Sunday, November 06, 2011

Week 7 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

2011-12 Week 7 TV Ratings (first four nights, Mon-Thu):

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

Week 7 (Oct. 31-Nov. 6) Analysis: November sweeps is in its second full week and every network of course has new programming. ABC saw week two of Once Upon a Time nearly maintain its strong premiere ratings and remains the highest rated new drama of the season and episode three is on tonight. We don't have final first four night averages for this week, but we can project, CBS is on top in all categories, with ABC second in HH/viewers and Fox second in 18-49. ABC is a close third in 18-49, while Fox is third in total viewers. So that means NBC is still way behind in fourth. I expect CBS will be a for sure first place this week after tonight as last night's SEC Game did big numbers for CBS. The other networks are likely to remain as they are through the first four nights. As for last week, week 6, Fox was first over second place CBS thanks to World Series action, even with CBS having the NFL overrun. CBS was in second place across the board, with ABC right behind. NBC was fourth across the board even with an NFL Sunday night game featuring the Cowboys and Eagles.

Monday had CBS on top again in 18-49 and ABC on top in viewers. Starting with ABC, the Halloween special Scared Shrekless started it off with 8.53 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, as the demo rating could have been better. Dancing with the Stars won the total viewer race at a special time of 8:30pm with 16.29 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, both down from previous week and season lows. A new Castle at 10pm was first place with 12.58 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, up from previous week and the only series to go up on Halloween night. Great hostage episode and I knew it would do well as I mentioned that last week. For CBS, How I Met Your Mother started it off with 10.49 million and a 4.2 18-49 rating, off a tenth from previous week, which is not bad at all as the early portion of the night is usually down on Halloween night. 2 Broke Girls followed with 10.97 million and a 4.3 18-49 rating, off some from previous week. At 9pm, a new Two and a Half Men, with new star Ashton Kutcher, did 13.9 million and a 4.7 18-49 rating, down from previous week after climbing for the first time the previous week. High 4's. Isn't that what I predicted would happen all the way back in week one? Still very good, but the big ratings have worn off. A new Mike & Molly followed the huge lead-in and did 11.45 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating, down from the previous week, but still solid. An all-new Hawaii Five-0 was next doing 10.6 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, off some from the previous week. Fox returned the expensive Terra Nova and it was down to series lows with 6.59 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, as of now I think it will be 13 and out for this costly series. And at 9pm, House looks more and more like this will be its last season as it posted 6.65 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, as it is no longer in the top drama race. People trash Grey's for being down big, yet that is still in the top drama race, while this isn't. NBC followed with another two-hour The Sing-Off doing only 4.4 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, down a tad from previous week. What a dud. At 10pm, NBC aired the premiere of Rock Center with Brian Williams and it did an embarrassing 4.14 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, The Playboy Club was doing even better. Oh NBC, what have you done? The CW was in repeats with Gossip Girl and Hart of Dixie being preempted for repeats of Ringer doing 680,000 viewers and 640,000 viewers and a 0.2 18-49 rating each. Eh.

On Tuesday, CBS took both honors. CBS had the quiet leader NCIS opening the night off with 19.71 million and a 3.9 18-49 rating, off some from previous week but as always among the leaders in dramas. Then spin-off NCIS: Los Angeles was next and did 15.52 million and 3.4 18-49 rating, also off from previous week. And a new Unforgettable did 11.34 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, also down some from previous week and tying a series low. ABC was next with new comedy Last Man Standing with Tim Allen leading the night off doing 9.42 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, only off some from previous week and it has been picked-up for the full season. The show is getting funnier and better, too. Week three of Man Up! was next and it did 6.36 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, down some from previous week. Not good, and the episode was a dud, too. Then Dancing with the Stars: The Results followed at 9pm with 15.45 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, up some from previous week with X Factor out of the mix this time, as we said goodbye to David Arquette. Was sad to see him go, as he deserved another week or two for sure. An all-new Body of Proof followed and did a season high in viewers with 9.9 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, up a tenth week-to-week, but wish the 18-49 was a bit higher. Fox returned Glee which has fallen faster than any major hit I could ever think of, doing 7.47 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating. Fox also returned its comedies and they suffered, too. At 9pm, New Girl did 7.42 million and a solid 3.6 18-49 rating, but these are series lows by far. Next Raising Hope did 5.37 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, its usual only average numbers. NBC was next with a two-hour The Biggest Loser doing 6.43 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, up from the previous week. At 10pm, Parenthood was returned from a week off to 5.29 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating. Nothing special, but not bad either in 18-49 for this time period. The CW returned 90210 for a new episode that did 1.48 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating, then the Sarah Michelle Gellar drama Ringer followed with 1.8 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating.

