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Sunday, April 08, 2012

Week 29 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

2011-12 Week 29 TV Ratings (first four nights final ratings, Mon-Thu):

Households: #1. CBS 7.3 rating/11.9 share; #2. ABC 6.4/10.3; #3. Fox 5.9/9.4; #4. NBC 3.4/5.6; #5. The CW 0.7/1.1
Total Viewers: #1. CBS 11.85 million; #2. Fox 9.75 million; #3. ABC 9.64 million; #4. NBC 5.45 million; #5. The CW 1.01 million.
Adults 18-49: #1. CBS 3.1 rating/8.9 share; #2. Fox 3.0/8.6; #3. ABC 2.0/5.8; #3. NBC 2.0/5.5; #5. The CW 0.5/1.4

Week 29 (April 2-8) Analysis: Week 29 has CBS on top in all categories thus far helped by the NCAA Championship Game. Through the first four nights, as mentioned CBS is on top, with ABC neck and neck with Fox in HH/viewers for second. In 18-49, Fox is only a tenth behind CBS for first. ABC is third in 18-49, basically tied with NBC. NBC is fourth in HH/viewers. When the week is over by tonight, it could be as it is right now with lots of repeats this weekend. More on the prediction of week 29 below. As for last week, week 28, CBS took home both HH/total viewers crown and the 18-49 crown. ABC was second in HH/viewers, while Fox was second in 18-49. ABC was third in 18-49, while Fox was third in HH/viewers. NBC was fourth across the board. All of this was just like the previous week.

On Monday, it was CBS with the win thanks to the NCAA Basketball Championship game between Kentucky and Kansas. First, on ABC, Dancing with the Stars started it off from 8-10pm doing a first place 16.87 million and a 2.9 rating, down over a million in viewers and three tenths in 18-49 from previous week. At 10pm, Castle was all-new and did 11.69 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, down slightly in both categories from previous week. For CBS, a repeat of the breakout hit 2 Broke Girls did 5.7 million and a 1.6 rating, which is down from previous week when it aired at its regular time. A repeat of Two and a Half Men followed with 5.75 million and a 1.7 rating. The NCAA Championship Basketball game between Kansas and Kentucky netted 20.87 million and a 7.6 rating. Fox started off the night with Bones doing 8.39 million and a 2.5 rating. House returned with 6.67 million and a 2.3 rating, for soft ratings for this once juggernaut. NBC started it off with a two-hour The Voice and did a second place 10.83 million and a first place 4.1 rating, which was down over a million in viewers and four tenths in 18.49 from previous week. Then at 10pm week nine of critical darling Smash was next doing 6.03 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, which was on par with previous week. The CW aired an all-new Gossip Girl and did just 970,000 viewers and 0.5 18-49 rating. A repeat of Hart of Dixie followed with just 720,000 viewers and a 0.3 rating.

On Tuesday, it was ABC and NBC tying for first on a slow night. First on CBS, NCIS at 8 started it off with a repeat doing 11.45 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating. Then a repeat of NCIS: Los Angeles at 9pm did 8.72 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating. Both were below normal. At 10pm, a repeat of Unforgettable did 6.79 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating. ABC preempted Last Man Standing and Cougar Town for Dancing with the Stars: The Encore Performance and did 9.66 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, which is off only two tenths from previous week's encore special. At 9pm, the live Dancing with the Stars: The Results did 15.61 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, down just three tenths from previous week, as we said goodbye to Jack Wagner. This season is so competitive. Body of Proof was all-new at 10 as part two of its special two-part event did 10.51 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, on par with previous week but higher total viewers. I think this show will be back, perhaps Fridays in the fall for 13 weeks. Fox will bring back Glee this Tuesday, but for now a four-show comedy block! At 8pm, Raising Hope was all-new doing 3.93 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week. At 8:30pm a repeat followed doing just 3.14 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, but a tenth better than previous week. New Girl was new at 9 too and did 4.59 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, off three tenths from previous week for yet another series low. At 9:30pm Breaking In was new and did just 2.55 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. Wish it did better but it is not doing good. NBC was next with The Biggest Loser cut to the 8pm hour only doing 6.41 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, which was on par with previous week when it was two-hours. At 9, NBC launched the live The Voice results show doing 8.45 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating. Solid, but not as great as Monday's show. At 10pm, NBC's new reality series Fashion Star did just 4.11 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, on par with previous week but it had The Voice Results lead-in this time and that didn't help at all it seems. The CW was a repeat with 90210 doing 600,000 viewers and a 0.3 18-49 rating. Then at 9pm, Ringer was new and did 1.05 million and a 0.4 18-49 rating, down a tenth week-to-week.

Wednesday it was Fox with the win another two-hour Idol leading the way of course. First, CBS started the night off with a new Survivor: One World doing 10.36 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, which was down a tenth from the previous week. Then at 9pm, a new Criminal Minds did 11.34 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, which is below normal. And at 10pm a new CSI did 12.06 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, solid. ABC was 75% in repeats for its Laugh On comedy block again with a repeat of The Middle doing 3.76 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, off a tenth week-to-week. It's new this week! Suburgatory followed with a repeat at 8:30pm doing 3.62 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, which built on its lead-in again and on par with previous week. The mega hit Modern Family was next at 9pm with a repeat though and it did 4.91 million and 1.8 18-49 rating, which was below normal ans also down a tenth from previous week. At 9:30pm, Happy Endings was ALL-NEW for its season finale and did 3.67 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, down two tenths from the previous week. Don't Trust the B---- In Apartment 23 starts this Wednesday! It's hilarious! At 10pm the addicting Revenge will return this Wednesday with a special and then next Wednesday (April 18) with the last six episodes of the season, but ABC aired an encore of Missing and did 3.54 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, which was up a tenth from previous week. Fox aired American Idol from 8-10pm doing 17.09 million and a 4.9 18-49 rating, down four tenths from previous week but still good for #1 for the week again. Take that again The Voice, says Fox. NBC opened the night with the premiere of Betty White's Off Their Rockers doing 7.4 million but just a 1.9 18-49 rating, skewing old. The series premiere of new comedy Best Friends Forever followed with only 3.94 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, on par with previous week's Chelsea, ouch. Not good. But it gets worse for NBC, at 9pm, NBC aired back-to-back episodes of new sitcom Bent and did only 2.27 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating at 9, off a tenth from previous week but the 9:30pm doing even worse with 1.93 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating, also off a tenth from previous week. Good news is, that is it. All six episodes have aired. And at 10pm, Rock Center with Brian Williams was new in its temporary new time period and did 2.97 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. Still, yank this already, too. The CW had the two-hour series finale of One Tree Hill from 8-10pm doing 1.43 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating, only up a tenth from previous week. Thought it would do a bit better. America's Next Top Model was preempted.

