RATINGS RECAP: 10/30/15

ABC
8:00 Last Man Standing
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
8:30 Dr. Ken
Viewers: 5.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Shark Tank
Viewers: 6.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 8.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7

CBS
8:00 The Amazing Race
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Hawaii Five-0
Viewers: 8.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 Blue Bloods
Viewers: 9.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

NBC
8:00 Undateable
Viewers: 2.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
8:30 Truth Be Told
Viewers: 2.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 Grimm
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

FOX
8:00 MLB World Series Game 3
Viewers: 13.2 million, 18-49 demo: 3.2

On Friday night, Grimm returned and it was NBC's top rated Friday show but it didn't have a strong a premiere as it has other years when its premiered around Halloween. That could have been due to the comedy lineup. Undateable was dead even with last week while Truth Be Told, which had its order cut to 10 episodes, was even in viewers and up a tenth in the demo. The fourth season premiere of Grimm was on par with its season finale with a 1.1 demo but it hit a series low in total viewers. This show is past its peak but I think it still would have a little life left if it was in a better situation. At 10pm, Dateline NBC was killed by 20/20. It fell 1.4 million viewers and a tenth in the demo from last week's two hour edition. Game 3 of the World Series on FOX, which saw the Mets get a win, delivered good numbers for Friday night.

On ABC, Last Man Standing and Dr. Ken had another good week. Last Man was down three tenths in viewers and up a tenth in the demo while Dr. Ken was down two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. Shark Tank followed and was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. As mentioned, 20/20 had a big week with an interview with Leah Remini about Scientology. It was up three million viewers and half a demo point. Finally on CBS, The Amazing Race was up two tenths in viewers and even in the demo and Hawaii Five-0 was down two tenths in viewers but up a tenth in the demo. Blue Bloods had a down week as it fell seven tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. The viewer total was a series low.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: 20/20 (ABC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Dateline NBC (NBC)

RATINGS RECAP: 10/29/15

Check below this post for my Top 10 Halloween episodes!

ABC
8:00 It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:00 Scandal
Viewers: 7.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
10:00 How to Get Away with Murder
Viewers: 6.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8

CBS
8:00 Thursday Night Kickoff
Viewers: 8.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
8:30 Thursday Night Football
Viewers: 17.5 million, 18-49 demo: 6.0

NBC
8:00 Heroes: Reborn
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 The Blacklist
Viewers: 7.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
10:00 The Player
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

FOX
8:00 Bones
Viewers: 6.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 Sleepy Hollow
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

On Thursday night, ABC preempted Grey's Anatomy with It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. The classic special did well but not as well as Grey's usually does and it seemed to hurt the next two shows. Scandal was down half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo for a season low. Hard to think of a more incompatible pairing than Charlie Brown and Olivia Pope, however. It was worse for How to Get Away with Murder, which was down seven tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo to a new series low. It's the first time it has gone below a 2.0 in the demo and this show is having a rough fall. It's one of the worst shows in year-to-year trends. The final CBS Thursday night football game delivered the best demo since October 1 despite a blowout win by New England. The regular Thursday lineup begins next week.

FOX had a crossover event between Bones and Sleepy Hollow. It helped both shows somewhat. Bones was up half a million viewers and a tenth in the demo. Sleepy Hollow had a bigger jump but was still down from the first part of the crossover, an unusual circumstance. It was up 1.7 million viewers and three tenths in the demo for a season high though. Finally on NBC, Heroes: Reborn was up two tenths in viewers but down a tenth in the demo for another series low. It hasn't taken long for this show to crash and burn. At 9pm, The Blacklist was up three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Once again, this show has found itself on an island on Thursday nights. At 10pm, The Player was down three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. It has been announced that Shades of Blue starring Jennifer Lopez will take this slot in January.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Bones (FOX)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: How to Get Away with Murder (ABC)

WEEKEND REWIND: Top 10 Halloween Episodes

It's been awhile since I've done a Weekend Rewind so I'm going to try to do some countdowns of Holiday episodes again this year since the last time I did it was the 2010-11 season and I've seen a lot more TV since then! So here are my Top 10 Halloween episodes! I did not include Haunted episodes as I did last time, this is purely Halloween episodes.

Close Calls
15) That 70s Show #30 "Halloween" (October 26, 1999)
14) Bewitched #7 "The Witches are Out" (October 29, 1964)
13) The Office #11 "Halloween" (October 18, 2005)
12) Friends #176 "The One with the Halloween Party" (November 1, 2001)
11) Roseanne #30 "BOO!" (October 31, 1989)

10) 8 Simple Rules #7 "Trick or Treehouse" (October 29, 2002)
You might notice a theme with some of these Halloween choices. Many of them deal with the loss of Halloween traditions or the accepting of new Halloween traditions. Perhaps the episode that dealt most specifically with this theme is a classic from the John Ritter season of 8 Simple Rules. Paul can't get his teenage kids to go through with his Halloween traditions when they want to do their own things, but in a very sweet finale, the whole family returns to the treehouse they stayed in every year on Halloween when they were younger.

9) How I Met Your Mother #6 "Slutty Pumpkin" (October 24, 2005)
A great early episode of How I Met Your Mother dealt with Ted's desire to find the "slutty pumpkin" he met at a costume party several years earlier. Despite being quite outdated, he continues to dress as a Hanging Chad in hopes to find her again. Other funny storylines include Barney's revolving door of costumes, Marshall and Lily's obsession with Halloween, and Robin trying to do "couple things" with her new boyfriend. This is a great early episode that very clearly defines each character and their personalities in a very funny episode.

8) The Middle #125 "Halloween V" (October 29, 2014)
The Middle has done a Halloween episode nearly every year and there have been plenty of memorable ones, but the best was last year's edition. The Sue and Axl storylines really made the episode. Axl was locked inside the library and gave a very interesting and vulnerable speech to a bust of Shakespeare. And Sue and Brad (dressed as a half T-Bird, half Pink Lady) tried to organize a pumpkin patch screening of It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown which no one except an old farmer came to. Eternal optimist Sue was still content though as The Middle continued to be grounded more in reality than warm fuzzies.

7) Freaks and Geeks #3 "Tricks and Treats" (October 30, 1999)
Freaks and Geeks is a beloved one season show and I finally got around to watching it recently. It's easy to see why people have such fondness for this drama. It's the only drama to get a spot on my Halloween list as Halloween episodes are not as common with the types of dramas I watch. In many ways, it's quite a heartbreaking episode though there is plenty of dark humor. It's an episode about childhood being lost and that awkward transition that can sometimes be quite apparent at Halloween. It has been dealt with in funny ways on shows like The Middle and most recently, The Goldbergs. But this was a sort of depressing look at things. That's not to say it's not a fantastically constructed episode, however.

