At End of Broadcast Season, Tension Builds: Where Are Viewers?

The May sweep should be the biggest month of the year, with season and series finales and maybe even a few network show finales (the only one in that category is “Scrubs,” which moves to ABC next year from NBC).But “Grey’s Anatomy” was down 9% from its first airing in the May sweeps; “Lost” was down 8%; and “American Idol” was off 5% versus the week before (which wasn’t in the May sweeps).Shouldn’t shows be climbing as the season ends? Even Fox’s “House,” returning this past Monday, got a warm welcome back from viewers — and 11% decline from its season average. CBS’s “CSI” is down as well.

TV Watch
by Wayne Friedman