SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

Households: 1. Fox 8.7/13.6 rating/share; 2. CBS 5.9/9.5; 3. ABC 4.1/6.6; 4. NBC 3.7/6.0; 5. The CW 1.2/1.9
Total Viewers: 1. Fox 15.44 million; 2. CBS 9.38 million; 3. ABC 6.39 million; 4. NBC 6.11 million; 5. The CW 1.95 million.
Adults 18-49: 1. Fox 5.4/14.5 rating/share; 2. CBS 2.1/5.8; 3. NBC 2.0/5.6; 4. ABC 2.0/5.4; 5. The CW 0.9/2.4

Week 19 (Jan. 24-30) Analysis: Week 19 is seeing Fox dominating so far as many series on CBS and ABC are in repeats. As a result of that, Idol didn't drop much in week two. Through the first four nights Fox leads the way, followed by CBS then ABC and NBC. Last week, week 18, had CBS win big thanks to the AFC Championship Game on Sunday. Fox was in second place across the board thanks to the return of Idol. ABC was third everywhere again while NBC was still stuck in fourth.

Monday saw Fox and ABC battle, with CBS in repeats. ABC started with The Bachelor doing 9.28 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, up from previous week. I think it is going to get better and better now. At 10pm ABC aired a new Castle and did 9.08 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, up from its previous new episode two weeks prior. What an episode it was! CBS was back to repeats with its comedies and Hawaii Five-0. At 8pm, a repeat of How I Met Your Mother started it off with 7.1 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, which is good but seems below average. At 8:30, a repeat of Rules of Engagement did 7.05 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, good retention. Even without DVR factored in, it was similar retention. Two and a Half Men followed with a repeat of its own doing 11.46 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, which is great for a repeat. At 9:30, Mike & Molly was a repeat too and did 9.39 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, a solid performance for a repeat. A repeat of Hawaii Five-0 at 10pm did 6.65 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, which is good but most CBS dramas do better in repeats. Could have been better because the previous night had a post-AFC airing doing well. Fox was all-new starting with House doing 10.45 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating, up some from previous week. A new episode of Lie To Me followed at 9pm with 7.67 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, up A LOT from previous week. Good job, but is it fool's gold? NBC started its night with a new Chuck doing 6.06 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, which is down a few tenths from previous week. At 9pm, the struggling The Cape did 5.85 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, down from previous week. At 10pm, week two of Harry's Law aired doing a solid 10.43 million but just a 2.1 18-49 rating. Majority of its audience is out of the 18-49 demo, which isn't what advertisers want. Bright spot was that it was just down a tenth from previous week. If it keeps it up, NBC will take it despite the old skew. The CW was FINALLY back with new episodes as a new 90210 did 1.69 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating, on par with its episodes from the fall. Still not too good, though, as ABC Family's Pretty Little Liars towers over it. Gossip Girl followed with a new episode doing 1.58 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating.

Tuesday had President Obama affect primetime with the annual State of the Union Address. CBS started with a repeat of NCIS and did 13.4 million but just a 2.3 18-49 rating. Given the total viewers, the 18-49 should be better. NCIS: Los Angeles and The Good Wife were preempted for The State of the Union, that doesn't count in the ratings due to no commercial breaks. CBS did have an analysis at 10:13pm doing a third place 6.95 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating. A repeat of The Big Bang Theory followed at 10:41pm ET doing 5.88 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating. For ABC, No Ordinary Family was a repeat in the 8pm hour doing 4.1 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating. However, V and Detroit 1-8-7 were preempted for the State of the Union, which doesn't count in the ratings. ABC's analysis of the speech did a second place 7.06 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating. Then a repeat of Cougar Town joined in progress did 2.49 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating. Fox again had a repeat of Glee do 4.75 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, which was similar to previous week's repeat. Next Raising Hope was preempted for the State of the Union. NBC aired an abbreviated The Biggest Loser doing 8.58 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, which was up some from previous week despite being just an hour. Then at 9pm, they aired the State of the Union, followed by an analysis from 10:12pm-10:30pm doing 7.73 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, but it dropped in the 10:30pm half-hour to 5.45 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating. Parenthood was preempted. The CW was new with One Tree Hill doing 1.89 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating. Next at 9pm was the new night of Hellcats and that did 2.15 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating, improving the hour from normal.