6) Cheers #228 "Bar Wars V: The Final Judgment" (October 31, 1991)
The Cheers writers always got a lot of mileage out of the Bar Wars with Gary's Old Towne Tavern but it all came to a head in the final battle, timed perfectly to Halloween. Sam and the gang supposedly scared Gary so much that he died but Sam refuses to believe he's actually dead even as evidence mounts to the contrary. If you've never seen this classic, I won't spoil how it ends. But it's incredibly satisfying not just as a Halloween but as a closure to the Bar Wars episodes of Cheers.

5) Brooklyn Nine-Nine #6 "Halloween" (October 22, 2013)

Brooklyn Nine-Nine has made a tradition now of the Halloween episode featuring a showdown between Detective Peralta and Captain Holt on some type of bet. All three have been good, but the first one was the best. As Peralta attempts to steal the Medal of Valor, he goes to great lengths in a hilarious, slapstick filled episode. This was a show that had a real sense of what it wanted to be from very early on and this Halloween episode was one of the many early season one standouts.

4) Parks and Recreation #73 "Halloween Surprise" (October 25, 2012)
Through most of this episode, it seems like a fun Halloween episode but nothing special. Ron has trouble trick or treating with Diane's kids, Jerry has a heart attack (or a "fart attack") after being scared by Leslie and Ann, and Leslie gets upset when Ben may be making plans to move just as she and Ben were going to move in together. But then in the surprising final moments, Ben proposes to Leslie in the house she's about to cancel her offer on. It came at such an unexpected moment and permanently brought together two characters who were made for each other.

3) Bewitched #43 "Trick or Treat" (October 28, 1965)
Bewitched had several strong Halloween episodes as well they should given the premise. And I actually perhaps like the storyline to the first season episode, "The Witches are Out," a little bit more. But as I said in 2010, what allows this episode to chart so high is not Darrin as a werewolf or a guest turn by a young Maureen McCormick. It's the conversation between Samantha and Endora at the end of the episode where Samantha takes her mother to task for acting like the stereotype of a witch they hate so much. It's real honest dialogue and one of the finest showcases of Bewitched rising above your average dumb sitcom of the 1960s as so many early episodes did.

2) Modern Family #30 "Halloween" (October 27, 2010)
This episode aired just a couple days after I last made my favorite Halloween episodes list and it has remained one of my favorites. Claire absolutely loves Halloween (reminiscent of Roseanne and Dan Connor) but the rest of the family isn't feeling it and they're also bickering with each other. This makes the haunted house Claire dreamed of just disastrous with people messing up their cues and Gloria's hilarious attempt at an American accent. Of course, as is usually the case, the family pulls it together for a sweet ending. A very funny B-story in this episode is Mitchell dressed up as Spiderman at his new job where no one else wears costumes.

1) Happy Days #22 "Haunted" (October 29, 1974)
Still the greatest as I said it was five years ago. No episode of any show epitomizes a classic Halloween episode than this one. As Richie and the gang hold a Halloween Party in a haunted house and Howard hands out treats to the trick-or-treaters, it makes you wish you were living in that simpler time. Since this is an early Happy Days episode, it feels very 1950s from start to finish. I saw this episode for the first time on Nick at Nite in the late 1990s and have watched it at least once nearly every year since. It never gets old though I know the sentimentality of it could be a factor. Not only is it my favorite Halloween episode, it's my favorite Happy Days episode, and one of my favorite episodes of any show.

RATINGS RECAP: 10/28/15

ABC
8:00 The Middle
Viewers: 7.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
8:30 The Goldbergs
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:00 Modern Family (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
9:30 Black-ish
Viewers: 6.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
10:00 Nashville
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 8.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:00 Criminal Minds
Viewers: 7.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
10:00 Code Black
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

NBC
8:00 The Mysteries of Laura
Viewers: 6.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 Chicago PD
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

FOX
8:00 MLB World Series Game 2
Viewers: 13.7 million, 18-49 demo: 3.9

On Wednesday night, a lopsided World Series game and the third Republican Presidential Debate didn't have much of an effect on the rest of the broadcast networks. The World Series was way down from Game 1 while the Debate set a ratings record for CNBC but was well below the last two Republican debates. ABC had Halloween episodes for its comedies and all three with new episodes were up. The Middle was up three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo and The Goldbergs was up four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. After a Modern Family repeat, Black-ish was up four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. This is an encouraging sign that Modern Family doesn't really have a major impact on Black-ish. At 10pm, Nashville was down three tenths in viewers and even in the demo. The viewer total was a series low.

On CBS, all three shows hit series lows in total viewers. Survivor was down six tenths in viewers but even in the demo. Criminal Minds was down nine tenths in viewers and even in the demo. Finally, Code Black was down 1.1 million viewers and a tenth in the demo. This night is in need of a shakeup and I think the answer is to move Criminal Minds to 10pm and launch a new drama at 9pm (either the spin-off or perhaps Rush Hour). On NBC, The Mysteries of Laura was down four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Two episodes of Chicago PD were down a tenth in viewers and up a tenth in the demo from last week's 10pm episode. The best news here is it didn't need Law & Order: SVU to post its usual numbers. It's an adequate performer on its own merits.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Black-ish (ABC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Code Black (CBS)

FULL SEASON ALERT: Grandfathered

A day after its Tuesday companion, The Grinder, got a full season, FOX's new John Stamos comedy Grandfathered was given a full season today. As I mentioned yesterday, both The Grinder and Grandfathered had OK debuts and then big week two drops. They are struggling but FOX is going to give them some time to find an audience. I wouldn't be surprised if they get paired with the new season of New Girl and the new Guide to Surviving Life in the spring. We'll have a good indication by May if the trend is upward or still downward and that will probably determine where things go as far as a possible second season. Grandfathered joins The Grinder, Dr. Ken, Quantico, Limitless, Rosewood, Life in Pieces, and Blindspot on the full season list.

RATINGS RECAP: 10/27/15

ABC
8:00 The Muppets
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
8:30 Fresh Off the Boat
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
10:00 Wicked City
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

CBS
8:00 NCIS
Viewers: 16.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:00 NCIS: New Orleans
Viewers: 13.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
10:00 Limitless
Viewers: 7.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

NBC
8:00 Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 The Voice
Viewers: 10.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
10:00 Chicago Fire
Viewers: 7.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9

FOX
8:00 MLB World Series Game 1
Viewers: 14.9 million, 18-49 demo: 4.6

A night after Supergirl on CBS had one of the strongest premieres for the new season, ABC launched Wicked City to one of the worst debuts. Earlier in the night, the comedies had a small rally from their last airing two weeks ago. The Muppets was even in viewers and up a tenth in the demo while Fresh Off the Boat was up a tenth in viewers and the demo. At 9pm, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was down a tenth in viewers and the demo. ABC fell flat on its face at 10pm with Wicked City as the new crime drama couldn't even break a 1.0 on premiere night despite a lot of promotion. This was completely ignored by viewers and it's once again back to the drawing board for this difficult slot for ABC. Forever did OK here last year but not enough. However, this was more reminiscent of the instant bombs in this slot in 2013-14. This will be lucky if it gets to air all its episodes as ABC may want to put something else here in January.

