Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

Tuesday night saw ABC dominate with the finale of the latest edition of Dancing with the Stars. It posted a strong 16 million viewers and 3.0 demo. These totals are the best since the premiere in Fall 2013 and it's the best demo for a finale since Fall 2011. After modest ratings through most of the fall for Dancing, it got hot at the end and had a real nice finish for ABC. It will return in March after The Bachelor fills in as usual. CBS took a hit in total viewers but not the demo. NCIS was down 2.1 million viewers but just a tenth in the demo. NCIS: New Orleans was down 2.4 million viewers for a series low, but it was even in the demo. Person of Interest was down nine tenths in viewers and actually up a tenth in the demo. I'm not sure what explains these shows skewing so much younger this week, but it's not a bad development.

NBC crumbled against the ABC competition. Despite only facing a clip show of Dancing, The Voice was down 1.4 million viewers and four tenths in the demo. The demo is a series low for a regular episode. This show has been stumbling badly lately even though it always drops towards the end of each edition. At 9pm, Marry Me was down 1.5 million viewers and four tenths in the demo. This show barely does anything with a lead-in and I'm sure it'd be even worse without. It's as good as done. At 9:30pm, About a Boy was down 1.1 million viewers and three tenths in the demo. At 10pm, Chicago Fire was down 1.8 million viewers and half a demo point for its worst performance since April 3, 2013. Is NBC really going to leave the comedy block in place over the next couple weeks and let it bring down Fire? They shouldn't. Finally on FOX, Masterchef Junior was down two tenths in viewers and even in the demo, New Girl was even in viewers and down a tenth in the demo, and The Mindy Project was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Dancing with the Stars (ABC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Marry Me (NBC)

RATINGS RECAP: 11/24/14

ABC
8:00 Dancing with the Stars
Viewers: 14.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5
10:00 ABC News Special Report
N/A
10:15 Castle
Viewers: 9.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7

CBS
8:00 2 Broke Girls
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
8:30 The Big Bang Theory (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 Scorpion
Viewers: 9.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
10:30 NCIS: Los Angeles
Viewers: 8.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 9.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
10:00 State of Affairs
Viewers: 5.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

FOX
8:00 Gotham
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
9:00 Sleepy Hollow
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

Monday night was a mess for the ratings thanks to preemptions in major markets from two NFL games as well as the breaking news from Ferguson, Missouri and the networks' coverage of it. Therefore, a lot of these ratings can be taken with a grain of salt. ABC and FOX seemed the least affected. ABC had the first part of a two night finale for Dancing with the Stars. It was up six tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. At 10pm, Castle was up two tenths in viewers and down a tenth in the demo. FOX had the fall finale of Gotham down four tenths in viewers and even in the demo. It was the top scripted show of the night. Sleepy Hollow fell four tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo to a season low. CBS was slammed with preemptions including football and then two cuts to Ferguson coverage during Scorpion, which forced NCIS: Los Angeles to start until 10:30. While all three new shows hit or tied series lows, I'm not putting much stock into it due to the unusual circumstances. Ditto for NBC. While week two of State of Affairs looked pretty weak, it did get preempted a few minutes in for President Obama's remarks. We'll see how it does next week.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Gotham (FOX)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Sleepy Hollow (FOX)

WEEKLY RECAP: November 17-23, 2014

Here's my weekly recap for Week #9. Please note this only covers regularly scheduled shows (no sports, specials, repeats, or Saturday shows)

TOP 10 SHOWS (18-49 DEMO)
1. The Big Bang Theory (CBS, Thursday 8:00pm) - 4.1    9th week
2. Modern Family (ABC, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 3.7    8th week
3. 60 Minutes (CBS, Sunday 7:43pm) - 3.2    2nd week
4. The Voice (NBC, Monday 8:00pm) - 3.1    9th week
    Scandal (ABC, Thursday 9:00pm) - 3.1    9th week
    How to Get Away with Murder (ABC, Thursday 10:00pm) - 3.1    9th week
7. The Voice (NBC, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 2.7    8th week
8. NCIS (CBS, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 2.6    5th week
    Black-ish (ABC, Wednesday 9:30pm) - 2.6    6th week
10. Mom (CBS, Thursday 8:30pm) - 2.5   3rd week

TOP 10 SHOWS (TOTAL VIEWERS)
1. NCIS (CBS, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 18.1 million    8th week
2. 60 Minutes (CBS, Sunday 7:43pm) - 17.2 million    7th week
3. NCIS: New Orleans (CBS, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 16.9 million    8th week
4. The Big Bang Theory (CBS, Thursday 8:00pm) - 14.6 million    9th week
5. Dancing with the Stars (ABC, Monday 8:00pm) - 14.3 million    9th week
6. Madam Secretary (CBS, Sunday 8:43pm) - 12.4 million    9th week
7. Blue Bloods (CBS, Friday 10:00pm) - 11.6 million    5th week
8. The Voice (NBC, Monday 8:00pm) - 11.1 million    9th week
9. Modern Family (ABC, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 10.9 million    2nd week
10. The Voice (NBC, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 10.8 million    7th week

BOTTOM 10 SHOWS (18-49 DEMO)
1. A to Z (NBC, Thursday 9:30pm) - 0.7    8th week
    Gracepoint (FOX, Thursday 9:00pm) - 0.7    8th week
    Mulaney (FOX, Sunday 7:30pm) - 0.7    6th week
4. Red Band Society (FOX, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 0.9    7th week
    Bad Judge (NBC, Thursday 9:00pm) - 0.9    5th week
    Bob's Burgers (FOX, Sunday 9:30pm) - 0.9    1st week
7. Forever (ABC, Tuesday 10:00pm) - 1.0    4th week
    Elementary (CBS, Thursday 10:00pm) - 1.0    2nd week
    The Biggest Loser (NBC, Thursday 8:00pm) - 1.0    4th week
    Cristela (ABC, Friday 8:00pm) - 1.0    5th week

