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The Ratings Game

For this week final numbers for the first four days were not available to me (I only have the first three days), so I thought it would be pointless to post. Also, instead of the "what caught my eye" and "what didn't" feature, I will just focus on all the sitcoms' performances this week.

Monday Sitcoms

• The King of Queens (CBS) - Still solid, number one its timeslot in viewers and 18-49. 10.31 million and 3.5/10 this week.
• How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - Building on its lead in in both measures, 10.44 and 3.9/10.
• Two and a Half Men (CBS) - CBS has to be not pleased with this show. It is way down from Raymond, and not even number one, but three in its slot in 18-49. 4.8/11 in 18-49, tied with Las Vegas, while Monday Night Football put up close to a 6.
• Out of Practice (CBS) - It is losing a lot of viewers from its lead-in, and it is a big concern for CBS. 11.73 million, down a big 3 million from its lead in. And over a point in 18-34 with a 3.7/9.
  
• Arrested Development (FOX) - What more can I say? Critics love it, but viewership is even lower than before. Just 4.47 million viewers.
  
• Kitchen Confidential (FOX) - Like its lead-in, not doing well. 4.08 million and only a 1.9/5 in 18-49.
  
• One on One (UPN) - UPN doesn't expect much anywhere, but this is a solid line-up for them that builds on. One on One is only 2 shares below Arrested Development overall, that will tell you the whole story.
  
• All of Us (UPN) - We are down to just one share below FOX now (2.3/3 vs. 2.5/4) overall.
  
• Girlfriends (UPN) - Highest rated UPN sitcom for the night with a 2.5/4 rating, 3.64 million viewers, and 1.5 18-49 rating.
  
• Half and Half (UPN) - Not a big drop from its lead-in, makes this pretty good. 3.33 million overall.
  

Tuesday Sitcoms

• According to Jim (ABC) - ABC expected a loss this season since this show is moving to an earlier slot, but still a solid 8.03 million tune in. 18-49 is not good, though, with only a 2.9/8.
  
• Rodney (ABC) - The season premiere was not so good, just 7.49 million, but it still held most of Jim's audience.
  
• My Name is Earl (NBC) - Highest rated sitcom for 18-49, as I have said many times, 6.0/15 in that measure this week. 13.23 million overall tuned in, good for second place behind Commander in Chief.
  
• The Office (NBC) - Scrubs can hold more of Earl's audience than this show.
  

Wednesday Sitcoms

• George Lopez (ABC) - ABC was smart by moving sitcoms in this hour with the Lost halo-effect working well. The show pulled in an impressive 9.13 million, good for first in the hour! I expect Freddie to get a decent sampling this week at 8:30, thanks to the Lost halo-effect.
  
• Still Standing (CBS) - CBS might be thinking of canceling this very soon. Just 6.98 million. NBC's relocated E-Ring even beat this.
  
• Yes, Dear (CBS) - Last year when this aired at 9:30, it was building on King of Queens, not so this year, just 6.79 million this week. Where is 60 Minutes II when you need it?
  

Thursday Sitcoms

• Joey (NBC) - Tick tock, tick tock. Getting worse each week. Just a 5.0/8 this week, for third place in its slot.
  
• Will & Grace (NBC) - Built on its lead-in, but down from last week's live episode. NBC should air this at 8 p.m.
  
• Everybody Hates Chris (UPN) - After a good premiere week, the last two weeks has been way down. It's back down to UPN levels.
  
• Love, Inc. (UPN) - UPN Thursday sitcom block is not working like Mondays.
  
• Eve (UPN) - This should move to 8:30 and they should cancel Love, Inc.
  
• Cuts (UPN) - Another show that should be canceled. A drama at 9 p.m. would work better.
  

Friday Sitcoms

• Bernie Mac (FOX) - A lost soul on Fridays.
  
• Malcolm in the Middle (FOX) - I'm sure many thought this was gone by now. Anyway, both this and its lead-in were terrible. Smackdown was better even.
  
• What I Like About You (The WB) - This has to be the last season.
  
• Twins (The WB) - While building on its lead-in, it still is drawing a less than 2 rating.
  
• Reba (The WB) - Barely hitting the 2.0 mark this season.
  
• Living with Fran (The WB) - Not too good, same level as 8-9 p.m.
  
• Hope & Faith (ABC) - After an impressive season premiere, the show was down more than a rating point this week. Not good news in a wide open hour.
  
• Hot Properties (ABC) - Built on its lead-in for the series premiere, but still not an impressive start. Mrs. Huber from Desperate Housewives is guest starring soon, that should hopefully draw more viewers.
  

Summing it up. My Name is Earl, George Lopez, How I Met Your Mother and The King of Queens were the only impressive sitcoms this week. Everything else was OK (such as According to Jim, Two and a Half Men) or just plain old terrible (such as Yes Dear, Still Standing, WB Friday, UPN Thursday).

As for the final ratings, I expect CBS to win again in total viewers for the third straight week and ABC again for the third straight week to win in the major demos (18-34, 18-49, and 25-54). Enjoy Sunday night, whether it be baseball or Desperate Housewives.