dubois_love | TVByNumbers: "Medium’s Safe, As Long As It Outruns Numb3rs"

There’s been some discussion on our site about the possibility that Medium may be canceled. It’s true that Medium has done poorly in the ratings this season compared to CBS Fridays last season, but so have its bretheen Numb3rs and Ghost Whisperer. But I significantly doubt that CBS would cancel two of its Friday shows in a single season, no matter how far they fall. So, like the joke about the two guys running from the bear, all Medium needs to do to survive for another season is outrun Numb3rs.

The Good Wife is doing a bit below average ratings for CBS. On NBC it would be a hit. On ABC or Fox it would be safe. On CBS, something’s gotta go, that puts it on the bubble for next season. The New Adventures of Old Christine and Gary Unmarried’s low ratings could be tolerated for yet another season if CBS sticks to its goal of a second “comedy block”, but don’t be surprised if Christine goes and Gary stays.

*Three Rivers is off CBS’ schedule and as close to canceled as you’re likely to get from CBS. Its Index is frozen at the point of the last week it aired, since it has no announced return date. Accidentally On Purpose’s good timeslot following How I Met Your Mother makes its borderline Index look weaker than it would be were it elsewhere on the CBS schedule. Its prospects for next year are not bright.

In a big vote of no confidence, the episode order this season for Numb3rs was reduced to 16 episodes. It’s now in significant danger of not coming back. For shows in the Some Danger category only, I am including short term Index indicators for shows either with either improving or deteriorating Indexes, based on 4 week averages instead of season to date Indexes.

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