Sunday, November 01, 2009

Week 6 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

Week 6 TV Ratings (first four nights, Mon-Thurs finals):

Households: #1. Fox 8.7/13.6; #2. CBS 7.1/11.2; #3. ABC 6.8/10.8; #4. NBC 4.0/6.4; #5. The CW 1.5/2.3
Total Viewers: #1. Fox 14.1 million; #2. CBS 11.21 million; #3. ABC 10.75 million; #4. NBC 6.49 million; #5. The CW 2.37 million.
Adults 18-49: #1. Fox 4.6/12.2; #2. ABC 3.0/7.9; #3. CBS 2.8/7.2; #4. NBC 2.4/6.2; #5. The CW 1.1/2.9

Week 6 (Oct. 26-Nov. 1) Analysis: For week 6 we have Fox on top through the first four days in all categories thanks to the World Series. And it will remain that way after tonight when the week is over, too, with NFL overrun and more World Series action. Through the first four days in week 6 Fox has the lead everywhere, with CBS and ABC battling it out for second, right now CBS is second in HH/viewers, while ABC is second in 18-49. NBC is back in fourth everywhere as usual and there is no NFL coming to save the week tonight. Last week, week 5, CBS won the week in HH/viewers, while Fox took 18-49. It was the other way around with Fox second in HH/viewers, and CBS second in 18-49. ABC was third in all categories, though only .1 behind CBS for second in 18-49. NBC was fourth in all categories, but only .1 behind ABC for third in 18-49 (say thank you NFL!).
On Monday it was all ABC, as CBS was in repeats and Fox had no House. A two-hour Dancing with the Stars won the total viewer race with 17.38 million for ABC, up from the previous week. An all-new Castle followed with a solid 9.99 million, and up again from the previous week in 18-49! This is the most consistent show on network TV. Next up was CBS with its comedies and CSI: Miami. How I Met Your Mother repeat started it off with 6.94 million, OK for a repeat for a CBS Monday comedy and Accidentally on Purpose followed with its first repeat ever doing 5.89 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, not good. Two and a Half Men followed and was also a repeat doing 11.41 million which is good for a repeat, and The Big Bang Theory followed with a repeat and did a nice 10.85 million, when it was airing at 8pm...this would be GREAT for an all-new episode. Shows how much the show has grown at 9:30. The show also did a 3.8 18-49 rating for a repeat, excellent. A repeat episode of CSI: Miami did 11.52 million, not bad at all. Fox didn't have House but it had a special Top 20 special of So You Think You Can Dance which only attracted 5.85 million. A new episode of Lie to Me followed and did 6.33 million, a season low. NBC was next with Heroes doing 5.72 million, exactly the same from the previous week. A new episode of Trauma followed and did only 5.77 million and only a 1.9 A18-49 rating, but both up some from the previous week though. The Jay Leno Show followed with only 4.7 million, down a bit from previous week. The CW on Mondays has been a struggle so far, with One Tree Hill doing only 2.67 million and Gossip Girl at an even worse 2.31 million...but both up some week-to-week.
On Tuesday, CBS was in control as usual, but they were repeats so ABC was much closer. CBS had the always reliable NCIS opening the night off with 16.7 million for a repeat, don't know how. A repeat episode of NCIS: Los Angeles was next and did 11.09 million, not bad at all, but could be better with that huge lead-in. And finally CBS aired a repeat of The Good Wife and did 9.34 million, better retention than the lead-in did with its lead-in. ABC was second with the annual showing of It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown/You're Elected, Charlie Brown doing 8.8 million. Then it was Dancing with the Stars: The Results doing 15.2 million, up some week-to-week as we said goodbye to Louie Vitto and Melissa Joan Hart. ABC followed with a new episode of the forgotten doing 8.26 million, up nearly a million week-to-week. NBC was next with The Biggest Loser 2-hour show doing 9.67 million, down a tad from previous week, followed by the The Jay Leno Show at 6.06 million, which was up some from previous week. Fox aired So You Think You Can Dance for two-hours and did only 6.47 million. The CW was next with repeats...as 90210 did 1.26 million, followed by a repeat of dud Melrose Place at an even worse 770,000 viewers. I know it was a repeat, but still...