BOTTOM 10 SHOWS (TOTAL VIEWERS)
1. Mulaney (FOX, Sunday 7:30pm) - 1.7 million    6th week
2. Bob's Burgers (FOX, Sunday 9:30pm) - 1.9 million    4th week
3. The Mindy Project (FOX, Tuesday 9:30pm) - 2.4 million    7th week
    A to Z (NBC, Thursday 9:30pm) - 2.4 million    7th week
5. New Girl (FOX, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 2.8 million    7th week
6. Red Band Society (FOX, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 2.9 million    7th week
7. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (FOX, Sunday 8:30pm) - 3.0 million    3rd week
8. Gracepoint (FOX, Thursday 9:00pm) - 3.1 million    7th week
9. Bad Judge (NBC, Thursday 9:00pm) - 3.5 million    4th week
    Constantine (NBC, Friday 10:00pm) - 3.5 million    5th week
    The Simpsons (FOX, Sunday 8:00pm) - 3.5 million    1st week

WINNERS OF THE NIGHT
Monday - Dancing with the Stars (ABC)    3rd week
Tuesday - Chicago Fire (NBC)    3rd week
Wednesday - Modern Family (ABC)    1st week
Thursday - How to Get Away with Murder (ABC)    3rd week
Friday - Hawaii Five-0 (CBS)    1st week
Sunday - Brooklyn Nine-Nine (FOX)    2nd week

LOSERS OF THE NIGHT
Monday - The Millers (CBS)    3rd week
Tuesday - Forever (ABC)    1st week
Wednesday - Red Band Society (FOX)    3rd week
Thursday - The Biggest Loser (NBC)    2nd week
Friday - Cristela (ABC)    2nd week
Sunday - The Simpsons (FOX)    1st week

MY TOP 5 EPISODES OF THE WEEK
1. New Girl #80 "Teachers"    1st week
2. The Goldbergs #30 "A Goldberg Thanksgiving"    3rd week
3. How to Get Away with Murder #9 "Kill Me, Kill Me, Kill Me"    3rd week
4. Blue Bloods #97 "Power of the Press"    6th week
5. Marry Me #5 "Thank Me"    1st week

RATINGS RECAP: 11/23/14

ABC
7:00 America's Funniest Home Videos
Viewers: 6.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
8:00 American Music Awards
Viewers: 11.6 million, 18-49 demo: 3.8

CBS
7:00 NFL Overrun
Viewers: 26.4 million, 18-49 demo: 8.2
7:43 60 Minutes
Viewers: 17.2 million, 18-49 demo: 3.2
8:43 Madam Secretary
Viewers: 12.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
9:43 The Good Wife
Viewers: 10.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
10:43 CSI
Viewers: 7.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

NBC
7:00 Football Night in America
Viewers: 6.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
8:00 NFL Pregame
Viewers: 11.5 million, 18-49 demo: 4.0
8:30 Sunday Night Football
Viewers: 22.4 million, 18-49 demo: 8.1

FOX
7:00 The Simpsons (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
7:30 Mulaney
Viewers: 1.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
8:00 The Simpsons
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
8:30 Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Viewers: 3.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 Family Guy (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:30 Bob's Burgers
Viewers: 1.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

It was a busy Sunday night for the networks. ABC had the American Music Awards, but it was down 1.5 million viewers and seven tenths in the demo from last year. For whatever reason, it just didn't have as much buzz this year. Earlier in the night, America's Funniest Home Videos was even in viewers but down three tenths in the demo. CBS had a strong NFL overrun that went thirteen minutes late. It helped 60 Minutes to its second highest number of the season. Madam Secretary followed and was down four tenths in viewers but up a tenth in the demo. The Good Wife was down three tenths in viewers and up a tenth in the demo while CSI closed things out down six tenths in viewers and even in the demo. The viewer total was a series low, but it wasn't all that bad considering it started at 10:43pm on the east coast.

NBC had a close Giants-Cowboys game and it posted the best SNF numbers since October 19 despite the increased ABC competition. FOX was completely left in the dust and had a pretty rough night. At 7:30pm, Mulaney was down three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo from its last airing, which was at 9:30pm. Why is FOX even bothering to run out the string with this show? An animated repeat would do as well, if not better. At 8pm, The Simpsons was down 3.2 million viewers and 1.5 demo points from last week... ouch! The lead-in certainly didn't help but this show should be able to do better than this on non-NFL weeks. The best news for FOX came at 8:30pm with Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Though it was down a million viewers and seven tenths in the demo from last week, it fully retained Simpsons in the demo. That's a huge positive for the sophomore sitcom. After a Family Guy repeat, Bob's Burgers tumbled 1.5 million viewers and eight tenths in the demo. Why is Family Guy airing so many repeats this season?

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Brooklyn Nine-Nine (FOX)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: The Simpsons (FOX)

FULL SEASON ALERT: Cristela

ABC has given a vote of confidence to struggling Friday newbie Cristela by giving it a full season order. The comedy, starring comedienne Cristela Alonzo, got off to a pretty decent start by Friday standards, but it has struggled in recent weeks with retention out of the modest ratings for lead-in Last Man Standing. The show was critically panned but most critics agree that Alonzo is a pretty likable personality.

Cristela joins Black-ish, How to Get Away with Murder, and Forever on the full season order list for ABC. Selfie and Manhattan Love Story have been cancelled. ABC has announced a lot of its spring plans including Marvel's Agent Carter and Galavant in January, and Secrets & Lies and American Crime in March. This pickup makes me wonder what will happen to promising midseason comedy Fresh Off the Boat. There is seemingly no place for it in the lineup but we'll see.

