Sunday, October 16, 2011

Week 4 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

2011-12 Week 4 TV Ratings (first four nights, Mon-Thu):

Households: 1. CBS 7.9 rating/12.3 share; 2. ABC 7.2/11.3; 3. Fox 5.6/8.8; 4. NBC 3.3/5.2; 5. The CW 1.1/1.8
Total Viewers: 1. CBS 12.65 million; 2. ABC 11.08 million; 3. Fox 9.12 million; 4. NBC 5.12 million; 5. The CW 1.73 million.
Adults 18-49: 1. CBS 3.4 rating/8.8 share; 2. Fox 2.9/7.8; 3. ABC 2.9/7.4; 4. NBC 1.7/4.5; 5. The CW 0.8/2.0

Week 4 (Oct. 10-16) Analysis: It was a week of lower ratings for Fox, while CBS stayed steady. ABC got a good showing from Tim Allen's new series, while NBC is even lower. Through the first four nights, CBS is first in HH/viewers, followed by ABC and Fox, and NBC still way behind in fourth. Among 18-49, CBS is in first place as Fox had their normal Tuesday and Wednesday preempted, leaving them tied for second with ABC. NBC is way back there in fourth waiting for the NFL to save it tonight, like usual. I expect CBS to take the week in HH/viewers but Fox could make a run in 18-49 with an NFL overrun tonight. The normal Animation Domination line-up is preempted tonight, so maybe CBS will prevail. As for last week, week 3, CBS took the 18-49 crown over second place Fox thanks to the NFL overrun on Sunday night again. CBS also prevailed in HH/total viewers once again. ABC was second in HH/viewers, with NBC sneaking in third in HH/total viewers thanks to the NFL. Fox was fourth in HH/viewers. ABC was left in fourth place in 18-49, as NBC made a late run with the NFL to take third place.

Monday has CBS on top again in 18-49, with Fox below normal and ABC winning in total viewers again. Starting with ABC, Dancing with the Stars won the total viewer race with 16.79 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, up some in viewers but down a tad in 18-49 from previous week. A new Castle at 10pm was first place with 10.23 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, down from previous week. ABC was preempted however in Detroit for Monday Night Football and Detroit does very well for ABC Monday. Look for ABC to do better tomorrow night, especially Castle. For CBS, How I Met Your Mother started it off with 8.89 million and a 4.0 18-49 rating, down a lot from previous week and a season low. 2 Broke Girls followed with 10.71 million and a 4.3 18-49 rating, down some from previous week but still impressive build from the lead-in. Then it was a new Two and a Half Men, with new star Ashton Kutcher, doing 16.2 million and a 5.9 18-49 rating, down another 1.5 million from previous week but still it is very good. Will it stabilize by tomorrow? A new Mike & Molly followed the huge lead-in and did 11.65 million and a 3.9 18-49 rating, down from the previous week. An all-new Hawaii Five-0 was next doing 10.07 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, down a good amount from previous week. Fox was next with the the ALCS Game spilling over into primetime, so Terra Nova didn't start until 8:52pm ET as it did 7.0 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, down from previous week. Was it down because of a late start? We will see tomorrow. House also was delayed in the E/C time zones and did 6.85 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating at 9:53pm, way down from its season premiere the previous week. NBC followed with another two-hour The Sing-Off doing only 4.35 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, for a series low. It's not December, so it is not doing well. At 10pm, NBC aired a repeat of Prime Suspect and it did an embarrassing 2.92 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating. They should have just continued airing The Playboy Club until news magazine Rock Center with Brian Williams (which is not going to be a big improvement I think) launches on Oct. 31 The CW had a new Gossip Girl doing just 1.27 million and a 0.6 18-49 rating, down some from previous week. At 9pm, Hart of Dixie did only 1.57million and a 0.6 18-49 rating, also down some from previous week. They picked-up a full season, though.

