CBS recently unveiled a new sitcom, Mad Love, to the Monday night line-up. Will this be a new success story for the network or yet another failed attempt to round out the night’s schedule?
Mad Love revolves around four young New Yorkers. Two are falling in love with one another while the other two can’t stand each other — for now at least. Ben (Jason Biggs) is a hopeless romantic and an attorney who’s trying to build a relationship with Kate (Sarah Chalke), who he thinks is the girl of his dreams. Larry (Tyler Labine) is Ben’s best friend and co-worker. He and Kate’s roommate, Connie (Judy Greer), can’t stand one another but they have a lot more in common that either wants to admit.
The sitcom debuted on February 14th (appropriately enough) and attracted a 3.0 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 8.74 million viewers. The rating was a solid sampling but lost 19% of the lead-in audience from How I Met Your Mother. Considering that the two shows are very compatible, CBS was likely hoping for better.
In week two, Mad Love fell 7% in the demo to a 2.8 rating and 7.99 million total viewers. Last week’s fell again, to a 2.7 and 7.9 million. Based on the early ratings, last night’s installment fell 11% from that, to a 2.4 rating and 7.27 million viewers. It should be noted that it was the only CBS show with an original episode last night.
Thus far this season, Mad Love is averaging a 2.7 rating in the demo and just under eight million total viewers. If the sitcom was on NBC, this would be one of their most popular shows. It’s not though and on CBS, it’s near the bottom of the ratings list.
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In that timeslot, Rules of Engagement was averaging a 3.1 rating and 8.61 million viewers. Had Mad Love outperformed Rules, it would have a very strong chance at renewal. With Mad Love’s numbers still dropping though, it’s clear that the new sitcom isn’t going to be a better performer. Next season, CBS could do better by just keeping Rules in that timeslot — and Rules isn’t necessarily out of danger itself. Last season’s Jenna Elfman comedy, Accidentally on Purpose, averaged a 3.0 rating in the demo on Monday nights and was still cancelled.
If Mad Love’s ratings even off (or better yet, go up), there’s a chance CBS may still decide to renew it for a second season. The future of their most-popular TV show, Two and a Half Men, is still very much up in the air and they may decide to keep their options open. More than likely though, they’ll just opt to try a new show in hopes of getting better ratings.
But, what do you think? Is Mad Love worth renewing or should CBS just cut to the chase and cancel it now? Cancel or keep it?
Image courtesy CBS.
Keep it!!!!!!! It is a great show the only reason that it doesn’t have as many viewers as some other CBS shows is because it is new!!!!!!!! Cbs, don’t make the same mistake as NBC made by cancelling Baywatch!
KEEP IT! The first few episodes did not peek my interest other than the surprising appearance of Martin Starr!!! But it keeps getting better and I am loving the all the familiar Aptow guest stars, it even got my fiancé to watch it last night. The fact that a few of the actors have been on HIMYM and other shows is great a subtle tie in and has peaked my interest in a possible tie-in episodes (like Mad about you and friends in the 90’s). I think this show has great potential and but I have never been much a… Read more »
please please renew mad love!
its my favorite show on Mondays.
I think its way better than How i met…
Kudos to whoever cast the perfect actor for each character…really great chemistry between them, & also secondary characters.
This is a Great show that deserves many more seasons to come. Please dont make the mistake of cancelling.
If this does happen, then why bother introducing any more new sitcoms? Its like opening a new Niteclub, then closing a few months later!!!
Where is the energy? Very flat/tired! Even the laugh track sounds flat/ tired.
I think its cute. Cracked me up a couple times. Larry is my favorite because he seems the most real. And totally reminds me of a more successful version of my brother! I say keep it for sure!!!
It’s an okay show and I think it has promise. The cast is likeable, but I wouldn’t miss it if it was cancelled.
Keep it i need a JOB!
Keep it. It’s a good show.
If they allow Tyler and Judy to cut loose, the show can get stronger.
I think that its hard to judge this show by the first four episodes. Judy Greer and the guy that plays Larry have a lot of chemistry and I would watch the show just to see how their story turns out. I think it would be cheaper to re-configure the show (I’d start by changing that god-awful opening) and giving it another season. There are many shows that have had less than stellar beginnings and turned out to be great. CBS is not really known for edgy television so despite the somewhat saccharine leads the show is funny enough to… Read more »
In other things, I’ve liked all the main actresses and actors, but I watched about one minute of the first episode and I had to bail. I didn’t even get past the scene on the skyscraper. Right away I just couldn’t take the plain old joke – wait for the canned laughter – and then start talking again. I think I’m just tired of the stale, old-fashion sitcom where then tell you when to laugh and when it should be funny with the fake laughing. I think “Big Bang Theory” is the only show I still watch with a laugh… Read more »
I like Greer and Chalke, but the writing has been lame and strictly formulaic — it’s like they’re trying to be a cheap knock-off of HIMYM but without the wit, the charm, or the mighty NPH. Cancel and try something with at least a spark of originality next time.
I really recommend this show; the chemistry between the main characters is something that you rarely see on TV.
It’s not HIMYM, but its first 4 are as good as HIMYMs, take that however you wish.
Keep it for a while; I think it’s good. Judy Greer and the other sidekick guy are better than the two stars of the show, but overall it’s good and entertaining. On CBS on Monday nights I only watch Mad Love and How I Met Your Mother. Give this one a chance.
Cancel it and replace with something more original or bring back Rules of Engadgment.
Judy Greer and Sarah Chalke are both fine Comediennes, Judy especially and deserve something better.
What I don’t get is Matt Tarses wrote My Old Lady episode of Scrubs an episode so fantastic that set the tone of Scrubs, yet this show is crap.