SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

Households: #1. Fox 7.1/11.2 rating/share; #2. CBS 5.9/9.4; #3. ABC 5.5/8.9; #4. NBC 3.0/4.8; #5. The CW 1.1/1.7
Total Viewers: #1. Fox 12.29 million; #2. CBS 9.39 million; #3. ABC 8.66 million; #4. NBC 4.76 million; #5. The CW 1.65 million
Adults 18-49: #1. Fox 3.9/11.0 rating/share; #2. CBS 2.2/5.9; #3. ABC 2.1/5.8; #4. NBC 1.7/4.5; #5. The CW 0.8/2.1

Week 31 (April 18-24) Analysis: Week 31 saw ratings go south due to Passover, Easter and Good Friday. Through the first four nights Fox has the lead in all categories, as CBS and ABC had some repeats mixed in. CBS is in second and ABC is in third. NBC is way back in fourth across the board. Fox should win the week in 18-49 and likely even in HH/viewers, unless there is a collapse. Last week, week 30, had CBS win the in HH/viewers, but Fox took the important 18-49 crown. ABC was second in HH but third in viewers again, while Fox was third in HH but second in viewers. ABC was second in 18-49, leaving CBS in third in 18-49. And of course NBC was in a distant fourth place.

Monday saw ABC get the win but lower than usual. ABC started with a new Dancing with the Stars but in 90-minute form rather than two-hours, as it did 20.1 million and a 4.0 18-49 rating, down some from previous week. At 9:30pm, a special airing of Cougar Town followed with 7.88 million, which is OK but only a 2.2 18-49 rating, which is below normal for this show. Proved a point that comedies work with other comedies in a block. If you keep reading, you'll see the normal Wednesday edition did better. At 10pm ABC aired a 20/20 Special on William & Kate instead of Castle and did 7.47 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, probably on par with what a Castle repeat would have done. CBS was next with its comedies and Hawaii Five-0. How I Met Your Mother started it off with another below normal 6.48 million and a season low 2.5 18-49 rating. This week was plagued by Passover and Easter, I guess, as everything was down. Mad Love was not a winner as it did 5.62 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week. Two and a Half Men was next with a repeat doing 7.44 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, just about matching its previous week's numbers at 9:30. A new Mike & Molly at 9:30pm did 9.98 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, which is up two million from previous week when it was at 9pm, but only up a tenth in 18-49. Hawaii Five-0 was all-new at 10pm and did 11.44 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, a rare series going up this week. Fox was all-new with House doing a season low 8.8 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, on par really with previous week. A new episode of Chicago Code followed at 9pm with still its normal showings of 6.38 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. NBC started with a new Chuck doing just 4.22 million and only a 1.3 18-49 rating, on par with previous week's lows. The Event was next and did terrible with 3.85 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating. Law & Order: Los Angeles did just as bad with 5.12 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, down from previous week's two-hour return. The CW was finally all-new with 90210 doing 1.72 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating and Gossip Girl followed with 1.43 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating. These two are just not working and 90210 at least needs to be axed.

Tuesday had Fox with the win in 18-49, with CBS and ABC battling overall. CBS started with a repeat of NCIS and did 13.43 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating which was old skewing. NCIS: Los Angeles followed with a repeat and did 11.23 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, growing from the lead-in. A second repeat followed instead of The Good Wife and did 9.11 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week's all-new Good Wife, ouch. For ABC the Emmy-winning Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution did 4.72 million and only a 1.1 18-49 rating, not good. At 9, Dancing with the Stars: The Results did 16.31 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week but up in viewers. At 10pm, week four of Body of Proof won its hour again with 11.37 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week but up in viewers. Renewal news to come soon, I think. Fox FINALLY had a new Glee and did 9.8 million and a 3.8 18-49 rating, which is good but below normal. Next Fox aired a new episode of comedy, Raising Hope and did 5.31 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, which could be better. New comedy Traffic Light was all-new too and did only 3.08 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating only, but up from previous week when it aired out of repeats. NBC aired a two-hour The Biggest Loser doing 6.62 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, which was a season low and possibly a series low. Then at 10pm, Parenthood had its season finale and did its best ratings since early fall doing 6.32 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, up from previous week. With the state of NBC, I already knew this was coming back next season but this performance confirmed it. The CW was open for business on Tuesdays with a new One Tree Hill doing 1.4 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating, which is bad. Next at 9pm was a new Hellcats and that did worse with 1.19 million and a 0.5 18-49 rating. The CW needs to ditch these dramas and go for comedy next season for one night at least, but that won't happen since they have none in development.