Wednesday had American Idol dominate with minimal drops from previous week. A two-hour airing did 25.33 million and a 9.2 18-49 rating, down a half a point from previous week. It will be interesting when everything is new (and Survivor) returns and Idol is down to an hour, to see how the show does then. CBS started the night off with dud Live to Dance doing just 4.51 million and an embarrassing 1.0 18-49 rating again. Paula Abdul is probably pissed. Veteran drama Criminal Minds was next and did 12.77 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, up some from previous week. At 10pm, the second special Wednesday airing of Blue Bloods did 12.1 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. The problem with this show is, like Harry's Law, The Good Wife, Detroit 1-8-7, the majority of the audience is not in 18-49. ABC had its Laugh On comedy block and had a repeat of The Middle open the night with a solid 6.93 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, great repeat ratings, especially against Idol. A second repeat aired instead of Better With You and did 6.58 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, which is on par with previous week's all-new Better With You. Wow. ABC aired Modern Family with a repeat at 9pm doing 7.27 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, its best repeat ratings ever, even opposite Idol. Then at 9:30, Cougar Town was the only new airing in the block and got lost in the shuffle doing only 5.03 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating. It will have to do it again this week, but this time with no Idol against it. So maybe it will go up this week. At 10pm, a new episode of new drama Off the Map aired and did 5.06 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, down some from the previous week. It is skewing young, so ABC has something here to watch, which it didn't have for The Whole Truth. NBC started off with a new Minute to Win It at 8pm doing 5.02 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, which was eaten by Idol again. After that a new episode of Chase did only 4.17 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, but it was up a few tenths actually from previous week. At 10pm, Law & Order: SVU was next but in repeat mode, doing 5.47 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating. The CW had repeats, this time with Nikita starting it off at 8pm doing 1.44 million and a 0.4 18-49 rating, similar to previous week. At 9pm a repeat of The Vampire Diaries did only 900,000 viewers and a 0.4 18-49 rating.

Thursday saw once again Fox win the night. But first, ABC opened the night with an all-new Wipeout doing 7.6 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, down two tenths from previous week but actually still solid against Idol. Then Grey's Anatomy was next but it was a repeat doing 4.54 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, off a bit from previous week. At 10pm, Private Practice was also a repeat and did 3.33 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. ABC returns with new episodes to kick-off February sweeps this Thursday. CBS opened with a repeat of The Big Bang Theory and it did 9.03 million and a 2.3 A18-49 rating, good but seems lower and older than normal. Then a new $#*! My Dad Says followed with 8.74 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, down from previous week. Looks like a step back after some consistency. Next, CSI was a repeat and did 9.56 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating. A repeat of The Mentalist did 10.11 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating. OK so onto Fox, at 8pm a new American Idol did 22.48 million and a 7.7 18-49 rating, which is down big from the previous night but only down a tenth from the previous Thursday. A new episode of Bones followed at 9pm and did 12.05 million and 3.9 18-49 rating, up from previous week with the competing CBS drama in repeat mode. NBC was all-new new with its comedies, as Community did 4.59 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. Then new comedy Perfect Couples did 3.49 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, down from previous week but not as bad I thought it would be. Maybe this week it will be killed with everything new. At 9pm The Office was new and did 7.93 million and a 4.0 18-49 rating, which is down from previous week. At 9:30pm, a new Parks and Recreation was still decent with 5.83 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, against mostly repeats though. Still with a lot of sitcoms in repeats, this show is a winner for the week. At 10, NBC started with 30 Rock doing 4.92 million and a 2.4 18-49 down some from previous week but still good for 10pm. At 10:30, Outsourced did 4.13 million and 1.9 18-49 rating, which is up a tenth from previous week, though. The CW was next with the return of Vampire Diaries doing a 3.33 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, by far the network's highest rated series... followed by a new Nikita doing 2.62 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, up from recent airings.

Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available as usual, but Friday had Fox win for the second straight week with Kitchen Nightmares and Fringe doing well for Friday in 18-49 rating. Saturday had Fox win again with its crime reality series doing a prelim a 1.7 18-49 rating, with CBS winning total viewers.

Tonight ABC has AFV, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Desperate Housewives, from 7-10pm, with the latter a repeat and Brothers & Sisters is preempted. Bieber is in the two-hour Home Edition, so maybe a spike in the ratings? NBC has the big screen movie National Treasure from 8-11 following Dateline at 7. CBS has a new 60 Minutes, followed by a Undercover Boss and a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. Fox will preempt animation for the NFL Pro Bowl, which will probably win the night even though no one cares about this game.

As for the week (week 19), Fox will win the week for sure as CBS and ABC were in repeats mainly. CBS will remain second, with ABC following and NBC in fourth. And for the coming week (week 20), has February sweeps starting on Thursday, but before that we still have a mix of new and repeats.

