It’s that time of the year kids. All the obsessing over ratings comes to a head over the next week as the big decisions are made. The laser printers at the networks have been loaded up with the pink paper, and the cancellation notices are already flying. Of course, bad ratings doesn’t guarantee a show is a goner. Despite what some might say, there are still a few examples of network’s giving shows one more go. Or, ya know, four more goes if your name is Chuck. Here’s a look at the week that was in ratings, with some notes on the fate of some bubble shows mixed in.
NBC – We’ll start here because I’m somewhat boggled by the decisions. Now, I like Chuck (4.1m/1.4) and Community (3.32m/1.5), but dang… those are some craptastic numbers. Add the renewals for Parks and Rec (4.55m/2.4 – 3.54m/2), 30 Rock, and Parenthood to what will most likely be further declines for The Office (6.45m/3.3) and I’m already thinking NBC finds itself in fourth place again next year. On the plus side, cancellations for The Event (3.85m/1.1) and L&O LA (5.06m/1.2) were certainly for the best.
Outsourced (2.99m/1.5) has been shown the door as well, and with good reason. The numbers just weren’t there. Then again, the powers that be behind the show certainly have a legitimate gripe when comparing the show to some of those that did get renewals. Elsewhere, Celebrity Apprentice (7.18m/2.4) and Biggest Loser (6.96m/2.6) both had okay weeks, and The Voice (10.45m/4.7) remained a bright spot for the network. The week ended with Friday Night Lights (2.8m/.7).
ABC - There wasn’t a lot of surprise in news that V, Mr. Sunshine, Detroit 187, No Ordinary Family, and Off The Map were all given their walking papers. I’m sure fans for the various shows were holding out hope, but the writing was on the wall. There was a bit of a surprise with the cancellation of Brothers & Sisters (7.18m/1.9). The show has been down lately, but on the whole it hasn’t been a terrible season following Desperate Housewives (10m/2.9). The biggest surprise came with the news that Happy Endings (4.18m/1.7) will live to see another season. I suspect that decision may have played into Better With You (5.95m/2) being one and done.
Body of Proof (10.11m/2.1) was also granted a second season. That makes sense as it’s been the best 10PM performer the network has seen since Castle (12.61m/3.1). Of course, we already knew that the rest of the Wednesday comedy lineup would be back. The Middle (7.25m/2.2), Modern Family (10.15m/4.3), and Cougar Town (6.02m/2.3) were all relatively on pace for the week. Grey’s Anatomy (9.63m/3.2) and Private Practice (7.27m/2.3) are also part of the 11/12 plan. Rounding out the week, it was another solid week for Dancing With The Stars performance (20.74m/4.2) and results (17.54m/3.4) episodes.
CBS - Not a lot of news from CBS at this point, but the easy calls came in the form of cancellations for Mad Love (5.11m/1.9) and The Defenders. The tougher decision might have been $#*! My Dad Says. The show actually held up well following Big Bang Theory (10.78m/3.4) this year, doing better on average than Rules of Engagement (8.16m/2.5) in the same position.
And then there is the really tough decision. The big news is that Charlie Sheen’s replacement on Two and a Half Men will be Ashton Kutcher. What do you think about that? My first guess is that this starts the rather rapid decline of the series. And, worst case scenario, this could be the beginning of the end for the rock-solid Monday the network has enjoyed for years. Since new episodes of Men left the schedule, the whole night has suffered. There was more of that this week as How I Met Your Mother (6.41m/2.6), Mike & Molly (7.63m/2.3), and Hawaii 5-O (9.45m/2.3) all remained down.
The most interesting question lingering as we wait for the official announcement has to do with the fates of The Good Wife (11.73m/2) and Suspect Behavior (9.31m/2.1). My hunch is that the awards and critical acclaim for The Good Wife will be enough to give it the nod, but Suspect Behavior will end up as a one time experiment. Other results for the week included Amazing Race (8.97m/2.6), CSI Miami (9.85m/2), NCIS (17.62m/3.5), NCIS LA (14.74m/2.8), Survivor (10.77m/3.1), Criminal Minds (13.29m/3.3), CSI (11.77m/2.6), The Mentalist (14.07m/2.7), Flashpoint (7.51m/1.4), CSI NY (10.22m/1.6), and Blue Bloods (11.41m/1.8).
FOX – With the surprise renewal of Fringe, you might have thought FOX was getting a little soft. That changed last week as the harsher news came that Chicago Code (5.67m/1.7), Lie To Me, Human Target, and Breaking In (6.95m/2.3) are all done. Although, there are rumors that Breaking In still has some hope. As expected, Traffic Light (3.05m/1.3) is also done for. That gives Raising Hope (5.05m/2) the somewhat rare honor of being a live-action sit-com on FOX to get a second season.
Animation Domination – The Simpsons (5.52m/2.5), Bob’s Burgers (4.26m/2), Family Guy (6.52m/3.3), and Cleveland (4.7m/2.2) – will also all return, joining House (7.94m/3), Glee (9.29m/3.7), American Idol (23.05m/7.1 – 22.45m/6.5), and Bones (10.48m/3.2).
CW - It’s not very encouraging that all of the shows we do know will be back on CW next season are finishing the season on a downward trend. 90210 (1.43m/.7), Gossip Girl (1.2m/.6), America’s Next Top Model (2.03m/1), and Vampire Diaries (2.86m/1.4) have all fallen off the pace. Add to that the fact that the most watched show of the week was Smallville (2.97m/1.3), which isn’t returning, and next fall could be a dicey proposition. The shows we’re still waiting to hear about didn’t break the trend. One Tree Hill (1.3m/.6), Hellcats (1.18m/.5), and Nikita (1.94m/.7) all failed to do anything to increase their chances as we head into the big announcement.
CABLE - Since we’re talking about renewals, cancellations, and surprises therein… I’m once again mildly flummoxed by HBO. They have decided to give the perennially low-rated Treme (.518m/.2) yet another season. I get that it’s premium cable and the machinations that spell success are different, but it still strikes me as a bit curious when you consider how quick they have been to pull the trigger on some of their other well received, and better rated, shows.
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Clacked by Brett Love 
on May 16, 2011 @ 09:15 EST5EDT
I know these comments are very late, but based on the Network Upfronts-My cable channels, and my reading are going to get a lot of action this fall.