'Mike & Molly' tops, 'Lone Star' doesn't shine

Three weeks in and we have our fall 2010 newcomer winners, and losers. TV is a rushed, blunt business, and so we, too, must be blunt here:

Your big surprise winner is CBS' "Mike & Molly."

And loser: Fox's "Lone Star" and most NBC newbies. To the nights.

MONDAY

What do critics really know? "Mike & Molly" (CBS, 9:30) - the faintly praised zaftig sitcom - is a breakout hit, with about 12 million viewers, and improving week to week. "Hawaii Five-0" (10) is in good shape, too - holding about 12 million viewers week to week - but is in a dogfight with equally strong "Castle" (ABC). "The Event" (NBC, 9) began strong but has slipped week to week. Thus, the jury remains sequestered. "Chase" (NBC, 10)? Struggling.

TUESDAY

Winner of the night looks to be "Detroit 1-8-7" (ABC, 10), which has held its audience (around 9 million) for three weeks even as "The Good Wife" (CBS) stormed back in. "No Ordinary Family" (ABC, 8) got a solid send-off though the second week slipped a little more than ABC would have liked. But this is a very tough time period - "NCIS" (CBS) and "Glee" (Fox). Meanwhile, "Raising Hope" (Fox, 9) has a strong heartbeat, but "Running Wilde" (Fox, 9:30) may be dead by the time you read these words.

WEDNESDAY

The easy winner is "The Defenders" (CBS, 10), mustering around 10 million viewers while "Law & Order: Los Angeles" (NBC, 10) had a very nice launch, too. "Better With You" (ABC, 8:30) is holding steady. "Undercovers" (NBC, 8) is not tanking at all, but the advertiser-coveted 18-49 ratings are dangerously depressed. That bodes ill. "The Whole Truth" (ABC, 10) also will be gone soon.

THURSDAY

Back to my original question - what do critics know? "$#*! My Dad Says" (CBS, 8:30) may be a stinkpot of considerable portions, but viewers don't seem to mind the stench. This is your breakout winner for the night! Oh, sure - it's nice to be sandwiched between two major hits, but a win is a win. So far, "Outsourced" (NBC, 9:30) looks soft, but not anywhere in the vicinity of Cancellationville.

FRIDAY

"Blue Bloods" (CBS, 10) is the night's big winner, and it's a bit surprising. Averaging 10 million to 11 million viewers, people seem to be seeking it out. The new Dana Delany "CSI"-ish drama, "Body of Proof," has yet to bow. "Outlaws" (NBC, 10)? Likely gone.