I always remember when “Lou Grant” was cancelled. It had 26 million viewers per show. (Some said it politics, CBS said it was the numbers.)
Now “Grey’s Anatomy” has been renewed for a 21st season. The total number of viewers watching is 3.4 million. It’s even with last year. No one cares anymore. The show is there, you don’t have to make up characters or plots, it’s become wallpaper at ABC.
To keep “Grey’s” going, another vet will have to exit or bite the dust this season. Keep an eye out for a murder, suicide, accident, or terminal disease developing soon.
Ratings are a low bar nowadays. That 3.4 million should indicate the party is over. But daytime soap “The Young and the Restless” sometimes reaches that high these days. And that’s during the day!
ABC also renewed “9-1-1,” which has done well at 8pm before “Grey’s” on Thursdays so far. Again, “9-1-1” is a known quantity going into 8th season with movie star Angela Bassett as its star. Also, ABC makes it, so that cuts down on the expenses.
That leaves open 10pm on Thursdays for next fall on ABC. Right now all bets are off because NBC is waffling on bringing back “Law & Order Organized Crime,” which a similar rating to “‘Greys.”
As everywhere, TV is fighting over crumbs!