Thursday it was Fox again for the win, just nipping by CBS. Starting with ABC, they opened the night with week four of Missing doing 7.24 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. Total viewers is good but the 18-49 needs to be better. Perhaps a good Friday destination in the fall, if it were to come back. At 9pm, a new Grey's Anatomy aired doing 8.19 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, below normal on a slow night thanks to Easter weekend. At 10pm, Private Practice is now moving to Tuesdays starting next Tuesday, but now Scandal airs in this slot and the series premiere did 7.33 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating. Not great, but good considering all the drops on this night. ABC will encore the premiere tomorrow night at 10. CBS aired new episodes, starting with The Big Bang Theory doing a great but below normal 13.29 million and a 4.4 18-49 rating, down three tenths from previous week for a season low. A new Rules of Engagement did 8.58 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, on par with previous week even with the lead-in dropping. Person of Interest was new at 9 and did 13.69 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, down three tenths from previous week. And The Mentalist was new at 10 and did 12.59 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, also down three tenths from previous week. Perhaps this show will be on the move next season. Fox aired American Idol at 8 doing 14.34 million and a 3.9 18-49 rating, down five tenths from previous week. Fox aired a new episode of Touch, doing 7.15 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, which was down four tenths from previous week as some more competition returned. NBC was almost all-new with a new Community up first doing 3.0 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, which was down three tenths from previous week. I think it will return though, but it sucks in the ratings. At 8:30pm, 30 Rock was new at 8:30pm and did 2.79 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, like its lead-in, down three tenths from previous week. As I keep saying, time to end it after six seasons. A repeat of The Office was next and did just 2.51 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, down two tenths from previous week. At 9:30pm Up All Night was new and did just 2.58 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. I don't think this will be back next season. At 10pm, week six of Awake is not awake in the ratings as it did 2.56 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating, down a tenth week-to-week for another series low. Another series that won't be back, I think. The CW's big gun Vampire Diaries was a repeat and did 1.06 million and a 0.4 18-49 rating. Then at 9pm, drama The Secret Circle was a repeat too and did 840,oo0 viewers and a 0.4 18-49 rating.

Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but CBS edged ABC on Friday with its dramas. ABC was a repeat though for Shark Tank at 8pm as Undercover Boss won the 8pm hour. At 9pm What Would You Do? did solid for ABC, with NBC's Grimm doing a tenth better than previous week, and CSI: NY edged out a win over ABC. CBS' Blue Bloods was first at 10pm as ABC's 20/20 was #2 at 10 this week. Fox's Fringe was down at 9pm and still low.
Saturday numbers have ABC winning the night with the classic The Ten Commandments, but NBC struggled big time with Escape Routes but at least The Firm was preempted for repeats. Fox's Cops did OK.

Tonight ABC's line-up is AFV, Once Upon a Time, and a two-hour GCB. Only GCB is new and should do decent but not great. NBC has Dateline at 7, with Celebrity Apprentice from 9-11pm, and Harry's Law leading in. Maybe a second place finish. CBS has new airings of 60 Minutes then Amazing Race, but The Good Wife is a repeat and CSI: Miami has its season finale. A third place finish I think behind ABC and NBC. Fox is in repeats for Animation Domination starting at 7pm, so maybe they are fourth.

As for the week (week 29), CBS will likely win the week in 18-49 thanks to the big NCAA Final Four Championship on Monday. But Fox could make it close, but don't think they will win due to weak a Friday and Saturday. CBS will easily win HH/viewers. Fox will be second in 18-49, while ABC will hang on to HH/viewers. ABC will go beat NBC in 18-49 for third, leaving NBC fourth across the board. As for the coming week, week 30(!), the best new comedy of the season Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 premieres Wednesday at 9:30/8:30c on ABC. Look for our review on Tuesday.

Week 29 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for Week 28 -- March 26-April 1)

The Simpsons (Fox) 2 airings - A repeat at 8pm did 3.89 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, which was off some from previous week. A repeat at 7pm earlier in the night did 2.23 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week.
The Cleveland Show (Fox) - A new episode at 7:30pm did just 2.87 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, off three tenths from previous week.
Bob's Burgers (Fox) - A new episode aired at 8:30pm and did 3.66 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, which is down three tenths from previous week. Still not good, but always good to see 100% retention when its lead-in isn't new.
Family Guy (Fox) - A new episode at 9 did a below normal 5.05 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating. This show usually does that for repeats. It's been in a slump this season.
American Dad! (Fox) - A new airing at 9:30pm did 4.18 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, on par week-to-week.

Monday Sitcoms

How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - preempted
2 Broke Girls (CBS) - A repeat at a special time of 8pm did 5.7 million and a 1.6 rating, which was on par with last week's repeat of How I Met Your Mother in viewers but down three tenths in 18.49.
Two and a Half Men (CBS) - A repeat at a special time of 8:30pm did 5.75 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, which is a bit below last week's repeat of 2 Broke Girls.
Mike & Molly (CBS) - preempted.

Tuesday Sitcoms

Last Man Standing (ABC) - preempted, new episodes return this week.
Cougar Town (ABC) - preempted, returns this week.
Raising Hope (Fox) 2 airings - A new episode at 8 did 3.93 million and a 1.6 rating, up slightly from previous week. Still not good. A repeat followed at 8:30pm with 3.14 million and a 1.4 rating, up a bit from the previous week.
New Girl (Fox) - A new episode at 9pm did 4.59 million and a 2.3 rating, down three tenths for another series low. The Voice Results and Dancing Results both hurt them.
Breaking In (Fox) - A new episode at 9:30 did just 2.55 million and a 1.3 rating, both down from last week for a series low. We got your back, but will Fox?

Wednesday Sitcoms

The Middle (ABC) - A repeat did 3.76 million and a 1.0 18-rating, which is below normal and down again from previous week. It's new this week, along with the rest of the Wednesday comedies and the series premiere of Apt. 23.
Suburgatory (ABC) - A repeat did 3.62 million and a 1.2 rating, on par with previous week's repeat.
Best Friends Forever (NBC) - The season premiere did just 3.94 million and a very low 1.2 18-49 rating. NBC has struggled here this season. Viewers of Betty White's Off Their Rockers did not stick around for it.
Modern Family (ABC) - A repeat of this mega hit did 4.91 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating. Off a tenth from previous week. New this week with Claire's election!
Happy Endings (ABC) - The season finale did 3.67 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, which was off two tenths from previous week. It was surrounded by repeats, so probably as good as it could have done the last few weeks. I'm sure many thought it was a repeat since everything else was.
Bent (NBC) 2 airings - A new episode at 9 did 2.27 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating, off a tenth from previous week. The 9:30pm airing did a worse 1.93 million and a 0.7 rating, down even further from previous week. No more episodes left though!

Thursday Sitcoms

The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A new episode did 13.29 million and a 4.4 18-49 rating, which is excellent but below normal and down from previous week.
Rules of Engagement (CBS) - A new episode did 8.58 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, which is par on with previous week.
Community (NBC) - A new episode did 3.0 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, down four tenths from previous week. Ouch.
30 Rock (NBC) - A new episode did 2.79 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, also down three tenths from previous week for a series low.
The Office (NBC) - A repeat did 2.51 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, off two tenths from previous week.
Up All Night (NBC) - A new episode did just 2.58 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week thanks to the repeat lead-in and a series low.

Friday Sitcoms

None.

Saturday Sitcoms

How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - A repeat at 8pm did a prelim 2.03 million and a prelim 0.5 18-49 rating. Seems low.
Mike & Molly (CBS) - A repeat of this at 8:30pm did just as bad with 2.5 million and a 0.5 18-49 rating.
Best Friends Forever (NBC) - A special encore of the pilot did not do much either doing only 1.6 million and a 0.4 18-49 rating.

Airing tonight (Sunday) are Fox's animated comedies from 7-10pm but with repeats.

Summing it up. Airings of The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, 2 Broke Girls, Rules of Engagement were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as New Girl, Happy Endings) or just plain old terrible (such as Best Friends Forever, Bent, Breaking In).

