Sunday, November 23, 2008

Week 9 Numbers; How the Sitcoms Did

Week 9 numbers (first three nights, Mon-Wed):
(Thursday final numbers were not released by Nielsen, so we don't have final Thursday network averages or final program numbers in time for today's story...sorry.)

Households: CBS: 8.6/13.4; ABC: 7.0/11.0; Fox: 5.1/7.7; NBC: 4.4/6.8; The CW: 1.9/3.0; MNT: 0.9/1.4.
Total Viewers: CBS: 13.56 million; ABC: 10.74 million; Fox: 8.3 million; NBC: 6.94 million; The CW: 2.85 million; MNT: 1.45 million.
Adults 18-49: CBS: 3.6/9.4; Fox: 3.2/8.1; ABC: 2.7/6.9; NBC: 2.6/6.8; The CW: 1.4/3.5; MNT: 0.5/1.3.

Analysis: Week 9 has seen CBS in contro through the first three nights (and four counting prelim numbers for Thursday). Nielsen didn't release final ratings for Thursday, so I cannot give you those averages and program ratings...but see above for final first three night averages. If you count the prelim Thursday averages, through the first four days, CBS is in the lead in all categories, while ABC should be second throughout (though Fox might have a say in 18-49, but ABC seems to have edged Fox through the first four days). Fox is 3rd across the board, while NBC is likely fourth across the board.
Last week, CBS won week 8 in all categories (HH, viewers, 18-49), while ABC was second in all categories. NBC was third across the board. Fox was fourth across the board as well.
Monday ABC was on top thanks to of course Dancing with the Stars. The 92-minute episode did a night best 19.63 million...up week-to-week. The sitcom Samantha Who followed and did 10.23 million, slightly off from the previous week. A new Boston Legal followed with 8.08 million, down some from the previous week. Next up was CBS, with new episodes of its comedies and a new CSI: Miami. The Big Bang Theory did great again, but down a bit from the previous week's series high of 10.01 million to 9.76 million this week...still not bad! A new How I Met Your Mother followed with a season high 9.99 million, built on the lead-in for the first time in weeks! #1 sitcom Two and a Half Men followed with 15.18 million, up week-to-week as well, while Worst Week did 10.24 million, its best showing in weeks...good sign. At 10pm a new CSI: Miami did 15.46 million, up nearly two million from previous week as the show celebrated a milestone episode. NBC was next and as its regular line-up continues to falter. Chuck did 6.89 million, up form previous week, followed by Heroes at once again another series low 7.65 million, down from previous week's series low. Recently canceled My Worst Own Enemy was next at just 3.91 million, a series low...NBC needs to remove this ASAP rather than wait it out. Fox was next with the weak Sarah Connor at just 5.09 million, slightly down from previous week, and on its last legs Prison Break at 5.52 million, though up a bit week-to-week once again. The CW had its teen girls line-up of Gossip Girl doing 2.89 million, on par really from previous week, followed by One Tree Hill at a season low 2.72 million. What is happening to The CW Monday? It used to do well over 3 million.
Tuesday it was CBS and ABC battling for first while Fox won in 18-49. CBS's quiet hit NCIS started it off with 17.99 million...down from the previous week's series high. New drama The Mentalist followed with 15.84 million, down from previous week. A new Without a Trace would did 11.85 million, also down week-to-week, but not as much as the other two. ABC was next with a special episode of Dancing with the Stars at 11.6 million up from previous week's special recap, followed by Dancing with the Stars: The Results at 17.59 million, up a million week-to-week as now we are down to the final three, and Eli Stone only did 6.36 million, a season low. Fox was next with House at 13.26 million and a 5.6 18-49 rating both up slightly week-to-week, followed by lead-in dependent Fringe with 9.18 million and a 4.1 18-49 rating, up from previous week. NBC was next with another two-hour The Biggest Loser at 7.77 million, down a bit from previous week and Law & Order: SVU followed at 10.11 million, up from previous week. The CW aired a new episode of 90210 doing 2.92 million, up a bit from previous week and a new episode of Privileged did only 1.55 million, down week-to-week.
