PILOT REVIEW: Superstore

SUPERSTORE

Starring: America Ferrera, Ben Feldman, Lauren Ash, Colton Dunn, Nico Santos, Nichole Bloom, and Mark McKinney

Created by Justin Spitzer
Written by Justin Spitzer, Directed by Ruben Fleischer

THE PREMISE
Superstore is a new ensemble workplace comedy set at a "big box" department store called Cloud 9. It focuses on a few of the employees, led by 10 year vet and floor manager, the straight-laced Amy (America Ferrera). Her humdrum world is thrown with the arrival of new associate Jonah (Ben Feldman), who seems set on changing up their world. Other employees include the Dwight Schrute-type assistant manager Dina (Lauren Ash), ditzy and pregnant Cheyenne (Nichole Bloom), fast talking, paraplegic Garrett (Colton Dunn), and fellow new associate, Mateo (Nico Santos). Their boss is the dorky Glenn (Mark McKinney).

THE REVIEW
I found Superstore to be surprisingly charming and funny. It starts with a first-rate cast that makes the most of the material and has a good camaraderie with each other already. The opposites-attract and underlying romantic tension between Amy and Jonah worked really well in the pilot despite being a bit of a cliche (speaking of a cliche, how often do workplace pilots involve a new employee unknowingly trashing the job to someone they shouldn't? Seems like it happens a lot). Cheyenne is funny and her boyfriend, a recurring character, was pretty funny as well. The Muppets-sounding Mark McKinney has some funny moments as well and Lauren Ash, while being extremely similar to Dwight on The Office, had some funny takes.

In addition to a strong main cast, the pilot made good use of other employees and especially, the customers. This will be essential going forward because I'd imagine a lot of the comedy can be mined from interesting customers. Should this become a hit, this gives them a very natural opportunity for great guest stars.

Most importantly, this show seemed to find hilarious and heartwarming moments in the ordinary life. I mean, what is more ordinary than a Wal-mart type store? It's a great (and unique) setting for a sitcom. Even the ending, which could have been either unfunny or unnecessarily sappy, struck the right tone for the type of show this wants to be. I don't think this show was absolutely hilarious or anything like that, but I'm impressed with how sure of itself this show is. A comedy, especially an ensemble one, usually takes time to gel but this show is already ahead of the curve in that respect. It makes me hopeful for episodes to come if NBC can actually find an audience for it.

WILL I WATCH IT AGAIN?
Yep. I'm watching the second episode as I type this and I'm enjoying it. This could be a sleeper hit for me. I hope it can find an audience.

RATINGS RECAP: 11/28/15

ABC
8:00 College Football
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

CBS
8:00 Frosty the Snowman
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
8:30 Frosty Returns
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 The Story of Santa Claus
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
10:00 48 Hours
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

NBC
8:00 Dateline NBC (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
10:00 Saturday Night Live (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

FOX
8:00 College Football
Viewers: 6.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8

RATINGS RECAP: 11/27/15

ABC
8:00 Santa Claus is Comin' to Town
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Shark Tank (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

CBS
8:00 The Amazing Race
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 Hawaii Five-0 (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
10:00 Blue Bloods (Repeat)
Viewers: 7.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

NBC
8:00 National Dog Show
Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
10:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

FOX
8:00 Masterchef Junior
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 World's Funniest
Viewers: 1.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

RATINGS RECAP: 11/26/15

ABC
8:00 The Muppets (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
8:30 Fresh Off the Boat (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
9:00 The Middle (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
9:30 The Goldbergs (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
10:00 Last Man Standing (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
10:30 Dr. Ken (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory (Repeat)
Viewers: 12.1 million, 18-49 demo: 3.2
8:30 Life in Pieces
Viewers: 7.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:00 Mom
Viewers: 6.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:30 2 Broke Girls
Viewers: 5.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
10:00 Elementary
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

NBC
8:00 Football Night in America
Viewers: 18.0 million, 18-49 demo: 4.0
8:30 Thursday Night Football
Viewers: 27.8 million, 18-49 demo: 9.0

FOX
8:00 All-Star Dog Rescue Celebration
Viewers: 2.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4

RATINGS RECAP: 11/25/15

ABC
8:00 The Middle (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
8:30 The Goldbergs (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 Modern Family (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:30 Black-ish (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
10:00 Jimmy Kimmel Live (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 8.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
10:00 Code Black
Viewers: 7.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

NBC
8:00 The Making of The Wiz Live
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
9:00 SNL Thanksgiving
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

FOX
8:00 Rosewood
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Empire
Viewers: 9.2 million, 18-49 demo: 3.2

Thanksgiving Eve meant big hits to younger skewing shows, as usual. The biggest hit came to Empire, which crashed 2.1 million viewers and 1.2 demo points. This really isn't as alarming as it sounds because it's reminiscent of the horrible drops Modern Family used to take when it aired new episodes on Thanksgiving Eve. In fact, the second worst demo of all time for Family remains Thanksgiving Eve 2009. Empire will surely bounce back next week for its fall finale. Earlier in the night, Rosewood was down a tenth in viewers and three tenths in the demo. On CBS, a two hour Survivor was down a million viewers and three tenths in the demo. It's a new series low, but again, it's Thanksgiving Eve. It has usually aired clip shows in the past on this night. The best news of the night came from Code Black, which took advantage of a better lead-in and was up nine tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo for its best numbers since the series premiere. This should get a chance to air at 9pm after Survivor at some point because this show actually seems to be getting some encouraging signs. It was only two tenths behind Supergirl and even with Limitless this week when it comes to the new CBS dramas.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Code Black (CBS)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: NONE (Thanksgiving Eve gives shows a pass)

RATINGS RECAP: 11/24/15

Check below this post for my Top 10 Thanksgiving episodes!

ABC
8:00 A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
Viewers: 7.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:00 Dancing with the Stars
Viewers: 13.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4

CBS
8:00 NCIS
Viewers: 16.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:00 NCIS: New Orleans
Viewers: 11.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
10:00 Limitless
Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 10.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:00 Chicago Med
Viewers: 7.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
10:00 Chicago Fire
Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8

FOX
8:00 Grandfathered
Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
8:30 The Grinder
Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 Scream Queens
Viewers: 2.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

On Tuesday night, ABC started with A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and it delivered a very healthy number, perhaps due to some renewed Peanuts interest thanks to the recent movie. It led into the finale of Dancing with the Stars. It was up a bit from Monday's performance finale but well below the 3.0 demo that last fall's finale got. Despite not airing directly against Dancing, The Voice took a big hit as it dropped 1.2 million viewers and half a demo point. It actually lost to NCIS in the demo. At 9pm, week two of Chicago Med was down an understandable eight tenths in viewers and four tenths in the demo. For a second week of a show, more competition, and a much weaker lead-in, this is not a bad showing at all. However, with this drop and Blindspot's on Monday, every new show has gone below a 2.0 demo this season. At 10pm, Chicago Fire was down just seven tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo. NBC may have found a winning lineup on Tuesdays with this trio. Too bad The Voice will be gone for a couple months.