Saturday, April 07, 2012

Digital Digest: British Wave of American Favorites on DVD; Busy July for CBS and Shout!; L.A. Law - Season One DVD Review

Welcome to this incredibly busy edition for Digital Digest! After last week's sad and almost depressing week with very little news, this first week of April brings us plenty of news. And we have a VERY special review this week which will probably catch most people a bit off-guard, with our review of Revelation Films release of L.A. Law - Season One (yes, you heard us right, L.A. Law). It's actually a release for the United Kingdom, but there are some unique aspects of this release which have brought it to our attention. So let's get started!

DIGITAL NEWS

As mentioned, our review this week is for the United Kingdom release of L.A. Law - Season One. The six disc set was released in January of this year in the UK by Revelation Films. Naturally, if you are in the United States, you are not going to find this release at your neighborhood Target or Walmart. But this release, which is also the very first release of the series on DVD anywhere in the world, is more relevant to everybody than it may initially appear to be. Many times in the past, we've discussed playing foreign DVDs (as the case in the UK would be, region 2) on DVD players in the United States. However, this release of L.A. Law, as was discovered by many fans across the globe after purchasing the set, actually lacks any region coding. Even though the packaging indicates that it is a region 2 release, it will actually play on ANY DVD player without any issues! You can actually even purchase this release in the United States from amazon.com, so that you don't have to pay for international shipping, by going here.

Of course, the DVDs playing in any region sounds fine, but you may be thinking that only the first season has been released, and there is no guarantee that any future seasons will ever be released. But... you'd be wrong! L.A. Law - Season Two is already scheduled for a release on May 7. And if that isn't enough, there are more seasons on the way beyond that. In fact, between now and the end of 2013, all seven of the remaining seasons are scheduled for release! According to information from the UK DVD retailer Play.com (note: if you are not in the UK, you can not order from this site... while they do provide useful information, they do not seem to allow international orders), the anticipated release dates for seasons 2-8 (the remainder of the run of the series!) are as follows:

Season 2: May 7, 2012
Season 3: July 9, 2012
Season 4: October 8, 2012
Season 5: January 7, 2013
Season 6: April 8, 2013
Season 7: July 8, 2013
Season 8: October 7, 2013

Of course, there are some caveats about these upcoming releases. First, we don't know for certain that these release dates won't change. Although they are scheduled, and many already even have cover art, anything is always subject to change. Second, even if these releases do come as scheduled, there is absolutely no guarantee that they will be region-free, as the first season was. It is entirely possible that the release of the first season as a region-free release was just a fluke, as the packaging even indicates that it is a region 2 release. But we certainly hope that either it is region-free, or at the very least, somebody finally gets this classic series out in the United States!

We still aren't done with our talk about releases from Revelation Films, though! Note, for the following releases, we honestly just don't know if these are region-free like L.A. Law is or not, but we provide this information for those who may be interested. The studio also released Doogie Howser, M.D. - Season One in January, which was released by Anchor Bay several years ago... but like most other Anchor Bay releases, it is now out-of-print. But now, you can get not only the first season of the series, but according to Play.com, the remaining seasons (2, 3, and 4) are scheduled for May 7, August 6, and November 5! The studio also release Chicago Hope - Season One approximately a month ago, which is another series which has never been released in the United States. Needless to say, the remaining five seasons of that series (2, 3, 4, 5, and 6) are... you guessed it... already scheduled! Release dates for those are June 4, September 10, December 13, and the remaining two seasons are scheduled in 2013 on March 11 and June 10.

Before we move on to our other news on our own side of the Atlantic Ocean--and believe me, there is a ton of that this week as well--we have one more bit of news about ANOTHER release from Revelation Films in the UK! And this one is a sitcom which Americans have been wanting to see for quite some time. The sitcom Two Guys, a Girl, and a Pizza Place is set to be released in the UK (but remember, you can always purchase it online and watch it in the US if you have a region-free DVD player... hopefully these will be region-free without needing a special player, as L.A. Law is) over the next few months. Needless to say, Play.com has tipped us off to release dates for that series, and once again, every season has been scheduled, with release dates of April 23, July 9, October 8, and the final season comes in just after the beginning of the new year on January 7. All in all, there are a ton of great releases coming from this studio, many of which we have never seen in the United States. If we find out about more releases from this studio, and I have a feeling that we will, we'll let you know!

Now to move on to the United States, where there has been a LOT of news floating around everywhere! CBS Home Entertainment is bringing some new releases of some of our favorite classic dramas to DVD on July 3. First up is the primetime '80s soap opera Dynasty, with Dynasty - The Sixth Season, Volume 1 and Dynasty - The Sixth Season Volume 2. Another favorite is released the same day with Mannix - The Seventh Season, which is extra special since many of the episodes from this season have never aired in syndication. The third release (or pair), though, is the most surprising, since it is a release of a series which appeared to be abandoned... but low and behold, it isn't! Also on July 3, we'll see The Streets of San Francisco - Season 3, Volume 1 and The Streets of San Francisco - Season 3, Volume 2. Hopefully, we should have reviews of all of these releases sometime in June!

So, this brings us a bit closer to our final batch of release news... and believe me, we aren't even trying to just fill up space, because the news which we have yet to bring you so far is still news which would normally be worthy of top-billing if we didn't just somewhat randomly pick the order to bring you all of this great news this week. Shout! Factory is planning some major releases in July as well as they complete Designing Women on July 17 with Designing Women - The Final Season. But Shout! is also bringing out some new stuff in July which is guaranteed to excite our readers, as they pick up the DVD rights to the classic sitcom Diff'rent Strokes! The classic sitcom, which many (including myself) assumed to be abandoned, is finally going to be continued with Diff'rent Strokes - The Complete Third Season, which is also set to be released on July 17. Now, will the studio also get back to releases of the spinoff of the series, The Facts of Life? We hope so, but so far, there is no word. Also, on July 31, we'll be seeing a series which we tend to not cover as much, but we know it is a huge pop-culture classic, with Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids - The Complete Series!

Our final piece of news--and we only make this our final piece of news because it is something that has been reported on already--is that release dates have now been announced for the first two seasons of The Big Bang Theory on Blu-ray Disc. On July 10, look for Blu-ray releases (the DVD releases have been released long ago, obviously) of The Big Bang Theory - The Complete First Season and The Big Bang Theory - The Complete Second Season.

For the naysayers out there claiming that home media is dead, the news this week certainly seems to indicate quite the opposite. In our two years of Digital Digest, this has probably been one of the busiest weeks of news we've ever seen!

UPCOMING WEEK PREVIEW

Tuesday (April 10) is not nearly as exciting of a release date as our news has been this week, but we do have a few great releases, including Laverne & Shirley - The Fifth Season (our review) and Adam-12 - The Final Season (our review). Other releases for Tuesday include Logan's Run - The Complete Series and the completion of the classic anthology series Night Gallery with Night Gallery - Season Three. Finally, if you are north of the border in Canada, there is a release of ALF - The Complete Series, but we really don't know if this set is any different from the US release or not.

BLOG FEATURE REVIEW

Blog DVD Review: L.A. Law Season One (UK release, Revelation Films)
by skees53

Over the past two decades, NBC has defined their scope of legal drama with the hard-edged (and these days, rapidly waning in popularity as the series are being canceled or "repurposed" one-by-one) legal drama franchise Law & Order, where viewers get to follow some insanely overdramatized court case where somebody most likely murdered somebody, and in the opposite of the classic series Perry Mason, some defendant is guaranteed to fry for it (even though technically the series takes place in New York City, where there isn't a death penalty... but I digress). But just a few years before this franchise defined NBC's legal drama lineup, there was the series L.A. Law, a very popular series (at least at the time) from Stephen Bochco which was significantly lighter in tone, dealt with a dynamic cast with personalities outside of the court room, and kept a serial format as some later legal dramas from David E. Kelly (whom, by the way, was actually a Boston area attorney who got his start when Bochco called him up to be a consultant for L.A. Law, and eventually became executive producer of the series and created his own TV dynasty).