Wednesday it was Fox with the win but ABC was right behind. First, CBS started the night off on top with Survivor: South Pacific at 11.95 million and a 3.6 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week. Veteran drama Criminal Minds was all-new and did 12.94 million and a solid 3.7 18-49 rating, among the top series for dramas. At 10pm, CSI was new too and did 10.79 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, good for second place. ABC started off with its Laugh On comedy block with The Middle doing 9.41 million and a great 3.0 18-49 rating, down a bit week-to-week, but still a nice self-starter. The new sitcom Suburgatory followed with 8.5 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, down some from previous week's series highs. Still, the series is red-hot, no pun intended on the red! Let's get Amy Davidson to guest star or recur--help us out with that! At 9pm, the mega hit Modern Family was all-new and it did 13.37 million and a huge 5.7 18-49 rating, on par with the last new airing on Oct. 19. A new Happy Endings was next with 7.62 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating, off a tenth from the previous week's series highs! Keeps getting buzz every week! At 10pm episode seven of my favorite fall series Revenge did a solid 8.58 million and a first place 3.0 18-49 rating, its best ratings since the premiere again. So juicy and addicting! Fox returned The X Factor on Wednesday nights doing 11.76 million and a 4.0 18-49 rating for two-hours. Solid, but its no Idol, Simon. NBC opened the night with a new Up All Night at 4.78 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, for series lows. NBC needs to move this for it to have any chance of success elsewhere. At 8:30pm, a repeat followed and did just 3.38 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating. At 9pm, Harry's Law was new and did nothing, doing just a 1.1 18-49 rating for a series low. The total viewers of 7.28 million is its only thing of note, but that doesn't make the money as this series has lower ad-rated than The CW series at this time. At 10pm, Law & Order: SVU was new doing 7.1 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating for last place. The CW had a repeat of Ringer leading the night off with 1.15 million and a 0.4 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. The declining fast America's Next Top Model was next at 9pm with 1.87 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating, down some from previous week.

Thursday it was Fox with the win again but CBS and ABC were close by. But first, ABC opened the night with Charlie's Angels doing 5.31 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, on par with its last new episode. One more episode left in this time period, but ABC also has one other one to air if they are going to air it. At 9pm, Grey's Anatomy followed with 9.52 million and a 3.6 A18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week but only NCIS and Criminal Minds are better so far for dramas (Once Upon a Time could be #1 again after tonight). Great episode and next week looks like classic Grey's, so expect an uptick. At 10pm, Private Practice did 6.56 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, best since the season premiere (and higher than House, but who's comparing?). CBS opened with the red-hot The Big Bang Theory at 15.98 million and a 5.4 18-49 rating, up big from previous week. This is its best Thursday ratings ever. Wow! Maybe when the Howard-Bernadette wedding airs, we could see a series high? Then, a new Rules of Engagement was next doing 11.81 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating, up from previous week. Still solid, as CBS can't do any better unless they air a Bang repeat and that would be repetitive. A new Person of Interest followed with 11.76 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, again on par with the previous week in 18-49. Solid show, but it doesn't deserve this anchor timeslot. Repeat this week for some reason. A new episode of The Mentalist followed and did 13.66 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, up a good amount from the previous week. A repeat next week after this season high? Why CBS, it is sweeps. Fox aired a one-hour The X Factor doing 11.64 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating. Then at 9pm, the season premiere of veteran Bones did 10.0 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, for second in the hour. NBC was in the familiar fourth place with the should-be-not leading-off Community getting slaughtered with 3.84 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating only, but up three tenths from previous week. Then Parks and Recreation followed at only 4.0 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, also up three tenths from previous week. At 9pm The Office jumped to 6.15 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, you guessed it, up three tenths from previous week. I expect some drops maybe this week as people hated the episode. A new episode of Whitney closed the comedy block with only 4.31 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, up a tenth only week-to-week. NBC's drama bust Prime Suspect closed the night with only 4.51 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating up a tenth from previous week. The CW's big gun Vampire Diaries did 3.51 million, and a 1.6 18-49 rating, for a season high. Soon it will beat NBC's comedies in 18-49. The new The Secret Circle was next at 2.26 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating, on par with the previous week, could be better as the lead-in was up.

Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but CBS won night thanks to Blue Bloods at 10pm. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition for ABC was up from previous week and NBC's Chuck did terrible ratings again, while week two of Grimm held up OK beating Fox's Fringe by a lot.
Saturday numbers it was all CBS with a big showing for the #1 vs #2 game in college football with LSU beating Alabama in a field-goal fest. No one was even close to second place, as ABC Saturday Night Football was a distant second.

Tonight ABC Sunday is all-new (but AFV is preempted again for an encore of Once Upon a Time, Desperate Housewives, and Pan Am). Once held up VERY well in week two for ABC and episode three should be similar. Look for great numbers again. NBC will win the night with the NFL with the Steelers ad Ravens, perhaps not as much as previous week though. CBS has its normal line-up of 60 Minutes, Amazing Race, The Good Wife and CSI: Miami, but that might be only good for fourth place without an NFL overrun boosting it. Fox has the animated comedies from 8-10pm following then NFL overrun that will boost them up.

As for the week (week 7), CBS will definitely win the week in all categories. Why? Last night's SEC football game sealed it with huge ratings. Fox will be second place thanks to the NFL overrun tonight, but ABC could hang on in total viewers. ABC will be third in 18-49 though, leaving NBC back in fourth in all categories even with the NFL prime game tonight. Allen Gregory on Fox premiered poorly previous week but tonight it could be on par or even up with an NFL overrun in the mix. As for the coming week (week 8), the 45th Annual CMA Awards will likely be a big draw on Wednesday for ABC.

Week 7 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for Week 6 -- Oct. 24-30)

  • The Simpsons (Fox) - 8.1 million tuned in for the annual Treehouse of Horror show. Down from normal but the 18-49 rating of a 4.0 is still great. A repeat at 7:30pm was the lead-in and did 5.52 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, not bad.
  • The Cleveland Show (Fox) - An all-new episode at a special time of 9:30pm did 4.66 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, seems below normal. Could be better. A repeat at 7pm did only 2.72 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating.
  • Allen Gregory (Fox) - The series premiere at 8:30pm did not do much doing 4.77 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating. Terrible.
  • Family Guy (Fox) - An all-new episode was way below normal doing 5.96 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating.
  • American Dad! (Fox) - preempted.

Monday Sitcoms

  • How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - An all-new episode did 10.49 million and a 4.2 18-49 rating, basically on par with the previous week. Great for Halloween night.
  • 2 Broke Girls (CBS) - A new airing did 10.97 million a 4.3 18-49 rating, down some from the previous week, but still great.
  • Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 13.9 million and a 4.7 18-49 rating is excellent but down from previous week. It is no longer the top sitcom, as I thought. Looks like it will be #3 this week.
  • Mike & Molly (CBS) - With the strong lead-in, a new episode did 11.45 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating, down from previous week. Solid.