Over on CBS, NCIS was down just four tenths in viewers and even in the demo with last week for another great showing. NCIS: New Orleans did not do as well as it fell 1.1 million viewers and a tenth in the demo. The viewer total is a new series low. Both New Orleans and Limitless could have been hit by Dancing as Limitless was down a million viewers and a tenth in the demo to new series lows. Finally on FOX, everything hit a new series low. Grandfathered was down three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. The Grinder was down a tenth in viewers and two tenths in the demo. It's at a 0.7 demo but it has a full season order? Yikes! At 9pm, Scream Queens was down four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: NCIS (CBS)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: The Grinder (FOX)

WEEKEND REWIND: Top 10 Thanksgiving Episodes

As I did recently with Halloween episodes, I am updating my Holiday episodes rankings this year as things have changed since my list during the 2010-11 season.

Close Calls
15) Home Improvement #160 "Thanksgiving" (November 25, 1997)
14) Brooklyn Nine-Nine #10 "Thanksgiving" (November 26, 2013)
13) Everybody Loves Raymond #10 "Turkey or Fish" (November 22, 1996)
12) WKRP in Cincinnati #7 "Turkey's Away" (October 30, 1978)
11) How I Met Your Mother #53 "Slapsgiving" (November 19, 2007)

10) New Girl #32 "Parents" (November 20, 2012)
One of the best episodes from New Girl's stand-out second season was the episode that introduced Rob Reiner and Jamie Lee Curtis as Jess' divorced parents. Jess still acts like a little girl in her failed attempts to bring her parents back together, Parent Trap style. Meanwhile, Rob Riggle guest stars as Schmidt's cousin, also named Schmidt. This episode featured all the madcap zaniness that the show has only had at times in the last two seasons, but had non-stop in season two. And Reiner and Curtis are excellent.

9) The Middle #8 "Thanksgiving" (November 25, 2009)
The Middle has had a Thanksgiving episode every single year and they've all been pretty good but the best one is still the first one which is an early exploration in the relationship between brothers Axl and Brick. It also was one of the first indications that the show would have a sweet spirit as the rest of the family tries to fix things and make Thanksgiving after Frankie cancels it when everyone seems like they'd rather be doing something else.

8) Friends #202 "The One with Rachel's Other Sister" (November 21, 2002)
This is the first of three Friends episodes in the list as the show was famous for its Thanksgiving episodes. Two of the three are different from the last time I made this list, though, because I've re-watched some of them since and have different opinions. One of my favorites now is the season nine episode and that is all thanks to Christina Applegate's star turn as Rachel's self-absorbed sister, Amy. She is absolutely hilarious in one of the best guest star appearances of any Friends episode and the show rightly gave him some excellent material. I wish she had appeared more than twice during the show's run.

7) The Goldbergs #30 "A Goldberg Thanksgiving" (November 19, 2014)
The newest entry to the list is last year's Thanksgiving episode of The Goldbergs, which has found the right tone from its screechy early days to a more sentimental (but not mushy) sitcom and love letter to the 80s. In a plot similar to other family sitcoms, the mom is upset about Thanksgiving traditions not being honored while the dad is struggling to connect with his kids. Both are resolved in a sweet but funny way.

6) Friends #9 "The One where Underdog Gets Away" (November 17, 1994)
The first Friends Thanksgiving makes the list because it captures the early days of Friends, which feel very New York and very mid-1990s. The gang gets locked out of their apartment after going to see a runaway balloon from the Macy's parade and all their Thanksgiving plans including Rachel's "shoop shoop" ski trip get cancelled. They end up reluctantly having Thanksgiving together, the first of many. As anti-Thanksgiving Chandler puts it at the end of the episode, he's thankful that everyone else's Thanksgiving sucked so they could all be together.

5) The Wonder Years #53 "The Ties that Bind" (November 14, 1990)
In one of many tear jerking episodes of The Wonder Years, Jack has to work on Thanksgiving and it's greatly upsetting his wife, Norma, though she tries to make the best of it with the kids. This pull leads to a very sweet final scene where the family meets Jack at the airport and they can have a brief but sweet Thanksgiving together.

4) Cheers #104 "Thanksgiving Orphans" (November 27, 1986)
The famous "food fight" episode of Cheers features a Thanksgiving at Diane's gone disastrously wrong. The whole gang tries to make the best of the Thanksgiving but it ends up in a food fight and we almost get a glimpse of Norm's never-seen wife, Vera, except that she's covered in a pie in the closing shot.

3) Mad About You #55 "Giblets for Murray" (November 17, 1994)
You may notice that my top five episodes are the same as the last time I did this list. Some things don't change. Mad About You had one of the best Thanksgiving episodes in a mad-cap episode that featured constant running down to the corner store as Paul and Jamie try to please all the members of their extended family coming for Thanksgiving. In one of their many attempts to get a new turkey after Murray the dog eats one, this episode has a great sight gag as a panicked Jamie throws the turkey out the window. It's one of the broadest moments of the entire series and very funny.

2) Friends #57 "The One with the Football" (November 21, 1996)
As I said before, Friends had many great episodes but the best by far is the one where they all play football in the park for the famed Geller cup. As Chandler and Joey compete for a foreign woman's attention, Ross and Monica get super competitive, and Rachel keeps being told to "go long," you find yourself wishing you were in that park spending Thanksgiving and the football game with these friends. Filled with memorable lines and great physical comedy, it's a stand-out of the series and a classic Thanksgiving episode.

1) The Bob Newhart Show #83 "Over the River and Through the Woods" (November 22, 1975)
Even 40 years later, there is still no show that tops this one for the best Thanksgiving episode. The best episode of the entire series finds Bob, Jerry, Howard, and Mr. Carlin getting drunk and spending Thanksgiving together. From "Durr Bob Hartley" to "Moo Goo Gai Pan" to Bob's classic greeting of Emily at the end, it is without question the funniest episode of this series. Bob plays a great drunk and the show gives these characters a silly dimension that wasn't typically seen on the show. It's a must-see for anyone who appreciates Thanksgiving episodes.