Week 19 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week 18 -- Jan. 17-23)

• The Simpsons (Fox) 2 episodes - A new episode at 8pm did 6.48 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, on par with previous week despite facing NFL on CBS. A repeat at 7pm did an improved 4.47 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating.
• Bob's Burgers (Fox) - Week three for this series did 4.81 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, down from previous week.
• Family Guy (Fox) - A repeat at 9pm did 5.4 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, building from the lead-in, which was new...so good job.
• American Dad (Fox) - A new episode at 7:30pm did 4.81 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, up a lot from previous week.
• The Cleveland Show (Fox) - A new showing at 9:30pm did 5.19 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, lower than previous week.

Monday Sitcoms

• How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - A repeat did 7.1 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, which is good but lower than the last few repeats. This one week new, one week repeat schedule is frustrating.
• Rules of Engagement (CBS) - 7.05 million for a repeat is solid and the 2.2 18-49 rating is good retention from the lead-in.
• Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 11.46 million for a repeat is great. A 3.0 18-49 rating is impressive as well. Sheen is now in rehab so the series has only 2 more episodes left to air because the show has just went on production hiatus.
• Mike & Molly (CBS) - 9.39 million for a repeat and a 18-49 rating of 2.6, is good and better than the usual repeat performance.

Tuesday Sitcoms

• Cougar Town (ABC) - Only 2.49 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating following the State of the Union is not good, but just filler as it was joined in progress.
• The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A special repeat following the State of the Union did 5.88 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating. Not much is expected from this, as it was just time filler.

• The Middle (ABC) 2 episodes - A repeat of this sitcom did 6.93 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, not bad for a repeat. Another repeat followed and did a similar 6.58 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, skewing younger.
• Better with You (ABC) - preempted.
• Modern Family (ABC) - A repeat did 7.27 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, which is its best ratings for a repeat. Good!
• Cougar Town (ABC) - A new episode of this series followed repeats was sure to be down and did 5.03 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, down from previous week. It skewed very young, but it should have done a bit better like a 2.2-2.4 18-49. The series is renewed anyway because of its young skew.

Thursday Sitcoms

• The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A repeat did 9.03 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, which is good but below normal it seems for repeats.
• S#*! My Dad Says (CBS) - A new showing did 8.74 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, down from previous week, but its lead-in was a repeat this time. It didn't fare as well like it did two weeks ago.
• Community (NBC) - A new episode did 4.59 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. If it can stay above a 2, NBC will take it as it skews very young.
• Perfect Couples (NBC) - A new episode did 3.49 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, which is down from previous week. Not good, as NBC was in the 2s in this timeslot all season.
• The Office (NBC) - A new episode did 7.93 million and a 4.0 18-49 rating, which is down from previous week's season high.
• Parks and Recreation (NBC) - A new showing did 5.83 million and a good 3.0 18-49 rating. Like shows like Cougar Town, it skews young.
• 30 Rock (NBC) - At 10pm, a new episode did 4.92 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, down from previous week. ABC AND CBS are new this week in the hour, so let's see if it can be in the 2.4-2.7 range still.
• Outsourced (NBC) - At 10:30pm, a new episode of this show was actually up a bit from previous week to 4.13 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, but still could be better.

Friday Sitcoms

• None.

Saturday Sitcoms

• None.

Airing tonight (Sunday) are no comedies.

Summing it up. A mix of new and repeat this week with Modern Family, Two and a Half Men, The Office, Mike & Molly, Parks and Recreation, The Big Bang Theory were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as $#*! My Dad Says, 30 Rock) or just plain old terrible (such as Cougar Town TUES-repeat, Perfect Couples).

• Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation) - Watch Amy on Conan at 11pm on TBS.
• Ed O'Neill (Modern Family/Married...with Children) - Catch Ed on the Tavis Smiley Show on PBS, so check you listings for time.
• Billy Gardell (Mike & Molly) - Watch Billy on The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
• Johnny Galecki (The Big Bang Theory/Roseanne) - Watch Johnny on LIVE! with Regis & Kelly, so check your listings.
• Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family/The Class) - Watch Jesse on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so you'll have to check listings for time and station.

