SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

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

Week 29 (April 4-10) Analysis: Week 29 saw a new comedy debut for Fox called Breaking In out of a new American Idol on Wednesday but saw mixed results. We don't have final network averages for the first four nights again but we can project CBS is winning in HH/viewers and Fox in 18-49. ABC and Fox are battling for second in HH/viewers, while CBS is in second in 18-49 over ABC. NBC is way back in fourth across the board. Fox should win the week in 18-49 and CBS will win the week in HH/viewers. ABC will be lower than usual with Thursday being repeats and no Desperate Housewives tonight. Last week, week 28 had CBS win the week across the board thanks to the NCAA Final Four on Saturday. ABC was second in HH/viewers for the week, while Fox was second in 18-49. ABC was third in 18-49, while Fox was third in HH/viewers. And of course NBC was in a distant fourth place.

Monday saw ABC and CBS battle. ABC started with a new Dancing with the Stars doing 21.83 million and a 4.7 18-49 rating, down some from previous week, as it faced NCAA. At 10pm ABC aired Castle and did 11.45 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, down some from previous week's season high. CBS preempted its comedies and Hawaii Five-0 for the NCAA Basketball Championship Game. How I Met Your Mother, Mad Love, Two and a Half Men, Mike & Molly and Hawaii Five-0 return tomorrow. Before the game, CBS aired repeats of Big Bang Theory and Rules of Engagement on special nights and did decent with 7.3 million/2.2 18-49 and 5.74 million/1.9 18-49. The game did 20.06 million and a 7.1 18-49 rating overall from 9pm-11:36pm ET, down a full 18-49 rating point from last year. Fox was in repeats with House doing 4.47 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, down from previous week. A repeat of Chicago Code followed at 9pm with 3.87 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, up a tenth actually from previous week. NBC started with a repeat of Chuck doing just 2.41 million and only a 0.6 18-49 rating. The Event was next and new but did just 4.14 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, which was actually up a tenth. At 10pm, a new Harry's Law did 7.75 million but just a 1.4 18-49 rating for a series low. The CW was in repeats with 90210 doing only 730,000 viewers and a 0.3 18-49 rating, which was on par with previous week. Gossip Girl followed and was even worse with a repeat doing 670,000 viewers and a 0.3 18-49 rating, up a tenth week-to-week.

Tuesday had CBS edge out ABC this week for the win. CBS started with a new NCIS and did 19.39 million and a 3.8 18-49 rating which is up in viewers but down a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. NCIS: Los Angeles followed with a repeat and did 12.66 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, which is above average for a repeat thanks to a new lead-in. The Good Wife was new and did 10.82 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, up some from previous week's series lows. For ABC, No Ordinary Family was all-new with its superb season finale doing an improved 5.74 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating. I think it should come back on Fridays, but chances are low. At 9, Dancing with the Stars: The Results did great with 16.09 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, but down a lot from previous week's premiere. At 10pm, week two of Body of Proof won its hour with 11.15 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating. I think ABC has something here. Fox started off with a repeat of Glee and did 3.88 million and a 1.3 18-49, which is down some from previous week. Next Fox aired a repeat of comedy, Raising Hope and did only 2.86 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, down some week-to-week. New comedy Traffic Light was next and as a repeat too and did only 1.9 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating only. NBC aired a two-hour The Biggest Loser doing 7.57 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, which was up a tad from previous week. Then at 10pm, Parenthood was new and did 4.76 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. At least it is consistent. The CW was in repeats with One Tree Hill doing 660,000 viewers and a 0.2 18-49 rating, down a tad week-to-week. Next at 9pm was a repeat of Hellcats and that did 680,000 viewers and a 0.3 18-49 rating, the same as previous week's repeat.

