SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

Mini-DVD Review: October Road S1 (Oct. 30); Week 5 Numbers (First Four Nights); How the Sitcoms Did

Welcome to a special Sunday edition of mini-DVD reviews! If you are looking for our weekly sitcom ratings, you'll still find that today, but it will be below this. Today we take a look at Buena Vista Home Entertainment's October Road: The Complete First Season. October Road is a drama about an author going back home after writing bad things in a book about his friends from that small town. See my mini-DVD review of October Road: The Complete First Season:

October Road: The Complete First Season (Buena Vista, $28.99) brings the first six episodes of the hit mid-season drama on DVD! Nick Garrett's revealing new best-selling book about his hometown of Knights Ridge, MA doesn't buy him many fans when he returns to his circle of friends after a decade on October Road. There are a lot of characters and plots. The show is very addictive. The show stars Bryan Greenberg as Nick Garrett, Laura Prepon as Hannah Daniels (Nick's girlfriend before he left), Geoff Stults as Eddie Lateka (Nick's best friend before he left), Brad William Henke as Owen Rowan (Nick's friend and band member), Evan Jones as Ikey (Nick's friend and band member), Jay Paulson as Physical Phil (Nick's friend and band member), Warren Christie as Ray "Big Cat" Cataldo (the bully), Odette Yustman as Aubrey (Nick's student and love interest), Slade Pearce as Sam Daniels (Hannah's son), Rebecca Field as Janet "The Planet" Meadows (Hannah's best friend), and Tom Berenger as Bob "The Commander" Garrett (Nick's dad). There are other recurring characters such as Nick's brother, Pizza Girl, Owen's wife, the principal, etc.
There are only six episodes for the first season, so it is a quick view and you will want to watch all six!
Packaging on this DVD is similar to Grey's Anatomy S1. We have an outer box (like usual) that holds a snap case. I really don't think the outer box is needed because it is the same art as the case. On both the box and case we have the show's logo, followed by the complete first season line, then we have a nice big photo of Nick & Hannah, followed by head shots of some of the other characters (The Commander, Sam, Aubrey, Big Cat, Eddie and Janet). Then on the bottom it says, "sometimes you've got to look back to see where you're going." The back of the box and the case has synopsis of the series and set, along with a list of bonus features and some nice small screenshots of characters that they didn't get to showcase in the front like Owen, Ikey, Phil, and Pizza Girl. To open the case, we have two little buttons to pull, like Grey's S1, and many movie cases. Inside that we have a spot for an insert on the left, which is an episode listing for both discs, with cool photos and details of the extras. The discs are on the right. Each disc has its own page, like a book. Both discs have blue and white art with the show title in a big size. Episodes 1-4 are on disc one and episodes 5-6 & the extras are on disc six.
This series is excellent. All six aired after Grey's Anatomy last spring on Thursdays and was well sampled. I think only 3 or 4 times though the show was on after new episodes of Grey's, but still it did well. It is so addictive and makes you want to keep watching. The episodes generally run close to 43 minutes. The lowest is 42:38 (episode 6). There are about 7-8 chapter stops for each episode. The video is in widescreen and looks very good! The audio is great and sounds very good, as it is in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. The show never looked better or sounded better, unless you watched the series in HDTV on TV last spring. We hear the closing theme for the first time, since ABC doesn't show the ending theme, at least not on analog.
The menu screen starts by showing a car pass on a road...then we see a nice shot of the entire road...and you guessed it, it is October Road! The series is set in Knights Ridge, MA, a fake town. The series is shot in the Atlanta area, as you'll learn in the extras. Disc one has an auto trailer for series such as Lost S3, What About Brian DVD, and Grey's Anatomy Fall 2007 promo. Play All, Episode Selection, Bonus Features, Set up, Sneak Peaks are the options. Sneak Peaks is on disc one only and Bonus Features option is on disc two only. Each sub-menu has more background music from the show. The Episodes section has the episode number and title...and a cool screenshot. Set Up gives us the option to have Subtitles in English. We can also Register our DVD. Sneak Peeks has the same trailer as the auto trailers on disc one.
Moving on to the bonus features. All of them are on disc two. We get 6 deleted scenes that run: 1:07, 0:57, 1:28, 1:10, 0:38, 1:43. Very cool to see these. Then we get a look at some goofiness in the bloopers that run 1:10. The best extra on the set is a featurette titled "October Road: The Journey Begins." We go behind the scenes with the cast and crew to discover how the show was created, how it is made, and how friendships blossomed on and off the set. This runs 9:38 and is worth it. Then finally we have a Season 2 Preview that runs 2:26. Cast and crew preview what is to come. I can't wait!
I really hope you buy this DVD. This show must not go unnoticed. If you are a fan, you must buy this. If you never saw it, give it a try. You'll be hooked. All the characters are great. The young audience loves it. I really love Aubrey, played by Odette Yustman. She is very good and very attractive. I'm sure Laura Prepon fans also love her on this. The show returns with a second season on Thanksgiving night (Nov. 22) at 10pm, before moving to its new night of Mondays at 10 starting Nov. 26 on ABC! So can you ever really go home again? You'll find out when you watch the first six episodes of this great show!
-- Reviewed by Pavan
(4/5 stars)