Sadly, L.A. Law, while popular when it aired, has practically disappeared in recent years. A few cable channels have aired it over the years, but it has never been considered a major contender on any of those cable networks. And if you've been looking for DVDs or digital downloads of the series, you've pretty much been out of luck too, as it has not been released in the US or anywhere for that matter--until now, with Revelation Films release of L.A. Law - Season One.

Technically, the release is exclusive to the United Kingdom, and is supposed to be encoded as a region 2 release. But for some reason, the discs are not encoded for any region (meaning that they can be played on any DVD player) and it is available to purchase on amazon.com in the US. Since this is a popular unreleased series with no US counterpart, we thought that it would be helpful to review at least the first season to let fans know what is available.

The series begins with the double-length "Pilot," where firm partner Norman Chaney dies, and leaves behind a huge surprise which is exposed at his funeral. Meanwhile, Michael (Harry Hamlin) is defending a wealthy man accused of rape, and a new partner, Victor Sifuentes (Jimmy Smits) is about to join the firm. Michael becomes attracted to prosecutor Grace Van Owen (Susan Dey... yes, Laurie Partridge grew up to be a star of a legal drama) in "Those Lips, That Eye." Victor defends a girl accused of murdering her own brother in "The Princess and the Wiener King." In "Simian Enchanted Evening," Michael takes matters into his own hands to disrupt Grace's wedding (and succeeds). In the Emmy Award Winning episode "The Venus Butterfly" (an episode which was very bizarrely named after a, well, sexual technique featured in the episode), Grace prosecutes a gay man with AIDS accused of killing his lover in a mercy killing.

Arnie's (Corbin Bersen) latest divorce case involves his own parents in "Fry Me to the Moon," and meanwhile, Michael is about to take on one of his most stressful cases ever. In "Sidney, the Dead Nosed Reindeer," Michael is traumatized after an attorney kills himself... in the courtroom. Grace's latest prosecution case in "Beef Jerky" involves the theft of bull semen. Grace has already successfully won her murder case which she has been prosecuting in "Fifty Ways to Floss Your Lover," but she quickly learns that getting a man sentenced to death only makes herself a target for murder. Grace decides to take a little time off from work to relax after, well, nearly being murdered, in "Oy Vey, Wilderness." The first season ends with "Pigmalion," where Victor has doubts about his latest case.

It appears that the episodes on the set are unedited, with original music intact as well. Runtimes are as follows:

Disc 1:
1. "Pilot" (1:37:07)
2. "Those Lips, That Eye" (48:34)
3. "The House of the Rising Flan" (48:30)

Disc 2:
4. "The Princess and the Wiener King" (48:38)
5. "Simian Chanted Evening" (48:40)
6. "Slum Enchanted Evening" (48:32)
7. "Raiders of the Lost Bark" (48:41)

Disc 3:
8. "Gibbon Take" (48:45)
9. "The Venus Butterfly" (48:41)
10. "Fry Me to the Moon" (48:39)
11. "El Sid" (48:41)

Disc 4:
12. "Sidney, the Dead-Nosed Reindeer" (48:51)
13. "Prince Kuzak in a Can" (48:44)
14. "The Douglas Fur Ball" (48:38)
15. "December Bribe" (48:39)

Disc 5:
16. "Beef Jerky" (48:40)
17. "Becker on the Rox" (48:47)
18. "Fifty Ways to Floss Your Lover" (48:51)
19. "The Grace of Wrath" (48:53)

Disc 6:
20. "Sparky Brackman, R.I.P." (48:29)
21. "Oy Vey, Wilderness" (48:37)
22. "Pigmalion" (48:33)

The DVD set comes packaged in a thick keepcase, and there is also an outer cardboard sleeve with the exact same artwork as the plastic keepcase. The cover has a cast photo, along with the familiar series "license plate" logo. On the back of the case, there is a brief description of the series, a few episode snapshots, and a listing of all of the episodes on the set... enumerated with roman numerals, oddly enough. Inside, the only artwork is the Los Angeles skyline with a large photo of the license plate logo in the background. The discs have artwork that is designed like... you guessed it, the license plate logo. There are six discs total, with three episodes on Disc 1 (including the double-length pilot), four episodes on each of Discs 2-5, and three episodes on Disc 6.

The menus on the set are very nice, featuring the theme song playing in the background on the menu with video clips on one side of the screen, a stack of law books on the other side, and the series title logo (with the word California replaced by Season One and the year sticker on the license plate replaced with the disc number). Options on the main menu include Play All and Episodes. Once you select Episodes, you get a menu with legal pads (great pun) which have photos of the episodes on them, along with the title underneath the photo. Once you select an episode, it plays immediately. Chapters are placed throughout each episode.

Perhaps the only weak point of this set is the video and audio quality. While it is certainly sufficient, it has not been remastered, at all. I was honestly shocked at how much grain and debris that the episodes had on them. It was almost like watching a much older series. The episodes are said to be PAL encoded, which is the UK standard, but if it is, there don't seem to be any of the usual PAL to NTSC conversion issues here. The audio is fine, but a bit lower on some episodes. Unfortunately, there are no closed-captions or subtitles for the episodes.

This is a UK release with no US counterpart, so needless to say, there aren't any special features.

This is a fine DVD release, but I certainly hope that somebody gets on the ball to get this released in the United States. The DVDs have already been produced for the UK, and honestly, these DVDs are good enough to be released as they are on this set in the US. It would simply be better to have a US release so that the packaging could be less "European based" and to bring the cost of the set down to a more reasonable price. Most likely, the only matter holding things up is Fox willing to work with a distributor in the US. Until/unless that happens, though, we have this release of the first season, and hopefully with the remaining seven seasons on the way, we'll get those region-free as well. We probably won't be doing any more reviews of the UK releases of this series (though we will have more if we ever get US releases), but we'll certainly keep you updated on any information which we discover on them!

(4/5 stars)

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Related links:
SitcomsOnline.com DVD Reviews Page
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CLICK OF THE WEEK

CLG Wiki (www.closinglogos.com) - Certainly, not all of the people in the world bother to watch anything on a TV show once the closing credits start to roll (and that large number of people who don't care about who deserves credit are probably why closing credits have been marginalized to a few inches of space while network promos run these days), and even the ones who do likely don't pay attention to those production company logos which appear at the very end of the credits (or sometimes these days right before the closing credits). But for those who do pay attention--and even those who don't pay attention, but are still interested--the CLG Wiki, an offshoot of something that began as an online mailing list and grew into a full-fledged website with photos, audio, video, and discussion of all of these logos.

Hopefully, everybody knows what we mean by closing logos. If not, then perhaps you could start with something familiar such as the Viacom "V of Doom" and work your way around to more rare ones such as the Embassy logos. Of course, that isn't even close to the rarest and most unusual that you can get on this site. There are even some very intriguing ones from around the world. The first logo appearing on this page, from Russia, is literally the scariest and most disturbing closing logo which I have ever seen. There is a ton of unique content to discover on this site, and since it is a wiki, it doesn't depend upon one person making updates on their own schedule, but rather gets updated frequently by many different users. So you should not only check this site out today, but keep coming back for more.

