Ratings Analysis

With a title like that, how can you not read on? Anyways, as most shows returned from hiatus this week, many underdog stories became apparent in the ratings. There were many low expectations and most were exceeded. Starting with Chuck, which returned to full competition and a surprising season high of a 2.1 demo, which is actually above NBC's scripted average. To return to a season high after a month and a half long hiatus with little to no promotion is somewhat impressive. This is good news for Chuck which, for once, is looking good for a renewal, something its hardcore fans don't quite know how to handle. They'll probably launch a campaign anyways. 

Next, we move to NBC's 3- hour comedy blocked which debuted this week. The first hour had an especially difficult challenge, facing ratings monster American Idol and Community also had to face slightly smaller ratings monster The Big Bang Theory. Surprisingly, Community went up to a 2.2 which certainly bodes well for its future. If it maintains a similar rating, NBC could possibly keep it as the sacrificial lamb against these big shows. Perfect Couples debuted not so great to a 2.1. If it stays around that level, it could be renewed, but most shows drop off after their first episode. The Office got good ratings, which is not at all shocking, but Parks and Recreation's ratings were inflated over a point in the demo thanks to the post- Office slot which all Parks and Rec fans should be happy with. Even if it drops a couple tenths of a point, it's still a shoe- in for renewal. 30 Rock did an impressive 2.7 at 9, up significantly higher than its last ratings at 7:30. Outsourced, thank god, bombed at 9:30, proving The Office was the only thing keeping its ratings so high. Its 1.8 officially earns it a spot on the bubble.

And lastly, we have Fringe's move to Friday. Viewed by many as Fox just trying to kill the show (because a lot less people watch TV on Fridays), the expectations were for Fringe to drop even more from its bad Thursday ratings and slowly die out from there. Instead, Fringe went up to a 1.9, which with FOX's significantly lowered expectations, is great. If it maintains that rating, it'll be renewed and kept on Friday. However, both CSI: Ny and Supernatural were in repeats, so we'll have to see how much of a dent, in any, those bring before making any official victory statements. But this is a great start for its Friday run.