ABC's 'Mole' burrows under 10 p.m.

After four years, ABC's "The Mole" returned Monday to discover what didn't draw big ratings in 2004 has an even tougher time today.

"Mole" (4.7 million viewers, 1.9 preliminary adults 18 to 49 rating and a 5 share) dug down into last place at 10 p.m., not helped by a fairly modest "The Bachelorette" (6.5 million, 2.1/6), which nonetheless was up a notch from last week's airing.

"The Mole" was down 47% from its last premiere in-season, which really isn't a fair comparison given the amount of time that's passed (compared to its previous summer premiere in 2002, the drop is similar). A better standard is last year's "Supernanny" in the time period, which also performed slightly higher.

In better ratings news, would you believe NBC tied to win the night?

Would you believe NBC tied to win the night ... with hockey?

The highest Stanley Cup playoff rating (5.8 million, 2.6/7) in at least four years?

The highest in six years, according to metered market overnights (4.3/8)?

CBS (averaging 7.9 million, 2.5/7), Fox (8 million, 2.4/7) and the CW (1.3 million, 0.6/2) had repeats.

Comments

[Linda]

What's that saying? Maybe America is getting tired of reality and wants a few more "escapism" scripted series. Time will tell this summer with the launch of such dramas as Swingtown.

[James Hibberd]

How well the broadcast net scripted shows are going to do this summer is a good question... we shall see...