RATINGS RECAP: 11/23/15

ABC
8:00 Dancing with the Stars
Viewers: 13.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
10:00 Castle
Viewers: 6.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

CBS
8:00 Supergirl
Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 Scorpion
Viewers: 9.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 NCIS: Los Angeles
Viewers: 7.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 10.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
10:00 Blindspot
Viewers: 7.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9

FOX
8:00 Gotham
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:00 Minority Report
Viewers: 1.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

Monday night had the performance finale of Dancing with the Stars. It was up nine tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo. It had a nice bump but it didn't pick up as much steam at the end of this season. At 10pm, Castle was even with last week. I am shocked that ABC didn't move this for midseason, and I truly don't get it. Over on NBC, The Voice clearly took a hit from Dancing with the Stars as it fell nine tenths in viewers and four tenths in the demo. It took the fall finale of Blindspot down with it, which fell seven tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for a series low. This was the first time it fell below a 2.0 demo as it now heads on a long break until it returns with The Voice on February 29. NBC is protecting it by not having it air without The Voice, but a long hiatus can hurt a show too. NBC will preview comedies Superstore and Telenovela after The Voice over the next two weeks.

On CBS, Supergirl took a big tumble as it fell six tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo. Some of this could be blamed on Thanksgiving week, but I don't think that really impacts the beginning of the week that much. Supergirl is really just falling apart quickly for CBS. It's not doing much (if at all) better than the CW superhero shows. At 9pm, Scorpion was down two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. It hit a series low in total viewers for the second straight week. At 10pm, NCIS: Los Angeles was down a tenth in viewers and the demo after four straight 1.3 demo episodes. Finally on FOX, Gotham was down four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo for a series low in total viewers. Minority Report was down two tenths in viewers and the demo to a terrible 0.5. This is getting into Wicked City territory but there's only one more episode so FOX won't pull it.

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

WEEKLY RECAP: November 16-22, 2015

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

Check out Week #9 from last year!

TOP 10 SHOWS (18-49 DEMO)
1. Empire (FOX, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 4.4    8th week
2. The Big Bang Theory (CBS, Thursday 8:00pm) - 3.8    9th week
3. The Voice (NBC, Monday 8:00pm) - 3.0    9th week
4. Modern Family (ABC, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 2.8    7th week
5. The Voice (NBC, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 2.6    9th week
6. Grey's Anatomy (ABC, Thursday 8:00pm) - 2.5    7th week
7. Scandal (ABC, Thursday 9:00pm) - 2.4    9th week
8. How to Get Away with Murder (ABC, Thursday 10:00pm) - 2.3    4th week
    The Simpsons (FOX, Sunday 8:00pm) - 2.3    3rd week
10. NCIS (CBS, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 2.2    6th week
     Chicago Med (NBC, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 2.2    1st week (NEW SHOW)
     The Goldbergs (ABC, Wednesday 8:30pm) - 2.2    4th week

TOP 10 SHOWS (TOTAL VIEWERS)
1. NCIS (CBS, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 16.6 million    9th week
2. The Big Bang Theory (CBS, Thursday 8:00pm) - 15.2 million    9th week
3. NCIS: New Orleans (CBS, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 13.0 million    9th week
4. Dancing with the Stars (ABC, Monday 8:00pm) - 12.4 million    9th week
5. Empire (FOX, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 11.3 million    8th week
6. The Voice (NBC, Monday 8:00pm) - 11.2 million    9th week
    The Voice (NBC, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 11.2 million    7th week
8. Blue Bloods (CBS, Friday 10:00pm) - 11.0 million    8th week
    60 Minutes (CBS, Sunday 7:00pm) - 11.0 million    8th week
10. Madam Secretary (CBS, Sunday 8:00pm) - 9.9 million    7th week

BOTTOM 10 SHOWS (18-49 DEMO)
1. Truth Be Told (NBC, Friday 8:30pm) - 0.6    6th week
2. Minority Report (FOX, Monday 9:00pm) - 0.7    8th week
    World's Funniest (FOX, Friday 9:00pm) - 0.7    3rd week
4. The Player (NBC, Thursday 10:00pm) - 0.8    9th week
    Sleepy Hollow (FOX, Thursday 9:00pm) - 0.8    7th week
    Undateable (NBC, Friday 8:00pm) - 0.8    6th week
7. The Grinder (FOX, Tuesday 8:30pm) - 0.9    6th week
    Scream Queens (FOX, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 0.9    3rd week
    Elementary (CBS, Thursday 10:00pm) - 0.9    2nd week
    Grimm (NBC, Friday 9:00pm) - 0.9    2nd week
    The Good Wife (CBS, Sunday 9:00pm) - 0.9    3rd week
    CSI: Cyber (CBS, Sunday 10:00pm) - 0.9    7th week

BOTTOM 10 SHOWS (TOTAL VIEWERS)
1. Minority Report (FOX, Monday 9:00pm) - 1.7 million    8th week
2. Truth Be Told (NBC, Friday 8:30pm) - 2.1 million    6th week
3. World's Funniest (FOX, Friday 9:00pm) - 2.2 million    3rd week
4. The Grinder (FOX, Tuesday 8:30pm) - 2.4 million    7th week
   Scream Queens (FOX, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 2.4 million    8th week
6. Undateable (NBC, Friday 8:00pm) - 2.7 million    6th week
7. Sleepy Hollow (FOX, Thursday 9:00pm) - 2.8 million    4th week
8. Grandfathered (FOX, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 3.0 million    3rd week
9. The Last Man on Earth (FOX, Sunday 9:30pm) - 3.3 million    8th week
10. The Player (NBC, Thursday 10:00pm) - 3.4 million    4th week
      Family Guy (FOX, Sunday 9:00pm) - 3.4 million    6th week

WINNERS OF THE NIGHT
Monday - Supergirl (CBS)    2nd week
Tuesday - Chicago Med (NBC)    1st week (NEW SHOW)
Wednesday - Empire (FOX)    3rd week
Thursday - How to Get Away with Murder (ABC)    1st week
Friday - Dr. Ken (ABC)    2nd week
Sunday - The Simpsons (FOX)    3rd week

