SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

Households: #1. CBS 8.0/13.1 rating/share; #2. ABC 6.7/10.9; #3. Fox 5.3/8.6; #4. NBC 3.9/6.3; #5. The CW 1.3/2.0.
Total Viewers: #1. CBS 13.07 million; #2. ABC 10.47 million; #3. Fox 8.63 million; #4. NBC 6.08 million; #5. The CW 2.04 million.
Adults 18-49: #1. CBS 3.4/9.4 rating/share; #2. Fox 2.8/8.0; #3. ABC 2.8/7.7; #4. NBC 2.1/5.9; #5. The CW 0.9/2.5.

Week 5 (Oct. 18-24) Analysis: So far for week 5 everyone is on par really from previous week, but Fox is up some thanks to baseball. Through the first four days, CBS has the lead in all categories still, with ABC second everywhere and tied with Fox in 18-49 for second, Fox is in third in HH/viewers, but tied with ABC in 18-49 for second, while NBC is back in the familiar fourth with no NFL yet. This could change like usual after tonight, due to NFL overrun on CBS tonight and the second Farve Bowl on NBC as the Vikings take on the Packers. It's too bad sporting events decide who wins the week. ABC should hang on to second in HH/total viewers, though, but will have to battle both sports-fueled NBC and Fox in 18-49. Even CBS might not be first this week in 18-49. Last week, week 4, had CBS in first in all categories once again for the fourth straight week. ABC was second in HH/viewers but a close fourth in 18-49. Fox was third in HH/viewers but second in 18-49 and only .1 behind CBS. NBC as fourth in HH/viewers and third in 18-49. The difference from 1st to 4th in 18-49 was only .3 (2.7 to 2.4), the closest all season.

Monday still has ABC on top, like all season. A two-hour Dancing with the Stars won the total viewer race with 19.33 million and a 4.0 18-49 rating, on par really from previous week, though it was preempted in Nashville for Monday Night Football simulcast. The same thing happened to an all-new Castle which still did a solid 10.95 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, up some in viewers but down a bit in 18-49 from the previous week. Next up was CBS with its comedies and the new Hawaii Five-0. At 8pm, How I Met Your Mother started it off with 8.05 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, down some from previous week's numbers and at season lows. At 8:30, Rules of Engagement did 7.86 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, down a bit in viewers and in 18-49 from the previous week. Two and a Half Men followed with 13.54 million and a 4.4 18-49 rating, roughly the same as previous week. At 9:30, Mike & Molly did 10.9 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating, grew a lick in viewers from previous week but the same 18-49 rating as previous week. A new Hawaii Five-0 was next and did 10.94 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, up a bit in viewers for the first time ever, but still dropping in 18-49 from previous week, as Castle nipped it in total viewers for the first time. Say what you will about Five-0, but it is certainly not a blockbuster CBS hoped for. Fox was next with House doing only 9.65 million and a 3.6 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. What is wrong with this show in live+same day numbers? A new showing of Lie To Me followed and dropped to 5.62 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, also on par with previous week. NBC followed with the should have been canceled Chuck doing only at 5.23 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, on par with previous week again--at least it is consistent. The new series The Event isn't consistent. It dropped a bit again in total viewers at 6.42 million but the 18-49 rating for the first time didn't, staying at a 2.2 18-49 rating, still lower than Heroes numbers from the same week last year. A new Chase was next and did only 5.18 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, up some from previous week. Believe it or not it was renewed for a full season. Did NBC not learn from Trauma or Mercy? The CW was in repeats, with 90210 doing 1.11 million and Gossip Girl at 870,000 viewers.

Tuesday had CBS ruling with no new Glee on Fox. CBS had the always reliable NCIS opening the night off with 19.41 million and a 4.3 18-49 rating, up from previous week. Amazing it wet up .4 in 18-49 week-to-week. A new episode of NCIS: Los Angeles was next and did 16.0 million and 3.9 18-49 rating, like the lead-in, up .4 in 18-49 from previous week. And finally CBS had a new The Good Wife and did 12.17 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, both up some from previous week. ABC was next as a new No Ordinary Family was leading the night off doing 7.41 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating. It was off a bit from previous week, that's disappointing since Glee was a repeat. This coming week's earthquake episode is to be not missed! The live Dancing with the Stars Results Show followed at 9pm and did 15.53 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, down from previous week, as we said goodbye to Florence Henderson. She was not the one who should have been gone, though. A new episode of the gritty Detroit 1-8-7 followed and did 7.94 million and only a 1.8 18-49 rating, BUT up a million from previous week, and a tenth in 18-49. That's good at least. Fox was in repeats as Glee did 5.68 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating...good repeat ratings. Next were the two sitcoms, a repeat of Raising Hope and an all-new Running Wilde doing 4.28 million and 2.92 million and also a 1.6 and 1.1 18-49 rating. The latter is clearly not coming back. NBC was next with The Biggest Loser 2-hour episode doing 7.08 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, on par from previous week, followed by an all-new Parenthood at just 4.87 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, up some in viewers but down a tenth in 18-49 week-to-week. There are just too many options on Tuesdays, and people are watching the DVRed shows from earlier in the night at 10pm and saving the 10pm shows for the next night or so, as I keep saying. The CW aired One Tree Hill with just 1.89 million, on par really from previous week, followed by an even worse Life UneXpected at just 1.48 million, down some week-to-week.

