SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

Day 11: WGA's Writers' Strike; In2TV to Re-Launch; M*A*S*H Marathon Score for TV Land

We are now on day 11 of the writers' strike. Reality/game shows will dominate the schedule soon when originals of scripted series run out. The Office runs out after tonight's airing. CBS's new sitcom The Big Bang Theory ran out of new episodes this past Monday. Rules of Engagement looks like will run out of episodes after its airing this Monday. Which means half of CBS's Monday sitcom line-up would have ended...the other two are expected to end after their Monday, Nov. 26 airings.
NBC has announced that its struggling new series Life, which airs Wednesdays at 10, will have a special two-part episode which will air following the finale of Heroes on December 3 at 10pm. Part two will air in its regular timeslot on Dec. 5. NBC will also have a special three night Deal or No Deal stunt a week later, on Dec. 10-12 starting at 8pm. Following that NBC will launch the new series Clash of the Choirs, which will air Dec. 17-21 at 8pm. Michael Bolton, Patti LaBelle, Nick Lachey, Kelly Rowland and Blake Shelton will embark on a musical challenge as they return to their hometowns to assemble an amateur choir and prepare them to compete live in studio for the title of America's best choir. ABC will counteract with a new gameshow called Duel the same four nights, but with also an airing on Sunday, Dec. 23 at 8pm. Duel is a tournament style competition featuring head-to-head matches with nerve rattling game play rewarding contestants who embrace shrewdness and manipulation to win. If a contestant can react quickly under pressure and outsmart their opponent using strategy and deception, intellect and skill, they could walk away with up to $2 million.
We gave you ABC's holiday plans (with more coming probably), now we will give you CBS's. The classic holiday special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer will air Tuesday, December 4 from 8-9pm on CBS, head-to-head against ABC's Santa Claus is Coming to Town. CBS will also air the classic special Frosty the Snowman on Friday, December 7 at 8pm, followed by Frosty Returns at 8:30. CBS will also air the holiday movie Elf on Saturday, Dec. 22.

MediaPost is reporting that AOL/Warner Bros. plan to relaunch their In2TV co-venture sometime next year, as the broadband network with full episodes of old-time hits has failed to gain traction since debuting in early 2006. They said it would be "reinvented" by the second quarter next year. A redesign and the addition of some sort of social networking capabilities are expected. The service's section, with memorable show theme songs, might also be an untapped resource. The site's experience is "not immersive" enough.
The coming relaunch is an example of the commitment of the studio--which produces a run of current prime-time hits--to exploiting its library via new distribution channels.
Also next spring, the company has said it will launch TWorks.com--a site focusing on animation with shows such as Looney Tunes and Hanna-Barbera series. The company said the venture, which will have original content produced by Warner Bros., will also include games and virtual worlds.
So what does this mean? We are not 100% sure...but let's hope they don't remove all of the classic TV on In2TV. So this is the reason why there have not been many new episodes for series on In2TV. They started by giving us 4 new episodes a month, but that hasn't happened in many months now. We will keep you up to date on any further development.

TV Land's M*A*S*H Mail Call Marathon averaged big gains across several key categories during the programming event, which aired on Saturday, November 10 and Sunday, November 11, in honor of Veteran's Day. The eighteen episode programming salute scored double-digit gains in rating and delivery among its target A25-54 audience and total viewers over last year while doubling delivery among its core audience of A40-54. The M*A*S*H Mail Call featured episodes about members of the 4077th sending and receiving letters from loved ones. M*A*S*H averaged a 0.5/524,000 among A25-54, representing a +67% lift in ratings and +95% increase in delivery over the same period last year. TV Land averaged over 1 million total viewers, an increase of +79% over YAGO. Among its core audience, Adults 40-54, TV Land secured substantial gains in rating and delivery, averaging a 0.7/404,000, representing a rise of +75% in rating and +108% in delivery.
In other TV Land news, starting in December Mondays 4-5PM will now be Sanford & Son, thus it will be Mon-Fri instead of Tues-Fri. Gunsmoke will be 2-4pm on Mondays now, with Bonanza 11a-2p Mondays.
On Saturday, Dec. 8, the 12PM encore of the movie Beaches will be replaced by I Love Lucy from 12pm-2:30pm. I Love Lucy's morning airing that morning from 10a-12p will be Designing Women instead. On Saturday, December 15, encores of the movie Wall Street are canceled in the afternoon, so we will get a Three's Company marathon from 1-5pm. Wall Street encore will now air from 7-9:30pm, with Andy Griffith following at 9:30pm.

SitcomsOnline.com Exclusive: Interview with Retro Television Network and a RTN T-Shirt Contest; TV Land's The 50 Greatest TV Icons

It is now day 10 of the writers' strike. Nothing really new to report as of now, so I won't talk much about it today because we have a very exciting interview for you today. As always with our interviews, it is in Seven Questions form! In addition to today's interview, stay tuned in the coming days, as we might have a "Seven Questions" interview with Willie Aames (Buddy from Charles in Charge), just in time for the Charles in Charge second season DVD out next week. Look for our review of that set later this week and don't forget to enter our contest by clicking HERE. And now to today's interview...

We have had the pleasure to interview Neal Ardman and Mark Dvornik of Retro Television Network (RTN)! RTN is a new television network that provides each affiliate a customized feed with classic hit shows, in addition to local programming including news, weather and sports. RTN is specifically designed to go on a broadcast digital channel and provides local broadcasters with a way to get ratings and successfully monetize their digital spectrum.

Mark Dvornik has been very good and helpful to us, so we thank him in making this happen. Neal Ardman and Mark Dvornik sat down with me with their TV Dinners watching RTN (Retro Television Network) in another installment of SitcomsOnline's Seven Questions Series.

"Seven Questions with Retro Television Network's Neal Ardman and Mark Dvornik"

SitcomsOnline: Hi Neal and Mark, this is Pavan from SitcomsOnline.com. Thanks for this opportunity. We are loving what Retro Television Network (RTN) is doing. We know what the network is and have promoted the news and details to our readers, but maybe you can explain how you guys work a bit better. So, what is RTN and how can we get it? How did it start?
RTN: Mark turns to Neal and says, "Tell the folks that story of how RTN came to be." Neal says, Well Mark, I was out hunting near my cabin when I missed fired a shot, it hit the ground, and all of a sudden a crude format of a network came out of the ground! (They both laugh at the TV reference to an opening of a classic hit show.) That was 2005, and the first RTN was born on KKYK-TV in Little Rock, AR. Mark adds, Call your favorite local television station, ask for the program director, and tell them you would like for them to put RTN on their digital channel.

SitcomsOnline: So RTN has gone national, right? We read it was going to in July, but we didn't start to see any news until late August. We got lots of e-mails asking when RTN was going national and if their cities would get it.
RTN: Mark says, RTN is the first customized local network, and we are signing on markets one city at a time. Neal adds, RTN is one of the most cutting edge broadcaster out there. We are broadcasting now in MPEG4!

SitcomsOnline: What is the coverage goal for the network? I don't think there were any announcements for RTN stations in the top markets, like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Are we close to having RTN's in those markets? WPIX-DT would be good in NY I think, since the Tube Music Network is now gone. That would be a major step!
RTN: Mark says, The coverage goal is National. We will not comment on any discussions going on in any markets. However, as I stated earlier that if you would like to see RTN on your market, you should contact your local station and request that they pick up RTN on their local digital channel.

SitcomsOnline: Right now we see classics from the CBS/Paramount and Universal libraries. Can we expect shows from other studios soon? And for the CBS/Paramount and Universal libraries, are you able to choose any TV show or is there some sort of system? Personally, I've been missing shows like Webster, Dear John (both Paramount), and Out of this World (Universal) and would love to see those on RTNs. But I still like the shows you already air like Happy Days, Family Ties and The A-Team!
RTN: Neal says, We love all the shows that you listed, too. As they say, stay tuned...

SitcomsOnline: So does the local affiliate get full rights to choose what shows they want to air, or does RTN help as well?
RTN: Neal is chuckling as he says, We can not answer any questions of a legal nature, without consulting our attorney Perry Mason. We will have to get back to you...

SitcomsOnline: Where can fans call or e-mail the network? Does RTN have a website that is live? I know there used to be one, but that doesn't seem to be working right now.
RTN: Mark says, The fans of RTN in each local market should let the local station know via e-mail how much they like that they have RTN on the air. Neal adds, Our new wonderful website is under construction. We did a focus group and found that our Etch-A-Sketch was not refreshing the page quick enough!

SitcomsOnline: So, we heard that your network has a mascot?
RTN: Neal says, His name is Beau, and he is a chocolate lab. He can be seen in promos with SIT, STAY, WATCH, which we also have on t-shirts. Mark adds, Pavan has secured some t-shirts for a lucky few. He will unveil how you can win one later in this interview. Neal concludes with, Beau is everything you want in a network mascot. First he is loyal to RTN. He only wags his tail at our shows. He brings us the morning trades so we can stay up on the goings on. And he has not accidents like the other network mascots.

