Mr. TV: Observation Post

You’d think I might be used to this by now. But just three weeks into the new TV season, I’m truly alarmed that two new shows (ABC’s My Generation and Fox’s Lone Star) are already dead and a number of others await the executioner. Don’t get me wrong, My Generation and Lone Star were early candidates for the chopping block. And so are ABC’s The Whole Truth, NBC’s Outlaw, and Fox sitcoms Raising Hope and Running Wilde, among others. But this type of frantic programming sends out a message of panic.CBS, as expected, remains the network to beat in total viewers in 2010-11, and an early advantage among adults 18-49 (coupled with a questionable retooled American Idol on Fox in midseason) means there could be a demo upset. While not everything is a bed of roses for CBS, it did accomplish getting sampling for each of its five new series. The best bet for survival is Friday crime solver Blue Bloods if the network does the smart thing and flips it with The Defenders on Wednesday. While Mike & Molly is a better fit out of Two and a Half Men than I anticipated, Hawaii Five-O and The Defenders aren’t as strong as former CSI occupants (Miami on Monday, New York on Wednesday). Controversially titled $#*! My Dad Says is losing about a quarter of its successfully relocated Big Bang Theory lead-in. CBS needs to focus on scripted sitcoms. As it stands, Rules of Engagement is Monday’s weak link, and I’m not convinced Thursday’s $#*! My Dad Says has staying power.Sluggish Fox has a built-in excuse; it never does all that well in fourth quarter without American Idol. The arrival of Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler is being promoted to the hilt. But I doubt this duo can keep the show on track. Sure, there will probably be a huge initial sampling. And, yes, even a deflated Idol will probably still have a place in the Top 10. But if it dips by what I personally think could be 20-plus percent, Fox will have plenty of schedule rebuilding to do. Ratings at present are down across the board from one year earlier. With only three new fall series and a potpourri of weak returnees like Fringe, The Good Guys and Human Target (which is shifting to Wednesday in November), the once envelope-pushing net has set itself up for failure this season.ABC, as predicted, remains afloat on blockbuster Dancing With the Stars and the deflating strength of Desperate Housewives and Grey’s Anatomy. But other than No Ordinary Family, which was adequately sampled on Sept. 28 (but lost steam in week two), the prognosis for ABC’s freshman class looks grim. Tuesday’s generic Detroit 1-8-7 is squandering the stellar support from the live Dancing With the Stars results show. Better With You out of The Middle and into Modern Family on Wednesday should be stronger. Aforementioned legal drama The Whole Truth is a bust, and Friday 8-10 p.m. occupants Secret Millionaire and Body of Proof still have no debut date. Is ABC just delaying the arrivals of two more likely Friday night casualties? Thanks to Sunday Night Football, NBC is up slightly year to year. While familiar-looking Law & Order: Los Angeles could have staying power, high-profile The Event continues to lose steam. Dramas Chase, Undercovers and Outlaw are all underperforming, and the promising debut of sitcom Outsourced was marred by hefty losses in week two. Note to NBC: Go back to airing those lively multicamera sitcoms where you don’t need a snark-to-English guide to understand the humor. Community, Outsourced, 30 Rock and even The Office are just plain limited. And give up on Chuck after this season. No one seems to care about the Monday anchor anymore.Last, and least, The CW’s biggest concern is the lack of lead-in support from fading Monday and Tuesday anchors 90210 and One Tree Hill. While marginally rated freshman dramas Hellcats and Nikita could ultimately survive the full season, the challenge remains finding the next big programming option.

Convergent TV

Mr. TV: Observation Post

Marc Berman

About

Subscriptions

Events

Publications

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Subscribe today!

Marc Berman