Sunday, May 03, 2009

Week 32 Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

Week 32 numbers (first four nights final averages, Mon-Thurs):

Households: CBS 8.2/13.1; Fox 7.5/11.8; ABC 6.6/10.6; NBC 4.6/7.4; The CW 1.6/2.4; MNT 0.9/1.3.
Total Viewers: CBS 13.07 million; Fox 12.66 million; ABC 10.06 million; NBC 7.21 million; The CW 2.39 million; MNT 1.3 million.
Adults 18-49: Fox 4.4/11.9; CBS 3.4/9.0; ABC 2.9/7.8; NBC 2.7/7.2; The CW 1.1/2.9; MNT 0.4/1.1.


Analysis: Week 32 sees CBS with the lead for the first four nights in HH/viewers and Fox on top in 18-49. When it is all said and done after tonight it will likely remain that way. Through the first four days, CBS and Fox share the lead as mentioned, with ABC in third and NBC back in fourth.
Last week, CBS won in week 31 in HH/viewers, but Fox once again took 18-49. Fox was second for the week in viewers, with ABC third in viewers, but second in HH and 18-49, leaving CBS in third in 18-49 and Fox in third in HH. NBC was fourth across the board.
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 19.28 million, down over a million from the previous week though. After that, ABC aired episode four of Bob Saget's new sitcom Surviving Suburbia at 8.98 million, down nearly a million from the previous week. Too bad. A new episode of crime-romance drama Castle followed doing 8.23 million...up a tad from previous week. CBS was all-new with episodes of The Big Bang Theory doing 9.24 million, followed by a new episode of How I Met Your Mother doing 8.87 million. A new Two and a Half Men followed with 14.16 million, seems lower than usual. Rules of Engagement followed with a new episode and closed the sitcom block with a decent 11.3 million, up nearly a million from previous week when the lead-in was a repeat. CBS closed the night with a new CSI: Miami at a below normal 12.12 million. Fox started with a new episode of House doing a below normal 11.69 million, then Fox had an all-new 24 doing 10.43 million, up a tad from previous week. NBC was next with its sluggish Monday with two finales. The finale of Chuck did 6.2 million, up a tad from previous week. The free-falling Heroes was next with its finale at just 6.47 million, on par really from previous week. Medium followed with 6.71 million for a new episode, down from previous week. The CW was next with a new Gossip Girl doing only 1.97 million, down from previous week and a new One Tree Hill did 2.28 million, also down from previous week.
Tuesday it was Fox on top but CBS was close by in HH/viewers. Fox started with a 62 minute American Idol doing 23.26 million, down some from previous week. Fox then aired a new Fringe at 9.62 million, also 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 new episode of NCIS did 16.7 million which was below normal, followed by a new episode of The Mentalist doing 17.11 million. Without a Trace was new and did a solid 12.21 million. ABC started with According to Jim doing a brutal 3.11 and 3.56 million for two all-new episodes...first one was down and the second one was up a bit from previous week. Preempted this week for Scrubs/Better Off Ted on a special night. Dancing with the Stars: The Results was next at 9pm doing 14.72 million, on par really from previous week. ABC followed with a new Cupid at just 5.59 million. NBC started with a two-hour The Biggest Loser doing 9.26 million, exactly the same as the previous week. NBC finished the night with a new episode of Law & Order: SVU at 10pm doing 10.55 million, above normal for this season. The CW aired a new episode of Reaper and did just 1.76 million, down from previous week and a new 90210 followed with 1.79 million, down some from previous week.