LOSERS OF THE NIGHT
Monday - Scorpion (CBS)    1st week
Tuesday - The Muppets (ABC)    2nd week
Wednesday - Law & Order: SVU (NBC)    1st week
Thursday - Sleepy Hollow (FOX)    3rd week
Friday - The Amazing Race (CBS)    1st week
Sunday - The Good Wife (CBS)    1st week

MY TOP 5 EPISODES OF THE WEEK
1. Fresh Off the Boat #21 "Huangsgiving"    5th week
2. Scandal #78 "Baby, It's Cold Outside"    6th week
3. How to Get Away with Murder #24 "What Did We Do?"    3rd week
4. Blue Bloods #120 "Hold Outs"    4th week
5. The Goldbergs #55 "In Conclusion, Thanksgiving"    4th week

RATINGS RECAP: 11/22/15

ABC
7:00 America's Funniest Home Videos
Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
8:00 2015 American Music Awards
Viewers: 11.0 million, 18-49 demo: 3.5

CBS
7:00 60 Minutes
Viewers: 11.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
8:00 Madam Secretary
Viewers: 9.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 The Good Wife
Viewers: 7.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
10:00 CSI: Cyber
Viewers: 6.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

NBC
7:00 NASCAR Sprint Cup Overrun
Viewers: 7.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
7:56 Football Night in America
Viewers: 10.9 million, 18-49 demo: 3.4
8:30 Sunday Night Football
Viewers: 18.0 million, 18-49 demo: 6.3

FOX
7:00 NFL Overrun/The OT
Viewers: 23.1 million, 18-49 demo: 7.7
8:00 The Simpsons
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
8:30 Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:00 Family Guy
Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
9:30 The Last Man on Earth
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

On Sunday night, it was NBC on top as usual with a Bengals-Cardinals game that was down from last week's Cardinals-Seahawks tilt. ABC had America's Funniest Home Videos up a tenth in viewers and two tenths in the demo followed by the American Music Awards, which were down a bit from last year's 3.8 demo result. CBS had no NFL lead-in this week so 60 Minutes was of course down big. At 8pm, Madam Secretary was down seven tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo. The Good Wife was down seven tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo while CSI: Cyber was up half a million viewers and down just a tenth in the demo despite starting 57 minutes earlier than last week. It managed to tie The Good Wife in the demo. FOX got a little bit of a bump from having the NFL lead-in but FOX's Sunday lineup is in such disarray that even the NFL doesn't really boost it up that much. Everything was up but the overall numbers on an NFL lead-in night are pretty disappointing. Only The Simpsons got any sort of significant boost, rising 2.1 million viewers and eight tenths in the demo.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: The Simpsons (FOX)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: The Good Wife (CBS)

RATINGS RECAP: 11/21/15

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

CBS
8:00 NCIS: Los Angeles (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
9:00 48 Hours (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
10:00 48 Hours
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

NBC
8:00 Movie: Free Birds
Viewers; 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
10:00 Saturday Night Live (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

FOX
8:00 College Football
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

RATINGS RECAP: 11/20/15

ABC
8:00 Last Man Standing
Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
8:30 Dr. Ken
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Shark Tank
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 7.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

CBS
8:00 The Amazing Race
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 Hawaii Five-0
Viewers: 9.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 Blue Bloods
Viewers: 11.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

NBC
8:00 Undateable
Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
8:30 Truth Be Told
Viewers: 2.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
9:00 Grimm
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
10:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

FOX
8:00 Masterchef Junior
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 World's Funniest
Viewers: 2.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

It was a very steady Friday with almost every show very close to last week's results. On ABC, Last Man Standing was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo while Dr. Ken was up eight tenths in viewers and even in the demo. We're a couple months in and Dr. Ken is still looking like the best companion Last Man has ever had. At 9pm, Shark Tank was up eight tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. 20/20 was up two million viewers and two tenths in the demo as it must have had a story that was more appealing. On CBS, The Amazing Race was up three tenths in viewers but down a tenth in the demo to a season low. Hawaii Five-0 was up six tenths in viewers and even in the demo while Blue Bloods was up seven tenths in viewers and down a tenth in the demo. On NBC, Undateable's live show was back after a week off following the Paris attacks. It was up a tenth in viewers and the demo from its last new episode two weeks ago. At 8:30pm, Truth Be Told was even with last week. Grimm was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo while Dateline NBC had a good week, just like 20/20. It was up a million viewers and four tenths in the demo. Finally on FOX, Masterchef Junior was down a tenth in viewers and the demo while World's Funniest was even with last week.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Dr. Ken (ABC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: The Amazing Race (CBS)

RATINGS RECAP: 11/19/15

ABC
8:00 Grey's Anatomy
Viewers: 8.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5
9:00 Scandal
Viewers: 8.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
10:00 How to Get Away with Murder
Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory
Viewers: 15.2 million, 18-49 demo: 3.8
8:30 Life in Pieces
Viewers: 8.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
9:00 Mom
Viewers: 7.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:30 2 Broke Girls
Viewers: 6.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 Elementary
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

NBC
8:00 Heroes: Reborn
Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 The Blacklist
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
10:00 The Player
Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

FOX
8:00 Bones
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 Sleepy Hollow
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

Thursday night was fall finale night for the TGIT trio and they won't be back until February. They all went out on a positive note, however. While two were down year-to-year, they all rose to their best numbers in weeks. Grey's Anatomy was up half a million viewers and three tenths in the demo for its best performance since the season premiere and it was up from last fall's finale. Scandal was up four tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for its best performance in. For the second time in three weeks, Grey's beat Scandal in the demo. At 10pm, How to Get Away with Murder had the best rally of all. It was up half a million viewers and four tenths in the demo for its best performance since October 1. Over on NBC, Heroes: Reborn was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo and The Blacklist was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. The season (and most certainly series) finale of The Player followed and was even in viewers and up a tenth in the demo. It is not officially cancelled, but the episode order being cut always means it's over.

On CBS, smaller market NFL preemptions didn't hurt the regular lineup as much as the last couple weeks. The Big Bang Theory was up three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Life in Pieces was up four tenths in viewers and even in the demo. Mom had a decent week as it was up three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for a season high. 2 Broke Girls was up a tenth in viewers and the demo from last week's season premiere. At 10pm, Elementary had another bad week but it was up four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. This lineup will probably suffer next week with mostly new episodes on Thanksgiving night. Finally on FOX, Bones was up a tenth in viewers but down a tenth in the demo to a season low. At 9pm, Sleepy Hollow was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. The viewer total is a series low.

