Sunday, January 20, 2008

Notes on Allan Melvin and Suzanne Pleshette; Week 17 Numbers (First Four Nights); How the Sitcoms Did

Just a heads up this weekend has been filled with sitcom actors passing away. We will have a full report tomorrow with tributes. But we would just like to let everyone know that veteran actors Allan Melvin and Suzanne Pleshette have passed away. Allan Melvin of course is best remembered for his roles on The Brady Bunch as Alice's boyfriend Sam the butcher and on All in the Family & Archie Bunker's Place as Archie's pal Barney. He passed away Thursday at the age of 84 and it was not announced until late Friday, therefore we couldn't do a tribute in time.
Suzanne Pleshette is best remembered for her role as Bob Newhart's wife on The Bob Newhart Show in the '70s. She recently had recurring roles on Will & Grace, Good Morning Miami and 8 Simple Rules. She passed away late yesterday and joins her husband Tom Poston, who passed away last year. She was 70.
We will have full tributes for both tomorrow, so please come on back.


Week 17 numbers (first four nights, Mon-Thu):

Households: Fox 11.5/17.4, CBS 7.4/11.5, NBC 6.2/9.7, ABC 4.4/6.8, The CW 1.3/1.9, MyNetworkTV 0.8/1.2
Total Viewers: Fox 20.75 million, CBS 11.56 million, NBC 9.77 million, ABC 6.38 million, The CW 1.87 million, MyNetworkTV 1.15 million
Adults 18-49: Fox 8.4/20.7, NBC 3.5/8.8, CBS 2.7/6.8, ABC 2.1/5.3, The CW 0.8/1.9, MyNetworkTV 0.4/1.1