All the networks had to compete with Game 1 of the World Series on FOX, which delivered the best numbers for a Game 1 since 2010. On NBC, Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris inched down six tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. The season finale is next week. At 9pm, The Voice was down 1.1 million viewers and a tenth in the demo. Despite the lower lead-ins, NBC finally had a good night from Chicago Fire as it was up two tenths in viewers and a strong three tenths in the demo to a new season high. Finally on CBS, NCIS was down four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. NCIS: New Orleans followed and was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. I guess this is the new normal for this show. Bradley Cooper's return to Limitless didn't help it as it was down four tenths in viewers and even in the demo.

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

PILOT REVIEW: Wicked City

WICKED CITY

Starring: Jeremy Sisto, Taissa Farminga, Gabriel Luna, Jaime Ray Newman, Evan Ross, Ed Westwick, Anne Winters, Karolina Wydra, with Erika Christensen

Created by Steven Baigelman
Written by Steven Baigelman, Directed by Tom Shankland

THE SYNOPSIS
Wicked City is designed as a crime drama anthology that focuses on crime in Los Angeles throughout its history with each season focusing on a different era. This season is set in 1982 on the drug-fueled Sunset Strip. Kent Grainger (Ed Westwick) is the "Sunset Strip Killer" being hotly pursued by Detectives Jack Roth and Paco Contreras (Jeremy Sisto and Gabriel Luna). Grainger starts up a relationship with single mom Betty Beaumontaine (Erika Christensen) and she soon joins his killing spree. The story is also being followed by an aspiring journalist, Karen McClaren (Taissa Farminga). Rounding out the main cast is an undercover detective on the strip, Dianne Kubek (Karolina Wydra), Karen's boss, Diver (Evan Ross), and Jack's wife and daughter (Jaime Ray Newman and Anne Winters).

THE REVIEW
I had a very mixed reaction to Wicked City. I felt like it started very strong. The opening scene was very captivating and it set the tone and the era quite well with minimal dialogue and lots of 1980s music very fitting to the scene. Then the credits hit and I felt like the show did a whole lot of nothing for most of the rest of the episode before finding its way a little bit more towards the end. I love the idea behind this show but I'm a little disappointed in the execution though I still have hope for it in the long run.

I liked the cast but they weren't given much to work with. Erika Christensen is a pro but it was a pretty thankless role in the pilot. Jeremy Sisto was only OK but the show is not really about him, or at least I hope it isn't. Speaking of, is there a need to spend much time with the wife and daughter? If they're not integral to the story, I hope the show doesn't try to do too much humanizing of an inherently boring character like Detective Jack Roth. Also, stories of a grizzly veteran detective not getting along with a hotshot newbie are so overdone. Just saying. The real standout of the pilot was Ed Westwick, who was charismatic and interesting in the killer role. The network made a good call to make him the focus of the ad campaign.

I want this show to succeed because I think there's a place for these anthologies on network TV and I'd love to see different eras in future installments (1940s would be really cool!) But I'm not going to stick with it long if it's going to continue to bore me. This is a good storyline set in a really interesting era that hasn't been explored much on TV. You have such a good idea, creators and writers! Do something quality with it!

WILL I WATCH IT AGAIN?
Yes but as I said before, it better not bore me again or I'm done.

RATINGS RECAP: 10/26/15

ABC
8:00 Dancing with the Stars
Viewers: 11.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
10:00 Castle (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory
Viewers: 16.3 million, 18-49 demo: 4.4
8:30 Supergirl
Viewers: 13.0 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1
9:30 Scorpion
Viewers: 9.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 11.9 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1
10:00 Blindspot
Viewers: 7.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1

FOX
8:00 Gotham
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 Minority Report
Viewers: 1.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

On Monday night, Supergirl flied high for CBS. But first, the final Monday episode of The Big Bang Theory was up 1.6 million viewers and half a demo point for its best performance since the season premiere. It will return to Thursdays starting next week but first, it provided a powerful lead-in to the new Supergirl. Supergirl delivered 13 million viewers (a high for a new show this season) and a 3.1 demo (tying Blindspot for a new show high). It also stayed steady across the hour, which is an encouraging sign. It has to self-start at 8pm next week but it absolutely got itself off on the right track as there was some real interest here. It led into a 90 minute edition of Scorpion, which was up two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. The pessimistic view here is a much bigger lead-in didn't make much of a difference while the optimistic view is it held steady despite airing at an odd time and it also delivered the best demo since the season premiere.

The rest of the networks didn't feel a hit from a stronger CBS. On NBC, The Voice was up half a million viewers and a tenth in the demo and that helped Blindspot steady itself as it was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. There was some question about whether Gotham would be able to co-exist with a fellow superhero show in the hour. The first week seemed to suggest that they have different audiences as Gotham was actually up a tenth in viewers and two tenths in the demo from last week's series low. At 9pm, Minority Report was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. On ABC, Dancing with the Stars was the only show to drop in the demo as it was down six tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo.

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

FULL SEASON ALERT: Life in Pieces, The Grinder

Two comedies were given full season orders on Tuesday: Life in Pieces on CBS and The Grinder on FOX. Both comedies have had rocky starts to the season but have gotten some critical attention and now have a show of faith from their networks.

Life in Pieces premiered on the first day of the season after The Big Bang Theory. Its raw numbers have allowed it to be the highest rated new comedy but the retention out of Big Bang has been pretty bad. There was a time where I was pretty convinced it wasn't going to make the move to Thursday with Big Bang but it had a stronger showing on its final Monday episode last week and it will make the move. Whether it gets to stay in the post-Big Bang slot all season remains to be seen.

The Grinder is the lower rated but more critically acclaimed member of FOX's new Tuesday comedy block. Along with Grandfathered, The Grinder got off to an OK start but plunged in its second week. Since then, it has hovered around a 0.9 demo which is pretty terrible but FOX is showing patience. It doesn't hurt The Grinder that FOX's lineup is in shambles and there's not a ton on the bench. Grandfathered hasn't been picked up for the full season yet but that could be coming pretty soon.

These shows join Quantico, Dr. Ken, Limitless, Rosewood, and Blindspot on the full season list for freshmen.

