Sunday, October 03, 2010

Week 2 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

2010-11 Week 2 TV Ratings (first four nights of the season, Mon-Thu):

Households: #1. CBS 8.2/13.4 rating/share; #2. ABC 7.3/12.0; #3. Fox 4.5/7.2; #4. NBC 4.3/7.0; #5. The CW 1.5/2.4.
Total Viewers: #1. CBS 13.28 million; #2. ABC 11.41 million; #3. Fox 7.61 million; #4. NBC 6.89 million; #5. The CW 2.26 million.
Adults 18-49: #1. CBS 3.4/9.7 rating/share; #2. ABC 3.1/8.8; #3. Fox 3.0/8.3; #4. NBC 2.4/6.8; #5. The CW 1.1/2.9.

Week 2 (Sept. 27-Oct. 3) Analysis: We are already nearing the end of week two and the first four nights have the nets a bit down from week one, but that is understandable. Fox remains the the closest to premiere week levels for the first four nights. Through the first four days, CBS has the lead in all categories still, with ABC in second in all categories again, Fox is in third while NBC is back in the familiar fourth. This could change after tonight, due to NFL overrun on Fox, but I still expect CBS to take the week and ABC to remain second with possibly Fox and NBC moving up thanks to NFL action. Last week, week 1, had CBS in first in all categories and they hung on to 18-49 thanks to an NFL overrun on Sunday. ABC was second in all categories, with NBC coming back to tie ABC for second in 18-49 thanks to the Sunday Night NFL game. NBC was third in the other categories, with Fox in fourth, down big from last season's premiere week.

Monday still has ABC on top, just like the previous week. A two-hour Dancing with the Stars won the total viewer race with 21.34 million and a 4.8 18-49 rating, up some in viewers from previous week actually and down some in 18-49, though it was preempted in Green Bay and Milwaukee for Monday Night Football simulcast. An all-new Castle followed with a solid 11.08 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, both up from the season premiere the previous week. Next up was CBS with its comedies and the new Hawaii Five-0. How I Met Your Mother started it off with 9.0 million and a 3.9 18-49 rating, climbing from previous week's numbers and Rules of Engagement followed with 8.15 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, which could be better but on par with previous week. Two and a Half Men followed with 13.91 million and a 4.8 18-49 rating, down some from previous week's season's premiere. Week two of Mike & Molly did 11.12 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating, down from from previous week. A new Hawaii Five-0 was next doing 12.72 million and a 3.6 18-49 rating, down from previous week and CSI: Miami last season. This should be better as it was a hyped-up show -- probably the most of any new show. Fox was next with House doing 10.18 million and a 3.8 18-49 rating, down from previous week, but good yet still disappointing. A new episode of Lone Star followed and dropped each 15 minutes again doing just 3.23 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, ouch. After that, Fox pulled it after two episodes. As I predicted, Lie to Me will replace it starting tomorrow. NBC followed with the should have been canceled Chuck doing only at 5.37 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating. The new series The Event was next and dropped nearly 2 million viewers doing 9.09 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, down 7 tenths from premiere. I think it will go down to Heroes numbers from last year soon. A new Chase was next and did 6.33 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, down from the premiere and does anyone even know about this show? The CW on Mondays has been a struggle so far, with 90210 doing only 1.96 million, which is actually up week-to-week, and Gossip Girl at 1.78 million, which is off from previous week.

