THE SKED: Friday Ratings - Network Scorecard

The absence of World Series Game 7 didn't have the dramatic impact that might have been expected.

NBC:  Hey, GRIMM won its timeslot, that's something NBC doesn't get to say very damn often this season.  So:  success.  A back 9 order may very well be around the corner from a network craving anything that looks like good news.  But the spin on last week's 2.1 rating was that only baseball had held it back, and yet with far less competition this week, the number is down 15%.  If it declines even a bit more, in 2 weeks it may no longer be winning its hour.  So:  success?  Meanwhile, the network has to be concerned by the godawful 0.8 lead-in Grimm is getting from CHUCK, which is tantamount to starting the night with a rerun.  If any show on NBC right now needs a strong lead-in, it's Grimm, but with its depleted stocks, the network may not have one to give it.

CBS:  A GIFTED MAN's chances for a full-season pick-up weren't helped by showing no additional signs of life with the World Series out of the way.  BLUE BLOODS had a commanding win against the 2 newsmagazines at 10PM, almost outrating both of them combined. 

FOX:  Even though FRINGE was up only a tenth from its last new episode, it deserves a little credit:  that was after a 3-week gap (a rerun and the World Series intervening), and versus the new and hugely-publicized direct competition of Grimm.  The show will never draw big numbers, but its fans are loyal.

ABC:  EXTREME MAKEOVER HOME EDITION benefited from the end of baseball, and both hours did OK.  20/20 was only a tenth below Dateline at 10PM.

CW:  Baseball didn't mean much to this network's audience, and its shows stayed on track.