That's it for this week. Until next time, keep it digital!

Friday, April 06, 2012

ABC Announces Most of Summer 2012 Schedule; Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of April 9, 2012)

ABC has announced most of its summer premieres for new series and returning favorites. The Bachelorette kicks it off on Monday, May 14, as previously announced but now more summer premiere dates are announced! On the first official day of summer on TV, Thursday, May 24, ABC will launch the anticipated new reality series Duets with a two-hour premiere. The season three premiere of summer crime drama Rookie Blue will follow at 10:00pm on Thursday nights. As for Duets, the Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Nettles, Lionel Richie and Robin Thicke series will air for two-hours on May 24, May 31 and June 7. ABC will then air the NBA Finals on June 14 and if necessary on June 21, so as a result, Duets will air on Wednesdays those two weeks (June 13 and June 20) from 9:30pm-11pm. Duets will return to Thursdays after the NBA Finals concludes, which will be June 28 but it will air one-hour episodes. The season five premiere of Wipeout will air at 9pm on Thursday nights starting June 28.

Moving on to Sundays, ABC will go the reality route. Following repeats of AFV at 7pm, we have all-new seasons of Secret Millionaire at 8pm and now two-hour episodes of Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition from 9-11pm, both starting Sunday, June 3. The next announced premiere will be on Tuesday, July 10 when ABC premieres new improv series from the people that brought you Whose Line Is It Anyway? This new series, Trust Us With Your Life will premiere with back-to-back episodes in the 9pm hour. It will then air in the 9pm half-hour on Tuesday nights for the next six weeks. ABC has ordered eight episodes. Hosted by Fred Willard, featured celebrities include David Hasselhoff, Ricky Gervais, Jerry Springer, Florence Henderson, Jack & Kelly Osbourne, Jane Seymour, Serena Williams and Mark Cuban. The exciting new format finds each celebrity reminiscing about key episodes that have happened in their lives, then brilliant improvisers acting out those moments which the celebrity has just described. These key moments in the life of the guest celebrity will be improvised as straight comedy or in game formats such as forward/rewind and sideways scenes. The tone of the show is friendly, funny and cheeky. Comedians on the show include Wayne Brady and Colin Mochrie (Whose Line Is It Anyway?), along with Jonathan Mangum as the main improvisers. They will be joined by guest starring performers such as Greg Proops and Nicole Parker.
Also premiering on Tuesday nights on July 10 will be Final Witness at 10pm. The series is a compelling hybrid of documentary and drama, featuring interviews with real-life witnesses, prosecutors, law enforcement, family and friends, along with riveting scripted scenes with actors, thrusting viewers into the heart of each crime. ABC has ordered seven episodes. And the final announced summer premiere for now is the season premiere of Bachelor Pad will be on Monday, July 23 from 8-10pm after The Bachelorette concludes on July 16.

So that is all for now. More announcements for ABC summer is still to come. We still don't know what is airing Mondays at 10pm (both after The Bachelorette and Bachelor Pad), Tuesdays at 8pm (could be reruns of Last Man Standing for the hour), and Wednesdays at 10pm (besides Duets for two weeks from 9:30-11pm). Also Tuesday nights at 9:30pm is a mystery as what will air starting July 17 after Trust Us With Your Life. We are assuming ABC Laugh On Wednesday comedy repeats will air all summer on Wednesdays from 8-10pm. Fridays is expected to be repeats of Shark Tank and What Would You Do? into 20/20. Stay with us for continued updates.

It's Friday, so it is time for "Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows" for the coming week. This is where we list what sitcom stars are appearing on talk shows for the coming week, the stars are both current and past sitcom stars, so this is for all sitcom fans of all eras!
For the week of April 9-13, 2012, we have many current sitcom stars and past sitcom stars on TV talk shows! All times listed are Eastern. So get your DVR's (or whatever you use) ready! Ready? Here is all what you need to know for the coming week!

Monday, April 9, 2012

Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother) - Watch Cobie on The Late Show with David Letterman at 11:35pm on CBS.
James Van Der Beek (Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23) - James stops by Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 12am on ABC. Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 premieres on ABC on Wednesday at 9:30pm ET/PT.
Billy Gardell (Mike & Molly) - Billy visits The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson at 12:37am on CBS.
Ian Gomez (Cougar Town/Jake in Progress) - Ian appears on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson at 12:37am on CBS.
Steve Harvey (The Steve Harvey Show) - Steve is a guest on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon at 12:37am on NBC.
Sofia Vergara (Modern Family/The Knights of Prosperity/Hot Properties) - Sofia drops by LIVE! with Kelly, so check your listings.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Sean Hayes (Will & Grace) - Catch Sean on The Late Show with David Letterman at 11:35pm on CBS. The Three Stooges opens in theaters on April 13.
Jim Gaffigan (My Boys/Welcome to New York) - Jim visits The Late Show with David Letterman at 11:35pm on CBS.
David Spade (Rules of Engagement/8 Simple Rules/Just Shoot Me) - David is a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 12am on ABC.
Jessica St. Clair (Best Friends Forever/In the Motherhood) - Jessica drops by The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson at 12:37am on CBS.
Christina Applegate (Up All Night/Samantha Who?/Married with Children) - Christna appears NBC's Today between 7-9am. Then she will be on LIVE! with Kelly, so check your listings. Finally, she's a guest on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon at 12:37am on NBC.
Steve Harvey (The Steve Harvey Show) - Steve chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Krysten Ritter and Dreama Walker (Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23) - Krysten and Dreama visit The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT. Krysten will also be on ABC's Good Morning America between 7-9am. Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment on 23 makes its debut on ABC on Wednesday at 9:30pm ET-PT.
Kyla Pratt (Let's Stay Together/One on One) - The beautiful Kyla sits down with Wendy on The Wendy Williams Show at 12am on BET or on your local stations.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Joel McHale (Community) - Watch Joel on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon at 12:37am on NBC.
Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie) - Edie chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Cheryl Hines (Suburgatory/Curb Your Enthusiasm) - Cheryl appears on LIVE! with Kelly, so check your listings.
Brandy (The Game/Moesha) - Brandy visits LIVE! with Kelly, so check your listings.
Jessica St. Clair (Best Friends Forever/In the Motherhood) and Lennon Parham (Best Friends Forever/Accidentally on Purpose) - Jessica and Lennon are guests on Last Call with Carson Daly at 1:35am on NBC.
Martha Plimpton (Raising Hope) - Martha is a guest on Watch What Happens: Live at 11pm on Bravo.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Danny McBride (Eastbound & Down) - Catch Danny on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 12am on ABC.
Tina Fey (30 Rock) - Tina chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT. She also appears on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon at 12:37am on NBC.
Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm) - Larry is a guest on Conan at 11pm on TBS.
Jim Gaffigan (My Boys/Welcome to New York) - Jim continues to make the rounds on Conan at 11pm on TBS.
Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie) - Edie visits The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT. She will also be on Anderson, so check your local listings.
Laura Linney (The Big C) - Laura appears on LIVE! with Kelly, so check your listings.
Joel McHale (Community) - Joel guest co-hosts LIVE! with Kelly on Thursday and Friday, so check your listings.
Maya Rudolph (Up All Night) - Tune in to see Maya on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check listings.
Cheryl Hines (Suburgatory/Curb Your Enthusiasm) - Cheryl is a guest on Watch What Happens: Live at 11pm on Bravo.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Julia Louis-Dreyfus (The New Adventures of Old Christine/Seinfeld) - Watch Julia on The Late Show with David Letterman at 11:35pm on CBS.
Jason Segel (How I Met Your Mother) - Jason visits The Tonight Show with Jay Leno at 11:35pm on NBC.
Sean Hayes (Will & Grace) - Sean continues to make the rounds The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check listings. He will also be on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson at 12:37am on CBS.
Martha Plimpton (Raising Hope) - Martha appears on LIVE! with Kelly, so check your listings.
Henry Winkler (Happy Days) - Henry discusses stroke therapy on The Doctors, so check your local listings.

