Week 35 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Week 35 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

2011-12 Week 35 TV Ratings (first four nights final ratings, Mon-Thu):

Households: #1. CBS 7.6 rating/12.3 share; #2. Fox 6.3/10.1; #3. ABC 5.8/9.3; #4. NBC 3.8/6.2; #5. The CW 0.7/1.0
Total Viewers: #1. CBS 12.25 million; #2. Fox 10.47 million; #3. ABC 8.72 million; #4. NBC 6.18 million; #5. The CW 0.94 million.
Adults 18-49: #1. Fox. 3.1 rating/9.0 share; #2. CBS 3.0/8.4; #3. ABC 2.3/6.5; #4. NBC 2.1/5.9; #5 . The CW 0.4/1.2

Week 35 (May 14-20) Analysis: Week 35 is the final full week of the season, as we week 36 will only be the first three nights. Through the the first four nights in week 35, Fox has the slight edge over CBS again in 18-49. ABC is third, while NBC is in fourth. In HH/viewers, CBS is on top over Fox, with ABC and NBC trailing. When the week is over by tonight, it could be the same as this, but I expect ABC to make a run for second in 18-49 over CBS and possibly in HH/viewers over Fox. More on the prediction of week 35 below. As for last week, week 34, Fox and CBS tied for the 18-49 crown again, while CBS again took home HH/total viewers. ABC was second in HH/viewers, but third in 18-49, while Fox was third in HH/viewers. And that left NBC fourth across the board again. NBC still could finish the season in fourth place in 18-49 even with the Super Bowl? They could give up its third place lead (only a tenth right now) to ABC by this Wednesday, the last night of the season.

On Monday, it was CBS with the win as NBC doesn't have The Voice now. First, on ABC, Dancing with the Stars started it off from 8-9:30pm doing a first place 15.79 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, but down a tenth from previous week when it aired 8-10pm. From 9:30-11pm, The Bachelorette had its season premiere doing a solid 8.05 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, holding its lead-in ratings, solid. For CBS, How I Met Your Mother had its one-hour season finale, as 2 Broke Girls had it the previous week, doing 8.58 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating, up four tenths from previous week's Broke finale. The season finale of Two and a Half Men followed at 9 with 11.55 million and a 3.9 rating, the best of the block as usual and up a tenth from previous week. The season finale of Mike & Molly was next and did 11.79 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating, up four tenths week-to-week. Better total viewers thanks to no Dancing head-to-head. At 10, the season finale of Hawaii Five-0 did 11.42 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, which is up four tenths from previous week's series low. Fox started off the night with the Bones season finale doing 7.21 million and a 1.9 rating, on par with the previous week. House was new at 9 with 6.45 million and a 2.2 rating, up a tenth from previous week. The series finale is tomorrow night. Will it get any bump? NBC started it off with a two-hour premiere of America's Got Talent and did 10.48 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating, which was down a tenth from previous week's The Voice Monday finale. Still good, but this show should be better. Then at 10pm the finale of critical darling Smash was next doing 5.96 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, which was on par with previous week's series low. It's coming back for a second season anyway, but either late fall or mid-season. The CW aired the season finale of Gossip Girl and did just 1.14 million and a 0.6 18-49 rating, but actually up two tenths from previous week's series low. The season finale of Hart of Dixie followed with 1.6 million and a 0.6 rating, on par with previous week.

