The latest Robin Sparkles episode of “How I Met Your Mother” earned positive reviews, but its ratings impact was minimal. The show held steady with a 3.5 adults 18-49 rating and 8.88 million viewers Monday.
Of course, contrary to buzz on television message boards and blogs, not much more should have been expected. While Robin’s teen Canadian popstar alter-ego, which debuted in the classic season two episode “Slap Bet,” is one of the most beloved components of the series, the character’s real appeal rests with committed, existing fans–Robin Sparkles is hardly a mass pop culture phenomenon.
Certainly, CBS and those behind “How I Met” would have loved for more viewers to witness one of the stronger episodes of the past two seasons, but the idea that the rating should have jumped above the 4.0 threshold simply for the character’s return is illogical.
Lead-out “Rules of Engagement,” meanwhile, continues to miss the boat on its plush positioning between “How I Met” and “Two and a Half Men” (14.15 million viewers, 4.5 rating). The show garnered a mere 2.9 rating with 7.96 million viewers.
CBS’ 9:30PM comedy “Mike & Molly” again performed well with a 3.8 rating and 12.29 million viewers, although some analysts were eyeing a bigger spike given the lack of 9:30PM “Dancing with the Stars” competition this week.
Disappointing “Hawaii 5-0” won the 10PM hour but continued falling way short of expectations with a 2.8 and 10.19 million.