Wednesday it was Fox on top by a big margin thanks to the World Series. Fox did 19.51 million for the entire game, and 19.66 million in primetime for it. Excellent game one numbers. CBS started slow with Old Christine repeat doing 6.24 million, which was not too far from original levels, followed by Gary Unmarried repeat at 5.89 million. Veteran drama Criminal Minds was a repeat and did 9.89 million which seems below normal, with CSI: NY repeat doing 9.46 million, repeats were affected by World Series, I guess. ABC started the 8pm hour with an edited version of It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, as Hank was preempted. Brown did 6.0 million an a 2.0 18-49 rating, better than the previous week's Hank that did 5.78 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating. The Middle did was up slightly week-to-week in 18-40 going from a 2.0 to 2.2 18-49 rating, and an average 6.49 million. New episodes of the hilarious sitcoms Modern Family and Cougar Town both did well again with 9.33 and 7.54 million, both up some from previous week. The A18-49 ratings for both were more telling doing 3.7 and 3.2. At 10pm Eastwick did 5.02 million, up though from previous week, which was a series low. Lindsay Price again was good. NBC opened the night with a new animated special instead of Mercy as Monsters vs. Aliens did 6.96 million and a repeat followed with only 5.54 million, Mercy does better overall but this hour was slightly improved in 18-49 this week. Law & Order: SVU followed and did 8.24 million, down a million or so from previous week. Looks like World Series affected it. At 10pm NBC aired The Jay Leno Show of course at just 5.03 million, down some week-to-week. Fox will return So You Think You Can Dance and Glee after the World Series is over. The CW had its usual showing of Top Model at 3.51 million, up from previous week and a repeat of Vampire Diaries followed with 1.3 million, which is better than the dud Melrose Place.
Thursday it was Fox on top with World Series action, but CBS and ABC were competitive on this first night of November 2009 sweep. The World Series Game #2 did 18.9 million overall and 18.95 million in primetime. Excellent, as the Yankees evened the series at 1. ABC opened the night with FLASHFORWARD doing 8.92 million down nearly a million from previous week as the World Series might have affected it. Dominc Monaghan was great and mysterious. A new Grey's Anatomy followed with 13.74 million and a great 5.2 A18-49 rating, both down from previous week due to World Series. Give Dempsey the Emmy for that episode! And a new episode of Private Practice did a solid 9.16 million and a first place at 10pm 3.6 A18-49 rating, both down some week-to-week. CBS opened with Survivor: Samoa at 12.19 million and a 3.7 A18-49 rating, both down some from previous week. A new episode of CSI followed with 15.24 million, while The Mentalist was also new and did a better 15.53 million. Fox will return Bones and Fringe after the World Series is over with. NBC was next with Community at 8pm doing 5.32 million up some from previous week, followed by sitcom dud Parks & Recreation at only 4.8 million, down some week-to-week. At 9pm, The Office did 8.21 million and a solid 4.2 18-49 rating, both down a bit week-to-week. A new episode of 30 Rock did 6.1 million, down some from the previous week. The Jay Leno Show closed the night with only 4.41 million, down again week-to-week. The CW's only consistent player so far is Vampire Diaries and did a great 4.18 million, followed by a new Supernatural at 2.92 million, while that is good, it could be better considering the lead-in.
Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but CBS won Friday with their dramas as usual. NBC was good with Dateline at 9 and 20/20 was solid at 10pm for ABC.
Saturday numbers had Fox win with World Series game 3 coverage, despite a 80 minute rain delay. The Yankees took a 2 game to 1 lead. ABC was next with College Football, while NBC was dead last with the Notre Dame game.
Tonight the full ABC Sunday line-up is airing (AFV, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Desperate Housewives, and Brothers & Sisters), look for solid numbers as usual despite the World Series. NBC doesn't have NFL tonight, so look for it to be dead last tonight by a wide margin. CBS has its usual players, but Three Rivers will be slaughtered again, as the cancelation click is ticking...why is it on for Sweeps? Fox has NFL overrun leading into Game 4 of the MLB World Series, so expect Fox to win the night in everything quite easily.
As for week 6, Fox will win in everything thanks to World Series. Look for CBS in second in HH/viewers and ABC second in 18-49. CBS will likely be third in 18-49, with ABC third in HH/viewers. NBC will be fourth in all categories and badly due to no NFL. Look for the premiere of V this Tuesday at 8 on ABC! Syfy is airing the original mini-series today, followed by V: The Final Battle, and all day Monday and Tuesday will be episodes from the '80s V series. Cool!

