Shilo:Superior Donuts has weird scheduling. CBS seems high on it, enough that they actually gave it a 9:00 slot vs. letting 2 Broke Girls lead into it, but its direct lead-in is going to be Man With a Plan, which has performed okay but not so much that you want something new airing out of it. Unless they’re over the moon about its ability to self-start, which is extremely difficult to do in this television environment (particularly with comedies), it would’ve been safer to use The Big Bang Theory as a lead-in here and move fellow workplace comedy The Great Indoors to Mondays. But The Great Indoors just put up its best L+SD numbers since its premiere, so I get the argument as to why CBS wouldn’t want to rock that boat and send something promising to a lower-rated night.
Craig: While I could probably make a compelling argument for MacGyver to move to Sundays at some point, I don’t think it’s a “bubble show” so I’ll forget about that. I will say that CBS still doesn’t seem to have the success that they would want to have with Code Black – obviously people are watching, and CBS likes the show enough that it got a second season, but maybe, just maybe Wednesday nights weren’t the ideal place to put it? I have no idea where it would do better, though.
MOST LIKELY MIDSEASON HIT
Shilo: Despite the weird scheduling, I think if any of the CBS midseason shows breakout, it’ll be Superior Donuts. It feels like the CBS-iest of the CBS midseason shows and while it might be in an awkward position leading the night, it’s at least paired with a show it’s compatible with in 2 Broke Girls. If the Monday comedies can gain some momentum in January, a time when CBS shows tend to show great ratings strength, Superior Donuts might have a chance at becoming the network’s next permanent lead-in. And though the Monday and Thursday comedies have done okay, CBS has been lacking in comedies that can lead an hour, so the success of Superior Donuts might be necessary if next fall is to have four hours of comedy.
Craig: I think Doubt could possibly do well. I’m not entirely sure about that Wednesday slot, but the show might have the right mix of elements that could break out if audiences sample it.
MOST LIKELY MIDSEASON MISS
Shilo:Training Day doesn’t feel like something that would resonate with CBS audiences. Just judging from the trailer, it feels like the type of cop show a TNT or FX would do, i.e. a little too gritty and unrelentingly dark to appeal to a broadcast demographic. CBS audiences have shown that they don’t prefer dramas that dip one way or another from the norm the network has established (e.g. Viva Laughlin, Swingtown, Limitless, Supergirl, Reckless, etc.) and where broadcast attempts at chasing cable prestige very rarely result in decent ratings, and where the transition from a comedy lineup to something like this might be tonally harsh, I don’t see Training Day being too much of a factor.
Craig: I want Ransom to do well just because I’d love to have new programming on Saturday nights again, but who am I kidding: It’s probably a goner. I think Training Day could also have its work cut out for it. We shall see.
