When ABC and NBC both announced new shows focusing on a group of stylish, smart career women, each show from a former producer on HBO’s “Sex and the City,” it seemed that whoever got its show on the air first would have a big advantage.
That may not end up being the case.
With its third episode set to air tonight at 10 p.m., ABC’s “Cashmere Mafia” has been a disappointment, earning low ratings, despite a special premiere behind an original “Desperate Housewives,” while also getting poor reviews.
“It's pretty easy to qualify as worst series of the year when the year is less than a week old, but ABC's yucky ‘Cashmere Mafia’ sets the limbo bar so low, only the slackest skeevy show could slither under it before the ball next drops Dec. 31,” writes The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jonathan Storm.
In fact, some critics have already declared NBC’s upcoming “Lipstick Jungle” the superior show, with its lighter tone and more appealing trio of women, led by Brooke Shields. That show is from Candace Bushnell, the author of the “SATC” column and books that the HBO comedy was based on. “Mafia” was created by Darren Star, the executive producer of “SATC,” who reportedly had a fallout with Bushnell over their competing “SATC” knockoffs.
“Mafia” could well be gone before “Lipstick” premieres on Feb. 7. Last week’s episode averaged a 2.2, 67 percent behind timeslot leader “Law & Order’s” 3.6 on NBC and off 42 percent from a 3.8 for its debut Jan. 6.
The show wasn’t helped by some rather confusing programming decisions made by ABC. After its debut, the network reran the pilot a few days later, but did not schedule another original episode until eight days later, when it moved into its regular 10 p.m. slot.
In tonight’s episode, Caitlin and Alicia go to a lesbian bridal shower, Mia gets fixed up with a brain surgeon and Zoe makes an important business deal.
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A look at this week’s top TV draws
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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8 p.m.
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Fox
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“American Idol” (R)
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Still more auditions.
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8 p.m.
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ABC
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“Wife Swap” (R)
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A magician’s wife trades places with an uptight micromanager.
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9 p.m.
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CBS
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“Criminal Minds” (D)
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After searching a storage unit the team thinks it may be on to a serial killer.
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9 p.m.
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Fox
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“Moment of Truth” (G)
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Series premiere. Contestants answer questions while hooked to a lie detector. True or false: This show will only do well because it airs behind “Idol?”
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10 p.m.
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MTV
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“Real World/Road Rules Challenge” (R)
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Season premiere. The new season takes place in Puerto Vallarta.
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10 p.m.
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CBS
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“CSI: NY” (D)
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The investigators try to determine if two nearby deaths are related.
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10 p.m.
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ABC
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“Cashmere Mafia” (D)
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Mia tries to make Jack jealous by going on a blind date.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 24
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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7 a.m.
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NBC
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“Today” (N)
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Actress Diane Lane guests.
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8 p.m.
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ABC
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“Ugly Betty” (D)
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Marc helps Amanda track down her biological father.
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9 p.m.
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NBC
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“Celebrity Apprentice” (R)
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The contestants try to push tickets to Broadway shows.
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9 p.m.
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BBC America
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“Last Restaurant Standing” (R)
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Series premiere. Nine couples with little restaurant experience compete. How long before an American rip-off?
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9 p.m.
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ESPN
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“Winter X-Games” (S)
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The 12th annual event kicks off from Aspen, Colo.
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10 p.m.
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ABC
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“Big Shots” (D)
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James and Katie have relationship issues and Brody tries to keep a secret from Janelle.
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10 p.m.
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VH1
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“Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew” (R)
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Some of the celebrities start to show progress, while others continue to get into it with Dr. Drew.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 25
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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7 a.m.
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ABC
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“Good Morning America” (N)
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Famous chef Cat Cora guests.
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8 p.m.
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NBC
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“1 vs. 100” (G)
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Oscar the Grouch and Playboy Playmates make up part of the mob.
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9 p.m.
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CBS
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“Garth Brooks: Live in L.A.!” (A)
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The country legend performs at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
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9 p.m.
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USA
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“Monk” (D)
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Monk looks for a murderer who seems to only kill people named Julie.
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9:30 p.m.
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ESPN
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“Tennis” (S)
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The Australian Open women’s final.
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10 p.m.
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NBC
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“Las Vegas” (D)
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R&B singer Ne-Yo makes a guest appearance.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 26
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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1 p.m.
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CBS
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“College Basketball” (S)
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Good non-conference matchup between Indiana and Connecticut.
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3 p.m.
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CBS
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“PGA Golf” (S)
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Third-round coverage of the Buick Invitational, Tiger Woods’ first event of the year.
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8 p.m.
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Fox
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“Cops” (R)
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Among other things, cops in Cincinnati break up a fight.
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8 p.m.
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NBC
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“Figure Skating” (S)
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Women’s final at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships from St. Paul.
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8 p.m.
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CBS
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“Super Bowl’s Greatest Commercials” (A)
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The annual look at the big game’s best ads.
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8 p.m.
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TLC
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“Miss America Live 2008” (A)
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The 87th annual event, live from Las Vegas.
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 27
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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1 p.m.
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CBS
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“College Basketball” (S)
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In-state rivalry game between Big Ten foes Michigan and Michigan State.
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1 p.m.
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ABC
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“NBA Basketball” (S)
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KG and the Celtics take on the Magic in Orlando.
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3 p.m.
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CBS
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“PGA Golf” (S)
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Final round of the Buick Invitational, which Tiger has won three straight years.
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7 p.m.
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NBC
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“Figure Skating” (S)
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More coverage of the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, this time on the men’s side.
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8 p.m.
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Fox
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“The Simpsons” (C)
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Marge and Homer flash back to their dating days.
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9 p.m.
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Showtime
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“The L Word” (D)
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Tina’s new girlfriend makes Better jealous.
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10:30 p.m.
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E!
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“Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood” (R)
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Snoop takes the kids to his old Long Beach neighborhood to help them better appreciate what they have.
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A = awards show or special, C = comedy, D = drama, DD = daytime drama, G = game show, K = kids, M = movie, N = news/documentary, R = reality, S = sports, T = talk/variety show.
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