Week 6 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week 5-- October 19-25)

  • Brothers (Fox) - preempted for NFL/MLB ALCS.
  • The Simpsons (Fox) - preempted for MLB ALCS.
  • The Cleveland Show (Fox) - preempted for MLB ALCS.
  • Family Guy (Fox) - preempted for MLB ALCS.
  • American Dad (Fox) - preempted for MLB ALCS.

Monday Sitcoms

  • How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - A repeat did 6.94 million, not too bad for a repeat.
  • Accidentally on Purpose (CBS) - 5.89 million for a repeat, not too good...
  • Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 11.41 million for a repeat, and still easily the best overall for sitcoms.
  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - 10.85 million for a repeat. Last season everyone would have been ecstatic for it to get that in new episodes!


Tuesday Sitcoms

  • None.

Wednesday Sitcoms
  • Old Christine (CBS) - Repeat did 6.24 million, that is pretty close to original levels from the previous week.
  • Gary Unmarried (CBS) - Repeat did 5.89 million...could be better.
  • Hank (ABC) - preempted. Look for the Thanksgiving episode this week, possibly its last airing?
  • The Middle (ABC) - 6.49 million and a 2.2 18-49. Brick and Sue are such great characters!
  • Modern Family (ABC) - Another hilarious episode did 9.33 million and a nice 3.7 18-49 rating, both up week-to-week.
  • Cougar Town (ABC) - A new episode did 7.54 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, both also up from previous week.

Thursday Sitcoms

  • Community (NBC) - New episode did 5.32 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating. Both up week-to-week a bit.
  • Parks & Recreation (NBC) - This show did terrible doing only 4.8 million and just a 2.0 A18-49 rating, both down some from previous week.
  • The Office (NBC) - 8.21 million for a new episode, down from the previous week. In 18-49 it did a 4.2 rating, also down some.
  • 30 Rock (NBC) - A new episode did 6.1 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating. Down week-to-week.

Friday Sitcoms

  • None.

Saturday Sitcoms

  • The Cleveland Show (Fox) - Fox aired a quick repeat during the rain delay of the World Series at about 8:40pm ET. Prelim numbers show 7.44 million.

Airing tonight (Sunday) are no sitcoms, as Fox's animated comedies are preempted for NFL/World Series action.

Summing it up. Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, The Office, & Cougar Town were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as The Middle, 30 Rock) or just plain old terrible (such as Accidentally on Purpose, Parks & Recreation).


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Wednesday, October 14

Scrubs - "My Chief" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
After uncovering a costly mistake made by Turk, J.D. must decide whether to report him or let it slide; Elliot grows her responsibilities at Sacred Heart by leading a new initiative.

Abbott Elementary - "Check-Ins" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
A group of dedicated, passionate teachers work to help their students succeed in life despite being outnumbered and underfunded.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 12)