Tuesday, Fox, CBS and ABC battled again. CBS had the always reliable NCIS opening the night off with 19.15 million and a 4.1 18-49 rating, down in viewers a bit from previous week but up a tenth in 18-49. A new episode of NCIS: Los Angeles was next and did 16.5 million and 3.7 18-49 rating, up from previous week actually. And finally CBS had the season premiere of The Good Wife and did 12.84 million but only a 2.5 18-49 rating. DVR is hurting 10pm on Tuesdays with all the shows from 8-10pm on the networks being watched after 10pm. ABC was next with the series premiere of No Ordinary Family leading the night off doing 10.69 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating. That is a solid start and not bad against two top shows at 8pm. The live Dancing with the Stars Results Show followed at 9pm and did 17.34 million and a 3.8 18-49 rating, down from previous week as we said goodbye to Michael Bolton. A new episode of the gritty Detroit 1-8-7 followed and did a decent 8.71 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating. Could be better though, but the lead-in was down a lot, so it held more of it this week. It did better than week two of the forgotten last year, so promising. Fox started off huge with the hyped Britney Spears episode of Glee doing series highs of 13.51 million but an even better 5.9 18-49 rating. That led into the two sitcoms Raising Hope and Running Wilde doing 7.08 million and 4.47 million and also a 3.1 and 1.9 18-49 rating. The jury is still out on these, but the latter is doing bad. NBC was next with The Biggest Loser 2-hour episode doing 7.19 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, down a bit from its season premiere, followed by an all-new Parenthood at just 4.83 million and a last place 2.0 18-49 rating. There are just too many options on Tuesdays, and people are watching the DVRed shows at 10pm. The CW aired One Tree Hill with just 1.83 million, followed by an even worse Life UneXpected at just 1.51 million, but it was actually up week-to-week. CW needs help on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Wednesday again it was CBS on top, but everyone was down. CBS started the night off on top with week two of Survivor: Nicaragua at 12.26 million and a series low of 3.5 18-49 rating, the series on CBS and ABC seemed to be not off much in viewers on this night but in 18-49 it is a half point or more...strange. Veteran drama Criminal Minds did 14.57 million and a 3.6 A18-49 rating, up some in viewers from previous week but down in 18-49. At 10pm, The Defenders aired and did 10.41 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, down from previous week and finished 2nd place in its slot, which CBS is not used to for this slot. ABC started off with its Laugh On comedy block with The Middle doing a solid 8.35 million and 2.5 18-49 rating, both off some from previous week. The new sitcom Better With You was next and did a decent 6.99 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating. It needs to go up this week for ABC to have a future with this show. The mammoth Modern Family was next and did 11.92 million and a 4.6 18-49 rating. A new episode of Cougar Town did 6.97 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, down from previous week and needs to do a bit better this week (like it did for the season premiere). At 10pm The Whole Truth did just 4.58 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, down from previous week. It will get likely its final chance this week to go up. NBC opened the night with disappointing Undercovers doing 7.24 million and only a 1.6 18-49 rating, which is really bad especially since the target for this show was 18-49. It will have to go up big for it to return. Law & Order: SVU was next doing 9.48 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating. Decent, but down some from the two episodes the previous week. The premiere of Law & Order: Los Angeles was next and sampled with 10.64 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, not bad but the test is this week. I think it will drop but remain first place. Fox quietly did solid with Hell's Kitchen at 6.08 million and 6.58 million and a 2.8 and 3.0 A18-49 rating. Basically the only thing not down from previous week. The CW had its usual showing of Top Model at only 2.91 million, and a new episode of Hellcats followed with 2.22 million. Not too bad and on par with previous week.

Thursday it was CBS on top again, but ABC had the top show again. ABC opened the night with the decent show My Generation doing only 3.81 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, both down big from previous week even. In fact, ABC pulled it on Friday, so it has been canceled already. The second canceled series of the season. Then Grey's Anatomy followed with 12.53 million and a 4.6 A18-49 rating, down from previous week but still on top. A new episode of Private Practice was next doing 7.93 million and a 2.8 18-48 rating, solid but could be a bit better. CBS opened with The Big Bang Theory at 13.06 million and a 4.4 A18-49 rating, down from previous week. The new comedy (or lack of comedy) $!*# My Dad Says followed with 10.43 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating. Big drop from previous week, but still OK. Will it go more down, though? A new CSI followed and showed its age with 13.41 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, down from the season premiere, while a new episode of The Mentalist did 14.65 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, winning its hour still but down from previous week. Fox started off well with Bones at a solid 9.75 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, down just a bit from previous week, but Fringe followed and only did 5.24 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, down the season premiere even. NBC was in the familiar fourth place with Community doing just 4.53 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating only, followed by 30 Rock at 5.68 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, on par really from previous week. At 9pm The Office jumped to 7.36 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating, but down from the season premiere. A new Outsourced closed the comedy block with 5.85 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, down a lot from previous week but still not a train wreck. The Apprentice closed the night with only 3.61 million and a 1.3 18-49...the third straight week of drops. The CW's big gun Vampire Diaries did 3.18 million, and a 1.5 18-49 rating, down some from previous week, followed by a new Nikita at series lows of 2.68 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating.

Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but CBS won a quiet Friday with their dramas with Blue Bloods on top. Fox's Good Guys and NBC's Outlaw continue to bomb and do terrible, and could be pulled soon
Saturday numbers had CBS win with College Football beating ABC's Saturday Night Football. Everything else was at normal levels.

Tonight are new episodes for ABC Sunday (AFV, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Desperate Housewives, and Brothers & Sisters). Look for Teri Hatcher in lingerie on Desperate Housewives tonight. NBC should do well with the NFL as usual. CBS its normal line-up from 7-10pm and the season premiere of CSI: Miami at 10pm on its new night. How will it do? Fox has its animation block from 8-10pm, including the season premiere of American Dad!

As for the week (week 2), CBS will win in HH, viewers and 18-49 most likely, though Fox could overtake both CBS and ABC with a big overrun of NFL tonight, but probably not. ABC will be second in HH/viewers and possibly in 18-49. NBC's ratings depend on NFL tonight they could jump and stay in 3rd, unless Fox's NFL overrun does big. As for the coming week (week 3), look for a few new series to gain from this week, that is a sign of a show that will return. I think Better With You and Mike & Molly have the best chance of going up this week. Maybe No Ordinary Family, too, but look for drops to continue for shows like Chase, Shat My Dad Says, Undercovers and Whole Truth.

Week 2 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week 1 -- September 20-26)

  • The Simpsons (Fox) 3 episodes - Two repeats starting at 7pm did 4.16 and 5.26 million, but the former didn't start nationally until 7:23 due to NFL action in other markets. The season premiere at 8pm did solid with 7.82 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating.
  • The Cleveland Show (Fox) - The season premiere did 6.61 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, good but seems down from normal.
  • Family Guy (Fox) 2 episodes - Fox aired a one-hour season premiere doing 9.13 million and a 4.5 18-49 rating, great but also down from last season's premiere.
  • American Dad! (Fox) - preempted.

Monday Sitcoms

  • How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - A new episode did 9.0 million and a 3.9 18-49 rating. Great and also up from the season premiere the previous week.
  • Rules of Engagement (CBS) - 8.15 million for a new episode is a it below previous week, but the 3.2 18-49 rating is up a tick from previous week. Maybe people are used to having this in mid-season only.
  • Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 13.91 million for a new episode is down from week-to-week and its 4.8 18-49 rating was down a tick as well but still excellent and quietly does very well.
  • Mike & Molly (CBS) - 11.12 million for a new episode is down over a million from the series premiere the previous week, but still solid. 18-49 rating of 3.7 was off a few tenths but also nothing to worry about still. We were mentioned in the promo this week! Our quote was in the promo!


Tuesday Sitcoms

  • Raising Hope (Fox) - An all-new episode aired after Glee, which did a series best 5.9 18-49 rating, so this show should have went up a bit, too. But it didn't. It did a decent 7.08 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, it maintained the premiere numbers but the lead-in was up. Jury is still out on this show.
  • Running Wilde (Fox) - This show is not doing well. A new episode did 4.47 million, down over a million from the premiere and a 1.9 18-49 rating, which is down half a point from previous week. Not good folks!

Wednesday Sitcoms
  • The Middle (ABC) - A new episode at 8pm did good with 8.35 million and a solid 2.5 18-49 rating. Nice numbers, but down some from previous week.
  • Better with You (ABC) - The new comedy did 6.99 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating. Not much of a drop, but it needs to go up this week.
  • Modern Family (ABC) - A new episode did a great 11.92 million and a 4.6 18-49 rating. This entire night on all networks was strange, especially CBS and ABC, with viewership not much down but 18-49 was down by more.
  • Cougar Town (ABC) - A new episode did 6.97 million, down the most of this block from previous week and a 2.8 18-49 rating, solid, but could be better.