SitcomsOnline: Well, thanks once again for taking some time out for us in your busy schedules! And much success to RTN!
RTN: Mark says, We are honored that you asked for us to speak to your readers, we love television and bringing these great shows to you. Thanks for watching us, and contact your local station if we are not on in your market yet. RTN is adding markets each week, and Pavan is doing an excellent job keeping you all informed on the progress.

Our thanks to to Neal and Mark of RTN, and best wishes to them in making RTN a big success! Some great humor even in their responses! Our apologies to Matt Damon, we ran out of time. For more information on Retro Television Network, continue to stay with us for info and don't forget to log-on to their website when it goes up at http://www.retrotelevision.net. So, stay tuned right here on the blog for news updates for this wonderful network! We seem to be getting new affiliates each week! Fast growing indeed!

And as Mark mentioned in the interview we have a contest for you RTN fans! We have 10 RTN T-shirts to give away with Beau the mascot. The contest starts today (Nov. 14) and ends Dec. 13...so hopefully you'll get your RTN T-Shirt in time for Christmas! That is our gift to you! Before you enter, please make sure you read the rules and regulations. So, without further adieu click HERE to enter our RTN T-Shirt Contest!

Legendary Johnny Carson -- the "King of Late Night TV" -- is ranked the number one TV icon in Entertainment Weekly and TV Land Present: The 50 Greatest TV Icons, premiering on Friday, November 16 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The two-hour TV Land special looks at individuals like Carson in addition to the great Lucille Ball and the hilarious Jerry Seinfeld, who have all made their indelible mark in TV history. The complete list will be revealed in the TV Land Original special and in Entertainment Weekly's annual DVD issue on stands that day. The magazine feature celebrates each icon's contribution to television along with DVD recommendations from each of the icons' work. The TV special is produced by Gay Rosenthal Productions.
For more info on this two-hour special and the complete top 50 list, click HERE (if you want to be spoiled).
The list they made is actually a top 100 list, but the TV special will only cover the top 50. 100-51 is listed on the TV Land website, if you want to take a look at that.

Day 9: WGA's Writers' Strike; TV Land January Schedule and Highlights; Charles in Charge - The Complete Second Season DVD Giveaway

It is day 9 of the writers' strike. Nothing really new to report as of now. In a demonstration of the Screen Actors Guild's solidarity with the Writers Guild of America, TV's top stars will turn out today to walk the picket line at the WGA West's "Picketing with the Stars" to support striking writers. It will be from 12-2pm today Universal Studios in Universal City, CA You'll see stars like Jim Belushi (According to Jim); Patricia Heaton, Fred Willard (Back to You); Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory); Vincent Martella, Tequan Richmond, Imani Hakim, Jacqueline Mazarella, Travis Flory, Todd Bridges (Everybody Hates Chris); and Christina Applegate, Kevin Dunn, Tim Russ (Samantha Who?). For more info, click HERE.
Let's hope negotiations start up again soon, so we can end all this. This better not last months because if it lasts through like March or April, not only we won't get any more new episodes of our favorite shows, but the pilot season could be lost and we won't get any new shows next fall.

TV Land is bringing in The Beverly Hillbillies this January! But before we get to that, they have announced three items before that. Starting Monday, November 26, the overnight hours will be back "on the clock." Which means you will see your shows actually on time, and we get 30 minutes less commercials, so an Three's Company will be added at 1:30am! No more shows starting at weird times like 1:17am. At the end of December, TV Land has added two stunts. A special week-long movie stunt and a Beverly Hillbillies preview! After Christmas, catch TV Land Movies all-week long at noon and 8pm! You'll see movies like Running Scared, Thelma & Louise, Wall Street and Beaches at noon and 8pm Dec. 25-28. On Saturday, Dec. 29 and Sunday, Dec. 30 we get a taste of some Texas Tea in The Beverly Hillbillies preview stunt! A mini-marathon both days from 10am-12pm. For episode info on these December stunts, click HERE.
NOW we will move to January! TV Land rings in the New Year with a bang: a marathon of the "Best Dang" episodes of The Beverly Hillbillies. Stay up all night and on the couch all day with 27 hours of non-stop Beverly Hillbillies fun. Tune in for the most rip-roaring, possum stew making, happy go lucky chicanery you ever did see! Starts Dec. 31 at 6pm and lasts through Jan. 1 at 9pm. TV Land will air the show regulary weeknights at 6 & 6:30pm, everynight at 12 & 12:30am, Monday marathons from 9-11pm, and weekend afternoons from 12-2pm! Because of this, we will see some shows shifted over, like I Love Lucy will move from 6-7pm weekdays to 5-6pm weekdays. For more changes, click on the link at the end of this story.
Next, what do Ron Howard, Laurence Fishburne and Shelly Long have in common? They're all Hollywood celebrities visiting the 4077 for two days of drama, laughs and romance in TV Land's M*A*S*H Guest Stars and Stripes Weekend. Don't miss 24 episodes featuring your favorite stars in marathons on Saturday, Jan. 5 and Sunday, Jan. 6 starting each night at 8p and lasting through 2a.
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, tune in to Gunsmoke on January 21 starting at 12p for a marathon of marauding outlaws and despicable bandits. These 8 episodes feature some of the most devious villains in the series' history. Log on to TVLand.com to watch additional full-length episodes of Gunsmoke, as well as streaming clips of some of the best fights in Gunsmoke history. While at TVLand.com, make sure to play the new "Get-Out-of-Dodgeball" game and enjoy the sounds of their new Western-themed streaming radio station.
TV Land will have an All-Star Movie Week, the week of Jan. 21! Showtime is every night at 8p, starting with Clint "make my day" Eastwood as the conflicted agent on In The Line of Fire. Then, it's National Lampoon's Class Reunion. Chevy Chase joins the schedule as the bumbling detective in Fletch and Fletch Lives and finally see Steve Martin in his most memorable movie role in The Jerk.
Finally, Just Shoot Me hits TV Land with a 16-hour weekend launch party you won't want to miss: a whopping 36 episodes over 2 nights from 9pm-6am on Saturday, Jan. 26 and Sunday, Jan. 27. TV Land has gathered some of the best episodes from the series along with fun guest appearances from stars like Megan Mullaly, Carmen Electra and Pamela Anderson that will make everyone at this launch party "blush." It will then join the line-up on Monday, January 28, but the timeslot is not confirmed yet, but we hear it could be 8-9pm weeknights. Jan. 28 is considered the start of the February schedule, so we will confirm that then.
For complete details on January's stunts and ALL the schedule changes for the month, I REALLY urge you to click HERE! Yall come back now, ya hear?



We have 5 Charles in Charge - The Complete Second Season DVD sets for giveaway, thanks to the fine folks at Arts Alliance America. It arrives on DVD on November 20, 2007.

One of the most entertaining family sitcoms of the 80's is back as all 26, Season Two episodes are available on DVD for the first time. Tag along with teen idol Scott Baio (Happy Days) as he takes on the role of live-in helper for a new family. Between his college friend, Buddy (Willie Aames) and the mischievous Powell kids, Charles has his hands full! Can he keep up with his social life while keeping the household going? Even when things spiral out of control, Charles still manages to be a positive role model for his three teenage charges. The high profile Season 2 cast members include Ellen Travolta, Willie Aames (Eight is Enough) and Baywatch beauty Nicole Eggert.

Enter the contest.

Order it online at Amazon.com .

Day 8: WGA's Writers' Strike; Amen Returns to ION; Yet 2 More RTN Affiliates

We are now on the eighth day of the writers' strike. I guess weekends count. The Office only has one episode left before it will go on hiatus. You will see that episode this Thursday, so after that we will not see any more new ones until the strike is resolved. This will be the first primetime series to run out of episodes. TV Guide has a partial list of shows telling us how many episodes are left. We have roughly between one to 13 episodes left. Everybody Hates Chris will be the only scripted show to have a full 22 episode season, as their episodes were already produced before the strike happened. Lucky for fans of that show! Anyway, here is the list that will be updated daily. Bookmark it! I can tell you a few that I know: Cavemen has 12 episodes produced so like 6 are left, new mid-season ABC shows Cashmere Mafia will have 7 of the 13 episodes produced, and Eli Stone will have all 13 episodes produced. I'll try to keep you up to date of anything else I hear...still nothing on the Fox animated comedies.
The CW announced a new reality show today. The CW Network's outrageous new one-hour mother/daughter competition, Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants, premieres Wednesday, December 12 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET), following the season finale of the hit series America's Next Top Model. The remaining seven episodes of the beauty pageant/reality show will then take over the 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET slot beginning Wednesday, December 19, followed by new drama Gossip Girl, and continuing through the season finale on January 30. Encores of Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants will air on Sundays at 9:00 p.m. ET and Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. ET.
An encore of the penultimate episode of America's Next Top Model will air at 8:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 11. The Beauty and the Geek finale will air at 8:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 4.

ION Television will bring back Amen for a third time! The show will return Monday, November 19 airing weeknights at 6:00 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. ET/PT, which means Doc will be gone! We will have more on ION this week, including their December schedule. Come on back. In the words of Amen...Shine on me!

