Far be it for me to understand how network executives value their content -- a television show doesn't have to be a ratings hit to be a "hit;" see: DVR, iTunes, online viewership, etc. -- but isn't it time we all started worrying about Community? Last night, the NBC sitcom finished third in its time slot (well behind both The Big Bang Theory and Bones), and was only watched by around 300,000 more people than My Generation. Considering that show is already being rumored as the next fall ratings casualty, this isn't exactly good news for the denizens of Greendale Community College.
Proponents for the series will likely point to the fact that Community performed much better than My Generation in the coveted 18-49 demographic -- true enough, its 1.9 mark was significantly higher than the DOA 1.1 that My Generation garnered. However, Community was down 14 percent from its premiere ratings (no Betty White to promote) and wound up dead last among NBC's other Thursday night comedies.
Shed a tear: Not only did Community have fewer viewers than 30 Rock, The Office and Outsourced, it also fared far worse demographically; even the much-derided Outsourced was able to grab a 2.8 rating in the 18-49 demo (which itself lost an alarming 22 percent of its premiere audience). If it weren't for the disaster that is The Apprentice (1.4 rating in the demo, just over 3.6 million total viewers), Community would stand out as the pox on NBC's Thursday night lineup.
Considering this is NBC -- and considering Community has cheerleaders all over the Internet -- don't expect swift, Lone Star-like retribution here; the network showed patience with the series last year, and will likely do the same now. But with six episodes of the similarly critically beloved/audience-ignored Parks and Recreation already in the can, it does seem at least a little possible that Community could be yanked off the schedule at some point. Scary. It might not happen -- and, more important, it hopefully won't happen -- but if it does, don't say you weren't warned.
· Freshmen slump: 'My Gen,' '$#*!,' 'Outsourced' drop [THR/The Live Feed]
· TV Ratings Thursday: My Generation Crashes; 30 Rock Steady; Most Shows Fall [TV By the Numbers]