WEEKLY RECAP: October 19-25, 2015

Here is my weekly recap for Week #5. Please note this only covers regularly scheduled shows (no sports, specials, repeats, or Saturday shows)

Check out Week #5 of last year!

TOP 10 SHOWS (18-49 DEMO)
1. Empire (FOX, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 4.8    5th week
2. The Big Bang Theory (CBS, Monday 8:00pm) - 3.9    5th week
3. The Voice (NBC, Monday 8:00pm) - 3.0    5th week
4. The Simpsons (FOX, Sunday 8:00pm) - 2.8    2nd week
5. The Voice (NBC, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 2.7    5th week
    Modern Family (ABC, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 2.7    5th week
7. Scandal (ABC, Thursday 9:00pm) - 2.5    5th week
8. Grey's Anatomy (ABC, Thursday 8:00pm) - 2.4    4th week
9. NCIS (CBS, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 2.2    2nd week
10. Life in Pieces (CBS, Monday 8:30pm) - 2.1    2nd week
     Blindspot (NBC, Monday 10:00pm) - 2.1    5th week
     The Goldbergs (ABC, Wednesday 8:30pm) - 2.1    2nd week
     Survivor (CBS, Wednesday 8:00pm) - 2.1    3rd week
     How to Get Away with Murder (ABC, Thursday 10:00pm) - 2.1    3rd week

TOP 10 SHOWS (TOTAL VIEWERS)
1. NCIS (CBS, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 17.2 million    5th week
2. The Big Bang Theory (CBS, Monday 8:00pm) - 14.7 million    5th week
3. NCIS: New Orleans (CBS, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 13.0 million    5th week
4. Dancing with the Stars (ABC, Monday 8:00pm) - 12.5 million    5th week
5. Empire (FOX, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 12.3 million    5th week
6. The Voice (NBC, Monday 8:00pm) - 11.4 million    5th week
7. The Voice (NBC, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 11.3 million    4th week
8. Madam Secretary (CBS, Sunday 8:00pm) - 10.8 million    4th week
9. 60 Minutes (CBS, Sunday 7:00pm) - 10.6 million    4th week
10. Blue Bloods (CBS, Friday 10:00pm) - 10.4 million    4th week

BOTTOM 10 SHOWS (18-49 DEMO)
1. Minority Report (FOX, Monday 9:00pm) - 0.6    5th week
    Truth Be Told (NBC, Friday 8:30pm) - 0.6    2nd week
3. Undateable (NBC, Friday 8:00pm) - 0.7    3rd week
4. The Player (NBC, Thursday 10:00pm) - 0.8    5th week
    Sleepy Hollow (FOX, Thursday 9:00pm) - 0.8    4th week
    CSI: Cyber (CBS, Sunday 10:00pm) - 0.8    4th week
7. The Grinder (FOX, Tuesday 8:30pm) - 0.9    3rd week
    Dateline NBC (NBC, Friday 9:00pm) - 0.9    5th week
    Blood & Oil (ABC, Sunday 9:00pm) - 0.9    3rd week
10. Grandfathered (FOX, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 1.0    1st week
     Scream Queens (FOX, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 1.0    1st week
     Hawaii Five-0 (CBS, Friday 9:00pm) - 1.0    3rd week

BOTTOM 10 SHOWS (TOTAL VIEWERS)
1. Minority Report (FOX, Monday 9:00pm) - 1.8 million    5th week
2. Truth Be Told (NBC, Friday 8:30pm) - 2.2 million    2nd week
3. Scream Queens (FOX, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 2.6 million    5th week
    Undateable (NBC, Friday 8:00pm) - 2.6 million    3rd week
5. The Grinder (FOX, Tuesday 8:30pm) - 2.9 million    4th week
    Sleepy Hollow (FOX, Thursday 9:00pm) - 2.9 million    4th week
7. Grandfathered (FOX, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 3.3 million    2nd week
8. The Last Man on Earth (FOX, Sunday 9:30pm) - 3.4 million    5th week
9. Heroes: Reborn (NBC, Thursday 8:00pm) - 3.8 million    1st week
    Blood & Oil (ABC, Sunday 9:00pm) - 3.8 million    1st week

WINNERS OF THE NIGHT
Monday - Life in Pieces (CBS)    1st week
Tuesday - NCIS (CBS)    2nd week
Wednesday - Empire (FOX)    2nd week
Thursday - Scandal (ABC)    2nd week
Friday - Shark Tank (ABC)    1st week
Sunday - The Simpsons (FOX)    2nd week

LOSERS OF THE NIGHT
Monday - Minority Report (FOX)    3rd week
Tuesday - Chicago Fire (NBC)    1st week
Wednesday - Criminal Minds (CBS)    1st week
Thursday - Sleepy Hollow (FOX)    2nd week
Friday - Undateable (NBC)    2nd week
Sunday - CSI: Cyber (CBS)    2nd week

MY TOP 5 EPISODES OF THE WEEK
1. Brooklyn Nine-Nine #50 "Halloween Part III"    2nd week
2. Scandal #74 "You Got Served"    3rd week
3. Grandfathered #4 "Deadbeat"    2nd week
4. Code Black #4 "Sometimes it's a Zebra"    1st week
5. How to Get Away with Murder #20 "Meet Bonnie"    2nd week

RATINGS RECAP: 10/25/15

ABC
7:00 America's Funniest Home Videos
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
8:00 Once Upon a Time
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
9:00 Blood & Oil
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
10:00 Quantico
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

CBS
7:00 60 Minutes
Viewers: 10.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
8:00 Madam Secretary
Viewers: 10.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 The Good Wife
Viewers: 8.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 CSI: Cyber
Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

NBC
7:00 Football Night in America
Viewers: 9.5 million, 18-49 demo: 3.4
8:30 Sunday Night Football
Viewers: 20.6 million, 18-49 demo: 7.6

FOX
7:00 NFL Overrun
Viewers: 24.5 million, 18-49 demo: 8.1
7:22 The OT
Viewers: 12.1 million, 18-49 demo: 4.2
8:00 The Simpsons
Viewers: 6.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.8
8:30 Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
9:00 Family Guy
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
9:30 The Last Man on Earth
Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

Sunday night had FOX with the NFL overrun. Coupling that with the annual Halloween Treehouse or Horror episode of The Simpsons led to gains across the board with every show hitting or tying a season high. The Simpsons had the biggest bump, of course, as it was up 3.1 million viewers and 1.1 demo points. Brooklyn Nine-Nine followed and was up 1.8 million viewers and eight tenths in the demo. It's retention hasn't been quite as good this year. At 9pm, Family Guy was 1.1 million viewers and four tenths in the demo while The Last Man on Earth rose 1.1 million viewers and half a demo point. Of course this was an aberration for FOX Sundays and Family Guy is looking very old, but this lineup can still make some noise in the right circumstances. Over on NBC, a Panthers-Eagles game was below last week's Colts-Patriots tilt, but it wasn't a horrible drop considering it was much less of a marquee game. Next week's Packers-Broncos showdown of two 6-0 teams could be one of the better rated games of the season.