We got 2 more RTN affiliates since our last blog post! Retro Television Network (RTN) announced that it plans to bring RTN programming to Tyler, TX. The new affiliate will launch early next year on a digital stream of KYTX-TV, the CBS affiliate that serves the Tyler / Longview market. Love, American Style and the show that was launched from it, Happy Days, will entertain RTN viewers in Tyler. In addition, audiences will love seeing Robert Conrad as Cannon, Michael Douglas in The Streets of San Francisco and Robert Stack in The Untouchables, to name a few.
And they announced today that it will partner with Raycom Media to bring RTN programming to Montgomery, AL. The network will launch December 3 on a digital stream of WSFA-TV, Raycom's NBC affiliate that serves the Montgomery-Selma area.
Montgomery, AL and Tyler, TX just got better!

Week 7 Numbers (First Four Nights); How the Sitcoms Did

Week 7 numbers (first four nights, Mon-Thu):

Households: ABC: 9.2/14.4; CBS: 8.7/13.6; Fox: 5.4/8.1; NBC: 4.8/7.6; The CW: 2.0/3.1; MNT: 0.7/1.1.
Total Viewers: ABC: 14.07 million; CBS: 13.79 million; Fox: 8.95 million; NBC: 7.67 million; The CW: 3.07 million; MNT: 1.04 million.
Adults 18-49: ABC: 4.4/11.2; CBS: 4.0/10.3; Fox: 3.5/8.7; NBC: 3.2/8.3; The CW: 1.4/3.4; MNT: 0.4/1.1.

Analysis: Week 7 is nearly done...and we might not know who will win the week until after tonight! Last week CBS won the top spot thanks a very high overrun of the NFL on Sunday between the Colts and Patriots, with ABC a close second in HH and viewers. In 18-49, ABC still hung on, nipping CBS. NBC was third in all categories and Fox was back in 4th without baseball. Through the first four days of this week, ABC has the lead in all categories in week 7 with CBS a close second, Fox and NBC are way back, with Fox with the slight edge.
Monday it was all ABC thanks to Dancing with the Stars. A 105 minute performance show did an impressive 20.47 million and a 4.9/12 in 18-49, down a bit from the previous week, that lead into new sitcom Samantha Who at a special time of 9:45pm doing 12.86 million (down a bit from previous week) and a 4.3/10 18-49 rating...first time it didn't get a 4.5, it did that all three weeks prior to that. The Bachelor followed at 10:15 with 9.23 million, down a bit from the previous week. Next up was CBS with its comedies and CSI: Miami. The Big Bang Theory did 9.37 million, up nearly a million from the previous week and yet again it built on How I Met Your Mother's ratings of 8.77 million, but that too was nearly up a million from previous week. Two and a Half Men and Rules of Engagement followed with decent numbers (13.8 and 10.77 million). Men was up just a bit from the previous week, as was Rules. CSI: Miami followed with 14.07 million, down from previous week once again. NBC and Fox were neck and neck for third, with NBC lead by the downward Heroes at 9.87 million and a 4.9 18-49, below its usual average once again...what has happened? Chuck opened the night with 7.65 million, up a bit from previous week. Journeyman closed the night with 5.13 million, down again from previous week. Fox kicked off with Prison Break at 7.69 million and K-Ville was pre-empted for another Prison Break that did 8.0 million. The CW aired their Monday sitcoms, with Aliens in America doing just 1.78 million, a series low, and The Game keeps dropping every week, this week it was down to 2.26 million.
Tuesday, it was a three network race, with Fox on top. CBS and ABC were also right behind. Fox's huge hit House did 18.17 million and a 7.7 18-49 rating (both up from previous week) and Bones started the night off with a solid 9.52 million, up from previous week. The always reliable NCIS opened the night off for CBS with 18.15 million, up nearly 2 million from previous week and maybe a series high! The Unit followed with 11.08 million, up from previous week, and Cane did 7.78 million, down a bit from previous week. ABC's sitcom hour of Cavemen/Carpoolers returned to poor numbers, doing just 4.88 and 5.49 million, Dancing with the Stars: The Results followed with 17.06 million saying goodbye to Jane Seymour. Boston Legal followed and did a solid 10.62 million, down from previous week. NBC was fourth with another two-hour The Biggest Loser from 8-10 doing 7.88 million, followed by Law & Order: SVU at 11.7 million, lower than normal. The CW had Beauty & the Geek and Reaper do 2.65 and 2.42 million.
Wednesday it was ABC on top thanks to the CMA Awards. The award show did a healthy 15.95 million. ABC will return Pushing Daisies at 8, followed by Private Practice at 9, and Dirty Sexy Money at 10 this week. CBS saw Kid Nation go up a bit to 7.01 million, and veteran dramas Criminal Minds and CSI: NY did well and were consistent doing 14.65 (down a tad from previous week) and 12.92 million (down a tad from previous week). NBC and Fox again were battling for third, as NBC opened the night with Phenomenon doing 6.1 million (down a bit from the previous week), Bionic Woman returned to just 6.48 million, as the fall in every episode continues. At 10pm NBC's Life did 6.39 million, up a bit from previous week. Fox saw Back to You, 'Til Death and Kitchen Nightmares, return with new episodes and they did 6.45, 6.51, and 6.36 million each. The CW had Top Model at a decent 5.1 million, while Gossip Girl did 2.52 million.
Thursday saw CBS and ABC duke it out again. CBS opened with Survivor: China at 14.86 million, up a tad from the previous week. CSI followed with 21.94 million for a cross-over episode that continued at 10 pm on Without a Trace which did 21.68 million, up from previous week obviously. ABC opened the night with Ugly Betty doing a solid 10.83 million, up almost a million from previous week. Grey's Anatomy followed with 19.5 million, up a bit from previous week and was number one in 18-49 with a 8.0/19 18-49 rating...should be good for #1 for the week. Big Shots followed at 10:07pm with a last place finish of 6.96 million...down a tad from previous week again...which is a series low. Again Fox and NBC battled for third with Fox's 5th Grader doing a solid at 8.85 and Don't Forget the Lyrics followed and returned with 6.52 million. NBC started off with their comedies, My Name is Earl opened the night with 7.66 million, up from previous week, 30 Rock returned with 6.6 million. The Office followed with 8.27 million, down a bit from previous week. Scrubs followed with a so-so 6.27 million. ER closed the night with 8.44 million, down from previous week. Smallville on The CW did 4.64 million, followed by Supernatural at 3.01 million.
Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but NBC, CBS and ABC battled on Friday. NBC had a solid outing for Deal or No Deal at 8pm for a second place finish. CBS was #1 for its dramas at 8 and 10 (Ghost Whisperer, NUMB3RS), and ABC was #1 at 9pm with Women's Murder Club. Fox bombed again for The Next Great American Band. This week it was a one-hour episode though, so 9pm almost doubled with another installment of Don't Forget the Lyrics.
Saturday saw CBS's crime repeats win the night and Fox's crime reality won in 18-49. ABC Sunday should do well tonight with its regular line-up. CBS will do decent as well and NBC will do solid business for the NFL game, possibly beating CBS. Fox's animated comedies might get a boost from the NFL overrun.
As for the week, ABC and CBS will battle for HH and viewers, with ABC a clear first place in 18-49. Fox and NBC will battle for the distant third spot, with NBC probably winning thanks to the NFL. More sweeps action this week! Enjoy your favorite shows as long as you can, you never know how long the strike will last.

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week of October 29-November 4)

• Aliens in America (The CW) - A repeat did just 910,00 viewers, but that was up from the 750,000 viewers the week before.
• The Simpsons (Fox) 3 episodes - Two repeats from 7-8pm did 4.74 and 7.93 million, before the Halloween show did 11.74 million and a 5.7 rating in 18-49 at 8pm...great.
• Family Guy (Fox) 2 episodes - Two all-new episodes, including episode #100, did great, 10.47 million and 10.46 million...consistent. 5.2 and 5.3 rating in 18-49 is great, too.
  
• American Dad (Fox) - Lost over 3 million from the lead-in to 7.08 million...not good.
  

Monday Sitcoms

• How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - 8.77 million tuned in, up from the previous two weeks. Will the return of standard time help?
  
• The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - 9.37 million tuned in, up nearly a million from previous week and it still is building on the lead-in every single week.
  
• Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 13.8 million this week, up a bit from previous week's 13.73 million.
• Rules of Engagement (CBS) - 10.77 million, up from the previous week's 10.57 million.
• Samantha Who? (ABC) - 12.86 million and a 4.3/10 18-49 for week four, but it aired at a special time of 9:45, so maybe that is why is dropped a bit?
  
• CW Monday Comedies: Chris, Aliens in America, Girlfriends, The Game. Not doing that well at all. Aliens did a terrible 1.78 million, a series low, The Game continues to drop each week now with 2.26 million this week, down from previous week's 2.42 million. Chris led the block with 2.45 million...but not good.
  