RATINGS RECAP: 11/22/14

ABC
8:00 College Football
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

CBS
8:00 NCIS (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
9:00 NCIS: Los Angeles (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
10:00 48 Hours
Viewers: 6.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

NBC
8:00 Dateline Saturday
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 State of Affairs (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
10:00 Saturday Night Live (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

FOX
8:00 College Football
Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

RATINGS RECAP: 11/21/14

ABC
8:00 Last Man Standing
Viewers: 7.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
8:30 Cristela
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 Shark Tank
Viewers: 7.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

CBS
8:00 The Amazing Race
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Hawaii Five-0
Viewers: 10.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
10:00 Blue Bloods
Viewers: 11.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

NBC
8:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 7.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 Grimm
Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
10:00 Constantine
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

FOX
8:00 Masterchef Junior (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 Gotham (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4

Friday night had the CBS lineup return after a week off. The Amazing Race was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo with its last airing, Hawaii Five-0 was up 1.1 million viewers and a tenth in the demo. The viewer total was a season high. At 10pm, Blue Bloods was up a tenth in viewers and even with two weeks ago. Over on ABC, the 8pm hour took a step back. Last Man Standing was up a tenth in viewers but down two tenths in the demo while Cristela was up a tenth in viewers and down a tenth in the demo. The more I see of the Cristela ratings, the more I think ABC will try Fresh Off the Boat here at midseason, whether it's a good fit or not. At 9pm, Shark Tank was up three tenths in viewers and the demo for a nice rebound while 20/20 was up 1.3 million viewers and four tenths in the demo - must have had a better story this week! Finally on NBC, Dateline NBC was down two tenths in viewers and even in the demo, Grimm was up four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo, and Constantine was even in viewers but up a surprisingly strong three tenths in the demo.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Hawaii Five-0 (CBS)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Cristela (ABC)

RATINGS RECAP: 11/20/14

ABC
8:00 Grey's Anatomy
Viewers: 8.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
9:00 Scandal
Viewers: 10.1 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1
10:00 How to Get Away with Murder
Viewers: 9.8 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory
Viewers: 14.6 million, 18-49 demo: 4.1
8:30 Mom
Viewers: 10.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5
9:00 Two and a Half Men
Viewers: 8.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:30 The McCarthys
Viewers: 6.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
10:00 Elementary
Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

NBC
8:00 The Biggest Loser
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 Bad Judge
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:30 A to Z
Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
10:00 Parenthood
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

FOX
8:00 Bones
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 Gracepoint
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

Thursday night had the fall finale for the TGIT shows and How to Get Away with Murder got a nice bounce. The other two were at their usual strong numbers but didn't get a bounce, which is surprising. Grey's Anatomy was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo for a third straight week. Scandal was even in viewers and actually down a tenth in the demo. But Murder jumped half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo for its best performance since October 9. The three shows will not return until January 29. Over on NBC, The Biggest Loser was down two tenths in viewers and the demo for a series low. This show has been a big bust on Thursdays. At 9pm, Bad Judge was up three tenths in viewers and even in the demo while A to Z was even in viewers and up a tenth in the demo. Parenthood had a stronger night as it rebounded four tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo from last week's series low. It handily beat Elementary in the demo.

CBS had a troubling drop from The Big Bang Theory at 8pm. It was down 2.3 million viewers and four tenths in the demo. I'm not sure what explains this drop - maybe some CBS affiliates were carrying the Obama speech or maybe Big Bang has a big crossover audience with the President? We'll have to see what happens when it comes back during what is usually its strongest time of year, December and January. At 8:30pm, Mom was down nine tenths in viewers and just a tenth in the demo despite the lower lead-in. Retention was stronger this week. At 9pm, Two and a Half Men was down two tenths in viewers and up a tenth in the demo while The McCarthys was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. Elementary closed out the night dead even with last week although last week was pretty horrible. This looks like the new normal for Elementary so CBS has to do something about it. Finally on FOX, Bones was down two tenths in viewers and even in the demo for a fourth straight week. Gracepoint was down four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: How to Get Away with Murder (ABC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: The Biggest Loser (NBC)

RATINGS RECAP: 11/19/14

ABC
8:00 The Middle
Viewers: 8.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
8:30 The Goldbergs
Viewers: 7.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
9:00 Modern Family
Viewers: 10.9 million, 18-49 demo: 3.7
9:30 Black-ish
Viewers: 7.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
10:00 Nashville
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 9.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
9:00 Criminal Minds
Viewers: 10.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
10:00 Stalker
Viewers: 8.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

NBC
8:00 The Mysteries of Laura
Viewers: 8.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:00 Law & Order: SVU
Viewers: 7.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
10:00 Chicago PD
Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

FOX
8:00 Hell's Kitchen
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 Red Band Society
Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

All the networks except FOX had pretty solid Wednesday nights. The ABC comedy lineup was particularly strong. At 8pm, The Middle was up two tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo for season highs. It's about time this show showed a little life. It was surprisingly the weak link of a strong lineup for the first couple months. At 8:30pm, The Goldbergs was up two tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo as well. The demo was the highest since the season premiere while the viewer total was the highest since the series premiere. At 9pm, Modern Family rebounded in a big way as it jumped 1.1 million viewers and half a demo point, also having its best night since the season premiere. Black-ish didn't get the bounce the other three shows did. It was even in viewers and up just a tenth in the demo. It was only two tenths ahead of The Goldbergs in the demo despite a lead-in that was 1.5 demo points higher. Nashville closed out the night for ABC down two tenths in viewers and up a tenth in the demo.

Over on CBS, Survivor was up four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Criminal Minds was up three tenths in viewers and even in the demo. Stalker closed out the night with a nice little rebound. It was up a million viewers and two tenths in the demo. Though not overly impressive, the CBS 10pm shows have all been up this week. Does that bode well for Elementary? On NBC, The Mysteries of Laura was up seven tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo from its last airing two weeks ago. After last week's crossover event, Law & Order: SVU and Chicago PD both came back to earth. SVU was down 2.1 million viewers and six tenths in the demo while Chicago PD was down 2.2 million viewers and also six tenths in the demo. They're still a little up from what they were getting before the crossover, though. Finally on FOX, Hell's Kitchen was up two tenths in viewers and even in the demo while Red Band Society was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo for a third straight week.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Modern Family (ABC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Red Band Society (FOX)

RATINGS RECAP: 11/18/14

ABC
8:00 Shark Tank (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
10:00 Forever
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

CBS
8:00 NCIS
Viewers: 18.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
9:00 NCIS: New Orleans
Viewers: 16.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
10:00 Person of Interest
Viewers: 9.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 10.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7
9:00 Marry Me
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:30 About a Boy
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
10:00 Chicago Fire
Viewers: 7.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1

FOX
8:00 Masterchef Junior
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 New Girl
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:30 The Mindy Project
Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

On Tuesday night, NBC reverted back to its regular lineup. At 8pm, The Voice was down six tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo for a season low in a regular slot. The comedies rebounded a little at 9pm from their last airing two weeks ago, but were still pretty weak. Marry Me was up half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo while About a Boy was up seven tenths in viewers and four tenths in the demo. The best news came at 10pm where Chicago Fire was down 1.3 million viewers but just a tenth in the demo from last week, when it followed The Voice and had a crossover story line with the Wednesday dramas. CBS rebounded with less NBC competition. At 8pm, NCIS was up six tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo. NCIS: New Orleans was up a strong 1.9 million viewers and three tenths in the demo. The viewer total was the best since the series premiere. At 10pm, Person of Interest was up eight tenths in viewers and also three tenths in the demo.

