A low-rated night with little relevance to network regular schedules.
ABC: The only network to take a chance with regular scripted programming last night, airing new episodes of LAST MAN STANDING and MALIBU COUNTRY presumably on the theory that these family-aimed shows could find a holiday audience. The attempt was neither success nor failure, as both shows tied last week’s 1.4s–but the fact that they were beaten convincingly by rerun Christmas specials on CBS isn’t a great sign. After that, ABC won both the 9PM and 10PM hours, with a repeat SHARK TANK (1.3) and a new 20/20 (1.5).
CBS: 8-10PM were all rerun Christmas specials, highlighted by a 2.0 for FROSTY THE SNOWMAN, the highest rated show of the night on any network. At 10PM, a PERSON TO PERSON special, though, fell to 3rd place with an ugly 0.7.
NBC: THE NATIONAL DOG SHOW (which had previously run on cable) and DATELINE had matching 1.0s.
FOX: Unlike the very decent number ABC pulled with Charlie Brown earlier in the week, FOX could only manage a 0.5 for HAPPINESS IS A WARM BLANKET, CHARLIE BROWN. After that, 2 SIMPSONS reruns had 0.9s.
CW: 2 Christmas specials had 0.5s, which is better than Nikita has been doing on the night.
Tonight FOX and ABC both feature major college football games with relevance to the postseason bowl picture. Against that, NBC airs a run of the last (and least) INDIANA JONES movie, which has been aired many times on cable already, and CBS is burning off an episode of MADE IN JERSEY. On Sunday, all the networks air regular schedules, but as is increasingly the case, the fun will be on cable, where THE WALKING DEAD will do battle with Lindsay Lohan’s Elizabeth Taylor vehicle LIZ & DICK (which probably could have used AMC’s title as well). Also, HBO airs the season finale of TREME, for the passionate few who care.
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