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Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 23

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The twenty-third season of the American crime-drama television series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit was ordered on February 27, 2020, by NBC.[1] It was set to air during the 2021–2022 television season,[2] the season was produced by Wolf Entertainment and Universal Television; the showrunner was Warren Leight, in the third and final season of his second stint in the role.[3] The season premiered on September 23, 2021, and concluded on May 19, 2022.[4] The series' milestone 500th episode aired this season as the sixth episode and saw the return of former Detective Nick Amaro and former SVU Captain Don Cragen.[5][6][7] This is the last season for Jamie Gray Hyder and Demore Barnes as they departed in the premiere episode.[8] The season consisted of 22 episodes.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Season 23
Season 23 U.S. DVD cover
Starring
No. of episodes22
Release
Original networkNBC
Original releaseSeptember 23, 2021 (2021-09-23) –
May 19, 2022 (2022-05-19)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 22
Next →
Season 24
List of episodes

Cast and characters

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See also: List of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit characters

Main

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Special guest stars after their departure

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Crossover stars from Law & Order: Organized Crime

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  • Christopher Meloni as Organized Crime Control Bureau Senior Detective Elliot Stabler
  • Danielle Moné Truitt as Organized Crime Control Bureau Sergeant Ayanna Bell
  • Ainsley Seiger as Organized Crime Control Bureau Junior Detective Jet Slootmaekers
  • Dylan McDermott as Richard Wheatley
  • Tamara Taylor as Professor Angela Wheatley
  • Nick Creegan as Richard "Richie" Wheatley, Jr.
  • Allison Siko as Kathleen Stabler
  • Nicky Torchia as Elliot "Eli" Stabler, Jr.
  • Jeffrey Scaperrotta as Richard "Dickie" Stabler

Recurring

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Episodes

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See also: List of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit episodes
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 23 episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
4951"And the Empire Strikes Back"Norberto BarbaWarren Leight & Julie Martin & Bryan GoluboffSeptember 23, 2021 (2021-09-23)23015.57[9]
When a powerful congressman (Ben Rappaport) is using his political instincts to traffic girls, Benson and the Special Victims Unit race against the clock to put him away for life but the case may be harder than they thought. Benson faces a major dilemma when her loyalty to Garland is tested over the backfired Jayvon Brown case. Meanwhile, Detective Joe Velasco (Octavio Pisano) joins the SVU squad when he is assigned to the case by Chief McGrath (Terry Serpico). Also, a suspicious car accident puts Benson's life in danger.
4962"Never Turn Your Back on Them"Norberto BarbaTeleplay by : Julie Martin & Bryan Goluboff
Story by : Warren Leight		September 23, 2021 (2021-09-23)23025.57[9]
The Special Victims Unit faces a major setback when one of the witnesses of Congressman Howard is missing and the others dead or threatened. It leads Fin and Kat down a dangerous path which puts Kat's life in danger. Meanwhile, Rollins and Carisi determine the status of their relationship. Kat resigns from the Special Victims Unit after her accident made her realize that change is not worth her to stay and Benson become even more distraught when she realizes that Garland is also resigning as Deputy Chief after what happened with the Javon Brown case.
4973"I Thought You Were on My Side"John BehringTeleplay by : Julie Martin & Warren Leight
Story by : Bryan Goluboff		September 30, 2021 (2021-09-30)23034.66[10]

Benson and Rollins must contend with the FBI and the Organized Crime bureau when a rape victim (Herizen Guardiola) identifies a dangerous mobster (Rhys Coiro) as her assailant. Unfortunately, the Special Victims Unit realizes that the perp is way more connected than they originally thought, further complicating things for the victim. The FBI and the Organized Crime Bureau want to take down the head of a crime family with the perp's help. When they take down the perp, Stabler shoots him putting the perp in the hospital. When Carisi goes to see the perp, the US Marshalls took him out. SVU don't know whether to trust Stabler and Bell after the outcome of this case.