CBS did not have the NFL overrun but the total viewer count was OK to start the night with each show starting almost an hour earlier than last week. 60 Minutes suffered the most as usual without the direct lead-in as it was down big. But Madam Secretary was actually up 1.2 million viewers and a tenth in the demo for a very good showing with no NFL lead-in. At 9pm, The Good Wife was up seven tenths in viewers and even in the demo. CSI: Cyber didn't have to start at 10:59 this week and was up 1.3 million viewers and a tenth in the demo. Finally on ABC, America's Funniest Home Videos rebounded from last week's troubling drop. It was up three tenths in viewers and the demo. At 8pm, Once Upon a Time was up two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. Blood & Oil, which had its episode order cut this past week, was up four tenths in viewers and even in the demo. Only Quantico was down as it slipped two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. ABC seems so high on this show but they don't seem to be giving it the support it needs after its promising start.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: The Simpsons (FOX)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: CSI: Cyber (CBS)

PILOT REVIEW: Supergirl

SUPERGIRL

Starring: Melissa Benoist, Mehcad Brooks, Chyler Leigh, Jeremy Jordan, with David Harewood, and Calista Flockhart

Based on Characters Created by Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel
Developed by Greg Berlanti, Ali Adler, and Andrew Kreisberg
Teleplay by Ali Adler, Greg Berlanti, & Andrew Kreisberg, Directed by Glen Winter

THE PREMISE
CBS's foray into the superhero field is Supergirl, a fun and bright show starring Melissa Benoist as the title character, a.k.a. Kara Danvers. She is Superman's cousin and one of the last surviving members from the planet Krypton. She is trying to live a life under the radar and without using her powers but an incident involving her Earth sister, Alex (Chyler Leigh) changes things. With her identity still a secret, she works for the domineering Cat Grant (Calista Flockhart) at the media conglomerate CatCo in National City. She also ends up connected with Superman character James Olsen (Mehcad Brooks) at the company. Rounding out the main cast is Kara's co-worker and tech guy, Winslow Schott (Jeremy Jordan), and Hank Henshaw (David Harewood), the head of the Department of Extra-Normal Operations.

THE REVIEW
This isn't a perfect pilot, but in a season where the new shows have inspired such little enthusiasm from me and many others, it's definitely one to be excited about and that is no small thing. It all starts with Melissa Benoist who shines in the title role. She plays all types well from the rom-com girl that she appears to be at the beginning to the beat-down she lays as Supergirl, to the feminist she starts to become as the episode progresses. This was a tremendous casting decision as Benoist brings so much charisma and energy to the role. I found myself rooting for her the entire time.The rest of the cast is nothing to scoff at either with Mehcad Brooks, Chyler Leigh, and Jeremy Jordn all delivering good performances and there's another standout performance, albeit a bit of a caricature, from Calista Flockhart.

This show is certainly more in the fun CW type of superhero show compared to the brooding Gotham. It certainly will have intense moments but it's not taking itself too seriously and that works very well for this format. Sure, it borders on cheesy from time to time but that's not even really a problem in this genre. It plays like a colorful and fun comic book.

Where the problem lies for me is, I ultimately don't love comic book shows or movies. I have stuck with Gotham because Batman is more the exception to the rule but despite good reviews, I've never really even given a chance to Arrow or The Flash. I really loved this pilot but I'm not convinced I'm going to love the show even though it has so many things going for it. I really do hope it does well because it is a strong show in all respects. I am just not sure it's for me. If I do stick with it, it will probably be thanks to Melissa Benoist.

WILL I WATCH IT AGAIN?
Yes. As I said, I may not stick with it in the long run because of my own personal tastes but I definitely want to see the next couple episodes.

QUICK HITS: Midseason Schedule Suggestion for NBC

On Thursday, I posted my suggestion for FOX at midseason. Now it's on to NBC!

NBC has had an OK fall. The Voice remains strong of course. Blindspot isn't the hit that The Blacklist was but it's also not the flop that State of Affairs was. The Wednesday dramas have been solid, even The Mysteries of Laura. And they have football which always helps a big deal. The Friday comedies are bombing but they're low priority. Thursday is probably the biggest trouble spot. NBC always runs into trouble in January when both football and The Voice leave their schedule. They have a lot on the bench so they should have many options.

MONDAYS
8:00 (Jan) The Biggest Loser/(late Feb) The Voice
10:00 Blindspot
I think The Biggest Loser would be a good bridge on Mondays again in-between cycles of The Voice. I would leave Blindspot on the condition that it doesn't completely fall apart in future weeks, which I think is a possibility. If that happens, NBC should launch a new drama at 10pm when The Voice returns.

TUESDAYS
8:00 (Jan) Little Big Shots/(late Feb) The Voice
9:00 Chicago Med
10:00 Chicago Fire
I am pretty confident that Chicago Med will do decently so I would leave things as is on Tuesday nights except they'll need another bridge for The Voice in between cycles. Maybe the reality show Little Big Shots would be a good option?

WEDNESDAYS
8:00 (Jan) Shades of Blue/(Apr) The Mysteries of Laura
9:00 Law & Order: SVU
10:00 Chicago PD
Wednesdays are holding up OK but I still think NBC may want to give The Mysteries of Laura just a short extension and give it a break in January to make room for an updated Women Crush Wednesday night with Shades of Blue starring Jennifer Lopez at 8pm leading into Law & Order: SVU and Chicago PD. It could provide more of a punch to the night and Laura can return to finish out its second season when Shades of Blue wraps its 13 episode order.

THURSDAYS
8:00 The Carmichael Show
8:30 Crowded
9:00 Hot & Bothered
9:30 Superstore
10:00 The Blacklist
Thursdays are a big problem and comedies are a big problem for NBC. So why not throw caution to the wind and try something different? Why not launch four new comedies and hope something works like ABC did with Wednesdays in 2009 to great success. The Carmichael Show had a little bit of buzz in its six episode summer run while the other three could all be decent. It may not be the pedigree of that first ABC Wednesday lineup but I just think NBC should try to re-launch a "Must See TV" comedy block and start from scratch with all new (or nearly new for Carmichael) shows. There's not really another place for comedies anyway and there's not much to lose on Thursdays so I say its worth a shot. I don't think NBC will agree. I would move The Blacklist to 10pm and give up on the idea of it anchoring a night at 9pm.