To purchase the DVD, click below and help support SitcomsOnline.com:
Amazon.com

Related links:
SitcomsOnline.com Full DVD Reviews Page
Official Website
October Road TV.com Page


Week 5 numbers (first four nights, Mon-Thu):

Households: Fox: 8.9/13.0; ABC: 8.3/13.0; CBS: 8.0/12.5; NBC: 5.2/8.1; The CW: 2.1/3.2; MNT: 0.7/1.0.
Total Viewers: Fox: 14.13 million; CBS: 12.62 million; ABC: 12.45 million; NBC: 8.19 million; The CW: 3.23 million; MNT: 0.94 million.
Adults 18-49: Fox: 4.8/12.6; ABC: 4.0/10.2; CBS: 3.6/9.1; NBC: 3.4/8.7; The CW: 1.5/3.7; MNT: 0.4/0.9.

Analysis: Week 5 is nearly done...yes already, we're finishing week 5. Last week Fox won the top spot thanks to the ALCS, with ABC and CBS battling for second in HH and viewers, but CBS finished fourth in 18-49. NBC was fourth in all other categories. Through the first four days, Fox the lead in all categories again in week 5 thanks to baseball, with again a close race between ABC and CBS for second, and NBC in fourth.
Monday it was all ABC thanks to Dancing with the Stars. A 92 minute performance show did an impressive 21.32 million and a 5.5/13 in 18-49, up a lot from the previous week, that lead into week two of new sitcom Samantha Who at an impressive 13.68 million and a 4.5/10 18-49 rating...that was the same as the premiere. The Bachelor followed with 8.92 million, on par from the previous week. Next up was CBS with its comedies and CSI: Miami. The Big Bang Theory did 8.81 million, up nearly a million from the previous week and yet again it built on How I Met Your Mother's ratings of 8.5 million. Two and a Half Men and Rules of Engagement followed with decent numbers (13.94 and 10.82 million). Men was up a bit from the previous week, as was Rules. CSI: Miami followed with 15.66 million, on par really from previous week. NBC followed lead by Heroes at 10.81 million and a 4.9 18-49, below its usual average once again. Chuck opened the night with 7.22 million, down over a million from previous week, maybe because Prison Break was back on Fox? Journeyman closed the night with 6.06 million, down from previous week, cancelation clock is ticking. Fox was fourth this week with Prison Break at 7.44 million and K-Ville at 6.04 million...will the latter show last into sweeps? The CW aired their Monday sitcoms, with Aliens in America doing just 2.36 million, but actually up again from previous week, but The Game closed the night with 2.61 million, the highest of the CW comedies once again...but down again.
Tuesday, it was a three network race, with Fox on top. CBS and ABC were also right behind. Fox's huge hit House returned and did 18.11 million and a 7.6 18-49 rating and Bones also returned to start the night off with a solid 8.94 million. The always reliable NCIS opened the night off for CBS with 17.26 million, down slightly from previous week. The Unit followed with 10.84 million, down a lot from previous week, and Cane did 7.98 million, down from previous week ... will CBS bench it soon? ABC's sitcom hour of Cavemen/Carpoolers did OK at 6.21 and 6.94 million (on par from previous week, but slightly down again, but it hasn't gone way way down), Dancing with the Stars: The Results followed with 18.06 million saying goodbye to Mark Cuban. Boston Legal was preempted for a 20/20 Special on California Burning doing similar numbers to that show, doing 10.37 million. NBC was fourth with Singing Bee at just 6.73 million, The Biggest Loser from 8:30-10 did 7.12 million, followed by Law & Order: SVU at 12.31 million, down a bit from previous week. The CW got decent numbers with Beauty & the Geek and Reaper...3.25 and 2.61 million. Both were down though from previous week.
Wednesday it was the first night of the World Series for Fox. Fox is usually fourth with Back to You, 'Til Death and Kitchen Nightmares, butthe World Series Game 1 was on tonight and did 16.9 million. CBS saw Kid Nation go up a bit to 7.86 million for fourth place, but veteran dramas Criminal Minds and CSI: NY did well and were consistent doing 15.05 (up a tad from previous week) and 13.82 million (down a tad from previous week). ABC saw Pushing Daisies, doing 9.67 million, followed by Private Practice at 11.91 million and a solid 4.5/11 18-49 rating, up from previous week, Dirty Sexy Money followed with 8.26 million, down from previous week a bit. NBC opened the night with a new game show called Phenomenon doing 8.55 million, followed by Bionic Woman at a fourth place 7.81 million...continues to free-fall down each week. At 10pm NBC's Life did 6.87 million, down from previous week once again. The CW had its usual showing of Top Model at a decent 4.74 million, Gossip Girl did 2.54 million, both down on par really previous week.
Thursday again it was The World Series on top for Fox, on a night where they again are usually fourth. CBS and ABC were not far behind. Fox preempted 5th Grader and Don't Forget the Lyrics, again this week for the World Series, which did 16.95 million for game 2.. CBS opened with Survivor: China at 14.19 million, up a tad from the previous week. CSI followed with 14.96 million for third place, but it was a repeat. Without a Trace returned this week with 12.73 million, below normal. ABC opened the night with Ugly Betty doing a solid 9.98 million up from previous week. Grey's Anatomy followed with 18.17 million, up from previous week and it did win in 18-49 with a 7.4/18 18-49 rating. Big Shots followed with a last place finish of 7.38 million...down from previous week again...it needs to get back to 8-9 million. NBC was a distant fourth with its comedies My Name is Earl opened the night with 8.2 million, followed by 30 Rock doing 6.5 million, both up from previous week. The Office followed with 8.96 million, up a bit from previous week a bit. The season premiere of Scrubs followed with a so-so 6.95 million. ER closed the night with 9.25 million. Smallville on The CW did 4.65 million, followed by Supernatural at 3.18 million, the latter was up from previous week.
Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but NBC, CBS and ABC battled on Friday. NBC had a solid outing for Deal or No Deal at 8pm. CBS saw decent numbers for its dramas with NUMB3RS doing the best at 10, and ABC did solid business at 9pm with Women's Murder Club. Fox bombed again for The Next Great American Band. They will probably can it starting next week.
Saturday numbers are not available yet. But Game 3 of the World Series should do big for Fox.
Tonight Fox will have Game 4 of the World Series with Boston trying to go for the sweep, and it should do well. ABC Sunday should do well of course too with its all-star line-up. CBS will do decent as well, but NBC will be out of the picture with no NFL game.
As for the week, ABC and CBS will battle for second in HH and viewers, with Fox a clear first place thanks to baseball. ABC will be second probably in 18-49. NBC will have its worst week of the young season.

