Ratings: Addiset back

Why are you so smiley, Kate Walsh? Sure, you're starring in a new TV show and went to the same high school as my mom, but "Private Practice" kind of, you know, bombed in the ratings last night, getting beat by "Bionic Woman." "BW" got a 5.5 in 18-49s, with "PP" only netting a 5.1. "BW" has actually popped the highest rating for a new series so far all fall (and for some reason I don't see, say, "Carpoolers," giving it a run for its money), and on viewership-starved NBC probably means that it's practically already been renewed. Obviously, the second week is the "real test" for both these shows. Neither show is lighting the critical world on fire, though; I was lukewarm to "BW," and the 10 minutes or so I saw (mainly by accident) of "PP" was plenty. Also apparently atrocious: "Big Shots," debuting tonight.

Star turn

So how did unprecedented media coverage, including an Entertainment Weekly cover and the greatest kudo possible - the longest "Channel Surfing" item in history - lead to 1/3 less viewers for the "Battlestar Galactica" season three premiere than season two's premiere got? On one hand, it's not that surprising - a lot of people probably dig the outer space adventure, and what you got was two depressing, dimly lit hours of secondary characters like Tyrol and Tigh complaining about how much life sucks. Even if some of us find that great.

It does make this rumor, that NBC is moving the show to the peacock to play after "Heroes," seem even more ridiculous. More than 2.2 people watch the lowest-rated prime time network show by accident. It's already been debunked, though, and I even contacted Sci Fi publicity myself to get confirmation of the rumor's falseness. Probably unnecessary, but I go the extra mile for you surfers.

The third in the hat trick of "BSG"-related news is executive producer David Eick developing a new "Bionic Woman" series for NBC. What else is there to say except "could be pretty cool"? What I'm really looking forward to are the old school "Bionic Woman" fans inevitably complaining that they've ruined everything that was good and pure about the original show. Yeah, that'll be awesome.

Other news

"SNL" has announced some upcoming hosts - Jaime Pressly, John C. Reilly and Hugh Laurie. From "Poison Ivy 3: "The New Seduction" to "Saturday Night Live" host in under a decade. Good going.

"Cartoon Network Completes Production on First Original Live-Action Movie, 'Re-Animated'" - not really sticking with their strengths, is it? Also sends sort of a mixed message.

"Studio 60" has fallen to third place in just three weeks, beaten by "CSI: Miami" and "The Bachelor"...that's right, even with "Pimp My Trike." Hey, I'm not the only person who thinks the sketches suck.

"Eurkea" is just about renewed. It didn't take a town full of super-geniuses to see that one coming! Right?! Get it? Like the show?

Grey days

There's an early winner in the Thursday night "CSI"/"Grey's Anatomy" war, and yep, it's "Grey's Anatomy" - especially in the key 18-49 demographic, once again proving my theory that only old people like watching dead bodies getting cut up. And they love Gil Grissom. Who could say why?

"Til Death," "Happy Hour," Part Deux

I guess no one ended up watching these. The lure of Al Michaels and John Madden was, as it usually is, far too enticing to pass up. At this point, with not retaining much of the already-slim "'Til Death" lead-in, "Happy Hour" seems like an easy pick to be the first cancellation of the fall season. Poor Lex Medlin.