FRIDAYS
8:00 (Jan) Undateable (1 hour episodes)/(Mid Feb) Emerald City
9:00 Grimm
10:00 Dateline NBC
I think Truth Be Told will be gone by the end of the calendar year and NBC can do one hour editions of Undateable to finish up its season. Then in February, I would air Emerald City, which might be a good genre pairing with Grimm.

SUNDAYS
(Jan)
7:00 Dateline NBC
8:00 Reality/Specials/Etc

(Mar)
7:00 Dateline NBC
9:00 Game of Silence
10:00 The Night Shift
I wouldn't even mess with Sundays in January and February where there is competition from the Golden Globes, Oscars, Grammys, and Super Bowl. Then in March, I would launch Game of Silence at 9pm and bring back The Night Shift for the 10pm slot. Heartbreaker could be an option too but I would save that for summer. Blindspot could be a possibility too if they go with a new drama on Mondays.

RATINGS RECAP: 10/24/15

ABC
8:00 College Football
Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

CBS
8:00 NCIS: Los Angeles (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 Criminal Minds (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
10:00 48 Hours
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

NBC
8:00 Dateline NBC (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

FOX
8:00 College Football
Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

FULL SEASON ALERT: Limitless

CBS handed out a full season order to its new freshman drama Limitless on Friday. The drama, based on a 2011 movie, premiered to a solid 1.9 demo and impressively held there its second week. It has since dropped to a 1.4 but CBS sees some hope in the show. Many think it would do better and be more of a fit on Monday after Scorpion and it's possible CBS will make that move for midseason. Limitless joins NBC's Blindspot, FOX's Rosewood, and ABC's Quantico and Dr. Ken on the full season order list. CBS also ordered additional scripts for Code Black, but that may not translate into episodes.

RATINGS RECAP: 10/23/15

ABC
8:00 Last Man Standing
Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
8:30 Dr. Ken
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Shark Tank
Viewers: 6.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

CBS
8:00 The Amazing Race
Viewers: 5.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Hawaii Five-0
Viewers: 8.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
10:00 Blue Bloods
Viewers: 10.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

NBC
8:00 Undateable
Viewers: 2.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
8:30 Truth Be Told
Viewers: 2.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
9:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

FOX
8:00 Gotham (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
9:00 Rosewood (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3

On Friday night, NBC's new comedy lineup suffered declines from their already weak showings last week. At 8pm, the live Undateable was down half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo. At 8:30pm, week two of Truth Be Told was down four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo from its premiere. This is a pretty pathetic hour for NBC but if it were to get cancelled, there would be absolutely no comedy on the network, though there are several shows on tap for midseason. This hour also does not bode well as a lead-in to the new season of Grimm starting next week. At 9pm, Dateline NBC was up two tenths in viewers and even in the demo.

It was a mixed bag for CBS. At 8pm, The Amazing Race was even in viewers and up a tenth in the demo. At 9pm, Hawaii Five-0 was down half a million viewers and a tenth in the demo, tying the series low it set with the season premiere. At 10pm, Blue Bloods was down two tenths in viewers but up a tenth in the demo. Finally on ABC, the comedy hour was still solid. Last Man Standing was up six tenths in viewers and down a tenth in the demo while Dr. Ken, which just received a full season, was up two tenths in viewers and down a tenth in the demo. At 9pm, Shark Tank rallied a bit as it was up half a million viewers and a tenth in the demo. At a 1.5, it was still well above any other Friday show. At 10pm, 20/20 was dead even with last week.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Shark Tank (ABC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Undateable (NBC)

RATINGS RECAP: 10/22/15

ABC
8:00 Grey's Anatomy
Viewers: 9.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
9:00 Scandal
Viewers: 8.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5
10:00 How to Get Away with Murder
Viewers: 7.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1

CBS
8:00 Thursday Night Kickoff
Viewers: 7.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
8:30 Thursday Night Football
Viewers: 17.1 million, 18-49 demo: 5.9

NBC
8:00 Heroes: Reborn
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 The Blacklist
Viewers: 6.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
10:00 The Player
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

FOX
8:00 Bones
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Sleepy Hollow
Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

After week to week declines marked the first couple weeks of the season, this week has brought much more stable results and Thursday was no exception with several shows even rising. At 8pm, the ageless Grey's Anatomy was up seven tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo while Scandal was up two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. For the first time all season, How to Get Away with Murder did not set a new series low as it was also up two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. On CBS, a boring game between Seattle and San Francisco did not hurt the ratings as it was up a full demo point from last week's Saints-Falcons game.

On NBC, Heroes: Reborn finally stopped the bleeding as it was down just two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. At 9pm, The Blacklist was also down two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. The Player was actually able to rise two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo but it didn't help matters as the show got its episode order trimmed to nine episodes on Friday (it's currently filming its ninth episode). While not official, that is basically a de facto cancellation. Finally on FOX, Bones was up three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo but that was no help to Sleepy Hollow, which was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo at a weak 0.8. These two shows will have a crossover event next week.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Scandal (ABC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Sleepy Hollow (FOX)

RATINGS RECAP: 10/21/15

ABC
8:00 The Middle
Viewers: 7.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
8:30 The Goldbergs
Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:00 Modern Family
Viewers: 7.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7
9:30 Black-ish
Viewers: 5.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
10:00 Nashville
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 9.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:00 Criminal Minds
Viewers: 8.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
10:00 Code Black
Viewers: 7.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

NBC
8:00 The Mysteries of Laura
Viewers: 6.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Law & Order: SVU
Viewers: 6.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
10:00 Chicago PD
Viewers: 6.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

FOX
8:00 Rosewood
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
9:00 Empire
Viewers: 12.3 million, 18-49 demo: 4.8

On Wednesday night, FOX had a much appreciated rise in the ratings for its Wednesday pair for the first time this season. At 8pm, Rosewood was up three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo while Empire was up a tenth in viewers and the demo. Though Empire is still dominant and Rosewood is its best performing newbie, they needed these shows to not keep inching downward and that was accomplished. Over on ABC, The Middle started things out even in viewers and down a tenth in the demo while The Goldbergs was up a tenth in viewers and the demo. After being even last week, it's back to The Goldbergs building on its lead-in. At 9pm, Modern Family was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo while Black-ish was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. Nashville closed out a very stable night by being dead even with last week.