• Matthew Perry (Mr. Sunshine/Friends) - See Matthew as he visits ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and later on Late Show with David Letterman at 11:35pm on CBS.
• Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation/George Lopez) - Catch Nick on Conan at 11pm on TBS.
• Lisa Kudrow (Friends/The Comeback) - Catch Lisa on LIVE! with Regis & Kelly, so check your listings and then later on HLN's The Joy Behar Show at 9pm.
• Kevin Nealon (Weeds) - Watch Kevin on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on your local affiliate.
• Suzanne Somers (Three's Company/Step by Step/She's the Sheriff) - Watch Suzanne on CBS daytime series The Talk at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
• Candace Cameron (Full House) - Watch the former child star on NBC's TODAY show sometime between 7-11am.
• Tisha Campbell-Martin (My Wife & Kids/Martin/Rita Rocks) - Catch Tisha on The Mo'nique Show on BET at 11pm.

• Matt LeBlanc (Episodes/Friends/Joey) - Watch Matt on NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno at 11:35pm.
• Jennifer Lawrence (The Bill Engvall Show) - Jennifer visits The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on NBC at 11:35pm.
• Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory) - Watch Jim on Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on CBS at 12:37am.
• Matthew Perry (Mr. Sunshine/Friends) - Watch Mr. Sunshine himself on Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Jon Stewart at 11pm.
• Mindy Kailing (The Office) - Watch Mindy on Lopez Tonight at 12am on TBS.
• Jean Smart (Samantha Who?/Designing Women) - Catch Jean, who is appearing on a recurring basis on CBS on $#*! My Dad Says, on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
• Candace Cameron (Full House) - Watch Candace on The Joy Behar Show on HLN at 9pm.

• Matt LeBlanc (Episodes/Friends/Joey) - Watch Matt on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on CBS at 12:37am.
• Lisa Kudrow (Friends/The Comeback) - Catch Lisa on Conan on TBS at 11pm.
• Mike O'Malley (Yes, Dear) - Watch Mike on Conan as well on TBS at 11pm.
• Billy Gardell (Mike & Molly) - Big Billy visits Lopez Tonight on TBS at 12 midnight.
• Jim Belushi (According to Jim) - Watch Jim on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
• Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/One Day at a Time) - Watch Valerie with her husband on The Nate Berkus Show, so check listings.

• None.

Households: 1. CBS 8.0/12.8 rating/share; 2. Fox 7.9/12.2; 3. ABC 4.1/6.6; 4. NBC 4.0/6.4; 5. The CW 0.8/1.2
Total Viewers: 1. Fox 14.04 million; 2. CBS 12.97 million; 3. ABC 6.55 million; 4. NBC 6.5 million; 5. The CW 1.22 million.
Adults 18-49: 1. Fox 4.9/13.1 rating/share; 2. CBS 3.0/8.1; 3. NBC 2.3/6.1; 4. ABC 2.1/5.6; 5. The CW 0.5/1.3

Week 18 (Jan. 17-23) Analysis: Week 17 will see NFL playoffs determine the winner, like previous week. Last week NBC had the primetime NFL game on Saturday and Fox had an overrun on Sunday, this week it was Fox with a primetime game on Saturday and CBS with an NFL overrun tonight. But for now, through the first four nights CBS has the lead in HH/viewers, with ABC in second. ABC leads the 18-49 race over CBS. NBC is in third everywhere and Fox is back in fourth. Last week, week 17, had CBS edge NFL-driven Fox for first in HH/viewers. CBS was however second in 18-49 as Fox took home the 18-49 crown thanks to the big Saturday primetime NFL playoff game. CBS had a big NFL playoff overrun on Sunday, doing 50.55 million (and a 17.4 18-49 rating) from 7pm-7:48pm, thus they secured second in 18-49 for the week. ABC was third everywhere while NBC was back in fourth as it has no more NFL.

Monday saw CBS cruise to an easy win with Fox a distant second. ABC was third for the night overall with The Bachelor doing 8.8 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, basically on par with previous week. At 10pm ABC aired a repeat of Castle and did 5.57 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating. It will be all-new tomorrow with a big episode. CBS was back to new episodes with its comedies and Hawaii Five-0. At 8pm, a new How I Met Your Mother started it off with 10.54 million and a 3.9 18-49 rating, which is excellent at 8pm these days. At 8:30, a new Rules of Engagement did 9.89 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, good but the 18-49 could have been slightly higher. Two and a Half Men followed with a new showing of its own doing 15.56 million and a 4.6 18-49 rating, which is tops overall for sitcoms in total viewers. At 9:30, Mike & Molly was new too and did 12.8 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating, a solid performance. A new showing of Hawaii Five-0 at 10pm did 10.83 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, which is good for 10pm. Fox returned House for a new episode and it came in lower than normal doing 10.52 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating. Quietly this show has fallen quite a bit, yet no one says anything in the media. A new episode of Lie To Me followed at 9pm with 5.93 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, up some from previous week. NBC started its night with a new Chuck doing 5.97 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, which is actually a season high. At 9pm, new series The Cape didn't impress with 6.22 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, declining from its lead-in even. Not good for its second episode. At 10pm, the series debut of Harry's Law aired doing a solid 11.07 million but just a 2.2 18-49 rating. That is too old and basically cancels out its total viewer performance, which doesn't really matter anyway on Madison Ave. The CW was next with a repeat of 90210 doing 960,000 total viewers and a 0.4 18-49 rating, on par from previous week in 18-49. Gossip Girl followed with a repeat registering just 700,00 viewers and a 0.3 18-49 rating, down a lick from previous week.

