Both Fox’s “Pitch” and ABC’s “Notorious” failed to make much of a splash in their debuts on Thursday night.
The two new shows went head-to-head at 9 pm, but didn’t even take a bite out of the “Thursday Night Football” audience. “Pitch” managed just a 1.1 rating in the adults 18-49 demographic and 4.3 million viewers. “Notorious” did ever so slightly better in the demo with a 1.2 rating, along with 5.4 million viewers.
CBS won the night with a 4.0 rating and an average of 12.4 million viewers in primetime, airing only the NFL matchup between the Houston Texans and the New England Patriots.
ABC finished second with a 1.7 rating and 6.4 million viewers. The season premiere of “Grey’s Anatomy” opened strong at 8 with 8.6 million viewers and a 2.4 rating. “Notorious” followed at 9. “How to Get Away With Murder’s” season premiere closed out the Shondaland block with 5.2 million viewers and a 1.4 rating.
NBC came in third with a 1.3 rating and 6.2 million viewers. The season premiere of “Superstore” at 8 checked in with 5.5 million viewers and a 1.4 rating. “The Good Place” settled into its new time slot at 8:30 with 5.2 million viewers and a 1.3 rating, down significantly in both key measures from its series premiere on Monday last week. The season premiere “Chicago Med” scored just under 7 million viewers and a 1.4 rating at 9. “The Blacklist” season premiere finished out with 6.4 million viewers and a 1.3 rating.
Fox finished fourth out of the Big 4 with a 0.9 rating and 3.9 million viewers. “Rosewood’s” audience all but evaporated now that it’s been moved off of “Empire” night, averaging just 3.6 million viewers and a 0.7 rating, down from its Season 1 premiere numbers of 7.5 million viewers and a 2.4 rating. “Pitch” followed at 9.
Telemundo came in fifth with a 0.7 rating and 1.8 million viewers.
Univision came in sixth with 0.6 rating and 1.7 million viewers.
The CW finished seventh with a 0.3 rating and 1.1 million viewers, airing only repeats.
13 New Fall TV Shows, Ranked From Best to Worst by Critics (Photos)
Critics are sorting the good from the bad of the new fall TV season. Here's a ranking, using scores (based on a 100-point scale) from the aggregation site Metacritic.
"Luke Cage" (Netflix) -81
Yes, another superhero franchise. But critics are crazy about this comic caper. "A breakthrough for Marvel," wrote one.
"This Is Us" (NBC) – 76
NBC's contemporary drama already has big fans among critics. "These characters feel real," one reviewer wrote.
"Speechless" (ABC) – 75 (tie)
Reviewers are pretty high on this family sitcom. "'Speechless' is a wry, nimble comedy," according to one.
"The Good Place" (NBC) – 75 (tie)
Celestial reviews for this comedy about Kristin Bell finding herself in heaven. "A gem of subversive mockery," a critic wrote.
"Designated Survivor"/ABC – 74
"The pilot is tremendous," one reviewer raved of this political drama about Kiefer Sutherland suddenly elevated to the presidency after a terror attack.
"Pitch"/Fox – 61
Lots of praise for star Kylie Bunbury, but some criticism of the scripting in this baseball drama. "The writers telegraph every single point," one reviewer complained.
"The Exorcist" (Fox) – 58
Mixed views on this remake of the horror classic, with one critic dubbing it "predictable" but still "a solid piece of entertainment."
"Son of Zorn" (Fox) – 56
"Most of the jokes are amusing but only a couple got big laughs," one reviewer wrote of this animated/live action hybrid.
"Bull" (CBS) – 47
Praise for former "NCIS" star Michael Weatherly in this legal procedural, but less warmth for the show itself. "Totally ridiculous, in concept and execution," one reviewer wrote.
"Lethal Weapon" (Fox) – 45
"This is a slick, watered-down" version of the movie franchise, one critic summed up, in a common sentiment.
"MacGyver" (CBS) – 44
Divided opinion on this update of the 1980s action classic. One critic dubbed it "energetic" and "easy-going," another felt it was "painfully cheesy."
"Kevin Can Wait" (CBS) – 40
Kevin will have to wait for love for this traditional family sitcom. "Terrible and unimaginative," blasted one critic, echoing the prevailing view.
"Notorious" (ABC) – 21
Oof. "A nearly wall-to-wall mess," is how one reviewer summed up this legal drama.
Early reviews are in, and laurels and brickbats are being tossed at everything from ”This Is Us“ to ”Notorious“
Critics are sorting the good from the bad of the new fall TV season. Here's a ranking, using scores (based on a 100-point scale) from the aggregation site Metacritic.