On Tuesday, it was CBS with the win again. NCIS at 8 started it off with the season finale doing 19.05 million and a 3.6 18-49 rating, up half a point from previous week. Then the two-hour NCIS: Los Angeles season finale from 9-11pm did 15.19 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. ABC aired a special Cougar Town at 8 and did only 3.31 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, no where near Last Man Standing the previous week. Another Cougar Town followed and did 3.22 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, down five tenths week-to-week. Officially returning for a fourth season, but on TBS. At 9pm, the live Dancing with the Stars: The Results did 13.23 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, down two tenths from previous week, as we said goodbye to Maria Menounos. The finals start tomorrow. Next at 10pm, was the season finale of Private Practice on its new night doing 6.81 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, up four tenths from previous week's series low when it was heavily hurt by The Voice finale on NBC. Fox aired a new Glee doing 6.09 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, down two tenths from previous week. New Girl was preempted, as Fox aired another new Glee doing 6.03 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating. NBC was next with the night two of America's Got Talent doing 10.58 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating, down a full point from previous week's Voice finale and three tenths from night one the previous night. At 10, the finale of Fashion Star did 4.81 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, as this show will return (and get crushed) next mid-season on Sundays at 8. The CW had the season finale of 90210 doing only 980,000 viewers and a 0.5 18-49 rating, which was down a tenth from the previous week. Then at 9pm, a new episode of LA Complex did just 530,000 viewers and a 0.2 18-49 rating, on par with the previous week. What a disaster!

Wednesday it was all Fox with the win as CBS was a distant second. First, CBS started the night off with two comedy repeats. Mike & Molly aired at 8 doing 4.35 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, followed by Rules of Engagement at 8:30pm doing only 3.93 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating. Then from 9-11pm, the season finale of Criminal Minds did 13.68 million and a 3.6 18-49 rating, up seven tenths from previous week's series low. ABC was all-new for its Laugh On comedy block, as a new The Middle started it off doing 6.53 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, on par with previous week as it could be better but spring has hampered it a bit. Suburgatory followed with its season finale at 8:30pm doing 5.35 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, down three tenths from previous week for a low. Odd. The mega hit Modern Family was next at 9pm with a new episode and it did 9.36 million and a 3.9 18-49 rating, which was down five tenths from previous week, very strange. At 9:30pm, week six of the hilarious Don't Trust the B---- In Apartment 23 was all-new and did 4.73 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, but down four tenths from previous week. At 10pm the addicting Revenge was new and did 6.9 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, down two tenths from previous week. Really strange night for ABC, season finales air this Wednesday! Fox aired American Idol from 8-10pm doing 17.68 million and a 4.9 18-49 rating, up four tenths from previous week but still good for #1 for the week again. NBC opened the night with a new Betty White's Off Their Rockers doing 5.18 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. Another all-new episode followed at 8:30pm and did a similar 5.52 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, up two tenths from previous week. Will return next season in mid-season again. At 9pm, a repeat of Law & Order: SVU at 9pm did 2.86 million and a 0.8 18-49, up a tenth from previous week's Rock Center though. And at 10pm, a new Law & Order: SVU did 5.56 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. If it can't do much at 10, why will it air at 9pm next fall? The CW had a repeat of Top Model start it off at 8pm doing 760,000 viewers and a 0.4 18-49 rating, up a tenth week-to-week. A new America's Next Top Model followed at 9 and did 1.16 million and a 0.5 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week.

Thursday it was Fox over ABC. Starting with ABC, they opened the night with the finale of Missing doing 6.53 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, up two tenths from previous week's series low. Would make a nice summer series. At 9pm, the season finale of Grey's Anatomy aired doing 11.44 million and a 4.1 18-49 rating, up six tenths from previous week for the best in scripted TV for the week. Awesome season finale! At 10pm, the season finale of Scandal did 7.33 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, up four tenths from previous week for a series high. This show could be big next season as it has plenty of buzz. CBS started with a repeat (in sweeps?!) of The Big Bang Theory doing 8.49 million and 2.5 18-49 rating. The finale of Rules of Engagement did 7.17 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, down six tenths from previous week. The season finale of Person of Interest aired next at 9 and did 13.47 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week as it got crushed by Grey's. Could be better and we know it can do better. The Mentalist was next at 10 for its season finale too and did 13.09 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week as it heads to Sundays at 10 this fall. Fox aired American Idol at 8 doing 16.4 million and a 4.4 18-49 rating, up four tenths from previous week. Then the finale of Touch at 9 did 6.02 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, down two tenths from previous week for a series low. It's back next season anyway, but on Fridays. NBC was all-new with a new Community up first doing 2.97 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, which is down a tenth from previous week tying its series low. Fridays seems very weird for this show next fall. At 8:30pm, 30 Rock had its season finale at 8:30pm and did 2.84 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. Really, time to end it after six seasons but it is back next season for the finale 13 episodes. NBC preempted The Office for another Community and did just 2.61 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, down a full point from previous week's Office. Yikes. At 9:30pm Parks & Recreation was preempted as NBC aired another episode of Community, this time its season finale, and did just 2.48 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, down four tenths from previous week's Parks and ties its series low. At 10pm, week twelve of Awake is dead in the ratings as it did 2.1 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating, down two tenths week-to-week, tying its low. It's canceled anyway, but finale is this week. The CW's big gun Vampire Diaries was preempted at 8 for a Perez Hilton All Access: Katy Perry special and did only 800,000 viewers and a 0.3 18-49 rating, down nine tenths from previous week's Vampire. Then at 9pm, drama The Secret Circle was preempted too, as they aired a repeat of Vampire Diaries and did only 600,000 viewers and a 0.2 18-49 rating.

Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but ABC and NBC tred for the Friday win. Shark Tank at 8pm was new and #1 again at 8, topping repeats on CBS and Fox and the season finale of Who Do You Think You Are on NBC. At 9pm NBC's Grimm was #1 easily beating ABC's What Would You Do?, as CBS was in repeats. CBS' Blue Bloods was also a repeat as ABC's 20/20 was #1 at 10 edging NBC's Dateline.
Saturday numbers have ABC and NBC again tying but both were below a prelim 1.0 18-49 rating.

Tonight ABC's line-up is the season finale of AFV and the Billboard Music Awards. Look for solid numbers for the entire night and a #1 position likely. NBC has Dateline at 7, with Celebrity Apprentice from 9-11pm, and Harry's Law leading in. Maybe a second or third place finish. CBS has two new airings of 60 Minutes then a new two-hour Jesse Stone movie from 9-11pm that will skew old. A fourth place finish I think. Fox has Animation Domination finales which could have them in second place, but I also could see them in third.

As for the week (week 35), Fox will likely win the week in 18-49 but it won't be a runaway. And CBS should win HH/viewers. ABC will be second in 18-49 and HH/viewers. CBS will be third in 18-49, with Fox should be third in HH/viewers. NBC will be fourth everywhere. As for the coming week, week 36, we have the final three nights of the season. Big finales are Dancing with the Stars and American Idol, along with Modern Family. Summer starts Thursday with Duets on ABC.

Week 35 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for Week 34 -- May 7-13)

The Simpsons (Fox) - A new episode at 8pm did 4.07 million and just a 1.9 18-49 rating, which is below normal and down four tenths from previous week. Not good. At 7pm, a repeat did 2.13 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating, which was down two tenths from previous week.
The Cleveland Show (Fox) - A new showing at 7:30pm did 2.79 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, down another tenth from previous week.
Bob's Burgers (Fox) - A new episode at 8:30pm did 3.69 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, which is not too good but on par week-to-week despite its lead-in dropping.
Family Guy (Fox) - At 9pm, an all-new airing did only 4.94 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, for the best of the block and but down three tenths from previous week. A new low?
American Dad! (Fox) - At 9:30pm, a new showing did 4.13 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, but down three tenths from previous week.

Monday Sitcoms

How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - The one-hour season finale did 8.58 million and a 3.7 18-49 rating, which was up four tenths from previous week's 2 Broke Girls one-hour finale. Interesting, as this show seems more younger skewing.
2 Broke Girls (CBS) - preempted.
Two and a Half Men (CBS) - The season finale of this sitcom did 11.55 million and a 3.9 18-49 rating, up a tenth week-to-week for its last original Monday airing. On the move to Thursdays in the fall.
Mike & Molly (CBS) - 11.79 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating is up three tenths week-to-week and even more in total viewers as there was no Dancing to compete with.

Tuesday Sitcoms

Last Man Standing (ABC) - preempted.
Cougar Town (ABC) 2 episodes - A new episode at a special time of 8pm did only 3.31 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating for a series low. A new episode in its normal 8:30pm slot did just 3.22 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, down five tenths from previous week. I guess it doesn't matter since it is moving to TBS next season.
New Girl (Fox) - preempted.

