RATINGS RECAP: 3/29/17

ABC
8:00 The Goldbergs
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
8:30 Imaginary Mary
Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:00 Modern Family
Viewers: 6.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:30 Black-ish
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
10:00 Designated Survivor
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 8.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
9:00 Criminal Minds
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
10:00 Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

NBC
8:00 Blindspot
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Law & Order: SVU
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 Chicago PD
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

FOX
8:00 Shots Fired
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 Empire
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4

CW
8:00 Arrow
Viewers: 1.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
9:00 The 100
Viewers: 1.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3

Wednesday night had the preview of a new Tuesday bound comedy on ABC. First up though, The Goldbergs was up seven tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for a nice rebound from its last airing. That led to the premiere of Imaginary Mary at 8:30pm. It was up a tenth from the last Speechless airing but worse retention out of The Goldbergs. This wasn't a terrible showing but it also wasn't a huge sampling so I feel pretty down on its chances airing in the more difficult Tuesday 9:30pm slot. At 9pm, Modern Family was up seven tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for its best performance since February 8. It seemed like it might not get back to the 2s this season but here it is. At 9:30pm, Black-ish was even with its last airing despite all the earlier half hours being up. At 10pm, Designated Survivor was even with last week, which followed all comedy repeats. On CBS, Survivor was up two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo for a high for this edition. At 9pm, Criminal Minds was down six tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo but Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders was up two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo.

FOX did not have a horrible week two from Shots Fired. After last week's low debut, it dipped nine tenths in viewers but just a tenth in the demo. This was not a bad second week drop at all but it also started quite low so that's part of the problem. At this point, it's still got a fighting chance. At 9pm, Empire was down 1.1 million viewers and four tenths in the demo for a new series low. Yes, it still has a 2.4 demo but it was down 50% from its year-ago airing. This is decelerating at a fast rate still which is troubling. On NBC, Blindspot was even with last week but Law & Order: SVU was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo to tie a series low set in May 2016. At 10pm, Chicago PD was down three tenths in viewers but even in the demo. Finally on the CW, Arrow was up two tenths in viewers and even in the demo while The 100 was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo.

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

PILOT REVIEW: Imaginary Mary

IMAGINARY MARY

Starring: Jenna Elfman, Stephen Schneider, Nicholas Coombe, Matreya Scarrwener, Erica Tremblay, and Rachel Dratch

Created by Adam F. Goldberg, David Guarascio, and Patrick Osborne
Written by Adam F. Goldberg, David Guarascio, & Patrick Osborne, Directed by Shawn Levy

Imaginary Mary is another comedy in the ABC family comedy genre which means similar types of kids and some sort of twist. But this time it's not an 80s family or a black family or an Asian American family or a family with a gay son or a child with a disability or an overweight mom. No, this one is a little bit weirder. It centers Alice (Jenna Elfman), a woman who had an imaginary friend named Mary (voiced by Rachel Dratch) throughout her childhood. When she falls for a single dad, Ben (Stephen Schneider), Mary reappears just as she is about to meet his three children (Nicholas Coombe, Matreya Scarrwener, Erica Tremblay).

My first instinct watching the opening montage of Alice growing up with Mary was that it was creepy but weirdly endearing. It ended up not being too much of either for the show. While this certainly fits into the ABC comedy wheelhouse, there's nothing here that really elevates it among the growing number of family comedies on the network that are starting to resemble each other a bit. While shows like Black-ish, The Goldbergs, and Fresh Off the Boat took their "twist" on the family comedy and embedded it as part of the show, this feels more like a gimmick. I'm just not sure how Mary is going to factor into every episode without it seeming forced.

I've also just always been mixed on Jenna Elfman. She's been in a lot of flops in the last decade and hasn't had a hit show since Dharma & Greg yet it seems like she pops up in a pilot every other year or so. I don't dislike her but her shtick is pretty tired by now and I kind of knew what her character would be like before we even met her. Rachel Dratch voicing Mary was a good idea because she has a lot of personality in her voice. Stephen Schneider and the kids were pretty forgettable. With so many great kids on ABC family sitcoms, I'm not convinced any of these three can measure up.

What makes the successful ABC comedies work is strong performances and a very loose premise that can allow for character-driven stories. Imaginary Mary may eventually meet that criteria but right now, it seems as though it's going to feel a whole lot more forced than it needs to be. Other than a funny moment at the bar with Elfman singing opposite her imaginary friend, did the "Mary" character really make a difference in the plot? I don't see this being the next great family comedy.

WILL I WATCH IT AGAIN?
I'm sure I'll give it at least another episode. I was ambivalent about American Housewife but have grown to enjoy it. I'm less optimistic on this one.

CANCELLATION ALERT: Time After Time

In just the second instance this whole season, a show has been pulled from a network's lineup. ABC cancelled Time After Time today after four weeks and five episodes. Despite tons of promotion, the time traveling drama delivered a weak 2.5 million viewers and 0.7 demo in its two hour debut on March 5. It has since crashed as low as 1.8 million viewers and a 0.4 demo. It will be replaced for now with Match Game while the equally low-rated American Crime will remain on the air and will probably be allowed to finish its run this spring.

RATINGS RECAP: 3/28/17

ABC
8:00 The Middle (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
8:30 American Housewife (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 American Housewife (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:30 Fresh Off the Boat (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
10:00 People Icons
Viewers: 2.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

CBS
8:00 NCIS
Viewers: 14.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
9:00 Bull
Viewers: 10.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
10:00 NCIS: New Orleans
Viewers: 9.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 10.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:00 Trial & Error
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:30 Trial & Error
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
10:00 Chicago Fire
Viewers: 6.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

FOX
8:00 New Girl
Viewers: 2.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
8:30 The Mick
Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Bones
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

CW
8:00 The Flash
Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 DC's Legends of Tomorrow
Viewers: 1.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

On Tuesday night, Bones signed off of FOX after 12 years. It was up eight tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for a small finale bounce. This is a show that hung around too long but it got a final go-round for the longtime fans. FOX doesn't need Bones anymore but they could definitely use a show that is a utility player like Bones was for so long. Earlier in the night for FOX, New Girl was up two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo while The Mick was up a tenth in viewers and the demo. It was a solid night for CBS. At 8pm, NCIS was up two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Bull aired a new episode for the first time in nearly a month and was up half a million viewers and even in the demo for a sixth straight episode. At 10pm, NCIS: New Orleans was down eight tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo from its two hour episode that aired two weeks ago.