On CBS, Survivor was even in viewers and down a tenth in the demo. It keeps getting worse for Criminal Minds as the veteran drama was down six tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo to a new series low. Assuming Code Black doesn't get picked up for a full season, they should definitely move the mothership to 10pm and premiere the new Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders spinoff at 9pm. At 10pm, Cdoe Black was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. Since falling big after its debut, it has held steady for three straight weeks. Finally on NBC, The Mysteries of Laura was down a tenth in viewers and up a tenth in the demo, Law & Order: SVU was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo, and Chicago PD was down four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. It was a very stable Wednesday, but next Wednesday brings the World Series on FOX and the next Republican Debate on cable.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Empire (FOX)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Criminal Minds (CBS)

QUICK HITS: Midseason Schedule Suggestion for FOX

Over the next week or so, I will be giving my midseason schedule suggestions for the networks starting today with FOX!

It has been a rough fall for FOX. Minority Report was DOA, Scream Queens has been a huge disappointment, the Tuesday night comedies are doing very little, the Sunday lineup is weak even on football nights, and even Empire has dropped each week though it remains the top show in the demo. So, there is a lot to do and FOX honestly does not have enough on the bench to make a difference. Of course, I thought the same thing last year and Empire then set the TV world on fire. They have The X-Files, but that is only six weeks. Other than that, everything just gets a shrug from me. This was a hard schedule to put together because I just don't think there's much they can do that will make things work well.

MONDAYS
8:00 (Jan) The X-Files/(Mar) Gotham
9:00 (Jan) Lookinglass/(Apr) Lucifer
FOX already has a plan for Mondays with The X-Files returning for its six episode "event" series bowing in late January after the NFC Championship Game. They also plan to pair it with Luther, which is supposedly a bigger priority for them. But I would go with Lookinglass. Neither drama seems too strong but Lookinglass seems like it could be a better pair with X-Files, which will surely be hot out of the gate. Gotham can return in March after the short run of The X-Files. If Lookinglass doesn't work or when its 13 episode order comes to an end, Lucifer can slide in (or vice versa, I suppose).

TUESDAYS
(Jan)
8:00 New Girl
8:30 New Girl
9:00 Scream Queens
(Feb)
8:00 New Girl
8:30 The Guide to Surviving Life
9:00 Grandfathered
9:30 The Grinder
We know New Girl is returning in January. I'm not sure if it has a 22 episode order or not but if it does, I would double pump it in January leading into the final episodes of the season for Scream Queens. Then I would leave it at 8pm and make a night of comedy. Yes, Grandfathered and The Grinder aren't doing much but give them a chance in a full comedy block because it's not like FOX has a ton on the bench. If they don't improve, cancel them in May. The 8:30pm slot can be the newest comedy option, The Guide to Surviving Life.

WEDNESDAYS
(Jan)
8:00 American Idol
(Feb)
8:00 American Idol
9:00 Empire
With this being American Idol's final season, I could see a small bounce for it and I just don't see anything on FOX's schedule that could pair with Empire anyway, so why not let its long running hit go out in a better situation. Air two hour Idol episodes until Empire returns from its winter hiatus.

THURSDAYS
8:00 Bones
9:00 Rosewood
I would put the two procedural dramas on Thursdays. Rosewood probably can't survive without Empire, but FOX needs to see if that's the case. If it could work with any other show, it would probably be Bones. This would be an old skewing night but it could probably keep its head afloat especially with Idol editions once in awhile.

FRIDAYS
8:00 Masterchef Junior
9:00 (Jan) Sleepy Hollow/(Feb) World's Funniest
I would bench Sleepy Hollow to Fridays sooner rather than later. Masterchef Junior may need to go save another night in which case FOX could air World's Funniest at 8pm Fridays to lead into Sleepy Hollow.

SUNDAYS
7:00 Animated Encores
7:30 Bob's Burgers
8:00 The Simpsons
8:30 Brooklyn Nine-Nine
9:00 Family Guy
9:30 (Jan) The Last Man on Earth/(Mar) Bordertown
Despite its miniscule ratings, I don't think there's much tinkering FOX can do with this lineup this year except bring on the new Bordertown so I would add that after The Last Man on Earth finishes its episode order.

RATINGS RECAP: 10/20/15

ABC
8:00 It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
8:30 Toy Story of Terror!
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
9:00 Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
10:00 Shark Tank (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

CBS
8:00 NCIS
Viewers: 17.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:00 NCIS: New Orleans
Viewers: 13.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
10:00 Limitless
Viewers: 7.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

NBC
8:00 Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 The Voice
Viewers: 11.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7
10:00 Chicago Fire
Viewers: 7.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

FOX
8:00 Grandfathered
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
8:30 The Grinder
Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Scream Queens
Viewers: 2.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

Tuesday night had the annual Halloween special It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and recent special Toy Story of Terror! Charlie Brown was down a bit from last year's Wednesday airing, but it remains impressive. This is a special that will be 50 years old next year and it is readily available other places yet people still tune in as a tradition. Specials like this and Christmas ones like Rudolph and A Charlie Brown Christmas are truly timeless. The Toy Story special did decently as well and remains a good partner for Charlie Brown. At 9pm, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was up two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo despite being the only regularly scheduled show on ABC's Tuesday night lineup. CBS was up or even across the board. At 8pm, NCIS was up 1.2 million viewers and a tenth in the demo and NCIS: New Orleans was up half a million viewers and a tenth in the demo. After Limitless nearly went lower again in preliminaries, it ended up down a tenth in viewers but even in the demo.

On NBC, Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris was up three tenths in viewers and even in the demo. It's not being impressive, but it's surviving at 8pm. At 9pm, The Voice was up 1.2 million viewers and a tenth in the demo. The news wasn't as good at 10pm where Chicago Fire was up two tenths in viewers but down the same in the demo. So far, this has been a little underwhelming through two weeks and it would help Chicago Med if it could generate a little heat in the next couple weeks. It was the only show to drop in the demo from last week. FOX was up in viewers and even in the demo across the board. Grandfathered rose a tenth, The Grinder was up four tenths, and Scream Queens was up two tenths. I guess it's a positive that they didn't drop again, but that's a pretty optimistic view.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: NCIS (CBS)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Chicago Fire (NBC)

RATINGS RECAP: 10/19/15

ABC
8:00 Dancing with the Stars
Viewers: 12.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
10:00 Castle
Viewers: 6.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory
Viewers: 14.7 million, 18-49 demo: 3.9
8:30 Life in Pieces
Viewers: 8.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:00 Scorpion
Viewers: 9.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
10:00 NCIS: Los Angeles
Viewers: 8.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 11.4 million, 18-49 demo: 3.0
10:00 Blindspot
Viewers: 7.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1

FOX
8:00 Gotham
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 Minority Report
Viewers: 1.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

On Monday night, some shows had a much needed rally while others saw troubling new lows. CBS had the best news with everything even or up. At 8pm, The Big Bang Theory was down three tenths in viewers and even in the demo. The best news came at 8:30pm where Life in Pieces was up seven tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo for its best performance since the series premiere. It will indeed survive in the move to Thursday and we'll see it again on November 5 but it went off Monday on a good note. At 9pm, Scorpion was up a tenth in viewers and the demo while NCIS: Los Angeles closed out the night up three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for a season high. ABC also had a nice rise from Dancing with the Stars, which was up nine tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. It could be getting some of The Voice viewers back. At 10pm though, Castle was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo, tying series lows. ABC should seriously put something else here starting in January.