Wednesday saw Fox with the win as President Obama had a news conference in the 8pm hour preempting programming for ABC, CBS and NBC, as Fox stuck to regular programming. Fox was led by the results show of American Idol at 9pm doing 22.37 million, down over a million from previous week. New Fox drama Lie to Me at 8pm did just 7.75 million, down some from previous week. CBS had to preempt Old Christine and Gary Unmarried, for Obama. A new Criminal Minds followed and did 13.61 million, down a tad from previous week when it was at 10pm. CSI: NY was new and did 12.5 million. ABC had to preempted Scrubs and the season finale of Better Off Ted because of Obama, as these episodes will now air Tuesdays at 8pm. The 100th episode of Lost followed at 9pm doing a solid 9.04 million and a 4.1 18-49 rating. What an episode! A new episode of The Unusuals at 10pm did 4.86 million, up a bit from previous week's series low. NBC opened the night with Obama instead of a repeat of Law & Order, a repeat of Law & Order: SVU followed and did 4.59 million, down a million from previous week. Law & Order followed at 10pm with a new episode and did 7.82 million, is this worth bringing back? The CW was on the map with America's Next Top Model doing a nice 4.01 million, exactly the same as previous week, then The CW followed with an encore of what else--90210-- doing 1.12 million viewers, completely losing the lead-in...and down a tad from previous week.
Thursday saw CBS and ABC battle. CBS started with a new Survivor: Tocantis at 11.73 million, up some from previous week. CSI was next with 15.54 million, up nearly a million from previous week but still the same 3.7 18-49 rating. And a special repeat of Criminal Minds did 10.23 million, up over three million from previous week's all-new Harper's Island, ouch. ABC started with the return of Ugly Betty doing 6.72 million. An all-new Grey's Anatomy was next and did 14.12 million and a night best 5.1 18-49 rating, both up from previous week. The season finale of Private Practice followed and did 9.7 million at 10pm, up from previous week and a first place 3.5 18-49 rating. Fox started with Bones at 8.94 million, up some from previous week. An all-new Hell's Kitchen followed at 9pm did 6.84 million, up a bit from previous week. NBC started with a new episode of My Name is Earl at 5.16 million at 8pm, down some from previous week. Then the new Parks and Recreation followed with another low of 5.07 million, ouch and they renewed this for next season. These types of shows just don't generate big numbers I guess. The Office followed with a new episode doing 7.41 million, up some from previous week and 30 Rock followed with only 5.95 million, what happened? NBC closed the night with a new episode of Southland doing 6.66 million and only a 2.0 18-49 rating, both series lows and lower than what ER did. Smallville was new on The CW and did 3.23 million, up some from previous week, followed by a new Supernatural at 2.95 million, also up some from previous week.
Now, as usual final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but CBS won Friday with new episodes of Ghost Whisperer, Flashpoint, NUMBERS. ABC did decent with 20/20 at 10pm. Prison Break/Dollhouse did terrible for Fox, and NBC did OK with a two-hour Dateline.
Saturday numbers were not available but Fox should win with NASCAR.
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. I've seen tonight's B&S already...oh my and a great ending. 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 7-10, 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 but could sneak in for 2nd in 18-49 and HH like the previous week. NBC will be fourth everywhere. As for the coming week...CBS has part two of NCIS back-door spin-off pilot called "Legend" this Tuesday again. Also on Tuesday, special night of Scrubs and Better Off Ted will air on ABC in the 8pm hour, while the 1-hour season finale of Scrubs is Wednesday in the 8pm hour. The special Michael J. Fox: Adventures of an Incurable Optimist airs Thursday at 10 on ABC and the network premiere of movie Happy Feet is on Friday at 8pm on ABC. Sports takes over on Saturday with NASCAR on Fox and Game 3 of the NBA East Semifinals between Cleveland and Atlanta.

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week of April 20-26, Week 31)

  • The Simpsons (Fox) - A new episode did an OK 6.0 million. Down from previous week.
  • Sit Down, Shut Up (Fox) - Just 4.21 million for the second episode...now Fox will move to from 8:30 to 7pm, ouch.
  • King of the Hill (Fox) - A new episode at 7:30pm did only 2.89 million, lower than previous week.
  • Family Guy (Fox) - 6.67 million for a new episode...not too good.
  • American Dad! (Fox) 2 episodes - 2.19 million for a repeat at 7pm was lower than previous week, and its regular 9:30pm slot was new and did 5.13 million, down like everything tonight.

