‘Girls Club’ ratings: Case dismissed

All those World Series promos for Fox’s “Girls Club” were apparently scant inducement for viewers to tune in Monday, as the new legal series from producer David E. Kelley was virtually thrown out of court, ratings-wise.

Based on Nielsen Media Research estimates, the show attracted a mere 5.8 million viewers and finished fifth in its time slot, just behind the WB’s new drama “Everwood.” “Girls Club” also plummeted more than 40% off the Fox series preceding it, the season premiere of Kelley’s “Boston Public.”

By comparison, “Ally McBeal” -- another Kelley-produced series that “Girls Club” replaced -- drew nearly 11 million viewers for its premiere last year. The weaker competition proved a boon to NBC’s “Third Watch,” as the rescue drama averaged 12.4 million viewers, its biggest audience this season.

Separately, Fox announced that the sitcom “Andy Richter Controls the Universe” will return to its lineup Dec. 1, airing Sundays after “Malcolm in the Middle.” “The Grubbs,” a new sitcom starring Randy Quaid, had been penciled in for that slot but has been delayed indefinitely. Fox previously reduced the number of episodes ordered on “Grubbs,” reflecting a lack of faith in the series.