Sunday, March 08, 2009

Week 24 (First Four Nights) Numbers; How the Sitcoms Did

Week 24 numbers (first four nights final averages, Mon-Thurs):

Households: Fox: 9.7/14.9; CBS: 7.6/12.0; ABC: 5.8/9.1; NBC: 4.4/6.9; The CW: 1.5/2.3; MNT: 0.8/1.2.
Total Viewers: Fox: 16.93 million; CBS: 12.15 million; ABC: 8.78 million; NBC: 6.91 million; The CW: 2.19 million; MNT: 1.25 million.
Adults 18-49: Fox: 6.0/15.3; CBS: 3.2/8.2; ABC: 3.1/8.1; NBC: 2.6/6.8; The CW: 0.9/2.4; MNT: 0.4/1.1

Analysis: Week 24 has Fox in the lead in all categories through the first four days again as Idol aired three times this week. Through the first four day, as mentioned Fox is on top, with CBS in second everywhere, while ABC is third in everything but is very close to CBS in 18-49. And NBC is fourth everywhere else.
Last week, Fox nipped by CBS in week 23 in viewers, but CBS won in households. Fox took 18-49 by a wide margin, over second place ABC and CBS, who tied. ABC was third in HH/viewers, while NBC was back in fourth of course.
Monday it was all ABC as The Bachelor went out with a bang. ABC aired the two-hour season finale of The Bachelor at an impressive 15.48 million, just as I expected. After that, ABC aired a shocking The Bachelor: After the Final Rose special doing 17.47 million and a stunning 6.7 18-49 rating as America was shocked that Jason changed his mind after 6 weeks. Now Melissa is bouncing back reportedly by joining Dancing with the Stars as an injury replacement for Nancy O'Dell! Go Melissa! Tune in tomorrow! CBS was finally new and did decent. A new episode of The Big Bang Theory did a respectable 10.83 million against stiff competition, while a new How I Met Your Mother did even better with 11.09 million. #1 sitcom Two and a Half Men did 15.47 million, seems a bit below normal, but of course still solid. The season premiere of Rules of Engagement followed and did 11.82 million, which is solid, but could have been better given the lead-in. At 10pm a new CSI: Miami did a below normal 13.42 million. Fox didn't have big Monday gun House this week but they had a special two-hour 24 at 11.14 million, down from previous week which was just an hour. The 3.3 18-49 rating for the two-hours is a series low. NBC was next with its so-so line-up. A new Chuck did 6.66 million, up a bit from previous week. Heroes still struggled and did 7.15 million, also up a bit from previous week and just a 3.3 18-49 rating for this show is not good. Medium followed with 7.26 million, down from previous week as it seems The Bachelor special affected it. The CW was next with a repeat of Gossip Girl doing 1.11 million, up some from previous week's repeat and a repeat of One Tree Hill did just 970,000 viewers, down from previous week's repeat. CW has done a terrible job scheduling new and repeats for this night.
Tuesday Fox had a two-hour American Idol and of course it doubled up the nearest network. Fox had that two-hour Idol doing 24.31 million. Excellent, but down year-to-year. CBS started with a repeat of NCIS at 13.67 million, I say this all the time...how? A repeat of The Mentalist also did a solid 12.63 million. Without a Trace was also a repeat and did 10.47 million. NBC was next with a two-hour The Biggest Loser at 8.95 million, down from previous week when it was just an hour and did not face Idol. NBC followed with a repeat of Law & Order: SVU doing just 7.04 million...ouch. ABC was next and started with an all-new Homeland Security USA at 5.68 million, down some from previous week. ABC then aired two Scrubs repeats doing just 3.25 and 3.24 million. Don't know why this is repeating. Finally, ABC won the 10pm hour with The Bachelor: After the Final Rose, Part 2 doing a solid 10.9 million and a more impressive 4.1 18-49 rating, as looks like Jason and Molly are happy together despite everyone jeering over what he did to Melissa. The CW aired the season premiere of Reaper and did just 2.31 million, as the grim reaper is calling for it and an encore of 90210 only did 1.04 million.
