Analysis of NBC January 2009 Lineup

With the end of half a season for the 2008 - 2009 lineup coming to a close, NBC has been making some interesting decisions on what should be on air for the next year. Going back to the last mid-season, there was a lot of shuffling around with the writers' strike. The underlining actors' strike may come into play, but we'll get to that if we get to that. New shows are italicized (there aren't that many).

Sunday :
New Lineup: Questionable, Superstars of Dance will show up for a week, but there will be a shopping list of awards shows, films, and the Super Bowl in January. There should be something regular in February.
Replaces: Football
Analysis: Last year, NBC played around with Monk, Psych, and reruns of The Office and Law and Order: SVU. Fox has a solid animation comedy block, CBS has a decent lineup of The Amazing Race, Cold Case, and The Unit, and ABC is still holding with Extreme Makeover, Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters. There is probably going to be little budging or change from any of the lineups of the other networks since they all have decent ratings. NBC will probably return with Medium; though there are two new shows that may be in place: Merlin and Kings. Medium has a normal ratings line so I doubt the show will be canned if it doesn't do too badly; that would be the only show worth thinking about.

Monday:
New Lineup: Superstars of Dance, Momma's Boys. In February, Chuck and Heroes will return.
Replaces: My Own Worst Enemy
Analysis: Chuck battles back and forth for ratings with Terminator and with the return of House; I think it will lose ratings. Similarly, 24 will probably trump Heroes. Without Dancing with the Stars, Samantha Who will also take a hit, but it still will probably do better than Heroes. I have a feeling that both Momma's Boys and ABC's True Beauty will stink up the ratings leading both Boston Legal and CSI: Miami to better ratings.

Tuesday:
No Change: The Biggest Loser, Law and Order: SVU
Analysis: When American Idol hits again, we'll see what happens to NBC's lineup. The Biggest Loser has hovered at fourth place in ratings. It will probably make a bigger dip during the audition process of Idol, but depending on the likability of the contestants on both shows, we'll see if the ratings will change. Law & Order has had a strong second behind CBS's Without a Trace and I don't think that will make much change.

Wednesday:
Canned: Lipstick Jungle (well, it should be)
Analysis: Poor Wednesdays. Knight Rider has been on life support for a while (when Top Model is challenging for better ratings, you've got to be nervous). The Idol Results show will beat it hands down. Life has been fourth most of this season and that isn't good. NBC should go back to the drawing board with Wednesday.

Thursday:
No Change: My Name Is Earl, Kath & Kim, The Office, 30 Rock
Analysis: Again, CBS and ABC will continue to battle with the same four shows: CSI, Survivor, Ugly Betty, and Grey's Anatomy. Bones will return and I have a feeling that their ratings will get better this season since they are getting more praise in the media. The Sarah Palin/Tina Fey connection has worn off any extra viewers by this point for 30 Rock. Thursdays just aren't as funny anymore.

Friday:
New Lineup: Howie Do It, Friday Night LightsReplaces: Deal or No Deal
Analysis: Friday has been known to be a death slot for shows. There have never been strong ratings for Friday Night Lights and it may have gotten some luck from the writers' strike for a renewal. Howie Do It will be a question mark depending on how good it actually is. CBS's Ghost Whisperer is probably the strongest show at the moment, so Howie Do It is up against problems.