Analysis: Week 17 saw the juggernaut return for Fox, even though it was down a bit, it ruled TV. Fox is obviously on top by big this week in all categories. CBS is a distant second in HH and viewers, with NBC a distant second in 18-49. NBC is third in HH and viewers, while CBS is third in 18-49. ABC is fourth in all categories. Fox will for sure win the week thanks to Idol and tonight's NFC Championship Game, which will probably get over 40 million. The writers' strike has caused a lot of repeats, thus CBS and ABC are down, while NBC is doing better than it normally would do with scripted programming, thanks to the reality shows. Last week, week 16, CBS edged Fox in HH and viewers, while Fox took the 18-49 crown. CBS was second in 18-49. NBC and ABC were neck-and-neck for third, with NBC the slight edge.
On Monday, all of the big 4 had something to smile about. NBC saw a decent night with American Gladiators doing 10.61 million, down slightly from previous week, but its strength is 18-49 as it did a 4.6 rating, also slightly down from previous week. Deal or No Deal (stop with this show!) followed with 15.08 million, way up from previous week, almost by 5 million, followed by Medium at 9.51 million, slightly down from the season premiere. CBS was in repeat mode for its sitcoms, but it still did pretty well, especially Two and a Half Men doing 11.51 million..slightly up from previous week. The other three sitcoms were all way above from previous week. See sitcom numbers below. CBS closed the night off with an all-new CSI: Miami at 14.8 million, I believe that was the pre-strike finale. Fox saw the return of Prison Break at its normal so-so numbers doing 7.87 million and a 3.3 18-49, it was followed by episode two of Sarah Connor Chronicles which did 10.08 million and a 4.2 18-49 rating...way down from the previous night's premiere, but still solid. Let's see how it does tomorrow. ABC's 90 minute Dance War did a solid 10.5 million, down slightly from previous week. Notes from the Underbelly followed at 9:30 at just 4.57 million. I think for February sweeps, ABC should continue to 90-minute Dance War's, but air Samantha Who at 9:30 instead of 9:00 and bench Underbelly until March. October Road followed at 10pm with just 4.86 million, slightly down from previous week. Maybe some people who watched the beautiful Odette Yustman in Cloverfield at the box office this weekend (41.3 million in sales!) will tune in this week to see Odette on the small screen! The CW had repeats of their sitcoms...the best was Chris at 2.04 million and the worst was Aliens in America's 1.31 million.
On Tuesday, Fox was on top thanks to Idol's 33.41 million, down from last season's premiere by about 4-5 million. But still big. 13.8 18-49 is still massive. CBS was a distant second with a new NCIS at 15.82 million, very solid...followed by night two of the mini-series Comanche Moon at 12.56 million. NBC suffered from Idol, as a two-hour Biggest Loser did 7.18 million, down three million from previous week and Law & Order: SVU at 12.2 million, also down over 3 million from previous week. ABC also suffered from Idol-itis, as Just for Laughs started the night off with 4.52 million, down almost 1.5 million from previous week, a repeat followed with just 4.18 million...According to Jim followed with 4.01 million and a repeat of Carpoolers only managed 3.07 million. Thank god Idol ill only be an hour next week. ABC closed the night off with an all-new Boston Legal at a below normal 7.43 million. The CW aired a repeat of Reaper at just 1.58 million and all-new One Tree Hill did 2.72 million...down from previous week.
On Wednesday, it was all Fox again. American Idol's second night of two-hours did 30.44, down 3 million from previous week, and again down from last season's second night, but once again still big. NBC started the night off with the Wednesday edition of Deal or No Deal at 11.81 million, down about 2 million from previous week, the NBC airing of USA Network's Law & Order: Criminal Intent did 8.77 million, down less than a million from previous week, followed by the original Law & Order at 11.59 million, up a bit from previous week. CBS started off slow with Power of 10 at just 4.79 million, down a million from previous week and the final night of the mini-series Comanche Moon did solid with 12.13 million...each night went down, but still solid. ABC's Wife Swap and Supernanny did 5.11 and 6.04 million, both down by almost 3 million from previous week...Idol-itis strikes again. ABC closed the night with Cashmere Mafia at 5.46 million, down 1/2 million or so from previous week. The CW had a new showing of Crowned and a repeat of Gossip Girl at 1.45 and 1.02 million...Crowned is not doing good, down from previous week obviously with Idol airing.
On Thursday, we had repeats of the two big players, but there were some new showings for scripted series. CBS started the night off with a repeat of Without a Trace at a solid 8.93 million, followed by a repeat of CSI at 14.15 for #1 for the night, and a new Without a Trace closed the night off with a decent 13.29 million. Fox was second thanks to Idol's promotion for sure, as Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? reached season highs in all categories with 11.58 million, followed by Don't Forget the Lyrics! at 8.79 million even. ABC's big gun of Grey's Anatomy was in repeat mode and it doesn't repeat as well as the other big gun (CBS's CSI), but Ugly Betty was all-new and started the night with 9.51 million, solid but down from previous week, the Grey's repeat did 7.4 million, followed by an all-new Big Shots which had a major storyline at the end doing just 4.7 million, down well over a million from previous week when it had a new Grey's as its lead-in. NBC started the night with two repeats of their comedies in the 8pm hour as My Name is Earl did 5.62 million and The Office at just 4.88 million, Celebrity Apprentice followed with 9.14 million, up a million from previous week and ER closed the night out with 8.92 million, down from previous week.
Like usual, no Friday finals yet, but CBS won each hour thanks to Ghost Whisperer and NUMB3RS. Even Moonlight won its hour as again there was no Women's Murder Club. 1 vs. 100 for NBC is no Deal or No Deal in the ratings, but it is a more challenging (and better) game show than Deal. Saturday ratings were not available at the time of this writing.
Tonight will be all Fox thanks to the NFC Championship Game between the NY Giants and the Green Bay Packers. ABC and CBS will battle for a distant second, ABC has an all-new two-hour Home Edition while CBS has the Amazing Race finale, but it will likely suffer against the game. NBC will be off the map with a movie (Runaway Bride).
As for the week, Fox will win in HH, viewers and 18-49 because of the NFL game (7-10pm even) and two nights of two-hour Idol's. CBS will likely be second in all categories, with NBC third and ABC fourth.
This coming week...American Idol goes down to one-hour on Tuesday and Wednesdays, so the other nets might get a boost, but again repeats will probably keep them even, especially CBS and ABC, since NBC has new stuff with Deal and other reality shows. ABC has Lost in the waiting area starting Jan. 31!


Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week of January 7-13)

  • Aliens in America (The CW) - A repeat did just 666,000 viewers..pretty soon the show will be moving to 8:30pm on this night as the Monday sitcoms make their move to Sundays.
  • Family Guy (Fox) - A new episode did an above average 11.33 million and 5.5 18-49 rating thanks to the NFL and Sarah Connor premiere lead-in.
  • American Dad (Fox) - 8.62 million for a new episode...way above normal, see above.