Tuesday Sitcoms

• Cavemen (ABC) - After a week off, did viewers forget about the show? Just 4.88 million.
  
• Carpoolers (ABC) - Just 5.49 million for an episode with special guest Rebecca Romijn.
  

Wednesday Sitcoms

• Back to You (Fox) - 6.45 million tuned in for a new episode, the first new one in a few weeks.
  
• 'Til Death (Fox) - Built on the lead-in in every category this week, 6.51 million tuned in.
  

Thursday Sitcoms

• My Name is Earl (NBC) - 7.66 million tuned in, up a bit from the previous week's 7.33 million, which was a one-hour episode.
  
• 30 Rock (NBC) - After a week off, returned with 6.6 million...OK.
  
• The Office (NBC) - 8.27 million tuned in, down a bit from the previous.
• Scrubs (NBC) - 6.27 million tuned in .. has dropped every week so far. 18-49 was 3.7 the previous week, only a 3.1 this week.
  

Friday Sitcoms
None.

Saturday Sitcoms
None.

Airing tonight (Sunday) is a repeat of Aliens in America on The CW at 7:30, and Fox's animated comedies starting at 8:00!

Summing it up. Two and a Half Men, Samantha Who?, The Office, How I Met Your Mother, Big Bang Theory, and Rules of Engagement were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as My Name is Earl, 30 Rock) or just plain old terrible (Cavemen, Aliens in America).

Mini-DVD Reviews: DuckTales Vol. 3 and TaleSpin Vol. 2 (Nov.13); Solomon's Weekly Rant

It is Saturday, so that must mean it is time for mini-DVD reviews and Solomon's Weekly Rant! First up, are the mini-DVD reviews. Today we take a look at Walt Disney Home Entertainment's DuckTales: Volume 3 and TaleSpin: Volume 2. Both series were very popular in the early '90s on Disney's very popular syndicated block called The Disney Afternoon. DuckTales was about a wealthy duck who takes care of his nephews while TaleSpin was about a bear working for a cargo company. As with all of the shows in the Disney Afternoon, they were action and adventure filled! See my mini-DVD reviews of both sets:

DuckTales: Volume 3 (Walt Disney, $34.99) brings the next 24 half hours of the very fun and interesting animated series on DVD on 3-discs. We return to Duckburg with zillionaire Scrooge McDuck and his nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie. This season you'll see them go on a journey to an African jungle, stowed away on an secret aircraft carrier, and rocketing into space to search for a lost "Money Bin." Join Scrooge and the gang battle nemesis such as Ma Beagle and the Beagle Boys, Flintheart Glumgold, and Magica DeSpell.
The episodes are again in production order and leave off from where we last left off. On this set we start off with the episode "Duck to the Future" and end with two 5-part episodes, one introducing Bubba ("Time is Money"), and another introducing Gizmoduck ("Super DuckTales"). Now, the Gizmoduck 5-parter wasn't produced until a bit later, but Disney is giving them us this way, because the very next episode after the 5-part Bubba episode was an episode produced with both Bubba and Gizmoduck in them. They should have went with airdate order in the first place, so this mess wouldn't have happened. The episodes all run close to 22:50, all unedited I'm sure. There are two episodes that run like 22:32 and 22:35...they are parts two and three of the Bubba 5-parter. For some reason it is missing the "next time on DuckTales" preview. The other 5-part episodes have that along with the "previously on DuckTales" teaser. Each episode has 5 chapter stops.
The packaging has an outer box with three slim cases, holding each disc...it is designed very well once again and consistent with the previous two sets. Great photos and colors. My only gripe is, there is no show logo with a Volume 3 mention on the bottom or top of the cover. The side has it, but not the top or bottom...the first two sets had it, and even Talespin Vol. 2, which is out the same day as this set, does.
The menu screen has Play All, Episode Selection, Set Up, Sneak Peeks (disc one only) with the closing theme song playing in the background. Each disc has a different main menu. The first disc has the gang in a futuristic Duckburg, the second disc has the gang in the jungle, and the third has the gang with Gizmoduck! The Set Up option has options of Subtitles where we can turn on English or French subtitles, Return to Episode and Register Your DVD. Disc one has auto previews when we put the disc in, where see sneak peeks at other Disney movies/DVDs. When we go to episode selection, the episodes are listed with a screenshot from the episode. The menu is designed quite well and is easy to navigate.
The video and audio were both very good for the first two sets. No problems whatsoever. However, this set's video is not too good. You see flashing white dots/debris a lot, especially in the non-5-part episodes. Those two 5-part episodes look decent, but the rest is very disappointing. What happened, Disney? The audio is not that bad, maybe a little worse than the first two sets, though.
Anyhow, I still highly do recommend any fan to pick up this set. We are now just one more set away from finishing this series on DVD. If the pattern continues, it will be next November, but we hope it is sooner than that, so we don't have to wait for more of Scrooge and the gang! If you never saw the show, pick it up! It is great fun and probably the most interesting animated series of all-time! So, check your Junior Woodchuck Guidebook to find out where the series is on DVD for you to buy, or you can just click on the link below. Just don't sit in a time machine, or you'll be back in the stone age and you'll be stuck with Bubba!
-- Reviewed by Pavan
(4/5 stars)

To purchase the DVD, click below and help support SitcomsOnline.com:
Amazon.com

Related links:
SitcomsOnline.com Full DVD Reviews Page
DuckTales TV.com Page


TaleSpin: Volume 2 (Walt Disney, $34.99) brings the next 27 half hours of the high flying animated series to DVD. Everyones favorite furry cargo pilot Baloo returns with Kit Cloudkicker as they take the skies as couriers for their friend and boss, Rebecca Cunningham. Her daughter Molly and mechanic Wildcat are also in on the fun. Join the Hire for Hire gang as they face off against the evil Col. Spigot.
The episodes are in airdate order once again, unlike sets like DuckTales and Chip 'n Dale, both of those are in production order. The episodes all run just under 23 minutes, all unedited. Baloo's best friend King Louie would be so happy and corporate big shot Shere Khan would love a great business. Each episode has 5 chapter stops, so if you want to skip to your favorite scenes, anytime.
The packaging is very similar to the first set. We get an outer box with three slim cases holding three discs. As with the first set, the packaging is very colorful and has a lot of photos.
The menu screen has Play All, Episode Selection, Set Up, Sneak Peeks (disc one only) with the closing theme song playing in the background. Set Up option has where you can have subtitles in English or French. When we go to episode selection, the episodes are listed with a screenshot from the episode. The menu is designed quite well and is easy to navigate.
The video and audio are both very good once again. There are no problems whatsoever with it...very nice job!
I highly do recommend any fan to pick up this set, even more if you have the first set. If you don't, then still pick this up! If you never saw the show, pick it up. It is great fun! Vol. 3 will for sure be the final volume, so we just have one more set to go after this! This means DuckTales, Chip 'n Dale and TaleSpin will be finishing soon on DVD! Wow! Darkwing Duck has probably another two sets still to go. As for this set, hurry today and order the DVD before Don Karnage and his evil Air Pirates pick it up before you! Spin it!
-- Reviewed by Pavan
(4/5 stars)

To purchase the DVD, click below and help support SitcomsOnline.com:
Amazon.com

Related links:
SitcomsOnline.com Full DVD Reviews Page
TaleSpin TV.com Page


Solomon's Weekly Rant
Saturday, November 10, 2007
"This Writers' Strike is Ruining All Parts of My TV Life; Why is a Guest in the MNF Booth for an Entire Quarter?"
By Solomon Davis

Why can't there be some kind of agreement so that this writers' strike can be over and everyone can get their TV life back to normal? This strike is putting a HUGE DENT in my TV watching life and I just don't know how long I can take this. Due to the strike I can't see Letterman or Leno like I'm used to doing every night. I have no idea when I will see a new episode of new series such as The Big Bang Theory. And not only that but this strike has also affected my on-screen Comcast cable guide because the information has been inaccurate for Leno or Letterman. This TV season is turning out to be a NIGHTMARE that has no end in sight.

Why does there have to be a guest in the Monday Night Football booth for the entire 3rd quarter taking away the excitement of the actual game? That is just too long for fans to listen to someone in the booth that's not talking about something related to the game. Wouldn't a halftime guest be a lot better than interfering with the game while it's in progress? Listen to this ESPN: I'm not interested in listening to guests, just the game you advertised all week long for NFL fans to watch!

My Weird TV Moments of the Week:
Wednesday, November 7, 2007: On Regis & Kelly, this conversation happened:
Kelly: I will be modeling a white chocolate dress today.
Regis: Is it edible?
Kelly: Yes, it's edible.
Regis: Can Regis have some?
Kelly: Sure, if Regis is a good boy he can have some.
Wow! They are too far away in age to have this kind of conversation.

Agree or disagree with Solomon? Discuss it here.

DISCLAIMER: Remember, Solomon is not the voice of SitcomsOnline. He is just stating his opinions and does not reflect what SitcomsOnline says or thinks. It is just his 'View' but it is always quite entertaining.