On NBC, The Voice was down six tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. After an OK second week, it was not a good third week for Trial & Error. The new comedy was down two tenths in the demo for the 9pm episode and three tenths in the demo for the 9:30pm episode to a weak 0.8. I know The Voice is getting weaker each week but this needs to be doing than a 0.8 demo just half an hour after The Voice. At 10pm, Chicago Fire was down half a million viewers and a tenth in the demo to tie a series low last set in February 2015. On the CW, The Flash was down three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo to tie a series low while DC's Legends of Tomorrow was down a tenth in viewers and the demo. Finally on ABC, the last scheduled airing of People Icons was down 1.1 million viewers and two tenths in the demo. Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. returns to this slot next week.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Bones (FOX)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Trial & Error (NBC)

RATINGS RECAP: 3/27/17

ABC
8:00 Dancing with the Stars
Viewers: 11.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 Quantico
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
8:30 Kevin Can Wait (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Superior Donuts
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:30 The Great Indoors
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
10:00 Scorpion (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 10.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
10:00 Taken
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

FOX
8:00 24: Legacy
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 APB
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

CW
8:00 Supergirl
Viewers: 2.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 Jane the Virgin
Viewers: 0.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3

After a big premiere last week, Dancing with the Stars on ABC was down a million viewers and a rough four tenths in the demo on Monday night. Last week this was an overperformer so this is more in line with what I was expecting for Dancing. At 10pm, Quantico was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. On CBS, only the 9pm hour was new. Despite following repeats, the just renewed Superior Donuts was up a tenth in viewers and the demo. A special airing of The Great Indoors aired at 9:30pm and hit a series low. This does not help this bubble show's chances. On NBC, The Voice was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo while Taken was up three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. On FOX, 24: Legacy was down a tenth in viewers and up a tenth in the demo but APB was down a tenth in viewers and the demo to a new series low. Finally on the CW, Supergirl was up a tenth in viewers and the demo while Jane the Virgin was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: The Voice (NBC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: APB (FOX)

WEEKLY RECAP: March 20-26, 2017

Here is my weekly recap for Week #27. Please note this only covers regularly scheduled shows (no sports, specials, repeats, or Saturday shows). It also does not cover CW in the ratings section to make past year comparisons more accurate.

Past Week 27s:   2016   2015

TOP 10 SHOWS (18-49 DEMO)
1. Empire (FOX, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 2.8    10th week
2. 60 Minutes (CBS, Sunday 7:35pm) - 2.5    10th week
3. The Voice (NBC, Monday 8:00pm) - 2.4    17th week
4. The Voice (NBC, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 2.3    16th week
5. Dancing with the Stars (ABC, Monday 8:00pm) - 2.1    3rd week
6. Grey's Anatomy (ABC, Thursday 9:00pm) - 1.9    17th week
7. Survivor (CBS, Wednesday 8:00pm) - 1.7    15th week
    Little Big Shots (NBC, Sunday 8:00pm) - 1.7    4th week
9. NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS, Sunday 8:35pm) - 1.6    3rd week
10. Chicago Fire (NBC, Tuesday 10:00pm) - 1.5    8th week

TOP 10 SHOWS (TOTAL VIEWERS)
1. 60 Minutes (CBS, Sunday 7:35pm) - 14.7 million    21st week
2. Dancing with the Stars (ABC, Monday 8:00pm) - 12.1 million    10th week
3. NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS, Sunday 8:35pm) - 11.2 million    16th week
4. The Voice (NBC, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 10.8 million    14th week
5. The Voice (NBC, Monday 8:00pm) - 10.7 million    17th week
6. Little Big Shots (NBC, Sunday 8:00pm) - 9.8 million    4th week
7. Madam Secretary (CBS, Sunday 9:35pm) - 8.8 million    8th week
8. Survivor (CBS, Wednesday 8:00pm) - 8.1 million    6th week
9. Empire (FOX, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 8.0 million    5th week
10. Grey's Anatomy (ABC, Thursday 8:00pm) - 7.8 million    6th week

BOTTOM 10 SHOWS (18-49 DEMO)
1. American Crime (ABC, Sunday 10:00pm) - 0.3    3rd week
2. Time After Time (ABC, Sunday 9:00pm) - 0.4    4th week
3. Sleepy Hollow (FOX, Friday 9:00pm) - 0.5    12th week
4. Kicking & Screaming (FOX, Thursday 9:00pm) - 0.6    3rd week
5. Quantico (ABC, Monday 10:00pm) - 0.7    14th week
    APB (FOX, Monday 9:00pm) - 0.7    3rd week
    People Icons (ABC, Tuesday 10:00pm) - 0.7    4th week
    The Catch (ABC, Thursday 10:00pm) - 0.7    2nd week
    The Blacklist: Redemption (NBC, Thursday 10:00pm) - 0.7    3rd week
    20/20 (ABC, Friday 10:00pm) - 0.7    11th week
    Making History (FOX, Sunday 8:30pm) - 0.7    3rd week

BOTTOM 10 SHOWS (TOTAL VIEWERS)
1. Making History (FOX, Sunday 8:30pm) - 1.5 million    4th week
2. American Crime (ABC, Sunday 10:00pm) - 1.6 million    2nd week
3. Time After Time (ABC, Sunday 9:00pm) - 1.9 million    4th week
    Bob's Burgers (FOX, Sunday 7:30pm) - 1.9 million    12th week
5. New Girl (FOX, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 2.0 million    20th week
    Kicking & Screaming (FOX, Thursday 9:00pm) - 2.0 million    3rd week
    Sleepy Hollow (FOX, Friday 9:00pm) - 2.0 million    12th week
    The Last Man on Earth (FOX, Sunday 9:30pm) - 2.0 million    13th week
9. Family Guy (FOX, Sunday 9:00pm) - 2.2 million    12th week
10. The Mick (FOX, Tuesday 8:30pm) - 2.3 million    10th week

WINNERS OF THE NIGHT
Monday - Dancing with the Stars (ABC)    1st week
Tuesday - People Icons (ABC)    1st week
Wednesday - Empire (FOX)    2nd week
Thursday - Superstore (NBC)    1st week
Friday - The Originals (CW)    1st week
Sunday - NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS)    4th week

LOSERS OF THE NIGHT
Monday - 24: Legacy (FOX)    2nd week
Tuesday - The Mick (FOX)    2nd week
Wednesday - Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders (CBS)    2nd week
Thursday - Scandal (ABC)    1st week
Friday - Dr. Ken (ABC)    2nd week
Sunday - American Crime (ABC)    2nd week

