SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

Households: #1. ABC 7.0/11.0 rating/share; #2. CBS 7.0/11.0; #3. Fox 6.9/10.7; #4. NBC 3.8/5.9; #5. The CW 1.1/1.7
Total Viewers: #1. Fox 11.79 million; #2. CBS 11.24 million; #3. ABC 10.85 million; #4. NBC 6.17 million; #5. The CW 1.61 million
Adults 18-49: #1. Fox 3.8/10.5 rating/share; #2. ABC 2.7/7.4; #3. CBS 2.7/7.3; #4. NBC 2.4/6.6; #5. The CW 0.7/2.1

Week 33 (May 2-8) Analysis: Week 33 so far has a three-way battle in HH/viewers (ABC, CBS, Fox) but Fox has a full point lead in 18-49 over ABC and CBS with NBC too far behind actually. Through the first four nights ABC and CBS are tied for first in HH, while Fox is first in viewers, with CBS and ABC slightly off. Fox is a clear first in 18-49, while ABC and CBS are tied for second. NBC is still in fourth place though despite the upswing from The Voice. Fox will win the week in 18-49 and perhaps I think ABC will sneak out a win in HH/viewers again thanks to the NBA Playoffs last night. Last week, week 32, had ABC win the week in HH/viewers, but Fox took the important 18-49 crown again. CBS was second in HH/viewers, followed by Fox in third and NBC still in fourth. Among 18-49, ABC was second then NBC squeaked past CBS for third, leaving the eye network in fourth. It certainly was a better week for NBC, but still a ways to go.

Monday saw ABC get the win again, this time by a larger margin. ABC started with a new Dancing with the Stars back to two-hours rather than 90 minutes, as it did 21.4 million and a 4.5 18-49 rating, down a tad from previous week when it was 90-minutes. At 10pm ABC aired a new of Castle and did a first place 12.11 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, 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 6.88 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, below normal again but still solid. Mad Love followed with a new episode doing 5.71 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, up some from previous week when its lead-in was a repeat. Two and a Half Men repeat was next doing 7.68 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, a bit lower than Bang's repeat the previous week in 18-49. A new episode of Mike & Molly at 9:30pm did 8.18 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, which was slightly above a repeat the previous week. Is this getting lost because of the lead-in is always a repeat? Hawaii Five-0 was new at 10pm and did 9.83 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, for second place. Fox was all-new with the declining House doing 8.57 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, yet no one really mentions when this show goes down. A new Chicago Code followed at 9pm with 5.6 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating. It will be a 50/50 chance for this show to return next season. NBC started with a new episode of Chuck doing 4.1 million and 1.4 18-49 rating. I think this season will be the last one. The Event was next and did 4.14 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, on par week-to-week but it doesn't matter as it has virtually no shot of returning. Law & Order: Los Angeles did just as bad with 4.85 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, but up a tenth from previous week yet it went down in viewers. The CW was all-new with 90210 doing 1.47 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating, down a lick from previous week and Gossip Girl followed with 1.27 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating, also down some from previous week. Both series were actually renewed this past week for next season but they need a better way of showing these rather than a couple long breaks between episodes. I would suggest Sept-March then new series from March-May.

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 17.87 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating which was below normal but did tie for first among 18-49 and of course winning in total viewers. NCIS: Los Angeles followed with a a new episode and did 14.15 million and a below normal 2.9 18-49 rating. At 10pm, The Good Wife returned and did 12.38 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, with the latter at its best in many weeks. Perhaps no Parenthood helped? For ABC, Dancing with the Stars: The Encore special at 8pm did 9.38 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, not bad for somewhat of a repeat. This week's special will have more new content. At 9, Dancing with the Stars: The Results did 16.06 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, down from previous week. At 10pm, a new Body of Proof did a decent 10.23 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, down some from previous week and its lowest showing in this timeslot. It still did decent enough. Fox had a new Glee doing 8.85 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating, which is up some from previous week's season low. Next Fox aired a new episode of comedy, Raising Hope doing 4.66 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, on par with previous week when it was at 9:30pm. New comedy Traffic Light keeps seeing red lights but it keeps airing, as this time it did 2.87 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating. NBC aired only a one-hour The Biggest Loser again doing 7.52 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, which was up some from previous week again. Perhaps the one-hour format is more watchable? It goes back to two-hours this week. Then from 9-11pm, NBC won the hours in 18-49 again thanks to the young skewing The Voice doing 12.58 million and a strong 5.7 18-49 rating, up from the premiere even. It will be one-hour this week in the 10pm hour. It will be interesting to see if it can do high numbers like this at 10pm with a lower rated lead-in. The CW was all-new on Tuesday with a new One Tree Hill doing 1.24 million and a 0.6 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. Next at 9pm was a new Hellcats and that did worse with 1.01 million and a 0.5 18-49 rating, but it was up a tenth week-to-week. These two might not make it to next season.

