Sunday, March 07, 2010

Week 24 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

Week 24 TV Ratings (first four nights, Mon-Thurs finals):
(We don't have the final network averages through Thursday AGAIN (sorry), but we do have final program averages through Thursday in the analysis below)

Households: N/A
Total Viewers: N/A
Adults 18-49: N/A

Week 24 (March 1-7) Analysis: For week 24, thus far through the first four nights it is Fox on top thanks to three nights (5 hours worth) of Idol. So far through the first four days of the week I can project, Fox is first across the board, with CBS second in all categories, ABC in third and with the Olympics over, NBC is of course back in fourth. Last week, week 23, NBC took home first place in every category obviously thanks to the Olympics one last time. Fox was second across the board, while CBS was third and ABC was in fourth.
On Monday it was ABC with the win with a big finale for The Bachelor. ABC started it off with The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love finale from 8-10:05pm doing a great 15.15 million and a 5.3 18-49 rating, with a peak of 5.9 in the final half-hour. At 10:05pm, ABC aired The Bachelor: After the Final Rose and also won its timeslot with 13.91 million and a 5.3 18-49 rating. Bachelor mania is not done yet, last season's Bachelor will get a wedding tomorrow night! Also returning tomorrow is Castle and the promo looks very good! CBS was all-new with its comedies and CSI: Miami. How I Met Your Mother started it off with a solid 10.37 million and a 3.9 18-49 rating for an all-new episode, while the season premiere of Rules of Engagement did 9.72 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating as that seems similar to Accidentally on Purpose (that series will move to Wednesdays at 8:30 in a few weeks). Two and a Half Men followed with a new showing as well doing 16.86 million and a 5.7 18-49 rating and The Big Bang Theory followed with a new episode of its own doing 15.73 million and a 5.9 18-49 rating, the best scripted series of the week likely. A new CSI: Miami at 10pm did a below normal 12.07 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating. Fox started off with a repeat of House doing 6.64 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, viewers was up some from previous week. A new episode of 24 was next doing 8.63 million and a a series low 2.5 18-49 rating, in viewers it was down a bit from previous week also. NBC was back from the Olympics and back in fourth with a new Chuck doing a decent 6.7 million and the new night premiere of Law & Order as a 2-hour episode did 7.76 million but only as 2.0 18-49 rating. The CW aired a repeat of Life UneXpected doing 1.24 million, followed by an all-new episode of Life UneXpected at 1.78 million, down a bit from previous week.
On Tuesday, Fox won pretty easily. Fox of course aired an all-new two-hour American Idol with 23.53 million, but down some from previous week. It still did a mammoth 8.6 18-49 rating, but that was down from the 9.0 from the previous week. CBS started with a new NCIS doing 19.62 million, which is great but off from its recent new episodes. Then spin-off NCIS: Los Angeles was next with a new episode of its own doing 14.84 million. And finally CBS aired a new The Good Wife doing a solid 13.32 million but the 18-49 rating could be better than a 2.7. ABC started off with a LOST enhanced encore doing 4.32 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, on par really from previous week. Then an all-new episode of the final season of LOST was next with 9.29 million, but that was off some from the previous week when it had stiffer competition from the Olympics. Go figure. I cannot wait to see what happens next on the show itself! ABC aired a 20/20 Before They Were Stars special featuring Oscar stars instead of the forgotten at 10pm and did a so-so 5.2 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating...on par really from previous week with the forgotten. NBC returned The Biggest Loser with a two-hour airing and did a solid 8.27 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, but they were both off from normal. The premiere of Parenthood was next and did a could be better 8.1 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating (that was first in its slot though). The verdict? We have to still see how it does the next few weeks. If it ca maintain, then NBC will have something to build on actually. The CW aired repeats of 90210 and Melrose Place doing only 615,000 and 587,000 viewers...watch when they come back with new episodes, no one will care or remember.