RATINGS RECAP: 3/26/17

ABC
7:00 America's Funniest Home Videos
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
8:00 Once Upon a Time
Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Time After Time
Viewers: 1.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
10:00 American Crime
Viewers: 1.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3

CBS
7:00 NCAA Tournament Overrun
Viewers: 20.7 million, 18-49 demo: 5.2
7:35 60 Minutes
Viewers: 14.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5
8:35 NCIS: Los Angeles
Viewers: 11.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
9:35 Madam Secretary
Viewers: 8.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:35 Elementary
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

NBC
7:00 Little Big Shots (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
8:00 Little Big Shots
Viewers: 9.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:00 Chicago Justice
Viewers: 5.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
10:00 Shades of Blue
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

FOX
7:00 The Simpsons (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
7:30 Bob's Burgers
Viewers: 1.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
8:30 Making History
Viewers: 1.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 Family Guy
Viewers: 2.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:30 The Last Man on Earth
Viewers: 2.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

On Sunday night, CBS had a huge basketball lead-in with a nail-biter of a game. It helped the whole lineup rise significantly. 60 Minutes was up 3.8 million viewers and nine tenths in the demo for its best performance since football season. NCIS: Los Angeles was up 2.1 million viewers and half a demo point for its best performance since November 13. This has quietly been one of the best moves made by any network. Madam Secretary was up 1.2 million viewers and three tenths in the demo while Elementary was up nine tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for its best performance since October 23. On NBC, Little Big Shots was up two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo for a solid showing. Chicago Justice was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo while Shades of Blue was up three tenths in viewers and even in the demo. I still think this lineup should be doing better but at least it was steady.

On ABC, America's Funniest Home Videos was up three tenths in viewers and even in the demo while Once Upon a Time was up two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. 0.9 demos are nothing to write home about but they look downright impressive compared to the second half of ABC's night. At 9pm, Time After Time was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo while American Crime explored new lows for a Big 4 broadcast network by dropping three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo to a horrible 0.3. A repeat of almost anything would do the same or better for ABC. Finally on FOX, an hour of Bob's Burgers aired starting at 7:30pm and was even in viewers and up a tenth in the demo from last week's half hour episode. At 8:30pm, Making History was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo for a third straight week. At 9pm, Family Guy was down a tenth in viewers and the demo while The Last Man on Earth rounded things out even in viewers and up a tenth in the demo.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: American Crime (ABC)

PILOT REVIEW: Shots Fired

SHOTS FIRED

Starring: Sanaa Lathan, Stephan James, Stephen Moyer, Will Patton, Mack Wilds, Aisha Hinds, DeWanda Wise, Clare-Hope Ashitey, Conor Leslie

Created by Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Rock Bythewood
Written by Gina Prince-Bythewood & Reggie Rock Bythewood, Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood

Shots Fired is a new event series on FOX that turns a hot button political issue upside down when a black cop shoots an unarmed white man in a small South Carolina town. An investigator and special prosecutor (Sanaa Lathan and Stephan James) are sent to investigate and uncover layers of racial and societal issues in the small town. The large ensemble includes recurring roles by Helen Hunt as the governor, Jill Hennessy as the victim's mother, and Richard Dreyfuss (not seen in the pilot).

I think this is an interesting concept and I loved the title sequence and the edginess it was portraying. But the actual show felt a little plodding and more like it was trying to be important rather than actually being important. The opening was promising with a scene that's become all too familiar in recent years but with a switch-up with regards to race. Already, I felt like that was a compelling story. Then I felt even better in the first scene with Helen Hunt who was great to see back on TV. She's a pro and it showed even in a fairly short scene.

But after that, it started to lose its way and that's disappointing given the storyline and the stellar cast. I could care less about the personal lives of Lathan and James' characters and the pilot spent far too much time on that. This is being billed as an "event series" which makes me think that should a renewal happen, it would not be the same characters anyway. So why are we worrying so much about dealing with drinking problems, family problems, and love lives? It just doesn't seem all that necessary for a show like this.

I'm still curious to see how this is going to shake out and what's going to happen to the case but the pilot makes me wary that the people behind this show are not smart enough to write something well written enough to match the prestige it is obviously trying for. This is a show that's trying so hard to be important and its obvious attempts do nothing but derail its ambition. Between this cast and this premise, it deserves better.

WILL I WATCH IT AGAIN?
Yes, I'll watch one more to see if it can find its way plus I'm curious to see Richard Dreyfuss (if he shows up in episode two).

RATINGS RECAP: 3/24/17

ABC
8:00 Last Man Standing
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
8:30 Dr. Ken
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 Shark Tank (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

CBS
8:00 NCAA Tournament
Viewers: 8.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4

NBC
8:00 Grimm
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

FOX
8:00 Rosewood (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
9:00 Sleepy Hollow
Viewers: 2.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

CW
8:00 The Originals
Viewers: 1.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
9:00 Reign
Viewers: 0.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.2

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: The Originals (CW)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Dr. Ken (ABC)

RATINGS RECAP: 3/23/17

ABC
8:00 Grey's Anatomy
Viewers: 7.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
9:00 Scandal
Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
10:00 The Catch
Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

CBS
8:00 NCAA Basketball Tournament
Viewers: 7.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1

NBC
8:00 Superstore
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
8:30 Trial & Error (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
9:00 Chicago Med (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
10:00 The Blacklist: Redemption
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

FOX
8:00 Masterchef Junior
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Kicking & Screaming
Viewers: 2.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

CW
8:00 Supernatural (Repeat)
Viewers: 0.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.2
9:00 Supernatural (Repeat)
Viewers: 0.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3

On Thursday night, CBS aired the second week of the NCAA Basketball Tournament. With less competing games, it was up nicely from last week. On ABC, Grey's Anatomy was down a tenth in viewers and the demo, tying a series low in the latter category. Scandal was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo for a new series low. I really think it's time for Scandal to announce that 2017-18 will be the final season. Yes, it's still doing decently by ABC drama standards but the trajectory is hard to ignore. At 10pm, The Catch was down four tenths in viewers and even in the demo. On NBC, Superstore was even. It is very consistent no matter what is going on around it or what it's competing with. Repeats followed until 10pm where The Blacklist: Redemption was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. Finally on FOX, Masterchef Junior was down two tenths in viewers and even in the demo while Kicking & Screaming was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Superstore (NBC)
LOSER OF TH ENIGHT: Scandal (ABC)