Wednesday it was all Fox with American Idol carrying it again. A 90-minute Idol did 21.14 million and a 6.6 18-49 rating, down from previous week and a Wednesday season low. The 90-minute telecast was followed by new comedy Breaking In that did 7.07 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, on par with previous week and stopped the drops (even if the drops were minimal). CBS started the night off with Survivor: Redemption Island doing 10.99 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. Veteran drama Criminal Minds was new doing 12.9 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, solid. At 10pm, Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior was also new and did 8.83 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating. ABC had its Laugh On comedy block and had a new The Middle open the night with 7.08 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, which is a good start to the night. Then at 8:30, Better With You was new doing 5.41 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week. Then ABC aired a new Modern Family at 9pm doing 9.9 million and a 3.9 18-49 rating, the best of scripted TV so far this week. Then at 9:30, Cougar Town was all-new with 5.49 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week when its lead-in was a repeat. At 10pm, new comedy Happy Endings did 3.88 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, down from previous week's climb. It has been asked to anchor the hour, so it is a little up and down but I think it deserves a chance next season possibly at 10:30 following Cougar Town. A second new episode was next doing 3.26 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating. That's a little concerning. NBC started with a new Minute to Win It doing 3.42 million and just a 1.0 18-49 rating. A repeat followed with just 3.53 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating. Get ready for more repeat airings on multiple nights this summer. Then NBC aired a new Law & Order: SVU doing a solid 8.53 million and a first place 2.6 18-49 rating. The CW had a repeat of America's Next Top Model start it off at 8pm doing 1.12 million and a 0.4 18-49 rating, off some from previous week. New episodes are at 9pm and it did 1.94 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating, down a bit from previous week.

Thursday saw Fox win the night. But first, ABC opened the night with a spring episode of Wipeout doing a below normal 4.79 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating. Perhaps a week off hurt it? We'll see this week. Then Grey's Anatomy was all-new at 9pm doing 10.11 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating, down a bit from previous week. A new Private Practice at 10 closed the night with 6.89 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week. Thought the weddings would do better, but still solid. CBS was all-new with The Big Bang Theory at 8pm doing 10.5 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, for a season low for the second straight week. Has the show peaked is the question? Rules of Engagement was next with a new episode doing 7.72 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, down a tenth also from previous week. At 9, a new CSI did 10.67 million and another series low, this time a 2.3 18-49 rating. And at 10pm The Mentalist was new too and jumped to 14.0 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week. Onto #1 Fox, it was all American Idol as an one-hour airing did 21.29 million and a 6.3 18-49 rating, up a lot from previous week. Fox then followed with a new Bones at 9pm doing 10.94 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, also up a lot from previous week. NBC comedies were all-new and again low. Community started it off with 3.49 and a 1.5 18-49 rating, up a tenth from week's of a 1.4. Then a repeat of The Office did only 2.68 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating. A new The Office was next and did 6.9 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating, down from previous week. It was the first episode without Steve Carrell. Have we seen the last of top notch 18-49 ratings for this show now? Parks and Recreation was next and did 5.06 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, up a bit from previous week despite getting a lower lead-in. 30 Rock followed at 10 doing 4.2 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating for its season finale, up some from previous week when it was at 10:30pm. And the likely doomed Outsourced returned with 3.14 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating. If this block was stronger, perhaps 10pm comedies could remain next season but NBC is weak in the 8pm hour. The CW was next with all-new episodes of Vampire Diaries doing 2.84 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week. Then a new Nikita did 2.0 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating, up the most of any CW series from previous week. Still is on the bubble.

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 but there was a three-way tie for first place in 18-49 with CBS, Fox and ABC. Flashpoint had its season premiere on CBS but came in third place in 18-49 at 8pm. ABC's 20/20 focusing on the death of Osama bin Laden won 10pm. Fringe season finale on Fox was down from previous week and Friday Night Lights on NBC was barely visivle. Saturday had ABC win the night with big ratings for the NBA Playoff game between the Heat/Celtics that will be in the 3s in 18-49, which is great for Saturday. NASCAR on Fox did well for second place.

Tonight ABC is all-new with AFV, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Desperate Housewives, & Brothers & Sisters, the latter is the season finale. NBC has a three-hour (way too long for an actual episode) Celebrity Apprentice starting at 8 following Dateline at 7. CBS has a new 60 Minutes, followed by a two-hour The Amazing Race finale starting at 8 then the season finale of CSI: Miami 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.

