some are surprised every week, they use shocked a lot for the effect they think it makes. Ratings are going to be down..it is the olympics year. There is a history of lower ratings every 4 years when they are on.
Maybe the Olympics won't affect the 500 too much.
http://deadline.com/2018/02/john-henry-krueger-olympics-ratings-low-pyeongchang-nbc-1202293927/