It was not as good news for the other two networks. NBC started with The Voice down six tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo. It looks to be starting its regular mid-cycle swoon. It certainly hurt Blindspot in the process. The new drama followed up a rise last week by falling seven tenths in viewers and a rough four tenths in the demo to a mediocre 2.1 demo. It needs to do better than this but I just don't think it has the buzz that a show like The Blacklist had in this slot. Finally, the FOX shows each took another step down. Gotham was even in viewers and down two tenths in the demo for a new series low. Minority Report is completely off the map at this point as it was down three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. FOX said it had no plans to move the show when it cut the episode order, but come on. It's time for this to be pulled or burned off on Fridays or Saturdays.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Life in Pieces (CBS)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Minority Report (FOX)

FULL SEASON ALERT: Dr. Ken

ABC announced today that freshman comedy Dr. Ken has been picked up for a full season. Despite being savaged by critics, it has been a surprise success in the early goings on Friday night. It debuted with a healthy 1.5 demo. This past week, it had a 1.3 demo, which tied it with The Muppets, a show with a much higher priority and better timeslot. It has proven to fit like a glove with Last Man Standing so far, which has been a problem for its lead-outs for years. ABC has cancelled the show after Last Man for three years in a row now. Dr. Ken will try to break that streak. It joins Quantico and NBC's Blindspot on the full season order list.

WEEKLY RECAP: October 12-18, 2015

Here is my weekly recap for Week #4. Please note this only covers regularly scheduled shows (no sports, specials, repeats, or Saturday shows)

Check out Week #4 of last year!

TOP 10 SHOWS (18-49 DEMO)
1. Empire (FOX, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 4.7    4th week
2. The Big Bang Theory (CBS, Monday 8:00pm) - 3.9    4th week
3. The Voice (NBC, Monday 8:00pm) - 3.3    4th week
4. Modern Family (ABC, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 2.7    4th week
5. The Voice (NBC, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 2.6    4th week
6. Blindspot (NBC, Monday 10:00pm) - 2.5    4th week
7. Scandal (ABC, Thursday 9:00pm) - 2.4    4th week
    60 Minutes (CBS, Sunday 7:59pm) - 2.4    2nd week
9. Grey's Anatomy (ABC, Thursday 8:00pm) - 2.3    3rd week
10. Survivor (CBS, Wednesday 8:00pm) - 2.2    2nd week

TOP 10 SHOWS (TOTAL VIEWERS)
1. NCIS (CBS, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 16.0 million    4th week
2. The Big Bang Theory (CBS, Monday 8:00pm) - 15.0 million    4th week
3. 60 Minutes (CBS, Sunday 7:59pm) - 13.8 million    3rd week
4. NCIS: New Orleans (CBS, Monday 9:00pm) - 12.5 million    4th week
5. Empire (FOX, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 12.2 million    4th week
6. The Voice (NBC, Monday 8:00pm) - 12.0 million    4th week
7. Dancing with the Stars (ABC, Monday 8:00pm) - 11.6 million    4th week
8. Blue Bloods (CBS, Friday 10:00pm) - 10.6 million    3rd week
9. The Voice (NBC, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 10.1 million    3rd week
10. Madam Secretary (CBS, Sunday 8:59pm) - 9.6 million    3rd week

BOTTOM 10 SHOWS (18-49 DEMO)
1. Minority Report (FOX, Monday 9:00pm) - 0.7    4th week
    The Player (NBC, Thursday 10:00pm) - 0.7    4th week
    Truth Be Told (NBC, Friday 8:30pm) - 0.7    1st week (NEW SHOW)
    CSI: Cyber (CBS, Sunday 10:59pm) - 0.7    3rd week
5. Sleepy Hollow (FOX, Thursday 9:00pm) - 0.8    3rd week
    America's Funniest Home Videos (ABC, Sunday 7:00pm) - 0.8    1st week
7. The Grinder (FOX, Tuesday 8:30pm) - 0.9    2nd week
    Undateable (NBC, Friday 8:00pm) - 0.9    2nd week
    Dateline NBC (NBC, Friday 9:00pm) - 0.9    4th week
    Blood & Oil (ABC, Sunday 9:00pm) - 0.9    2nd week

BOTTOM 10 SHOWS (TOTAL VIEWERS)
1. Minority Report (FOX, Monday 9:00pm) - 2.1 million    4th week
    Bob's Burgers (FOX, Sunday 9:00pm) - 2.1 million    3rd week
3. The Last Man on Earth (FOX, Sunday 9:30pm) - 2.3 million    4th week
4. Scream Queens (FOX, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 2.4 million    4th week
5. The Grinder (FOX, Tuesday 8:30pm) - 2.5 million    3rd week
6. Truth Be Told (NBC, Friday 8:30pm) - 2.6 million    1st week (NEW SHOW)
    Brooklyn Nine-Nine (FOX, Sunday 8:30pm) - 2.6 million    4th week
8. Sleepy Hollow (FOX, Thursday 9:00pm) - 3.0 million    3rd week
9. Undateable (NBC, Friday 8:00pm) - 3.1 million    2nd week
10. Grandfathered (FOX, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 3.2 million    1st week

WINNERS OF THE NIGHT
Monday - Blindspot (NBC)    2nd week
Tuesday - NCIS (CBS)    1st week
Wednesday - Survivor (CBS)    1st week
Thursday - Grey's Anatomy (ABC)    1st week
Friday - Last Man Standing (ABC)    2nd week
Sunday - The Simpsons (FOX)    1st week

LOSERS OF THE NIGHT
Monday - Castle (ABC)    1st week
Tuesday - Scream Queens (FOX)    2nd week
Wednesday - Rosewood (FOX)    1st week
Thursday - The Player (NBC)    2nd week
Friday - Truth Be Told (NBC)    1st week (NEW SHOW)
Sunday - America's Funniest Home Videos (ABC)

MY TOP 5 EPISODES OF THE WEEK
1. Criminal Minds #236 "Till Death Do Us Part"    1st week
2. The Muppets #4 "Pig Out"    2nd week
3. Chicago Fire #70 "Let it Burn"    1st week (New Season)
4. The Goldbergs #51 "I Caddyshacked the Pool"    1st week
5. Blue Bloods #115 "With Friends Like These"    2nd week