Leave us comments on our message board or Tweet/Facebook us to let us know what you think of this Friday feature! We do listen!

Thursday, April 05, 2012

GMC Acquires Moesha; Fox Announces More Stars, Reunions for Fox 25th Anniversary Special

GMC (aka Gospel Music Channel) has acquired the cable rights to the popular '90s sitcom Moesha starring Brandy. The former UPN comedy will air on GMC starting Saturday, April 14 where it will get a launch marathon. The marathon will start at 8am and will last through 7pm. As of now, GMC is being tight-lipped on the regular schedule, so we can't share when it will air regularly just yet. The six-season sitcom has 127 episodes. The sitcom has not been on cable since WGN America and TeenNick (then known as The N) stopped airing the sitcom in 2009. Moesha will fit right in with GMC's other sitcoms Sister Sister, 227, Amen, and Cosby. GMC also airs dramas The Waltons, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, and Judging Amy and game show Don't Forget the Lyrics.
Stay with us in the coming days for the new GMC schedule with Moesha!

Fox's 25th Anniversary Special just got a little bigger. Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Laura Prepon and Wilmer Valderrama from That '70s Show will reunite on camera to remember their earliest break into stardom and growing up on set. In addition, members of one of Hollywood's most comedic families - Keenen Ivory Wayans, Marlon Wayans and Shawn Wayans - come together to share stories about their funniest sketches on In Living Color during Fox's 25th anniversary Special, airing Sunday, April 22 from 8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT (reairs Sunday, June 24). The star-studded special will pay tribute to Fox's most memorable moments with appearances by Fox talent, highlights from iconic series and specials and reunions with cast members from some of the network's fan-favorite series, among other surprises. Also featured in the special are Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Ryan Seacrest and Steven Tyler from American Idol; Kiefer Sutherland from 24 and Touch; and Seth MacFarlane from Family Guy, The Cleveland Show and American Dad!
Previously announced participants we announced include Christina Applegate, David Faustino, Ed O'Neill and Katey Sagal who sit down together and salute Married... With Children; Calista Flockhart from Ally McBeal; Gabrielle Carteris, Shannen Doherty, Jason Priestley and Ian Ziering from Beverly Hills, 90210; Patrick Warburton from The Tick; and Gillian Anderson, David Duchovny and creator Chris Carter from The X-Files. The host and additional Fox talent to be announced. Stay with us for more information.

Wednesday, April 04, 2012

10th TV Land Awards Adds Tribute To In Living Color; Fox Burns Off I Hate My Teenage Daughter In June

TV Land announced that the cast of the trailblazing Fox series In Living Color – Keenen Ivory Wayans, Jim Carrey, David Alan Grier, Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Tommy Davidson, Kelly Coffield Park, Kim Wayans and T'Keyah Crystal Keymah – will be honored with the Groundbreaking Award at the TV Land Awards 10th Anniversary celebration, taping Saturday, April 14 at the Lexington Avenue Armory at Gramercy Park in New York City. Additional cast members are expected to join. Previously announced honorees include Laverne & Shirley, One Day at a Time, Pee-wee's Playhouse and Aretha Franklin. The TV Land Awards 10th Anniversary will air on Sunday, April 29 at 9pm ET/PT.
The Emmy® Award-winning series In Living Color, which aired from 1990 to 1994, was written by, created by and starred Keenen Ivory Wayans, and also featured Jim Carrey, Tommy Davidson, Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Kelly Coffield Park, Kim Wayans, T'Keyah Crystal Keymah and David Alan Grier. Receiving the aptly-named Groundbreaking Award at this year's TV Land Awards ceremony, the sketch comedy series was the first of its kind to break down barriers and feature a predominantly African-American cast. As the theme song suggested, the show where "you could do what you want to do" was full of unbridled creative energy, resulting in edgy and hilarious characters like Homey D. Clown, Fire Marshall Bill, Wanda, and Vera De Milo. The show coined as the first diverse hip-hop comedy, dance-sketch series on television by Entertainment Weekly also featured some of the greatest R&B and Hip-Hop musical artists of the 90s who frequently performed on the In Living Color stage. The series also starred gifted comedians Damon Wayans and Jamie Foxx.
The TV Land Awards pays tribute to classic and contemporary luminaries of television, music and movies. The 90-minute telecast hosted by Kelly Ripa will feature exhilarating musical performances and will reunite some of the most iconic celebrity TV casts.

Fox has announced it plans on airing the remaining episodes of new sitcom I Hate My Teenage Daughter, which was pulled recently on Tuesday nights. The sitcom has six episodes left out of its thirteen episode order. Fox will air them on Sunday nights from 7-8pm this June for three weeks on June 3, 10 and 17. Animation will return on June 24 with repeats of American Dad and Cleveland Show set to air in the 7pm hour. Fox also said they will air repeats of I Hate My Teenage Daughter on its Saturday night late night block starting June 2. The sitcom will air repeats on Saturday nights at 12am, replacing repeats of New Girl. Repeats of The Finder will remain at 11pm on Saturday nights, which will start May 5.
One more Fox note, they will reair the Fox 25th Anniversary Special on Sunday, June 24 from 8-10pm if you miss it later this month (April 22) when it premieres.

Tuesday, April 03, 2012

NBC Mid-Season Pilot Review: Best Friends Forever - Premieres April 4; MeTV Spring 2012 Schedule

Best Friends Forever - Wednesdays 8:30PM ET/PT on NBC
Premieres Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at 8:30PM ET/PT

Best Friends Forever, from executive producer Scot Armstrong (Old School, Hangover 2), is a new comedy about old friends, new beginnings and awkward situations.

Jessica St. Clair (Bridesmaids) and Lennon Parham (Accidentally on Purpose) star as Jessica and Lennon, best friends who live on opposite sides of the country with the men in their lives. When Jessica is overnighted divorce papers, Lennon convinces her to return home to Brooklyn and back into the apartment they used to share. It doesn't take long for the girls to fall into old habits: movie marathons and late night girl talk sessions - none of which is good news for Lennon's live-in boyfriend, Joe (Luka Jones, Upright Citizens Brigade). Joe tries to be understanding but begins to feel like a stranger in his own home. Meanwhile, Jessica is trying to get used to her new single life. Will she have to start buying matching sets of underwear again? Also, reconnecting with old friends like Rav (Stephen Schneider, Happy Endings), who may or may not have feelings for her, is more complicated than she thought. All of Jessica's new efforts are met with the critique of the friends' precocious nine-year-old neighbor, Queenetta (Daija Owens), who is not shy about doling out advice on their life choices.