On ABC, a Shark Tank rerun of 8pm was an improvement over Selfie. I wonder if ABC will let Selfie air at all in this slot to finish out its run? At 9pm, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was up three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Forever closed out the night up two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. It's not really earning its full season yet. Finally on FOX, Masterchef Junior came back a bit after two very strong weeks to open its season. It was down six tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo. At 9pm, New Girl was down two tenths in viewers but up a tenth in the demo from last week despite the lower lead-in. It was just a tenth off of Marry Me despite a lead-in that was more than a full demo point lower. The Mindy Project closed things out down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Chicago Fire (NBC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Forever (ABC)

RATINGS RECAP: 11/17/14

ABC
8:00 Dancing with the Stars
Viewers: 14.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
10:00 Castle
Viewers: 9.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8

CBS
8:00 2 Broke Girls
Viewers: 7.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
8:30 The Millers
Viewers: 6.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 Scorpion
Viewers: 10.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
10:00 NCIS: Los Angeles
Viewers: 8.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 11.1 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1
10:00 State of Affairs
Viewers: 8.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2

FOX
8:00 Gotham
Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
9:00 Sleepy Hollow
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

Monday night had the final fall premiere with NBC's State of Affairs. First up for them, The Voice was down four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. As we all knew going in, The Voice was not going to be as strong a lead-in in November as it would have been in September but NBC chose to give The Blacklist a two month boost back in the Monday 10pm slot. State of Affairs premiered at 10pm to modest numbers that were below anything The Blacklist has ever done here when it's had a lead-in from The Voice. I know the raw numbers aren't horrible but I think this is pretty disappointing considering how much promotion it got. It's likely to go down from here and in January it will have Celebrity Apprentice as a lead-in instead of The Voice. If things go downhill quickly, I think NBC may think about launching a different new drama when The Voice returns in the spring. Time will tell, but I don't think there's a lot of great news here for Affairs.

Over on ABC, Dancing with the Stars had a strong night as it was up a million viewers and two tenths in the demo. The viewer total is a season high and the demo is the best since the premiere before the season started. This bodes well for next week's finale potential. At 10pm, Castle was down a tenth in viewers but up two tenths in the demo for its best performance since October 13. It was a good night for ABC. On FOX, Gotham was up a tenth in viewers and the demo. It has stabilized at these numbers in recent weeks, which is not bad - especially for FOX. At 9pm, Sleepy Hollow was even in viewers and up a tenth in the demo.

Finally on CBS, 2 Broke Girls started things off up three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. It's encouraging that it crept back over a 2.0 and things could go better when it's paired with Mike & Molly, which will take the 8:30pm slot starting December 8. It's coming there to replace the cancelled The Millers. That show was down two tenths in viewers and even in the demo from last week. After getting cancelled last week, this is the last scheduled episode. It seems like CBS might be planning to just burn it off on Saturdays down the road. At 9pm, Scorpion was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. This show stands to benefit even more from the Mike & Molly move, which is why CBS made the decision so soon, I think. At 10pm, NCIS: Los Angeles was up six tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. Both Castle and NCIS: Los Angeles directly benefited from less NBC competition in the hour.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Dancing with the Stars (ABC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: The Millers (CBS)

WEEKLY RECAP: November 10-16, 2014

Here's my weekly recap for Week #8. Please note this only covers regularly scheduled shows (no sports, specials, repeats, or Saturday shows)

TOP 10 SHOWS (18-49 DEMO)
1. The Big Bang Theory (CBS, Thursday 8:00pm) - 4.5    8th week
2. The Voice (NBC, Monday 8:00pm) - 3.2    8th week
   Modern Family (ABC, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 3.2    7th week
   Scandal (ABC, Thursday 10:00pm) - 3.2    8th week
5. The Voice (NBC, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 3.0    7th week
    The Simpsons (FOX, Sunday 8:00pm) - 3.0    5th week
7. How to Get Away with Murder (ABC, Thursday 10:00pm) - 2.9    8th week
8. Mom (CBS, Thursday 8:30pm) - 2.6    2nd week
9. The Blacklist (NBC, Monday 10:00pm) - 2.5    6th week
    Black-ish (ABC, Wednesday 9:30pm) - 2.5    5th week
     The Voice (NBC, Wednesday 8:00pm) - 2.5    Special Airing

TOP 10 SHOWS (TOTAL VIEWERS)
1. NCIS (CBS, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 17.5 million    7th week
2. The Big Bang Theory (CBS, Thursday 8:00pm) - 16.9 million    8th week
3. NCIS: New Orleans (CBS, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 15.0 million    7th week
4. Dancing with the Stars (ABC, Monday 8:00pm) - 13.3 million    8th week
5. Madam Secretary (CBS, Sunday 8:00pm) - 12.8 million    8th week
6. 60 Minutes (CBS, Sunday 7:00pm) - 12.7 million    6th week
7. The Voice (NBC, Monday 8:00pm) - 11.5 million    8th week
8. The Voice (NBC, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 11.4 million    6th week
9. Mom (CBS, Thursday 8:30pm) - 11.1 million    3rd week
10. The Voice (NBC, Wednesday 8:00pm) - 10.6 million    Special Airing
      The Good Wife (CBS, Sunday 9:00pm) - 10.6 million    2nd week