Thursday Sitcoms

  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A new episode did a solid 13.06 million, off a million from previous week and a 4.4 18-49 rating, down a half point from previous week. Modern Family continues to be the top sitcom in 18-49 after two weeks. But the 8pm slot is hurting Bang. I predicted it would be 3.8-4.3 in general, so it should be in that range soon.
  • S#*! My Dad Says (CBS) - Following the big lead-in again, a new episode did 10.43 million, down 2 million from premiere and a 3.3 18-49 rating. Concerning but still solid. Wait and see approach with this show, especially after bad reviews for both episodes so far.
  • Community (NBC) - A new episode only did 4.53 million and 1.9 A18-49 rating. Down from previous week.
  • 30 Rock (NBC) - A new episode at 8:30 did 5.68 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, relatively the same from previous week, which is a good sign.
  • The Office (NBC) - A new episode did 7.36 million, down over a million from previous week and a 3.7 18-49 rating. It already went below a 4, as last week I said it would take a few weeks, but that was fast. Not good, but still the best anything NBC has to offer minus NFL.
  • Outsourced (NBC) - A new episode dropped close to two million doing 5.85 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating. Still hard to judge this show's ratings, it will take a few weeks, but it is doing better than I thought it would. Still it is more bad than good.

Friday Sitcoms

  • Modern Family (ABC) - A special encore of this week's episode did OK for a repeat with a prelim 3.98 million and a prelim 1.0 18-49 rating in a weak 8pm slot. It shouldn't be repeating anymore on Fridays as they only have 3 plays per episode. It's not worth it.
  • The Middle (ABC) - A repeat of the season premiere did prelim 3.18 million and a prelim 0.8 A18-49 rating at 8:30.

Saturday Sitcoms

  • None.

Airing tonight (Sunday) are Fox's animated comedies from 8-10PM.

Summing it up. Modern Family, Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, The Office, How I Met Your Mother, Mike & Molly were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as The Middle, Raising Hope, Cougar Town, Outsourced) or just plain old terrible (such as Running Wilde, Community).


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Wednesday, October 9

Abbott Elementary - "Back to School" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
The neighboring construction site of a new golf course is causing issues at Abbott, forcing the teachers to find creative solutions. An HR representative visits the school. Following their kiss, Janine and Gregory’s relationship status is revealed.

Everybody Still Hates Chris - "Everybody Still Hates Cheat Codes" (Comedy Central, 10:00PM ET/PT)
Chris debates using a cheat code to win a free Nintendo.

Everybody Still Hates Chris - "Everybody Still Hates Halloween" (Comedy Central, 10:30PM ET/PT)
Chris spends Halloween at a church event, hoping to hook up with Tasha.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 7)

Wednesday, October 9

  • Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary) - Watch Quinta on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC. She also talks about the new season of Abbott Elementary on Sherri, so check your local listings.
  • Henry Winkler (Barry/Arrested Development/Out of Practice/Monty/Happy Days) - Henry appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Rachel Sennott (Call Your Mother) - Rachel is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Eric Idle (Suddenly Susan/Nearly Departed) - Eric stops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Michael Keaton (Report to Murphy/Working Stiffs/All's Fair) - E! News has an interview with Michael at 11pm on E!.
  • Ali Wong (Big Mouth/American Housewife/Are You There, Chelsea?) - NBC's Today catches up with Ali in the 10am hour.
  • Rita Wilson (Girls) - Rita stops by to talk about her new album on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your listings.
  • Goldie Hawn (Good Morning World) - Goldie appears on ABC's Good Morning America some time between 7-9am.
  • Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary/Fam/Instant Mom/Moesha/It's a Living) - Sheryl Lee talks about Abbott Elementary on ABC's Good Morning America some time between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm. She chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Josh Gad (Wolf Like Me/Avenue 5/The Comedians/1600 Penn/Back to You) - Josh talks about his new children's book PictureFace Lizzy and fatherhood on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Jessica St. Clair (Avenue 5/Playing House/Best Friends Forever/In the Motherhood) - Jessica is sharing her breast cancer experience with Drew and Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz is talking about breast cancer diagnoses on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Abigail Spencer (Extended Family/Burning Love) - Abigail discusses her television series Shatter Belt on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
  • Kim Matula (LA to Vegas) - Kim is a guest on PIX 11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:39am.
  • Lea Thompson (Caroline in the City) - Lea appears on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:05am.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

