Before delving into the two weeks of programming, take a moment and marvel at the progress CBS' Mom has made. Initially a bubble series during its 1st season, Mom has come a long way in its Nielsen journey. Like so many series hit with continual Nielsen losses, Mom has shed over a point since its 1st season in ratings. However, it has also delivered growth early into the 2017-18 season. Saddled with The Great Indoors as its lead-in for the 2016-17 season, Mom struggled with a seasonal average hovering around a 1.38 Live 18-49 Adult Demographic in December 2016. Flash forward to December 2017, and the series has regained a tenth and is delivering strong.
Quality has improved drastically during the series' progression, with Season 5 firing on all cylinders. Having Young Sheldon's strong lead-in helps and may guarantee success when NBC's Will and Grace returns to Thursdays in January. However, the powerhouse ensemble of Anna Faris, Allison Janney, Mimi Kennedy, Jaime Pressly (in reduced capacity, as she joyfully welcomed twins in October!) and Beth Hall delivers a delicious and flawed portrait of five addicts forging through their second chance at life. Declines run rampant in ratings for sitcoms this season, and it is a welcome departure to see our five flawed characters delivering a departure from the dooming erosion. Praise to sitcoms showing signs of survival!
Week 10:
Sunday, November 26 delivered four original entries on FOX. Bob's Burgers took the evening off, delivering an expected, eight-tenth drastic drop for the Simpsons (1.1). Ghosted shed a half point and registered a series low (0.8), as Family Guy also shed the same figure and tied its series low (0.9). Last Man on Earth dropped two-tenths, also tying its series low (0.7). Monday, November 27 experienced some welcome increases. Kevin Can Wait remained steady (1.2), while Man
With a Plan posted its first in-season increase after gaining a tenth (1.1). Superior Donuts delivered steady yeast (1.0), and 9JKL ticked up a tenth (0.9). Tuesday, November 27 delivered a steady evening for ABC with The Middle (1.3), Fresh Off The Boat (1.1), Blackish (1.1) and The Mayor (0.7). FOX enjoyed a tenth raise for The Mick (0.8) and Brooklyn 99 (0.7) on an evening free of NBC powerhouse This is Us.
Wednesday, November 28 delivered disastrous for most of ABC's lineup. The Goldbergs dropped a tenth (1.4), Speechless held steady with its favorite seasonal number (1.1), and Modern Family dropped a tenth (1.6). The biggest loser this evening was American Housewife, which made an unexpected three-tenth plummet to a series low (1.0). Thursday, November 29 delivered expected leveling for CBS after a Thanksgiving Football boost. The Big Bang Theory shed a tenth after a two-week hiatus and tied its series low (2.5), Young Sheldon shed a half point (2.1), Mom returned to normal ratings and shed its four-tenth increase (1.4), and Life in Pieces dropped two tenths (1.1)
Week 11:
Sunday, December 3 gave the FOX lineup a welcome rebound. Bob's Burgers was absent, allowing the Simpsons to cash in on Football lead-in and rebound six-tenths (1.7). Ghosted bounced back two-tenths (1.). However, after dropping to fractional territory the week before, its renewal percentage was downgraded to 55% (On the Bubble, Leans Renewal). Family Guy bounced back two-tenths as well (1.1), and Last Man on Earth regained a tenth (0.8). Monday, December 4 delivered mixed results for CBS as Kevin Can Wait took the evening off and was replaced with a Big Bang repeat. Man With a Plan held steady (1.1), as well as earning an upgrade to 70% renewal (Leans Renewal). Superior Donuts dropped a tenth (0.9), as well as 9JKL (0.8).
Tuesday, December 5 experienced a special NBC showcase of Christmas-themed sitcoms. Will and Grace ticked up two-tenth since its last original airing (1.8), and Superstore earned a tenth (1.1). FOX delivered a steady evening with The Mick (0.8) and Brooklyn 99 (0.7). ABC experienced disastrous drops and tying series lows as The Middle ticked down a tenth (1.2), FOTB also shed two-tenths (0.9), Black-ish lost a tenth (1.0) and The Mayor remained steady-low (0.7). Wednesday, December 6 experienced welcome rebounds as The Goldbergs gained a tenth (1.5), Speechless held steady (1.1), Modern Family regained a tenth (1.7) and American Housewife bounced back two tenths (1.2). Thursday, December 7 delivered hardy returns for nerd franchises as The Big Bang Theory bounced back three tenths (2.8), Young Sheldon posted two-tenth gains (2.2), and Mom (1.4) and Life in Pieces (1.1) delivered steady.