Fall TV Report Card: Did Your Freshman Faves Make The Grade? Did 'Doomed' Noobs Get Axed?

Grades_Dads

DADS
Your Grade: D+

"I was thoroughly surprised by this. I expected very bad things [but]I didn't find it offensive, and actually laughed a lot. It helps that I'm a big fan of Seth Green and Martin Mull.... I am looking forward to next week's episode." –Zach

"I didn't even notice the offensive things mentioned, because I was so distracted by how horribly unfunny this show is." –Tabitha

"NO JUST NO." –Emily

STATUS: Though predicted by many to be among the fall's first cancellations, it managed to earn a full-season order in late October. To date, it's averaging 4.1 million total viewers and a 1.7 rating opposite NCIS and S.H.I.E.L.D. (while lead out Brooklyn Nine-Nine does 5.1 mil and a 2.3).

We Are Men

WE ARE MEN

Your Grade: C

"Not bad. It's not going to win any awards, but it's a fun, a lighthearted comedy. I'll give it a few more weeks." –Tvfan

"My husband actually laughed out loud.... We liked it better than Mom, which is full of underage sex and drug references." –edlow

"EPIC FAIL. I hate to be the bearer of bad news so I'm going to give We Are Men an F." –Flacco

STATUS: Cancelled after two episodes.

LAUREN ASH, REBEL WILSON, LIZA LAPIRA, CARLA JEFFREY

SUPER FUN NIGHT

Your Grade: C

"I checked it out to see how bad it was. Did not laugh or smile even once. How this is on and Happy Endings is not, I am not sure." –Darth Pablo

"Nothing funny about it. Shameful and cruel. I loved Happy Endings... and it was taken off for this? Pitiful show, didn't even giggle once." –Barbie

"I didn't think it was anywhere near as bad as the rest of the comments are saying, but I feel like every line Rebel [Wilson] said would instantly be 10x funnier if she used her natural [Australian] accent! The American accent just sounds wrong!" –Erin

STATUS: Barely retaining half of Modern Family's numbers, it only earned a "back 4" episode order, which will begin unspooling Jan. 8.

Celebrity Sightings In New York City - April 2, 2013

IRONSIDE

Your Grade: C+

"I liked it a lot. Hope it sticks around. I am not even a huge Blair Underwood fan, but he has some serious acting chops. I also like that he is kinda like the House version of a cop." –Missy

"I didn't really find anything to make this show stand out from the pack of a trillion other police procedurals." –Dreamrose

"So bad and deserves a quick cancellation!" –DavidSask

STATUS: Cancelled after three airings.

Dracula - Season 1

DRACULA

Your Grade: C+

"I thought it was fantastic, best premiere of the season in my book.... The production values were some of the best I've seen in an American network production, the dialogue was well written, the hook compelling, the actors stellar and I loved all the characters.... Will be tuning in weekly. " –Autumn

"I see great potential here. Even though the pilot was a bit lacking, I'm sticking around." –wrstgrl

"I hated it so much. It was awful. Just, no. No. The writing was terrible, it lacked cohesion, the pacing was a nightmare, Jonathan Rhys Myers' accent was part-New York, part Southern Hick, part... I'm not even sure what else. " –Becky Ann

STATUS: It's bleeding viewers leading out of Grimm — 3.8 mil with 1.1 demo rating vs. 6.3 mil/1.6 at last count. Its final four freshman episodes kick off Jan. 3.

Grades_WTTF

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY

Your Grade: B-

"Didn't find it funny, but didn't find it awful either.... I'll give it a few more episodes to see if it finds its footing" –Jenna

"It was better than the pilots for The Michael J. Fox Show and Sean Saves the World." –Leondre

"I liked the show better when it was called Reba." –arianeb

STATUS: Axed after three episodes.

