The coverage of President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address was the main attraction on the Big 4 networks last night, which also marked the return to originals for the CW’s series after a long winter hiatus that was only briefly interrupted for the two-hour finale of Life Unexpected. In its new Tuesday time…

The quiet before the storm. Not a whole lot happened last night ratings-wise as the networks are focusing on tonight’s return of Fox’s American Idol. CBS (3.2/9 in 18-49, 16.5 million) was once again the top network for the night, though it slipped a bit from last week’s big numbers. NCIS (4.1/11, 21 million) was down…

EXCLUSIVE: As the CW’s sophomore drama Life Unexpected is heading to its season and likely series finale on Jan. 18, the series’ creator/executive producer Liz Tigelaar is ready to move on, signing an overall deal with ABC Studios. The seven-figure, two-year pact, which has an option for a third year, starts in June…

The CW today became the latest network to release its midseason schedule. With only one hole to fill, that of departing sophomore Life Unexpected which did not receive a back order, and one midseason series on deck, reality competition Shedding for the Wedding, the network is moving freshman drama Hellcats to LUX‘s…

It was the Grinch (as played by Sue Sylvester) vs. Charlie Brown in the mostly Christmas-themed 8 PM time slot last night. Fox’s Glee (4.4/13, 11 million), topped the hour and the night in adults 18-49 but slipped a tenth from last week’s fast national demo rating (It was down two tenths from the Live+Same day number…

EXCLUSIVE: Kristoffer Polaha is staying in the CBS family. Polaha, who stars on the critically praised CW/CBS Studios drama Life Unexpected, has signed a rich talent holding deal with CBS and CBS Studios to topline a new project eyed for next fall. I hear Polaha was offered the deal the day CW decided not to give Life…

EXCLUSIVE: It will be an abbreviated second (and probably final) season for the CW’s drama Life Unexpected after the network today decided not to order additional episodes beyond the show’s original 13-episode order. The writing has been on the wall: despite critical praise, LUX has been the the lowest-rated series on…

Just like its sister network CBS did yesterday, the CW today handed out full-season orders to all of its freshman series. In its case, it’s 2: Hellcats and Nikita. Also getting a full-season order is CW veteran One Tree Hill, which has been a solid ratings performer in its current eighth season. No decision yet on the…

Things seem to be settling down on Tuesdays, with most series reaching their ratings comfort zones. After across-the-board declines last Tuesday, last night all but 2 shows stayed very close to their last week’s averages and, in some cases, bounced back. That includes the entire CBS lineup as all of the network’s…

Flat seems to be the new up this fall, with only two series last night, CBS’ The Good Wife and NBC’s Parenthood, able to maintain their ratings from last week while everyone else dropped. With no Britney Spears, Fox’s Glee (4.5/13 in adults 18-49, 11 million viewers overall) suffered the biggest drop (24%) from last…

The trend of returning series debuting lower this season that started with CW’s America’s Next Top Model, Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl, and 90210, continued last night with the season debuts of NBC’s Parenthood and the CW’s One Tree Hill and Life Unexpected. Parenthood (2.7 rating/8 share in adults 18-49, 7.7 million…

The CW today became the first broadcast network to announce premiere dates for its fall lineup. As usual, the CW will roll out the bulk of its schedule ahead of the traditional fall premiere week, starting on September 8 with the debut of new drama Hellcats. On Wednesday, September 8, Cycle 15 of  AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MO…