I'm going to do a mid-term report card on each of the major networks, and perhaps one for cable. This will be a quick look at the state of each network in regards to new and returning dramas, comedies and reality television programs. What's working; what isn't; what the prognosis is before each network launches their mid-season replacements later this year.Grades will be determined based on a mixture of artistic merit and how the show is doing in the ratings. It is after all show business, and both are equally important. I'll have some personal assertions embedded as all grades are at least in part subjective, but equal weight will be given to an interpretation of the ratings for each program. All new shows will be dealt with individually, while I will group the returning shows together by genre.
First up, ABC.....
ABC was in fairly desperate straits going into the 2011 fall season. Their last breakout hit was Modern Family two seasons ago, and their once successful drama slate (Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, Lost, Brothers and Sisters) was either showing its age or had already left the network.
They had an aggressive development slate last spring: 13 hour long dramas and 10 half hour comedies. When all was said and done ABC picked up more than half of the slate: 8 dramas and 5 comedies. They are launching 4 of the dramas (Pan Am, Charlie's Angels, Revenge and Once Upon a Time, which will debut on Oct. 23) and 3 of the comedies (Suburgatory, Last Man Standing and Man Up, which will debut on Oct. 18) this fall.
So how are they doing?
New Dramas Grade: C**
Revenge is a moderate hit, and is one of the first network dramas to pop in the Wednesdays at 10:00 slot in a while. Artistically, it's a bit one-note, but many people are responding to the guilty pleasure escapism; it's the show Ringer wants to be. Emily VanCamp and Madeline Stowe are pretty good, as they should be. GRADE: B- (Artistically: C+; Ratings Effort: B)
Pan Am is artistically the strongest of the ABC dramas premiering this fall. It's witty, and so, so pretty to look at. The cast is mostly strong, with Christina Ricci and Margot Robbie my favorite of the stewardesses. It is purely Mad Men-lite, but that's okay. I sometimes like to not think. However, Americans don't like what they saw. After premiering to really good numbers, the ratings have plummeted each week. A week ago I would have guessed that we would get a full season of the show, but now, I'm not so sure. GRADE: B- (Artistically: A-; Ratings Effort: D+)Charlie's Angels was difficult for not only me to watch, but for most Americans. It was cancelled on Friday. GRADE: F (Artistically: F; Ratings Effort: F)
Once Upon a Time is yet to debut. Reviews and word of mouth have been mostly positive, and there has been a lot of money put into marketing for the show. But with Desperate Housewives and Pan Am both tanking, I wonder if it stands a chance of catching on. I know that since the advent of the DVR, we create our own networks, but to hang a high concept show like Once out there essentially on its own is a little disconcerting. GRADE: INCOMPLETE**New Comedies Grade: B-**
Suburgatory is a really good show and by far my favorite of the new network comedies. It's witty, sardonic and well acted by both Jane Levy and Jeremy Sisto, as the newly relocated daughter-father pair. The show's voice will remind you of the equally good, but much more earnest, MTV comedy Awkward. from earlier this summer. I'm a big early fan as is America. Its ratings improve on its lead in, The Middle, and it is ABC second most watched program of the night after Modern Family. And that's where the show should go, after Modern Family at 9:30. The ratings warrant it, and I think the show is a tad too risque to be on at 8:30. I haven't let The Kid watch an episode though I think she would enjoy most of it. GRADE: A- (Artistically: A; Ratings Effort: B+)
Last Man Standing is Tim Allen's somewhat triumphant return to series television. Allen is a bonafide television star, and as such he knows how to handle the enormous task of leading a multi-camera comedy on his manly shoulders. However, Allen and the inherent premise of the program (how can a man be a man in this female driven world) feel very 1994 to me. Though I must admit the Merry-Wives-of-Windsor-inspired antlers at the end of each promo make me chuckle each time I see them. I am working on a piece about the shocking gender whiplash that this new television season is having, and Last Man is indicative of a disturbing trend. America however isn't as turned off as I am to the show. The ratings were fairly strong, but not nearly what one would expect Allen to command. The truth will be in the subsequent airing this week and next. As ABC saw with Pan Am, numbers can turn south quickly, and being paired with the seemingly DOA Man Up won't help matters too much. GRADE: B-** (Artistically: C-; Ratings Effort: A-**)Man Up has yet to premiere, but word of mouth and the reviews have been almost universally poor. Only time and Tuesday will tell. GRADE: INCOMPLETE**
Returning Dramas Grade: C-
Desperate Housewives, now in its final season, is having record low ratings; and even I have given up artistically on the show (and I rarely give up on a show). Castle is doing okay business (great numbers in total viewers, but not so great in the 18-49 demo), but can't seem to catch Hawaii 5-0; it needs a jolt in the arm a lackluster season of Dancing with the Stars is not giving it. Body of Proof is sinking fast as Dancing with the Stars isn't helping it in the least. Grey's Anatomy is ABC's highest rated drama in the 18-49 demographic, but it is being beaten in both total viewers and target demos by freshman comedy Suburgatory. Private Practice can't seem to keep even Grey's dwindling numbers.
Returning Comedies Grade: B+
Two years ago, and even for most of last season, ABC had the best night of comedy: Wednesdays. Modern Family broke out of the gate in the 2009-2010 season, and brought The Middle and Cougar Town along with it mostly. The other two shows (though oftentimes Family's artistic equal) couldn't measure up ratings wise. ABC was desperate to find a suitable match both in quality and ratings. It appears they have found it in Suburgatory. Modern Family is ABC's crown jewel both in ratings and artistic qualities. The Middle has been a little more uneven artistically this season, but the ratings seem to have leveled off. Cougar Town is being held back to mid-season, because, even though it is beloved, it usually lost nearly half of Modern Family's ratings. ABC thought they had something with Happy Endings, which aired at 10:00 last spring. It did all right in the ratings, but the buzz was high. The show has continued to be strong artistically, but it is doing Cougar Town (or worse) ratings. ABC is now in a real quandary. They can't keep Cougar Town or Happy Endings behind Modern Family, and neither show would really work at 8:30. Do they launch a new show there and hope it succeeds where others haven't, or do they move Suburgatory behind Family, and launch a new show at 8:30?
State of Reality Grade: C+
Dancing with the Stars rises and falls with the quality of the stars. This season is one of the lowest rated seasons in a while. Oh, well; ABC gives three hours a week to the show. 20/20 does fine but isn't burning any bridges on Friday night. America's Funniest Videos is in its 23rd season and it has more total viewers each week than every scripted show on NBC except Harry's Law, Law & Order: SVU and Saturday Night Live. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition does even better, but will be moving to Fridays when Once Upon a Time starts in a few weeks.
Reasons to Watch ABC: Modern Family, Suburgatory, Happy Endings, Pan Am and The Middle
Reasons to Be Hopeful: Once Upon a Time, and the upcoming mid-season shows The River, Good Christian Belles, The B---- in Apt. 23, Cougar Town
Probable Outcomes by End of Season:
- Cancellations for Desperate Housewives (already done), Pan Am and Body of Proof.
- Private Practice moves to another night, so that something big (The River or GCB) can try to take Thursdays at 10:00 which no network owns outright currently.
- Both Happy Endings and Cougar Town won't make it out of the season alive.
- If ratings hold for Last Man Standing, then Allen's show will get a full season, and a pick up for next year; if not, then it will at least get to finish out its order with dignity.
- Man Up will be cancelled by Christmas and Work It may not even make it to air.
- Revenge stays on Wednesdays for now, but may clear out temporarily for Scandal or Missing.
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