Week 32 (April 27-May 3):
Monday Sitcoms
  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - 9.24 million for a new episode is good, but could be better as shown.
  • How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - 8.87 million for a new episode.
  • Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 14.16 million for the comedy leader.
  • Rules of Engagement (CBS) - 11.3 million for a new episode, decent stuff.
  • Surviving Suburbia (ABC) - 8.98 million for a new episode...preempted tomorrow for a two-hour DWTS as the remaining couples dance twice each.

Tuesday Sitcoms

  • According to Jim (ABC) 2 episodes - 3.11 and 3.56 million for two new episodes...not good at all again. The second episode was very funny with Garry Marshall and the hot physical therapist.
Wednesday Sitcoms
  • Old Christine (CBS) - preempted for Obama address.
  • Gary Unmarried (CBS) - preempted for Obama address.
  • Scrubs (ABC) - preempted for Obama address.
  • Better Off Ted (ABC) - preempted for Obama address.

Thursday Sitcoms

  • My Name is Earl (NBC) - New episode and did just 5.16 million, ouch.
  • Parks and Recreation (NBC) - 5.07 million...series low again.
  • The Office (NBC) - 7.41 million, up some from previous week's season low.
  • 30 Rock (NBC) - 5.95 million...seems very low.

Friday Sitcoms

  • Everybody Hates Chris (The CW) - A new episode did a prelim 1.73 million...down some from previous week's prelim numbers.
  • The Game (The CW) - A new episode did a prelim 1.86 million. Down some from previous week's prelim numbers.

Saturday Sitcoms

  • None.

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

Summing it up. The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men, 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, My Name is Earl, According to Jim).


Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, October 4

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "Love Grows Here" (BET, 9:00PM ET/PT)
After Phillip goes out with his friends, Leah and Jeremy realize that he is a responsible young man. Through a counseling session, Leah and Cora teach the residents the importance of mental, physical and spiritual health.

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "Let The Church Say Amen" (BET, 9:30PM ET/PT)
When Cora runs for president of the local church, mud-slinging and sabotage threaten her reputation and test her faith. The Pleasant Days squad bolsters their ability to protect themselves by taking a self-defense class.

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "The White Flag" (BET, 10:00PM ET/PT)
Philip feels as though he is being treated like a child and resists his parents' punishment. Mr. Brown sends Kimberly an innocent text message that gets him into trouble.

The Ms. Pat Show - "Twenty Seven Side Pieces" (BET, 10:30PM ET/PT)
Denise gets a job at a Black hair salon but has to recruit Pat to deal with some "mean girls;" Terry is still in pain from his injury, but pain management comes in more forms than one, none of them good.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 2)

Wednesday, October 4

  • Wanda Sykes (The Upshaws/The New Adventures of Old Christine/Wanda at Large) - Watch Wanda on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Chelsea Handler (Are You There, Chelsea?) - Chelsea appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) - Nick is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. NBC's Today catches up with Nick in the 9am hour.
  • Siobhan Fallon Hogan (Fred: The Show) - Siobhan appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Jane Krakowski (Schmigadoon!/Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt/30 Rock) - Jane gives latest details on the series Name That Tune on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your listings.
  • Bellamy Young (The Other Black Girl) - Bellamy will be on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
  • Phil Rosenthal (Creator of Everybody Loves Raymond) - Phil is a guest on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Tiffani Thiessen (Saved by the Bell/Alexa & Katie/Good Morning, Miami/Saved by the Bell: The College Years) - Tiffani shares recipes from her new cookbook, Here We Go Again: Recipes and Inspiration to Level Up Your Leftovers, on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Leslie Odom Jr. (Central Park/Love in the Time of Corona/Big Day) - Leslie chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary/Fam/Instant Mom/Moesha/It's a Living) - Sheryl Lee appears on a repeat of The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.