Tuesday Sitcoms

  • Last Man Standing (ABC) - An all-new episode in the 8pm half-hour did 9.42 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, off some from previous week but still very solid. The back nine was picked-up so now a full season for sure!
  • Man Up! (ABC) - Week three of this comedy did 6.36 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, down some from previous week. The episode was not that great I thought.
  • New Girl (Fox) - Finally a new episode aired but Fox saw numbers going way down doing 7.42 million and a 3.6 18-49 rating for a series low, by far. What were they thinking by preempting it for nearly a month? Numbers are still solid, though.
  • Raising Hope (Fox) - A new episode did 5.37 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, as it seems this show will never breakout.

Wednesday Sitcoms
  • The Middle (ABC) - A new episode did 9.41 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating down some from previous week's series highs. Great episode, too.
  • Suburgatory (ABC) - A new episode did 8.5 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, building from its lead-in again but down some from the previous wee's series high! This show is very consistent.
  • Up All Night (NBC) 2 episodes - A new episode did a series low 4.78 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating. This show is slowly dying on this night. A repeat followed with 3.38 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating.
  • Modern Family (ABC) - A new episode did 13.37 million and a 5.7 18-49 rating, on par with its previous new episode a few weeks ago. The #1 comedy on TV!
  • Happy Endings (ABC) - A new episode did 7.62 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating, off some from previous week's series highs. This show has so much buzz! I can see this becoming even bigger soon.

Thursday Sitcoms

  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A new episode did 15.98 million and a 5.4 18-49 rating, up big from previous week and anew Thursday high. Wow. #2 sitcom (and scripted show) of the week!
  • Rules of Engagement (CBS) - A new episode did 11.81 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating. Solid numbers and its Thursday high, too.
  • Community (NBC) - A new episode did just 3.84 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, up some week-to-week but still low to lead-off.
  • Parks and Recreation (NBC) - A new showing of this show did 4.0 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, likewise for this series, up some week-to-week.
  • The Office (NBC) - A new episode did 6.15 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, for the best of the block like usual, and up from previous week's lowest ratings ever on a Thursday. After the comments for this episode, this coming week might be the lowest one ever.
  • Whitney (NBC) - A new episode did 4.31 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, up a bit week-to-week and the only one of the comedies not to go up three tenths from previous week.

Friday Sitcoms

  • None.

Saturday Sitcoms

  • None.

Airing tonight (Sunday) are Fox's animated comedies from 8-10pm, following NFL action. Week two of Allen Gregory is at 8:30pm.

Summing it up. Modern Family, The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, 2 Broke Girls, How I Met Your Mother, Mike & Molly, Suburgatory, The Middle, Happy Endings, New Girl, Rules of Engagement were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as Raising Hope, The Office) or just plain old terrible (such as Community, Up All Night).


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Saturday, December 21

none scheduled

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of December 16)

Friday, December 20

  • Jason Bateman (Arrested Development/George and Leo/Chicago Sons/Simon/The Hogan Family/It's Your Move/Silver Spoons) - Watch Jason on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Sharon Horgan (Bad Sisters/HouseBroken/Catastrophe) - Sharon is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Dwayne Johnson (Young Rock) - Dwayne appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Colton Dunn (Superstore) and Diona Reasonover (Clipped) - Colton and Diona are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Zachary Quinto (Big Mouth/So Notorious) - NBC's Today catches up with Zachary in the 9am hour.
  • Billy Eichner (Friends from College/Difficult People/Parks and Recreation) - Billy talks about Mufasa: The Lion King on NBC's Today in the 10am hour. He can also be heard on The Morning Mash Up on SiriusXM.
  • Kerry Washington (UnPrisoned) - Kerry talks about The Six Triple Eight on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am and on Sherri, so check your local listings.
  • James Marsden (30 Rock) and Ben Schwartz (The Afterparty/Space Force/Parks and Recreation) - James and Ben talk about Sonic the Hedgehog 3 on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Jamie Lee Curtis (The Sticky/Anything But Love/Operation Petticoat) - Jamie Lee chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Whitney Cummings (Whitney) - Whitney talks about Max's Fast Friends on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Henry Winkler (Barry/Arrested Development/Out of Practice/Monty/Happy Days) - Access Daily with Mario & Kit has the best of Henry and Kit Hoover, so check your local listings.
  • Howie Mandel (Good Grief) - The Talk celebrates 15 seasons with a special finale episode; friend of the show Howie Mandel makes his 21st appearance on the show when he stops by one last time with a surprise for the hosts on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