Tuesday had CBS win once again. CBS started with an all-new episode of NCIS and did 21.09 million and a 4.1 18-49 rating, down from previous week's series high in total viewers. NCIS: Los Angeles was next and new and did a great 17.29 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, but also down from previous week. At 10pm, The Good Wife aired and did a solid 11.43 million but only a 2.1 18-49 rating, both down from previous week. For ABC, No Ordinary Family was all-new in the 8pm hour doing 5.71 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, going up from previous week's series low. At 9pm, a new V aired doing 5.7 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, which is up a tenth from previous week. At 10, Detroit 1-8-7 was new preempted for A Special Edition of 20/20 with Diane Sawyer doing 6.13 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, which is not too good but better than Detroit the previous week. Fox again had a repeat of Glee do 4.41 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, which was off some with previous week's repeat. Next Raising Hope weas preempted for the finale of Million Dollar Money Drop again doing 5.29 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, up some from previous week. NBC did decent with The Biggest Loser doing 8.24 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, but down some from previous week. Parenthood was next and new doing 5.58 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. The CW was preempted One Tree Hill for the final two episodes of Life UneXpected that did 1.54 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating at 8pm and 1.48 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating at 9pm. Not too good.

Wednesday had the return of American Idol and it dominated despite it being down double digits from last season. The two-hour premiere did 26.23 million and a 9.7 18-49 rating. Great of course. I don't think it will be this high again though until probably the season finale, so other networks will have good chance, I think. The series should settle into 20-22 million and 6-7 18-49 rating for the rest of the season, which is still tops on TV. CBS started the night off with dud Live to Dance doing just 5.08 million and an embarrassing 1.0 18-49 rating. Veteran drama Criminal Minds was next and was on the low side with 12.02 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating. At 10pm, the first of three special Wednesday airings of Blue Bloods did 12.3 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating. That is about as good as The Defenders in 18-49 where it matters most. ABC was all-new with its Laugh On comedy block and had The Middle open the night with a solid 8.32 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, down some from its series highs the previous week. Better With You was back after being preempted the previous week, doing an OK 6.37 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, opposite Idol. ABC aired Modern Family with a new episode at 9pm doing 10.94 million and a 4.6 18-49 rating, actually up from previous week in 18-49 despite Idol. It's just too bad the next two weeks are repeats, as I think Modern would even do better. Cougar Town was also new and did 5.68 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, which is below normal for this series and was down the most of all the comedies from usual thanks to Idol. At 10pm, a new episode of new drama Off the Map aired and did 5.79 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, which is not down too much from the premiere the previous week. It skewed younger than the premiere...by a lot, too. NBC started off with a new Minute to Win It at 8pm doing 5.06 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, which was eaten by Idol. After that a new episode of Chase on its new night and time barely registered with only 4.35 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating. At 10pm, Law & Order: SVU was next and was all-new doing 6.97 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, which was down from previous week thanks to a horrendous lead-in. The CW had more repeats, this time with Nikita starting it off at 8pm doing 1.56 million and a 0.4 18-49 rating, down from previous week. At 9pm a repeat of Hellcats did only 820,000 viewers and a 0.3 18-49 rating, which was down from previous week.