Cast Details:

• Lennon Parham as Lennon
• Jessica St. Clair as Jessica
• Stephen Schneider as Rav
• Luka Jones as Joe
• Daija Owens as Queenetta

Lennon Parham (Lennon) is perhaps best known for playing the supporting role of Abby Chase, alongside Jenna Elfman on the television series Accidentally on Purpose. Additional television credits include guest roles on NBC's popular comedy Parks and Recreation as well as How I Met Your Mother. Parham also starred in Lady Refs for the cable special Funny or Die Presents... Her film credits include Confessions of a Shopaholic, Splinterheads and the comedy-horror film by Dan Fogler, Hysterical Psycho.

A multi-talented actress and writer, Jessica St. Clair (Jessica) has gained notoriety performing at the legendary Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in New York and Los Angeles. This past summer, St. Clair could be seen in the film Bridesmaids and will next be seen in the feature Wanderlust. Additional feature-film credits include She's Out of My League, Life as We Know It and Christopher Guest's For Your Consideration. In television, St. Clair has starred opposite Megan Mullally and Cheryl Hines in In the Motherhood and has had guest-starring appearances on NBC's Parks and Recreation, Weeds and United States of Tara.

After Stephen Schneider (Rav) graduated from Emory University in Atlanta, he wrote and directed his first feature film Puberty: The Movie, starring David Wain, Joe Lo Truglio and Amy Sedaris. He then launched the sketch comedy website thebsquad, featuring original sketches in which he performed and wrote. Several of his sketches have been featured in festivals, on television and on the home pages of Gawker, Break and Funny or Die. Schneider went on to work as a writer and correspondent for InfoMania, a comedic news show. Schneider recently wrote, produced and starred in the award-winning feature film The Funniest Movie Ever, directed by Eric Ledgin, where he stars as wannabe stand-up comic Steve Deeds who's trying to make it big in the City of Angels. The film is currently touring the festival circuit. Schneider also will be featured in the upcoming film Bert and Arnie's Guide to Friendship, directed by Jeff Kaplan.

Luka Jones (Joe) was raised in the Chicago and Denver metro areas. He has been featured in comedy shows at iO West, the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, the Hollywood Improv and other venues throughout the Los Angeles area. Jones has trained at the Atlantic Theater Company in New York and the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Daija Owens (Queenetta) showed a knack for performing at a young age. Since she was three, she has expressed herself by being unintentionally comical. Her funny facial expressions have always piqued the curiosity of her family who never know what she will do next to make them laugh. The energetic Owens began her acting career at the age of six when she landed a role in her grade-school production of The Wizard of Oz, where she played one of the Munchkins.

Pilot Episode:

"Ding Dong Hello" (April 4, 8:30PM) - When Jessica is overnighted divorce papers, her best friend Lennon convinces her to return home to Brooklyn and back into the apartment they used to share. The girls easily fall back into old habits -- none of which is good news for Lennon's live-in boyfriend, Joe. Meanwhile Jessica adjusts to her new single life by reconnecting with old friends like Rav, however her new efforts meet the critique of the friends' precocious nine-year-old neighbor, Queenetta.

Analysis:

Best Friends Forever is a single-camera comedy. There's no laugh track added. The is produced by Universal Television and American Work, Inc. Along with Armstrong, St. Clair, Parham, Alexa Junge (Friends, United States of Tara), Fred Savage (Party Down) and Ravi Nandan are executive producers. Donick Cary is consulting producer, while Keith Raskin serves as producer on the series. Fred Savage directs the pilot episode.

In the pilot episode, Jessica talks to Lennon via Skype on the computer and tells her that her marriage is falling apart. Jessica receives her divorce papers from her husband, Peter. Lennon tells her that she will book her a ticket to New York to visit her. Jessica and Lennon have a talk about Peter. Lennon's boyfriend, Joe, listens to their conversation before he is asked to leave. Joe still wants to have a lazy Sunday party because he is planning something special for Lennon. Joe gives up his office to Jessica and shows Lennon the game he is designing. Jessica finds a ring in Joe's room. Jessica and Lennon talk to their spunky next-door neighbor, Queenetta. Jessica and Lennon go to the deli and talk to Angelo. Jessica aks Rav about Joe and Lennon's relationship at a bar. Joe and Rav play an online game while Jessica and Lennon have a Steel Magnolias marathon. Jessica and Lennon plan the party and discuss some design changes to the apartment. Joe runs an errand and talks to Angelo. Lennon and Joe have a major argument. Jessica and Rav have a serious talk about Lennon. Lennon, Jessica and Queenetta prepare for lazy Sunday. Joe surprises Lennon with a gift. A closing tag scene involves Joe, Lennon and Jessica.

The pilot has a few funny moments, but overall it's not very interesting and entertaining. It feels more like a movie storyline instead of a television comedy. There's no narration or flashback type scenes used in the pilot. I think this will either be a show that people love and relate to or they will turn it off after 5 minutes. The main cast is small and probably unknown to most people. Lennon Parham and Jessica St. Clair have known each other for 10 years and appear to have some good comedic timing together. I've enjoyed their work in other roles, especially Parham in the Jenna Elfman comedy Accidentally on Purpose a few years ago. The two males leads are unknown to me, but they do a good job in the pilot. Adam Pally from Happy Endings was originally cast as Joe in the pilot, but Luka Jones was brought in to replace him when Pally's show was renewed. Jones looks a little bit like and has a similar voice as Pally. The biggest surprise of the cast is young Daija Jones as the sassy neighbor Queenetta. It seems like she doesn't have much acting experience, but she's natural in front of the camera. She's only in a couple scenes in the pilot, so maybe her role is expanded a bit in the other episodes. She reminds me a lot of Dee from What's Happening. Reid Scott will play Jessica's estranged husband, Peter, in the second episode. Mimi Kennedy and J.K. Simmons will be appearing in the third episode scheduled to air as Joe's parents.

Conclusion:

This boy-meets-girl's-best-friend comedy has a few funny scenes and lines, but overall it feels more like a dramedy and movie rather than a pure sitcom. There's crying, emotional scenes, screaming matches and heart-to-heart talks in the pilot episode. It's pretty serious stuff for a comedy. They try to blend in the comedy, but it doesn't always work well. Hopefully they lighten the mood a bit in the upcoming episodes. Parham and St. Clair are clearly the standouts of the series. Both are likable and work well together. They are certainly believable as best friends. I just don't think this show will appeal to many men, but women will probably relate better to the characters and the "BFF" concept. If you liked Bridesmaids, you would probably enjoy this type of comedy.

Best Friends Forever will premiere after Betty White's Off Their Rockers on Wednesday. It should receive some decent sampling. The pilot is decent enough, but I feel like Bent had a stronger pilot and better overall premise to it and should have received this better timeslot. It's difficult to judge a show after watching only the pilot, but I just can't see Best Friends Forever lasting beyond the 6 episodes that NBC ordered. NBC hasn't had much success with all of these single-camera mid-season sitcoms in recent years. Hopefully they will go back to the multi-camera sitcom format that they had success with the likes Friends, Frasier and Seinfeld.

Final Numbers (out of 5 stars):

Watchability: 3.0/5
Funniness: 3.0/5
Overall: 3.0/5

-- Reviewed by Todd Fuller on 04/03/12

Discuss the show after you watch it on Wednesday, April 3 on our message board.

