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

Friday, July 26

The Conners - "Keep on Truckin'" (The CW, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
After a sudden turn of events, the Conners are forced to face the daily struggles of life in Lanford in a way they never have before.

The Conners - "Tangled Up in Blue" (The CW, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Darlene gets one surprise after another when David introduces his girlfriend at a parent-teacher conference and mentions that Mark & Harris will be spending the weekend with them.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of July 22)

Friday, July 26

  • Nick Jonas (Jonas) - Watch Nick on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method) - Michael appears on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Sasheer Zamata (Home Economics/Woke/Robbie), Joe Lo Truglio (Brooklyn Nine-Nine/Burning Love/Reno 911!) and Aparna Nancherla (Corporate) - Sasheer, Joe and Aparna are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Jennie Garth (Mystery Girls/What I Like About You) - Jennie chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT. NBC's Today catches up with Jennie in the 10am hour.
  • Marcus Scribner (grown-ish/black-ish) - Marcus talks about his coming-of-age film How I Learned to Fly on a repeat of Sherri, so check your local listings.
  • Delroy Lindo (UnPrisoned) - Delroy talks about UnPrisoned on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
  • Dylan Sprouse (The Suite Life on Deck/The Suite Life of Zack & Cody/Grace Under Fire) - Dylan talks about Lionsgate's The Duel on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.


New on DVD/Blu-ray

Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Too Close for Comfort - The Complete Series Check It Out! - The Complete Series The Jeffersons - The Complete Series (2024 Release) Welcome Back, Kotter - The Complete Series (2024 Release)

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)
04/03 - Too Close for Comfort - The Complete Series (VEI)
04/08 - Check It Out! - The Complete Series (VEI)
05/21 - Frasier (2023) - Season One
06/11 - The Jeffersons - The Complete Series (2024 Release)
06/11 - Welcome Back, Kotter - The Complete Series (2024 Release)
07/05 - Letterkenny - Season 12 (Final Season)
07/30 - Ted Lasso - The Richmond Way (The Complete Series) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/17 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
09/24 - Friends - The Complete Series (4K Ultra HD)
09/24 - Young Sheldon - The Complete Seventh Season / The Complete Series
10/08 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Twelfth Season / The Complete Series

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


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

07/26 - USA Network Revives Scare Tactics; Apple TV+ Orders Season 2 of Camp Snoopy
07/25 - Apple TV+ Comedy Bad Monkey Premieres August 14; Mel Brooks HBO Doc
07/24 - FX's Final Season of What We Do in the Shadows; Lifetime Acquires Taye Diggs and Meagan Good Film
07/23 - Homicide: Life on the Street Makes Streaming Debut on Peacock August 19; Trailer and Game for Emily in Paris Season 4
07/22 - FETV Acquires Dragnet; CBS Special for Bob Newhart
07/21 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of July 22, 2024)
07/20 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Apple TV+ Renews Loot for Third Season; CBS Developing Area 51 Comedy
07/19 - Remembering TV Legend Bob Newhart, TV Bad Girl Shannen Doherty of Beverly Hills, 90210 and Charmed, and Doogie Howser TV Dad James B. Sikking
07/18 - 76th Primetime Emmy Nominations; Frasier Returns September 19
07/17 - Fox Fall 2024 Premiere Dates; Apple TV+ Renews Loot for Season 3
07/16 - Survival of the Thickest Season 2 Adds to Cast; Phil Rosenthal Series Renewed by Netflix
07/15 - CBS Fall 2024 Premiere Dates; Disney Entertainment Television at San Diego Comic-Con 2024
07/14 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of July 15, 2024)
07/13 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Martin Prequel in the Works; Wendie Malick to Star in Season 3 of Night Court
07/12 - FX Premiere Dates; CBS Studios San Diego Comic-Con Plans
07/11 - ABC Fall 2024 Premiere Dates; Remembering Doug Sheehan of Day by Day and Clueless and Benji Gregory of ALF
07/10 - NBC Fall 2024 Premiere Dates; New Paramount+ Series with Billy Bob Thornton
07/09 - Futurama Trailer Released for Season 12; Will You Help Solve a Mystery? Unsolved Mysteries Volume 4 Drops July 31
07/08 - Hulu's How to Die Alone Premieres This September; Prime Video's Cross Launches This Fall
07/07 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of July 8, 2024)
07/06 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Skydance Media Reportedly Taking Over Paramount; Internet Archive Restores MTV News Archives
07/05 - Sitcom Stars Pair Up on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire; TV One Premieres Raising Fame
07/04 - Happy 4th of July; Antenna TV's McHale's Navy Red, White and Navy Independence Day Marathon
07/03 - Netflix Has Baby Fever Again; More Stars Join Sirens
07/02 - Cobra Kai's Final Season Begins July 18; Hell Yeah! Kite Man: Hell Yeah! Premieres July 18 on Max
07/01 - Remembering Martin Mull of Roseanne, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and More; Will Forte Joins Netflix's Upcoming Comedy The Four Seasons
06/30 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of July 1, 2024)
06/29 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Nancy O'Dell to Host New Daytime True Crime Series; NBC to Use AI Clips of Al Michaels' Voice for Olympics
06/28 - Hulu's Hit-Monkey Trailer Drops; Remembering Character Actor Bill Cobbs
06/27 - New Jersey's North to Shore Festival Brings Out the Stars; ABC's GMA Summer Concert Series 2024
06/26 - Fox Nation Taps Kelsey Grammer for Docudrama; Hallmark Channel's Kansas City Chiefs Christmas Movie