This episode begins a crossover event that continues on Law & Order: Organized Crime season 2 episode 2 and concludes on "Law & Order: Organized Crime" season 2 episode 3.
4984"One More Tale of Two Victims"Michael PressmanTeleplay by : Denis Hamill & Monet Hurst-Mendoza
Story by : Denis Hamill & Bryan Goluboff		October 7, 2021 (2021-10-07)23043.88[11]
Benson and Fin faces the tight reins of Chief McGrath when the SVU squad searches for a serial rapist who preys on mothers with young children. Meanwhile, Velasco is not receiving a warm welcome into the precinct when the squad uncovers that he may be a spy for McGrath.
4995"Fast Times @DIGGYSPENTHOUSE"Martha MitchellBrianna Yellen & Brendan FeeneyOctober 14, 2021 (2021-10-14)23053.96[12]

The SVU squad is dragged into the center world of social media when a rape victim (Lena Torluemke) is assaulted by two popular influencers (Jakob Winter and Conor Sweeney). When the victim's friend (Taylor Trensch) is unable to come forward, he does everything in his power to make it right.

This episode begins a crossover event that concludes on Law & Order: Organized Crime season 2 episode 5.
5006"The Five Hundredth Episode"Juan J. CampanellaTeleplay by : Brianna Yellen & Julie Martin
Story by : Brianna Yellen & Warren Leight		October 21, 2021 (2021-10-21)23063.89[13]
Detective Nick Amaro (Danny Pino) returns to the Special Victims Unit after six years not only to reunite with his former squad members but to reopen a case that places Benson with someone from her past (Aidan Quinn) in order to clear a convicted man's name for rape but there may be a secret from his past that causes friction with Benson. Meanwhile, former Captain Donald Cragen (Dann Florek) helps the squad with the case.
5017"They'd Already Disappeared"Bethany RooneyKathy Dobie & Micharne CloughleyNovember 4, 2021 (2021-11-04)23074.42[14]
When a teenage sex worker disappears, Rollins and Velasco find a key clue in a pile of neglected missing persons reports and discover they are dealing with a serial killer.
5028"Nightmares in Drill City"Norberto BarbaBryan GoluboffNovember 11, 2021 (2021-11-11)23083.71[15]
Carisi asks SVU for help with a murder investigation when one of the witnesses (Alison Thornton) shows signs of abuse which causes Benson and SVU to investigate.
5039"People vs. Richard Wheatley"Michael SmithTeleplay by : Brendan Feeney & Monet Hurst-Mendoza & Candice Sanchez McFarlane
Story by : Julie Martin & Warren Leight		December 9, 2021 (2021-12-09)23093.49[16]
Carisi tries Richard Wheatley (Dylan McDermott) for the murder of Kathy Stabler. After his continuous change of lawyers, Rafael Barba ends up defending him Benson finds herself with Barba (Raúl Esparza) when she finds out about him taking the case. After numerous testimonies from Angela Wheatley, Richie Wheatley, Sergeant Bell, and even Stabler who is put in contempt of court. The case goes into mistrial, and Stabler has to find out where his son is.
This episode begins a crossover event that concludes on Law & Order: Organized Crime season 2 episode 9.
50410"Silent Night, Hateful Night"Norberto BarbaTeleplay by : Julie Martin & Kathy Dobie & Warren Leight
Story by : Warren Leight		January 6, 2022 (2022-01-06)23104.08[17]
The SVU is called in to help investigate a wave of hate crimes on Christmas Eve, assisting the Hate Crimes unit now led by Declan Murphy (Donal Logue). Murphy wants to come to a resolution with Rollins about whether he wants to be in his daughter Jessie's life.
50511"Burning with Rage Forever"Mary LambertBrianna Yellen & Brendan FeeneyJanuary 13, 2022 (2022-01-13)23114.22[18]
A boy disappears after meeting up with an online gamer which soon leads to a deeper secret regarding his uncle Carlos Guzman (Christian Navarro). Benson suspects her son Noah is being bullied by a neighborhood teen and comes out with a secret of his own.
50612"Tommy Baker's Hardest Fight"Ed BianchiCandice Sanchez McFarlane & Bryan GoluboffJanuary 20, 2022 (2022-01-20)23124.31[19]
When a popular fighter (Cole Doman) doesn't show up for the biggest bout of the year, Rollins and Velasco are drawn into a complicated web of secrets leading to the man's closeted sexuality. McGrath confides in Benson regarding his teenage daughter who is drinking and behaving erratically.
50713"If I Knew Then What I Know Now"Juan J. CampanellaTeleplay by : Micharne Cloughley & Julie Martin
Story by : Micharne Cloughley & Warren Leight		February 24, 2022 (2022-02-24)23135.15[20]
A young woman (Gates Leonard) learning about her birth parents asks Benson for help. Carisi and Rollins weigh the risks of taking their relationship public.
50814"Video Killed the Radio Star"Alex ZakrzewskiTeleplay by : Denis Hamill & Monet Hurst-Mendoza
Story by : Warren Leight & Julie Martin		March 3, 2022 (2022-03-03)23144.50[21]