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week of October 15-21)

• Aliens in America (The CW) - The CW will air repeats now at 7:30 on Sundays, and the first airing did just 1.29 million, but better than Online Nation, the previous holder of the slot.
  

Monday Sitcoms

• How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - 8.5 million, up from the previous week by like 800k.
  
• The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - 8.81 million, up from previous week and it still is building on the lead-in, which is a very good sign.
  
• Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 13.94 million this week, up from previous week's 13.69 million.
• Rules of Engagement (CBS) - 10.82 million, on par from the previous week's 10.81..consistent.
• Samantha Who? (ABC) - 13.68 million for episode two, down just 800k from the premiere...and retained all of the 18-49 rating from the premiere, with a 4.5 rating.
  
• CW Monday Comedies: Chris, Aliens in America, Girlfriends, The Game. Not doing that well at all. Aliens did a terrible 2.36 million, the lowest of the block but up from previous week again, The Game continues to be the leader of this block now with 2.61 million, down slightly from previous week's 2.86 million.
  

Tuesday Sitcoms

• Cavemen (ABC) - 6.21 million, down from previous week...this week will be preempted for It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!
  
• Carpoolers (ABC) - Down a bit from previous week. 6.94 million this week...as with the lead-in, it will be preempted this week for Charlie Brown.
  

Wednesday Sitcoms

• Back to You (Fox) - preempted for World Series
  
• 'Til Death (Fox) - preempted for World Series
  

Thursday Sitcoms

• My Name is Earl (NBC) - 8.2 million tuned in, up almost a million from previous week. I think Alyssa Milano guest started, no wonder....
  
• 30 Rock (NBC) - 6.5 million, up from previous week's 6.22 million.
  
• The Office (NBC) - The first half-hour edition of the season did a solid 8.96 million, up from previous week's hour edition.
• Scrubs (NBC) - Season premiere did 6.95 million, OK not too good, but the 18-49 is solid with a 3.8.

Friday Sitcoms
None.

Saturday Sitcoms
None.

Airing tonight (Sunday) is a repeat of Aliens in America on The CW at 7:30, Fox's animated comedies will be off air tonight due to Game 4 of the World Series.

Summing it up. Two and a Half Men, Samantha Who?, The Office, My Name is Earl, Big Bang Theory, and Rules of Engagement were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as Scrubs, How I Met Your Mother) or just plain old terrible (Cavemen, Aliens in America).