Today’s overnight ratings are definitely worthy of mentioning because of implications going forward (i.e. renewal or cancellation.) Tuesday night featured the much-anticipated return of the critically acclaimed second year drama Smash. Despite a moderate amount of marketing thrown behind the show, it failed miserably to steal from time slot rival The Bachelor (7.8 million, 2.6 18-49) and ended up with a horrid 1.1 18-49 with 4.5 million tuning in. Even with adjustments to come later, this is really bad.
The big story here is going to be how Smash cannot drum up enough buzz to warrant attention on its own. Some help will come when The Voice returns to Mondays and Tuesdays come March, but that may just be too little too late. Its lead-in last night was another Betty White Birthday Special which scored a 1.5 18-49–a far cry from the 4.0+ start Smash received one year ago.
As for the other shows on broadcast, it is worth acknowledging yesterday had an interesting story in that The Carrie Diaries (which airs Monday nights on CW) is no longer in the dog house after premiering soft. The 80′s-based Sex and the City spin-off has been growing week-to-week and most recently stood at a 0.7 18-49 which is relatively good for the network. Anticipate a pick-up should the momentum continue, but do be cautioned that this could always be a reaction from those curious tuning in to see what this is all about especially after Saturday Night Live ripped the program with a Sopranos makeover a few weekends ago.