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

RATINGS RECAP: 11/18/15

ABC
8:00 The Middle
Viewers: 7.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
8:30 The Goldbergs
Viewers: 7.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:00 Modern Family
Viewers: 8.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.8
9:30 Black-ish
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
10:00 Nashville
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 9.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:00 Criminal Minds
Viewers: 8.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
10:00 Code Black
Viewers: 6.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

NBC
8:00 The Mysteries of Laura
Viewers: 7.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Law & Order: SVU
Viewers: 6.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
10:00 Chicago PD
Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

FOX
8:00 Rosewood
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 Empire
Viewers: 11.3 million, 18-49 demo: 4.4

A lot of networks had good things to report on Wednesday night. ABC saw each of its comedies rise a tenth in the demo for the Thanksgiving themed night. Among viewers, The Middle was up three tenths, The Goldbergs was even, Modern Family was up two tenths, and Black-ish was up a tenth. At 10pm, Nashville was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo to tie its series low. On CBS, Survivor was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. Criminal Minds continued its troubling season by dropping four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo, tying its series low. At 10pm, Code Black was down three tenths in viewers and even in the demo. It has gotten a 1.2 demo for six of the last seven weeks. This show still has not learned its fate one way or another as we haven't gotten any midseason information from CBS.

On FOX, Rosewood was down half a million viewers and up a tenth in the demo. I think this show is just going to get killed when it doesn't get to air with Empire. Empire was up a tenth in viewers and two tenths in the demo for a rare week-to-week rise. Finally on NBC, The Mysteries of Laura was up four tenths in viewers but down a tenth in the demo from its last airing two weeks ago. Law & Order: SVU and Chicago PD both had down weeks. SVU was down a rough 1.5 million viewers and six tenths in the demo from last week, when it got to follow The Voice. At 10pm, Chicago PD was down three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Empire (FOX)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Law & Order: SVU (NBC)

PILOT REVIEW: Chicago Med

CHICAGO MED

Starring: Nick Gehlfuss, Yaya DaCosta, Torrey DeVitto, Rachel DiPillo, Colin Donnell, Brian Tee, with S. Epatha Merkerson, and Oliver Platt

Created by Dick Wolf and Matt Olmstead
Written by Andrew Dettmann, Diane Frolov, and Andrew Schneider, Directed by Michael Waxman

THE SYNOPSIS
If you watch Chicago Fire or Chicago PD, you know exactly what to expect with this show. Set at Chicago Med, the show focuses on the doctors, nurses, med students, and other workers who occupy the busy hospital. Like the other Chicago shows, they focus on a workplace family and handle events of the week with on-going character stories. The characters include ER Chief Resident, Dr. Will Halstead (Nick Gehlfuss), Chief of Services, Sharon Goodwin (S. Epatha Merkerson), Chief of Psychiatry, Dr. Daniel Charles (Oliver Platt), pregnant pediatrician Dr. Natalie Manning (Torrey DeVitto), resident Dr. Ethan Choi (Brian Tee), nurse April Sexton (Yaya DeCosta), med student Sarah Reese (Rachel DiPillo), and ER physician Dr. Connor Rhodes (Colin Donnell).

THE REVIEW
I'll start this review by reflecting for a moment on the other two Chicago shows. Chicago Fire was a pleasant surprise for me and has evolved into one of my favorite dramas right now. I feel like it doesn't always get the credit it deserves for its captivating stories and enjoyable characters. On the other hand, I have given Chicago PD tons of chances and still can't get into it. I'll always watch it when there's a crossover, but I think I'm about done with giving it chances. For whatever reason, I don't find the stories or characters nearly as interesting as Fire.

All that is to say, I don't really know where I'll fall with Chicago Med. It's too early to tell if it's going to be more like Chicago Fire or more like Chicago PD for me. I don't think the medical setting makes too much of a difference one way or another because in theory, I would like a police show more than a firefighter show. The pilot for Chicago Med was pretty much exactly what I expected it to be: fairly safe with run of the mill medical stories, decent performances, and a lot of exposition mixed into the stories. It was difficult to determine which direction this show is going to head in with a play-it-safe pilot.

The performances were solid but nothing stood out, though I remembering feeling similar about Chicago Fire at the beginning. Early promising actors include S. Epatha Merkerson, Rachel DiPillo, an Nick Gehlfuss. As I said before, I'm not worried about the medical genre being a deterrent but I do wonder if the setting is just slightly too big to accomplish what PD and Fire try to. After all, an entire hospital, even if it only focuses on a few characters, is a bigger world than a firehouse or a precinct.

WILL I WATCH IT AGAIN?
Yes. Considering how many times I have watched Chicago PD, this is certainly going to get its chance from me. At the very least, I'll watch it when it crosses over with Fire, which I'm sure will be often.

RATINGS RECAP: 11/17/15

ABC
8:00 The Muppets
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
8:30 Fresh Off the Boat
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:00 Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
10:00 Shark Tank (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

CBS
8:00 NCIS
Viewers: 16.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:00 NCIS: New Orleans
Viewers: 13.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 Limitless
Viewers: 7.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 11.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
9:00 Chicago Med
Viewers: 8.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
10:00 Chicago Fire
Viewers: 8.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9

FOX
8:00 Grandfathered
Viewers: 3.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
8:30 The Grinder
Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Scream Queens
Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

Tuesday night brought the latest installment of NBC's hit Chicago franchise. First up, however, The Voice was up three tenths in viewers and down a tenth in the demo from last week's two hour edition. Then Chicago Med premiered with its strong lead-in and it delivered a very solid 8.6 million viewers and 2.2 demo, topping the premieres of both Chicago Fire and Chicago PD. It did what it had to and seems to be a good fit out of The Voice, but that show is only lasting until mid December and then it could have a tougher road. At 10pm, Chicago Fire fit like a glove with Med, but it was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo from last week, when it followed The Voice. On FOX, it was more of the same. Grandfathered was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. It has gotten a 1.0 demo for five straight episodes. The Grinder was down two tenths in viewers and up a tenth in the demo and Scream Queens was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo.