Day 5: WGA's Writer's Strike; Kotter Podcast; More RTN Affiliates Announced

It is now day 5 of the writers' strike. If this goes as long as 1988, I'll be saying welcome to day 150 of the writers' strike. I hope it doesn't last that long. 1988 was from March 7 to August 7, so it was mostly during the hiatus season for production. So, if this strike lasts long, it will be much worse than 1988. We don't want to make TV history this way. Hope the writers enjoy the donuts from Leno, tacos from Kimmel, and pizza from Longoria.
B&C is reporting that NBC informed the nonwriting staff of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno that it will be laid off at the end of next week in the wake of the show shutting down for the writers' strike. And with Leno still refusing to cross the picket line, the show is looking at coming back on the air Nov. 19 with guest hosts so that it can save the jobs of the nonwriters. In fact NBC is being very low to the head writer of The Tonight Show, by even turning off his NBC e-mail account. Will any of the late night hosts cross the picket line to save the jobs of the nonwriters? We shall see.
NBC, CBS and ABC could announce primetime strike schedules for January and beyond soon.

Our good friend Eric from JustMyShow.com is back with an all-new podcast episode! This time with episode 16. The guests are Bob Hegyes, who played Epstein on Welcome Back, Kotter and John Sebastian, who wrote and performed the Welcome Back, Kotter theme. Did you know, that he's also in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his work with The Lovin' Spoonful? This episode was suggested by Epstein's mother! Catch up with show sixteen by clicking HERE! Welcome back!

Hello Santa Barbara, CA; Roanoke, VA; and Harrisburg-Lancaster- Lebanon-York, PA you three markets are the next contestants on the expansion of the Retro Television Network! RTN is a new television network that provides each affiliate a customized feed with classic hit shows, in addition to local programming including news, weather and sports. RTN is specifically designed to go on a broadcast digital channel and provides local broadcasters with a way to get ratings and successfully monetize their digital spectrum.
They will partner with Smith Broadcasting to add an RTN affiliate in Santa Barbara, CA. The network will launched October 30 on a digital stream of KEYT, the ABC affiliate that serves the Santa Barbara / Santa Maria / San Luis Obispo market. Viewers in Santa Barbara are treated to one the greatest comedic actors of our time with Robin Williams in Mork & Mindy, and many other favorites from RTN's 'Prime Time all the Time' lineup, including Perry Mason, Matlock and Michael Landon in Little House on the Prairie.
They have also partnered with Albritton Communications to bring RTN programming to Roanoke, VA. The network will launch in April 2008 on a digital stream of WSET-TV, Albritton's ABC affiliate that serves the Roanoke/Lynchburg area. They will see Raymond Burr as a wheelchair-bound detective in the critically-acclaimed Ironside and viewers can escape to Hawaii each weeknight while watching Jack Lord in Hawaii 5-0 and Tom Selleck in Magnum P.I.
Finally, they announced today that it will partner with Albritton Communications to bring RTN programming to the Harrisburg-Lancaster- Lebanon-York, PA market. The network will launch in April 2008 on a digital stream of WHTM-TV, Albritton's ABC affiliate that serves Harrisburg and the entire Susquehanna Valley. Local viewers are going to be treated to Raymond Burr in his two hit shows, Perry Mason and Ironside and viewers will laugh along with the antics of Jim Nabors in Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C. and Don Adams in Get Smart.
Yes, I know, I promised an interview with RTN...and trust me it is coming. It is just that they have been very busy. My questions were submitted long ago though, so the responses should be coming any day. Thanks for your patience!

Day 4: WGA's Writers' Strike - Fox and ABC Updates; ION Goes HD

We are now in day four of the strike. Still no resolution. In light of the strike by The Writers Guild of America, Fox has revised its lineup for January and the remainder of the 2007-2008 season. The new schedule is subject to change, pending resolution of the strike. The seventh season premiere of 24 is being postponed to ensure that "Day 7" can air uninterrupted, in its entirety.
The highly anticipated drama Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles will have a two-night premiere on Sunday, Jan. 13 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) and Monday, Jan. 14 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), the show's regular time period. Prison Break, which has its last November airing on Monday, Nov. 12 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), returns to Mondays (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) beginning Jan. 14, ealier than planned.
Fox's new schedule is pretty confusing. So, I won't recap it anymore, so here's is a list of it:

Mondays, beginning Jan. 14:
8:00-9:00 PM PRISON BREAK
9:00-10:00 PM TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES (Time Period Premiere)
Monday, March 3:
8:00-9:00 PM WHEN WOMEN RULE THE WORLD (wt) (Series Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES
Mondays, beginning March 10:
8:00-9:00 PM WHEN WOMEN RULE THE WORLD (wt)
9:00-10:00 PM HOUSE (Time Period Premiere)

Tuesday, Jan. 15:
8:00-10:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL (Season Premiere, Part 1)
Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 22:
8:00-9:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL (Time Period Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM HOUSE
Tuesdays, beginning April 1:
8:00-9:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL
9:00-10:00 PM HELL'S KITCHEN (Season Premiere)

Wednesday, Jan. 16:
8:00-10:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL (Season Premiere, Part 2)
Wednesdays, beginning Jan. 23:
8:00-9:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL
9:00-10:00 PM THE MOMENT OF TRUTH (Series Premiere)
Wednesdays, beginning March 12:
8:00-9:00 PM THE MOMENT OF TRUTH (Time Period Premiere)
9:00-9:30 PM AMERICAN IDOL
9:30-10:00 PM BACK TO YOU encores (Time Period Premiere)

Thursdays, beginning Jan. 10 (No changes to lineup):
8:00-9:00 PM ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5th GRADER?
9:00-10:00 PM DON'T FORGET THE LYRICS!

Fridays, beginning Jan. 4:
8:00-9:00 PM BONES (Time Period Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM HOUSE encores (Time Period Premiere)
Friday, Feb. 22:
8:00-9:00 PM BONES
9:00-10:00 PM NEW AMSTERDAM (Series Premiere)
Fridays, beginning March 7:
8:00-8:30 PM TIL DEATH (Time Period Premiere)
8:30-9:00 PM THE RETURN OF JEZEBEL JAMES (Series Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM NEW AMSTERDAM
Fridays, beginning April 11:
8:00-8:30 PM TIL DEATH
8:30-9:00 PM THE RETURN OF JEZEBEL JAMES
9:00-10:00 PM CANTERBURY'S LAW (Series Premiere)

Saturdays, beginning Jan. 5: (No changes to lineup)
8:00-8:30 PM COPS
8:30-9:00 PM COPS
9:00-10:00 PM AMERICA'S MOST WANTED: AMERICA FIGHTS BACK
11:00 PM-Midnight MADtv
Midnight-12:30 AM TALKSHOW WITH SPIKE FERESTEN

Sundays, beginning Jan. 6: (No changes to lineup)
7:00-7:30 PM VARIOUS COMEDY ENCORES
7:30-8:00 PM VARIOUS COMEDY ENCORES
8:00-9:00 PM THE SIMPSONS
8:30-9:00 PM KING OF THE HILL
9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY
9:30-10:00 PM AMERICAN DAD
Sunday, Jan. 13:
7:00-7:30 PM VARIOUS COMEDY ENCORES (West Coast only)
7:30-8:00 PM VARIOUS COMEDY ENCORES (West Coast only)
8:00-9:00 PM TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES (Series Premiere)
9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY
9:30-10:00 PM AMERICAN DAD
Sunday, Feb. 3 (Super Bowl Sunday):
6:00 PM ET SUPER BOWL XLII (Approx. 4 hours, LIVE)
Approx. 10:00 PM ET HOUSE (Original episode; guest star Mira Sorvino)
Sundays, beginning March 2:
7:00-7:30 PM COMEDY ENCORES (West Coast only on 3/2 due to NASCAR)
7:30-8:00 PM COMEDY ENCORES (West Coast only on 3/2 due to NASCAR)
8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS
8:30-9:00 PM KING OF THE HILL
9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY
9:30-10:00 PM UNHITCHED (Series Premiere)
Sundays, beginning April 13:
7:00-7:30 PM COMEDY ENCORES
7:30-8:00 PM COMEDY ENCORES
8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS
8:30-9:00 PM KING OF THE HILL
9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY
9:30-10:00 PM AMERICAN DAD

In other strike news, ABC still plans to air Lost come this February. 8 of the 16 episodes will be available, but ABC will still air those. The eighth episode does have a cliff-hanger, in case that will be the last episode of the season. Other news: The classic special Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town is scheduled to air on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 from 8:00- 9:00 PM ET/PT. ABC Saturday Movie Of The Week Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas is scheduled to air on Saturday, December 8, 2007 from 8:00 - 10:00 PM ET/PT. The only thing really left Christmas wise is The Santa Clause 2, which I'm betting will be on a Sunday (Dec. 16 likely). Cavemen is preempted on Nov. 20 for A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, but now Carpoolers will be, too. He's a Bully, Charlie Brown, the last animated special created by late cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, will air at 8:30 p.m. ET immediately following the classic A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. And finally, Big Shots will be pre-empted on Dec. 6. Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2007, an
hour-long ABC News special highlighting some of the year's most prominent names in entertainment, sports, politics and business, will air at 10pm on Thursday, Dec. 6. So, the next Big Shots episode will air Nov. 29 at 10pm as of now, unless ABC bumps that also...they should just save it for January.