Thursday saw once again Fox win the night in a rare Thursday win. But first, ABC opened the night with an all-new Wipeout doing 8.26 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, down quite a bit from previous week but still good against Idol and these numbers are on par with the summer version this past summer. Then Grey's Anatomy was next but it was a repeat doing an above average 4.72 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating. At 10pm, Private Practice was also a repeat and did 3.27 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, which isn't too good. CBS opened with a new The Big Bang Theory and it did great with 13.63 million and a 4.2 A18-49 rating, virtually unaffected against Idol, like Modern the previous night. Then a new $#*! My Dad Says followed with 10.29 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, which is on par with previous week. This series has been consistent lately, which is a good sign. Next, CSI was new and did 14.34 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, which is a bit better than lately. A new The Mentalist did 14.82 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, which seems below normal. OK so onto Fox, at 8pm a new American Idol did 22.9 million and a 7..8 18-49 rating, which is down big from the previous night but still way above anything else. It was also down big from night two last season. This is all expected, though. A new episode of Bones followed at 9pm and did 10.55 million and 3.5 18-49 rating, which good, Fox doesn't need to air this solid show here. It could be used elsewhere and do the same type of ratings. NBC was back with new episodes with its comedies, as Community did 4.73 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, its highest ratings in a while. Surprising since Idol/Bang did great. Then the timeslot premiere of new comedy Perfect Couples did 4.15 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating. It will just get worse, I think from here as the comments from those who watched were brutal. I expect about a 25% drop this week. This premiere was also already lower than what this slot usually was doing this season. At 9pm The Office was back and did a season high in in 18-49 of a 4.5 18-49 rating. It also did 8.26 million, which is not as high. At 9:30pm, the season premiere of Parks and Recreation got off to a decent start with 6.14 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating. That is good, but will it be like this the rest of the season? At 10, NBC started with 30 Rock doing 5.34 million and a 2.7 18-49. That is actually good for 10pm, but then Outsourced ruined it will only 3.95 million and 1.8 18-49 rating, for series lows. However, the 18-49 rating average for the hour came out to a 2.3, which is OK for 10pm these days. The CW was next with a repeat of Vampire Diaries doing a 1.35 million and a 0.6 18-49 rating, on par with previous week... followed by a repeat of Nikita doing 1.32 million and a 0.5 18-49 rating, also basically on par with previous week.

Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available as usual, but Friday had a rare win for Fox with the season premiere of Kitchen Nightmares and the new night for Fringe both do a prelim 1.9 18-49 rating, which is great for Friday (sadly). Oh how have times changed. Fox was a half a point better than second place ABC. Saturday had Fox win again with its crime reality series doing a prelim a 1.7 18-49 rating, as CBS and ABC were tied for a distant second place.

Tonight ABC's regular Sunday of AFV, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Desperate Housewives, and Brothers & Sisters is only new from 7-9pm, so the dramas are in repeats. NBC has the the network television premiere of the big screen movie Sex and the City from 8-11 which could do OK. CBS is the winner tonight of course with NFL AFC Championship Game from 6-10pm that will lead into a special new episode of Hawaii Five-0 on a special night. Fox has new episodes of animation from 7:30-10pm, except Family Guy is a repeat at 9pm. Look for season lows for the rest of the animated comedies.

As for the week (week 18), with the NFL playoff game tonight, CBS will take over and win the week over Idol-fueled Fox. Fox will be second across the board. ABC and NBC will battle for third. And for the coming week (week 19), is a slow week with a good mix of new and repeats. The State of the Union airs Tuesday at 9pm on all of the major networks.

Week 18 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week 17 -- Jan. 10-16)

• The Simpsons (Fox) 2 episodes - A new episode at 8pm did 6.38 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, down big from previous week where it had a HUGE direct NFL playoff overrun lead-in. Still solid, but lower than normal. A repeat at 7pm did only 2.63 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating opposite the NFL on CBS.
• Bob's Burgers (Fox) - The second episode for this series did 5.07 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, which is OK but could be better. And of course this also was down big from previous week.
• Family Guy (Fox) - A new episode at 9pm did 7.06 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating, which is solid and and built a full point from the lead-in.
• American Dad (Fox) - This series is now at 7:30pm, and a new episode didn't do too good with just 3.54 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating. Not good, but it was opposite the NFL everywhere but out west. We'll see how it does in the coming weeks without NFL in the mix.
• The Cleveland Show (Fox) - A new showing at 9:30pm did a solid 5.52 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, also could be better.

Monday Sitcoms

• How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - A new episode did 10.54 million and a 3.9 18-49 rating, which is great and nothing to complain about these days.
• Rules of Engagement (CBS) - 9.89 million for a new episode is solid as is the 3.3 18-49 rating, but it could be a bit better. In live ratings, the retention is much better as the lead-in is heavily DVRed.
• Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 15.56 million for a new episode is excellent. A 4.6 18-49 rating is normal business for this show.
• Mike & Molly (CBS) - 12.8 million for a new episode and a 18-49 rating of 3.7, is good but of course no Big Bang from last season. Still serviceable out of a big lead-in.