Wednesday again it was CBS on top, with Fox and ABC close by in 18-49. CBS started the night off on top with week two of Survivor: Nicaragua at 12.26 million and a 3.6 18-49 rating, both down some from previous week. Veteran drama Criminal Minds did 14.46 million and a 3.7 A18-49 rating, both up some from previous week. At 10pm, The Defenders aired and did 10.03 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, on par in viewers but down two tenths in 18-49 from previous week. ABC started off with its Laugh On comedy block with The Middle doing a solid 8.54 million and 2.6 18-49 rating, both up from previous week. The new sitcom Better With You was next and did 6.83 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, up in viewers from previous week, but the same 18-49, that needs to be a bit better. The mammoth Modern Family was next and did 11.97 million and a 4.7 18-49 rating, up some with previous week in viewers but down (only) a tenth in 18-49. A new episode of Cougar Town did 7.38 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, up from previous week again in viewers but down (only) a tenth in 18-49. At 10pm The Whole Truth returned and did 4.45 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, on par with its previous episode, but down from previous week's A Special Edition of 20/20: Miracle at the Mine which did much better. NBC opened the night with disappointing Undercovers doing 5.9 million and only a 1.5 18-49 rating, on par from previous week. At 9, Law & Order: SVU was next doing 8.74 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, up from previous week. A new episode of Law & Order: Los Angeles was next and did 8.12 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, sharply up from previous week. Weird. Fox preempted Hell's Kitchen but didn't miss a beat with Game 4 of the MLB NLCS doing 9.21 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating in primetime. The CW had its usual showing of Top Model at 3.0 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, and a repeat episode of Hellcats followed with 1.53 million.

Thursday it was Fox on top in 18-49 thanks to a nice showing from the MLB NLCS Game 5. But first, ABC opened the night with a previous week repeat of Grey's Anatomy doing 4.27 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, both up some from previous week's encore. Then the all-new Grey's Anatomy followed with 10.97 million and a 4.0 A18-49 rating, both down from previous week...not sure why? A new episode of Private Practice was next doing 7.66 million and a 2.7 18-48 rating, also down from previous week but not as much. CBS opened with The Big Bang Theory at 13.05 million and a 4.1 A18-49 rating, up in viewers but down a few tenths in 18-49 from previous week. The new comedy (or lack of comedy) $#*! My Dad Says followed with 10.9 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating. Up in viewers and down a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. A new CSI followed and did 14.96 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating, both up from previous week. Weird since it was up against MLB and everything else has been down. A new episode of The Mentalist did 14.42 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, both down from previous week. Fox preempted Bones and Fringe for coverage of MLB NLCS Game #5 doing 11.37 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating in primetime, vastly improving Fox Thursday. NBC was in the familiar fourth place with Community doing just 4.46 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, both down from previous week, followed by 30 Rock at only 5.18 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, down big from previous week's LIVE episode. At 9pm The Office jumped to 6.87 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating, but down from previous week. A new Outsourced closed the comedy block with 4.95 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, down from previous week. At 10, The Apprentice closed the night with only 3.58 million and a 1.3 18-49...just plain bad, but on par with previous week. The CW's big gun Vampire Diaries did great with 3.62 million and a season high 1.7 18-49 rating, followed by Nikita at 2.81 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating. The latter is not too high in 18-49.

Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but CBS won a quiet Friday with their dramas with CSI: NY on top of the night. Fox's Good Guys and NBC's School Pride did terrible again. ABC had a decent showing from 20/20 at 10, killing NBC's Dateline from 9-11.
Saturday numbers had Fox win with MLB NLCS Game #6 and ABC's Saturday Night College Football coverage did well. Everything else was repeats and low or a burn-off (Outlaw).

