Sunday, March 28, 2010

Week 27 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

Week 27 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. We might just have to remove this if we never get these in time again.)

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

Week 27 (March 22-28) Analysis: For week 27, thus far through the first four nights it is a three-network race. So far through the first four days of the week I can project, Fox is first in HH/viewers and 18-49, but the battle for second is close between ABC and CBS. In HH/viewers ABC/CBS are neck and neck through the first four nights, and ABC has a slight lead in 18-49 as well. NBC is back in fourth across the board. Last week, week 26, CBS took home first place in HH/viewers, but Fox did tie CBS in 18-49, as CBS was fueled by the NCAA tournament in 18-49. Fox was second in HH/viewers. NBC was third across the board beating by ABC which was primarily in repeats.

On Monday it was ABC with a big win as the megahit Dancing with the Stars returned for season ten. ABC aired thw two-hour season premiere of Dancing with the Stars doing a best ever for a season premiere at 24.19 million and an impressive 6.4 18-49 rating. In total viewers, this was the series' 6th best performance ever, only behind 5 performance and season finales. At 10pm, ABC aired part one of a GREAT two-part Castle event to series highs of 12.21 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating for first place in its timeslot. Dana Delany guest starred and will continue tomorrow for the conclusion. Series highs again tomorrow I'm guessing. CBS took a bit of a hit with its comedies and CSI: Miami closed the night. How I Met Your Mother started it off with a new episode at a below normal 8.37 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating, while a new Rules of Engagement did 8.48 million and a 3. 18-49 rating, up from previous week but its lead-in was a repeat that week. Two and a Half Men followed with a new showing doing 14.46 million and a 5.1 18-49 rating, still great but below recent levels and The Big Bang Theory followed with a new showing of its own doing 13.42 million and a 5.2 18-49 rating, like the other comedies...below normal. Look for repeats the next few weeks. A new episode of CSI: Miami at 10pm took a bit of a hit with 10.79 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating for second place, instead of the usual first place. Fox started off with a repeat of House doing 5.22 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating. A new episode of 24 was next doing 8.69 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, down some from previous week in viewers. The series will end after this season. NBC was of course in fourth with a new Chuck doing a season low for the second straight week, this time 5.46 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating again, then Trauma followed and did 4.32 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, down from previous week. At 10pm a new Law & Order did only 6.02 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, down some from previous week in viewers but Castle/Miami is hurting it. The CW started with Life UneXpected at 8pm and it did 1.88 million, down some from previous week. Then at 9pm Gossip Girl was all-new and did 1.9 million, up some from previous week.

On Tuesday, Fox ruled. Fox aired an all-new American Idol doing 24.21 million for two-hours, up from previous week. Its 18-49 rating went up a bit going from a 8.1 to 8.4 this week. CBS started with a repeat of NCIS doing 13.04 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, that is old skewing. Then spin-off NCIS: Los Angeles was next with a repeat of its own doing 11.33 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating. And finally CBS aired a repeat of The Good Wife doing 7.87 million and only a 1.4 18-49 rating. ABC started off with a LOST enhanced encore doing 4.17 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, both up a bit from previous week. Then an all-new episode of the final season of LOST was next with 9.31 million and a 4.0 18-49 rating, both up some from the previous week. ABC aired a recap/clip show for V: The Arrival at 10:06-11pm and did 4.44 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating...not bad for a recap, and a bit better than FLASHFORWARD's recap the previous week. NBC started with a two-hour The Biggest Loser and did 8.12 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, up some from previous week. A new Parenthood was next and gained a bit more from previous week with repeats opposite it, doing 7.01 million and 2.7 18-49 rating. Question is, can it do this on Tuesday when the return of V on ABC takes place? The CW aired new episodes of 90210 and Melrose Place but they were brushed off by everyone as usually, as they did only 1.51 million and 970,000 viewers. Both down, but the latter was below a million...not a good sign for renewal if you ask me.