RATINGS RECAP: 3/22/17

ABC
8:00 The Goldbergs (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
8:30 Speechless (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 Modern Family (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:30 Black-ish (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
10:00 Designated Survivor
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 8.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:00 Criminal Minds
Viewers: 7.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
10:00 Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

NBC
8:00 Blindspot
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Law & Order: SVU
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
10:00 Chicago PD
Viewers: 6.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

FOX
8:00 Shots Fired
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Empire
Viewers: 8.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.8

CW
8:00 Arrow
Viewers: 1.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
9:00 The 100
Viewers: 0.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3

On Wednesday night, Empire returned to FOX and it still has some juice in it. First up though, FOX premiered Shots Fired to pretty low numbers. At just 4.7 million viewers and a 1.1 demo, it was well below anything Lethal Weapon was doing in front of Empire in the fall. That being said, Shots Fired would have probably been ever more DOA if wasn't airing before Empire. Then Empire returned up four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo from its fall finale. It was way down in a year to year comparison but the fact that it was up a bit from the fall finale shows that it is far from plummeting. It still can't be overstated that this remains one of TV's top shows. After a couple good weeks, Designated Survivor on ABC had to air behind repeats this week and dropped half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo to tie a series low.

NBC had its regular Wednesday lineup fully new for the first time in a month. Blindspot was up two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. Law & Order: SVU was down six tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Chicago PD was down three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo from its last regular 10pm airing to tie a series low. On CBS, Survivor was up two tenths in viewers and even in the demo for its third straight 1.7 to start this edition. At 9pm, Criminal Minds was even while Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders was down six tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo to a new series low. Finally on the CW, both Arrow and The 100 were both down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo.

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

RATINGS RECAP: 3/21/17

ABC
8:00 The Middle (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
8:30 American Housewife (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 Fresh Off the Boat (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:30 Black-ish (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
10:00 People Icons
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

CBS
8:00 NCIS (Repeat)
Viewers: 9.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Bull (Repeat)
Viewers: 7.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
10:00 NCIS: New Orleans (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 10.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
9:00 Trial & Error
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:30 Trial & Error
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 Chicago Fire
Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

FOX
8:00 New Girl
Viewers: 2.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
8:30 The Mick
Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 Bones
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

CW
8:00 The Flash
Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 DC's Legends of Tomorrow
Viewers: 1.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

Tuesday night marked the first Tuesday without This is Us for NBC and they certainly missed their powerhouse. At 8pm, The Voice was down nine tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. Trial & Error moved to its regular 9pm slot and the results were OK. The 9pm wasn't too far off of last week's 10pm premiere following the big This is Us finale and the 9:30pm episode topped last week's 10:30pm episode. Overall, this was a better week for the freshman comedy I think. At 10pm, Chicago Fire was even in viewers and down a tenth in the demo from its last Tuesday episode a month ago. On ABC, only People Icons was new. It was up half a million viewers and a tenth in the demo. This cheap filler show is now beating Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s recent numbers. On FOX, New Girl was up two tenths in viewers and even in the demo while The Mick was down a tenth in viewers and the demo to a new series low. The penultimate episode of Bones was up 1.1 million viewers and a tenth in the demo. It will be interesting to see how much of a bounce it gets for the finale. Finally on the CW, The Flash was up three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo while DC's Legends of Tomorrow was up four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: People Icons (ABC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: The Mick (FOX)

RENEWAL ALERT: Bull, MacGyver, Kevin Can Wait, Man with a Plan, Superior Donuts, Hawaii Five-0, Blue Bloods, NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, Scorpion, Madam Secretary, Life in Pieces, Mom, Survivor, 60 Minutes, 48 Hours

As they often do, CBS handed out a flurry of renewals all at once, joining the previously renewed The Big Bang Theory and NCIS. 

CBS renewed five freshman for a good showing for the new class. Dramas Bull and MacGyver and comedies Kevin Can Wait, Man with a Plan, and Superior Donuts were all given second seasons. Most of these were expected but perhaps Superior Donuts was the most on the bubble. However, it has fit in very well in the Monday lineup and CBS rewarded it with a renewal.

Several mainstay dramas and comedies got renewals too: Hawaii Five-0 (season 8), Blue Bloods (season 8), NCIS: Los Angeles (season 9), NCIS: New Orleans (season 4), Scorpion (season 4), Madam Secretary (season 4), Life in Pieces (season 3), Mom (season 5), Survivor (35th/36th edition), 60 Minutes (season 50!), and 48 Hours (season 31). None of these are major shocks. Maybe the most on the bubble was Madam Secretary but even that's not surprising.

The shows notably missing from this list are 2 Broke Girls, Code Black, Criminal Minds, Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, Elementary, The Great Indoors, Hunted, and Undercover Boss. At least a few of those will get renewed and it could be several of them. Shows that are not likely continuing are The Odd Couple, Pure Genius, Ransom, and Training Day.

RATINGS RECAP: 3/20/17

ABC
8:00 Dancing with the Stars
Viewers: 12.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
10:00 Quantico
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

CBS
8:00 Kevin Can Wait
Viewers: 5.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
8:30 Man with a Plan
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 Superior Donuts
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:30 2 Broke Girls
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
10:00 Scorpion
Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 10.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
10:00 Taken
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

FOX
8:00 24: Legacy
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 APB
Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

CW
8:00 Supergirl
Viewers: 2.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
9:00 Jane the Virgin
Viewers: 0.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3

On Monday night, Dancing with the Stars returned in a surprisingly big way. It delivered 12.1 million viewers and a 2.1 demo. This was on par with its fall premiere and way up from last spring's 1.8 demo premiere. I thought this season didn't have much buzz but apparently I was wrong. This was a very healthy return. It was barely any help to Quantico though, which was up eight tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. It looks like it will get to continue to air here the rest of the season but that's a waste by ABC. On NBC, The Voice took a hit from Dancing. It was down 1.5 million viewers and two tenths in the demo. No surprise that it took a big hit in total viewers. At 10pm, Taken was down a million viewers and a rough three tenths in the demo. After an OK hold last week, the wheels fell off here and its chances are looking pretty bad again.