Sean Saves the World - Season 1

SEAN SAVES THE WORLD

Your Grade: B-

"Definitely exceeded expectations! Unlike a lot of the new comedies, this one really feels like it can find its footing and improve weekly." –Amy

"I was not expecting to like this as much as I did, but I had some genuine LOL moments.... I give it a B+ with a lot of potential to improve. Sean Hayes and Megan Hilty can carry this show if this pilot is anything to go by." –soso

"Change the writing keep Sean, but recast everyone else. He is great but needs more to work with. If no changes are made it will get cancelled." – monieet

STATUS: The only scripted NBC series to average a lower weekly rating this fall was the swiftly spiked Welcome to the Family. To date, Sean has only merited a "back 5" (versus "back 9") episode order.

Corned Beef and Handcuffs

MOM

Your Grade: B-

"This show was super fun, featuring two amazing actors whose talent I enjoy a lot. Well done navigating sucky issues in a comedy context. I'm quite impressed." –tara

"I'm usually a fan of [Anna] Faris and [Allison] Janney, but this was a miss for me. Too many light-hearted drug references; for a sitcom, the back story is too 'heavy.'" –Jill

"Gave it a C because I can't bring myself to give Allison Janney anything less than that, but honestly this show doesn't deserve it." –Eli

STATUS: Although Janney-Faris combo earned Chuck Lorre's latest some goodwill, in total viewers (8.4 mil) among CBS shows, its only outdrawing Hostagesand the cancelled We Are Men, and it's the Eye's lowest rated comedy.

Dear Diary

THE MILLERS

Your Grade: B-

"OMG! I loved the show!! Not the fart stuff so much, but the rest of the show and cast were funny! Hope it's a go!" –Carol

"Laughed throughout the episode and not just at the fart jokes, which let's be honest were funny. I particularly loved the Dirty Dancing choreography at the very end.... Beau Bridges is also hilarious in a way I haven't seen him before which is very refreshing." –Jennifer

"Eh, I thought was okay. Not really good. Probably could be one of the first cancellations of CBS." –Lorena

STATUS: Ma's gas couldn't keep viewers away. The dysfunctional family comedy ranks No. 2 in audience and No. 4 in the demo among all freshman shows.

JEFF GARLIN

THE GOLDBERGS

Your Grade: B-

"It was laugh-out-loud funny and reminded me of my own family, which is why I love The Middle as well. [Those two] would be perfect together!" –Jamie

"I actually found myself really enjoying this show. Maybe it's just me but it actually felt a bit TGIF-ish." –Katy

"My pick for the first cancellation this season. It's not bad, it's just not good." –Sokratis

STATUS: Like lead out Trophy Wife, its ratings have been steady and not S.H.I.E.L.D.-dependent, yet could afford to be a bit higher. But buzz for the retro-com has built since its modestly reviewed pilot.

STUART TOWNSEND, HANNAH WARE

BETRAYAL

Your Grade: B-

"I'm intrigued enough to watch again next week and I'm hoping this one sticks around. Some of the plot points were a little ridiculous... but I thought overall it was good." –Julie

"These two lovers were star-crossed and caught in a horrible set of circumstances, just as completely as Romeo and Juliet.... If this show fails, it is because so few people have a romantic bone left in their body." –Maryann

"ABC, you got away with the cheating in Scandal, and most forgave it for Mistresses, but this will not be the same." –GTS

STATUS: At last count, the sudser hit a 10-week high in audience (3.7 million viewers) and ticked up to a 0.8 demo rating. The Season 1 finale airs Jan. 19.

MAGGIE LAWSON

BACK IN THE GAME

Your Grade: B-

"I thought it was perfect. Amazing that ABC picked up something as great as this, and something as bad as Super Fun Night." –Zach

"I wasn't all that interested in seeing Back in the Game, but it was on after The Middle, so we just kept it on — and I'm glad we did.... I hope ABC gives it a chance because I see a lot of potential." –Kate

"I love Maggie Lawson from Psych and I always enjoy watching James Caan [but] it seemed really stale and canned with antiquated stereotypes.... Hopefully it can throw a few curveballs to make it more interesting." –Amanda

STATUS: Effectively cancelled in November, Suburgatory returns to claim its time slot on Jan. 15.

