Ask Matt: September 20th

Question: How do you think Bones is going to do against some tough new competition on Thursday nights this season? Bones has always had a loyal following, but I'm concerned that The Big Bang Theory will hurt it. Or is this going to be a case of two very different shows each getting their own solid audiences? Perhaps the competing comedies on NBC have more reason to be concerned? I'm not sure what's on ABC in that time slot. How do you think things will shake out at 8/7c for Thursday shows this season? — Doris

Matt Roush: Bones has established a nice little niche on Thursdays, plugging a hole that was very problematic for Fox for a long time, and while Big Bang is expected to do some major damage on the night, you're right that the impact will likely be greater on NBC's comedies. Not that Bones will have it easy. It's a light procedural with a definite geek factor, so there will be overlap with Big Bang's mass following, I'm sure. But even if bones does take a steeper drop than we'd like, I'm betting Fox knows there's very little else they could put in this ultra-competitive time period that would do any better. So I wouldn't worry about it too much. (Oh, and the ABC show in the time period? My Generation, which most observers are predicting will have quite the uphill climb. I doubt the critics will do much to help on that front.)

Source: TV Guide
Tipsters: omelette73, 7lovelyangel, wellsbones,