On Wednesday another two-hour Idol was the difference. Fox preempted Human Target once again and aired a two-hour American Idol doing 23.56 million, up some from previous week's two-hour show. 18-49 rating was down a bit though from a 8.7 to 8.5. CBS started at 8pm with new episodes of its comedies Old Christine and Gary Unmarried doing below normal 5.56 million and 5.57 million, 18-49 rating was not good as they did a 1.6 and 1.8. Next CBS aired a new Criminal Minds at 13.0 million and a new CSI: NY at 10pm did 12.35 million. ABC comedies were next with a repeat of Modern Family at 8pm doing 5.05 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, beating the CBS comedy which was new in 18-49, a new episode of The Middle was next doing a below normal 5.89 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, as Idol affected all the comedies on this night. Modern Family was all-new in its normal 9pm slot and did a below normal but solid 8.01 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating. Next Cougar Town was all-new and did 5.35 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating. Ugly Betty was preempted, as the Oprah Winfrey Oscar Special aired and only did 4.34 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating. Not good. NBC returned Mercy but only managed 5.99 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating. A two-hour Law & Order: SVU was next and did 8.14 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating -- could be better. The CW aired more repeats as Life UneXpected did 994,000 viewers, down some from previous week, and then a repeat of Gossip Girl followed and only did 494,000 viewers, also down some from previous week.
Moving on to Thursday it was a battle with CBS and Fox because of a third night of Idol. CBS started with a new Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains doing 12.72 million and 3.8 18-49 rating, both up from previous week. CBS aired a new CSI with special guests Rascal Flatts doing an above average 15.59 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating and at 10pm a new The Mentalist aired doing 14.87 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating. ABC took a back seat a bit on this night as a repeat of Grey's Anatomy at 8pm did 5.0 million, which actually beat NBC's comedies, but the 1.2 18-49 rating was not good. A new episode of Grey's Anatomy was next and did 11.83 million and a 4.0 18-49 rating, up from its recent new episode but still below normal thanks to the special episodes on CBS and NBC. A new Private Practice was also a bit below normal doing 7.57 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating. Both shows should be closer to normal this week. Fox preempted Bones but they were gladly to do so as the results show for American Idol aired instead! It did 19.42 million, up from previous week and a 6.5 18-49 rating was same as previous week. A new Kitchen Nightmares on a special night did 7.89 million, up some from previous week. NBC returned their comedies as Community did 5.02 million and Parks & Recreation did 4.61 million, not too good but both did do a 2.3 18-49 rating which is OK. A special one-hour The Office with Pam and Jim's wedding did an above average 9.02 million and a 4.7 18-49 rating. So, 30 Rock returns this week. At 10pm NBC launched The Marriage Ref with that big lead-in and did 7.71 million and a 3.8 18-49 rating, but it dropped every 15 minutes. It will be interesting this week when it has a 30 Rock lead-in instead. The CW aired a repeat of Vampire Diaries doing 1.68 million and Supernatural was a repeat and did 1.54 million, both on par really from previous week.
Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available as usual, but CBS won Friday with their dramas but they were below normal.
Saturday numbers saw Fox and CBS win the night, as Fox did normal numbers with its crime reality series once again.
Tonight it will be all Oscars with the win as ABC's regular line-up of AFV, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters is preempted. CBS has a new The Amazing Race for some reason at 8pm but the fake Undercover Boss is a repeat at 9pm. NBC has 90-minutes of Dateline followed by the movie Bad Boys II for 90-minutes, what a combo. Fox has repeats of their animated comedies and new episodes of 'Til Death. Will ABC win the week in all categories because of the Oscars? Or will Fox prevail thanks to three nights of Idol? Could be close, but I think ABC will win as the Oscars should do 40 million+. CBS will be in third and NBC will likely have to settle for a familiar 4th. As for this coming week, how will Parenthood and Marriage Ref hold up from their OK premieres? My bet is the latter will stumble big, but the former should do OK.

