• by Wayne Friedman , June 8, 2010

Broadcast networks' first big scripted salvo into the summer season was more of a small pop.

New and old scripted shows on the first big Monday of the summer didn't fare so well -- all registering under a 2 rating among 18-49 viewers. None were able to compete with their prior numbers.

Fox's returning "Lie to Me" and new show "The Good Guys" and NBC's new drama "Persons Unknown" grabbed a Nielsen preliminary 1.8 rating/6 share -- a 1.4/4 and a 1.3/4 among 18-49 viewers, respectively. "Lie to Me" was down from its regular season's 2.7 average rating.

Even a two-hour premiere of NBC's "Last Comic Standing" took in a modest 2.0/6, which was down almost 20% versus its last premiere numbers two years ago.

That said, this is the summer -- and network programmers understand the rating bar is somewhat lower, given the summer's still lighter overall viewership as compared to the regular season.

Still, ABC's "The Bachelorette" climbed a bit from its week-ago outing, now at a 2.6/8. The show peaked during its last half-hour, 9:30 to 10 p.m., hitting a 2.9 rating. That's always a good sign, say industry executives.

CBS again offered up a reason why it is perhaps the most consistent network performer. Even in repeats, its Monday night comedies "Big Bang Theory" and "Two and a Half Men" grabbed healthy numbers for a summer airing: a 2.7/7 and a 2.6/8, respectively.

ABC won the night among 18-49 viewers, at a 2.3/7. CBS was almost as good, with a 2.0/6; NBC earned a 1.8/5; Fox was at a 1.6/5; Univision earned a 1.4/4; and CW took a 0.3/1.