ION Media Networks, Inc. today announced the launch of ION Television HD, the high definition television (HDTV) version of the company's flagship network, ION Television. ION Television HD will air ION Television's full lineup of programming in high definition beginning in the first quarter of next year.
ION Television HD will be transmitted in 720p HD, and will be delivered over-the-air via DTV broadcast, cable, telco-TV and satellite. The network will feature native and up-converted HD programming, and will be carried on all 60 of ION Media Network's television stations around the country.
ION Television HD will dramatically enhance viewers' experience with the breathtaking visual clarity and rich, lifelike color characteristic of high definition. Viewers will discover a new level of enjoyment with the flagship network's daily programming lineup, which includes popular family shows, like Mama's Family and Who's the Boss?, and sports and reality programs, such as NFL Game of the Week and 48 Hours. ION Television HD will also enable audiences to experience, as never before, the network's exciting RHI Entertainment award-winning movies and original miniseries, such as Lonesome Dove and Journey to the Center of the Earth.

Day 3: WGA's Writers' Strike; People's Choice Nominees Being Announced Thursday

We are now into the third day of the WGA Writers' Strike. It feels like it has been 3 months already. No deal has been made yet. Writers are still picketing and trying work out a deal. Eva Longoria of Desperate Housewives was seen at the picket line handing out pizza to the writers. Her show has stopped production after 9 episodes.
In other strike news, all the multi-camera sitcoms like we mentioned yesterday (and we missed Old Christine) are out of production. However, as of now, According to Jim is still taping next week (Nov. 16)...don't know how. Fox will be removing the Nov. 21 airings of Back to You & 'Til Death in favor of repeats. On Nov. 28, Fox will air two all-new episodes of 'Til Death. 'Til Death has about 12 total episodes completed, compared to only about 9 for Back to You. I don't think we will see new episodes of Back to You after its Nov. 14 airing until like January...they will have only 2-3 left by then.
We will try to give you a detailed list of shows with how many episodes left in the coming days...unless the strike finishes by then, which we ALL hope.
ABC will be airing holiday specials Mondays at 8:00PM starting Dec. 3 when Dancing with the Stars concludes. Dec. 3 will be A Charlie Brown Christmas (which will also air on Tues., Nov. 27) and I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown on Dec. 10. Other specials are still TBA, such as the classic Santa Claus is Coming to Town ABC also announced that the popular holiday movie The Polar Express will air on Friday, Nov. 30 from 8-10pm. Shrek the Halls and How the Grinch Stole Christmas will air Wednesday, Nov. 28 from 8-9pm.

The nominations for THE 34th ANNUAL PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS will be announced at a star-studded event on Thursday, November 8 at a premier West Hollywood hot spot. This year, for the first time ever, the nominees will be celebrated with an official Crest + Scope People's Choice Nomination Announcement Party, benefiting Operation Smile. The event's host, Crest + Scope spokesperson Ryan Seacrest, will welcome guests and introduce Paula Abdul, A.J. Cook, Scott Foley and Masi Oka, who will announce the nominees and kick off the voting on
http://www.pcaVOTE.com.
Winners will be revealed during the live broadcast of THE 34TH ANNUAL PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 8 (9:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network. As the first award show of 2008, THE 34TH ANNUAL PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS honors fan favorites in television, movies and music.
We'll be back tomorrow with those nominees!

Tonight on Fox the sitcoms Back to You & 'Til Death return with all-new episodes. The comedy starts at 8/7 central.

Day 2: WGA's Writers' Strike

Unfortunately once again the WGA Writers' Strike is the top story. Three sitcoms have just completely shut down...Fox's Back to You & 'Til Death, and CBS's Rules of Engagement. All three shows ceased production this week, meaning whatever the episodes they have already taped are the only ones available. Probably 4-5 each will remain to air. Multicamera sitcoms will be hit harder than the single camera ones, I think. So, expect How I Met Your Mother, Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, Girlfriends, and The Game to cease too, if they haven't already.
It all depends on how long this strike will last to see if we will get any more episodes pass the 4-5 ones left for each. If it lasts only a week or two, we can expect probably minor episode cuts, if any. But if we're talking months, then we can forget about any new episodes, or very little episodes.
In other strike news, late night TV will once again be repeats tonight. So, no new Jimmy Kimmel Live with the latest Dancing with the Stars eliminated star. Bummer.

We'll be back with more news, if any.

Tonight sitcom wise we got Cavemen & Carpoolers on ABC starting at 8/7 central. On Carpoolers, Jerry O'Connell's real wife, Rebecca Romijn (Ugly Betty) will guest star! She will play Laird's sexy ex-wife, who is crazy. Sounds hilarious! Tune in!

Writers Strike Is On; Barney Miller Returns on DVD; ABC Schedule Update

It is now Monday and there has been no settlement for the Hollywood Writers. Which means the Writers Guild of America is on strike. Writers' demands for a bigger slice of DVD profits and revenue from the distribution of films and TV shows over the Internet has been a key issue. Let's hope we get a settlement very soon and this doesn't last long so we don't miss out on our favorite TV shows. The last strike was in 1988, but it wasn't in the middle of a TV season like this will be. This strike will affect sitcoms, dramas, late night talk shows, daytime soap operas and even movies. Reality shows, news-magazines and games shows will be the only genres really not affected. While we won't see sitcoms, dramas, movies and the soaps go off-air starting today (primetime shows probably have episodes lasting until January maybe, and the soaps probably another week or two), the late night talk shows will for sure have to stop immediately, as they air daily and are taped the same day. Look for reruns probably tonight for Letterman, Leno, Kimmel, etc. (although Kimmel might go on with him doing everything). The same thing for SNL and MADTV on Saturday nights.
We will keep you all up to date if there is any settlement or more bad news. Enjoy your favorite shows in the mean time.

Barney Miller - The Second Season DVD is due out on January 22, from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. It has been nearly four years now since the first season set came out, so looks like Sony is giving it a second chance after low sales. If you're a fan of Hal Linden and gang, then you better buy this set or we will have to wait many more years for a third season. All 22 episodes will be available on a 3-disc set lasting approx. 550 minutes. So get your hash brownies ready for that date in January...wait forget the hash brownies (that is a season three episode), but be ready on Jan. 22! This information should be official very soon, so don't take it as official news until then.

ABC is pulling Big Shots for November 15. That night ABC will try a two-night event for Friday's new #1 show, Women's Murder Club. Murder Club will air following Grey's Anatomy on Nov. 15. The episode will have special guest star Jason Sehorn, in a football-themed episode. The next night, in its regular night & time, the show will have another new episode, Friday at 9. The earliest Big Shots could return is November 29, because on Nov. 22 ABC will launch the second season of October Road on a special night. I don't think Big Shots will be pulled or canned because of the Writers' Strike. So I think you will see Big Shots return for sure after its airing this Thursday at 10:07. The show has been steady the past few weeks averaging a little under 7.5 million...not good, but still doing good enough for now.
In other schedule news, ABC will air The Bachelor: After the Final Rose special at 10pm on Tuesday, Nov. 20, following Dancing with the Stars: The Results. This means the Boston Legal episode for that night will move to December 4.

Tonight we have nine sitcoms on the air! Yes, 9! CBS and The CW will have four each, both two-hour blocks start at 8/7 central. You'll see sitcoms such as Everybody Hates Chris, How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory, and Two and a Half Men. ABC will have Samantha Who at a special time of 9:45/8:45 central. That episode looks to be the best yet for the show...The Virgin.

Week 6 Numbers (First Four Nights); How the Sitcoms Did

Week 6 numbers (first four nights, Mon-Thu):

Households: ABC: 8.7/13.8; CBS: 8.2/13.0; Fox: 4.9/7.6; NBC: 4.5/7.2; The CW: 1.8/2.8; MNT: 0.8/1.2.
Total Viewers: ABC: 13.12 million; CBS: 12.78 million; Fox: 7.76 million; NBC: 7.19 million; The CW: 2.73 million; MNT: 1.16 million.
Adults 18-49: ABC: 4.1/10.8; CBS: 3.7/9.6; NBC: 3.0/7.8; Fox: 2.8/7.8; The CW: 1.2/3.1; MNT: 0.5/1.2.

