This is from a thread on the Scubs forum that I replied to:

thread: Why do a lot of you think Grey's Anatomy is Scrubs' ripoff?

tvfan332 wrote:

Ratings isn't everything, what about quality?

There are some shows that are better written than both scrubs and grey's anatomy that don't get the recognition they deserve like Veronica Mars,that gets low ratings but it's always well written.

Anyway I like both Grey's Anatomy and Scrubs but I prefer Scrubs.

I wrote:

You are absolutely right that ratings shouldn't matter but we all know that isn't reality. Ratings matter, without
decent Nielson ratings nearly off the bat shows get canceled that if they had been given a chance (such as pre 1990s) over a few years would become a hit. Seinfeld is just one example of how a show turned into a ratings powerhouse overnight.

What I don't understand is why someone hasn't come up with a better way to more accurately show who's watching what. Nielson data is nothing more
than polling a couple hundred thousand people and then using their formula/algorithm to scientifically guess how shows are performing.
We all know how wrong science can be wrong and I'd guess the Nielsons are more often wrong than right. Hopefully as we move further into the TIVO age they will find a better way to track what people are actually watching.

Yeah its already that time of year when the networks break out the axe and begin slashing at shows that held high expectations for people just a month or two ago.  It's also time for me to break out the virtual notepad and pen one of my annual blog traditions, The Axe Edition.

Of course I'm going to take a quick moment here for a few honorable mentions, shows that performed above and beyond duty and either got stellar ratings or is holding up with fan support despite low ratings.  Heroes, Jericho and Studio 60 are hands down the best this season
offered us in new shows. It's great to hear that both Heroes and
Jericho have already been picked up for full seasons...now we just
gotta wait and see what happens with Studio 60.  I'm a little worried that Studio 60 isn't performing to the caliber expected from Sorkin and that NBC may get axe happy and take this one out while we slumber.  If given the time it needs, I have no doubt that Studio 60 will be another West Wing for NBC.

The most
disappointing show would have to be Smith. I had high expectations for
this show and it failed miserably. It just shows yet again that its not
always about casting, you can have a great cast and with bad writing
you've only wasted your money.  A close runner up would be Kidnapped.  They also dropped big money on a cast and failed to catch viewers in their net. 

Who will get the axe next?  I've got this itch that won't go away that tells me that Six Degrees is gonna get the axe.  In last night's ratings, it yet again failed to take advantage of the lead in from Grey's anatomy -- it only kept 40% of Grey's audience.  Abrams and Co. better step it up a notch and quick, any other producer and this show would already be sleeping with the fishes so to speak.

Other shows to get the axe in the months to come (predictions):  The Class, Runaway, Help Me Help You, Twenty Good Years, Happy Hour, Justice, Men in Trees and The Game.

Anyone else not suprised that no one cares about Britney's husband K-Fed guest starring on CSI. Personally I think thats one quick way to tank a hit show. I don't expect that CSI will be beating Grey's in the ratings anytime soon, there is a new Queen (/King) of Thursday nights.  Grey's beat CSI by 22.8 million to 21.6 million.

I hope Smallville and Supernatural can improve their ratings a bit. I'm disappointed by this merger of The WB and UPN so far, I expected more of a spike in the ratings from the two combining and from what I can tell the numbers appear to be similar to when they were seperate networks.