Wednesday saw CBS take back the night, as ABC took the previous week with a big win for the CMA Awards, but usual winner CBS was back in business tonight. CBS started with Old Christine at 7.85 million, up a million from previous week. Recently picked-up for a full season Gary Unmarried followed with 7.88 million, up over a million from previous week and built from the lead-in. Next was Criminal Minds at 9pm and it did a solid 16.33 million, up big from previous week and at 10pm CSI: NY did 14.12 million, up big from previous week, as this series it a milestone episode as well. Fox was next with a new Bones at a solid 10.82 million, down a tad from previous week but on par really. A House repeat, yes another, followed with 5.68 million...down from previous week. ABC's Pushing Daisies only managed 4.87 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating for a series low, as it seems the series will be done after its 13 episodes. Private Practice was next and also had a series low of 7.22 million, and will be heavily helped in January when it moves to Thursday. Dirty Sexy Money also did a series low with 5.58 million...it is too bad because this show is worth watching. Watch it! NBC opened the night with the falling Knight Rider doing just 5.2 million, down from previous week and a terrible 1.4 18-49 rating, and why was this picked-up for a full year? Next up was Life doing just 5.43 million, down week-to-week and a new Law & Order did 7.62 million, a series low for the veteran series. The CW had the finale of Top Model doing 4.84 million, its best numbers in a year but Stylista followed with only 2.16 million, and did not benefit, though it was up from previous week.
Thursday as we mentioned final numbers are not in yet...but we will give prelim numbers. CBS won the night overall and just edged ABC in 18-49. CBS opened with Survivor: Gabon at a prelim 12.62 million, putting it down a bit from previous week. A new CSI followed with a prelim 18.43 million, down from previous week. The new Eleventh Hour followed and did a prelim 10.67 million, also down from previous week. ABC was with Ugly Betty doing a prelim 8.29 million, up a bit from previous week. Grey's Anatomy followed with a prelim 15.74 million and a prelim 6.1 18-49 rating, up from previous week. At 10pm a new Life on Mars did a prelm 7.97 million, on par with the previous week. NBC was next with a new My Name is Earl doing a prelim 6.75 million, down from previous week, new sitcom Kath & Kim followed with only a prelim 5.47 million, but up from the previous week. The Office followed with a prelim 8.4 million, slightly up from previous week. 30 Rock did a prelim 7.29 million, down once again from previous week, as the show has gone down each airing this season after a fast start. ER was next with a prelim 9.15 million, down from previous week. Fox was off the map with two episodes of Kitchen Nightmares at just a prelim 4.46 million, down from previous week. Smallville on The CW did a prelim 4.77 million, but some of that is NFL action in Pittsburgh on their CW, followed by Supernatural at 4.03 million, and once again some of that is NFL action...so expect CW to go down a bit and same for NBC as there was NFL action on NBC in Cincy.
Now, as usual final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but CBS won Friday with their dramas, as Ghost Whisperer did a season high, repeat of The Mentalist at 9pm did the best of the night, while NUMB3RS also won its hour. ABC saw decent numbers for 20/20 at 10pm. NBC's disappointing Crusoe continues to do bad, as does Lipstick Jungle at 10pm.
Saturday numbers saw ABC win in the preliminaries overall and in 18-49 thanks to Saturday Night College Football between two top 5 teams.
Tonight again NFL will be key. CBS will not have an over-run this week, so they will be at normal levels. ABC's regular Sunday line-up of AFV, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Desperate Housewives, and Brothers & Sisters, are preempted for the American Music Awards, so they will not be as high but will do solid still and great in 18-49. NBC will be solid with the SNF game. Fox will be the wildcard...it's 24 prequel movie could do decent or bomb..but the NFL overrun will help it at the start at least.
As for the week, I believe CBS will win the week in HH, viewers and 18-49, but it depends on how Fox does tonight in 18-49, but it won't be enough likely for even 2nd in 18-49. ABC will be second across the board likely, but 18-49 will be close. Fox will be third, with NBC in fourth across the board though in 18-49 they could compete, followed by CW and MNT. What to watch for this week? Sweeps ends on Wednesday and it seems CBS will win it overall with ABC in 18-49. But still three days to go...Dancing with the Stars two-night finale is the pick for the rest of sweep.