Thanatos

THE TOMORROW PEOPLE

Your Grade: B

"I liked it. It had its kinks but I'm down for the ride. John and Dr. Price are so related; they have to be. Although you have to wonder what went down between those two." –Tai

"I'm hoping that The Tomorrow People improves over the next few episodes, in the same way as Arrow did last year. There was potential in the pilot episode, but it lacked cohesion and emotional pull." –Katie

"I gave it a C only because I was a fan of the original back in the day. I will definitely keep watching, but the whole teen angsty feel (I know it's on The CW) doesn't help the show." — MrMank

STATUS: Like The CW's other freshman, it earned a full-season order, though its inability to retain even half of Arrow's numbers perhaps predicated its move to Mondays starting mid-March.

Grades_Ravenswood

RAVENSWOOD

Your Grade: B

"I am in love with the mysteries of this show. The whole curse concept has me hooked. I do have the fear that all of [Pretty Little Liars'] Caleb/Hannah fans will try to sink the spin-off in order to have Caleb back in Rosewood." — Tori

"It moved a little bit slow at times and the hour didn't fly by the way most episodes of PLL do. It has me interested enough to tune in again, but I'm not sold yet on it being "must see" viewing." –Emgee

STATUS: Season 1 – which delivered ABC Family's highest-rated series premiere in the Women 18-34 demo – resumes Jan. 7.

PETER GADIOT, SOPHIE LOWE

ONCE UPON A TIME IN WONDERLAND

Your Grade: B

"The first 15 minutes were so-so but after that i thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the Storybrooke connection too. I can't wait to see where this goes. Sophie Lowe is a brilliant actress and she is a standout in this for me. Can't wait till next week." –greysfan

"I honestly felt like this could have been better. I just wasn't as wowed and captivated by this as I was with Episode 1 of OUAT. Wonderland had great moments, but that is all they were — moments." –Cory

STATUS: Having entered its indefinite midseason hiatus with 3.5 million total viewers and a 0.9 rating, ABC surely is second-guessing its decision to not use the spin-off as filler for Once Upon a Time's winter break (as originally envisioned) but instead ask it to self-start Thursday in ABC's historically problematic time slot.

The Michael J. Fox Show - Season 1

THE MICHAEL J FOX SHOW

Your Grade: B

"Not the funniest show, although it had its moments and, it has a lot of heart to it. I'm not sure about The Office/Modern Family/Parks and Rec thing of talking to the camera — too many shows are doing that these days." –James D

"It felt generic. It was nice to see a family who didn't have dysfunction. The self-deprecating humor wasn't bad. Maybe the show will get better as it progresses." –jwb

"I like Michael J Fox, which is why I watched it, but yikes was this bad... I found the Parkinson jokes more offensive then funny, which obviously is not what they were going for." –Bob

STATUS: Its Season 1 showing – ranking 67th and 65th in total viewers and in the demo – might be cause for concern had the TV icon's show not been picked up for a full 22 episodes from the get-go.

Suspicious Minds

HOSTAGES

Your Grade: B

"It's so nice to see CBS do a real serialized show again. I believe this is the first in-season attempt since Jericho. I think the average CBS audience will be confused by the lack of cutesy dialogue wrapping the storyline up in a trite, tidy, bow, after 42 minutes. However, I'd be happy to be proven wrong and see this show succeed." –Janet

"Really liked some of it, and some of it I didn't like so much. But all in all, captivating enough to get me to come back..... I'm getting the impression that the president either directly or indirectly had something to do with Duncan's wife's comatose state." –Ron

"Interesting idea, but the execution wasn't great. Wasn't on the edge of my seat at all." –Kate

STATUS: Having set neither the Nielsens nor the watercooler on fire, its two-hour Jan. 6 season finale is likely its series finale.

