Jericho became famous for becoming the first show to really be saved from cancellation by an internet fan campaign. While it did get its second season, the online fervor failed to translate into ratings, and Jericho never saw a season three. Now the NBC comedy Chuck is back for its third season after being similarly saved by devoted fans. So the big question is, did they actually watch?

According to The Hollywood Reporter, you bet they did. Last night's season three premiere of Chuck scored its highest ratings since its special 3-D episode that aired after the Super Bowl. If you're just looking at the ratings of Chuck's non-gimmicky episodes, it hasn't performed this well since 2007. Chuck fans are celebrating today, and NBC execs at least have one bright spot in what has been a difficult week for them.

Sources are telling Airlock Alpha that NBC is asking Heroes producers and writers to come up with a finale for the show.

I think we all saw this coming. Ratings for the show have continued to slip since that magical first season, and I think the network (and many fans) have gotten sick of the "this season will be different!" promises.

Actually, I think the show has been good this season. Oh, the first couple of episodes meandered and were rather frustrating (Hiro time traveling again? Sylar wandering around again? Matt seeing visions?), but since they've shown how Samuel is involved in the Claire plotline and in the HRG plotline and Zachary Quinto is back full time, it has come together more.

Looks like the NBC black hole time slot of Monday at 10 p.m. is about to swallow another victim.

My Own Worst Enemy, the new Christian Slater spy series that I'm really enjoying, continues to drop in the ratings. The premiere episode did only so-so, and this week's second episode saw a drop of 22%. Those aren't the kind of numbers that scream "second season renewal" or even "full season order." Seems more like "put on hiatus" or maybe a "let's put it on Friday nights instead!" thing.

Well, this is a twist: first we had the NBA start its own network, then the NFL did the same. But now, in the latest twist of broadcaster-product synergy, ESPN has bought a minority stake in the Arena Football League.

As part of the deal, ESPN2 will also broadcast 26 games per year, including 17 regular-season prime-time games. Disney sibling ABC will air two games, including the season opener Arena Bowl championship game. National broadcast rights had been held by NBC, whose broadcasts of weekend games generated miniscule ratings. There are other national and regional packages that the AFL needs to negotiate, but this is the bigger deal.

To paraphrase a famous quote, rumors of Studio 60's death may have been greatly exaggerated.

An NBC spokesman says that not only is the show not canceled, it is actually profitable, and last week's ratings were up from the week before. The network likes the show, and they are going over the ratings numbers, but it looks like the show would be moved to a different time slot instead of just canceled outright.

One thing the article says that I don't agree with is this: if Friday Night Lights got great ratings last night (haven't seen the numbers yet), that could spell trouble for Studio 60. But that's not true. CSI: Miami was a repeat last night, so you would expect whatever NBC had in the time slot to do well, or better. Though if the numbers aren't great...now that would be interesting, and might prove it's a time slot thing and not the show itself.

[via TV Tattle]

Update: Friday Night Lights got its best ratings yet.