Epitomizing the notion of a ratings nightmare, last week’s editions of “New Girl” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” failed to enjoy any lift from the vast Super Bowl exposure they received two days prior.
Ratings for the two comedies actually fell from their previous, pre-Super Bowl airings.
Given the extent of last week’s disappointment, FOX had no reason to believe its Tuesday comedies would fare well against this week’s Winter Olympics coverage.
Reality justified that pessimism.
Like that of the “Dads” season finale that preceded them (1.1 adults 18-49 rating, 2.61 million viewers), ratings for FOX’s “New Girl” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” both slipped to series lows Tuesday.
Once viewed as a centerpiece of FOX’s scripted future, “New Girl” drew a mere 1.3 adults 18-49 rating with 2.95 million viewers. “Nine-Nine,” the Golden Globe winner for Best Comedy, posted a 1.2 with 2.87 million viewers.
While NBC’s Olympics coverage (7.1 with 25.61 million viewers from 9-10PM) can claim some of the credit for this particular week’s performance, it is clear FOX’s Tuesday comedy block has fallen, perhaps helplessly, into the ratings abyss.