It was another week of inching down for more series lows for the CBS comedies. Kevin Can Wait had a rough outing, dropping nine tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. The other comedies also hit series lows and they clearly suffered in total audience drops thanks to the return of Dancing with the Stars. Man with a Plan and Superior Donuts were both down a million viewers and a tenth in the demo while 2 Broke Girls was down eight tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. At 10pm, Scorpion held on better as it was down just a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. On FOX, 24: Legacy was another show that had a rough week, dropping six tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. Yikes. At 9pm, APB was down four tenths in viewers and even in the demo.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Dancing with the Stars (ABC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: 24: Legacy (FOX)

WEEKLY RECAP: March 13-19, 2017

Here is my weekly recap for Week #26. Please note this only covers regularly scheduled shows (no sports, specials, repeats, or Saturday shows). It also does not cover CW in the ratings section to make past year comparisons more accurate.

Past Week 26s:   2016   2015

TOP 10 SHOWS (18-49 DEMO)
1. This is Us (NBC, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 3.4    18th week
2. The Bachelor (ABC, Monday 8:00pm) - 2.7    11th week
3. The Voice (NBC, Monday 8:00pm) - 2.6    16th week
4. The Voice (NBC, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 2.5    15th week
5. Grey's Anatomy (ABC, Thursday 8:00pm) - 2.0    16th week
6. Modern Family (ABC, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 1.9    17th week
7. Survivor (CBS, Wednesday 8:00pm) - 1.7    14th week
8. The Middle (ABC, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 1.6    6th week
    The Voice (NBC, Wednesday 8:00pm) - 1.6    Special Airing
    60 Minutes (CBS, Sunday 7:35pm) 1.6    9th week
    Little Big Shots (NBC, Sunday 8:00pm) - 1.6    3rd week

TOP 10 SHOWS (TOTAL VIEWERS)
1. NCIS (CBS, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 14.2 million    18th week
2. This is Us (NBC, Tuesday 10:00pm) - 12.8 million    14th week
3. The Voice (NBC, Monday 8:00pm) - 12.2 million    16th week
4. The Voice (NBC, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 11.7 million    13th week
5. 60 Minutes (CBS, Sunday 7:35pm) - 10.9 million    20th week
6. NCIS: New Orleans (CBS, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 10.4 million    12th week
7. Little Big Shots (NBC, Sunday 8:00pm) - 9.6 million    3rd week
8. NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS, Sunday 8:35pm) - 9.1 million    15th week
9. The Bachelor (ABC, Monday 8:00pm) - 8.4 million    11th week
10. Survivor (CBS, Wednesday 8:00pm) - 7.9 million    5th week
      Grey's Anatomy (ABC, Thursday 8:00pm) - 7.9 million     5th week

BOTTOM 10 SHOWS (18-49 DEMO)
1. Sleepy Hollow (FOX, Friday 9:00pm) - 0.4    11th week
    Time After Time (ABC, Sunday 9:00pm) - 0.4    3rd week
    American Crime (ABC, Sunday 10:00pm) - 0.4    2nd week
4. People Icons (ABC, Tuesday 10:00pm) - 0.6    3rd week
    Kicking & Screaming (FOX, Thursday 9:00pm) - 0.6    2nd week
    Elementary (CBS, Sunday 10:35pm) - 0.6    16th week
7. APB (FOX, Monday 9:00pm) - 0.7    2nd week
    Bones (FOX, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 0.7    7th week
    The Catch (ABC, Thursday 10:00pm) - 0.7    1st week
    The Blacklist: Redemption (NBC, Thursday 10:00pm) - 0.7    2nd week
    Making History (FOX, Sunday 8:30pm) - 0.7    2nd week

BOTTOM 10 SHOWS (TOTAL VIEWERS)
1. Making History (FOX, Sunday 8:30pm) - 1.6 million    3rd week
2. New Girl (FOX, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 1.8 million    19th week
    Sleepy Hollow (FOX, Friday 9:00pm) - 1.8 million    11th week
    Time After Time (ABC, Sunday 9:00pm) - 1.8 million    3rd week
5. Kicking & Screaming (FOX, Thursday 9:00pm) - 1.9 million    2nd week
    Bob's Burgers (FOX, Sunday 7:30pm) - 1.9 million    11th week
    American Crime (ABC, Sunday 10:00pm) - 1.9 million    1st week
8. The Last Man on Earth (FOX, Sunday 9:30pm) - 2.0 million    12th week
9. Family Guy (FOX, Sunday 9:00pm) - 2.3 million    11th week
10. Bones (FOX, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 2.5 million    6th week

WINNERS OF THE NIGHT
Monday - The Bachelor (ABC)    4th week
Tuesday - This is Us (NBC)    10th week
Wednesday - Black-ish (ABC)    2nd week
Thursday - Chicago Med (NBC)    4th week
Friday - Truth and Lies: The Family Manson (ABC)    Special Airing
Sunday - 60 Minutes (CBS)    6th week

LOSERS OF THE NIGHT
Monday - Man with a Plan (CBS)    2nd week
Tuesday - Trial & Error (NBC)    1st week (NEW SHOW)
Wednesday - The Goldbergs (ABC)    1st week
Thursday - Kicking & Screaming (FOX)    1st week
Friday - The Originals (CW)    1st week (New Season)
Sunday - Time After Time (ABC)    2nd week

RATINGS RECAP: 3/19/17

ABC
7:00 America's Funniest Home Videos
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
8:00 Once Upon a Time
Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 Time After Time
Viewers: 1.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
10:00 American Crime
Viewers: 1.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4

CBS
7:00 NCAA Tournament Overrun
Viewers: 12.6 million, 18-49 demo: 3.3
7:35 60 Minutes
Viewers: 10.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
8:35 NCIS: Los Angeles
Viewers: 9.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:35 Madam Secretary
Viewers: 7.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
10:35 Elementary
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

NBC
7:00 Little Big Shots (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
8:00 Little Big Shots
Viewers: 9.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
9:00 Chicago Justice
Viewers: 5.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
10:00 Shades of Blue
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

FOX
7:00 Bob's Burgers (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
7:30 Bob's Burgers
Viewers: 1.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
8:00 The Simpsons
Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
8:30 Making History
Viewers: 1.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 Family Guy
Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:30 The Last Man on Earth
Viewers: 2.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

On Sunday night, CBS had the NCAA tournament running into primetime and making the shows start 35 minutes late. 60 Minutes benefited from the bigger lead-in and was up nine tenths in viewers and four tenths in the demo. NCIS: Los Angeles didn't benefit from the halo effect as it was down two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. At 9:35pm, Madam Secretary was down six tenths in viewers and even in the demo while Elementary was down two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. On FOX, Bob's Burgers was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo for a solid 7:30pm showing. The Simpsons was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Making History and Family Guy followed and were both down two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. At 9:30pm, The Last Man on Earth dipped to a new series low as it was even in viewers but down a tenth in the demo.