Wednesday, October 14

  • Adam Brody (Nobody Wants This/Burning Love) - Watch Adam on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Christopher Abbott (Shrinking) - Christopher appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Natasha Leggero (Broke/Dice/Another Period/Free Agents) and Tommy Davidson (The Varnell Hill Show/The Proud Family/Malcolm & Eddie/Between Brothers) - Natasha and Tommy will be on a repeat of Funny You Should Ask at 12:37am on CBS.
  • D.L. Hughley (The Hughleys) - D.L. talks about Charlie's Boy with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT. He will also be on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
  • Kyle MacLachlan (Carol's Second Act/Sex and the City) - Kyle talks about Fictional Selves: A Memoir on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
  • Meagan Good (Cousin Skeeter/Raising Dad), Morris Chestnut (Out All Night) and McKinley Freeman (Samantha Who?) - Meagan, Morris and McKinley talk about season 4 of Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
  • Busy Philipps (Girls5eva/Vice Principals/Cougar Town/Love, Inc.) - Busy talks about Cupertino on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Kal Penn (The Santa Clauses/Sunnyside/We Are Men) - Kal is a guest on New York Living on WPIX in New York.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

Abbott Elementary - The Complete Fourth Season (DVD) The Office - The Complete Series - Superfan Extended Episodes (Blu-ray) The Bill Dana Show - The Complete Series (DVD) I Love Lucy - The Complete Series - 75th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray) Perfect Strangers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

01/20/26 - The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Golden Age Collection (Blu-ray)
01/27/26 - The New Fred and Barney Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/11/26 - Tom and Jerry - The Complete CinemaScope Collection (Blu-ray)
03/24/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)
04/11/26 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Fourth Season (DVD)
04/21/26 - Famous Studios Champion Collection (Blu-ray) (DVD)
05/19/26 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series - 75th Anniversary Edition (DVD)
05/19/26 - Looney Tunes Cartoons - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
06/16/26 - Difficult People - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
06/30/26 - Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
07/14/26 - The Office - The Complete Series - Superfan Extended Episodes (Blu-ray)
07/28/26 - The Bill Dana Show - The Complete Series (DVD)
07/28/26 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series - 75th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray)
07/28/26 - The Paper - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
08/25/26 - Perfect Strangers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/08/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 3 (Blu-ray)
09/22/26 - Bridget Loves Bernie - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
10/20/26 - The Quick Draw McGraw Show - The Complete 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

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10/11 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 12, 2026)
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10/06 - NBC's Happy Place Season 3 Trailer; Apple TV's Imperfect Women Renewed for Season 2
10/05 - A Different World to Return for Season 2 on Netflix; Prime Video's Barbershop Comedy Series Premieres February 10
10/04 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 5, 2026)
10/03 - SitcomsOnline Digest: A Different World Renewed for Second Season; A First Look at Ted: The Animated Series
10/02 - Mike Judge's Beavis and Butt-Head Season 4 Launch; Anthony Anderson Returns to Soul Train Awards
10/01 - Ted: The Animated Series Premieres December 17 on Peacock; Trailer for Apple TV's Small Prophets
09/30 - AMC Orders Charlie Sheen and Martin Sheen Sitcom; Netflix's The One About Matthew Perry Documentary Series
09/29 - Michael Che's Third Netflix Special; Remembering Dennis Haskins of Saved by the Bell
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09/27 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 28, 2026)
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09/24 - Netflix Announces Final Season for A Man on the Inside; Jamie Foxx Hulu Comedy Special Trailer
09/23 - Disney+ Orders New Darkwing Duck Series; Great American Christmas 2026 with 18 New Holiday Movies
09/22 - Who Is Martin Mull? Netflix Documentary; Dancing with the Stars 2-Night Premiere Scores Big
09/21 - JoAnna Garcia Swisher to Join New Netflix Series; AMC Announces New Family Drama for 2027
09/20 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 21, 2026)
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09/18 - South "America" Season 29 After 16th Emmy Win; HBO Max Orders Drama Series with Ray Romano and Kaley Cuoco
09/17 - They're Back on Call! Scrubs Season 2 Trailer; HBO's Kate Berlant Comedy Special
09/16 - AMC+ Half-Hour Drama Series Yaga Premieres October 23; Roku's Comedy Film with Kristin Cavallari
09/15 - 78th Primetime Emmy Award Winners; Netflix Announces Additional Cast for This Summer Will Be Different
09/14 - Scooby-Doo: Origins Wraps Production for 2027 Release; The Unusual Suspects with Kenya Barris & Malcolm Gladwell Season 2
09/13 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 14, 2026)