Tuesday Sitcoms

• Raising Hope (Fox) - preempted.
• Running Wilde (Fox) - preempted.

• The Middle (ABC) - A new episode of this sitcom did 8.32 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, down from previous week's series highs but this was facing the season premiere of American Idol.
• Better with You (ABC) - A new episode did 6.37 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, which is OK and certainly decent but it could be better.
• Modern Family (ABC) - A new episode did 10.94 million and a 4.6 18-49 rating, which is up from previous week when it was 20 minutes late (thanks to the President's speech) in all time zones but out west. Actually that is very good against Idol, which grew each half-hour.
• Cougar Town (ABC) - A new episode of this series did 5.68 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, which that may be one of its lowest ratings of the season, keep in mind it was on against the final half-hour of the Idol premiere and this series probably has the same type of audience of any of these comedies with Idol. If it can do these numbers the next week or two, it would be good, especially since the other three comedies are repeats the next two weeks.

Thursday Sitcoms

• The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A new episode did 13.63 million and a 4.2 18-49 rating, which is amazing considering Idol aired against it.
• S#*! My Dad Says (CBS) - A new showing did 10.29 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, basically on par with previous week even though Idol was on. And keep in mind, the previous week its lead-in was a repeat. It will be like that this week as well...can it do it again?
• Community (NBC) - A new episode did 4.73 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, its best ratings in a while. The question is, will it go below a 2 by this week? I have kept it off the loser list this week, as it was up and even faced new Idol/Bang.
• Perfect Couples (NBC) - The actual premiere of this show did 4.15 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, which is up from the sneak peek it had last month...BUT it is the worst performance of the season in this timeslot. And I think it will get worse.
• The Office (NBC) - A new episode did 8.26 million, which is up from recent episodes and it also did a 4.5 18-49 rating, which is a season high. Quite surprising actually it went up that much, as it was doing mid to high 3's.
• Parks and Recreation (NBC) - The return did decent with 6.14 million and a good 3.2 18-49 rating. Now that it has the exposure after a hit show...can it find an audience finally? We shall see.
• 30 Rock (NBC) - The new time was off to a decent start doing 5.34 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating. The latter especially is good at 10pm these days. Let's see if it can continue though, especially when ABC returns with new episodes for sweeps.
• Outsourced (NBC) - This was by far the worst performance of the block, as a new episode on its new night did only 3.95 million at 10:30pm and a 1.8 18-49 rating, for series lows. A second season seems far away now, but let's see if it can hold or go up in the next few weeks.

Friday Sitcoms

• None.

Saturday Sitcoms

• None.

Airing tonight (Sunday) are Fox's animated comedies from 7:30-10 with new episodes.

Summing it up. Modern Family, Two and a Half Men, The Office, The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, Mike & Molly, Rules of Engagement were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as Cougar Town, 30 Rock) or just plain old terrible (such as Outsourced, Perfect Couples).

• Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/One Day at a Time) - Watch Valerie on Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson at 12:37am on CBS and also on The Wendy Williams Show with Jane Leeves (Hot in Cleveland/Frasier) and Wendie Mallick (Hot in Cleveland/Just Shoot Me!/Big Day), so check your listings or watch on BET at 12am.
• Ed O'Neill (Modern Family/Married...with Children) - Catch Ed on the Tavis Smiley Show on PBS, so check you listings for time.
• Sarah Hyland (Modern Family) - Watch the lovely star on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your listings.

• Regina King (227) - The former sitcom star visits CBS's The Talk at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
• Joel McHale (Community) - Catch Joel on The Ellen DeGeneres Show so check your listings for time and station.

• Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation) - Watch the funny lady on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 12:06am.
• Betty White (The Golden Girls/Hot in Cleveland/Mary Tyler Moore Show) - Betty visits The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT on CBS then in late night on Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on CBS at 12:37am.
• Busy Phillips (Cougar Town) - Watch Busy on Lopez Tonight on on TBS at 12 midnight.
• Yvette Nicole Brown (Community) - Watch Yvette on ABC's The View at 11am ET/10am CT-PT on ABC.
• Jerry O'Connell (Carpoolers) - Watch the funnyman on The Rachel Ray Show, so check your local listings.

