CBS Swaps 'The Class' and 'How I Met Your Mother'

[R!ck]

Zap2It.com

CBS is making a scheduling change on Monday nights, reversing its 8 p.m. hour comedies.

"The Class," this season's designated sitcom savior, was supposed to kickstart CBS' Monday comedies and give a boost to the critically adored "How I Met Your Mother."

It hasn't worked out that way. Instead, "The Class" is averaging roughly 8.95 million viewers through its first three episodes, shedding audience with each passing week. The comedy, about a group of 20-somethings reunited with random members of their third grade class, has averaged a 3.1 rating in among adults 18-49, the key advertiser-friendly demographic.

Meanwhile, "How I Met Your Mother" has pulled in 9.65 million in the 8:30 p.m. slot, up slightly from its average first season audience. The series has improved on its lead-in each of the past two weeks and is averaging a 3.6 demo rating for the season.

Moving "HIMYM" to the 8 p.m. anchor slot actually restores the original Monday order that CBS announced at the upfronts in May. The network decided to reverse the comedies back in July, perhaps counting on buzz for "The Class," which was created by David Crane ("Friends") and Jeffrey Klarik ("Mad About You").

The change will go into effect immediately, starting on Monday, Oct. 9.

[Josh]

This will be good. I think Toups said this, I don't know why CBS thinks it is a good idea to have a new sictom lead. HIMYM is great, so is The Class, so hopefully this works.