Analysis: Week 6 is nearly done...and we are now into day four of November sweeps tonight. I know...already! Last week Fox won the top spot thanks to the World Series, with ABC second and CBS a close third in HH ,viewers, and 18-49. NBC was fourth in all categories and had a very rough week. Through the first four days of this week, ABC has the lead in all categories in week 6 with CBS a close second, Fox and NBC are way back, with Fox with the slight edge.
Monday it was all ABC thanks to Dancing with the Stars. A 92 minute performance show did an impressive 21.43 million and a 5.2/13 in 18-49, up from the previous week in viewers, that lead into week three of new sitcom Samantha Who at an impressive 14.18 million (up from week two!) and a 4.5/10 18-49 rating...that has been the same all three weeks. The Bachelor followed with 9.76 million, up from the previous week. Next up was CBS with its comedies and CSI: Miami. The Big Bang Theory did 8.41 million, down a bit from the previous week and yet again it built on How I Met Your Mother's ratings of 7.82 million. Two and a Half Men and Rules of Engagement followed with decent numbers (13.73 and 10.57 million). Men was down just a bit from the previous week, as was Rules. CSI: Miami followed with 14.85 million, down from previous week. NBC followed lead by the downward Heroes at 10.51 million and a 4.9 18-49, below its usual average once again...what has happened? Chuck opened the night with 7.14 million, down a bit from previous week. Journeyman closed the night with 5.75 million, down again from previous week, time to pull the show if there is no strike. Fox was fourth this week with a repeat of House at 5.97 million and an encore of K-Ville at just 3.86 million...will the latter show last into sweeps if there is no strike? The CW aired their Monday sitcoms, with Aliens in America doing just 2.01 million, a series low, and even The Game keeps dropping with 2.42 million.
Tuesday, it was a three network race, with again ABC on top. Fox and CBS were also right behind. ABC's sitcom hour of Cavemen/Carpoolers was pre-empted for the holiday classic It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, doing a wonderful 11.4 million, Dancing with the Stars: The Results followed with 18.86 million saying goodbye to Sabrina Bryan (WOW! Shocking!). Boston Legal followed and did a solid 11.4 million. Fox's huge hit House did 17.3 million and a 7.0 18-49 rating (both down from previous week) and Bones started the night off with a solid 8.98 million, up a bit from previous week. The always reliable NCIS opened the night off for CBS with 16.33 million, down from previous week. The Unit followed with 10.67 million, down a bit from previous week, and Cane did 8.05 million, up a bit from previous week. NBC was fourth with Singing Bee at just 5.6 million (now it is pulled from the sked), The Biggest Loser from 8:30-10 did 6.32 million, followed by an encore of Law & Order: SVU at 8.63 million, doesn't repeats of that show do better than that usually? The CW had Beauty & the Geek and Reaper do 2.3 and 2.6 million. The former was a clip show type so that is why only 2.3 million, in fact MyNetworkTV's Magic Special beat it with 2.6 million!
Wednesday it was CBS on top on Halloween. CBS saw Kid Nation go down to 6.7 million, but veteran dramas Criminal Minds and CSI: NY did well and were consistent doing 14.94 (down a tad from previous week) and 13.4 million (down a tad from previous week). ABC was a close second with Pushing Daisies doing 8.57 million, followed by Private Practice at 11.34 million, both down from previous week, Dirty Sexy Money followed with 8.2 million, down a tad from previous week. NBC opened the night with a two-hour Phenomenon doing 6.16 million (down like 2 million from the premiere the previous week), Bionic Woman was pre-empted this week. At 10pm NBC's Life did 5.71 million, down over a million from previous week. Fox was fourth with repeats of Back to You, 'Til Death and Kitchen Nightmares, doing 5.26, 5.01, and 3.71 million each. The CW had Top Model at a below normal 3.24 million, while a Gossip Girl repeat did 1.52 million.
Thursday saw CBS and ABC duke it out again. CBS opened with Survivor: China at 14.44 million, up a tad from the previous week. CSI followed with 19.06 million for second place, for the first time this season. Without a Trace followed with 14.58 million, up from previous week. ABC opened the night with Ugly Betty doing a solid 9.9 million, down just a tad from previous week. Grey's Anatomy followed with 19.31 million, up from previous week and was number one in viewers and in 18-49 with a 8.1/19 18-49 rating...should be good for #1 for the week. Big Shots followed at 10:07pm with a last place finish of 7.32 million...down a tad from previous week again...will it have a chance to survive even with a writers strike? Fox was next with two episodes of 5th Grader doing very solid at 8.5 and 8.61 million. NBC was fourth with its comedies, a one-hour My Name is Earl opened the night with 7.3 million, down from previous week, as 30 Rock was off-air this week. The Office followed with 8.36 million, down a bit from previous week. Scrubs followed with a so-so 6.58 million. ER closed the night with 9.15 million, on par from previous week. Smallville on The CW did 4.38 million, followed by Supernatural at 3.24 million, the latter was up from previous week.
Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but NBC, CBS and ABC battled on Friday. NBC had a solid outing for Deal or No Deal at 8pm. CBS saw nice numbers for its dramas at 8 and 10 (Ghost Whisperer, NUMB3RS), and ABC did solid business at 9pm with Women's Murder Club the #1 show of the night in HH. Fox bombed again for The Next Great American Band. Will they please pull it?.
Saturday numbers are not available yet. But College Football will probably draw on CBS and ABC. ABC Sunday should do well tonight with its all-star line-up. CBS will do decent as well, with the NFL game of the year doing huge overrun numbers, as a result NBC might suffer with its NFL game. Fox's animated comedies return, but will likely be down with the CBS NFL overrun.
As for the week, ABC and CBS will battle for HH and viewers, with ABC a clear first place in 18-49, unless CBS's NFL overrun does really massive numbers. Fox and NBC will battle for the distant third spot. More sweeps action this week, as the first full week of sweeps is this week! Hopefully the writer's strike doesn't make sweeps a side story.

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week of October 22-28)

• Aliens in America (The CW) - A repeat did just 750,000 viewers, down from the 1.29 million the week before...yuck.
  

Monday Sitcoms

• How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - 7.82 million tuned in, down from the 8.5 million the previous week.
  
• The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - 8.41 million tuned in, down about 400k from previous week but it still is building on the lead-in every single week.
  
• Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 13.73 million this week, down a bit from previous week's 13.94 million.
• Rules of Engagement (CBS) - 10.57 million, down from the previous week's 10.82 million.
• Samantha Who? (ABC) - 14.18 million and a 4.5/10 18-49 for week three, up from the previous week's 13.68 million for episode two and each week so far the 18-49 rating is at a 4.5 rating.
  
• CW Monday Comedies: Chris, Aliens in America, Girlfriends, The Game. Not doing that well at all. Aliens did a terrible 2.01 million, a series low, The Game continues to be solid, but it has dropped each week now with 2.42 million this week, down from previous week's 2.61 million. Chris led the block with 2.44 million...not good.
  

Tuesday Sitcoms

• Cavemen (ABC) - It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! aired this week...it returns Tuesday!
  
• Carpoolers (ABC) - See above.
  

Wednesday Sitcoms

• Back to You (Fox) - A repeat of the pilot lured in 5.26 million, not too bad.
  
• 'Til Death (Fox) - 5.01 million tuned in for an encore.
  

Thursday Sitcoms

• My Name is Earl (NBC) - 7.3 million tuned in for an hour long episode, down from the 8.2 million the previous week, which was a half-hour only...wonder why a drop?
  
• The Office (NBC) - 8.36 million tuned in, down about 600k from the previous week's 8.96 million.
• Scrubs (NBC) - 6.59 million tuned in for the second showing of the season.

Friday Sitcoms
None.

Saturday Sitcoms
None.

Airing tonight (Sunday) is a repeat of Aliens in America on The CW at 7:30, and Fox's animated comedies return!

Summing it up. Two and a Half Men, Samantha Who?, The Office, Big Bang Theory, and Rules of Engagement were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as My Name is Earl, How I Met Your Mother) or just plain old terrible (Aliens in America).

TV Alert!; Mini-DVD Review: Perry Mason S2, Part 2 (Nov. 13); Solomon's Weekly Rant: Why No Jay in 2009?; Morning SportsCenter So Special?

It is Saturday, so that must mean it is time for mini-DVD reviews and Solomon's Weekly Rant! But first we have a TV alert for this weekend that is worth breaking in for from our regular Saturday blog programming!