Wednesday it was Fox on top with American Idol carrying it. A 90-minute Idol did 23.13 million and a 7.3 18-49 rating, down some from previous week when it was 2-hours. The 90-minute telecast was followed by the series premiere of promising new comedy Breaking In that did 9.82 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating. Better than the recent comedy numbers out of Idol, but it needs to continue this. I think this sitcom would be better off on Sunday with the animated comedies since it is similar to that audience. CBS started the night off with Survivor: Redemption Island doing 10.94 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, which was down some in viewers but up a tenth in 18-49 from previous week. Veteran drama Criminal Minds was next with a new episode doing 14.08 million and a 3.6 18-49 rating, both up some from previous week. At 10pm, a new Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior did 9.12 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, down some from previous week. I think this is one of the most disappointing new series in terms of ratings this year. ABC had its Laugh On comedy block and had a repeat of The Middle open the night with 4.73 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. Then at 8:30, Better With You was preempted again for another repeat of The Middle doing 4.38 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, down some week-to-week. Then ABC aired a repeat of Modern Family at 9pm doing 5.43 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. Then at 9:30, Mr. Sunshine was new with 4.66 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating for its season finale, up some from previous week, so a positive there. Look for Happy Endings in this slot as a special series premiere this week then Cougar Town will return with a special airing on Monday, April 18, and then return to Wednesdays at 9:30 starting April 20. The return of the cul-de-sac crew! At 10pm, the season finale of Off the Map aired and did 3.8 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, no bump from previous week. I don't think it is likely to return. NBC aired a new Minute to Win It and did only 3.27 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, tying a series low. Then a repeat of Law & Order: SVU did 3.73 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, while a new episode at 10pm did 8.29 million and a time period winning 2.4 18-49 rating, but down a tenth from previous week. The CW had a new America's Next Top Model starting it off at 8pm doing a low 1.89 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating, which was on par with previous week. This show is getting killed by Fox and CBS' reality series, so it will move to 9pm on April 20. At 9pm, new reality series Shedding for the Wedding did only 840,000 viewers and a 0.3 18-49 rating, for a series low.

Thursday saw Fox win the night for the second night in a row, as Idol carried it. But first, ABC opened the night with a repeat of Winter episode of Wipeout doing a solid 5.01 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating. Then Grey's Anatomy was a repeat at 9pm doing 4.09 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, looks up from normal repeat levels though. A repeat of Private Practice at 10 closed the night with 2.44 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating, looks normal for a repeat.These two dramas return on April 28, while Wipeout is new this week. CBS aired its regular line-up as The Big Bang Theory at 8pm did a solid 11.4 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating, basically on par with previous week. Rules of Engagement was next with 8.69 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, up some from previous week. At 9, CSI did 13.06 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, on par really with previous week. And at 10pm The Mentalist was new too and jumped to 15.17 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, which was up some from previous week. Onto Fox, it was all American Idol as an one-hour airing did 21.54 million and a 6.4 18-49 rating, down some from previous week. Fox then followed with a new Bones at 9pm doing 10.58 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, lower than previous week's special airing of Mobbed. This show should not be airing after Idol, as it is already established and has its own audience. NBC comedies were almost in all repeats again. Community started it off with a repeat doing only 2.24 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating, down a tenth week-to-week. Then the canceled Perfect Couples was new for one last time (thankfully) and did only 2.23 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. The Office was a repeat and did 3.59 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, which is up some from previous week. I wonder if this show will go close to a 4 or better when Carrell leaves? Parks and Recreation was next with a repeat doing 2.88 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, up some from previous week. 30 Rock followed at 10 with a repeat episode doing just 2.67 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, but also up some from previous week. And the likely doomed Outsourced was all-new doing 2.97 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating. NBC doesn't need this one either. The CW was next with the return of all-new episode finally of Vampire Diaries doing 2.73 million and only a 1.2 18-49 rating, way below normal. Then a new Nikita did 1.82 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating, also below normal. Too many repeats in a row can do this.

Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available as usual, but Friday had ABC win the night by a tenth in 18-49. Chaos bombed even more on CBS at 8pm, while Shark Tank does decent for ABC. Fringe was a repeat again on Fox. Saturday had Fox win with NASCAR coverage almost doubling second place ABC in 18-49.

Tonight ABC starts with a repeat of AFV, then the season finale of Secret Millionaire, and a two-hour episode of Brothers & Sisters, as Desperate will return next week and will be all-new for the rest of the season. NBC has a new episode of ratings challenged America's Next Great Restaurant & another two-hour Celebrity Apprentice, all starting at 8 following Dateline at 7. CBS has a new 60 Minutes, followed by The Amazing Race at 8 and Undercover Boss & CSI: Miami from 9-11pm. Fox is all-new with Animation Domination starting at 7:30pm.