Tonight are new episodes for ABC Sunday (AFV, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Desperate Housewives, and Brothers & Sisters). NBC should do better than normal tonight with the Packers/Vikings NLF game. CBS has its normal Sunday line-up, which includes Undercover Boss, but there will be a NFL overrun to boost everything. Fox's animation block is in repeats because there is no MLB NLCS Game #7. Look for all four nets to do well, minus Fox since they are repeats.

As for the week (week 5), CBS will win in HH, viewers and maybe 18-49, I say maybe because yes they have an NFL ovrrun but sporting events on Fox and NBC might help them move past CBS or close to them. ABC will remain second in HH/viewers, but Fox or even NBC could take second in 18-49 again with sports. Fox and NBC will battle for third in HH/viewers, depending on how big the NBC NFL game is tonight. As for the coming week (week 6), we look for more consistency and November sweeps starts on Thursday. Boy that was fast! It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is airing on both Thursday and Friday at 8 on ABC. It's so good you have to watch twice.

Week 5 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week 4 -- Oct. 11-17)

• The Simpsons (Fox) - preempted for MLB NLCS Game 2.
• The Cleveland Show (Fox) - preempted for MLB NLCS Game 2.
• Family Guy (Fox) - preempted for MLB NLCS Game 2.
• American Dad! (Fox) - preempted for MLB NLCS Game 2.
  

Monday Sitcoms

• How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - A new episode did 8.05 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, down some from the previous week for season lows.
• Rules of Engagement (CBS) - 7.86 million for a new episode is a bit down from previous week, as is the 2.9 18-49 rating. Both are season lows.
• Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 13.54 million for a new episode is on par really week-to-week but its 4.4 18-49 rating was down a tenth from previous week.
• Mike & Molly (CBS) - 10.9 million for a new episode is up a bit from the previous week. 18-49 rating of 3.5 was on par with previous week. Not too bad, though it tied series lows in 18-49.

Tuesday Sitcoms

• Raising Hope (Fox) - A repeat did 4.28 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating. Can't really judge since it was a repeat following a Glee repeat, but the test is this week with two new episodes in the 9pm hour.
• Running Wilde (Fox) - This show is on cancelation watch. A new episode did only 2.92 million, down again from previous week and a 1.1 18-49 rating, is just terrible. It is being preempted this week. Have we see the last of this?
  

• The Middle (ABC) - A new episode at 8pm did good with 8.54 million and a solid 2.6 18-49 rating. Nice numbers, up from previous week again. Good episode, too!
• Better with You (ABC) - The new comedy did 6.83 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating. Up some in viewers but the same 18-49 rating from previous week. It needs to be a bit better. Not much is expected from it anyway.
• Modern Family (ABC) - A new episode did a great 11.97 million and a 4.7 18-49 rating. Up some in viewers with the previous week but down a tenth in 18-49. Still the sitcom leader in 18-49 this week! And scripted TV as well.
• Cougar Town (ABC) - A new episode did 7.38 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, up again from previous week in viewers but down a tenth in 18-49. This show is consistent. This is why I think if it moves to 10pm or even 8:30pm, it should retain most, if not all, of its ratings.
  

Thursday Sitcoms

• The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A new episode did a solid 13.05 million, up some from previous week and a 4.1 18-49 rating, down some from previous week. Skewed older this week?
• S#*! My Dad Says (CBS) - Following the big lead-in again, a new episode did 10.9 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating. Up from previous week in viewers but down a tenth in 18-49. Still good, sadly. CBS ordered six more episodes (not the full back nine).
• Community (NBC) - A new episode only did 4.46 million and 1.9 A18-49 rating, as that is down from previous week.
• 30 Rock (NBC) - A new episode at 8:30 did 5.18 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, Down big from previous week's LIVE episode. Told you it would tumble.
• The Office (NBC) - A new episode did 6.87 million, down from previous week and a 3.4 18-49 rating, also down from previous week. It's on the fence in my "impressive" showings for the week.
• Outsourced (NBC) - A new episode dropped to series lows of 4.95 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating. Sad this was picked-up for a full season.
  

Friday Sitcoms

• None.
  

Saturday Sitcoms

• None.
  

Airing tonight (Sunday) are repeats of Fox's animated comedies from 7-10.

Summing it up. Modern Family, Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, Mike & Molly, How I Met Your Mother, $#*! My Dad Says, Cougar Town were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as Rules of Engagement, Better With You) or just plain old terrible (such as Running Wilde, Community).