In one of the most unusual premiere weeks in recent memory, NBC debuted just one scripted show this week. It was also the only scripted show to premiere on the Big Four this week, as dual Hollywood strikes led to production being shuttered on all scripted programs, and only previously-produced scripted shows will air this fall. With the WGA strike ending this week, and SAG potentially ending soon, The Irrational may soon have some company in the scripted arena. For now, though, read on for my prediction of one of this fall's only new dramas.
Certain Cancellation:
N/A
Leans Cancellation:
N/A
Leans Renewal:
The Irrational
Likely Renewal:
N/A
Certain Renewal:
N/A
Already Canceled/Final Season:
Magnum PI
Coming Soon:
Chicago Fire
Chicago Med
Chicago PD
Extended Family
Found
La Brea
Law & Order
Law & Order: Organized Crime
Law & Order: SVU
Lopez vs Lopez
Night Court
Quantum Leap
Saturday Night Live
St. Denis Medical
The Irrational: In prelims, The Irrational looked to be off to a strong start, with a 0.44 premiere that put the show barely behind last years' Quantum Leap debut, and ahead of last year's league average. Finals brought it down to earth, as it was soon revealed that an NFL preemption inflated that rating. Its real rating was a 0.34, a tenth lower than initially believed, and a far weaker result. That's exactly where Quantum Leap ended up in week two, following a large week-to-week drop. 0.34 is, unfortunately for us ratings fans, a renewable rating in the year 2023, so The Irrational starts out as a favorite for renewal, though it'll have to be careful. It can't afford to drop by nearly as much as Quantum Leap did (that show dropped 0.19 from its premiere to its series low in January), and it'll have to be pretty stable. That's a lot to ask, but it's doable, and I'll give it the benefit of the doubt to begin with. It LEANS RENEWAL.
What do you think of my prediction? What's your prediction for The Irrational? Let me know in the comments and vote in the poll of the week!