Week 24 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week 23-- Feb. 22-28)

  • 'Til Death (Fox) - Two all-new episodes were barely on the map in the 7pm hour doing only 2.47 and 3.04 million...not good but that second episode was up slightly over previous week.
  • The Simpsons (Fox) - A repeat did 5.29 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating...not too bad, as the total viewers was not too off from previous week when it was new.
  • The Cleveland Show (Fox) - 5.04 million for a repeat and also a 2.3 18-49 rating, holding on its lead-in's rating.
  • Family Guy (Fox) - A repeat did 5.83 million, off a bit from previous week's repeat. The 18-49 rating dropped from a 3.2 to 2.8.
  • American Dad (Fox) - 4.74 million for a repeat and a 2.2 18-49 rating...both the lowest of the bunch.

Monday Sitcoms

  • How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - A new episode did a good 10.37 million and a great 3.9 18-49 rating.
  • Rules of Engagement (CBS) - 9.73 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating for the season premiere. Seems like similar retention with the previous show in this slot.
  • Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 16.86 million and a 5.7 18-49 rating for a new episode. Pretty big opposite a high-rated finale on ABC.
  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - 15.73 million and a 5.9 18-49 rating for a new episode. This show quietly is now the number one show in 18-49 for scripted series.

Tuesday Sitcoms

  • None.

Wednesday Sitcoms
  • Old Christine (CBS) - 5.56 million for a new episode is below normal and only a 1.6 18-49 rating. Idol hurt it.
  • Gary Unmarried (CBS) - 5.57 million for a new episode and a 1.8 18-49 rating. Below normal.
  • The Middle (ABC) - A new episode following a repeat of Modern Family did 5.89 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, both below normal. Idol clearly hurt it.
  • Modern Family (ABC) 2 airings - A repeat at 8pm did a decent 5.05 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, both up from previous week. The regular 9pm airing was new and did a below normal 8.01 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating. Idol two-hour shows always hurt.
  • Cougar Town (ABC) - A new episode suffered some doing 5.35 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating.

Thursday Sitcoms

  • Community (NBC) - 5.02 million for a new episode but the 2.3 18-49 rating is more telling.
  • Parks & Recreation (NBC) - 4.61 million for a new episode is not too good, but the 2.3 18-49 rating is better.
  • The Office (NBC) - 9.02 million for the special one-hour episode is good and the 4.7 18-49 rating is even better.
  • 30 Rock (NBC) - preempted.

Friday Sitcoms

  • None.

Saturday Sitcoms

  • None.

Airing tonight (Sunday) are new episodes of 'Til Death at 7 on Fox followed by repeats of the Fox animated comedies starting at 8.

Summing it up. All repeats. Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, The Office, Rules of Engagement, Modern Family were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as Community, The Middle) or just plain old terrible (such as 'Til Death, Old Christine).


Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Tuesday, September 26

none scheduled

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of September 25)

Tuesday, September 26

  • Tina Fey (Only Murders in the Building/30 Rock) - Catch Tina on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • J. B. Smoove (Blockbuster/Curb Your Enthusiasm/The Millers/'Til Death), Al Madrigal (Lopez vs Lopez/About a Boy/Gary Unmarried/Welcome to the Captain) and Whitney Cummings (Whitney) - J. B., Al and Whitney are guests on repeats of Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen on CBS between 12:37-1:37am.
  • Keke Palmer (Scream Queens/True Jackson, VP) - Keke talks about her new album and tour, Big Boss Tour, her platform, KeyTV, and new motherhood on Sherri, so check your local listings.
  • Tiffani Thiessen (Saved by the Bell/Alexa & Katie/Good Morning, Miami/Saved by the Bell: The College Years) - Tiffani discusses her latest cookbook, Here We Go Again: Recipes and Inspiration to Level Up Your Leftovers, on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your listings.
  • Pamela Anderson (Stacked/Home Improvement) - Pamela is taking over the whole show and telling Drew all about her career and what she's up to now on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Sam Jay (Bust Down) - Sam will be on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
  • Kerry Washington (Unprisoned) - Kerry talks about her new book Thicker than Water: A Memoir on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg (Two and a Half Men/Jenny) - Jenny talks about The Masked Singer on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Christopher Knight (The Brady Bunch) - Christopher will be on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:40am.


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

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)
09/02 - SitcomsOnline Digest: No Third Season for How I Met Your Father; Spectrum Dispute with Disney Could Spell End of Cable
09/01 - September Is Anniversary Month on Hulu; Freeform's 31 Nights of Halloween Returns for Its 25th Anniversary
08/31 - Max's Original Comedy Series Starstruck Season 3 and Our Flag Means Death Season 2 Premiere Dates; AXS TV Announces Fall Programming Lineup
08/30 - The Partridge Family Coming to AXS TV Starting Oct. 2; CBS to Air A Tribute to Bob Barker Special Aug. 31, Marathon of Match Game Episodes to Air Sept. 2 on Game Show Network
08/29 - Once Upon a Time Coming to Hulu; Young Love Launches on Max in September
08/28 - Remembering TV Legend Bob Barker; Wolf Like Me Returns in October on Peacock
08/27 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of August 28, 2023)
08/26 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Frasier Reboot Date Set, With CBS Also Airing First Two Episodes; Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. Cancelled
08/25 - Rick and Morty Returns October 15; Switch New Season Begins September 18 on Game Show Network