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

Wednesday, October 4

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "Love Grows Here" (BET, 9:00PM ET/PT)
After Phillip goes out with his friends, Leah and Jeremy realize that he is a responsible young man. Through a counseling session, Leah and Cora teach the residents the importance of mental, physical and spiritual health.

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "Let The Church Say Amen" (BET, 9:30PM ET/PT)
When Cora runs for president of the local church, mud-slinging and sabotage threaten her reputation and test her faith. The Pleasant Days squad bolsters their ability to protect themselves by taking a self-defense class.

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "The White Flag" (BET, 10:00PM ET/PT)
Philip feels as though he is being treated like a child and resists his parents' punishment. Mr. Brown sends Kimberly an innocent text message that gets him into trouble.

The Ms. Pat Show - "Twenty Seven Side Pieces" (BET, 10:30PM ET/PT)
Denise gets a job at a Black hair salon but has to recruit Pat to deal with some "mean girls;" Terry is still in pain from his injury, but pain management comes in more forms than one, none of them good.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 2)

Wednesday, October 4

  • Wanda Sykes (The Upshaws/The New Adventures of Old Christine/Wanda at Large) - Watch Wanda on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Chelsea Handler (Are You There, Chelsea?) - Chelsea appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) - Nick is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. NBC's Today catches up with Nick in the 9am hour.
  • Siobhan Fallon Hogan (Fred: The Show) - Siobhan appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Jane Krakowski (Schmigadoon!/Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt/30 Rock) - Jane gives latest details on the series Name That Tune on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your listings.
  • Bellamy Young (The Other Black Girl) - Bellamy will be on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
  • Phil Rosenthal (Creator of Everybody Loves Raymond) - Phil is a guest on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Tiffani Thiessen (Saved by the Bell/Alexa & Katie/Good Morning, Miami/Saved by the Bell: The College Years) - Tiffani shares recipes from her new cookbook, Here We Go Again: Recipes and Inspiration to Level Up Your Leftovers, on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Leslie Odom Jr. (Central Park/Love in the Time of Corona/Big Day) - Leslie chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary/Fam/Instant Mom/Moesha/It's a Living) - Sheryl Lee appears on a repeat of The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.


New on DVD/Blu-ray (June-October)

Mayberry R.F.D. - The Complete Series Night Court (1984-1992) - The Complete Series Family Matters - The Complete Series Step by Step - The Complete Series ALF - The Complete Series (Deluxe Edition)

06/13 - Mayberry R.F.D. - The Complete Series
06/13 - Night Court (1984-1992) - The Complete Series
07/18 - South Park - Seasons 21-25 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
07/25 - The Neighborhood - Season Five
07/25 - Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin - Season One
07/25 - Superstore - The Complete Series
08/22 - Back to Life - Season 1 / Season 2
08/29 - Smiling Friends - Season 1 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/05 - Young Sheldon - The Complete Sixth Season
09/12 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Second Season
09/12 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Seasons 1-6 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/26 - Family Matters - The Complete Series
09/26 - Step by Step - The Complete Series
10/10 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Thirteen / The Complete Season Fourteen
10/17 - ALF - The Complete Series (Deluxe Edition) (Shout! Factory Special Offers)
10/17 - Night Court (2023) - The Complete First Season
More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD Releases / DVD Reviews Archive / SitcomsOnline Digest


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

10/03 - The Nanny Still 29: 30th Anniversary Marathon on COZI TV; Selena Gomez Holiday Cooking Specials
10/02 - Felicity 25th Anniversary Collection on Hulu; Prime Video Orders Two Seasons of Animated Comedy
10/01 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 2, 2023)
09/30 - SitcomsOnline Digest: WGA Strike Officially Over; ABC Cancels Home Economics
09/29 - Lifetime Announces New Thrillers; Big Mouth Season 7 Trailer
09/28 - New Season of Wolf Like Me on Peacock; Max Original Animated Series Debuts October 19
09/27 - Moonlighting Coming to Hulu; Showtime Announces Date for The Curse
09/26 - Rick and Morty Season 7 Trailer; Fox's Krapopolis Debuts Well
09/25 - Laff Fall 2023 Schedule with Last Man Standing and Man with a Plan; Upload Returns October 20
09/24 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 25, 2023)
09/23 - SitcomsOnline Digest: An End on the Horizon for WGA Strike?; Hallmark Ready for Christmas
09/22 - The Santa Clauses Season 2 Launches November 8; CBS Alters Fall Schedule
09/21 - Penn & Teller: Fool Us Gets New Return Date; Netflix's Unicorn Academy Premieres November 2
09/20 - Paramount+ Announces Colin from Accounts; The Really Loud House Gets Halloween Movie
09/19 - The Simpsons Season 34 Streams October 11 on Disney+; Good Burger 2 Set for Holiday Season
09/18 - Hulu's Huluween and Disney+'s Hallowstream Line-Up; Shining Vale Returns October 13 on STARZ
09/17 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 18, 2023)
09/16 - SitcomsOnline Digest: ABC Cancels Wonder Years Reboot; Byron Allen Makes $10 Billion Offer to Buy ABC
09/15 - Antenna TV's Bewitched Halloween Marathon; Rewind TV's Sabrina the Teenage Witch-O-Ween Marathon
09/14 - Dancing with the Stars Season 32 Cast; BUZZR Celebrates 40 Years of Press Your Luck
09/13 - TBS Acquires Modern Family; The Frasier Awards on COZI TV
09/12 - Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen Gets CBS Late Night Run; Unsolved Mysteries: Behind the Legacy Special
09/11 - Matt Rife Gets Netflix Special; Star Trek Day and Kid Cudi Join Forces
09/10 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 11, 2023)
09/09 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Warner Bros. Television Suspends Deals with Top Creators; Fran Drescher Re-Elected President of SAG-AFTRA
09/08 - CBS Announces Hosts of Game Show; New Goosebumps Premieres Friday the 13th This October on Disney+ and Hulu
09/07 - MeTV Presents Svengoolie's Halloween BOOnanza!; The CW Moving Fall Comedies to Thursdays
09/06 - CBS to Air NCIS: Sydney This Fall; Fox Makes Fall Change
09/05 - TBS and TNT September Stunts Include Big Bang Theory Batman Day Marathon; Netflix UK Produced Series Updates
09/04 - TV Marathons on Labor Day 2023 Include Three's Company
09/03 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 4, 2023)