SVU investigates a popular radio show host and author (Jake Weber) accused of molesting the wives of the wealthy and powerful men he has mingled with at various events. Rollins goes undercover to get information but it turns into a murder investigation when he brags about having sex with the widows of his alleged victims.

The episode is dedicated to the memory of Ned Eisenberg.
50915"Promising Young Gentlemen"David GrossmanTeleplay by : Kathy Dobie & Candice Sanchez McFarlane & Brianna Yellen
Story by : Julie Martin & Warren Leight		March 10, 2022 (2022-03-10)23154.51[22]
Rollins meets Carisi's mother (Beverly D'Angelo) for the first time at his childhood home. After leaving the dinner party, Carisi's niece Mia (Ryann Shane) calls him for help because her friend (Avery Cole) was raped. Carisi encourages them to report it, which leads Benson to investigate a college's secret society that preys on female students.
51016"Sorry If It Got Weird for You"Leslie HopeTeleplay by : Brendan Feeney & Matt Klypka
Story by : Bryan Goluboff & Brendan Feeney		March 17, 2022 (2022-03-17)23164.71[23]
After a date where Velasco meets a woman (Christine Spang) through a dating app, Velasco discovers she is a rape victim. She later learns her abuser, the app's creator (Jon Glaser) had raped another woman a couple years prior, the victim's godmother (Sherri Saum) and later struggles to cope with the abuse when she takes matters into her own hands. Meanwhile, Velasco finds himself in the witness stand and his judgement being questioned.
51117"Once Upon a Time in El Barrio"Oscar René Lozoya IITeleplay by : Denis Hamill & Monet Hurst-Mendoza
Story by : Bryan Goluboff & Denis Hamill		April 7, 2022 (2022-04-07)23174.33[24]
Velasco's former parish priest in Mexico calls him for help when three girls from his hometown go missing in New York City. Benson and the team find themselves up against a trafficking ring backed by a violent cartel.
51218"Eighteen Wheels a Predator"Martha MitchellTeleplay by : Brianna Yellen & Monet Hurst-Mendoza
Story by : Kathy Dobie		April 14, 2022 (2022-04-14)23184.74[25]
Rollins and Fin investigate an assault in Kentucky that has striking similarities to a victim found in Central Park. As they uncover more cases in other states, they soon realize that there is an elusive serial rapist on the loose.
51319"Tangled Strands of Justice"Jean de SegonzacTeleplay by : Warren Leight & Julie Martin
Story by : Brendan Feeney		April 28, 2022 (2022-04-28)23194.89[26]
Garland asks Benson to reopen a missing person case he worked as a rookie, and a victim in Carisi's case is arrested.
51420"Did You Believe in Miracles?"Pratibha ParmarTeleplay by : Micharne Cloughley & Victoria Pollack
Story by : Micharne Cloughley & Candice Sanchez McFarlane		May 5, 2022 (2022-05-05)23204.90[28]
When a student’s school reports a girl missing, the squad must track down a trusted family friend for answers. Benson gets a mother's day surprise from Noah and ends up with him meeting Stabler for the first time.
This episode begins a crossover event that concludes on Law & Order: Organized Crime season 2 episode 20.[27]
51521"Confess Your Sins to Be Free"Norberto BarbaTeleplay by : Julie Martin & Christian Tyler
Story by : Denis Hamill & Warren Leight		May 12, 2022 (2022-05-12)23214.50[29]
When the only evidence in a crime is a church confession, Carisi must find another way to prove his suspect guilty. Burton Lowe reappears to make things right with Benson.
51622"A Final Call at Forlini's Bar"Juan J. CampanellaWarren Leight & Julie MartinMay 19, 2022 (2022-05-19)23224.52[30]
A domestic violence victim winds up at the defendant’s table and Rollins surprises Carisi with formidable opponent Rafael Barba. Benson struggles with forgiving Barba for defending Wheatley and grapples with her own feelings.