On Tuesday, CBS was on top, with ABC above average and Fox's line-up preempted. CBS had the quiet leader NCIS opening the night off with 18.98 million and a 4.0 18-49 rating, down some from previous week. Then spin-off NCIS: Los Angeles was next and did 15.4 million and 3.3 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. And a new Unforgettable did 11.72 million and a series low 2.3 18-49 rating, down some from previous week. ABC was next with the series premiere of new comedy Last Man Standing with Tim Allen leading the night off doing 13.19 million and a 3.6 18-49 rating for the full hour! Great start! Then Dancing with the Stars: The Results followed at 9pm with a season high 16.89 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, up from previous week as we said goodbye to Chynna Phillips. I was hoping for Nancy Grace or Chaz. An all-new Body of Proof followed and did a decent 9.- million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, but down some from the previous week. Fox preempted Glee and comedies New Girl & Raising Hope for MLB ALCS Game 3, which did lower than the usual Fox Tuesday, doing 8.33 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating in primetime (8-10pm for Fox). The game overall did 8.39 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating thru 11:15pm ET. NBC was next with a two-hour The Biggest Loser doing 5.58 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, again down some from the previous week and its lowest rating probably ever for the fall, followed by an all-new Parenthood at just 5.26 million but a better 2.1 18-49 rating, up some from previous week. The CW aired a new 90210 with just 1.54 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating, but actually up some from previous week. Then an all-new episode of the Sarah Michelle Gellar drama Ringer did 1.71 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating, also up some from the previous week. It was picked-up for a full season, so it can breathe a little now.

Wednesday it was a face-off between ABC and CBS, CBS won in the total viewers, while ABC took the 18-49 race. CBS started the night off on top with Survivor: South Pacific at 10.69 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week. Veteran drama Criminal Minds did 12.87 million and a solid 3.8 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. At 10pm, CSI did a decent 10.93 million and a second place 2.6 18-49 rating, but down some from the previous week. ABC started off with its Laugh On comedy block with The Middle doing 8.87 million and solid 2.9 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week. The new sitcom Suburgatory followed with a great 8.92 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, virtually on par with previous week again. Its full season pick-up was very deserving. At 9pm, the mega hit Modern Family did 13.65 million and a huge 5.9 18-49 rating, up some from the previous week. A new Happy Endings was next with 7.29 million and a series high 3.2 18-49 rating, up from the previous week. Good sign. At 10pm week four of my favorite fall series Revenge did a solid 7.9 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, up from previous week and grew for the first time. Addicting and payback has never been prettier! Full season now! Fox aired preempted The X Factor as MLB ALCS Game #4 was delayed and started at 6:30pm, doing 9.72 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating in primetime. The game overall did 8.37 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating. NBC opened the night with a new Up All Night at 5.24 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, down some from previous week's first climb. At 8:30pm, a repeat of Whitney did 3.97 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, which is better than a new Free Agents the previous week. At 9pm, Harry's Law did nothing, doing just a 1.2 18-49 rating yet again but its 7.84 million viewers is OK, but down from previous week. This is Friday material yet they are launching new series Grimm on Friday nights? An all-new Law & Order: SVU at 10pm did 7.34 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating for last place, on par with previous week. The CW had a repeat of Ringer leading the night off with 1.09 million and a 0.4 18-49 rating. The declining fast America's Next Top Model was next at 9pm with 1.9 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating, on par with previous week.

Thursday it was Fox with the win, as they finally had a normal night. Anyway, ABC opened the night with Charlie's Angels doing 5.91 million but only a 1.3 18-49 rating, up a tad from previous week, but ABC has canceled the series. The remaining four episodes will still air though. At 9pm, Grey's Anatomy followed with 9.97 million and a 3.6 A18-49 rating, up a good amount from previous week's low for the series. At 10pm, Private Practice, with Benjamin Bratt joining the cast, did 6.51 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, up some from the previous week. Could be higher. CBS opened with The Big Bang Theory at 13.58 million and a 4.6 18-49 rating, up a lick from previous week. A repeat was next, as How To Be A Gentleman has been canceled and will air Saturdays, did 12.1 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating, the best any sitcom has done here in a while. Rules of Engagement will take over starting this Thursday. A new Person of Interest followed with 12.04 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, up some from the previous week. It is solid, but not big as it could be, nevertheless, CBS will pick-up a full season soon, I think. A new episode of The Mentalist followed and did 12.39 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, down some from previous week. Fox aired a two-hour The X Factor doing a solid 11.24 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating, but down from previous week. NBC was in the familiar fourth place with the should-be-not leading-off Community getting slaughtered with 3.78 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating only, though up some from previous week, followed by Parks and Recreation at only 3.99 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week. At 9pm The Office jumped to 6.08 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, up a tad from previous week. A new episode of Whitney closed the comedy block with only 4.25 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, for another series low. NBC has another drama bust with a new episode Prime Suspect closing the night with only 4.6 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, down from the previous week. The CW's big gun Vampire Diaries did 2.89 million, and a 1.4 18-49 rating, up some from previous week, followed by a new The Secret Circle at 1.89 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating, on par with the previous week.

Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but CBS won Friday with their dramas but the new A Gifted Man was low but steady and Blue Bloods still was the highest rated series of the night. ABC was in repeats again from 8-10pm, but the comedies repeated well, and NBC's Dateline again did solid from 9-11pm. Fox had a good showing from Kitchen Nightmares but Fringe dropped the ball (down a tenth from previous week). Look for Friday to have more new programming as ABC launches Extreme Makeover: Home Edition this Friday. I think that will help ABC win the night.
Saturday numbers was a battle with Fox and ABC with sports -- MLB ALCS Game 6 and NASCAR on ABC. The burn-off of How To Be A Gentleman for CBS did nothing.

Tonight ABC Sunday is all-new (with AFV, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Desperate Housewives, and Pan Am). Pan Am should hopefully go up this week and ABC can sort of pick-up additional episodes at least. NBC will win the night with the NFL with the Vikings and Bears, but it could be below normal. CBS has its normal line-up of 60 Minutes, Amazing Race, The Good Wife and CSI: Miami, with no delays expected as they don't have the national NFL game. Fox has the NFL overrun this week leading into a special The X Factor on a special night (thanks to the preemption on Wednesday by baseball), as the animated comedies are preempted again.

As for the week (week 4), CBS will win in HH/viewers but Fox could come back for an 18-49 win over CBS. Fox will give ABC a run for second in HH/viewers, but ABC will prevail. ABC will be third in 18-49, but NBC could tie or come close again. NBC will likely be fourth in HH/viewers, as Fox had sporting events this weekend that should seal them for third place in HH/viewers. As for the coming week (week 5), we have the series premiere of new comedy Man Up! right after week two of Last Man Standing on Tuesday night starting at 8/7 central on ABC. Look for our review tomorrow.

Week 4 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for Week 3 -- Oct. 3-9)

  • The Simpsons (Fox) - preempted.
  • The Cleveland Show (Fox) 2 airings - A repeat at 7pm did nothing with 1.37 million and a 0.6 18-49 rating, down some from previous week. A second repeat followed with 2.25 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating.
  • Family Guy (Fox) - preempted.
  • American Dad! (Fox) - preempted.

Monday Sitcoms

  • How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - An all-new episode did 8.89 million and a 4.0 18-49 rating, down a good margin from previous week. Still a bit higher than last season, but it really went down it seems in week four.
  • 2 Broke Girls (CBS) - A new airing did 10.71 million a 4.3 18-49 rating, down some from the previous week. Good news still.
  • Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 16.2 million and a 5.9 18-49 rating is excellent, but down again from previous week. Has it stopped the bleeding now? We will see tomorrow.
  • Mike & Molly (CBS) - With the strong lead-in, a new episode did 11.65 million and a 3.9 18-49 rating, down from previous week and the lowest rating in 18-49 of the block again. Could be better.

Tuesday Sitcoms

  • Last Man Standing (ABC) - The two-episode premiere did very well doing the best 8pm premiere for a comedy in total viewers since 2004 and in 18-49 since 2006! The premiere did 13.19 million and a 3.6 18-49 rating, growing from the first half to second half! Great start for Tim Allen and company!
  • New Girl (Fox) - preempted, will air next on Nov. 1.
  • Raising Hope (Fox) - preempted, will air next on Nov. 1.

Wednesday Sitcoms
  • The Middle (ABC) - A new episode did 8.87 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, very consistent every week. Good numbers.
  • Suburgatory (ABC) - The third week did a very good 8.92 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, building from its lead-in again and on par with previous week!
  • Up All Night (NBC) - A new episode did 5.24 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, down some from previous week but still good for NBC.
  • Whitney (NBC) - A repeat did 3.97 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, up from the time period the previous week.
  • Modern Family (ABC) - An all-new episode did 13.65 million and a second all-time best 5.9 18-49 rating, up some from the previous week. Modern tied Men to be the sitcom leader of the week. Will it surpass it this week?
  • Happy Endings (ABC) - A new episode did 7.29 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, up from the previous week. Series highs for the second time in three week. Yeah bouy!

Thursday Sitcoms

  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS) 2 airings - A new episode did 13.58 million and a 4.6 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week. A repeat followed and did great with 12.1 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating.
  • Rules of Engagement (CBS) - premieres this Thursday.
  • Community (NBC) - A new showing did just 3.78 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, but up some from previous week. Still not lead-off material.
  • Parks and Recreation (NBC) - A new episode did 3.99 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week.
  • The Office (NBC) - A new episode did 6.08 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, actually up a tenth from previous week. Bucked its trend.
  • Whitney (NBC) - A new episode did 4.25 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, down from previous week. This series should have never been picked-up for a full season, sorry.

