“Persons Unknown,” “The Good Guys” Debut to Poor Ratings

The quality was there for a number of critics, but neither “Persons Unknown” nor “The Good Guys” made any impact out of the gate.

Leading out of a lukewarm “Last Comic Standing” (4.98 million viewers, 2.0 adults 18-49 rating), “Persons Unknown” barely registered with a mere 1.3 rating and 4.29 million viewers. The premiere generated light buzz from its promising concept and execution, but in debuting at 10PM on a summer Monday with a limited promotional push from NBC, the show was doomed for ratings failure.

FOX, meanwhile, officially kicked off its Monday block with “Lie to Me” and “The Good Guys.” “Lie to Me” was underwhelming at 8PM, but its 5.9 million viewers and 1.8 rating were about what should have been expected based on its downward trending in the fall. “Good Guys,” which failed to make an impact with its preview airing last month, offered showed no wave of excitement Monday, scoring just a 1.4 with 4.64 million viewers for its official premiere at 9PM.

FOX confirmed “Guys” for its fall schedule during upfront announcements last month, but based on its early ratings performance, that spot might be in jeopardy.

With CBS in re-runs (worth noting is that a re-run of “The Big Bang Theory” won the night with a 2.7 rating and 9.06 million viewers), ABC offered the night’s best originals–“The Bachelorette” averaged a 2.5 with 7.89 million viewers while “True Beauty” was good for a 1.9 and 4.97 million viewers at 10PM.

Ratings sources: Nielsen Media Research, THRFeed, Mediaweek