Sunday, May 15, 2011
NBC Upfront 2011-12: Fall 2011 Schedule; Week 34 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did
Fall 2010
Sundays
7:00PM Football Night in America
8:15PM Sunday Night Football
Mondays
8:00PM The Sing-Off
10:00PM The Playboy Club (NEW!)
Tuesdays
8:00PM Biggest Loser
10:00PM Parenthood
Wednesdays
8:00PM Up All Night (NEW!)
8:30PM Free Agents (NEW!)
9:00PM Harry's Law
10:00PM Law & Order: SVU
Thursdays
8:00PM Community
8:30PM Parks & Recreation
9:00PM The Office
9:30PM Whitney (NEW!)
10:00PM Prime Suspect (NEW!)
Fridays
8:00PM Chuck
9:00PM Grimm (NEW!)
10:00PM Dateline
Saturdays
8:00PM Repeats
Mid-Season 2012:
Sundays (TBD)
7:00PM Dateline
8:00PM Celebrity Apprentice
10:00PM The Firm (NEW!)
Mondays (January)
8:00PM The Voice
10:00PM Smash (NEW!)
Not Yet Scheduled Mid-Season:
Returning: 30 Rock
New: Bent (single-camera comedy), Best Friends Forever (single-camera comedy), Are You There Vodka? It's Me Chelsea (multi-camera comedy), Awake (Drama), Betty White's Off Their Rockers (reality), Brian Williams News Magazine (news), and Fashion Star (reality).
Notes: NBC is adding 12 new scripted series to its line-up, with six new series in the fall. They will also expand The Sing-Off to a regular series rather than just December. It will be tested against big competition on ABC with Dancing with the Stars and the CBS comedies. It'll be interesting to see even if it can come close to its December airing. My guess is no. The reality series will lead into new drama The Playboy Club, which will just air in the timeslot from Sept-Dec (or January), as new drama Smash will launch in the time period likely in January or after the Super Bowl. NBC's big hit The Voice will launch in January and move to a new night of Mondays, where it will have a 6 week head start on Dancing with the Stars but will battle with ABC's The Bachelor for the younger (and female) viewers. Tuesdays will be the same and I think that is a mistake, as The Biggest Loser has declined. Parenthood will remain in its 10pm timeslot. Wednesdays starts off with female centric single-camera comedies starring Christina Applegate and Hank Azaria leading into the older skewing Harry's Law, which returns for a second season. Law & Order: SVU remains at 10pm. The comedies might not e the right move in the timeslot as ABC has comedies and Fox will likely plug The X-Factor here. NBC Thursday for some reason will still start off with the struggling Community leading into a new time for Parks & Recreation, as 30 Rock heads to mid-season for an uninterrupted run. The Office remains at 9pm leading into the multi-camera comedy Whitney. Strange they went with a multi-cam on an all single-camera night. New drama Prime Suspect closes the night out. Fridays will have Chuck move to a new night for its fifth & final season, leading into new drama Grimm, which could have a "grimm" future leading out of Chuck's low ratings. Dateline closes it out at 10pm, with only an hour airing. Football remains on Sundays, as of now, lockout pending.
As for mid-season, NBC has only scheduled two nights so far: Sundays and Mondays. Sundays will have Celebrity Apprentice move to 8-10pm and lead into the new drama The Firm. And on Mondays they will move The Voice to its new night leading into new drama Smash starring Debra Messing, as it looks to capture a Glee type audience.
My final thoughts at Fall: I don't think it is a great schedule. Mondays are the only night where they could improve, as Thursdays will still remain low-rated with Community leading off. They certainly could have done better with this schedule. The Wednesday comedy hour could have easily been on Thursdays instead. NBC will be banking on the return of The Voice in January because if there is no NFL, they will be in big trouble in the fall. As for mid-season, I wonder which of the three comedies will never end up airing or being burned-off like they usually do? They have four scripted series unscheduled for mid-season along with two reality series and a new news magazine.
Discuss NBC's 2011-12 line-up and also you can view complete program information.