Ratings

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Viewership and ratings per episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 23
No. Title Air date Rating/share
(18–49)		 Viewers
(millions)		 DVR
(18–49)		 DVR viewers
(millions)		 Total
(18–49)		 Total viewers
(millions)
1–2 "And the Empire Strikes Back" / "Never Turn Your Back on Them" September 23, 2021 (2021-09-23) 0.8 5.57[9] 0.4 1.81 1.2 7.39[31][a]
3 "I Thought You Were on My Side" September 30, 2021 (2021-09-30) 0.7 4.66[10] 0.3 1.61 1.1 6.27[32][a]
4 "One More Tale of Two Victims" October 7, 2021 (2021-10-07) 0.6 3.88[11] 0.4 1.79 1.1 5.67[33][a]
5 "Fast Times @TheWheelHouse" October 14, 2021 (2021-10-14) 0.7 3.96[12] 0.5 2.12 1.2 6.08[34]
6 "The Five Hundredth Episode" October 21, 2021 (2021-10-21) 0.6 3.89[13] 0.6 2.42 1.2 6.31[35]
7 "They'd Already Disappeared" November 4, 2021 (2021-11-04) 0.7 4.42[14] TBD TBD TBD TBD
8 "Nightmares in Drill City" November 11, 2021 (2021-11-11) 0.6 3.71[15] TBD TBD TBD TBD
9 "People vs. Richard Wheatley" December 9, 2021 (2021-12-09) 0.6 3.49[16] 0.6 2.58 1.1 6.06[36]
10 "Silent Night, Hateful Night" January 6, 2022 (2022-01-06) 0.6 4.08[17] TBD TBD TBD TBD
11 "Burning with Rage Forever" January 13, 2022 (2022-01-13) 0.7 4.22[18] TBD TBD TBD TBD
12 "Tommy Baker's Hardest Fight" January 20, 2022 (2022-01-20) 0.6 4.31[19] TBD TBD TBD TBD
13 "If I Knew Then What I Know Now" February 24, 2022 (2022-02-24) 0.7 5.15[20] TBD TBD TBD TBD
14 "Video Killed the Radio Star" March 3, 2022 (2022-03-03) 0.7 4.50[21] TBD TBD TBD TBD
15 "Promising Young Gentlemen" March 10, 2022 (2022-03-10) 0.7 4.51[22] TBD TBD TBD TBD
16 "Sorry If It Got Weird for You" March 17, 2022 (2022-03-17) 0.7 4.71[23] TBD TBD TBD TBD
17 "Once Upon a Time in El Barrio" April 7, 2022 (2022-04-07) 0.6 4.33[24] TBD TBD TBD TBD
18 "Eighteen Wheels a Predator" April 14, 2022 (2022-04-14) 0.6 4.74[25] 0.6 2.40 1.2 7.14[37]
19 "Tangled Strands of Justice" April 28, 2022 (2022-04-28) 0.6 4.89[26] TBD TBD TBD TBD
20 "Did You Believe in Miracles?" May 5, 2022 (2022-05-05) 0.6 4.90[28] TBD TBD TBD TBD
21 "Confess Your Sins to Be Free" May 12, 2022 (2022-05-12) 0.6 4.50[29] TBD TBD TBD TBD
22 "A Final Call at Forlini's Bar" May 19, 2022 (2022-05-19) 0.6 4.52[30] TBD TBD TBD TBD

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c Live+7 ratings were not available, so Live+3 ratings have been used instead.