Wednesday saw you know who dominate. Fox aired a one-hour American Idol doing 22.78 million, down from the previous week but that was two hours. New Fox drama Lie to Me followed and lost much of that and did 10.2 million. CBS started with repeats of sitcom Old Christine at just 5.21 million, down a bit from previous week and a repeat of Gary Unmarried did 5.11 million, down from previous week. A repeat episode of Criminal Minds followed and did 10.15 million. CSI: NY followed with a repeat doing 10.83 million, as it built from the lead-in. ABC was next with an enhanced encore of Lost at 8pm doing 4.58 million, down some from previous week, followed by an all-new Lost doing 10.65 million, up from previous week. A new Life on Mars did 5.34 million, up from previous week. This week Lost is a repeat, so it will be bad for ABC. NBC opened the night with the finale (series I'm sure) of Knight Rider, doing 5.68 million, a repeat of dud Life followed and did just 4.24 million, Donal Logue is wasted on this show. Law & Order followed at 10pm but was a repeat and did 5.65 million, down a bit from previous week's repeat. The CW was on the map finally with the two-hour season premiere of America's Next Top Model doing a nice 3.92 million.
Thursday saw Fox win. Fox aired American Idol on a special night and did a solid 21.5 million...up some from previous week. So Bones was preempted again, but an all-new Hell's Kitchen at 9pm did 9.71 million, down a bit week-to-week. CBS started with Survivor: Tocantis doing 11.85 million, down a bit from previous week as Idol affected it a bit, followed by a new CSI at 20.87 million, up from previous week as Taylor Swift guest-starred, and a new Eleventh Hour followed with 12.05 million, up some from previous week. ABC started with a new Ugly Betty doing 6.34 million, down some from previous week as Idol affected it, a repeat of Grey's Anatomy was next and did 5.7 million, down from previous week's repeat. A repeat of Private Practice followed and did 4.41 million at 10pm, down from previous week's repeat. Both dramas return this week! NBC started with a new My Name is Earl doing just 5.46 million, a new Kath & Kim followed with only 4.09 million, but up from previous week when it had that Kung Fu Panda special as its lead-in. A new The Office did 8.54 million, someone should tell NBC that Valentine's Day occurs in mid-February. A new showing of 30 Rock followed with an improved 7.25 million. A new ER was next and did 8.71 million, on par really week-to-week. Smallville was a repeat on The CW and did 2.21 million, up from previous week's repeat, followed by a repeat of Supernatural at 2.02 million, also up from previous week's repeat.
Now, as usual final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but CBS won Friday with new episodes of Ghost Whisperer, Flashpoint, NUMBERS as usual. ABC finished second for the night helped by the regular 20/20 and a special 20/20 on Siegfried & Roy. NBC was way back and Fox was off the map with the should-be-pulled Sarah Connor Chronicles and the new Dollhouse...both keep going lower and lower. 5th Grader will be back soon I bet.
Saturday numbers were low with CBS winning a slow night in viewers (but better than normal) but Fox won by a wider margin in 18-49.
Tonight will be a battle between CBS and ABC. CBS has a new 60 Minutes and The Amazing Race, followed by Cold Case and The Unit. ABC will have new showings of AFV, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and Desperate Housewives returns, and after the great two-hour movie last week Brothers & Sisters continues. ABC should win the night easily in 18-49 and maybe even viewers. NBC has a two-hour SNL special followed by a two hour Celebrity Apprentice which will likely suffer week-to-week. Fox has an all-new lineup finally of its animated comedies...yes even Family Guy.
As for the week, Fox or CBS could win the week. Fox for sure in 18-49, though. ABC will be third in HH/viewers, but 2nd likely in 18-49 and NBC fourth everywhere. As for the coming week...it's back, Dancing with the Stars returns tomorrow! NBC premieres Chopping Block on Wednesday, while swaps timeslots for Lie to Me and American Idol. And NBC premieres new drama Kings next Sunday, with a two-hour premiere...I don't think this show will hit big at all.


Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week of Feb. 23-March 1, Week 23)

  • The Simpsons (Fox) - NASCAR delayed the start of an all-new episode in the east at least by 41 minutes, but the show did 6.53 million. Not too good though.
  • King of the Hill (Fox) - A new episode did 5.74 million...could be better.
  • Family Guy (Fox) - preempted.
  • American Dad (Fox) - 5.66 million...held the lead-in better than usual....but it was King of the Hill instead of the normal Family Guy.

Week 24:
Monday Sitcoms
  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - 10.83 million for a new episode. Great even with tough competition. I personally think it will go down some tomorrow with Dancing coming.
  • How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - 11.09 million for a new showing and building from the lead-in...great.
  • Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 15.47 million for a new episode is great but it might be a big below normal from recent new showings.
  • Rules of Engagement (CBS) - 11.82 million for the season premiere, solid, but not as good as it could be.

Tuesday Sitcoms

  • Scrubs (ABC) 2 episodes - Two repeats did just 3.25 and 3.24 million. Please don't repeat this this week.
Wednesday Sitcoms
  • Old Christine (CBS) - 5.21 million for a repeat could be better, and down from previous week.
  • Gary Unmarried (CBS) - 5.11 million for a repeat ... same as above.

Thursday Sitcoms

  • My Name is Earl (NBC) - Ouch only 5.46 million for a new episode. I don't think NBC will return this show next year. Sorry.
  • Kath & Kim (NBC) - 4.09 million for a new episode. And this one has no chance at all of coming back.
  • The Office (NBC) - 8.54 million for a new episode about Valentine's Day...only a month late.
  • 30 Rock (NBC) - 7.25 million for a new episode, up from recent airings.

Friday Sitcoms

  • Everybody Hates Chris (The CW) - preempted
  • The Game (The CW) - preempted.

Saturday Sitcoms

  • None.

Airing tonight (Sunday) are all-new Fox animated comedies from 8-10pm!

Summing it up. Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, The Office were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as Rules of Engagement, 30 Rock) or just plain old terrible (such as Kath & Kim, repeats of Scrubs).


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Wednesday, September 17

Shifting Gears - "Gummies" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Riley is horrified when she finds weed gummies in Carter’s pocket, prompting surprising advice from Matt. Meanwhile, Eve inadvertently lands Gabriel and Stitch in hot water after asking them to donate to a charity auction.

Shifting Gears - "Kiss" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Jimmy returns with a new job and a proposition for Riley and the kids to move into his house, Riley is torn between her past and her future. Meanwhile, Matt's feud with Eve flares up once again after she damages his car.

Abbott Elementary - "Rally" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Ava and the Abbott teachers go to the district to plead for Ava's job back; Gregory handles duties as interim principal.

Abbott Elementary - "Please Touch Museum" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Abbott Elementary goes on a schoolwide field trip to the Please Touch Museum, which has some of the older kids skeptical.

The Hospital - "Double or Nothing; Make a Wish" (BET, 11:00PM ET/PT)
Apparently the best spot to gamble during your shift, is in the morgue.

The Hospital - "Lyrical Surgery; Get It Poppin" (BET, 11:30PM ET/PT)
Dr. Do-It-To-Em's mixtape has more bars than a nursing student during finals week.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of September 15)

Wednesday, September 17

  • Wanda Sykes (The Upshaws/The New Adventures of Old Christine/Wanda at Large) - Watch Wanda on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Jason Bateman (Arrested Development/George and Leo/Chicago Sons/Simon/The Hogan Family/It's Your Move/Silver Spoons) - Jason appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Ron Howard (Arrested Development/Happy Days/The Andy Griffith Show) - Ron is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Brett Goldstein (Shrinking/Ted Lasso) - Brett stops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Rob Reiner (All in the Family/Morton & Hayes) - Rob appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Paul F. Tompkins (The Great North/BoJack Horseman/DAG) and Greta Titelman (Fantasmas/Search Party/Los Espookys) - Paul and Greta are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Eva Longoria (Only Murders in the Building/Telenovela) - Eva talks about FX's Necaxa on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
  • Marlon Wayans (Marlon/The Wayans Bros.) - Marlon talks about Him on The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Eugene Levy (Schitt's Creek/Greg the Bunny/Hiller and Diller) - Eugene talks about The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
  • Mark Duplass (Big Mouth/Togetherness/The Mindy Project/The League) - Mark talks about The Morning Show on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
  • Rosie Perez (Human Resources/Search Party) - Rosie co-hosts NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Kristin Davis (And Just Like That.../Bad Teacher/Sex and the City) - Kristin dishes on the end of And Just Like That and surprises Drew with an item from the set of Sex and the City on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Jane Lynch (Angel from Hell) - Jane talks about Fox's Celebrity Weakest Link on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Judy Reyes (Scrubs) - Judy is a guest on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:40am.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series Frasier (2023) - Season Two Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered) Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)

01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
05/13 - The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered)
06/06 - Shoresy - Season 2
06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (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

09/16 - Disney's SuperKitties Adds to Voice Cast; Netflix Renews The Hunting Wives for Season 2
09/15 - 77th Primetime Emmy Award Winners; Letterman TV Adds Late Night with David Letterman
09/14 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 15, 2025)
09/13 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Paramount Looking to Merge with Warner Bros. Discovery; Samsung TV+ Adds Late Night with David Letterman
09/12 - Emmy Awards to Create Special Moments; Ricky Gervais Netflix Animated Comedy Alley Cats Coming in 2026
09/11 - Remembering Polly Holliday of Alice and Flo; Prime Video's Overcompensating Renewed for Season 2
09/10 - Netflix Renews Leanne for Season 2; Hazbin Hotel Returns October 29
09/09 - HBO Comedy The Chair Company; Trailer for Disney's Vampirina: Teenage Vampire
09/08 - The Paper Renewed for Season 2, NYC Event on Tuesday; Final Season of Bel-Air
09/07 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 8, 2025)
09/06 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Shifting Gears Picked Up for Three Additional Episodes; The Paper Renewed for Season Two
09/05 - Crutch Premieres November 3 on Paramount+; Trailer for Season 2 of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place
09/04 - Freeform's 31 Nights of Halloween 2025 Schedule; Dancing with the Stars Season 34 Cast
09/03 - Live Staged Reading of Three's Company Episode; Freeform Acquires According to Jim for October
09/02 - Hulu's Chad Powers Trailer; BET's The Hospital Premieres September 10
09/01 - TV Marathons on Labor Day 2025 Include Archie Bunker's Place and George Lopez
08/31 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 1, 2025)
08/30 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Saturday Night Live Cast Changes Loom; NBC Renews Password for Third Season
08/29 - HBO's Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television; Adult Swim Slates Two Series for October
08/28 - NBC's Password Renewed for Season 3 for 2026; Pluto TV Streaming CBS Shows Ahead of Fall Season
08/27 - Hulu's Deli Boys Renewed for Season 2 with Fred Armisen; HBO's I Love LA Premieres November 2
08/26 - English Teacher Returns on FX for Season 2; Jesse Williams Prime Video Series Trailer
08/25 - Doc Season 2 Trailer for Fox; Remembering David Ketchum and Jerry Adler
08/24 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of August 25, 2025)
08/23 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Home Improvement Cast Members to Reunite on Shifting Gears; The Paper to Have Binge Drop
08/22 - Hulu's Futurama Season 13 Trailer; A Man on the Inside Returns November 20 on Netflix
08/21 - George Lopez Coming to COZI TV; The Morning Show Season 4 Trailer
08/20 - Welcome Back, Kotter 50th Anniversary Marathon on Rewind TV; Apple TV+ Palm Royale Season 2 Premieres November 12
08/19 - Antenna TV's Archie Bunker's Place Labor Day Marathon; Larry the Cable Guy Prime Video Special
08/18 - Nobody Wants This Season 2 Premieres October 23; HGTV and Retta Continue Partnership
08/17 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of August 18, 2025)
08/16 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Paramount Plans Retool of Cable Networks; King of the Hill Revival Scores Big Ratings