Fall TV lineup has winners, losers

BY CHUCK BARNEY Comments 3
Published: November 7, 2009

We’re seven weeks into the television season and at the beginning of November sweeps. So it’s as good a time as any to see how things are shaking out thus far.

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Here’s a rundown of significant developments, including the fall’s winners and losers:

→Biggest flop: NBC’s bold experiment to bring "The Jay Leno Show” to prime time has a been a disaster on three fronts: 1. Leno is getting pummeled in the ratings; 2. Conan O’Brien is sputtering in Leno’s old time slot; and 3. The NBC brand has been greatly tarnished. Meanwhile, Leno’s former nemesis, David Letterman, is enjoying robust ratings, despite (or because of) his messy blackmail scandal.

→We didn’t see this coming: Defying TV convention, Mark Harmon’s military crime procedural, "NCIS,” has become prime time’s No. 1 show in its seventh season. Ratings are up 22 percent over last fall.

→Best comeback: After languishing for two dreary seasons in "Dirt,” Courteney Cox shines as a hilarious and endearing man-starved mom in ABC’s "Cougar Town.”

→Lost mojo: Unlike Cox, former "Frasier” star Kelsey Grammer is struggling to duplicate past sitcom glory. After sputtering in Fox’s "Back to You” last season, his new show, "Hank,” is the lone clunker in ABC’s Wednesday night lineup.

→The laughs are back: Prime time’s comedy drought appears to be over. The sitcom is enjoying a creative comeback. The standout is ABC’s "Modern Family.” With its mockumentary approach and sharply drawn characters, it has brought fresh energy to the domestic comedy.

→Hitting the high notes: Honors for the most entertaining hour of the season go to Fox’s melodic high school musical, "Glee.” What other show gives you peppy production numbers, dancing football players and multiple love triangles?

→Biggest payoff: For five seasons, we’ve watched the romance bloom between Jim and Pam on "The Office.” Their big Niagara Falls wedding could have been a huge letdown. Instead, it was an incredibly funny, touching and memorable piece of television.

→Most rejuvenated show: After a shaky start, The CW’s "90210” glammed up its young stars, sent little Annie (Shenae Grimes) to a dark place and gave its story lines more edge.

→Do not resuscitate: The search for the next "ER” continues. NBC has already pulled the plug on "Trauma.” Meanwhile, "Three Rivers” (CBS), appears to be flat-lining. NBC has given a full-season order to "Mercy,” but the nursing drama is by no means a Nielsen powerhouse.

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