BOTTOM 10 SHOWS (18-49 DEMO)
1. A to Z (NBC, Thursday 9:30pm) - 0.6    7th week
2. Gracepoint (FOX, Thursday 9:00pm) - 0.8    7th week
    Constantine (NBC, Friday 10:00pm) - 0.8    3rd week
4. Selfie (ABC, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 0.9    5th week
    Red Band Society (FOX, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 0.9    6th week
    Bad Judge (NBC, Thursday 9:00pm) - 0.9    4th week
7. Forever (ABC, Tuesday 10:00pm) - 1.0    3rd week
    Elementary (CBS, Thursday 10:00pm) - 1.0    1st week
    Parenthood (NBC, Thursday 10:00pm) - 1.0    2nd week
10. The Mindy Project (FOX, Tuesday 9:30pm) - 1.1    5th week
      Cristela (ABC, Friday 8:30pm) - 1.1    4th week

BOTTOM 10 SHOWS (TOTAL VIEWERS)
1. A to Z (NBC, Thursday 9:30pm) - 2.4 million    6th week
2. The Mindy Project (FOX, Tuesday 9:30pm) - 2.5 million    6th week
3. Red Band Society (FOX, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 2.8 million    6th week
4. New Girl (FOX, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 3.0 million    6th week
5. Bad Judge (NBC, Thursday 9:30pm) - 3.2 million    3rd week
6. Selfie (ABC, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 3.3 million    5th week
7. Bob's Burgers (FOX, Sunday 9:30pm) - 3.4 million    3rd week
8. Gracepoint (FOX, Thursday 9:00pm) - 3.5 million    6th week
    Constantine (NBC, Friday 10:00pm) - 3.5 million    4th week
10. Parenthood (NBC, Thursday 10:00pm) - 3.6 million    4th week

WINNERS OF THE NIGHT
Monday - Dancing with the Stars (ABC)    2nd week
Tuesday - Masterchef Junior (FOX)    2nd week
Wednesday - Law & Order: SVU (NBC)    1st week
Thursday - Scandal (ABC)    2nd week
Friday - Last Man Standing (ABC)    1st week
Sunday - Bob's Burgers (FOX)    1st week

LOSERS OF THE NIGHT
Monday - 2 Broke Girls (CBS)    1st week
Tuesday - Person of Interest (CBS)    2nd week
Wednesday - Stalker (CBS)    1st week
Thursday - Elementary (CBS)    2nd week
Friday - Constantine (NBC)    2nd week
Sunday - The Good Wife (CBS)    1st week

MY TOP 5 EPISODES OF THE WEEK
1. Mom #25 "Chicken Nuggets and a Triple Homicide"    1st week
2. Red Band Society #7 "Know Thyself"    1st week
3. Scandal #55 "The Last Supper"    5th week
4. Modern Family #127 "Queer Eyes, Full Hearts"    4th week
5. Brooklyn Nine-Nine #29 "Lockdown"    2nd week

RATINGS RECAP: 11/16/14

ABC
7:00 America's Funniest Home Videos
Viewers: 6.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
8:00 Once Upon a Time
Viewers: 6.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
10:00 Revenge
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

CBS
7:00 60 Minutes
Viewers: 12.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
8:00 Madam Secretary
Viewers: 12.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 The Good Wife
Viewers: 10.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
10:00 CSI
Viewers: 8.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

NBC
7:00 Football Night in America
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
8:00 NFL Pregame
Viewers: 12.0 million, 18-49 demo: 3.7
8:30 Sunday Night Football
Viewers: 20.8 million, 18-49 demo: 7.1

FOX
7:00 NFL Overrun
Viewers: 26.5 million, 18-49 demo: 8.4
7:30 The OT
Viewers: 10.6 million, 18-49 demo: 3.9
8:00 The Simpsons
Viewers: 6.7 million, 18-49 demo: 3.0
8:30 Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:00 Family Guy
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:30 Bob's Burgers
Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7

FOX had an NFL overrun for a second straight week and it went better this time around as the lead-in was longer and stronger. At 8pm, The Simpsons was dead even with last week, but everything else went up. Brooklyn Nine-Nine was up nine tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo while Family Guy was up nine tenths in viewers and four tenths in the demo. The best news for FOX came at 9:30pm where Bob's Burgers was a huge improvement over Mulaney. It delivered a solid 1.7 demo, which is eight tenths above Mulaney's demo number from last week. FOX needed to make this move because it was just ugly for Mulaney, which will now air at 7:30pm on non-NFL weeks. NBC had a good night with their Colts-Patriots showdown delivering the best Sunday night numbers in nearly a month.

Over on ABC, America's Funniest Home Videos was up a tenth in viewers and the demo. This has been a strong player this year even with football competition. At 8pm, a two hour Once Upon a Time was down six tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. It was a big improvement in the 9pm hour compared to what Resurrection has been doing. It also seemed to help Revenge, which was down a tenth in viewers but up two tenths in the demo for a season high. That's a pretty big indicator that Resurrection isn't cutting it. Over on CBS, 60 Minutes was up half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo - not bad for a Sunday where most of the country didn't have a direct NFL lead-in. At 8pm, Madam Secretary was up three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. The Good Wife followed down a tenth in viewers and the demo. Madam Secretary seems to have helped this show's total viewer count this year but it was the only show to drop week to week besides the two hour Once. At 10pm, CSI was down two tenths in viewers and up a tenth in the demo.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Bob's Burgers (FOX)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: The Good Wife (CBS)

PILOT REVIEW: State of Affairs

STATE OF AFFAIRS

Starring: Katherine Heigl, Alfre Woodard, Adam Kaufman, Sheila Vand, Cliff Chamberlain, Tommy Savas, David Harbour

State of Affairs is a new political/conspiracy drama that brings Katherine Heigl back to TV. Heigl plays Charleston Tucker, a CIA analyst who is in charge of preparing the US President's daily security briefing. The President is the nation's first black woman president, Constance Payton (Alfre Woodard). Oh yeah, and her son died overseas and was also engaged to Charleston. Rounding out the main cast are other CIA employees and Chief of Staff David Patrick (David Harbour).