On Wednesday Fox prevailed again. Fox started with a new Human Target and did only 6.8 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, down a million from previous week. American Idol Results were next at 9pm and did 21.44 million, up near a million from previous week. 18-49 rating was up a bit too from a 6.8 to 7.2. CBS started at 8pm with a special Wednesday airing of Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains doing a solid 11.15 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating, much better than the usual Old Christine and Gary Unmarried which were preempted. Next CBS aired a repeat of Criminal Minds at 8.18 million, up some from previous week, and a repeat of CSI: NY at 10pm did 7.46 million, exactly the same as previous week. ABC comedies were next with a Modern Family repeat at 8pm doing a decent 5.7 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, both up from previous week when a new [scrubs] aired, a new airing of The Middle was next building up to 7.16 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, solid. Modern Family was a all-new in its normal 9pm slot and did 9.18 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating. Next Cougar Town was new too and did 6.28 million and a decent 2.6 18-49 rating. Ugly Betty was next and did much better this week at 4.56 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating. The series finale airs on April 14. NBC started with Mercy and only managed 5.5 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, both down a bit from previous week. A repeat of Law & Order: SVU was next and did 5.74 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, up some week-to-week, but that was leading into an all-new episode at 10pm that did a solid 10.58 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, both up from previous week but remember CSI: NY was a repeat for CBS again. When was the last time SVU was this high? The CW aired aired the first 60-minute edition of America's Next Top Model doing a solid 3.08 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, but down from previous week when it was 90-minutes. The series premiere of Fly Girls had nothing to be happy about doing only 1.16 million and at 9:30pm week three of High Society could only do 790,000 viewers. CW should just air two-hour Top Model every Wednesday.

Moving on to Thursday it was CBS with the win thanks to more NCAA Basketball. CBS preempted its regular line-up of Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains at 8pm, CSI at 9pm, and The Mentalist at 10pm for NCAA coverage from 7-9:37pm doing 9.68 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating. Then 9:37pm-12:34am did a solid 11.32 million and a 4.3 18-49 rating. ABC started with FLASHFORWARD at 8pm and did 6.17 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, off a bit from the two-hour return the previous week. Grey's Anatomy was all-new and did 11.57 million and a 3.7 1-49 rating, below normal but at its recent levels still. A new Private Practice was next doing 8.71 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, also a bit below normal but not as much as the lead-in. Fox aired a repeat of Bones and did 6.17 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, on par really with previous week. A repeat of Fringe was next and did 4.0 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, down a dad week-to-week. NBC aired new episodes of their comedies as Community did 5.07 million again and Parks & Recreation did 4.47 million, down a tad from previous week. Next The Office did 7.28 million but a season low again of 3.5 18-49 rating. Next 30 Rock was new and did 6.25 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, both off a bit from previous week. At 10pm NBC aired a new episode of the crazy The Marriage Ref and did 6.62 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, down from previous week. The CW aired a new Vampire Diaries doing 3.33 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating and Supernatural was new and did 2.95 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating.

Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available as usual, but CBS won Friday with coverage of the NCAA Basketball tournament, but ABC had a great outing out of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution at 9pm doing a prelim 2.6 18-49 rating, the best on this night this season for a regular series since 20/20 on Nov. 6 did a 2.8 rating at 10pm. Nothing has beaten it from 8-10pm, though. Good start!
Saturday numbers saw Fox take a back seat with their crime reality series as CBS won thanks to NCAA Basketball again.
Tonight ABC airs a new AFV, but Extreme Makeover: Home Edition & Desperate Housewives are repeats and Brothers & Sisters is preempted for a Castle repeat at 10. CBS has a new The Amazing Race and the fake Undercover Boss at 9pm. NBC has new game show A Minute to Win It followed by a new Celebrity Apprentice starting at 8pm. Fox has new episodes of their animated comedies and new episodes of live action sitcoms 'Til Death and Sons of Tucson, but both of those are doing bad. Will Fox hang on for the win this week? It will be close, but I think Fox might hang on despite NCAA on CBS. The loser will be second place for sure though. ABC will be third and NBC will be 4th. As for this coming week, ABC returns V on Tuesday and it looks great!

Week 27 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week 26-- March 15-21)

  • 'Til Death (Fox) - Two all-new episodes were barely on the map again in the 7pm hour doing only 2.52 and 3.27 million...not good but both were up from previous week which were season lows.
  • The Simpsons (Fox) - A new episode only managed 5.71 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating...below normal but up from previous week.
  • The Cleveland Show (Fox) - A new episode did 5.07 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, also below its average.
  • Family Guy (Fox) - A new showing did 6.67 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating. On par with previous week, but like the rest of Animation Domination, below normal.
  • American Dad (Fox) - on hiatus.
  • Sons of Tucson (Fox) - New episode did worse than the premiere. Only 3.84 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating. When will it get pulled for American Dad?

