Checking in: Fall TV's winners and losers
Fox's 'Glee' continues to soar while Leno is getting pummeled at 10

Chuck Barney | MCT News Service

We're seven weeks into the television season and at the beginning of November sweeps. So it's as good a time as any to see how things are shaking out thus far.

Here's a rundown of significant broadcast TV developments, including the fall's winners and losers:

Biggest flop

NBC's bold experiment to bring "The Jay Leno Show" to prime time has a been a disaster on three fronts: 1. Leno is getting pummeled in the ratings; 2. Conan O'Brien is sputtering in Leno's old time slot; and 3. The NBC brand has been greatly tarnished. Meanwhile, Leno's former nemesis, David Letterman, is enjoying robust ratings, despite (or because of) his messy blackmail scandal.

We didn't see this coming

Defying TV convention, Mark Harmon's military crime procedural, "NCIS," has become prime time's No. 1 show in its seventh season. Ratings are up 22 percent over last fall, according to Nielsen. The power of "NCIS" has also fueled two new CBS shows that air behind it - the spin-off "NCIS: Los Angeles" and Julianna Margulies' legal drama, "The Good Wife."

Best comeback

After languishing for two dreary seasons in "Dirt," Courteney Cox has renewed her friendship with viewers. She shines as a hilarious and endearing man-starved mom in ABC's "Cougar Town."

Biggest scene-stealer

She doesn't have a very big role on "Cougar Town," but Carolyn Hennesy gets some of the biggest laughs. As Barb, she shamelessly prowls the bars in search of younger men, making us crack up - and blush - along the way.

Lost mojo

Unlike Cox, former "Frasier" star Kelsey Grammer is struggling to duplicate past sitcom glory. After sputtering in Fox's "Back to You" last season, his new show, "Hank," is the lone clunker in ABC's Wednesday-night lineup.

The laughs are back

Prime time's comedy drought appears to be over. The sitcom is enjoying a creative comeback. In addition to "Cougar Town," NBC's "Community" is striking comedic gold, if not golden ratings. But the standout so far is ABC's "Modern Family." With its "mockumentary" approach and sharply drawn characters, it has brought plenty of fresh energy to the domestic comedy.

Hitting the high notes

Honors for the most entertaining hour of the season go to Fox's melodic high school musical, "Glee." What other show gives you peppy production numbers, dancing football players and multiple love triangles? No wonder we're singing its praises. (Just dump the fake-pregnancy story line, please.)

Biggest breakout star

All the sugary sweetness in "Glee" needs to be undercut with a healthy dose of snark. Enter Jane Lynch, who plays diabolical cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester to malicious perfection.

Biggest payoff

For five seasons, we've watched the romance bloom between Jim and Pam on "The Office." Their big Niagara Falls wedding could have been a huge letdown. Instead, it was an incredibly funny, touching and memorable piece of television that left us all soggy-eyed.

Most rejuvenated show

After a shaky start, The CW's "90210" glammed up its young stars, sent little Annie (Shenae Grimes) to a dark place and gave its storylines more edge. Now, behold one of prime time's most delicious guilty pleasures.

Do not resuscitate

The search for the next "ER" continues. NBC has already pulled the plug on "Trauma." Meanwhile, another medical series, "Three Rivers" (CBS), appears to be flat-lining. NBC has given a full-season order to "Mercy," but the nursing drama is by no means a Nielsen powerhouse.

The ugly truth

"The Beautiful Life," Ashton Kutcher's drama about the modeling world, earned the shameful distinction of being the first show to go. The CW axed it after only two episodes.

High expectations

The CW hopes that, beginning Nov. 17, Heather Locker can boost the lackluster ratings of its "Melrose Place" remake. If she can't, look for those tony L.A. apartments to soon go dark.