References

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  1. ^ "Dick Wolf's Three "Chicago" Series and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" Receive Three-Season Pickups on NBC" (Press release). NBC. February 27, 2020 – via The Futon Critic.
  2. ^ Ausiello, Michael (May 14, 2021). "NBC Fall Schedule: This Is Us Last Hurrah Pushed to 2022, All-L&O Thursdays, B99 Farewell Gets Olympics Launch, Zoey's and Good Girls MIA". TVLine.
  3. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 3, 2022). "Warren Leight Exits As 'Law & Order: SVU' Showrunner For Second Time". Deadline. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  4. ^ "NBC Sets Upcoming Premiere Dates" (Press release). NBC. July 15, 2021 – via The Futon Critic.
  5. ^ Roots, Kimberly (October 21, 2021). "Law & Order: SVU Episode 500 Recap: You've Come a Long Way, Benson". TV Line. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  6. ^ Lawler, Kelly (October 21, 2021). "Spoiler alert! 'Law & Order: SVU' 500th episode dives into Benson's past, as former stars return". USA Today. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  7. ^ Hurley, Laura (June 11, 2021). "Law And Order: SVU Boss Is Already Planning For The 'Insane Milestone' 500th Episode". CinemaBlend.
  8. ^ Petski, Denise (September 3, 2021). "Jamie Gray Hyder & Demore Barnes Exiting 'Law & Order: SVU' In Season 23". Deadline Hollywood.
  9. ^ a b c Metcalf, Mitch (September 24, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Thursday 9.23.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily.
  10. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (October 4, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Thursday 9.30.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily.
  11. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (October 8, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Thursday 10.7.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily.
  12. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (October 15, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Thursday 10.14.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
  13. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (October 22, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Thursday 10.21.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  14. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (November 5, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Thursday 11.4.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  15. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (November 12, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Thursday 11.11.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  16. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (December 10, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Thursday 12.9.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  17. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (January 10, 2022). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Thursday 1.6.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  18. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (January 14, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Thursday Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals: 1.13.2022 Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  19. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (January 24, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Thursday Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals: 1.20.2022 Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  20. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (February 25, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 2.24.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  21. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (March 4, 2022). "Showbuzzdaily's Top 150 Thursday's Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.3.2022". Showbuzz Daily. United States. Archived from the original on March 5, 2022. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  22. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (March 11, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 3.10.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  23. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (March 18, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 3.17.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  24. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (April 8, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 4.7.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  25. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (April 15, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 4.14.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  26. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (April 29, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 4.28.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  27. ^ Roots, Kimberly (May 5, 2022). "SVU Recap: Stabler Finally Met Benson's Son, Noah — How'd It Go?". TVLine. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  28. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (May 6, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 5.5.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  29. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (May 13, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 5.12.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  30. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (May 20, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 5.19.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  31. ^ Berman, Marc (September 24, 2021). "Thursday Ratings: 'Law & Order: SVU' and 'Law & Order: Organized Crime' Leads NBC to Victory". Programming Insider.
  32. ^ Berman, Marc (October 1, 2021). "Thursday Ratings: NBC Leads Opposite ABC's Season-Opening Episodes". Programming Insider.
  33. ^ Berman, Marc (October 8, 2021). "Thursday Ratings: NFL on Fox Wins; Modest Opening for CBS Sitcom 'Ghosts'; 'Grey's Anatomy' on ABC is Showing Its Age". Programming Insider.
  34. ^ Berman, Marc (October 15, 2021). "Thursday Ratings: NFL Ignited Fox Wins; Sluggish Returns for Sitcom 'B Positive' on CBS and Drama 'Legacies' on The CW". Programming Insider. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  35. ^ Berman, Marc (October 22, 2021). "Thursday Ratings: NFL Leads Fox to Victory; Sluggish Return for NBC's 'The Blacklist'". Programming Insider. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  36. ^ Marc Berman (December 10, 2021). "Thursday Ratings: Football Dominates; CBS and NBC Finish in the Distant No. 2 Spot". Programming Insider. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  37. ^ "Thursday Ratings: CBS and NBC Share Dominance; 'Ghosts' Scores on the Eye Net". April 15, 2022.
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