The Intern

THE CRAZY ONES

Your Grade: B

"The cast is amazing: Robin Williams, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Hamish Linklater, among others, are all very funny people. But this pilot's MVP was James Wolk.... The show is the first CBS comedy in a long time that I've actually enjoyed, so you can bet I'll be back for more" –Eric

"David E. Kelley always needs a little bit of time with his shows... I'm sure as soon as he finds the right formula, this show will kick some a$$. The cast is awesome and it's already fun to watch. Isn't much that can go wrong here IMO." –Dani

"Just horrible. If it didn't have so many big names attached to it, it would probably be canceled already." –Ace

STATUS: Working off a full-season order, it's among the Top 5 highest rated and most watched freshman shows.

Grades_B99

BROOKLYN NINE-NINE

Your Grade: B

"My husband and I both loved it. It was silly and weird and it had a great ensemble. The offbeat sense of humor reminded me of Parks and Rec, no surprise [being from the same producers]. Already on the DVR." –murley

"An excellent palate-cleanser after watching Dads. This show's cast didn't have a weak link in the bunch, and it's brand of humour kept me smiling. I'll be tuning in on a regular basis." –Eric

"I didn't think it was funny. A tie around the waist is funny? Man-scaping jokes?" –Keith

STATUS: Having copped an early full-season order, solid word of mouth and a plum après-Super Bowl berth, it's a sure thing for renewal.

Grades_Witches

THE WITCHES OF EAST END

Your Grade: B+

"This show however has everything Charmed did without being a replica — humor, magic, love, sexiness (can't believe I just said that) and intrigue. I'm hooked. It just made Sunday nights better." –tp

"The series is supposed to be silly, soapy, supernatural nonsense — and it excels at what it is meant to be." –Alice

"I really wanted to like this show, but I felt like it was just a Charmed wannabe... Even the house looked the same.... If it remains silly and ridiculous, I'm out." –Katie

STATUS: Already renewed for Season 2

MALIN AKERMAN

TROPHY WIFE

Your Grade: B+

"Pretty funny. Love Malin Akerman. This cast is too good to be bad. The little Asian boy [Albert Tsai] is my favorite." –Rebecca

"It was hilarious, best new comedy of the season so far. They were fools not to pair this with Modern Family, it has the exact same vibe and would have been a great match." –starship

"I wanted to like it, I really did. I tuned in for Bradley Whitford, but he can't sustain it for me. I kept thinking, 'Why did he marry ANY of these women?... Deleted from DVR already." –SilentE

STATUS: Earned a full-season order; its ratings (as well as lead in The Goldbergs') have been steady and not S.H.I.E.L.D.-dependent, yet could afford to be a bit higher.

Grades_SleepyHollow

SLEEPY HOLLOW

Your Grade: B+

"I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Most definitely has potential. I'm in!" –jackie

"I love the mythology, history, and biblical references the show is mixing into its story.... The two leads also have fantastic chemistry, and as dark as the show can be, that provides some nice humor.... I hope the rest of the season can maintain this kind of twists and pace." –iMember

"I got bored and fell asleep about halfway through, then had to go back and watch my tape of the second half. I was not impressed. This one needs to improve fast or I won't stick with it for long." – Alex

STATUS: In the wake of boffo premiere numbers (and stupefying DVR playback boosts), Fox was quick to renew the supernatural hit for Season 2. (Season 1 ends Jan. 20.)

REIGN

REIGN

Your Grade: B+

"All of the actors were appealing, the sets and scenery are beautiful, the music was fun, there's intrigue (assassination plots! attempted rape! poisonings!), a mysterious masked woman, kinky sex rituals, masturbation, beheadings, and a touch of the supernatural in Nostradamus' visions.... Overall, I was left intrigued enough to check out another episode." –alistaircrane

"I absolutely LOVED this show. Already shipping Sebastian and Mary like crazy. So much chemistry there. " –TracesOfSadness

"This show Reign is moral garbage. Teenagers watch as a man an woman moan and have sexual intercourse. May God now curse this show and rebuke the creators and producers of this show!"—Dane

STATUS: Earned an early full-season order and better-than-expected word of mouth. Yet while the ratings are rock-steady, they remain on the low side.

