Sunday, March 22, 2009

Week 26 Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

Week 26 numbers (first four nights final averages, Mon-Thurs):

Households: Fox 8.7/13.7; CBS 7.4/12.0; ABC 7.2/11.7; NBC 4.1/6.6; TheCW 1.6/2.5; MNT 1.0/1.5.
Total Viewers: Fox 15.07 million; CBS 11.82 million; ABC 11.17 million; NBC 6.29 million; The CW 2.36 million; MNT 1.61 million.
Adults 18-49: Fox 5.4/14.5; CBS 3.4/9.3; ABC 3.3/8.9; NBC 2.3/6.2; The CW 1.1/2.9; MNT 0.5/1.4.

Analysis: Week 26 sees a three-way race and could be anyone's game in HH/viewers for the week. Through the first four days, Fox is on top in all categories, with CBS is second everywhere, while ABC is third in everything but very closely behind. And NBC is a distant fourth everywhere else.
Last week, CBS won in week 25 in HH/viewers, but Fox once again took 18-49 by a wide margin, over second place CBS. ABC was third in all categories, while NBC was back in fourth of course.
Monday it was all ABC as Dancing with the Stars continues to dominate. ABC aired a two-hour season Dancing with the Stars at an impressive 21.22 million, down from the previous week's season premiere, but expected. After that, ABC aired a new episode of crime-romance drama Castle doing a solid 10.97 million...up from previous week, as I said last week...it has a chance to grow since it is not serialized. CBS did decent but the comedies suffered again thanks to Dance. A new episode of The Big Bang Theory did 9.69 million, up some week-to-week, while a new How I Met Your Mother did 9.29 million, up from previous week. #1 sitcom Two and a Half Men did 14.12 million, that also was up from previous week. A new Rules of Engagement followed and did 11.42 million, up week-to-week...decent showing. At 10pm a new CSI: Miami did 13.61 million, which was down from previous week, yet all the comedies went up...go figure. Fox started with House and did 13.13 million, up from previous week, next Fox had 24 at 11.36 million, on par really from previous week. NBC was next with a repeat line-up. A repeat of Chuck did just 3.95 million. And if that wasn't bad, a repeat of Heroes did only 3.01 million, ouch. Medium followed with 4.38 million also a repeat. The CW was next with a finally new episode of Gossip Girl doing 2.33 million and a new episode of One Tree Hill did 2.41 million... both did decent but could have been better.
Tuesday Fox had a two-hour American Idol and of course it dominated. Fox had that two-hour Idol doing 21.89 million, but down nearly four million from previous week...you'll see why in a moment. CBS started with a new episode of NCIS at a below normal 15.84 million. A new episode of The Mentalist did 15.49 million, also below normal. Without a Trace was also new and did 11.87 million. ABC was next and started with a recap of the first two weeks of Dancing with the Stars at 7.99 million, bettering the time period average even though it was a recap. ABC then aired the first Dancing with the Stars: The Results at 12.74 million, which is below normal but it seems Idol, Dancing, Loser, Mentalist all were hurt big by each other. Finally, ABC ended with the addicting Primetime: What Would You Do? doing an improved 7.26 million. NBC was next with a two-hour The Biggest Loser at 7.99 million, down a lot from previous week. NBC followed with a new episode of Law & Order: SVU doing 10.74 million, down some from previous week. The CW aired a new episode of Reaper and did just 1.96 million, going down again and an encore of 90210 only did 640,000 viewers. Stop encoring it CW!
Wednesday saw you know who dominate. Fox's American Idol results to 9pm did 23.7 million, down two million from the previous week. New Fox drama Lie to Me started the night off with 10.26 million, which was down a million from previous week. CBS started with a new episode of sitcom Old Christine at 7.21 million and a new Gary Unmarried did 7.37 million, both down from previous week. A new episode of Criminal Minds followed and did 13.74 million, down week-to-week. CSI: NY followed with a new showing doing 12.79 million, also down from previous week. ABC was next with the time slot premiere of Scrubs and the series premiere of Better Off Ted doing 5.62 and 5.5 million...the news was better in 18-49 though. A new episode of Lost followed at 9pm doing a below normal 9.4 million as it went up with Idol. A new Life on Mars at 10pm did 4.97 million, which was good enough to improve from previous week. NBC opened the night with the about to be chopped Chopping Block doing a terrible 3.4 million...down from the premiere, a new showing of dud Life followed and did just 4.31 million, also down from previous week. Law & Order followed at 10pm with a new episode and did 7.14 million, down some week-to-week. The CW was on the map with America's Next Top Model doing a nice 3.79 million, but down from previous week...The CW followed with an encore of...what else...90210 at 880,000 viewers, down a bit from previous week.
Thursday saw ABC with the win, as CBS aired night one of March Madness. ABC started with a new Ugly Betty doing 7.42 million, up from previous week, a new episode of Grey's Anatomy was next and did 14.61 million and a night best 5.0 18-49 rating. A new episode of Private Practice followed and did 9.74 million at 10pm beating one of the last episodes of ER in HH, viewers and 18-49. CBS preempted the regular Survivor: Tocantis, CSI and Eleventh Hour with coverage of the NCAA Basketball tournament doing 9.64 million in primetime (8-11pm only). NBC started with a new episode of My Name is Earl doing just 6.43 million, a repeat of The Office did 4.58 million better than the Kath & Kim finale of 3.89 million the previous week. A new episode of The Office did 8.07 million, up a bit from previous week. A new showing of 30 Rock followed with 7.13 million, up from previous week. A new ER was next and did 9.47 million, down nearly 1.5 million week-to-week. Fox aired a new Bones and did a solid 10.52 million, up from previous week (maybe regular CBS audience migrated there?) and an all-new Hell's Kitchen at 9pm did 7.54 million, but down week-to-week. Smallville was all-new on The CW and did a solid 3.49 million, down a bit from previous week, followed by a new Supernatural at 3.37 million, up a good deal from previous week.
Now, as usual final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but CBS won Friday with NCAA Basketball Tournament night two instead of new episodes of Ghost Whisperer, Flashpoint, NUMBERS. ABC finished second for the night helped by Superanny and 20/20. Sarah Connor Chronicles and the new Dollhouse did a bit better but still not good for Fox.
Saturday numbers were above normal as CBS won with more NCAA March Madness.
Tonight will be a battle between CBS and ABC again. 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, Desperate Housewives, and Brothers & Sisters should be more than enough to win the night in 18-49. NBC has a Dateline special at 7pm, followed by dud Kings, and a two-hour Celebrity Apprentice. Fox has an all-new lineup finally of its animated comedies again...even Family Guy.
As for the week, CBS should win the week in HH/viewers. Fox for sure in 18-49 but CBS will be improved thanks to NCAA. ABC could be second in HH/viewers, but 3rd likely in 18-49 and NBC fourth everywhere. As for the coming week...ABC premieres new sitcom In the Motherhood on Thursday at 8:00pm, and March Madness continues on CBS this Thursday, Friday and Saturday in primetime. But before all that, Obama speaks in primetime on Tuesday messing up the schedules for the networks.



Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week of March 9-15, Week 25)

  • The Simpsons (Fox) - 6.03 million for an all-new episode...seems way below normal, but up a tad from previous week.
  • King of the Hill (Fox) - A new episode did 5.48 million...up some from previous week.
  • Family Guy (Fox) - A new episode did 7.29 million, but should be better though...
  • American Dad! (Fox) - 5.88 million...at least it went up from previous week.

Week 26:
Monday Sitcoms

  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - 9.69 million for a new episode. Up from previous week but below normal...and now tomorrow it is preempted...
  • How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - 9.29 million for a new showing...it rebounded a bit from previous week.
  • Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 14.12 million for a new episode...up from previous week.
  • Rules of Engagement (CBS) - 11.42 million for a new episode...that's better.

Tuesday Sitcoms

  • None.
Wednesday Sitcoms

  • Old Christine (CBS) - 7.21 million for a new episode...down a bit from previous week.
  • Gary Unmarried (CBS) - 7.37 million for a new episode...built on the lead-in, but also down week-to-week.
  • Scrubs (ABC) - The show finally returned, and did 5.62 million on its new night and time. Not bad, but could be better. 2nd in its half-hour in 18-49.
  • Better Off Ted (ABC) - 5.5 million for the premiere...not good, but not that bad either as it skewed young and helped ABC do better in this slot. It needs to continue to do these numbers or better to stick.

Thursday Sitcoms

  • My Name is Earl (NBC) - 6.43 million for a new episode, could be better.
  • The Office (NBC) 2 episodes - A repeat did 8:30 did an OK 4.58 million and a new episode did 8.07 million ...up a bit.
  • 30 Rock (NBC) - 7.13 million for a new episode...up and down pattern continues....up from previous week.

Friday Sitcoms

  • Everybody Hates Chris (The CW) - A new episode did a prelim 1.59 million.
  • The Game (The CW) - A new episode did a prelim 1.66 million.

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, Rules of Engagement, The Office were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as Better Off Ted, Scrubs) or just plain old terrible (such as Everybody Hates Chris, The Game).


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Wednesday, December 4

Abbott Elementary - "Winter Show" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Despite a few setbacks, Barbara is determined to make Abbott Elementary’s first-ever holiday show a success. Meanwhile, Jacob’s brother arrives for his visit earlier than planned.

Abbott Elementary - "Winter Break" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Melissa hosts the Schemmenti family Christmas Eve dinner and goes to great lengths to make sure everything is perfect. Meanwhile, Janine and Gregory get an unexpected guest.

Ghosts - "Holes Are Bad" (CBS, 10:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Sam and Jay leave the ghosts home alone for the weekend in an attempt to have a romantic getaway, shocking revelations are made about two of Woodstone’s beloved spirits.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of December 2)

Wednesday, December 4

  • Jim Parsons (Young Sheldon/The Big Bang Theory) - Watch Jim on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Wendi McLendon-Covey (St. Denis Medical/The Goldbergs/Rules of Engagement/Reno 911!) - Wendi appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Bridget Everett (Somebody Somewhere) - Bridget is a guest on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10pm on Bravo.
  • Ronny Chieng (Young Rock/Ronny Chieng: International Student) - Ronny hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
  • Halle Berry (Living Dolls) - NBC's Today catches up with Halle in the 10am hour.
  • Chloe and Halle Bailey (grown-ish) - NBC's Today has Shop the Drop: Zanna Roberts Rassi with Chloe x Halle Bailey in the 10am hour.
  • Oliver Hudson (Splitting Up Together/Rules of Engagement/My Guide to Becoming a Rock Star) - Oliver stops by The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/CafĂ© Americain/Sydney/One Day at a Time) - Valerie will be on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • David Alan Grier (St. Denis Medical/Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!/The Cool Kids/The Carmichael Show/Bad Teacher/Life with Bonnie/DAG) - David talks about NBC's St. Denis Medical on Sherri, so check your local listings.
  • Tia Mowry (Family Reunion/The Game/Sister, Sister) - Tia talks about A Very Merry Beauty Salon on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
  • Mindy Kaling (The Mindy Project/The Office) - Mindy talks about The Sex Lives of College Girls on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
  • Todd Bridges (Diff'rent Strokes) - Todd and his wife, Bettijo, join the Tam Fam for raw, candid chats about life's messy realities and their new podcast Dang on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
  • JB Smoove (Curb Your Enthusiasm/Blockbuster/The Millers/Bent/'Til Death) - JB talks about Prime's Buy It Now on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Ken Jeong (Dr. Ken/Community) - Ken discusses his film A Great Divide on The Talk 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

12/04 - 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
11/20 - NBC Midseason 2025 Schedule; Apple TV+ Announces The Studio
11/19 - Antenna TV's Thanksgiving on the Eastside: The Jeffersons Marathon; Fox Midseason 2025 Schedule
11/18 - Conan O'Brien to Host Oscars for First Time; Celebs for Season 3 of Special Forces: World's Toughest Test
11/17 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of November 18, 2024)
11/16 - SitcomsOnline Digest: HBO Orders Kaley Cuoco Comedy from Hacks Creators; Reboot of Friday Night Lights in the Works
11/15 - Bookie Season 2 Premieres December 12 on Max; Apple TV+ Mythic Quest Is Back in January
11/14 - CBS Midseason 2025 Schedule; Reasonable Doubt Renewed for Season 3 on Hulu
11/13 - Harlem Season 3 Drops in January; James Acaster HBO Comedy Special
11/12 - ABC Midseason 2025 Schedule; Jim Gaffigan Gets First Hulu Comedy Special
11/11 - We Got Time Today, A New Tubi Talk Show; Bill Maher Gets 13th HBO Special
11/10 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of November 11, 2024)
11/09 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Two New Sitcoms in the Works at CBS; The CW Adds Bob ♥ Abishola to Lineup
11/08 - CBS Orders Full Season for Poppa's House; The CW Acquires Bob ♥ Abishola Reruns; Remembering Alan Rachins of Dharma & Greg
11/07 - A Very Merry MeTV 2024 Schedule; Stranger Things Final Season in 2025
11/06 - Outer Banks to End with Season 5; Nothing to See Here Season 2 on Netflix
11/05 - ABC Holiday Schedule for 2024; NBC Holiday Schedule for 2024
11/04 - Freeform's 25 Days of Christmas Schedule 2024; A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin at NJPAC