Debra Messing in 'The Mysteries of Laura" episode 2
Debra Messing in ‘The Mysteries of Laura”

There’s good news for those who watched and liked NBC’s attempt at a USA Network-style mystery-comedy, The Mysteries of Laura, starring Debra Messing as a New York City homicide detective harried by her feral twin preschool sons, needy estranged husband, and quirky coworkers. Last night’s episode was a big improvement over the pilot, and 10.01 million people watched the program live or on the same day, with the program winning its new 8 p.m. time slot.

That ratings number almost matched the solid viewership of last week’s pilot,10.19 million. Apparently the freshness of a network show applying the USA Network formula overcame the show’s weaknesses noted in my review of the pilot. After all, although the pilot fell far short of what I had hoped for, I watched again last night myself. Some people never learn.