Monday Sitcoms

  • How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - 7.13 million for a repeat...up over a million from previous week's repeat of 5.98 million.
  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - 8.07 million for a repeat...up nearly 2 million from previous week's repeat of 6.21 million. Tomorrow is the last scheduled repeat, before Welcome to the Captain takes over. Look for our review of that next week.
  • Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 11.51 million tuned in for a repeat..very good, up slightly from previous week.
  • Rules of Engagement (CBS) - 8.42 million for a repeat, good, up 1/2 million or so from previous week.
  • CW Monday Comedies: Chris, Aliens in America, Girlfriends, The Game. All were repeats ... Chris led the block with 2.04 million, Aliens did 1.31 million, Girlfriends did 1.32 million, and The Game did 1.67 million.


Tuesday Sitcoms

  • According to Jim (ABC) - A new episode faced Idol head to head, so it only did 4.01 million. Not against Idol this
  • Carpoolers (ABC) - Since Idol was on in the hour, ABC scheduled a repeat, but it only managed 3.07 million...all-new this week, and not against Idol.

Wednesday Sitcoms
  • None
Thursday Sitcoms
  • My Name is Earl (NBC) - A repeat did 5.62 million.
  • The Office (NBC) - 4.88 million for a repeat.
Friday Sitcoms
  • None.

Saturday Sitcoms
  • None.


Airing tonight (Sunday) is a repeat of Aliens in America on The CW at 7:30, and Fox's animated comedies are preempted for the NFL game.

Summing it up. Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, and Rules of Engagement repeats were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as My Name is Earl, How I Met Your Mother repeats) or just plain old terrible (According to Jim, Carpoolers repeat).


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Sunday, December 22

Bob's Burgers - "The Nightmare 2 Days Before Christmas" (Fox, 7:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When the power goes out two days before Christmas, The Belchers must spend the holiday at Mr. Fischoeder's family's old hunting lodge.

Krapopolis - "Krapocalypse" (Fox, 7:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Tyrannis is stuck in a time loop trying to save the city.

The Simpsons - "The Man Who Flew Too Much" (Fox, 8:00PM ET/PT)
The new and improved Pin Pals travel to Capital City for their first ever state bowling championship.

Universal Basic Guys - "The Devil You Know" (Fox, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Mark insists on teaching his son Darren how to throw a handmade boomerang that was gifted to Darren by his father; the two soon find themselves on a trek deep into the Jersey woods; David is the recipient of a sex doll that he swears he didn't order.

The Great North - "The Lies Aquatic Adventure" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
While Beef is away, the Tobin fishing boat goes missing; the Tobin siblings wildly speculate on what could have happened.

Krapopolis - "National Lampoon's The Odyssey!" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The family takes a vacation to Storgos for Shlub's mother's birthday.

Bob Hearts Abishola - "Full-Frontal Dottie" (The CW, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Excited by her physical therapy progress, Dottie insists she is ready to return to MaxDot, much to Bob, Douglas and Christina's dismay.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of December 16)

Friday, December 20

  • Jason Bateman (Arrested Development/George and Leo/Chicago Sons/Simon/The Hogan Family/It's Your Move/Silver Spoons) - Watch Jason on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Sharon Horgan (Bad Sisters/HouseBroken/Catastrophe) - Sharon is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Dwayne Johnson (Young Rock) - Dwayne appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Colton Dunn (Superstore) and Diona Reasonover (Clipped) - Colton and Diona are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Zachary Quinto (Big Mouth/So Notorious) - NBC's Today catches up with Zachary in the 9am hour.
  • Billy Eichner (Friends from College/Difficult People/Parks and Recreation) - Billy talks about Mufasa: The Lion King on NBC's Today in the 10am hour. He can also be heard on The Morning Mash Up on SiriusXM.
  • Kerry Washington (UnPrisoned) - Kerry talks about The Six Triple Eight on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am and on Sherri, so check your local listings.
  • James Marsden (30 Rock) and Ben Schwartz (The Afterparty/Space Force/Parks and Recreation) - James and Ben talk about Sonic the Hedgehog 3 on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Jamie Lee Curtis (The Sticky/Anything But Love/Operation Petticoat) - Jamie Lee chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Whitney Cummings (Whitney) - Whitney talks about Max's Fast Friends on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Henry Winkler (Barry/Arrested Development/Out of Practice/Monty/Happy Days) - Access Daily with Mario & Kit has the best of Henry and Kit Hoover, so check your local listings.
  • Howie Mandel (Good Grief) - The Talk celebrates 15 seasons with a special finale episode; friend of the show Howie Mandel makes his 21st appearance on the show when he stops by one last time with a surprise for the hosts on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

