The Live Feed's Fall TV Network Report Cards

One month into the fall season and the dust from premiere week is starting to settle. Though networks are suffering year-to-year declines, there are some new hopes, stealth hits and burning questions as broadcasters continue to fight hour-by-hour in primetime.

The Feed presents six report cards grading some of the highs and lows so far...

First up, CBS.

Season-to-date rank: #1 -- 3.1 rating / 11.2 million viewers / median age: 53

How does that compare to last year? Pretty darn good. Down only 6%, which is less than the current industry standard in year-to-year down-ness. Though ABC ruled the first week of this season, CBS has dominated ever since.

Killer show: The network's Monday comedy lineup proves a traditional sitcom block can  thrive, and Thursday night's top-ranked procedural “CSI” continues to challenge "Grey's Anatomy."

Soft spot: CBS has managed to remain competitive in nearly every time period. But new show “The Ex-List” is under-performing its CBS neighbors on Friday night and Sunday's "The Unit" continues to limp. And TV reporters circle like vultures over “Worst Week” every Tuesday morning when its ratings come in.

Stealth strength: “NCIS.” Like “Bones” on Fox, this is an oft-overlooked procedural that's performing very well. It also deserves credit for helping launch “The Mentalist,” the network's solid new show.

Freshmen update: "Mentalist" picked up. Two scripts ordered for "Worst Week." "Gary Unmarried" treading water in an uncompetitive Wednesday slot. "Eleventh Hour" dropping considerably from its "CSI" lead-in to place second on Thursdays. "Ex List" pulling "Moonlight" numbers on Friday.

Analysis: CBS executives talk about the writers strike like Barack Obama supporters talk about the economic collapse, never missing a chance to point out how they responded effectively to a crisis compared to erratic competitors. CBS deserves credit for coming back quickly post strike, which could be one reason why its shows are doing well this fall. But even the network's executives are a bit surprised how well things are going. 

Burning questions: America may be ready for an African-American president, but it's traditionally been tough for dramas with black leads to draw large audiences. Jury’s out on whether “CSI” landing Laurence Fishburne to replace William Petersen will bring about change that networks can believe in. (Yes, the election metaphors have already been exhausted and there's still five report cards to go).

To paraphrase Simon Baker on the “The Mentalist,” if this network were an animal, what would it be? An elephant. Strong and steady, but with a lot of wrinkles. 

 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>    NEXT: ABC <<<<

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