Wednesday it was all Fox with American Idol carrying it again. A 90-minute Idol did 22.54 million and a 7.1 18-49 rating, down some from the previous week. The 90-minute telecast was followed by week three of new comedy Breaking In that did 7.46 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, down some from previous week. It needs to air with other comedies. Odette Yustman in a racing jumpsuit, oh my! CBS started the night off with Survivor: Redemption Island doing 11.02 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, which was on par with previous week and on the low side again. Veteran drama Criminal Minds was a repeat doing 8.71 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating. At 10pm, Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior was also a repeat for the first time and did 7.19 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, which wasn't too bad out of its lead-in. Still one of the most disappointing new series in terms of ratings when it is new this year as expectations were much higher since it was a spin-off of a big hit. ABC had its Laugh On comedy block and had a new The Middle open the night with 6.82 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, up some from previous week. Lower than fall/winter due to a combination of daylight savings and Idol/Survivor I guess. Then at 8:30, Better With You was new doing 5.24 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, up some from previous week's series low. I think tomorrow's special airing will do good numbers and better than Cougar Town because of two reasons--more compatible with Dancing and guest star Derek Hough. But still no comedy will do well on its own out of Idol or Dancing. Anyway, then ABC aired a new Modern Family at 9pm doing 9.95 million and a 3.8 18-49 rating, which is below normal but on par really with the previous week. Then at 9:30, Cougar Town returned from its hiatus with 6.18 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, like its lead-in, below normal but the 18-49 rating was better than Monday's showing. At 10pm, new comedy Happy Endings did OK with 4.59 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, down some from previous week at 10pm. It was good enough to win its half-hour in 18-49. Keep it right here or even go up, and ABC will renew. A special all-new episode followed and did a lower 3.88 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, which is lower than Modern Family repeat the previous week. Not good, but this show isn't airing at 10:30 every week. It'll be fine at 10. NBC aired a new Minute to Win It and did only 3.12 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating, for another series low. NBC is totally wasting this series. Then a repeat followed and did only 2.99 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating, which is embarrassing. A repeat of Law & Order: SVU at 10pm did only 4.96 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. The CW had a repeat of America's Next Top Model starting it off at 8pm doing 1.17 million and a 0.5 18-49 rating. Now new episodes are at 9pm but it got off to a slow start doing 1.58 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating, for a season low and possibly lowest ever. As of now, this move hasn't paid off.

Thursday saw Fox win the night with CBS and ABC in repeats so there was no competition. But first, ABC opened the night with a repeat of a Spring episode of Wipeout doing 4.68 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating. Then Grey's Anatomy was a repeat at 9pm doing 3.88 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, down some week-to-week. A repeat of Private Practice at 10 closed the night with 2.64 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. These dramas return this week as May sweeps (already??) gets started. CBS aired repeats too, with The Big Bang Theory at 8pm doing 7.15 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. Rules of Engagement was next with a repeat doing 5.46 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week. At 9, CSI repeat did 8.47 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, up some from previous week. And at 10pm The Mentalist was a repeat too and jumped to 11.08 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, also up some from previous week. Onto #1 Fox, it was all American Idol as an one-hour airing did 20.32 million and a 5.8 18-49 rating, but down from previous week. Fox then followed with a new Bones at 9pm doing 10.96 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, down from previous week. NBC comedies were all-new but low as usual. Community started it off with only 3.17 million (just barely beating math formula Pi's 3.14) and a 1.4 18-49 rating, tying a series low. Then week two of burn-off The Paul Resier Show did only 2.38 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating, for a historic low and NBC pulled it the next day. It is gone. The Office was next and did 6.85 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, down a lot from previous week. Carrell leaves this week, but competition returns along with the NFL Draft on ESPN. I don't see it going above a 4, but we'll see. Parks and Recreation was next with 4.88 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, down a tad from previous week and not as down as much as the lead-in. 30 Rock followed at 10 with a one-hour episode celebrating its 100th episode doing 4.6 million but an acceptable 2.2 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. And the likely doomed Outsourced was preempted. The CW was next with all-new episodes of Vampire Diaries doing 2.7 million and only a 1.2 18-49 rating, down some from previous week. Then a new Nikita did 2.01 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating, on par with previous week.

Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available as usual, but Friday had CBS win the night with the two-hour special Superstar Women of Country from 9-11pm, while Shark Tank won the 8pm hour for ABC. Fringe did a series low for Fox. Saturday had ABC win by a a lot with the classic film The Ten Commandments.

Tonight ABC is all-new with AFV, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Desperate Housewives, & Brothers & Sisters, since it is Easter they will be lower than normal probably but will win the night. 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 but Undercover Boss & CSI: Miami are preempted from 9-11pm for a Hallmark Hall of Fame Movie starring Emily VanCamp. Fox is in repeats with Animation Domination starting at 7pm with all The Simpsons tonight, including the 2007 big screen movie.