2010-11 Week 34 TV Ratings (first four nights averages, Mon-Thu):
Households: #1. Fox 7.2/11.3 rating/share; #2. ABC 7.1/11.3; #3. CBS 7.0/11.2; #4. NBC 3.3/5.2; #5. The CW 1.1/1.7
Total Viewers: #1. Fox 12.34 million; #2. CBS 11.25 million; #3. ABC 11.18 million; #4. NBC 5.33 million; #5. The CW 1.64 million
Adults 18-49: #1. Fox 4.0/11.1 rating/share; #2. ABC 2.8/7.7; #3. CBS 2.6/7.3; #4. NBC 2.0/5.5; #5. The CW 0.8/2.1
Week 34 (May 9-15) Analysis: Week 34 so far has once again a three-way battle in HH/viewers (ABC, CBS, Fox) but Fox has a full point lead in the more important 18-49 race over ABC and CBS. Through the first four nights there is only a .2 difference in HH from first to third place and just a little over a million difference in total viewers from first to third. Fox is a clear first in 18-49 with a over full point lead over ABC. CBS is third in 18-49 and NBC is still in fourth place despite the new hit The Voice. Fox will win the week in 18-49 and perhaps I think CBS will sneak out a win in HH/viewers due to tonight's Survivor finale that will have them above average. Last week, week 33, had CBS win the week in HH/viewers edging out ABC, but Fox took the important 18-49 crown again. Fox was third in HH/viewers and NBC was fourth again. ABC was second in 18-49, followed by CBS in third and NBC back in fourth after being third in week 32.
Monday saw ABC get the win again by a large margin. ABC started with a new Dancing with the Stars for two-hours doing 20.74 million and a 4.2 18-49 rating, down some from previous week. At 10pm ABC aired a new of Castle and did a first place 12.6 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, up some from previous week despite the lead-in down some and again the best of any drama this week in the hour. CBS was next with its comedies and Hawaii Five-0. How I Met Your Mother started it off with a new episode doing 6.41 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, off some week-to-week. Mad Love followed with a new episode doing 5.11 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, down from previous week and is not returning next season. Two and a Half Men repeat was next doing 6.45 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, lowest repeat performance so far. A new episode of Mike & Molly at 9:30pm did 7.63 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, which was slightly down from previous week. Hawaii Five-0 was new at 10pm and did 9.44 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, for a series low. Fox was all-new with the declining House doing 7.94 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. A new Chicago Code followed at 9pm with 5.67 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, up some from previous week but it was canceled by Fox later in the week. NBC started with a new episode of Chuck doing 4.1 million and 1.4 18-49 rating, on par with previous week and NBC for some reason will be bringing it back next season for a final season on Fridays. No one can figure out NBC and they wonder why they are in fourth place. The Event was next and did 3.85 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, down week-to-week but it doesn't matter since it was officially canned. Law & Order: Los Angeles did just as bad with 5.06 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, down some from previous week and this was also officially canned. The CW was all-new with 90210 doing 1.43 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating, down a lick from previous week and Gossip Girl followed with 1.2 million and a 0.6 18-49 rating, also down some from previous week. Both series were actually renewed but they need to liven this night up.
Tuesday had NBC winning the night in 18-49 again with CBS and ABC battling for total viewers. CBS started with a new episode of NCIS and did 17.62 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating which was down some from previous week. NCIS: Los Angeles followed with a a new episode and did 14.74 million and a below normal 2.8 18-49 rating, off a tenth. At 10pm, The Good Wife was new and did 11.73 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, back to third place after previous week's climb. For ABC, Dancing with the Stars: Greatest Results Show Performances special at 8pm did 11.28 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, up some from a recap special the previous week. This week's special will showcase the show's freestyles over the years with new performances. At 9, Dancing with the Stars: The Results did 17.54 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating, up from previous week. At 10pm, a new Body of Proof did a decent 10.11 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week's lowest showing in this timeslot. Fox had a new Glee doing 9.29 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating, which is on par with previous week in 18-49. Next Fox aired a new episode of comedy, Raising Hope doing 5.05 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, up some from previous week. New comedy Traffic Light, which is now canceled, did 3.05 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, actually up week-to-week. NBC was back to a two-hour The Biggest Loser again doing 6.96 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, which was off some from previous week's one-hour show. Perhaps the one-hour format is more watchable? Then NBC had the young skewing The Voice at 10pm with just one hour this time, doing 10.45 million and a 4.7 18-49 rating, still great but down a full point from previous week's two-hour show? Why isn't this two-hours and Loser is, is beyond me? The CW was all-new on Tuesday with a new One Tree Hill doing 1.3 million and a 0.6 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. Next at 9pm was a new Hellcats and that did worse with 1.18 million and a 0.5 18-49 rating, but it was on par week-to-week.