THE GOOD: In theory, this type of show should be right up my alley. It is rooted in the political world and it has conspiracy overtones. As far as I'm concerned, those are two of my favorite types of dramas. It should work for me...

THE BAD: ... but it didn't at all. It was trying so awfully hard and unfortunately came across as a parody of a show like Scandal or The Blacklist (and I'm sure that was not the writers' intention). It all starts with Katherine Heigl. I didn't buy her at all in the tough, no-nonsense role she was playing. When someone like Kerry Washington, Viola Davis, or Tea Leoni do it, I'm right on board with them but Heigl, not so much. She just doesn't have the gravitas and/or acting chops to pull it off. Even if she could pull it off, the character is poorly written and a cliche: the woman who is tough as nails at work but can't get her personal life together. I kept hoping things were going to get better when Alfre Woodard appeared (half an hour into the episode) but she was given next to nothing to do in the pilot and didn't make much of an impression. Nor did any of the other series regulars. The whole show was just so blah for me. And how many times does a drama pilot have to start with the lead character talking to a psychiatrist? And were they intentionally saying "potus" or "the president" to surprise us with the fact that the President was a black woman? Because I'm pretty sure anyone could easily find that out without watching.

BOTTOM LINE: The last fall premiere is probably the biggest disappointment of the fall season for me. I thought this might be one I would like after seeing the trailer but I was skeptical of Katherine Heigl. Heigl unfortunately did not exceed expectations but the show was also a lot more boring than I thought it would be. Maybe we've reached an oversaturation with this type of show or maybe it's just a swing and a miss. Either way, I don't think it'll be NBC's next big Monday 10pm show.

RATINGS RECAP: 11/15/14

ABC
8:00 College Football
Viewers: 7.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5

CBS
8:00 48 Hours (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 Criminal Minds (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
10:00 48 Hours
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

NBC
8:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
10:00 Saturday Night Live (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

FOX
8:00 College Football
Viewers: 2.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

RATINGS RECAP: 11/14/14

ABC
8:00 Last Man Standing
Viewers: 7.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
8:30 Cristela
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Shark Tank
Viewers: 7.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

CBS
8:00 Hollywood Film Awards
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
10:00 CBS This Morning Post-Awards Show
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4

NBC
8:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 8.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 Grimm
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
10:00 Constantine
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

FOX
8:00 Masterchef Junior (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 Gotham (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

Friday night had CBS with the first televised Hollywood Film Awards. It drew no attention and was a big step down from usual CBS Friday numbers. On ABC, Last Man Standing had a nice jump as it was up three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for a season high. Cristela was also up a tenth in viewers and the demo, but it could have been better considering the lead-in. Despite less competition, Shark Tank was down two tenths in viewers and the demo. 20/20 tumbled 1.3 million viewers and half a demo point. It always seems to depend on the story for this show. On NBC, Dateline NBC led things off up a tenth in viewers and the demo. This show has turned into quite the strong Friday player since it moved to 8pm. At 9pm, Grimm was up a tenth in viewers but down a tenth in the demo. Constantine closed things out up four tenths in viewers and down two tenths in the demo for a series low.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Last Man Standing (ABC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Constantine (NBC)

CANCELLATION ALERT: The Millers

In a mildly surprising, but not undeserved move, CBS has cancelled The Millers only four episodes into its sophomore season. The show was a timeslot hit last season airing after The Big Bang Theory on Thursdays, but it was regularly getting only about 50% retention. Its renewal was in question and then everyone was surprised when it got that same timeslot on the fall schedule. But CBS reversed course a few weeks before the premiere, shifting The Millers to Mondays and giving Mom the coveted post-Big Bang slot. The Millers has floundered on Mondays and CBS has to be worried about the ever diminishing lead-in its giving to new success story Scorpion.

The Millers is the first veteran series to get yanked this year. I think we'll see a few things happen now. CBS originally planned to move The Millers back to Thursdays in January but obviously that won't happen. I think Mom will stay right where it is and Mike & Molly will come back to Monday, either at 8pm (shifting 2 Broke Girls back a half hour) or the 8:30pm slot. Another option is the new version of The Odd Couple, but I think CBS will save that for later in the season (it seems very unlikely The McCarthys will stay all year). The Millers is scheduled to air on Monday still and has some episodes in the can, but CBS might burn them off on Saturdays. Finally, Sean Hayes is becoming quite the show killer. He had a recurring role on Smash's ill-fated sophomore season. Then he bombed in his own NBC show, Sean Saves the World last year. Then he joined The Millers for season two and this happens.

RATINGS RECAP: 11/13/14

ABC
8:00 Grey's Anatomy
Viewers: 8.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
9:00 Scandal
Viewers: 10.1 million, 18-49 demo: 3.2
10:00 How to Get Away with Murder
Viewers: 9.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.9

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory
Viewers: 16.9 million, 18-49 demo: 4.5
8:30 Mom
Viewers: 11.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
9:00 Two and a Half Men
Viewers: 8.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:30 The McCarthys
Viewers: 6.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
10:00 Elementary
Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

NBC
8:00 The Biggest Loser
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Bad Judge
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:30 A to Z
Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
10:00 Parenthood
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

FOX
8:00 Bones
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 Gracepoint
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

Shonda continued to rule Thursday nights with ABC's lineup separating itself from the pack now that football is gone from the broadcast networks. Grey's Anatomy started things off up three tenths in viewers and even in the demo. At 9pm, Scandal popped back up three tenths in viewers and the demo for its best performance since October 2. That seems to bode well for next week's fall finale. At 10pm, How to Get Away with Murder was up a tenth in viewers and the demo. This is still a big hit, but it's not going to be bigger than Scandal like it may have appeared for a couple weeks. On NBC, The Biggest Loser was up two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. Bad Judge followed down half a million viewers and even in the demo. It got pretty ugly for A to Z which fell three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo to a pitiful 0.6. This is probably in the "pull now" territory. NBC could double pump Bad Judge the rest of the way. At 10pm, Parenthood was down four tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo to a new series low. The lead-in certainly isn't helping matters for Parenthood's final stretch.