As for the week (week 29), Fox will likely win the week in 18-49 but CBS should have enough to win HH/viewers. ABC will likely battle Fox for second in HH/viewers. NBC is the only certain one at fourth place. And for the coming week (week 30), has three premieres: season premiere of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution on ABC Tuesday, new comedy Happy Endings on ABC Wednesday and NBC's late scheduling of new comedy The Paul Reiser Show on NBC Thursday. The latter will probably be the lowest one in the ratings.

Week 29 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week 28 -- March 28-April 3)

• American Dad! (Fox) - A new episode did 3.58 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating at 7:30pm, which was on par with previous week when it was a repeat in this slot.
  
• The Simpsons (Fox) 2 episodes - A repeat at 8pm did 4.52 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating. Earlier, a repeat at 7pm did 2.79 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, lower than the previous week.
• Bob's Burgers (Fox) - A repeat did 3.79 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, and it has been renewed for a season two despite OK showings.
• Family Guy (Fox) - A repeat did 4.74 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, which is down quite a bit from previous week's repeat.
• The Cleveland Show (Fox) - A new episode airing out of a repeat did 4.81 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating. Held steady from the lead-in, but season lows.

Monday Sitcoms

• How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - preempted for NCAA Championship.
• Mad Love (CBS) - preempted for NCAA Championship.
• Two and a Half Men (CBS) - preempted for NCAA Championship.
  
• Mike & Molly (CBS) - preempted for NCAA Championship.
• The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A special repeat at 8pm on a special night did 7.3 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating...which is good.
• Rules of Engagement (CBS) - A special repeat at 8:30pm on a special night did 5.74 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating.
  

Tuesday Sitcoms

• Raising Hope (Fox) - A repeat only did 2.86 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, down from previous week's repeat again.
• Traffic Light (Fox) - A repeat did only 1.9 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating. This show should never repeat.
  

• The Middle (ABC) 2 airings - A repeat of this sitcom did 4.73 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, off a lick from previous week. Then a repeat at a special time of 8:30pm did 4.38 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating... down from previous week.
• Better with You (ABC) - preempted, returns THIS WEDNESDAY.
• Modern Family (ABC) - A repeat did 5.43 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, just a tenth off from previous week.
• Mr. Sunshine (ABC) - The last scheduled episode of the season did 4.66 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, which was up from previous week. This show will have a good chance of a pick-up I think, despite airing out of repeats for 4 of its 9 airings. There are 4 more episodes left, but they will likely be held for next season, should it return.
• Breaking In (Fox) - The new comedy aired following American Idol and didn't hold too much, but better than most comedies out of the juggernaut doing 9.82 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating. If it did that on its own or with a lesser lead-in, that would be impressive...for now it is OK. Needs to hold here or even build this week.
  

Thursday Sitcoms

• The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A new episode did a good 11.4 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating, basically on par with previous week.
• Rules of Engagement (CBS) - A new episode did 8.69 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, up some from previous week despite its lead-in being steady. Impressive for this week, I guess.
• Community (NBC) - A repeat did only 2.24 million and 0.9 18-49 rating, on par with previous week.
• Perfect Couples (NBC) - A new episode did only 2.23 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. That was the finale and you'll never see this show again, unless the final two are burned-off.
• The Office (NBC) - A repeat did 3.59 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, the best of the NBC block and up a bit from previous week.
  
• Parks and Recreation (NBC) - A repeat did 2.88 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, also up some from previous week.
• 30 Rock (NBC) - A repeat at 10pm did just 2.67 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, but up some from previous week.
• Outsourced (NBC) - An all-new episode did 2.97 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, building from the repeat lead-in, but still very low.

Friday Sitcoms

• None.

Saturday Sitcoms

• None.

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

Summing it up. The Big Bang Theory (new & R), Rules of Engagement, Modern Family (R) were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as Breaking In, Rules of Engagement (R)) or just plain old terrible (such as Perfect Couples, Outsourced).