It was a really ugly night for ABC. At 7pm, America's Funniest Home Videos was down four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. It topped the night for ABC with a 0.9 demo. At 8pm, Once Upon a Time hit a new series low, dropping four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. And then it got REALLY ugly. At 9pm, Time After Time was down half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo to a horrific 0.4. American Crime ended the night down eight tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo, also getting a 0.4. These ABC dramas are getting CW numbers. Yikes. Finally on NBC, everything was down but it wasn't as brutal as the ABC showing. At 8pm, Little Big Shots was down half a million viewers and a tenth in the demo. At 9pm, Chicago Justice was down seven tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. If it gets renewed (and I think it will), I think it is Friday-bound. At 10pm, the just renewed Shades of Blue was down seven tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo.

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

RENEWAL ALERT: The Big Bang Theory

CBS announced today that it has renewed The Big Bang Theory for an 11th and 12th season, which will take it through 2019.

The veteran comedy is still one of the top shows on TV and CBS paid a pretty penny to keep it around. It is a syndication beast and the vital cog that keeps the entire CBS comedy lineup afloat so this was probably money well spent. I'd be surprised if it goes beyond 12 seasons though. 12 seasons will put it ahead of long running comedies like Cheers, Friends, Frasier, and M*A*S*H. In fact, when it finishes season 12, it will tie My Three Sons and Two and a Half Men and only trail The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet as the longest running live action sitcoms.

CBS has not made many renewals yet but The Big Bang Theory joins NCIS and Big Brother on that list. Sure renewals are Blue Bloods, Bull, Hawaii Five-0, Kevin Can Wait, Mom, NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, Scorpion, Survivor and probably Criminal Minds. Likely renewals include Life in Pieces, MacGyver, Madam Secretary, Man with a Plan, and Superior Donuts. On the bubble is 2 Broke Girls, Code Black, Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, Elementary, The Great Indoors, Hunted, and Undercover Boss. Doubt has been cancelled and it's not looking good for The Odd Couple, Pure Genius, Ransom, and Training Day.

RATINGS RECAP: 3/17/17

ABC
8:00 Last Man Standing
Viewers: 6.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
8:30 Dr. Ken
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 Truth and Lies: The Family Manson
Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

CBS
8:00 NCAA Basketball Tournament
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

NBC
8:00 Grimm
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

FOX
8:00 Rosewood (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
9:00 Sleepy Hollow
Viewers: 1.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4

CW
8:00 The Originals
Viewers: 1.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3
9:00 Reign
Viewers: 0.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.2

On Friday night, CBS had more basketball which kept their drama lineup off the air. With The Vampire Diaries over, the CW replaced it with its spinoff, the new season of The Originals. The season premiere was down a tenth in the demo from the usual results of The Vampire Diaries. At 9pm, Reign was up two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. On ABC, Last Man Standing was up half a million viewers and even in the demo while Dr. Ken was up half a million viewers and even in the demo. Another true crime special, Truth and Lies: The Family Manson did decently for Friday night. On NBC, Grimm was even in viewers and up a tenth in the demo while Dateline NBC was up three tenths in viewers and down two tenths in the demo. Finally on FOX, Sleepy Hollow was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Truth and Lies: The Family Manson (ABC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: The Originals (CW)

RENEWAL ALERT: Shades of Blue

Just a couple episodes into its second season, Shades of Blue was renewed for a third season. The drama starring Jennifer Lopez and Ray Liotta did admirable in a Thursday 10pm slot last year, holding steady despite airing behind low-rated repeats for much of its run. It was moved to Sunday 10pm this spring and has done decently considering its circumstances once again.

Shades of Blue joins The Good Place, This is Us, Superstore, and The Voice as official renewals for next season. Sure to join them are Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Law & Order: SVU, and Little Big Shots. It's also looking good for The Blacklist, Chicago Justice, and Chicago Med. On the bubble is Blindspot, Taken, Timeless, and Trial & Error while it's not looking good for The Blacklist: Redemption, Caught on Camera with Nick Cannon, Emerald City, The New Celebrity Apprentice, and Powerless.

RATINGS RECAP: 3/16/17

ABC
8:00 Grey's Anatomy
Viewers: 7.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
9:00 Scandal
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
10:00 The Catch
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

CBS
8:00 NCAA Basketball Tournament
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

NBC
8:00 Superstore
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
8:30 Trial & Error (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 Chicago Med
Viewers: 7.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
10:00 The Blacklist: Redemption
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

FOX
8:00 Masterchef Junior
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Kicking & Screaming
Viewers: 1.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

CW
8:00 The Vampire Diaries (Repeat)
Viewers: 0.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.1
9:00 The Vampire Diaries: Forever Yours (Special - Repeat)
Viewers: 0.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.1

Thursday night had CBS airing the first day of March Madness. It didn't do all that much with games on several different channels. On ABC, Grey's Anatomy was up six tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo but the other two dramas couldn't follow. Scandal was up three tenths in viewers but even in the demo with last week's series low while The Catch was up a tenth in viewers but down a tenth in the demo to a weak 0.7. On NBC, Superstore was up seven tenths in viewers and even in the demo. An encore of Trial & Error was quietly subbed in for a new Powerless which doesn't bode well for Powerless. At 9pm, Chicago Med had a good week as it was up 1.1 million viewers and three tenths in the demo. It has sung from a 1.7 to a 1.1 to a 1.4 demo the past three weeks. At 10pm, The Blacklist: Redemption was up four tenths in viewers and even in the demo. On FOX, Masterchef Junior was up two tenths in viewers and even in the demo while week two of Kicking & Screaming was down three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Chicago Med (NBC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Kicking & Screaming (FOX)

RATINGS RECAP: 3/15/17

ABC
8:00 The Goldbergs
Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
8:30 Speechless
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 Modern Family
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
9:30 Black-ish
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
10:00 Designated Survivor
Viewers: 5.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 7.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:00 Criminal Minds
Viewers: 7.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
10:00 Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders
Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

NBC
8:00 The Voice Clip Show
Viewers: 7.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
10:00 Chicago PD (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

FOX
8:00 Lethal Weapon
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 Star
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

CW
8:00 Arrow
Viewers: 1.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
9:00 The 100
Viewers: 1.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3

Wednesday night marked the season finales for two FOX freshman dramas. At 8pm, Lethal Weapon was up a tenth in viewers and the demo while at 9pm, Star was up two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Both these dramas have performed decently especially by FOX standards and have been renewed for a second season. Next week is the premiere of Shots Fired and the return of Empire. On CBS, Survivor was up three tenths in viewers and even in the demo with last week's underwhelming premiere. At 9pm, Criminal Minds was up a million viewers but even in the demo as it skewed much older. Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders was even with last week's premiere. It had a lower but more compatible lead-in this week. On the CW, Arrow was down a tenth in viewers and the demo to tie a series low. The 100 hit a series low outright in the demo as it was even in viewers but dropped a tenth in the demo.

