Premiere Week Ratings: 'MacGyver' and 'Exorcist' Have Mediocre Debuts

Both of last Friday's reboot TV series, MacGyver and The Exorcist, turned in ratings that, in terms of pure numbers, were nothing to brag about. In today's TV landscape, however, the debut ratings numbers for MacGyver were cause for some - at least modest - celebration.

The series debut of MacGyver, CBS's reboot of its 80s series about a super-resourceful secret agent, won the night in the 18-49 age demographic. Its 1.7 rating wouldn't have been enough to compete on most other weeknights, but on a Friday, when not many young people watch broadcast TV these days, it was enough to edge past all the other broadcast programming.

The night's other big premiere, Fox's reboot of the 70s film The Exorcist, didn't pull in a big audience, even by Friday-night standards. Its series premiere episode drew a 1.0 rating. That was only good enough to tie for third place in its time slot; only The CW's Penn & Teller: Fool Us did worse among broadcast shows.

Although it's too early to judge, it looks as if MacGyver could be a solid performer for CBS on a low-expectations night. The Exorcist, on the other hand, may be headed for trouble already.