Over on CBS, The Big Bang Theory started things off up three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for its best Thursday rating this season. Mom took more advantage this week as it rose three tenths in viewers and the demo for a series high. Retention is still not great, but this was a more promising sign. At 9pm, Two and a Half Men was down three tenths in viewers and even in the demo. It's getting worse for The McCarthys as it was down three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo despite every show before it rising. Then things got really dire where the wheels are coming off for Elementary. It fell six tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo to a horrible 1.0. Forget what I said about Stalker, this is the biggest problem at 10pm for CBS. Both Parenthood and Elementary got a 1.0 demo in the hour, but Elementary had a lead-in that was eight tenths higher. Finally on FOX, Bones was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo while Gracepoint was up half a million viewers and a tenth in the demo.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Scandal (ABC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Elementary (CBS)

RATINGS RECAP: 11/12/14

ABC
8:00 The Middle
Viewers: 8.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
8:30 The Goldbergs
Viewers: 7.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:00 Modern Family
Viewers: 9.8 million, 18-49 demo: 3.2
9:30 Black-ish
Viewers: 7.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5
10:00 Nashville
Viewers: 5.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 9.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
9:00 Criminal Minds
Viewers: 10.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
10:00 Stalker
Viewers: 7.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 10.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5
9:00 Law & Order: SVU
Viewers: 10.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
10:00 Chicago PD
Viewers: 9.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2

FOX
8:00 Hell's Kitchen
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 Red Band Society
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

NBC's three show crossover with Chicago Fire, Law & Order: SVU, and Chicago PD paid off handsomely for them on Wednesday night. First up, a special edition of The Voice at 8pm was well below Monday and Tuesday levels, but a big improvement over what The Mysteries of Laura usually does here. Then at 9pm, Law & Order: SVU was up a huge three million viewers and eight tenths in the demo. It was the strongest of the three in the crossover. At 10pm, Chicago PD was up 3.3 million viewers and eight tenths in the demo, tying a series high in the demo and hitting it outright in viewers. This is the show that probably stands to gain the most, but it has yet to prove it can be much  of a player when it's not crossing over with another show. On FOX, Hell's Kitchen was up two tenths in viewers and the demo. Could the success of Masterchef Junior on Tuesday be weirdly helping this show? At 9pm, Red Band Society was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo.

Over on ABC, The Middle was up 1.1 million viewers and a tenth in the demo while The Goldbergs was up six tenths in viewers and down a tenth in the demo for a season low. The viewer totals were stronger than usual in the 8pm hour. At 9pm, Modern Family was down a tenth in viewers and three tenths in the demo for a season low. Black-ish held up pretty well as it was up a tenth in viewers and down two tenths in the demo. Nashville closed thing out up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. Finally, CBS had a pretty good night even with the increased crime drama competition from CBS. At 8pm, Survivor was up two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. This show is as steady as they come. At 9pm, Criminal Minds was up six tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo as it can handle a stronger SVU better than the CMAs. The news was not as good at 10pm where Stalker was down another three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. If all the 10pm shows are in roughly the same territory for CBS, this will probably be the odd one out.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Law & Order: SVU (NBC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Stalker (CBS)

RATINGS RECAP: 11/11/14

ABC
8:00 Selfie
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
8:30 Modern Family (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
10:00 Forever
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

CBS
8:00 NCIS
Viewers: 17.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
9:00 NCIS: New Orleans
Viewers: 15.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
10:00 Person of Interest
Viewers: 9.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 11.4 million, 18-49 demo: 3.0
10:00 Chicago Fire
Viewers: 9.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2

FOX
8:00 Masterchef Junior
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
9:00 New Girl
Viewers: 3.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:30 The Mindy Project
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

Tuesday night had the beginning of NBC's three show crossover. First up though, a two hour edition of The Voice was even in viewers and up a tenth in the demo from the last regular Tuesday episode. At 10pm, Chicago Fire kicked off the crossover. With that extra push and a better lead-in, it rose a big 1.9 million viewers and half a demo point. NBC will probably see an even bigger bounce tonight. FOX got great news with week two of Masterchef Junior. Despite much more competition from CBS and NBC, it was down just two tenths in viewers and even in the demo from last week's premiere. This is a huge improvement over Utopia. The good fortune didn't extend to the 9pm hour though, where New Girl was down four tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo, and The Mindy Project was down three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo.

Over on ABC, the cancelled Selfie started things out down four tenths in viewers and even in the demo from last week's 8pm episode. At 9pm, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. saw a new series low as it dropped a tenth in viewers and two tenths in the demo. This is definitely not the show it was supposed to be, it will be interesting to see how Agent Carter does in January. At 10pm, Forever was  down eight tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo, also hitting a series low. It's not earning its full season yet. Finally on CBS, NCIS started things off even in viewers and down two tenths in the demo for a season low. NCIS: New Orleans was hit by The Voice being back in the hour as it dropped 1.1 million viewers and three tenths in the demo for a series low. The series low parade continued at 10pm where Person of Interest fell six tenths in viewers and a rough four tenths in the demo to a very weak 1.3.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Masterchef Junior (FOX)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Person of Interest (CBS)

RATINGS RECAP: 11/10/14

ABC
8:00 Dancing with the Stars
Viewers: 13.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
10:00 Castle
Viewers: 9.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

CBS
8:00 2 Broke Girls
Viewers: 7.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
8:30 The Millers
Viewers; 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 Scorpion
Viewers: 10.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
10:00 NCIS: Los Angeles
Viewers: 8.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 11.5 million, 18-49 demo: 3.2
10:00 The Blacklist
Viewers: 9.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5

FOX
8:00 Gotham
Viewers: 6.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:00 Sleepy Hollow
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

NBC said goodbye to The Blacklist for almost three months on Monday night. But first, The Voice was down six tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo. The fall finale of The Blacklist was up half a million viewers and a tenth in the demo. It seems like it should have been a little higher for the fall finale but it will get a big push for its next episode, which directly follows the Super Bowl. New drama State of Affairs takes over the 10pm hour next week. On ABC, Dancing with the Stars was up two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo for its best performance since the season premiere. At 10pm, Castle was up seven tenths in viewers and even in the demo from its last airing two weeks ago. It didn't rise even with a special wedding episode. This show has been getting troubling ratings lately.