As for the week (week 33), Fox will win the week in 18-49 and ABC should prevail in HH/viewers. ABC will likely be in second in 18-49 thanks to a great NBA showing, with CBS in second in HH/viewers. Fox will be in third, but NBC is certain for fourth in HH/viewers. NBC will likely be fourth in 1849, too, but it could overtake CBS again. And for the coming week (week 34), has week three of reality competition series The Voice on NBC Tuesday but now just in the 10pm hour. We also have some season finales like Better With You on Wednesday.

Week 33 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week 32 -- April 25-May 1)

• American Dad! (Fox) - A repeat at 9:30pm did 4.2 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating.
  
• The Simpsons (Fox) - A new episode at 8pm did 5.84 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, which seems normal from recent airings.
  
• Bob's Burgers (Fox) - preempted.
• Family Guy (Fox) 3 episodes - A special double repeat in the 7pm hour averaged 3.4/5 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, which is decent. The regular 9pm airing was a repeat and did 5.07 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating. Another decent repeat performance.
  
• The Cleveland Show (Fox) - A repeat at 8:30pm did 4.41 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating. The reason Fox was in repeats from 8:30-10pm was because they pulled the planned "Hurricane cross-over" with three series because of the recent tornadoes in the southern U.S.
  

Monday Sitcoms

• How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - A new showing did 6.88 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, which is good but below normal again. Daylight savings is a factor.
  
• Mad Love (CBS) - A new episode did 5.71 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, which is up some from previous week. This show will probably not return next season, though it does have somewhat of a chance to.
  
• Two and a Half Men (CBS) - Another repeat of this show did 7.68 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating which was a bit lower in 18-49 than previous week's Bang repeat in this half-hour.
  
• Mike & Molly (CBS) - A new episode of this sitcom did 8.18 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, which was up some from previous week's repeat. Too close to repeat levels, as it seems Men in repeats is hurting this night.
  

Tuesday Sitcoms

• Raising Hope (Fox) - A new episode did 4.66 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, on par with previous week's special 9:30pm airing. Still needs to do better, but it doesn't matter since Fox has renewed it anyway.
  
• Traffic Light (Fox) - A new episode only did 2.87 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating. This show is all but done.
  

• The Middle (ABC) - A new episode of this sitcom did 7.08 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, on par with previous few weeks when it was new, but lower than normal probably due to DST.
• Better with You (ABC) - A new episode did 5.41 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, up some from previous week. Still think this sitcom would do decently on Fridays if they can find a good pairing for it.
  
• Modern Family (ABC) - A new episode did 9.9 million and a 3.9 18-49 rating, which is the best for any scripted series for the week.
  
• Cougar Town (ABC) - A new episode of this comedy did 5.49 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, up a tenth week-to-week when its lead-in was new. This proves this show has its own audience as did just about the same with a new and a repeat lead-in. Think this could anchor 10pm next season.
  
• Happy Endings (ABC) 2 episodes - A new episode at 10pm did 3.88 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, down from previous week at 10pm. A second episode did 3.26 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating at 10:30pm. Disappointing, but still think it will be back next season. One bad week doesn't mean anything, as this week will be key as we head towards upfront.
  
• Breaking In (Fox) - The new comedy aired following American Idol again and didn't hold too much again, doing 7.07 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, on par with from previous week. This comedy is good and deserves to be shown with other comedies.
  

Thursday Sitcoms

• The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A new episode of this comedy was below normal again with 10.5 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, off a tenth week-to-week. Still good, though, but it can do better.
  
• Rules of Engagement (CBS) - A new episode did 7.72 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, down a tenth also week-to-week.
• Community (NBC) - A new episode did 3.49 million and 1.5 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week in 18-49 again.
• The Office (NBC) 2 episodes - Before a new episode, a repeat aired at 8:30pm doing only 2.68 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, down from previous week. A new episode at 9pm (the first without Carrell) did 6.9 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating, down from previous week. It'll be interesting if this show will do well without Carrell.
  
• Parks and Recreation (NBC) - A new episode at 9:30pm did 5.06 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, up some from previous week despite its lead-in being lower. It was the opposite the previous week.
  
• 30 Rock (NBC) - The season finale at 10pm did 4.2 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, up some from previous week. For a season finale, this is disappointing but given the state of 10pm, it's decent enough.
  
• Outsourced (NBC) - A new episode did 3.14 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, which was down a good amount from its lead-in.

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 Office, The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, Mike & Molly were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as Mad Love, Cougar Town) or just plain old terrible (such as Traffic Light, The Office 830p).