The new NBC crime drama Grosse Pointe Garden Society is making a rare scheduling move that raises eyebrows. Created by Jenna Bans and Bill Krebs, the show follows four members of a suburban garden club who conceal a murder, intricately weaving their personal lives with dark secrets. Slated to debut in February, the drama has garnered attention for its engaging narrative and strong cast, which includes Melissa Fumero from Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Aja Naomi King of How to Get Away with Murder, Ben Rappaport from Mr. Robot, and AnnaSophia Robb from The Carrie Diaries.
Starting April 4, 2025, Grosse Pointe Garden Society will transition from its Sunday slot to Fridays at 8 PM, a move that is seen as a bid to boost viewer ratings. This Friday slot was previously held by Reba McEntire's sitcom Happy's Place, which is set to air its finale on March 21. The Sunday slot will then be occupied by episodes of Dateline, indicating a shift in NBC's scheduling strategy as the network seeks to bolster its lineup with stronger offerings.
Friday nights have generally been labeled as challenging for broadcast television, often leading to what is known as the "Friday night death slot," where shows can struggle to attract viewers due to weekend plans. Despite this reputation, some series have defied the odds. For instance, blue ribbon shows like Blue Bloods, which aired for 14 seasons until 2024, prove that success on Fridays is not impossible.
According to NBC, the premiere episode of Grosse Pointe Garden Society attracted a notable 1.21 rating in the coveted 18-49 demographic, amassing over 6.6 million total viewers across all platforms since its February 23 launch. In contrast, a recent episode broadcast on March 9 saw its viewership grow from 1 million to 1.8 million viewers after a week on air. However, these numbers do not include viewership from Peacock, which also offers the show for streaming.
Executives at NBC seem to be responding to the show's ratings by moving it to a different slot in hopes of increasing its audience. Yet, the history of dramas struggling on Fridays complicates this strategic decision. Will the change help or hinder the series? With executive hopes resting on this new time, viewers are left wondering how Grosse Pointe Garden Society will resolve its suspenseful plotlines in its upcoming episodes.
The show chronicles the escapades of four garden club members—Birdie, Alice, Brett, and Catherine—as they juggle their vibrant community lives, while the dark undercurrents of murder and conspiracy add a thrilling twist to their seemingly quaint suburban existence. As fans anticipate the new episodes, they are hoping for a satisfying conclusion to the series, particularly following the recent scheduling shakeup.
As NBC takes a gamble by altering its broadcast strategy, the industry looks on with interest. Will Grosse Pointe Garden Society manage to hook its audience on a Friday night? Only time will tell, but viewers and critics alike are keen to see how the drama unfolds as it ventures into uncharted waters in its new programming home.
