Which new fall shows are flunking out?

November is report-card time for the TV season. The month-long sweeps period is the networks’ initial chance to showcase their new winners to the advertising community while attempting to hide all the losers.

Three months a year — November, February and May — are when broadcasters set their ad rates, all of which are determined by ratings. So the higher the Nielsen number, the more money networks can charge GM, Citibank, Budweiser and their corporate brethren.

As with any new class, some of the kids are fitting right in with the popular crowd. Whereas others haven't mastered the art of being liked, and could possibly flunk out sooner rather than later.

‘The Nine’ is no ‘Lost’
ABC probably spent more money marketing this bank-robbery aftermath drama than any of its other new shows, hoping for another drama hit to complement “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Lost.” With “The Nine” scheduled in the post-“Lost” 10 p.m. Wednesday slot, ABC executives hoped that viewers would want to remain in the heightened state of tension brought on by the island drama. Didn’t work for “Invasion” last year and it’s not working now. Viewership is much lower than anticipated (as it is for “Lost” too) but ABC did order four more scripts, so there’s hope yet.
Ratings: C-
Quality: B
Chance for season two: 30%

Who you callin' ‘Ugly Betty’?
While floundering NBC is quick to remind everyone that the 8 o’clock hour of the near future should be set aside only for reality, ABC's “Ugly Betty” wasn’t listening. Along with “Heroes,” “Ugly Betty” looks beautiful -- it's one of the breakout series of the fall. Star America Ferrera’s innocent charm is wooing both parents and their kids, in one of those ultra-rare shows that families can actually watch together without embarrassment. The comedy is a bit broad — does Vanessa Williams really have to be that evil? — but the adapted Colombian telenovela is working wonders on America audiences.
Ratings: A
Quality: B+
Chance for season two: 100%

Sunday dinner with your ‘Brothers & Sisters’
Calista Flockhart hasn’t hid her disdain for episodic television. The “Ally McBeal” experience wasn’t enjoyable for her in the least, and she doesn’t look like she’s having all that much fun with ABC's “Brothers  & Sisters.” But viewers are glad to have her back. Ratings are strong, and that’s a huge relief to ABC, which positioned the show in the “Grey’s Anatomy's” former Sunday spot. The family angst and turmoil isn’t anything especially captivating, but in the “thirtysomething” and “Once and Again” mold, it’s chock full of whining, wishing and whispering. Flockhart’s conservative bias is an interesting character study but it always somehow feels like she’d rather cuddle back at home with Harrison Ford than read policy from George Bush.
Ratings: B+
Quality: B
Chance for season two: 85%

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