“Lucky 7” looks cursed.
Most ratings headlines Wednesday focused on the declining viewership for ABC’s “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” which slipped 34 percent in its second outing Tuesday after last week scoring fall’s biggest debut. Even after slipping, “S.H.I.E.L.D.” was still going strong Tuesday with a 3.1 rating in the key 18-49 demographic.
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But on the same night last week that “S.H.I.E.L.D.” premiered strong, “Lucky 7” had the worst fall drama debut in ABC history — a 1.3. Making matters worse, the show slid 46 percent with its second episode Tuesday, earning a .7 rating.
That means its average for the season is worse than that of any Big 4 show. A few scattered original episodes on the CW have fared worse, but the young network has a lower ratings threshold than the other broadcasters because it targets a younger demo.
Even the most nervous gambler would have to bet on “Lucky 7” to be the first show to be canceled in 2013-14.
ABC declined to comment.
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The failure of “Lucky 7” to thrive suggests ABC’s plan to build Tuesdays around “S.H.I.E.L.D” hasn’t worked out, so far.
On Tuesday, “S.H.I.E.L.D.” at 8 had a 3.1/10 — down 34 percent from its splashy debut — and 8.4 million total viewers. At 9, “The Goldbergs” had a 2.2/6, down 29 percent in the demo, and 6.2 million. “Trophy Wife” at 9:30 had a 1.4/4 — down 39 percent — and 4.3 million. Last week, “Lucky 7’s” 38 percent dip gave it an .8/2 rating with 2.8 million total viewers.
ABC is losing viewers with each Tuesday show — and “Lucky 7” has the misfortune to be last in line.