Reigning Pain in New Orleans

THE ORIGINALS

Your Grade: B+

"I was surprised by how excited I found myself when watching the show. All the new scenes were really cool but the Klaus/Elijah fight was my favorite.... I'm also intrigued by the dynamic between Davina and Marcel." –Jane

"I saw the backdoor pilot twice, and still loved the season premiere. This show has grabbed me and not let go. And those who are upset about Elijah being staked, I have every faith it is very temporary." –Maryann

"I'm sorry but I can't handle an entire show dedicated to Klaus' self-obsessed ways, in addition to all of his whining. It's too much for me to handle." –William

STATUS: Scored an early full-season order and went into the holiday hiatus hitting season-high numbers.

BRETT DALTON, MING-NA WEN

MARVEL'S AGENTS OF SHIELD

Your Grade: B+

"A little cheesy at times, but that comes with the hero concept. Overall, it was absolutely awesome. Great writing, great intrigue. great acting by Ming Na and Clark Gregg.... Will definitely be tuning in next week." –Matt

"It was good but not the amazing pilot it was hyped to be. I'll stick with it" –dude

"It was like a poorly lit fan film about annoying people who really loved their own logo." –Drew

STATUS: Having entered the fall with much buzz, the series scored a full-season order three episodes into its run. Still, a jolt in both the ratings — which waned every week until NCIS took a knee, and hit a low just before the break — and the creative are imperative to make Season 2 worth ABC's while.

Grades_AlmostHuman

ALMOST HUMAN

Your Grade: B+

"Everything was well done – writing, acting, musical score and cinematography.... Karl Urban and Michael Ealy bring depth and passion to their characters. I'm hooked." –D

"I absolutely loved it. Has a very Blade Runner feel to it – and with a [Joel] Wyman and [J.J.] Abrams twist, what can be better than that? I've been missing Fringe like crazy, this looks like it will fill that void." –James

"They should have named them Mac and C.H.E.E.S.E." –Joe

STATUS: Early numbers are decent if not markedly better than time slot predecessor Bones.

Episode 112

MASTERS OF SEX

Your Grade: A-

"I had never given much thought to the what the pioneers in sex research had to do to get their results. I didn't expect to like this show, but now I can't wait to see what else is in store." –Cassandra

"Parts of it made me uncomfortable — I kind of thought it would — but I tuned in because of the rave reviews, and I have to say I liked it better than I thought I would. The actors and the production were first-rate., and I loved the music score" –Mandy

"Worst title of any new show! As for the content, I don't want to watch again." –Chris

STATUS: Already renewed for Season 2

The Blacklist - Season 1

THE BLACKLIST

Your Grade: A-

"Loved it from start to finish. Was looking forward to this most and it did not disappoint. This one's locked in for my Monday night timeslot." –Cort

"I can see why the critics are calling it the best new show of the season. I'd be very impressed if any other show could capture my attention like this one has." –Elaine

"There were a few things that could be better, but overall I liked the pace of the show. Biggest gripe though was Megan Boone's obvious wig, it just didn't look right." –Jon

STATUS: Already renewed for Season 2

Grades_Coven

AMERICAN HORROR STORY: COVEN

Your Grade: A-

"I love this show. The creepiness is eerie and the artistic level and direction is a class of its own. I think this is why Coven will be watched even by those who pretend to stop watching." –jag

"Kathy Bates was amazing, but disturbing to watch. I could barely look when she turned that guy into a Minotaur. So gross. Loved this opener, though, and it looks like this will be a great season." –abz

"First time to watch AHS and that was the weirdest show I have ever watched.... Still not sure about it tbh." –Alice

STATUS: Franchise already renewed for Season 4, setting/theme TBD.

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