CBS held up pretty well and NCIS is not getting hit hard by The Voice this year. It was down just a tenth in viewers and the demo. At 9pm, NCIS: New Orleans didn't have to deal with Voice competition, but it could barely capitalize. It was up six tenths in viewers and even in the demo. In a year with a lot of troubling ratings performances, I think this has been one of the biggest underperformers. At 10pm, Limitless was up four tenths in viewers and down a tenth in the demo. It seems like Limitless is settling into being a Chicago PD type player for CBS. Finally on ABC, The Muppets was even with last week while Fresh Off the Boat was up a tenth in viewers and the demo. Boat continues to impress in a difficult situation. At 9pm, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. A repeat of Shark Tank took over for the cancelled Wicked City and was an improvement in the demo from last week by three tenths.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Chicago Med (NBC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: The Muppets (ABC)

RATINGS RECAP: 11/16/15

ABC
8:00 Dancing with the Stars
Viewers: 12.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
10:00 Castle
Viewers: 6.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

CBS
8:00 Supergirl
Viewers: 7.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
9:00 Scorpion
Viewers: 9.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 NCIS: Los Angeles
Viewers: 7.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 11.2 million, 18-49 demo: 3.0
10:00 Blindspot
Viewers: 7.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1

FOX
8:00 Gotham
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 Minority Report
Viewers: 1.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

On Monday night, CBS had some relief for Supergirl as week four of the new drama saw its first rise. It was down three tenths in viewers but up a tenth in the demo. It seemed to flip fates with Scorpion this week as Scorpion was down a tenth in viewers and the demo. At 10pm, NCIS: Los Angeles was even with last week. This lineup is not doing bad, but I can hardly imagine that CBS was thinking it would demos in the 1s for all three shows as early as November. On ABC, Dancing with the Stars started things down two tenths in viewers and the demo. It's a little surprising that this show dropped with the finale next week. At 10pm, Castle was up six tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo from last week's series low.

On NBC, The Voice was down eight tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo while Blindspot was even in viewers and down a tenth in the demo. This ties a series low, but it remains the only new show to have not dropped below a 2.0 demo yet. Its fall finale is next week. Finally on FOX, Gotham was up three tenths in viewers and even in the demo. Since its early disappointing returns to start season two, it has been very steady. At 9pm, Minority Report returned after a week off and was down a tenth in viewers and up a tenth in the demo. At least it no longer earns the title of Biggest Fall Flop because that honor went to Wicked City.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Supergirl (CBS)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Scorpion (CBS)

WEEKLY RECAP: November 9-15, 2015

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

Check out Week #8 of last year!

TOP 10 SHOWS (18-49 DEMO)
1. Empire (FOX, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 4.2    7th week
2. The Big Bang Theory (CBS, Thursday 8:00pm) - 3.7    8th week
3. 60 Minutes (CBS, Sunday 7:57pm) - 3.6    4th week
4. The Voice (NBC, Monday 8:00pm) - 3.2    8th week
5. The Voice (NBC, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 2.7    8th week
    Modern Family (ABC, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 2.7    6th week
7. The Voice (NBC, Wednesday 8:00pm) - 2.4    Special Airing
8. NCIS (CBS, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 2.3    5th week
9. Blindspot (NBC, Monday 10:00pm) - 2.2    8th week
    Grey's Anatomy (ABC, Thursday 8:00pm) - 2.2    6th week
    Scandal (ABC, Thursday 9:00pm) - 2.2    8th week

TOP 10 SHOWS (TOTAL VIEWERS)
1. 60 Minutes (CBS, Sunday 7:57pm) - 18.1 million    7th week
2. NCIS (CBS, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 16.7 million    8th week
3. The Big Bang Theory (CBS, Thursday 8:00pm) - 14.9 million    8th week
4. Dancing with the Stars (ABC, Monday 8:00pm) - 12.6 million    8th week
5. NCIS: New Orleans (CBS, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 12.4 million    8th week
6. The Voice (NBC, Monday 8:00pm) - 12.0 million    8th week
7. Empire (FOX, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 11.2 million    7th week
8. The Voice (NBC, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 10.9 million    6th week
9. Madam Secretary (CBS, Sunday 8:57pm) - 10.6 million    6th week
10. Blue Bloods (CBS, Friday 10:00pm) - 10.3 million    7th week

BOTTOM 10 SHOWS (18-49 DEMO)
1. Wicked City (ABC, Tuesday 10:00pm) - 0.4    3rd week
2. Truth Be Told (NBC, Friday 8:30pm) - 0.6    5th week
3. The Player (NBC, Thusday 10:00pm) - 0.7    8th week
    World's Funniest (FOX, Friday 9:00pm) - 0.7    2nd week
5. The Grinder (FOX, Tuesday 8:30pm) - 0.8    5th week
    Elementary (CBS, Thursday 10:00pm) - 0.8    1st week
    Dateline NBC (NBC, Friday 10:00pm) - 0.8    7th week
8. Scream Queens (FOX, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 0.9    2nd week
    Sleepy Hollow (FOX, Thursday 9;00pm) - 0.9    6th week
    Grimm (NBC, Friday 9:00pm) - 0.9    1st week
    America's Funniest Home Videos (ABC, Sunday 7:00pm) - 0.9    3rd week

BOTTOM 10 SHOWS (TOTAL VIEWERS)
1. Wicked City (ABC, Tuesday 10:00pm) - 1.7 million    3rd week
2. Truth Be Told (NBC, Friday 8:30pm) - 2.1 million    5th week
3. World's Funniest (FOX, Friday 9:00pm) - 2.2 million    2nd week
4. Bob's Burgers (FOX, Sunday 7:30pm) - 2.3 million    4th week
5. Scream Queens (FOX, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 2.5 million    7th week
6. The Grinder (FOX, Tuesday 8:30pm) - 2.6 million    6th week
7. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (FOX, Sunday 8:30pm) - 2.7 million    6th week
8. The Last Man on Earth (FOX, Sunday 9:30pm) - 2.8 million    7th week
9. Family Guy (FOX, Sunday 9:00pm) - 2.9 million    5th week
10. Sleepy Hollow (FOX, Thursday 9:00pm) - 3.0 million    3rd week

WINNERS OF THE NIGHT
Monday - Dancing with the Stars (ABC)    1st week
Tuesday - Chicago Fire (NBC)    2nd week
Wednesday - Law & Order: SVU (NBC)    1st week
Thursday - The Big Bang Theory (CBS)    2nd week
Friday - Last Man Standing (ABC)    3rd week
Sunday - 60 Minutes (CBS)    3rd week

LOSERS OF THE NIGHT
Monday - Castle (ABC)    2nd week
Tuesday - Wicked City (ABC)    2nd week
Wednesday - Nashville (ABC)    3rd week
Thursday - Elementary (CBS)    1st week
Friday - Grimm (NBC)    1st week
Sunday - Quantico (ABC)    2nd week