Friends - The Complete Series (4K UHD) Young Sheldon - The Complete Series Veep - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Seinfeld - The Complete Series (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)

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

12/21 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Creative Team Put in Place for Big Bang Theory Spinoff; Girls5eva Canceled at Netflix
12/20 - Netflix Announces You and Sweet Magnolias Details; Tell Me Lies Renewed for Season 3 on Hulu
12/19 - Apple TV+ Bad Monkey Renewed for Season 2; Norman Lear's Clean Slate Comedy to Premiere on Prime Video in February
12/18 - Netflix Renews A Man on the Inside; Silo Gets 2 Season Renewal for Apple TV+
12/17 - Paramount Adds The Big Bang Theory to Nick at Nite and MTV Lineups; The White Lotus Season 3 in February
12/16 - Malcolm in the Middle to Return for 25th Anniversary; Game Show Network Holiday Schedule
12/15 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of December 16, 2024)
12/14 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Malcolm in the Middle Limited Reboot Headed to Disney+; King of the Hill Reboot Episode Titles Released
12/13 - Antenna TV's Christmas and New Year's Holiday Schedule; Apple TV+ and Peanuts Holiday Specials
12/12 - Harley Quinn Returns in January; Night Court Holiday Episode on NBC
12/11 - Valerie Bertinelli Hosting Game Show; Whitney Cummings Finding Ultimate Friends Fans
12/10 - 82nd Golden Globe Nominations; Michelle Buteau: A Buteau-ful Mind at Radio City Music Hall
12/09 - Jamie Foxx Returns on Tuesday on Netflix; Ilana Glazer Hulu Comedy Special
12/08 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of December 9, 2024)
12/07 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Scrubs Reboot in the Works; Family Guy Returning to Adult Swim
12/06 - Apple TV+ New Comedy Government Cheese; Prime Video Sets Half-Hour Police Drama
12/05 - Marlon Wayans to Guest Star on Poppa's House on CBS; Mo Returning to Netflix
12/04 - STARZ Comedy Thriller Sweetpea Renewed for Season 2; Bel-Air to End After Next Season
12/03 - Pluto TV Holiday Schedule; SNL December Hosts and Musical Performers
12/02 - Scripps Networks (Laff, Bounce, ION) Holiday Schedule; First Look at Watson on CBS
12/01 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of December 2, 2024)
11/30 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Desperate Housewives Creator Has Prequel Idea; Finale Date Set for The Talk
11/29 - Abbott Elementary Aces the Test on Multi-Platform; Dancing with the Stars' Resurgence
11/28 - 2024 Thanksgiving TV Marathons
11/27 - Henry Danger The Movie Premieres in January; Dexter: Original Sin Trailer
11/26 - The Way Home Returns for Season 3; Matthew Broderick and Son to Guest Star on Elsbeth
11/25 - Peacock's Laid Premieres December 19; Jon Hamm Drama Gets Season 2 Before Series Premiere
11/24 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of November 25, 2024)
11/23 - SitcomsOnline Digest: HBO Renews It's Florida, Man; Simpsons Voice Actor Announces Retirement
11/22 - NBC's Happy's Place Gets Full Season; HBO Renews It's Florida, Man for Another Zany Season
11/21 - The CW Midseason 2025 Schedule; Voice of Milhouse Leaving The Simpsons