Wednesday it was all Fox with American Idol carrying it again. A 90-minute Idol did 23.05 million and a 7.1 18-49 rating, sharply up from previous week's Wednesday season low. The 90-minute telecast was followed by new comedy Breaking In that did 6.95 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, down some from previous week, but it has been canceled. There is a chance they could revive it, but seems like a long shot. Too bad, because this had potential. CBS started the night off with Survivor: Redemption Island doing 10.77 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. Veteran drama Criminal Minds was new doing 13.29 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, up a tenth week-to-week. At 10pm, Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior was also new and did 9.3 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. Don't think this one will be back. ABC had its Laugh On comedy block and had a new The Middle open the night with 7.25 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, which was up some from previous week. Then at 8:30, Better With You had its season finale do 5.95 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, up a good number from previous week. They canceled it on Friday, which is a shame because it would have worked on Fridays. Then ABC aired a new Modern Family at 9pm doing 10.15 million and a 4.3 18-49 rating, up from previous week and the best of scripted TV show so far this week. Then at 9:30, Cougar Town was all-new with 6.02 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week again. A 10pm move coming in fall? At 10pm, new comedy Happy Endings did 4.18 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. I think it will air next season possibly at 10:30 following Cougar Town, as it has been renewed for a season two! A second new episode was next doing 3.46 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. NBC started with a new Minute to Win It doing 3.06 million and just a 0.9 18-49 rating, down a tenth week-to-week. Is this show now not coming back? Not listed above as a returnee. A repeat followed with just 3.58 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating. Then NBC aired a new Law & Order: SVU doing a solid 8.1 million and a first place 2.4 18-49 rating, but off some from previous week. The CW had a repeat of America's Next Top Model start it off at 8pm doing 1.2 million and a 0.5 18-49 rating, up some from previous week. New episodes are at 9pm and it did 2.03 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, up a bit from previous week.
Thursday saw Fox win the night again. But first, ABC opened the night with a spring episode of Wipeout doing 5.41 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, up from previous week's season low. Then Grey's Anatomy was all-new at 9pm doing 9.63 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, for a season low, but should perk up this week for its season finale. A new Private Practice at 10 closed the night with 7.27 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. CBS was all-new with The Big Bang Theory at 8pm doing 10.78 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating, up a bit from previous week's season low. Rules of Engagement was next with a new episode doing 8.16 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, up a decent amount from previous week. At 9, season finale of CSI did 11.77 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, up from its series low the previous week, but this is its lowest finale rating ever. And at 10pm The Mentalist was new too and jumped to 14.07 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. Two-hour finale this week. Onto #1 Fox, it was all American Idol as an one-hour airing did 22.45 million and a 6.5 18-49 rating, up some from previous week. Fox then followed with a new Bones at 9pm doing 10.48 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. NBC comedies were all-new and again low. Community started it off with its finale doing 3.32 and a 1.5 18-49 rating, and NBC wants this leading off the night again next fall? Then a repeat of The Office did only 2.66 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, but up some week-to-week. A new The Office was next and did 6.45 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, down some from previous week. Parks and Recreation was next and did 4.55 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, down a bit from previous week. A second episode followed at 10 doing 3.54 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, look for this show to move back to 8:30pm in the fall. And the canceled Outsourced was at 10:30pm with 2.99 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. The CW was next with all-new episodes of Vampire Diaries doing 2.86 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week. Then a new Nikita did 1.94 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week.
Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available as usual, but Friday had CBS win the night with its dramas in total viewers and 18-49. Flashpoint was the weak point at 8pm. ABC's Shark Tank finale climbed and had its second best Friday showing ever. Kitchen Nightmares did well for Fox and Friday Night Lights on NBC was barely visible. Saturday had ABC win the night with a movie.