The Ropers - The Complete Series Friends - The Complete Series (4K Ultra HD) Young Sheldon - The Complete Series Veep - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

09/10 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Seasons 1-7
09/10 - The Ropers - The Complete Series (VEI)
09/10 - Ted - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/17 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - Video Scrapbook
09/17 - Top Cat - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
09/24 - Friends - The Complete Series (4K Ultra HD)
09/24 - Young Sheldon - The Complete Seventh Season (DVD) / The Complete Series (DVD) (Blu-ray)
10/08 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Twelfth Season / The Complete Series
10/22 - Veep - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/05 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/19 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fourteenth Season
02/04 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (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

10/09 - HBO's Seth Meyers Special Debuts October 26; New Late Night Comedy Series Focuses on Crazy Florida
10/08 - Somebody Somewhere Returns for Final Season; Virgin River Season 6 Drops for Holiday Season
10/07 - Vice TV Announces Black Comedy in America Series; Netflix Stars Team Up for Netflix Movie
10/06 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 7, 2024)
10/05 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Netflix Cancels That '90s Show; Who's the Boss? Reboot Not Moving Forward at Freevee
10/04 - Family Guy Halloween Special: Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Cheater; What We Do in the Shadows Returns for Final Season
10/03 - Jack Whitehall Holiday Comedy Special; Leighton Meester Joins Apple TV+ Series
10/02 - The Franchise Launches Sunday on HBO; Remembering John Amos of Good Times
10/01 - No Good Deed Premieres in December on Netflix; SNL Season 50 Opens Strong
09/30 - TV One Acquires black-ish; Whitney Cummings to Host Friends Game Show Event
09/29 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 30, 2024)
09/28 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Kathy Bates Matlock Premiere Brings Solid Ratings; Whitney Cummings to Host Friends-themed Game Show
09/27 - Apple TV+ Shrinking Season 2; FETV Highway Patrol 10-4 Day Marathon
09/26 - Max's Velma Halloween Special; Apple TV+ Peanuts Holiday Specials This Holiday Season
09/25 - AXS TV Acquires Nashville; MGM+ Rebooting Robin Hood
09/24 - Trailer and Guest Voices for Everybody Still Hates Chris; The Lincoln Lawyer Returns October 17 on Netflix
09/23 - Laff Fall 2024 Schedule with The Conners and Bob ♥ Abishola; CBS' Comfy Blue Sofa Tour
09/22 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 23, 2024)
09/21 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Abbott Elementary Cast Gets Major Pay Raise; Saturday Night Live Season 50 Hosts Announced
09/20 - Sabrina Carpenter Gets Netflix Holiday Special; Starz Announces Dark Comedy Series
09/19 - The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh Drops October 17 on Prime Video; Ellen's Final Comedy Special
09/18 - Australian The Office Coming to Prime Video; You're Laughing at CBS
09/17 - 76th Primetime Emmy Award Winners; Emmys Draw Largest Audience in 3 Years
09/16 - George Lopez Gets Prime Video Special; Netflix Orders His & Hers
09/15 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 16, 2024)
09/14 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Tim Meadows to Star in New Sitcom DMV; Casting for The Office Followup Series
09/13 - ALF Anniversary Marathon on Shout! TV; HBO Orders Tim Robinson Comedy
09/12 - MeTV Halloween 2024 Events; CBS' Nate Bargatze Holiday Special
09/11 - HBO Orders Rachel Sennott Comedy to Series; Jaleel White Hosts New Game Show Flip Side
09/10 - CBS Fall 2024 Preview Special; The Franchise Premieres October 6 on HBO
09/09 - Lifetime Orders Christmas in the Spotlight; Hulu Sets Murdaugh Murders Series