Wednesday Sitcoms

The Middle (ABC) - A new episode did 6.53 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. It should rebound in the fall I guess. Season finale this Wednesday.
Mike & Molly (CBS) - A special repeat did only 4.35 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating at 8.
Suburgatory (ABC) - The season finale did 5.35 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, down three tenths from previous week for a new low. Very odd.
Rules of Engagement (CBS) - A special repeat at 8:30pm did just 3.93 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating.
Modern Family (ABC) - A new episode of this mega hit did 9.36 million and a 3.9 18-49 rating, down five tenths from previous week for a season low. I don't get it.
Don't Trust the B---- In Apartment 23 (ABC) - The sixth episode did 4.73 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, down four tenths from previous week.Could be better, but its lead-in was down too.

Thursday Sitcoms

The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A repeat at 8 did 8.49 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating. I don't get airing repeats in sweeps.
Rules of Engagement (CBS) - The season finale did 7.17 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, which was down six tenths from previous week when its lead-in was new. Could be better.
Community (NBC) 3 airings - A new episode did 2.97 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week to tie its series low. Two more episodes aired from 9-10pm as its season finale, but it did just as bad with 2.61 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating at 9 and 2.48 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating at 9:30. All tied its series low.
30 Rock (NBC) - The season finale did 2.84 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week.
The Office (NBC) - preempted.
Parks and Recreation (NBC) - preempted.

Friday Sitcoms

None.

Saturday Sitcoms

None

Airing tonight (Sunday) are Fox Animation Domination comedies from 7-10pm, with season finales starting at 7:30pm.

Summing it up. Airings of Modern Family, Two and a Half Men, How I Met Your Mother, Mike & Molly, The Big Bang Theory were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as The Middle, Rules of Engagement) or just plain old terrible (such as Cougar Town, Community, 30 Rock).

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Thursday, July 3

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "A Sportsbook and a Breakup" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Mandy finds out Meemaw runs an illegal sportsbook and decides she wants in on the action. Meanwhile, Georgie struggles to keep Mandy’s new job a secret.

Ghosts - "His Girl Shiki" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Pete makes good on his promise to find someone for Sasappis by bringing in a wisecracking 1940s screenwriter who also has the ability to roam.

Bob's Burgers - "The Shell Game" (Fox, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Bob competes in a competition to inherit Mr. Fischoeder's 100-year-old tortoise.

Grimsburg - "Molly" (Fox, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Flute forgets to buy Stan a gift for his birthday, he steals an AI doll from the evidence locker; Wynona is forced to confront her ex-boyfriend.

Family Guy - "Row v. Wade" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Brian wins a boat on "The Price is Right" and decides to sail to Texas to help women seeking legal abortions.

The Great North - "Silence of the Dams Adventure" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Honeybee accidentally revives an old Lone Moose curse, sending a terrifying creature after her and the Tobins.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of June 30)

Thursday, July 3

Steve Martin (Only Murders in the Building) - Catch Steve on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Zach Cherry (Duncanville/I Feel Bad/Crashing) - Zach is a guest on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Joel McHale (Animal Control/The Great Indoors/Community) - Joel appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Sandy Honig (Three Busy Debras), Mitra Jouhari (Clone High/Three Busy Debras) and Alyssa Stonoha (Three Busy Debras) - Sandy, Mitra and Alyssa are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Rob Lowe (Unstable/The Grinder/Parks and Recreation/A New Kind of Family) - Rob discusses cancer research and how it changed his life with GMA lifestyle contributor Lori Bergamotto on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Laurence Fishburne (black-ish) - Laurence chats with the ladies of The View on a repeat on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Justin Bartha (The New Normal/Teachers) - Justin talks about Nuked on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am and on CBS Mornings Plus in the 9am hour.
Brooke Shields (Suddenly Susan) - Brooke guest co-hosts NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Adam Scott (Ghosted/Veep/Parks and Recreation/Party Down), Britt Lower (Ghosted/Man Seeking Woman/Big Lake) and Ben Stiller (Arrested Development) - Adam, Britt and Ben talk about Severance on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.