On ABC, The Goldbergs was down three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo while Speechless was down four tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. Both hit season lows last hit against Hairspray Live in December. It's also interesting to note that the Tuesday pair of The Middle and American Housewife did better than these two comedies this week. At 9pm, Modern Family was down four tenths in viewers and even in the demo. The viewer total was a new series low. At 9:30pm, Black-ish was down two tenths in viewers and up a tenth in the demo despite the other comedies being even or down. At 10pm, Designated Survivor was down two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. This is the second straight week it has outperformed expectations in my opinion and I think its renewal is a lock at this point. Finally on NBC, a "Best of the Blind Auditions" edition of The Voice did well for a clip show.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Black-ish (ABC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: The Goldbergs (ABC)

RATINGS RECAP: 3/14/17

ABC
8:00 The Middle
Viewers: 5.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
8:30 American Housewife
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:00 Fresh Off the Boat
Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:30 The Real O'Neals
Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
10:00 People Icons
Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

CBS
8:00 NCIS
Viewers: 14.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 NCIS: New Orleans
Viewers: 10.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 11.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5
9:00 This is Us
Viewers: 12.8 million, 18-49 demo: 3.4
10:00 Trial & Error
Viewers: 5.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
10:30 Trial & Error
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

FOX
8:00 New Girl
Viewers: 1.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
8:30 The Mick (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
9:00 Bones
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

CW
8:00 The Flash
Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 DC's Legends of Tomorrow
Viewers: 1.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

On Tuesday night, freshman phenom This is Us ended its impressive first season with strong numbers. First up on NBC though, The Voice was up a tenth in viewers and down a tenth in the demo. Then This is Us ended season one by surging 1.6 million viewers and four tenths in the demo to a new series high. This is a show that debuted to huge numbers and it didn't have a constant rise like Empire did but it got to the point where it was hitting new highs multiple times and ending its season six tenths in the demo above its already impressive September premiere. The creators only wanted 18 episodes so that's why it is ending in March but you can bet NBC will relentlessly promote its return in the fall. However, the good news for NBC ended when the clock turned 10pm. Despite a huge lead-in for sampling, new comedy Trial & Error pulled a weak 1.4 demo (two full points below This is Us) and further dropped to a 1.0 at 10:30pm. This was a huge opportunity and it blew it so I don't think its long term prospects are very good.

On ABC, The Middle was down two tenths in viewers but up a tenth in the demo. It has held up very well on Tuesdays. At 8:30pm, American Housewife was down three tenths in viewers and even in the demo. Fresh Off the Boat was down three tenths in viewers and even in the demo at 9pm. The season finale of The Real O'Neals ended the comedy block down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. I don't think this will be back for a third season but it wouldn't completely shock me if it was. At 10pm, People Icons was up a tenth in viewers and the demo from last week's premiere. On CBS, NCIS inched down again as it was even in viewers and down a tenth in the demo. It has been exploring new lows in the demo several times this season. Two hours of NCIS: New Orleans followed and was up from its usual 10pm performance. On FOX, New Girl was down three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo while Bones was even. Finally on the CW, The Flash was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo while DC's Legends of Tomorrow was down two tenths in viewers and even in the demo.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: This is Us (NBC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Trial & Error (NBC)

RATINGS RECAP: 3/13/17

ABC
8:00 The Bachelor
Viewers: 8.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7
10:00 The Bachelor: After the Final Rose
Viewers: 7.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4

CBS
8:00 Kevin Can Wait
Viewers: 6.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
8:30 Man with a Plan
Viewers: 6.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Superior Donuts
Viewers: 6.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:30 2 Broke Girls
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 Scorpion
Viewers: 6.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 12.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
10:00 Taken
Viewers: 5.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

FOX
8:00 24: Legacy
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 APB
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

CW
8:00 Howie Mandel All-Star Comedy Gala
Viewers: 0.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.2

On Monday night, ABC had the season finale of The Bachelor and it did very well as usual. It was up 1.3 million viewers and a nice half a demo point. It was a bit below last year's 2.9 demo finale but still a great result. As usual, the "After the Final Rose" special did well at 10pm. ABC now has the return of Dancing with the Stars and low-rated Quantico next week. On NBC, The Voice held up well despite airing against The Bachelor finale. It was up a tenth in viewers and down a tenth in the demo. Taken also held up as it was down four tenths in viewers and even in the demo for a more promising week three. On FOX, 24: Legacy was up a tenth in viewers and the demo while APB was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo.

Finally, it was a rough night for CBS with everything tying or hitting a series low in the demo. Kevin Can Wait was down half a million viewers and a tenth in the demo. Man with a Plan was down half a million viewers and a tenth in the demo. Both tied series lows and Man with a Plan actually did better last week as a repeat following a repeat of The Big Bang Theory. The 9pm comedies both hit outright series lows. Superior Donuts was even in viewers and down a tenth in the demo while 2 Broke Girls was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Finally at 10pm, Scorpion tied a series low by dropping three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: The Bachelor (ABC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Man with a Plan (CBS)

WEEKLY RECAP: March 6-12, 2017

Here is my weekly recap for Week #25. Please note this only covers regularly scheduled shows (no sports, specials, repeats, or Saturday shows). It also does not cover CW in the ratings section to make past year comparisons more accurate.

