David Boreanaz

Question: I was wondering what you’ve thought of Bones’ performance in its new time slot. The ratings have gone up each of the last three weeks and are well above its Tuesday-night performance, but I have a feeling Fox was hoping for numbers like House got last year when it followed American Idol. I think Bones has done remarkably well, considering its ultracompetitive time slot against Lost and Criminal Minds. What do you think of the show’s ratings performance, and what do you think Fox thinks of it? The episodes have been great as well. I think this show is starting to reveal itself as a growing series with a bright future and is emerging as the best show of the 2005-06 class. - David

Matt Roush: Well, let’s say one of the best shows of the freshman class, anyway, and certainly Fox’s best new show of the season. As for the ratings, I’m with you. The show may not be scoring House numbers, but House doesn’t face Lost. Bones is high-quality entertainment and is holding its own, and I don’t think it’s in any danger of cancellation. I’ll be curious to see how it does when it moves to an hour earlier, to 8 pm/ET, starting March 8, when its strongest competition will be a new season of America’s Next Top Model. It won’t have the luxury of an American Idol lead-in, but it will be part of an Idol night, and that should count for something.

Fast National ratings (source: Zap2it)
Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2006: 6.8/10 American Idol lead-in: 18.1/28
Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2006: 7.8/11 American Idol lead-in: 16.1/24
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006: 7.5/11 American Idol lead-in: 16.2/25