As for the week (week 31), Fox will win the week in 18-49 and should prevail in HH/viewers barring a collapse. CBS will likely battle Fox for HH/viewers, but should come up short. ABC will be second likely in 18-49, but third in HH/viewers. NBC is certain for fourth. And for the coming week (week 32), has the reality competition series (just what we need?) The Voice on NBC Tuesday from 9-11pm. It should be sampled, but I don't think it will be as big as Idol or Dancing of course. Fox and ABC are even "teaming" together to derail the premiere with a longer Glee and a Dancing special leading into a star-studded Dancing Results Show with a popular Idol contestant from THIS season. And sweeps starts on Thursday as we near the end of the 2010-2011 season already.

Week 31 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week 30 -- April 11-17)

• American Dad! (Fox) - A repeat did 2.7 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating at 7:30pm. An all-new episode at a special time of 8:30pm did 4.74 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, beating a new Bob's Burgers from the previous week.
  
• The Simpsons (Fox) - A repeat at 8pm did 4.18 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating.
• Bob's Burgers (Fox) - preempted.
• Family Guy (Fox) - A new episode did a below normal 5.98 million and a 3.9 18-49 rating, down some from previous week.
• The Cleveland Show (Fox) - A new episode airing did 4.61 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, down a bit from previous week.

Monday Sitcoms

• How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - A new episode once again did lower than usual ratings with 6.48 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, for a season low.
  
• Mad Love (CBS) - For a CBS Monday comedy, 5.62 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating is pretty low but it did go up a tad from previous week.
• Two and a Half Men (CBS) - A repeat did 7.44 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating which was on par with previous week when it aired at 9:30.
  
• Mike & Molly (CBS) - A new episode of this sitcom did 9.98 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, up two million week-to-week but only a tenth in 18-49, as it skewed older. Weird. Possibly the Dancing audience came over.
• Cougar Town (ABC) - The return of this comedy on a special night did 7.88 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, as the latter is lower than normal. It proves the lead-in doesn't help all of the time, as this show is not suited to air after Dancing, just like how Breaking In doesn't fit out of Idol. Comedies alone usually do not do well...they perform better with another comedy (or three).
  

Tuesday Sitcoms

• Raising Hope (Fox) - A new episode did 5.31 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, which is OK, and could be better.
  
• Traffic Light (Fox) - A new episode did only 3.08 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, better than previous week when it aired out of repeats.
  

• The Middle (ABC) - A new episode of this sitcom did 6.82 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, up a lick from previous week.
• Better with You (ABC) - A new episode did 5.24 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, also up some from previous week...as a special Dancing themed episode is airing tomorrow night at 9:30 after Dancing. I think it will do decent as Derek Hough is guest starring.
  
• Modern Family (ABC) - A new episode did 9.95 million and a 3.8 18-49 rating, which is basically on par with previous week.
• Cougar Town (ABC) - The return of this comedy to Wednesdays did 6.18 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, which is below normal, but so was its lead-in. It did do better than the special Monday airing in 18-49, so that proves my point of airing with other comedies.
  
• Happy Endings (ABC) 2 episodes - A new episode at 10pm did 4.59 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, down some from previous week at 10pm, but good enough to win its half-hour. If it stays around this level or if it even goes up a bit, it will be renewed. A special second episode did only 3.88 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating. Perhaps this week when Modern Family Fan Favorites airs in this half-hour, this new comedy will do better at 10pm.
  
• Breaking In (Fox) - The new comedy aired following American Idol again and didn't hold too much again, doing 7.46 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, down some from previous week. ONCE AGAIN, comedies work better with other comedies. And this show is not compatible at all with Idol.
  

Thursday Sitcoms

• The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A repeat did a good 7.15 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, on par really with previous week.
• Rules of Engagement (CBS) - A repeat did 5.46 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, up a tenth in the latter category from previous week.
• Community (NBC) - A new episode did only 3.17 million and 1.4 18-49 rating, on par with previous week in 18-49.
• The Paul Reiser Show (NBC) - NBC was at another historic low with just 2.38 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating for a new episode. It has since been pulled from the line-up...and everyone saw that coming.
• The Office (NBC) - A new episode did 6.85 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, down quite a bit from previous week in this week of south ratings.
  
• Parks and Recreation (NBC) - A new episode did 4.88 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, down a lick from previous week.
  
• 30 Rock (NBC) - A special milestone 100th episode was one-hour and did 4.6 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, on par with previous week when it was a half-hour...the 18-49 rating for 10pm is acceptable.
• Outsourced (NBC) - preempted.

Friday Sitcoms

• None.

Saturday Sitcoms

• None.

Airing tonight (Sunday) are Fox's animated comedies from 7-10pm, but in repeats.

Summing it up. Modern Family, The Office, Mike & Molly, Two and a Half Men (R) were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as Cougar Town, Breaking In) or just plain old terrible (such as The Paul Reiser Show, Traffic Light, Community).