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

Mayberry R.F.D. - The Complete Series Night Court (1984-1992) - The Complete Series Family Matters - The Complete Series Step by Step - The Complete Series ALF - The Complete Series (Deluxe Edition)

06/13 - Mayberry R.F.D. - The Complete Series
06/13 - Night Court (1984-1992) - The Complete Series
07/18 - South Park - Seasons 21-25 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
07/25 - The Neighborhood - Season Five
07/25 - Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin - Season One
07/25 - Superstore - The Complete Series
08/22 - Back to Life - Season 1 / Season 2
08/29 - Smiling Friends - Season 1 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/05 - Young Sheldon - The Complete Sixth Season
09/12 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Second Season
09/12 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Seasons 1-6 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/26 - Family Matters - The Complete Series
09/26 - Step by Step - The Complete Series
10/10 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Thirteen / The Complete Season Fourteen
10/17 - ALF - The Complete Series (Deluxe Edition) (Shout! Factory Special Offers)
10/17 - Night Court (2023) - The Complete First Season
More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD Releases / DVD Reviews Archive / SitcomsOnline Digest


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

10/03 - The Nanny Still 29: 30th Anniversary Marathon on COZI TV; Selena Gomez Holiday Cooking Specials
10/02 - Felicity 25th Anniversary Collection on Hulu; Prime Video Orders Two Seasons of Animated Comedy
10/01 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 2, 2023)
09/30 - SitcomsOnline Digest: WGA Strike Officially Over; ABC Cancels Home Economics
09/29 - Lifetime Announces New Thrillers; Big Mouth Season 7 Trailer
09/28 - New Season of Wolf Like Me on Peacock; Max Original Animated Series Debuts October 19
09/27 - Moonlighting Coming to Hulu; Showtime Announces Date for The Curse
09/26 - Rick and Morty Season 7 Trailer; Fox's Krapopolis Debuts Well
09/25 - Laff Fall 2023 Schedule with Last Man Standing and Man with a Plan; Upload Returns October 20
09/24 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 25, 2023)
09/23 - SitcomsOnline Digest: An End on the Horizon for WGA Strike?; Hallmark Ready for Christmas
09/22 - The Santa Clauses Season 2 Launches November 8; CBS Alters Fall Schedule
09/21 - Penn & Teller: Fool Us Gets New Return Date; Netflix's Unicorn Academy Premieres November 2
09/20 - Paramount+ Announces Colin from Accounts; The Really Loud House Gets Halloween Movie
09/19 - The Simpsons Season 34 Streams October 11 on Disney+; Good Burger 2 Set for Holiday Season
09/18 - Hulu's Huluween and Disney+'s Hallowstream Line-Up; Shining Vale Returns October 13 on STARZ
09/17 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 18, 2023)
09/16 - SitcomsOnline Digest: ABC Cancels Wonder Years Reboot; Byron Allen Makes $10 Billion Offer to Buy ABC
09/15 - Antenna TV's Bewitched Halloween Marathon; Rewind TV's Sabrina the Teenage Witch-O-Ween Marathon
09/14 - Dancing with the Stars Season 32 Cast; BUZZR Celebrates 40 Years of Press Your Luck
09/13 - TBS Acquires Modern Family; The Frasier Awards on COZI TV
09/12 - Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen Gets CBS Late Night Run; Unsolved Mysteries: Behind the Legacy Special
09/11 - Matt Rife Gets Netflix Special; Star Trek Day and Kid Cudi Join Forces
09/10 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 11, 2023)
09/09 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Warner Bros. Television Suspends Deals with Top Creators; Fran Drescher Re-Elected President of SAG-AFTRA
09/08 - CBS Announces Hosts of Game Show; New Goosebumps Premieres Friday the 13th This October on Disney+ and Hulu
09/07 - MeTV Presents Svengoolie's Halloween BOOnanza!; The CW Moving Fall Comedies to Thursdays
09/06 - CBS to Air NCIS: Sydney This Fall; Fox Makes Fall Change
09/05 - TBS and TNT September Stunts Include Big Bang Theory Batman Day Marathon; Netflix UK Produced Series Updates
09/04 - TV Marathons on Labor Day 2023 Include Three's Company
09/03 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 4, 2023)