Past Week 25s:   2016   2015

TOP 10 SHOWS (18-49 DEMO)
1. This is Us (NBC, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 3.0    17th week
2. The Big Bang Theory (CBS, Thursday 8:00pm) - 2.8    18th week
3. The Voice (NBC, Monday 8:00pm) - 2.7    15th week
4. The Voice (NBC, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 2.6    14th week
5. The Bachelor (ABC, Monday 8:00pm) - 2.2    10th week
6. Modern Family (ABC, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 1.9    16th week
    Grey's Anatomy (ABC, Thursday 8:00pm) - 1.9    15th week
8. The Goldbergs (ABC, Wednesday 8:00pm) - 1.7    13th week
    Survivor (CBS, Wednesday 8:00pm) - 1.7    13th week
    Little Big Shots (NBC, Sunday 10:00pm) - 1.7    2nd week

TOP 10 SHOWS (TOTAL VIEWERS)
1. NCIS (CBS, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 14.2 million    17th week
2. The Big Bang Theory (CBS, Thursday 8:00pm) - 13.1 million    18th week
3. The Voice (NBC, Monday 8:00pm) - 12.1 million    15th week
4. The Voice (NBC, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 11.6 million    12th week
5. This is Us (NBC, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 11.2 million    13th week
6. Bull (CBS, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 10.4 million    16th week
7. Little Big Shots (NBC, Sunday 8:00pm) - 10.1 million    2nd week
8. 60 Minutes (CBS, Sunday 7:00pm) - 10.0 million    19th week
9. Blue Bloods (CBS, Friday 10:00pm) - 9.4 million    16th week
10. NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS, Sunday 7:00pm) - 9.3 million    14th week

BOTTOM 10 SHOWS (18-49 DEMO)
1. Sleepy Hollow (FOX, Friday 9:00pm) - 0.4    10th week
2. People Icons (ABC, Tuesday 10:00pm) - 0.5    2nd week
    American Crime (ABC, Sunday 10:00pm) - 0.5    1st week (New Season)
4. Time After Time (ABC, Sunday 9:00pm) - 0.6    2nd week
    Elementary (CBS, Sunday 10:00pm) - 0.6    15th week
6. Bones (FOX, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 0.7    6th week
    Training Day (CBS, Thursday 10:00pm) - 0.7    4th week
    Powerless (NBC, Thursday 8:30pm) - 0.7    2nd week
    The Blacklist: Redemption (NBC, Thursday 10:00pm) - 0.7    1st week
    Kicking & Screaming (FOX, Thursday 9:00pm) - 0.7    1st week (NEW SHOW)
    Grimm (NBC, Friday 8:00pm) - 0.7    8th week
    Making History (FOX, Sunday 8:30pm) - 0.7    1st week

BOTTOM 10 SHOWS (TOTAL VIEWERS)
1. Sleepy Hollow (FOX, Friday 9:00pm) - 1.7 million    10th week
2. Bob's Burgers (FOX, Sunday 7:30pm) - 1.8 million    10th week
    Making History (FOX, Sunday 8:30pm) - 1.8 million    2nd week
4. The Last Man on Earth (FOX, Sunday 9:30pm) - 2.0 million    11th week
5. Kicking & Screaming (FOX, Thursday 9:00pm) - 2.2 million    1st week (NEW SHOW)
6. Time After Time (ABC, Sunday 9:00pm) - 2.3 million    2nd week
7. Powerless (NBC, Thursday 8:30pm) - 2.4 million    5th week
8. Family Guy (FOX, Sunday 9:00pm) - 2.5 million    10th week
9. People Icons (ABC, Tuesday 10:00pm) - 2.6 million    1st week
    The Simpsons (FOX, Sunday 8:00pm) - 2.6 million    7th week

WINNERS OF THE NIGHT
Monday - Superior Donuts (CBS)    3rd week
Tuesday - This is Us (NBC)    9th week
Wednesday - Designated Survivor (ABC)    1st week
Thursday - Life in Pieces (CBS)    2nd week
Friday - The Vampire Diaries (CW)    1st week
Sunday - America's Funniest Home Videos (ABC)    1st week

LOSERS OF THE NIGHT
Monday - 24: Legacy (FOX)    1st week
Tuesday - Chicago Justice (NBC)    1st week
Wednesday - Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders (CBS)    1st week (New Season)
Thursday - The Catch (ABC)    1st week (New Season)
Friday - Blue Bloods (CBS)    1st week
Sunday - American Crime (ABC)    1st week (New Season)

RATINGS RECAP: 3/12/17

ABC
7:00 America's Funniest Home Videos
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
8:00 Once Upon a Time
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Time After Time
Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
10:00 American Crime
Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

CBS
7:00 60 Minutes
Viewers: 10.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
8:00 NCIS: Los Angeles
Viewers: 9.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Madam Secretary
Viewers: 8.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
10:00 Elementary
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

NBC
7:00 Little Big Shots (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
8:00 Little Big Shots
Viewers: 10.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:00 Chicago Justice
Viewers: 6.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
10:00 Shades of Blue
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

FOX
7:00 Bob's Burgers (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
7:30 Bob's Burgers
Viewers: 1.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
8:00 The Simpsons
Viewers: 2.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
8:30 Making History
Viewers: 1.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 Family Guy
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:30 The Last Man on Earth
Viewers: 2.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

On Sunday night, NBC had the second week of its new lineup. Everything was down some but it could have been worse I guess. At 8pm, Little Big Shots dropped 1.6 million viewers and three tenths in the demo to tie series lows. This is a solid performance but this show isn't going to have another amazing spring run. At 9pm, Chicago Justice was down eight tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo from last Sunday's episode. It was down just a tenth from the special Tuesday episode so I would consider this an acceptable time period showing. At 10pm, Shades of Blue was down half a million viewers and a tenth in the demo. It had a ton of 1.0 demos last year but never went below that until now. On CBS, 60 Minutes was down seven tenths in viewers and up a tenth in the demo. NCIS: Los Angeles followed and was down two tenths in viewers and the demo. At 9pm, Madam Secretary was up eight tenths in viewers and even in the demo while Elementary ended the night up two tenths in viewers and even in the demo.

On ABC, America's Funniest Home Videos was even and topped the ABC lineup in the demo despite airing at 7pm. At 8pm, Once Upon a Time was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. After a very weak premiere, Time After Time dropped two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo for its second week. It wasn't a horrible drop but there's only so much lower it can go after last week's ugly premiere. The news was worst at 10pm where American Crime completely bombed at 10pm with a 0.5 demo, three tenths lower than its series low. I'm not sure the awards buzz will be able to save it when its this low. Finally on FOX, Bob's Burgers and The Simpsons were both even. Making History had a bad second week as it dropped four tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo from its premiere to a weak 0.7 demo. At 9pm, Family Guy was even in viewers and down a tenth in the demo while The Last Man on Earth ended the night down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: America's Funniest Home Videos (ABC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: American Crime (ABC)