• Matt LeBlanc (Episodes/Friends/Joey) - Watch Matt on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on CBS at 12:37am.
• Jon Cryer (Two and a Half Men) - Catch Jon on Conan on TBS at 11pm.
• Kelsey Grammer (Frasier/Cheers/Back to You/Hank) - Watch Kelsey on LIVE! with Regis & Kelly so check your listings.
• Steve Harvey (The Steve Harvey Show) - Steve visits The TODAY Show on NBC so watch him sometime between 7-11am, probably 10am hour.
• Suzanne Somers (Three's Company/Step by Step/She's the Sheriff) - Watch Suzanne on The Rachel Ray Show, so check listings.

• Kelsey Grammer (Frasier/Cheers/Back to You/Hank) - Catch Kelsey on a REPEAT of Late Show with David Letterman at 11:35pm on CBS.
• Jay Mohr (Gary Unmarried) - Watch Jay on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on NBC at 11:35pm.
• Fran Drescher (The Nanny) - Catch Fran on the Oprah show so check your local listings.

• Way Black When: The '70s – hosted by Sinbad (Monday, Jan. 31-Friday, Feb. 4) – actor and pro football Hall of Famer Jim Brown; Peabody Award-winning comedian and radio personality J. Anthony Brown; comedian Don "DC" Curry; The Emotions (Best of My Love) ; former NFL great Vince Evans; actor Antonio Fargas (Huggy Bear from Starsky and Hutch); Cuba Gooding, Sr (The Main Ingredient, Everybody Plays the Fool); singer/songwriter/musician Larry Graham; comedian and activist Dick Gregory; The Hues Corporation (Rock the Boat); Grammy Award-winning and Oscar-nominated singer/musician James Ingram; groundbreaking model, actress and sportscaster Jayne Kennedy; vocalist Evelyn "Champagne" King; comedian Paul Mooney; actress Denise Nicholas (Room 222, In the Heat of the Night); Freda Payne; actor/producer, husband/wife duo Daphne and Tim Reid; actor Ernest Thomas (What's Happening!!); singer/songwriter and fashion icon Jody Watley (originally of Shalamar); and actor and martial artist Michael Jai White.
• Way Black When: The '80s – hosted by Niecy Nash (Monday, Feb. 7-Friday, Feb. 11) – R&B duo Alexander O'Neal & Cherrelle; singer/songwriter Bobby Brown; rapper and record producer Kurtis Blow; actor Todd Bridges (Diff'rent Strokes); comedian Joe Clair; actor/director Bill Duke (Sister Act 2); rap trailblazer Doug E. Fresh; recording industry executive André Harrell; Anna Maria Horsford (Amen); R&B singer and actress Miki Howard; rapper Kool Mo Dee; R&B singer Louis Price (The Temptations) and his wife, actress Fay Hauser; director/producer Michael Schultz (Cooley High); hip hop pioneer Roxanne Shante; drummer and percussionist Sheila E.; R&B star Al B. Sure; actor Taimak (The Last Dragon); actor Glynn Turman (A Different World, The Wire); and The Whispers.
• Way Black When: The '90s – hosted by Chris "Kid" Reid (Monday, Feb. 14-Friday. Feb. 18) – Tatyana Ali (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, TV One's new original sitcom, Love That Girl!); R&B group Bell Biv DeVoe; producer and former actor Carl Craig; comedian and actor Tommy Davidson; commentator and author Dr. Michael Eric Dyson; comedian Earthquake; R&B singer/songwriter Johnny Gill; singer and performer Ginuwine; actress Jasmine Guy (A Different World); comedian and actress Jackée Harry (227, Sister, Sister); R&B superstars K-Ci & JoJo (originally of Jodeci); Christopher "Play" Martin; actor Darius McCrary (Family Matters); Grammy Award-winning hip hop group Naughty By Nature; comedian and actress Ajai Sanders (A Different World); new jack swing/R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!; director, actor and comedian Robert Townsend; actor Ben Vereen; actress Lynn Whitfield; actor Malik Yoba; comedian YoYo; and from New Jack City - director Mario Van Peebles and cast members Vanessa Williams, Christopher Williams, and William Cobbs, plus New Jack Swing group Guy, who sang the title song from the groundbreaking film.
• The fourth week of Way Black When: Primetime, Monday, Feb. 21 – Friday, Feb. 25, will offer a "Best Of" week that will feature the best interviews, comedy sketches and performances of the prior three weeks, plus original, unseen material, with the Best of the '70s airing on Monday, Feb. 21; the Best of the '80s airing on Tuesday, Feb. 22; the Best of the '90s airing on Wednesday, Feb. 23; plus an all-stand-up comedy show on Thursday, Feb. 24 and an all-musical performance show on Friday, Feb. 25.