Tonight ABC is all-new with AFV, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, & Desperate Housewives, the latter is the two-hour season finale. NBC has the two-hour Celebrity Apprentice starting at 9 following Minute to Win It & Dateline starting at 7. CBS has a new 60 Minutes, followed by the two-hour Survivor finale starting at 8 leading into the live reunion show at 10pm. Fox is all-new with its animated comedies starting at 7:30pm. It should be a tight race among all four networks in 18-49. Anyone can win, but CBS has the edge.
As for the week (week 34), Fox will win the week in 18-49 and CBS should prevail in HH/viewers. ABC will likely be in second across the board, with CBS in third in 18-49 and Fox third in HH/viewers. NBC is certain for fourth across the board. And for the coming week (week 35), has the last full week of the season...with many finales. After tonight, just 10 days left until the season ends Wednesday, May 25. A fast year!
Week 34 How the Sitcoms Did
Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week 33 -- May 2-8)
- American Dad! (Fox) - A new episode at 7:30pm did 3.29 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, the latter is acceptable I guess.
- The Simpsons (Fox) 2 episodes - A new episode at 8pm did 5.52 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, which is off some from previous week. A repeat earlier at 7pm did only 2.3 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating.
- Bob's Burgers (Fox) - The renewed series did 4.26 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, as Fox can do better in this half-hour than this.
- Family Guy (Fox) - A new episode at 9pm airing did 6.52 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, solid spring numbers in 18-49 for this night.
- The Cleveland Show (Fox) - A new episode at 9:30pm did 4.7 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, this was a below normal performance.
Monday Sitcoms
- How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - A new showing did 6.41 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, which off some from previous week. This is getting concerning now even with DST.
- Mad Love (CBS) - A new episode did 5.11 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, which is down from previous week. Not good news.
- Two and a Half Men (CBS) - Another repeat of this show did 6.45 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating which is its lowest rating of the season. Too bad because this is May sweep.
- Mike & Molly (CBS) - A new episode of this sitcom did 7.63 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, which was off some from previous week. The whole night is hurt by that repeat of Men in the prime spot of 9pm.
Tuesday Sitcoms
- Raising Hope (Fox) - A new episode did 5.05 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, up some from previous week, as its lead-in went up some, too.
- Traffic Light (Fox) - A new episode only did 3.05 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, but did go up some from previous week. It doesn't matter since it has been canned.
- The Middle (ABC) - A new episode of this sitcom did 7.25 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, up some from previous week. Not bad at all against Idol/Survivor and the lower 8pm HUT level during DST.
- Better with You (ABC) - The season finale did 5.95 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, up a nice number from previous week. The series was canceled by ABC two days ago though, which I think is a mistake. This could do decently on Fridays for them if they can find a good pairing for it.
- Modern Family (ABC) - A new episode did 10.15 million and a 4.3 18-49 rating, which is up from previous week and once again the best for any scripted series for the week. The only scripted series (drama or comedy) over a 4.0 rating.
- Cougar Town (ABC) - A new episode of this comedy did 6.02 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, up a tenth week-to-week again. I'm expecting this show to move to 10pm next fall.
- Happy Endings (ABC) 2 episodes - A new episode at 10pm did 4.18 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, on par with previous week at 10pm. A second episode did 3.46 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating at 10:30pm, also on par with previous week. The series has been renewed for a second season, so no more worrying! I knew it would get picked-up.
- Breaking In (Fox) - The new comedy aired following American Idol again and didn't hold too much again, doing 6.95 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, for a series low. This comedy was canceled, which I think was a mistake. Another example of a comedy dying on its own on an island. This would have done better with other comedies.
Thursday Sitcoms
- The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A new episode of this comedy was below normal again with 10.78 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating, but up some week-to-week.
- Rules of Engagement (CBS) - A new episode did 8.16 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, up week-to-week. I think this was unofficially renewed, but I don't think it will get a fall birth.
- Community (NBC) - The season finale did 3.32 million and 1.5 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. I don't think this should be leading off next season, but it is AGAIN.