MY TOP 5 EPISODES OF THE WEEK
1. Mom #46 "Thigh Gap and a Rack of Love"    2nd week
2. The Goldbergs #54 "Lucky"    3rd week
3. Scandal #77 "Rasputin"    5th week
4. The Grinder #6 "Dedicating this One to the Crew"    3rd week
5. Brooklyn Nine-Nine #52 "The Mattress"    3rd week

RATINGS RECAP: 11/15/15

ABC
7:00 America's Funniest Home Videos
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
8:00 Once Upon a Time
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
10:00 Quantico
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

CBS
7:00 NFL Overrun
Viewers: 26.3 million, 18-49 demo: 8.7
7:57 60 Minutes
Viewers: 18.1 million, 18-49 demo: 3.6
8:57 Madam Secretary
Viewers: 10.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:57 The Good Wife
Viewers: 8.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:57 CSI: Cyber
Viewers: 5.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

NBC
7:00 Football Night in America
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
8:30 Sunday Night Football
Viewers: 19.4 million, 18-49 demo: 7.0

FOX
7:00 The Simpsons (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
7:30 Bob's Burgers
Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
8:00 The Simpsons (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
8:30 Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 Family Guy
Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:30 The Last Man on Earth
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

On Sunday night, CBS had a huge NFL overrun thanks to a close and exciting game between the Patriots and Giants. It went nearly a full hour into primetime so 60 Minutes and the dramas started 27 minutes later than scheduled. As usual, 60 Minutes benefited the most as it soared to season highs. It's amazing that this show can swing from as low as a 1.0 demo on non football lead-in nights to a 3.6 when it has a football lead-in. Of course, there's always the question of how many people just leave their TVs on. Madam Secretary followed and was even in viewers and up a tenth in the demo for its best performance in over a month. The Good Wife was up two tenths in viewers and even in the demo and CSI: Cyber was up a tenth in viewers and two tenths in the demo for its best demo number since the season premiere. Despite a close Cardinals-Seahawks game, NBC had its second weakest result for Sunday Night Football this season.

On ABC, America's Funniest Home Videos was down three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Two hours of Once Upon a Time followed and it was even with last week's one hour episode. The worst news for ABC was at 10pm where Quantico couldn't capitalize with the much better lead-in. It was down two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. This show has been a huge gainer in DVR, however. Finally, FOX was low again with no NFL lead-in but most shows were actually up despite a repeat of The Simpsons at 8pm. Bob's Burgers, however, was down eight tenths in viewers and four tenths in the demo. It did have an NFL lead-in in some markets last week. Brooklyn Nine-Nine followed a repeat but was even in viewers and up a tenth in the demo. Family Guy was up three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo and The Last Man on Earth was up two tenths in viewers and the demo.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: 60 Minutes (CBS)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Quantico (ABC)

RATINGS RECAP: 11/14/15

ABC
8:00 College Football
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7

CBS
8:00 48 Hours
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 CBS News: Democratic Primary Debate
Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

NBC
8:00 Dateline NBC (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
10:00 Saturday Night Live (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

FOX
8:00 College Football
Viewers: 1.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

RATINGS RECAP: 11/13/15

ABC
8:00 Last Man Standing
Viewers: 7.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
8:30 Dr. Ken
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Shark Tank
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

CBS
8:00 The Amazing Race
Viewers: 5.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Hawaii Five-0
Viewers: 8.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 Blue Bloods
Viewers: 10.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

NBC
8:00 Undateable (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
8:30 Truth Be Told
Viewers: 2.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
9:00 Grimm
Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
10:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

FOX
8:00 Masterchef Junior
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 World's Funniest
Viewers: 2.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

On Friday night, NBC chose to not air a live Undateable after the tragedy in Paris so they quickly put in a repeat which was only down a tenth from last week's live episode. Everything else posted typical numbers. Truth Be Told was even with last week while Grimm was down a tenth in viewers and the demo for new series lows. Dateline NBC was down seven tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. On ABC, Last Man Standing was up six tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. The viewer total is the best since January. Dr. Ken was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. Shark Tank was down six tenths in viewers but even in the demo while 20/20 was down a tenth in viewers and the demo. On CBS, The Amazing Race was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo, Hawaii Five-0 was down six tenths in viewers and even in the demo, and Blue Bloods was down six tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Finally on FOX, Masterchef Junior was down three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo while World's Funniest was even in viewers and down a tenth in the demo from last week's premiere. Both shows hit series lows in the demo.

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

RATINGS RECAP: 11/12/15

ABC
8:00 Grey's Anatomy
Viewers: 8.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:00 Scandal
Viewers: 7.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
10:00 How to Get Away with Murder
Viewers: 6.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory
Viewers: 14.9 million, 18-49 demo: 3.7
8:30 Life in Pieces
Viewers: 8.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
9:00 Mom
Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:30 2 Broke Girls
Viewers: 6.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
10:00 Elementary
Viewers; 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

NBC
8:00 Heroes: Reborn
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 The Blacklist
Viewers: 6.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
10:00 The Player
Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

FOX
8:00 Bones
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Sleepy Hollow
Viewers: 3.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

This week brought another Thursday where CBS was strong for half an hour and then troubled the rest of the night perhaps partly due to more football preemptions. The Big Bang Theory was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. Not only is it a stronger performer but it also doesn't have football in the same half hour. Life in Pieces was up a tenth in viewers but down a tenth in the demo to tie a series low. Mom was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo from last week's underwhelming premiere. At 9;30pm, the season premiere of 2 Broke Girls hit a series low in total viewers and tied a series low in the demo, but it did build from its Mom lead-in. It's time for this or Mike & Molly to go to 8:30pm and the other at 9;30. It seems like either one would hold on better to its Big Bang lead-in and help the rest of the night more-so than Life in Pieces. The biggest trouble came at 10pm where Elementary was down four tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo for easy new series lows This show had a rough fall last season but recovered a bit in the spring but now it's even worse this fall. It was just a tenth ahead of the dead in the water The Player.

