One anticipating a slam dunk night for CBS’ comedy lineup, giving the lack of broadcast competition, would have been thoroughly disappointed Monday night.
While the New England Patriots-New York Jets game, despite its blowout nature, undoubtedly provided an alternative viewing option, the lineup still missed expectations, particularly from 9-11PM.
The 8PM tandem of “How I Met Your Mother” and “Rules of Engagement” performed comfortably. “How I Met” scored a 3.6 rating with a higher-than-usual viewership average of 9.41 million. Though frequently criticized for its retention rate, “Rules” was in usual territory with a 3.1 and 8.83 million.
Of course, given the particularly dearth of competition at 8PM, neither show should be celebrating its performance Monday night.
Things soured at 9PM. Despite an abysmally weak performance from ABC, which actually benefitted from the Boston-area airing of the NFL game, and a below-average showing from FOX, “Two and a Half Men” sunk to a season low 4.1 rating with 13.33 million viewers. After showing signs of a strong upward trajectory, “Mike & Molly” also dropped, reaching a 3.4 and 11.09 million.
10PM entry “Hawaii Five-0” erased its recent gains with a drop to a series-low 2.7 rating with 10.30 million viewers.
While Monday night standout CBS underwhelmed, NBC’s “The Sing Off” outperformed the usual combination of “Chuck” and “The Event.” The two hour premiere scored a 2.8 adults 18-49 rating with 8.54 million viewers. “Chase,” however, could not benefit from the better lead-in, posting a 1.5 with 5.06 million viewers.