Editor’s Note: IP writer Craig Russell has done a complete analysis of how each of the big six networks have done so far this season. I hope you enjoy
ABC
So how is ABC building off the incredible momentum of 2004-05? Well, Lost is as hot as ever. Desperate Housewives, while already sparking “Jump the Shark” debates, continues to pull in viewers. Grey’s Anatomy might be poised to take Housewives place as their #1 show. Of the five freshman programs, only Commander in Chief is a hit. ABC also has a group of shows with one foot out the door (According to Jim, Rodney, Alias), and must begin preparing for life without Monday Night Football. They do have a slew of mid-season replacements with varying degrees of potential (see below). But overall, I’d say CBS is still safely on top…
Strongest Night(s): Sunday and Wednesday
Weakest Night(s): Thursday
Best New Show: Invasion
Worst New Show: Hot Properties
Say Hello: Crumbs, Emily’s Reasons Why Not, Life With Brian, In Justice
Welcome Back: Dancing With the Stars, Jake in Progress
Say Goodbye: Hot Properties, Night Stalker
CBS
Not surprisingly, CBS remains the network to beat. As much as you want to make fun of their glut of procedural dramas, they’ve still got all three CSI’s in the Top 20. They have the most successful and longest running reality franchise in Survivor, and the most successful news program of all time in 60 Minutes – which just keeps ticking along. How ’bout Ghost Whisperer, the most surprising freshmen hit of the new season? I didn’t give the Jennifer Love Hewitt drama a chance of lasting past November. CBS also boasts the funniest new comedy with the refreshingly hip How I Met Your Mother (think Friends hanging out in a bar instead of an annoying coffee shop), and aims for the same younger crowd with mid-season replacement Love Monkey (starring Ed‘s Tom Cavanaugh and 90210‘s Brandon Walsh…I mean Jason Priestley).
Strongest Night(s): Monday and Thursday
Weakest Night(s): Wednesday
Best New Show: How I Met Your Mother
Worst New Show: Criminal Minds
Say Hello: Courting Alex, Love Monkey, The Unit
Say Goodbye: Threshold
Fox
There may be no sadder commentary about the country we live in than this: The War at Home is a hit, and Arrested Development is not. Fox continues to deliver some of TV’s best moments…and some of its absolute worst. As we mourn the loss of one of the greatest comedies of all-time, we can’t necessarily blame Fox. They actually kept it around longer than they had to. What we can blame Fox for is The Simple Life, Stacked and Reunion. Fox has more negatives than positives heading into 2006. Four of their seven new entries are already history. And although they have the return of ratings-giant American Idol and fan-favorite 24to look forward to, there are a lot more leaks in this ship than they’d care to admit. How much longer can they count on Malcolm In the Middle, Bernie Mac, That 70s Show, even The O.C. ? On a positive note, Tuesdays could be solid for years to come with House and Bones.
Strongest Night(s): Tuesday
Weakest Night(s): Wednesday (until the return of American Idol), Thursday
Best New Show: Prison Break
Worst New Show(s): The War at Home, Reunion
Welcome Back: American Idol, 24
Say Goodbye: Head Cases, Killer Instinct, Kitchen Confidential, Reunion
NBC
Sign of the times. It’s 2005, NBC has only two programs in the Top 20 – and one of them is the ancient E.R. The network is finally giving up on the old guard of Thursday night. Moving My Name is Earl in, and Joey out, is the right thing to do. Will & Grace is nearing its end, too, and Must-See TV is a thing of the past. NBC does have a few things going for them: Earl is one of the biggest freshmen hits, Medium looks like a keeper, and Law & Order: SVU is as strong as ever. Now for the not-so-good: their five other newcomers are nothing to write home about. And along with E.R., Joey and Will & Grace – how much longer will Law & Order and West Wing be around? There’s going to be a lot of hours to fill…
Strongest Night(s): Monday and Tuesday
Weakest Night(s): Friday
Best New Show: My Name is Earl
Worst New Show: Surface
Say Hello: Book of Daniel, Four Kings
Welcome Back: Scrubs
Say Goodbye: The Apprentice: Martha Stewart, Inconceivable
UPN
For the second straight year, media buyers were praising UPN following the upfronts. Everybody Hates Chris was being hailed as the best new show of the season. But after registering knockout ratings in its debut, the Chris Rock-produced sitcom has noticeably cooled off. So has UPN’s buzz, again. Much like the WB, we keep waiting for them to reach higher ground and become a true player in the network wars. It’s just not happening. The fact that UPN might have the best show on television in Veronica Mars is a well-kept secret: ratings are average at best. Then there’s America’s Next Top Model, and that’s about it.
Strongest Night(s): Wednesday and Thursday
Weakest Night(s): Tuesday
Best New Show: Everybody Hates Chris
Worst New Show: Sex, Love and Secrets
Say Hello: South Beach, Get This Party Started
Say Goodbye: Sex, Love and Secrets
WB
The WB continues to struggle in so many different ways, it’s difficult to decide where to start. Sunday is a disaster, with the reliable but past-it’s prime Charmed left alone to fend for itself. Wednesday isn’t much better, as One Tree Hill has proven it can’t anchor an evening on its own. And they continue to fail with Friday’s comedy block. While Tuesdays (led by the resurgent Gilmore Girls) and Thursdays (thanks to bringing Smallville and Everwood over) look good, there are even more things to worry about. They’re pulling the plug on their most successful show, 7th Heaven (too expensive), and rumor has it Gilmore Girls will say goodbye next season. Not even Beauty & the Geek can hide all that is ugly with the WB’s schedule.
Strongest Night(s): Tuesday and Thursday
Weakest Night(s): Sunday, Wednesday and Friday
Best New Show: Supernatural
Worst New Show: Twins
Welcome Back: Beauty & the Geek
Say Goodbye: Just Legal