On ABC, Grey's Anatomy was down half a million viewers and a tenth in the demo. Scandal was down three tenths in viewers and even in the demo. The good news is it didn't drop from its lead-in, the bad news is it couldn't recover from its season low last week. At 10pm, How to Get Away with Murder was up two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. This TGIT trio has its fall finales next week. On NBC, Heroes: Reborn came mostly back down from its odd spike last week. It was down two tenths in viewers and the demo. At 9pm, The Blacklist was up four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. This show continues to have to be on an island and getting a 1.5 with what it's surrounded by is no small feat. The Player closed things out up two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. Finally on FOX, Bones was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. Remind me why this show didn't get a spot on the midseason schedule when it's doing better than a lot of current FOX shows. At 9pm, Sleepy Hollow was dead even with last week.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Elementary (CBS)

CANCELLATION ALERT: Wicked City

It took until November 13, but we finally have our first official cancellation of the season with ABC's Wicked City. Plenty of shows have had their orders trimmed, a de facto cancellation, but have yet to get the official notice as networks have been patient and let shows air out their episodes. Wicked City bucked that trend by hitting a 0.4 demo, tied for the lowest in-season demo number ever for a new episode on the big four networks. The show was yanked after just three episodes and will be replaced by Shark Tank reruns for the time being. Mind you, this was the slot originally planned for Quantico and then Beyond the Tank, but it ended up going to Wicked City.

Tuesdays at 10pm continues to be a riddle ABC can't solve. It hasn't had a consistent performer here since NYPD Blue. In 2013-14, there were three shows cancelled in this slot over the course of the season. Last year, Forever lasted the whole year but didn't make it to year two though its ratings look pretty favorable compared to Wicked. I wouldn't be shocked to see Beyond the Tank here at midseason, but I think the right move is to bring Castle here and let something new (or newer) air after The Bachelor and Dancing with the Stars on Mondays.

Since this blog started, the first official cancellations have been: Manhattan Love Story (2014), Lucky 7 (2013), Made in Jersey (2012), The Playboy Club (2011), and Lone Star (2010). This is the third year in a row that ABC has had the first cancellation.

RATINGS RECAP: 11/11/15

ABC
8:00 The Middle
Viewers: 7.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
8:30 The Goldbergs
Viewers: 7.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:00 Modern Family
Viewers: 8.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7
9:30 Black-ish
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
10:00 Nashville
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 9.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:00 Criminal Minds
Viewers: 8.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
10:00 Code Black
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 10.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
9:00 Law & Order: SVU
Viewers: 7.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
10:00 Chicago PD
Viewers: 6.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

FOX
8:00 Rosewood
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:00 Empire
Viewers: 11.2 million, 18-49 demo: 4.2

It was a pretty decent night for the broadcast networks on Wednesday night as three shows were above a 2.0 demo in both the 8pm and 9pm hours, a rare occurrence these days. NBC started things off with a special edition of The Voice and it powered NBC to a strong 8pm hour, though it was down from its usual Monday & Tuesday numbers, which was expected. It also helped Law & Order: SVU rise 1.2 million viewers and half a demo point for a season high. This show seems to always benefit big from a Voice lead-in. At 10pm, Chicago PD was up three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. On FOX, Rosewood was up a tenth in viewers but down a tenth in the demo, tying a series low. Empire took another hit as it fell half a million viewers and a rough four tenths in the demo. It's getting closer to its series low - the 3.8 it got for the series premiere back in January.

ABC had its regular lineup back after the CMA Awards last week. The Middle was up two tenths in viewers and even in the demo to start off the night. The Goldbergs followed and was up a tenth in viewers but down a tenth in the demo. At 9pm, Modern Family was up four tenths in viewers and even in the demo from its last new airing three weeks ago. Black-ish was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Interesting that it did better two weeks ago when it followed a Modern Family repeat. The worst performance was at 10pm where Nashville was up four tenths in viewers but down a tenth in the demo to tie a series low. The three 10pm shows on ABC this week have gotten a 1.0, 0.4, and 1.0 demo. Yikes. Finally on CBS, Survivor was up two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Criminal Minds stopped the bleeding and was up seven tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo for the first rise of its season. Code Black was up half a million viewers and even in the demo at 10pm. It has at least been consistent so I could see CBS possibly giving it a few additional episodes.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Law & Order: SVU (NBC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Nashville (ABC)

RATINGS RECAP: 11/10/15

ABC
8:00 The Muppets
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
8:30 Fresh Off the Boat
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
10:00 Wicked City
Viewers: 1.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4

CBS
8:00 NCIS
Viewers: 16.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
9:00 NCIS: New Orleans
Viewers: 12.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 Limitless
Viewers: 7.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 10.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7
10:00 Chicago Fire
Viewers: 8.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0

FOX
8:00 Grandfathered
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
8:30 The Grinder
Viewers: 2.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 Scream Queens
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

Tuesday night had a Republican presidential debate on FOX Business Network but they are not quite the mammoth draws they were at first so there was less of a hit on the networks. NBC added to the competition with a two hour edition of The Voice. It was up seven tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo from its last regular episode two weeks ago. At 10pm, Chicago Fire was up a tenth in viewers and two tenths in the demo for a season high. This show has come on strong in recent weeks after a slow start to the season and that bodes well for next week where it has to follow Chicago Med instead of The Voice. I would also think this bodes well for Chicago Med because there's some positive vibes for the Chicago franchise at the moment.

ABC was perhaps hit the hardest with the competition and everything was down to hit or tie a series low. The Muppets fell seven tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo to a weak 1.2. Fresh Off the Boat was down seven tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo to tie its series low from March. Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was down three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo, also tying a series low from last spring. Then, disaster struck at 10pm where Wicked City was down seven tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo to an absolutely awful 0.4. I know the bar is lower for shows getting pulled these days and plenty of shows are allowed to air out their runs, but I can't imagine this will get another week. ABC could air a repeat of almost anything and get a 0.4 demo. Just for comparisons sake, mega-bombs Truth Be Told and Minority Report have never gone lower than a 0.6 demo.

On CBS, NCIS was down 1.3 million viewers but even in the demo. It held up exceptionally well with competition from The Voice, which bodes well for the veteran drama as The Voice will now air regularly in the 8pm slot. NCIS: New Orleans was down 1.8 million viewers and two tenths in the demo. The viewer total is a series low but this show is on the better end of the switch of The Voice. It will now face Chicago Med, which may do fine but will not do Voice numbers. At 10pm, Limitless was down eight tenths in viewers and even in the demo. Finally on FOX, Grandfathered was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo while The Grinder was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. These shows will move to 8:30 and 9:30, respectively, in January surrounded by New Girl and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. At 9pm, Scream Queens was up a tenth in viewers and down a tenth in the demo.

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