Its latest poll ratings were little better than those of the maverick Five Star Movement led by Beppe Grillo, a blogger and comedian.

ECONOMIST: Italian politics

Despite the disaster that was The Jay Leno Show (the comedian will return to his 11:35 p.m. perch Monday night) and a little-watched slate of original series, the network has the Olympics to thank for a seasonal ratings climb.

FORBES: NBC Headed For Bronze