Starting this weekend, Entertainment Tonight Weekend will count down its top 20 TV stars of all time, accompanied by material from 27 years of interviews and other footage.
The list includes Don Knotts, Andy Griffith, Johnny Carson, Michael J. Fox, Carol Burnett, Annette Funiccello, Lucille Ball, Farrah Fawcett and John Ritter. The No. 1 star will be revealed by Donny Osmond on Nov. 10.
Tune in the weekend of Nov 3 and Nov. 10 on ET Weekend! Check www.etonline.com for weekend show times in your area. In NYC? This weekend it will air Sunday at 3PM and Monday morning at 2:35am on WCBS and next weekend Saturday at 7pm and Monday morning at 2:35am. Check for your area's listings on their website or TV listings sites, such as TitanTV.com. Discuss the special with other fans HERE.
Now back to our regularly scheduled Saturday blog programming.
Today we take a look at CBS DVD's Perry Mason: The Second Season, Volume 2. Perry Mason of course is the very popular law series. The series stars the great Raymond Burr. See skees53's mini-DVD review of Perry Mason: The Second Season, Volume 2:

Perry Mason: The Second Season, Volume 2 (CBS DVD, $39.98) brings Perry Mason back to defend those that don't have a chance in court... yet they win anyway because Perry is just that amazing! Volume 2 brings the second half of the second season (15 episodes) together in a four-disc DVD set. This means Perry has 15 new cases that he has to do the impossible with--prove that his client that everybody thinks is guilty is actually innocent. Fortunately, he is pretty much always up against Hamilton Burger, a man that isn't quite as powerful as, say, Nancy Grace. We see Perry have to defend a woman that is accused of murdering the woman that was blackmailing her new husband in "The Case of the Romantic Rogue." It's all fun and games... until a comedian's friend is a accused of killing the advertising man that cut the comedian out of a lucrative deal in "The Case of the Jaded Joker." A woman is accused of killing her grandfather that she has never even met in "The Case of the Stuttering Bishop." In "The Case of the Dangerous Dowager," a woman makes promises to her kids in her will... which her granddaughter counts on when she gives IOUs to a poker parlor boss that suddenly turns up dead. We find out why kids and guns don't exactly mix in "The Case of the Deadly Toy." Bruises and an injured foot on a bird may help Perry solve a murder in "The Case of the Deadly Toy."
The four-disc set is presented in packaging that is very similar to all of the previous sets, and once again, CBS DVD has for some reason chosen to continue with the double slimcases on this set (a good choice in my opinion) as opposed to the regular cases that they have been using on many other sets lately. As has been the case with the previous sets, the video and audio quality of each episode is almost perfectly flawless, which is amazing for a series as old as this one. Of course, there is the occasional grain and such, but there is VERY little of that, and the quality is generally perfect. The audio is presented in Dolby Digital Mono (hopefully nobody seriously expected stereo) with closed-captioning available for those that require it for each episode. The episodes all appear to be unedited, running around 50 minutes each, and there isn't even a disclaimer stating that some episodes may be changed from their original versions as there is on some CBS DVD sets, although in all fairness, this show never used popular music in the first place. The set is very disappointing on the special features front (as in there are no special features at all), but then again, this isn't the first time this show has gone without special features. It doesn't help that many of the people that were involved with the show have passed on already (after all, the show is fifty years old), but certainly there are fans out there that can help. There has to be a reason that this show is a top seller on DVD! The verdict on this set: buy it now!
-- Reviewed by skees53
(4/5 stars)

To purchase this DVD, click below and help support SitcomsOnline.com:
Amazon.com

Related links:
SitcomsOnline.com Full DVD Reviews Page
Perry Mason TV.com Page


Solomon's Weekly Rant
Saturday, November 3, 2007
"Why No Jay in 2009?; Why Is The Morning SportsCenter So Special?"
By Solomon Davis

NBC president Jeff Zucker has confirmed this week that NBC is removing Jay Leno from The Tonight Show in 2009 to make room for unfunny man Conan O'Brien which will makes my blood boil because Jay has been the funniest man on late night TV since 1992. Also when Jay is making people laugh he is not jumping up and down like a fool, he is standing there in one spot delivering jokes which is how comedy is supposed to be done. But Conan O'Brien who is unable to make people laugh by standing in one spot has to jump up and down like a monkey and make crazy facial expressions every night for someone to laugh. I just want NBC to know that they are making the biggest mistake in the history of their network by getting rid of the "King of Late Night TV" from The Tonight Show just so everyone can watch Conan do his clown act an hour earlier. A new title of the show can be "Late Night Clown" since his act will still be the same when he takes over as the new host of The Tonight Show. I hope Jay is on late night TV in 2009, even if it is an hour later in Conan's slot?

ESPN's SportsCenter that comes on weekday mornings has a rundown of topics on the right side of the TV screen of all the sports stories that will be talked about during the entire show. But you don't see this rundown on the SportsCenter's that air at 6pm and 11pm. Why can't there be an outline of sports topics on all the SportsCenters since some people might not be interested in in the sports they are talking about on the main screen. Can't believe no one at ESPN has the thought process of making the rundown on all SportsCenter episodes. It doesn't make sense having it on just mornings and not the evenings and late night...what if I'm not a morning person or am at work in the mornings? If you have it one, you should have them on all of them, I say.

My Weird TV Moments of the Week:
Monday, October 29, 2007: On The View, at the start of the show the ladies noticed a fly on the table and all of them started running away from the table like it was a mouse or a rat. Ladies it wasn't that serious!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007: During the ESPN NBA telecast of Dallas Mavericks at Cleveland Cavaliers, for some reason play-by-play broadcaster Mike Tirico felt the need to bring up "Tony Kornheiser." Since Jimmy Kimmel got banned from the MNF booth for talking about him, should Tirico be banned now from NBA telecasts?

Agree or disagree with Solomon? Discuss it here.

DISCLAIMER: Remember, Solomon is not the voice of SitcomsOnline. He is just stating his opinions and does not reflect what SitcomsOnline says or thinks. It is just his 'View' but it is always quite entertaining.

Nick at Nite Gets Extra Half-Hour; TVShowsonDVD.com Sounds Off on Banned Material; Writer's Strike?

TGIF! Nick at Nite has gotten an extra half-hour for at least 5 nights a week. It started last night. 8:30pm Mon-Thurs will be returning to Nick at Nite and will be Full House leading into an hour of Home Improvement from 9-10pm. They have also gotten Fridays at 9:30PM now, and that will also be Full House, leading into an hour of George Lopez from 10-11pm. Hopefully this lasts.

Our friends at TVShowsonDVD.com have passed a story on to us for you all to read. Dave Lambert, the news director, has a new entry at his TVGuide.com blog, "DVD Guy," asking people to give their input about whether so-called "banned material" - such as smoking-related scenes or old cartoons that contain racial stereotypes - ought to be excluded from DVD release so as not to offend, or if it should be included all-the-way to truly represent the feature as it was originally produced and presented.
To view this latest blog and to leave some comments, click HERE!

Well as some of you may know, there could be a Hollywood Writer's Strike starting this Monday. It seems it will be taking place and hopefully it gets resolved very soon, so our favorite TV shows are not affected. Rumor has it that Heroes has already shut down production after 11 episodes. We will keep you up to date on this, and we shouldn't be affected really until January, as we have enough episodes so far to last us through November sweeps and the holidays.
Reality shows, game shows, and newsmagazines could fill our schedules by February if this is not resolved soon. Yes, sitcoms and dramas will be dead if the strike happens. So, let's pray we get quality television back soon!
On a side note, thankfully the writer's strike will not be affecting this website! Yes, we will continue to write on the blog if there is a strike! In addition, our DVD reviews will also still go on. That should make you all feel a little bit better at least! Our writers are workhorses!

DotComedy.com to Cease?; Network Notes; TV Land Announces M*A*S*H Mail Call Stunt

NBC Universal plans to shut down the website DotComedy.com in the near future, according to sources with knowledge of the company's plans, eventually folding the site's content and traffic into NBC.com, Mediaweek reports.
NBCU executives declined to comment, but sources indicated that DotComedy, which launched in mid-2006 as part of the company's enhanced focus on digital media, may or may not continue as a branded channel on NBC.com. Some of the site's original programming, which included original content produced by a team of video bloggers, will likely be redistributed to other sites within the NBCU family. So enjoy Leave it to Beaver while you can!

It's time for another game of...network notes! Yes, this is where we have so much network news, we will round it up all here for you! Let's start with NBC. After last night's terrible numbers, NBC has pulled the reality show The Singing Bee from November sweeps at least...so now we will get an extra half-hour of...you guessed it, The Biggest Loser. That means that series will air two-hours each Wednesday (8-10pm) for sweeps. In other NBC news, they have pulled production on the Heroes spin-off, Heroes: Origins. Two reasons I think...the potential writer's strike or maybe because Heroes is in a sophomore ratings slump? The spin-off was supposed to spell the original series for six weeks in mid-season. Finally, not surprisingly ABC has given a three extra scripts order for the Friday night thriller, Women's Murder Club. I expect a full season pick-up very soon. So, this means Cavemen and Big Shots are the only new ABC series without extra scripts or a full pick-up. Not bad...but I don't expect those two to get any additional orders, unless they pick up drastically in the ratings the next few weeks. November ratings sweeps starts TODAY and ends November 28. Let the games begin!

TV Land officially announced its M*A*S*H Mail Call Weekend today. It's two nights of madcap antics, pranks, love letters, homemade cookies and the latest gossip when TV Land presents a marathon of episodes from the hit series M*A*S*H during "M*A*S*H Mail Call". The marathon begins on Saturday, November 10, at 9:00pm (all times ET/PT) and Sunday, November 11, at 9:00pm (all times ET/PT) and chronicles the many personal letters and packages sent to and from loved ones of the gang at 4077th -- some good, some bad -- but all filled with side-splitting laughter. Fans will be treated to some of the most memorable episodes including "Dear Mildred", "The Winchester Tapes", "Dear Comrade" and the popular three-part series "Dear Dad", "Dear Dad, Again" and "Dear Dad, Three", featuring Hawkeye's comical and heartfelt letters sent to his father back in the United States.