Sean Hayes Blames NBC for Sitcom's Disappointing Ratings

Sean Hayes new sitcom "Sean Saves the World" has thus far proven to be a ratings disappointment for the NBC network. The comedy, which co-stars Broadway vets Linda Lavin and Megan Hilty (Smash) is currently up against some tough competition, including the CBS juggernaut, 'The Big Bang Theory.' On average, it attracts a mere 3.4 million viewers in its 9 pm time slot.

In an interview with The TV Page this week, Hayes put the onus on the show's poor performance on the network's low circulation, particularly on Thursday nights. "To me, (the show) is working," Hayes shared with the site. "It's just the struggle of the elephant in the room which is ,'How do you get viewers to NBC?' NBC programs great shows, it just doesn't have the eyeballs CBS does."

NBC's Thursday night comedy block, once annointed, 'Must See TV' has suffered from extremely low rating for the last several years. New entries such as Michael J. FOX have been unsuccessful in stirring up interest among viewers. The network has already pulled the plug on their freshman sitcom "Welcome to the Family," which aired in the 8:30 Thursday time slot.

Hayes stands by his show, despite harsh feedback from TV critics. The former Will and Grace star describes the comedy as, "the funniest sitcom, to me, on the air right now."

About the show:

Sean (Sean Hayes, "Will & Grace") is a divorced dad who juggles a lot - his successful but demanding career, offbeat employees, pushy mom, Lorna (Linda Lavin, "Alice"), and weekends with his teenage daughter, Ellie (Samantha Isler). So when his 14-year-old bundle of joy moves in full time, it's a whole new world.

Never one to do anything halfway, Sean's intent on Being the best dad ever, so he loads up on parenting how-to books and plans Pinterest-worthy family dinners. But it seems his company's new owner (Thomas Lennon, "Reno 911!") has decided Sean and his team should work longer hours, putting a damper on his homemaking plans and throwing a kink in Sean's perfectly constructed work/life balance. Ellie, a normal girl who wants to hang with her friends and eat on the run, sees this development as a plus. She loves her dad, but he's clearly going overboard.

From keeping his boss happy, employees motivated and enduring his mother's tactless "advice" to raising a smart, grounded and healthy kid, it's going to be a growing experience, to say the least. But if anyone can handle it all, it's Sean.

Echo Kellum ("Ben and Kate") also stars.

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