- The Office (NBC) 2 episodes - Before a new episode, a repeat aired at 8:30pm doing only 2.66 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, though up a bit from previous week. A new episode at 9pm did 6.45 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, down some from previous week. Finale this week should be up some but next season could be a different story with no Carrell for the full year.
- Parks and Recreation (NBC) 2 episodes - A new episode at 9:30pm did 4.55 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, down some from previous week. A second episode at 10pm did 3.54 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, which is similar to 30 Rock.
- 30 Rock (NBC) - season finale aired the previous week.
- Outsourced (NBC) - The season finale did 2.99 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, which was on par with previous week. Doesn't matter for this one either because it has been canceled.
Friday Sitcoms
- None.
Saturday Sitcoms
- None.
Airing tonight (Sunday) are Fox's animated comedies from 7:30-10pm with all-new episodes.
Summing it up. Modern Family, The Big Bang Theory, The Office, How I Met Your Mother, Mike & Molly, The Middle were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as Better With You, Parks & Recreation 9:30) or just plain old terrible (such as Traffic Light, The Office 830p).
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Friday, December 13
Happy's Place - "Dear Jack" (NBC, 9:15PM ET/PT)
When Bobbie catches Isabella doing a slow-fade breakup with her long-distance boyfriend, she convinces her to send a Dear John letter; Steve brings in a review praising Chef Emmett's cooking and acknowledging the tavern's bartender, "Abby."
Lopez vs Lopez - "Lopez vs Dateline" (NBC, 9:45PM ET/PT)
When George's controversial new appliance turns up dead, he mounts a true-crime investigation; Chance tests the bounds of honesty with his family.
Bob Hearts Abishola - "Splitting the Hairs" (The CW, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Bob, Douglas and Christina try to get Dottie to make a will; Abishola and Kemi's friendship is tested after Abishola catches Kemi in a lie.
Bob Hearts Abishola - "There's My Nigerians" (The CW, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
While Bob and Abishola struggle to pull Dottie out of her depression, Auntie Olu and Uncle Tunde come over to lift her spirits.
Children Ruin Everything - "Bedtime" (The CW, 9:00PM ET/PT)
When James finds an old game console, he and Astrid attempt to find free time to play; but a bedtime routine threatens to eat up all the time between when the kids are supposed to be in bed and when Astrid and James have to go to bed themselves.
Children Ruin Everything - "Drama" (The CW, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Astrid and James struggle to hold onto their identities while raising their two young children in the city.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of December 9)
Friday, December 13
- Kerry Washington (UnPrisoned) - Watch Kerry on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Jimmy O. Yang (Interior Chinatown/Space Force/Silicon Valley) - Jimmy appears on repeats of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC and on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Kristin Chenoweth (Trial & Error/Kristin) - Kristin is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Milana Vayntrub (Other Space), Jessica Lowe (Wrecked) and Jason Ritter (Another Period/The Class) - Milana, Jessica and Jason are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
- Richard Kind (Curb Your Enthusiasm/Spin City/Mad About You) and Fred Armisen (Los Espookys/Forever/Final Space) - NBC's Today catches up with Richard and Fred in the 9am hour.
- Zosia Mamet (Laid/Girls) - Zosia talks about Laid on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
- Christian Slater (Breaking In) and Sarah Michelle Gellar (The Crazy Ones) - Christian and Sarah are sitting down with Drew to talk all about working together on Dexter: Original Sin on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Lisa Kudrow (No Good Deed/HouseBroken/Web Therapy/The Comeback/Friends/Mad About You) - Lisa talks about chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Tom Selleck (The Closer) and Donnie Wahlberg (Return of the Mac) - Tom and Donnie discuss the series finale of Blue Bloods on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
- Nancy McKeon (The Facts of Life/Can't Hurry Love) - Nancy will be on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:05am.
New on DVD and 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 UHD)
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)
11/12 - The King of Queens - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (2024 Release)
11/19 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fourteenth Season
11/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 4 (Blu-ray)
12/03 - Angel (1960-1961) - The Complete Series, Volume 1
12/17 - Seinfeld - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (4K UHD)
02/04 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
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