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week of Nov. 10-16)

  • The Simpsons (Fox) 2 episodes - A new showing did 8.48 million, up week-to-week. A repeat at 7:30pm leading into to the new episode did 5.64 million, also up.
  • King of the Hill (Fox) - 7.08 million for a new episode, up from previous week. A repeat at 7pm only mustered 3.62 million, but better than previous week.
  • Family Guy (Fox) - 8.57 million for a new episode, but a bit week-to-week.
  • American Dad (Fox) - 6.76 million for worst of the night, but up from previous week.

Monday Sitcoms

  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - 9.76 million...down from the series high the previous week, but still very good!
  • How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - 9.09 million up from previous week again and a season high, and it build on the lead-in...the biggest winner for CBS this week.
  • Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 15.18 million, up from previous week and #1 sitcom as always.
  • Worst Week (CBS) - 10.24 million...better than usual and beat CBS 8-9pm finally for the first time in weeks. Good sign.
  • Samantha Who? (ABC) - 10.23 million...down slightly from previous week, solid but needs to do a bit better.

Tuesday Sitcoms

  • None.
Wednesday Sitcoms
  • Old Christine (CBS) - 7.85 million...up a million from previous week. Good news.
  • Gary Unmarried (CBS) - 7.88 million this week, up well over a million from previous week and built from the lead-in! Great news.

Thursday Sitcoms

  • My Name is Earl (NBC) - Final Thursday numbers were not released yet, but prelim 6.75 million for a new episode, down from previous week.
  • Kath & Kim (NBC) - Prelim 5.47 million, not good, but from previous week a bit.
  • The Office (NBC) - Prelim 8.4 million for a new episode...up slightly week-to-week...for now, since the prelim numbers count the Cincy ratings for the NFL game.
  • 30 Rock (NBC) - Prelim 7.29 million tuned in this week, down again from previous week...and once again these numbers include the NFL game in Cincy, so likely it will go down a bit more.

Friday Sitcoms

  • Everybody Hates Chris (The CW) - Final numbers are not in yet...but the prelim numbers show 1.77 million. Bad yes, and down a bit week to week so far.
  • The Game (The CW) - Prelim numbers show just 1.62 million...same as above.

Saturday Sitcoms

  • None.

Airing tonight (Sunday) are no comedies, as Fox's animated comedies are preempted.

Summing it up. Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, The Office, Worst Week were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as My Name is Earl, 30 Rock) or just plain old terrible (such as The Game, Kath & Kim).


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Thursday, March 28

The Conners - "Keep On Truckin' Six Feet Apart" (The CW, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The Conners are dealing with the pandemic and life's financial troubles.

The Conners - "Halloween and the Election vs the Pandemic" (The CW, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Halloween has been canceled, so the family works to create an unforgettable experience.

Son of a Critch - "Airing Out" (The CW, 9:00PM ET/PT)
The Critches are doing their annual airing-out-the-house ritual; some family secrets are uncovered.

Son of a Critch - "Cabaret" (The CW, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Mark finally gets the chance to take the stage as a stand-up comedian.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 25)

Thursday, March 28

  • Joey King (Bent) - Joey talks about We Were the Lucky Ones on ABC's Good Morning America some time between 7-9am.
  • Giancarlo Esposito (Bakersfield P.D.) - Giancarlo discusses his starring role in the AMC crime-thriller series Parish on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
  • Niecy Nash-Betts (Reno 911!/Getting On/The Soul Man/Do Not Disturb) - Niecy stops by to talk about her upcoming starring turn in Ryan Murphy's horror drama Grotesquerie on Sherri, so check your local listings.
  • Lisa Ann Walter (Abbott Elementary/Emeril) - Lisa talks about Abbott Elementary on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Lorraine Toussaint (Where I Live) - Lorraine is a guest on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:40am.