Monday Sitcoms

  • How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - A new episode did 8.37 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating...below normal.
  • Rules of Engagement (CBS) - 8.48 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating for a new episode, up from previous week when the lead-in was a repeat. Still below normal from its previous outings prior to previous week.
  • Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 14.46 million and a 5.1 18-49 rating for a new airing is great but for this series it is below normal. Recent levels had it at 17 million and 5.7 18-49.
  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - 13.42 million and a 5.2 18-49 rating for a new episode is outstanding, but below normal. The CBS block was down because of Dancing season premiere on ABC.

Tuesday Sitcoms

  • None.

Wednesday Sitcoms
  • Old Christine (CBS) - preempted.
  • Gary Unmarried (CBS) - preempted.
  • The Middle (ABC) - A new episode did 7.16 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating out of a Modern repeat. It is great that it builds on its own.
  • Modern Family (ABC) - The regular 9pm airing was new and did a solid 9.18 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating. Stonestreet ruled that episode! A repeat at 8pm did a solid 5.7 million and 1.8 18-49 rating. New episode this week again at 9!
  • Cougar Town (ABC) - A new episode did 6.28 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, affected by Idol yes, but perhaps it should air at 10pm next season?

Thursday Sitcoms

  • Community (NBC) - 5.07 million for a new episode and a 2.1 18-49 rating. On par in viewers and up a tick in 18-49 from prev. week.
  • Parks & Recreation (NBC) - 4.47 million for a new episode and a 2.0 18-49 rating. Needs to do better, don't understand why it was renewed.
  • The Office (NBC) - A new episode did 7.28 million and a 3.518-49 rating, down some from previous week, and 18-49 was a season low for the second straight week.
  • 30 Rock (NBC) - 6.25 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating was down a tad from previous week.

Friday Sitcoms

  • None.

Saturday Sitcoms

  • None.

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

Summing it up. Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, How I Met Your Mother, Accidentally on Purpose, The Office were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as Community, Cougar Town ) or just plain old terrible (such as Parks and Recreation, Sons of Tucson from week 26).


Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, May 31

Night Court - "Pilot" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Judge Abby Stone follows in the footsteps of her late father Harry Stone as she takes over the night shift of a Manhattan arraignment court; when a public defender is needed, Abby sees potential in former prosecutor Dan Fielding.

Night Court - "The Nighthawks" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Abby pushes Dan Fielding to embrace his new role as public defender; Neil gets on board with Abby's quest to improve the courtroom and quickly realizes why trying is for the birds.

Dave - "Looking for Love" (FXX, 10:00PM ET/PT)
Dave's quest for love reaches a conclusion.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of May 29)

Wednesday, May 31

  • Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso/Shrinking) - Watch Brett on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Christopher Meloni (Happy/Surviving Jack/Misery Loves Company/The Fanelli Boys) - Christopher is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • D'Arcy Carden (The Good Place/Barry) - D'Arcy appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Rob Corddry (The Unicorn/Ballers/Childrens Hospital/The Winner) - Rob will be on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Hong Chau (A to Z) - Hong appears on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Jennifer Aniston (Friends/Muddling Through/Ferris Bueller/Molloy) - E! News has an interview with Jennifer at 11pm on E!.
  • Rose Byrne (Platonic/Physical) - Rose 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 is a guest on a repeat of The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
  • Jaime Camil (Schmigadoon!/Broke) - Jaime appears on a repeat of Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine-Nine/Are We There Yet?/Everybody Hates Chris) - Terry joins Sherri to discuss hosting the new season of America’s Got Talent on NBC on Sherri, so check your local listings. He will also be on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.


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

Growing Pains - The Complete Series Cheers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Twelve Gimme a Break! - The Complete Series (VEI) Kate & Allie - The Complete Series (VEI)

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

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)
05/06 - SitcomsOnline Digest: First Week of Writers' Strike Already Sees Early Casualties; Fox Cancels Call Me Kat
05/05 - BUZZR's Classic TV Moms Week; Fox's Stars on Mars Celebs Announced
05/04 - Dancing with the Stars Returning to ABC in Fall; Conan O'Brien Producing New Podcast Miniseries
05/03 - Roku 2023 NewFront; Peacock Schedules Kaley Cuoco Series
05/02 - COZI TV's Little House Mother's Day "Ma-A-Thon"; Human Resources Returns June 9 on Netflix
05/01 - Peacock's Twisted Metal Drops in July; IFC Dark Comedy SisterS Launching May 17