Friday Sitcoms

  • Last Man Standing (ABC) - A repeat of the first two episodes did solid with a prelim 4.87 million and a prelim 1.3 18-49 rating, tying for second place in the hour.
  • Modern Family (ABC) - A repeat did a prelim 3.69 million and a prelim 1.3 18-49 rating, better than previous week when it aired at 8pm.
  • Suburgatory (ABC) - A repeat did a prelim 3.14 million and a prelim 1.1 18-49 rating, up some from previous week when it aired at 8:30pm.
  • The Office (NBC) - A repeat did a prelim 2.1 million and a prelim 0.7 A18-49 rating, not good.
  • Parks & Recreation (NBC) - A repeat of this sitcom did no better with a prelim 1.55 million and a 0.5 18-49 rating. This show should never be repeated, especially Fridays.

Saturday Sitcoms

  • Two and a Half Men (CBS) - A repeat on Saturday did a prelim 3.59 million and a prelim 0.9 18-49 rating on the new Comedytime Saturday hour.
  • How To Be A Gentleman (CBS) - An all-new episode on Saturday did nothing with a prelim 2.43 million and a prelim 0.7 18-49 rating, losing numbers from its lead-in. Not good.

Airing tonight (Sunday) are no comedies, as Fox's animated comedies are preempted for The X Factor on a special night.

Summing it up. Two and a Half Men, Modern Family, The Big Bang Theory, Last Man Standing, 2 Broke Girls, How I Met Your Mother, Mike & Molly, Suburgatory, The Office, The Middle, Happy Endings were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as Up All Night, Parls & Recreation) or just plain old terrible (such as How To Be A Gentleman, Community, Whitney).


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Tuesday, March 19

Night Court - "The Duke's a Hazard" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When Gurgs' royal boyfriend pays a surprise visit, she questions their compatibility; Dan defends his family's honor after he discovers a feud that dates back centuries.

Extended Family - "The Consequences of Being Irish" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
When Jim learns of Trey's St. Patrick's Day fundraiser plans, he offers his expertise in an effort to save Trey and the Celtics from embarrassment.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 18)

Tuesday, March 19

  • Tracy Morgan (The Last O.G./30 Rock/The Tracy Morgan Show) - Catch Tracy on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Leslie Bibb (Palm Royale/God's Favorite Idiot/American Housewife/The Odd Couple/About a Boy) - Leslie appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Brendan Hunt (Ted Lasso), Marc Maron (GLOW/Maron) and Zainab Johnson (Upload) - Brendan, Marc and Zainab are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Hilary Swank (Camp Wilder) - NBC's Today catches up with Hilary in the 10am hour.
  • The cast of Girls5eva) - Busy Philipps, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Paula Pell and Sara Bareilles are guests on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family/The Class) - Jesse talks about his podcast Dinner's On Me on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Annie Potts (Young Sheldon/Over the Top/Love & War/Designing Women/Goodtime Girls) - Annie talks about her legendary career and new film, Ghostbuster: Frozen Empire, on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Joe Manganiello (How I Met Your Mother) - Joe stops by Tamron hall to chat about hosting the new Deal or No Deal Island, so check your local listings.


New on DVD/Blu-ray (November-March)

Leave it to Beaver - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Father Knows Best - The Complete Series The Odd Couple - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Three's Company - The Official 40th Anniversary Collection Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

11/07 - South Park - The Complete Twenty-Sixth Season (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/14 - Leave it to Beaver - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/05 - Father Knows Best - The Complete Series
12/05 - The Odd Couple - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/12 - The Dick Van Dyke Show - The Complete Series
12/12 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)
12/12 - That Girl - The Complete Series
12/15 - Letterkenny - Season 11
12/19 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Official Restored Complete Series
12/22 - Three's Company - The Official 40th Anniversary Collection (includes The Ropers and Three's a Crowd)
01/09 - South Park - Seasons 11-15 (Blu-ray)
01/16 - Ghosts (UK) - Season Five
02/13 - Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/27 - The Really Loud House - Season One
03/12 - Ghosts (UK) - The Complete Series
03/12 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 3 (Blu-ray)
03/12 - Rick and Morty - Season 7 (Blu-ray Steelbook) (Blu-ray) (DVD)

That Girl - The Complete Series The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Official Restored Complete Series

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