Friends - The Complete Series (4K UHD) Young Sheldon - The Complete Series Veep - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Seinfeld - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

09/10 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Seasons 1-7
09/10 - The Ropers - The Complete Series (VEI)
09/10 - Ted - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/17 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - Video Scrapbook
09/17 - Top Cat - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
09/24 - Friends - The Complete Series (4K UHD)
09/24 - Young Sheldon - The Complete Seventh Season (DVD) / The Complete Series (DVD) (Blu-ray)
10/08 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Twelfth Season / The Complete Series
10/22 - Veep - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/05 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/12 - The King of Queens - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (2024 Release)
11/19 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fourteenth Season
11/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 4 (Blu-ray)
12/03 - Angel (1960-1961) - The Complete Series, Volume 1
12/17 - Seinfeld - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (4K UHD)
02/04 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

12/21 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Creative Team Put in Place for Big Bang Theory Spinoff; Girls5eva Canceled at Netflix
12/20 - Netflix Announces You and Sweet Magnolias Details; Tell Me Lies Renewed for Season 3 on Hulu
12/19 - Apple TV+ Bad Monkey Renewed for Season 2; Norman Lear's Clean Slate Comedy to Premiere on Prime Video in February
12/18 - Netflix Renews A Man on the Inside; Silo Gets 2 Season Renewal for Apple TV+
12/17 - Paramount Adds The Big Bang Theory to Nick at Nite and MTV Lineups; The White Lotus Season 3 in February
12/16 - Malcolm in the Middle to Return for 25th Anniversary; Game Show Network Holiday Schedule
12/15 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of December 16, 2024)
12/14 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Malcolm in the Middle Limited Reboot Headed to Disney+; King of the Hill Reboot Episode Titles Released
12/13 - Antenna TV's Christmas and New Year's Holiday Schedule; Apple TV+ and Peanuts Holiday Specials
12/12 - Harley Quinn Returns in January; Night Court Holiday Episode on NBC
12/11 - Valerie Bertinelli Hosting Game Show; Whitney Cummings Finding Ultimate Friends Fans
12/10 - 82nd Golden Globe Nominations; Michelle Buteau: A Buteau-ful Mind at Radio City Music Hall
12/09 - Jamie Foxx Returns on Tuesday on Netflix; Ilana Glazer Hulu Comedy Special
12/08 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of December 9, 2024)
12/07 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Scrubs Reboot in the Works; Family Guy Returning to Adult Swim
12/06 - Apple TV+ New Comedy Government Cheese; Prime Video Sets Half-Hour Police Drama
12/05 - Marlon Wayans to Guest Star on Poppa's House on CBS; Mo Returning to Netflix
12/04 - STARZ Comedy Thriller Sweetpea Renewed for Season 2; Bel-Air to End After Next Season
12/03 - Pluto TV Holiday Schedule; SNL December Hosts and Musical Performers
12/02 - Scripps Networks (Laff, Bounce, ION) Holiday Schedule; First Look at Watson on CBS
12/01 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of December 2, 2024)
11/30 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Desperate Housewives Creator Has Prequel Idea; Finale Date Set for The Talk
11/29 - Abbott Elementary Aces the Test on Multi-Platform; Dancing with the Stars' Resurgence
11/28 - 2024 Thanksgiving TV Marathons
11/27 - Henry Danger The Movie Premieres in January; Dexter: Original Sin Trailer
11/26 - The Way Home Returns for Season 3; Matthew Broderick and Son to Guest Star on Elsbeth
11/25 - Peacock's Laid Premieres December 19; Jon Hamm Drama Gets Season 2 Before Series Premiere
11/24 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of November 25, 2024)
11/23 - SitcomsOnline Digest: HBO Renews It's Florida, Man; Simpsons Voice Actor Announces Retirement
11/22 - NBC's Happy's Place Gets Full Season; HBO Renews It's Florida, Man for Another Zany Season
11/21 - The CW Midseason 2025 Schedule; Voice of Milhouse Leaving The Simpsons