New on DVD/Blu-ray (November-March)

Leave it to Beaver - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Father Knows Best - The Complete Series The Odd Couple - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Three's Company - The Official 40th Anniversary Collection Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

11/07 - South Park - The Complete Twenty-Sixth Season (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/14 - Leave it to Beaver - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/05 - Father Knows Best - The Complete Series
12/05 - The Odd Couple - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/12 - The Dick Van Dyke Show - The Complete Series
12/12 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)
12/12 - That Girl - The Complete Series
12/15 - Letterkenny - Season 11
12/19 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Official Restored Complete Series
12/22 - Three's Company - The Official 40th Anniversary Collection (includes The Ropers and Three's a Crowd)
01/09 - South Park - Seasons 11-15 (Blu-ray)
01/16 - Ghosts (UK) - Season Five
02/13 - Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/27 - The Really Loud House - Season One
03/12 - Ghosts (UK) - The Complete Series
03/12 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 3 (Blu-ray)
03/12 - Rick and Morty - Season 7 (Blu-ray Steelbook) (Blu-ray) (DVD)

That Girl - The Complete Series The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Official Restored Complete Series

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD Releases / DVD Reviews Archive / SitcomsOnline Digest


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

03/28 - Netflix's Good Times Animated Comedy Trailer; Too Close for Comfort and Check It Out! Complete Series on DVD
03/27 - The Upshaws Part 5 This April; Max Orders Noah Wyle Medical Drama
03/26 - Apple TV+ Orders Star-Studded Comedy; Elizabeth Banks Joins New Peacock Series
03/25 - Disney Channel Orders Wizards of Waverly Place Revival; Paramount+ Animated Comedy Ark: The Animated Series
03/24 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 25, 2024)
03/23 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Netflix Sets Premiere Date for Good Times Animated Reboot; NBC Renews Several Popular Series
03/22 - NBC Renews Nearly All Chicago and Law & Order Series; Goosebumps Season 2 Cast Update
03/21 - Hallmark Renews The Way Home; You Final Season Sets Cast
03/20 - Community Arrives on Peacock April 1, Movie Coming Soon; Hulu Premieres New Comedy Dinosaur April 5
03/19 - NBC Summer 2024 Schedule; Starz Drama Rounds Out All-Star Cast
03/18 - Shout! TV Celebrates 25 Years of Farscape; AMC Acquires Snowpiercer
03/17 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 18, 2024)
03/16 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Ty Burrell Sitcom in the Works at ABC; CBS Renews Ghosts
03/15 - Netflix Heads to the Arctic for Comedy Series; Neal Brennan's 3rd Comedy Special
03/14 - SNL Announces Second to Last 3 Episode Set of Season; Bill Maher Renewed for 2 More Seasons
03/13 - CBS Renews Ghosts and Fire Country; Apple TV+ Orders Owen Wilson Comedy
03/12 - Roseanne Couch Week on COZI TV; The CW Orders Leighton Meester Series for 2025
03/11 - Every Grey's Anatomy Episode Now on Hulu; You Season 5 Casting Update
03/10 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 11, 2024)
03/09 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Tim Allen Headlining ABC Comedy Pilot; NBC Developing Bewitched Inspired Sitcom
03/08 - Amazon Freevee Gets New Comedy Series; Apple TV+ Loot Returns April 3
03/07 - Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik Reprising Their Characters from Big Bang; Monsters at Work Returns for Season 2
03/06 - CBS Orders Multi-Camera Spin-off of Young Sheldon; FETV Acquires Highway Patrol
03/05 - Fox Summer 2024 Schedule, In-Season Finales; CBS Renews Tracker for Season 2
03/04 - Laff Acquires Matthew Perry and Will Arnett Sitcoms; Lisa Whelchel Returns for MeTV Series
03/03 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 4, 2024)
03/02 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Pluto TV Adds More Channels Including Universal Action; CBS Renews Young and the Restless for Four More Years
03/01 - Lopez vs Lopez Season 2 Brings Out the Stars; Prime Video's Música Drops April 4
02/29 - Season 3 of Hacks Adds Star Power; Remembering Richard Lewis
02/28 - BUZZR Celebrates Women's History Month in March; 10th Anniversary of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon