Sunday, April 26, 2009

Week 31 Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

As we mentioned on our Twitter page yesterday, we are sad to report Bea Arthur (Maude, Golden Girls) has passed away at the age of 86 from cancer. Stay tuned tomorrow for our tribute to her. Rest in Peace, Bea.

Week 31 numbers (first four nights final averages, Mon-Thurs):

Households: Fox 7.5/12.0; CBS 6.4/10.4; ABC 6.1/9.9; NBC 4.5/7.3; The CW 1.6/2.6; MNT 0.9/1.4.
Total Viewers: Fox 12.52 million; CBS 10.07 million; ABC 9.35 million; NBC 6.93 million; The CW 2.48 million; MNT 1.33 million.
Adults 18-49: Fox 4.2/11.3; CBS 2.7/7.4; ABC 2.7/7.3; NBC 2.6/6.9; The CW 1.1/3.1; MNT 0.4/1.1.


Analysis: Week 31 sees Fox with the lead for the first four nights. But as usual, they won't hang on in HH/viewers when it is all said and done. Through the first four days, Fox has the lead in all categories, with CBS in second in all categories, ABC is third with NBC of course in fourth.
Last week, CBS won in week 30 in HH/viewers, but Fox once again took 18-49 over CBS. Fox was second for the week in HH/viewers, with ABC third in all categories leaving NBC in fourth in all categories, though NBC did tie ABC in 18-49.
Monday it was ABC with the victory as Dancing with the Stars continues to dominate. ABC aired a 90-minute version of Dancing with the Stars at an impressive 20.53 million, up over a million from the previous week as the group dance did good. Team dances this week! After that, ABC aired episode three of Bob Saget's new sitcom Surviving Suburbia at 9.87 million, up some from the previous week. Sex themed episode tomorrow! A new episode of crime-romance drama Castle followed doing 8.21 million...up some from previous week. CBS was in repeats primarily, repeat of The Big Bang Theory did 7.59 million, followed by a repeat of How I Met Your Mother did only 6.6 million. A repeat of Two and a Half Men followed with 11.48 million, yet still the number one sitcom for the week. Rules of Engagement followed with a new episode (the only one for CBS this night) and closed the sitcom block with a decent 10.59 million, down a million from previous week when the lead-in was new. CBS closed the night with a special repeat of The Mentalist at 9.42 million, CSI: Miami repeats do better than that. Fox started with a new episode of Bones on a special night doing 8.57 million, which is nothing like the usual timeslot holder House, which will return tomorrow, then Fox had an all-new 24 doing 10.34 million, down some from previous week. NBC was next with its sluggish Monday. A new Chuck did 6.11 million, down a tad from previous week. The free-falling Heroes was next at just 6.45 million, down from previous week. Medium followed with 7.34 million for a new episode, also down from previous week. The CW was next with a new Gossip Girl doing 2.37 million and a new One Tree Hill did 2.45 million...both should be over 3 million easily. Repeats of George Lopez on Nick at Nite do more than this!
Tuesday it was Fox on top. Fox started with a 61 minute American Idol doing 23.96 million, down some from previous week. Fox then aired a new Fringe at 9.9 million, down some from previous week. CBS started with special repeats of sitcoms The Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men doing an OK 5.86 and 6.6 million. Wonder why CBS did this? Are they thinking of comedies on Tuesdays next season? A repeat of NCIS at a special time of 9pm did 12.65 million, followed by a repeat of The Mentalist doing 12.46 million at a special time of 10pm. Without a Trace was preempted. ABC was next and started with According to Jim doing a brutal 3.37 and 3.35 million for two all-new episodes...down oer a million from previous week, as maybe the CBS comedies hurt it. Dancing with the Stars: The Results was next at 9pm doing 14.73 million, down some from previous week. ABC followed with a special airing of The Unusuals doing 5.81 million, Cupid returns this week. NBC was next with a two-hour The Biggest Loser doing 9.26 million, up some from previous week. NBC finished the night with a repeat of Law & Order: SVU at 10pm doing just 7.04 million, but better than previous by some. The CW aired a new episode of Reaper and did 2.15 million, up a tad from previous week and a new 90210 followed with 1.88 million, down from previous week. That show is no 90210 from Fox.
Wednesday saw Fox dominate big. Fox was led by the results show of American Idol at 9pm doing 23.95 million, down a bit from previous week. New Fox drama Lie to Me was next doing just 7.97 million, as the previous week Bones did a much better 11.01 million. CBS started with repeat episodes of sitcoms Old Christine and Gary Unmarried, doing 5.07 and 5.41 million...both down from previous week. A repeat of Criminal Minds followed and did 9.84 million, down from previous week. CSI: NY was preempted for an all-new Criminal Minds at a special time doing 13.72 million, which is a major improvement in this timeslot. Is CBS thinking of moving this show to this slot next fall? ABC was next with a new Scrubs and a new episode of the new Better Off Ted doing 4.6 and 4.19 million...both down from previous week. That was the funniest half-hour I've seen this season, thanks to Better Off Ted! Shame on you for not watching! Season finale this week. A Lost Special followed at 9pm doing 6.75 million, look for the milestone episode number 100 this week! We get tons of answers. A new episode of The Unusuals at 10pm did 4.74 million, a series low. Hopefully it bounces back this week with Lost all-new. NBC opened the night with a repeat of Law & Order doing 5.7 million, up from previous week, a repeat of Law & Order: SVU followed and did 5.57 million, up from previous week. Law & Order followed at 10pm with another repeat and did 6.09 million, up some week-to-week. The CW was on the map with America's Next Top Model doing a nice 4.01 million, up some from previous week then The CW followed with an encore of what else--90210-- doing 1.14 million viewers, completely losing the lead-in...yet it was up from previous week.
Thursday saw CBS and ABC battle. CBS started with a new Survivor: Tocantis at once again a below normal 11.3 million, down from previous week. CSI was next with 14.64 million, down a million from previous week but only a 3.7 18-49 rating. And episode three of Harper's Island closed the night at 7.02 million, down from previous week even. ABC started with a repeat of Grey's Anatomy doing 4.97 million, which is a bit better than new episodes of In the Motherhood and Samantha Who? from previous week. An all-new Grey's Anatomy was next and did 13.51 million and a night best 5.0 18-49 rating. I told you it was great...I've see the next one too, and it is also AMAZING. A new Private Practice followed and did a first place 9.08 million at 10pm. Should be even higher this week with the season finale. Fox started with Bones at 8.42 million, off a bit from previous week again. An all-new Hell's Kitchen followed at 9pm did 6.8 million, down over a million from previous week. NBC started a new episode of My Name is Earl at 5.54 million at 8pm, up some from previous week. Then the new Parks and Recreation followed with a series low 5.26 million, ouch. These types of shows just don't generate big numbers I guess. The Office followed with a new episode doing 7.28 million, down over a million from previous week and 30 Rock followed with 6.3 million, down a million from previous week. NBC closed the night with a new episode of Southland doing 8.11 million and only a 2.4 18-49 rating, both series lows and on par with ER in viewers but not in 18-49. Smallville was new on The CW and did 3.1 million, which seems a bit below average followed by a new Supernatural at 2.7 million.
Now, as usual final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but CBS won Friday with repeat of Ghost Whisperer, Flashpoint, NUMBERS. ABC did good with a special two-hour 20/20 from 9-11pm. Prison Break did terrible for Fox, and NBC did nothing with a two-hour Dateline.
Saturday numbers were quiet, with CBS winning in viewers and Fox in 18-49. Saturdays get lower than ever from March-May when the weather gets better.
Tonight will be ABC and CBS battling. ABC will easily win in 18-49, but it will be close for HH/viewers. CBS has a new 60 Minutes followed by the Amazing Race 14, Cold Case & The Unit. ABC will have new episodes of AFV, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Desperate Housewives, and Brothers & Sisters. Tonight's DH is said to be classic, tune in. NBC has a two-hour Dateline at 7pm and a two-hour Celebrity Apprentice, which is nothing it used to be. Fox has an all-new lineup of its animated comedies from 7:30-10, which includes dud Sit Down, Shut Up.
As for the week, CBS should win the week in HH/viewers, with Fox in 18-49. Fox will be second in HH/viewers, while ABC will take third in all categories. NBC will be fourth everywhere. As for the coming week...CBS has part one of NCIS back-door spin-off pilot called "Legend" this week. On Wednesday, a Presidential Address is slated for the 8pm hour, but we are not sure what that means yet. I hope Better Off Ted doesn't get affected. On that night at 9pm, Lost celebrates episode 100 with four spots for Flash Forward airing inside of it! The show launches THIS FALL! It's official! Ugly Betty returns this Thursday at 8 and Private Practice has its season finale at 10pm on that night on ABC!




Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week of April 13-19, Week 30)

  • The Simpsons (Fox) - A new episode did an OK 6.58 million. Not doing that good this season.
  • Sit Down, Shut Up (Fox) - The series premiere only mustered 5.19 million...not good and a worse 2.3 18-40 rating, dropping from the 3.1 its lead-in put up.
  • King of the Hill (Fox) - Fox has moved the show to 7:30pm for all new episodes now, and the 250th episode only put up 3.39 million.
  • Family Guy (Fox) - 7.34 million for a new episode...decent, but this show hasn't done that good this year as well.
  • American Dad! (Fox) 2 episodes - 2.5 million for a repeat at 7pm was higher than previous week, and its regular 9:30pm slot was new and did 5.72 million.

Week 31 (April 20-26):
Monday Sitcoms


  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - 7.59 million for a repeat...decent.
  • How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - 6.6 million for a repeat is OK.
  • Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 11.48 million for a REPEAT.
  • Rules of Engagement (CBS) - 10.59 million for a new episode, down over a million from previous week. I just wanted to see some building from a repeat, but didn't happen.
  • Surviving Suburbia (ABC) - 9.87 million for a new episode...up some from previous week.

Tuesday Sitcoms

  • According to Jim (ABC) 2 episodes - 3.37 and 3.35 million for two new episodes...not good at all.
  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A special repeat on a special night did 5.86 million. Nice to have Kaley back on Tuesdays at 8. Only for that week though.
  • Two and a Half Men (CBS) - A special repeat on a special night and time did even 6.6 million.
Wednesday Sitcoms
  • Old Christine (CBS) - 5.07 million for a repeat...down from previous week.
  • Gary Unmarried (CBS) - 5.41 million for a repeat, built from the lead-in at least but down from previous week.
  • Scrubs (ABC) - New showing did 4.6 million, down from previous week. Looks to be preempted this week by Obama.
  • Better Off Ted (ABC) - 4.19 million for a new episode, down from previous week. Season finale is scheduled for this week, but looks like Obama will preempt it.

Thursday Sitcoms

  • My Name is Earl (NBC) - New episode and did just 5.54 million, but up some from previous week.
  • Parks and Recreation (NBC) - 5.26 million...series low.
  • The Office (NBC) - 7.28 million, down over a million from previous week.
  • 30 Rock (NBC) - 6.3 million...also down a million week-to-week.

Friday Sitcoms

  • Everybody Hates Chris (The CW) - A new episode did a prelim 1.79 million...up from previous week's repeat prelim numbers.
  • The Game (The CW) - A new episode did a prelim 1.89 million. Up from previous week's prelim repeat numbers.

Saturday Sitcoms

  • None.

Airing tonight (Sunday) are new episodes of Fox animated comedies from 7:30-10pm!

Summing it up. The Big Bang Theory Monday, Two and a Half Men Monday, Rules of Engagement & The Office were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (Surviving Suburbia, 30 Rock) or just plain old terrible (such as Parks & Recreation, According to Jim).


Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Thursday, June 8

Young Sheldon - "Pancake Sunday and Textbook Flirting" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Mary struggles to make new friends while Mandy pushes Georgie to date another woman.

Ghosts - "Alberta's Descendant" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Alberta is thrilled when a living relative, Alicia (Ashley D. Kelley), visits Woodstone to learn more about her, but things take a turn when she hits it off with Todd (Rodrigo Fernandez Stoll), Sam’s podcast co-host. Also, Nigel uses his knowledge of Trevor and Hetty’s secret tryst to try to blackmail Hetty.

Animal Control - "Dogs and Geese" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Dispatch radios a report of a goose on the loose; the precinct hosts an adoption day.

Animal Control - "Pigs and Minks" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The team welcomes back Patel even though he is still on suspension; Shred and Victoria are called into the principal's office on a school visit; Rick heads back into the field with Frank.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of June 5)

Thursday, June 8

  • Kaley Cuoco (The Big Bang Theory/8 Simple Rules/Ladies Man) - Catch Kaley on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Tom Hanks (Bosom Buddies) - Tom appears on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Lea Michele (The Mayor/Scream Queens) - Lea is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Janelle James (Abbott Elementary) - Janelle appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Chris Messina (The Mindy Project) - Chris will be on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Laurie Metcalf (The Conners/Roseanne/The McCarthys/The Norm Show) - Laurie chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Boris Kodjoe (The Last Man on Earth/Second Time Around) - Boris is a guest on a repeat of The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
  • Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (Never Have I Ever) - Maitreyi talks about Never Have I Ever Live with Kelly and Mark, (check your listings) and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
  • Eva Longoria (Telenovela) - Eva appears on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
  • Marcus Scribner (grown-ish/black-ish) - Marcus joins the Tam Fam to discuss the final season of grown-ish on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
  • Nia Long (Uncle Buck/The Cleveland Show/The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) - Nia appears on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Lauren London (The Game) - Lauren is a guest on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Fortune Feimster (Kenan/Bless the Harts/Champions) - Fortune appears on a repeat of The Jennifer Hudson Show, so check your local listings. She also talks about FUBAR on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
  • Kelsey Grammer (Frasier/Partners/Cheers) - Kelsey is telling Rachael about his recent movie, the Frasier revival and what he's got going on next on a repeat of Rachael Ray, so check your local listings.
  • Marilu Henner (Evening Shade/Taxi) - Marilu talks about Hallmark's Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Haunted by Murder on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Vivica A. Fox (Mr. Box Office/Getting Personal/Arsenio/Out All Night) - Vivica stops by to discuss her involvement with the Tony Awards and her Fox Soul talk show Cocktails with Queens on Sherri, so check your local listings.
  • Marsha Warfield (Night Court/Empty Nest) - Marsha drops by to talk about her iconic comedy career, her The Book of Marsha comedy tour and finally sees the green room at Sherri that was inspired by her, so check your local listings.
  • Sarah Jessica Parker (And Just Like That.../Sex and the City/Square Pegs) - Sarah will be on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.


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

Cheers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Gimme a Break! - The Complete Series (VEI) Kate & Allie - The Complete Series (VEI) Mayberry R.F.D. - The Complete Series Night Court (1984-1992) - The Complete Series

01/03 - Andy Richter Controls the Universe - The Complete Series (2023 Release)
01/27 - Master of None - Season Three / The Complete Series
02/21 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Nine / The Complete Season Ten
02/28 - Growing Pains - The Complete Series
03/28 - Rick and Morty - Season 8 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
04/04 - South Park - The Complete Twenty-Fifth Season (Blu-ray) (DVD)
04/18 - Blondie - The Complete 1957 Television Series (Blu-ray)
04/25 - Cheers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
05/23 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Eleven / The Complete Season Twelve
05/23 - Go On - The Complete Series
05/23 - Kate & Allie - The Complete Series (Universal)
05/29 - Gimme a Break! - The Complete Series (VEI)
05/29 - Kate & Allie - The Complete Series (VEI)
05/30 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
06/13 - Mayberry R.F.D. - The Complete Series
06/13 - Night Court (1984-1992) - The Complete Series
More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD Releases / DVD Reviews Archive / SitcomsOnline Digest


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

06/07 - Hallmark's Christmas in July Programming; The Lincoln Lawyer Season 2 Launches July 6
06/06 - New Superman Animated Series Coming to Adult Swim; TV Stars Come Together in Netflix Film
06/05 - Shout! TV's ALF Reunion; Hulu's This Fool Season Two Premieres July 28
06/04 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of June 5, 2023)
06/03 - SitcomsOnline Digest: ABC Declares Rating Victories for 22-23 Season; Australian Version of The Office in the Works
06/02 - HBO Renews Somebody Somewhere for a Third Season; Remembering Marlene Clark of Sanford and Son and Other Sitcom Stars We Recently Lost
06/01 - MeTV's Marry Me Block on June 4; TBS Sets Miracle Workers: End Times Premiere Date for July 10
05/31 - Amazon Freevee's Jury Duty Gets Special Release; Stars on Mars Fan Experience
05/30 - 75th Emmy Awards Nominations on July 12; Final Season of HBO's How to with John Wilson
05/29 - Memorial Day 2023 TV Sitcom Marathons
05/28 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of May 29, 2023)
05/27 - SitcomsOnline Digest: CBS Wins 2022-2023 Ratings Game; Netflix Ends Sharing of Passwords
05/26 - Prime Video Renews Priyanka Chopra Series; Sex and the City 25th Anniversary Event in NYC
05/25 - Brady Bunch House on the Market; The Family Stallone Gets 2nd Season
05/24 - Antenna TV's Father Knows Best Father's Day Fest Marathon; Netflix Gets Glamorous This June
05/23 - CBS Summer 2023 Reality Schedule; Apple TV+ Announces Peanuts Programming
05/22 - More Details on Zoey 102; New Lifetime Movie Series Coming July 8
05/21 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of May 22, 2023)
05/20 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Showtime Looking to Bring Back Two Old Favorites; Disney+ Removing Content
05/19 - Futurama Triumphantly Returns July 24; Final Season of Physical Drops August 2; Primo Premieres May 19 on Amazon Freevee
05/18 - The CW Upfront 2023-24: Fall 2023 Schedule; Netflix Upfront 2023
05/17 - Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront 2023; Sarah Silverman HBO Special Premieres May 27
05/16 - ABC Upfront 2023-24: Fall 2023 Schedule; FX's Summer 2023 Slate
05/15 - FOX Announces 2023-24 Programming Slate; iCarly Season 3 Premieres June 1
05/14 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of May 15, 2023)
05/13 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Night Court Season Finale Brings Back a Familiar Face; Comedy Central Renews Digman! for Second Season
05/12 - NBC Upfront 2023-24: Fall 2023 Schedule; Hulu Orders Deli Boys from Onyx Collective
05/11 - CBS Upfront 2023-24: Fall 2023 Schedule; The CW Summer Lineup Has Comedies
05/10 - Minx Returns in July on STARZ; Never Have I Ever Final Episodes Premieres June 8, Trailer Drops
05/09 - The CW Acquires Son of a Critch; FX's The Bear Returns June 22
05/08 - NBC's Hot Wheels Gets Celeb Judges; Zooey Deschanel's Max Series Premieres May 23
05/07 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of May 8, 2023)