CBS had series lows across the board. At 8pm, 2 Broke Girls was down four tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo to a troubling 1,9. After two solid weeks, this is more what I was expecting and that's a problem for CBS. The Millers followed and was down three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Mike & Molly could certainly be doing better here. At 9pm, Scorpion was down two tenths in viewers and the demo. This show is still hanging on even with the comedy hour disintegrating. At 10pm, NCIS: Los Angeles was down a million viewers and even in the demo, tying last week's series low. Both of the FOX shows also tied series lows. At 8pm, Gotham gave back last week's jump as it was down two tenths in viewers and the demo. At 9pm, Sleepy Hollow was up two tenths in viewers and even in the demo.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Dancing with the Stars (ABC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: 2 Broke Girls (CBS)

WEEKLY RECAP: November 3-9, 2014

Here's my weekly recap for Week #7. Please note this only covers regularly scheduled shows (no sports, specials, repeats, or Saturday shows)

TOP 10 SHOWS (18-49 DEMO)
1. The Big Bang Theory (CBS, Thursday 8:00pm) - 4.3    7th week
2. The Voice (NBC, Monday 8:00pm) - 3.5    7th week
3. The Simpsons (FOX, Sunday 8:00pm) - 3.0    4th week
4. Scandal (ABC, Thursday 9:00pm) - 2.9    7th week
5. How to Get Away with Murder (ABC, Thursday 10:00pm) - 2.8    7th week
6. Once Upon a Time (ABC, Sunday 8:00pm) - 2.5    7th week
7. The Blacklist (NBC, Monday 10:00pm) - 2.4    5th week
    Gotham (FOX, Monday 8:00pm) - 2.4    2nd week
    Grey's Anatomy (CBS, Thursday 8:00pm) - 2.4    2nd week
10. The Voice (NBC, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 2.3    6th week
     Survivor (CBS, Wednesday 8:00pm) - 2.3    1st week
     Mom (CBS, Thursday 8:30pm) - 2.3    1st week

TOP 10 SHOWS (TOTAL VIEWERS)
1. The Big Bang Theory (CBS, Thursday 8:00pm) - 16.6 million    7th week
2. Dancing with the Stars (ABC, Monday 8:00pm) - 13.1 million    7th week
3. Madam Secretary (CBS, Sunday 8:00pm) - 12.5 million    7th week
4. 60 Minutes (CBS, Sunday 7:00pm) - 12.2 million    5th week
5. The Voice (NBC, Monday 8:00pm) - 12.1 million    7th week
6. Blue Bloods (CBS, Friday 10:00pm) - 11.5 million    4th week
7. Mom (CBS, Thursday 8:30pm) - 10.8 million    2nd week
8. The Good Wife (CBS, Sunday 9:00pm) - 10.7 million    1st week
9. Scorpion (CBS, Monday 9:00pm) - 10.3 million    6th week
10. Criminal Minds (CBS, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 9.8 million    2nd week
     Scandal (ABC, Thursday 9:00pm) - 9.8 million    1st week

BOTTOM 10 SHOWS (18-49 DEMO)
1. Gracepoint (FOX, Thursday 9:00pm) - 0.7    6th week
2. A to Z (NBC, Thursday 9:30pm) - 0.8    6th week
3. Selfie (ABC, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 0.9    4th week
    Selfie (ABC, Tuesday 8:30pm) - 0.9    4th week
    About a Boy (NBC, Tuesday 9:30pm) - 0.9    1st week
    Red Band Society (FOX, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 0.9    5th week
    Bad Judge (NBC, Thursday 9:00pm) - 0.9    3rd week
    Mulaney (FOX, Sunday 9:30pm) - 0.9    5th week
9. Cristela (ABC, Friday 8:30pm) - 1.0    3rd week
    Constantine (NBC, Friday 10:00pm) - 1.0   2nd week

BOTTOM 10 SHOWS (TOTAL VIEWERS)
1. Mulaney (FOX, Sunday 9:30pm) - 2.0 million    5th week
2. A to Z (NBC, Thursday 9:30pm) - 2.7 million    5th week
3. The Mindy Project (FOX, Tuesday 9:30pm) - 2.8 million    5th week
4. Red Band Society (FOX, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 2.9 million    5th week
5. Gracepoint (FOX, Thursday 9:00pm) - 3.0 million    5th week
6. Constantine (NBC, Friday 10:00pm) - 3.1 million    3rd week
7. Selfie (ABC, Tuesday 8:30pm) - 3.2 million    4th week
8. New Girl (FOX, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 3.4 million    5th week
9. About a Boy (NBC, Tuesday 9:30pm) - 3.5 million    2nd week
10. Hell's Kitchen (FOX, Wednesday 8:00pm) - 3.6 million    5th week
      Family Guy (FOX, Sunday 9:00pm) - 3.6 million    2nd week

WINNERS OF THE NIGHT
Monday - Gotham (FOX)    1st week
Tuesday - Masterchef Junior (FOX)    1st week
Wednesday - Survivor (CBS)    1st week
Thursday - The Big Bang Theory (CBS)    2nd week
Friday - 20/20 (ABC)    1st week
Sunday - The Simpsons (FOX)    1st week

LOSERS OF THE NIGHT
Monday - Sleepy Hollow (FOX)    2nd week
Tuesday - About a Boy (NBC)    1st week
Wednesday - Red Band Society (FOX)    2nd week
Thursday - Gracepoint (FOX)    3rd week
Friday - Cristela (ABC)    1st week
Sunday - Family Guy (FOX)    1st week

MY TOP 5 EPISODES OF THE WEEK
1. Gotham #7 "Penguin's Umbrella"    5th week
2. About a Boy #17 "About a Bad Girl"    2nd week
3. Madam Secretary #8 "Need to Know"    3rd week
4. The Blacklist #29 "The Scimitar"    1st week
5. Chicago PD #21 "Prison Ball"    1st week