Related Links:

NBC.com Official Site

TV.com

epguides.com

Internet Movie Database

Wikipedia

Best Friends Forever Photo Gallery

Preview:

MeTV Network has announced some changes to their spring schedule. Starting Monday, April 16, The Honeymooners are back in a big way. The original 39 episodes will air weeknights at 10:30pm/9:30c (as well as the lost episodes weekday and Sunday mornings at 5:00am/4:00c). The Odd Couple will be moving earlier in primetime to 9:30pm/8:30c, as That Girl is slated for the morning. The morning weekday hours will see The Beverly Hillbillies at 6:00am/5:00c followed by Petticoat Junction, Family Affair, My Three Sons and That Girl. Gomer Pyle and Love, American Style will be leaving the schedule for now. Another airing of M*A*S*H will replace The Invisible Man on Sunday nights at 9:30pm/8:30c. You can view the full schedule here.

As we mentioned last week, MeTV will add classic animated programs to the Saturday morning line-up beginning this Saturday (April 7). The new AniMeTV block will feature classic animated series from 5-8am ET/PT. Airing in order are: Gumby, The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and She-Ra: Princess of Power. The latter two will have two episodes back-to-back. This block will replace Saturday airings of Gomer Pyle, Petticoat Junction and The Beverly Hillbillies. By the power of Grayskull...I have the power!

What do you think of these schedule changes? Discuss MeTV's spring schedule here.

Monday, April 02, 2012

Facts of Life Removed From TeenNick Line-Up; More MeTV Network Clearances Announced

Effective starting tomorrow (April 3), The Facts of Life will be off of the TeenNick schedule. The '80s comedy was airing weekdays at 7am since March 12, but after just 16 airings, TeenNick has pulled it from the schedule. But that doesn't matter really, because if you get The Hub, you can watch The Facts of Life starting tonight in primetime Sun-Thurs at 9:30pm and an encore at 3:30am, as we mentioned. I guess you really do take the good, and take the bad, and there you have The Facts of Life!
Facts of Life is being replaced by Big Time Rush in the half-hour, so now that series will be back to the full hour. We hope Blair, Jo, Tootie, Natalie and Mrs. G return to the schedule soon, but at least you can still watch them on TV starting tonight on The Hub. One other schedule change of note for TeenNick is Full House being added to weekends at 11:00pm & 11:30pm starting April 7, replacing Malcolm in the Middle. That comedy will remain airing in the 4am hour on weekends though, so all is not lost. Full House will also continue to air every morning from 5-7am. Stay with us of course for any further updates.

MeTV Network announced affiliation agreements with Grant Broadcasting-owned WLAX/WEUX, LaCrosse/Eau Claire; WZDX, Huntsville; and KGCW Davenport. WLAX/WEUX, LaCrosse/Eau Claire launched on January 12, 2012 and carries MeTV Network over the air on channel 25.2 in LaCrosse and channel 48.2 in Eau Claire. WZDX, Huntsville will launch on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 and will carry MeTV Network over the air on channel 54.3. KGCW, Davenport will also launch on April 17, 2012 and will carry MeTV over the air on channel 26.3 and simulcasted in the same market, KLJB, Davenport will launch on the same day and will carry MeTV over the air on channel 18.3.
These additions and other signed affiliation agreements will bring MeTV Network's clearance to more than 77% of the country. MeTV now has more than 120 affiliates. Stay with us for further clearances as we hear them and of course if there are any new programming announcements & schedules.

Sunday, April 01, 2012

Week 28 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

2011-12 Week 28 TV Ratings (first four nights final ratings, Mon-Thu):

Households: #1. CBS 6.7 rating/10.8 share; #2. ABC 6.1/9.9; #3. Fox 5.8/9.2; #4. NBC 3.4/5.5; #5. The CW 0.9/1.4
Total Viewers: #1. CBS 10.66 million; #2. Fox 9.69 million; #3. ABC 9.3 million; #4. NBC 5.34 million; #5. The CW 1.33 million.
Adults 18-49: #1. Fox 3.0 rating/8.5 share; #2. CBS 2.5/7.1; #3. NBC 2.0/5.5; #4. ABC 1.9/5.4; #5. The CW 0.6/1.8

Week 28 (March 26-April 1) Analysis: Week 28 has Fox on top in 18-49 with nearly all original programming again, but CBS still has the edge in HH/viewers as they were all new except on Monday and almost all of Wednesday. NBC was all-new all week so far, too, except for The Office, but ABC had a mix of new and repeats--with almost all repeats on Wednesday and Thursday. Through the first four nights, Fox is in first place in 18-49, while CBS is first in HH/viewers. For second, ABC has the edge in households, but Fox has a bit more total viewers, while CBS is in second in adults 18-49. Fox is third in HH, while ABC is third in viewers, and NBC is third in 18-49. NBC is fourth in HH/viewers, while ABC is in fourth in 18-49 thanks to a lot of repeats, but they're only down a tenth so far. When the week is over by tonight, CBS will likely overtake Fox in 18-49 thanks to NCAA coverage Saturday night. ABC will also overtake NBC for third in 18-49 after a decent Friday performance and tonight's likely first place finish. More on the prediction of week 28 below. As for last week, week 27, CBS took home both HH/total viewers crown and the 18-49 crown. ABC was second in HH/viewers, while Fox was second in 18-49. ABC was third in 18-49, while Fox was third in HH/viewers. NBC was fourth across the board.

On Monday, it was NBC with the win again but the lead is not as big as more competition is coming back. First, on ABC, Dancing with the Stars started it off from 8-10pm doing a first place 17.96 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, off down tenths from previous week's season premiere. At 10pm, Castle was all-new and did 11.87 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, for first place and on par with previous week. For CBS, How I Met Your Mother was a repeat doing 5.66 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, which is solid. Then a repeat of breakout hit 2 Broke Girls followed doing a better 6.16 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, not bad. At 9pm, a repeat of Two and a Half Men did 7.18 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, still the best of the CBS block. A repeat of Mike & Molly followed and did 6.25 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating. A repeat of Hawaii Five-0 was next doing a second place 6.59 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating. Fox preempted House for the two-episode finale of Alcatraz which did 4.78 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating at 8pm and 4.75 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating at 9pm, for a series low. Chances are it will not be back, I think. NBC was in first place and started it off with a two-hour The Voice and did a second place 12.0 million and a first place 4.5 18-49 rating, which was down a tenth from previous week. Then at 10pm week eight of critical darling Smash was next doing 6.14 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, which was down a tenth from the previous week for a series low. It has been renewed for a second season, though. The CW aired a movie: Confessions of a Shopaholic and did just 900,000 viewers and a 0.4 18-49 rating.

On Tuesday, it was CBS with the win with its dramas over second place ABC. NCIS at 8 started it off with a new episode doing 18.62 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating, which is up a tenth from previous week. Then a new NCIS: Los Angeles at 9pm did 14.75 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, which was up two tenths from previous week. At 10pm, a new Unforgettable did 10.51 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, on par with previous week and squeezed out a first place finish. ABC preempted Last Man Standing and Cougar Town for Dancing with the Stars: The Story So Far and did 10.7 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, which is not bad at all for a recap special. At 9pm, the season premiere of the live Dancing with the Stars: The Results did 15.74 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, for first place as we said goodbye to Martina Navratilova. Body of Proof was all-new at 10 as part one of its special two-part event did 9.72 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, its best overall performance since the season premiere. I think this show will be back, perhaps Fridays in the fall for 13 weeks. Fox will bring back Glee April 10, but for now a four-show comedy block! At 8pm, Raising Hope was all-new doing 3.81 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. At 8:30pm a repeat followed doing just 3.11 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, but a tenth better than previous week's all-new episode of the horrid I Hate My Teenage Daughter, ouch. New Girl was new at 9 too and did 4.96 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, off a tenth from previous week for yet another series low. No support for this show right now with low-rated comedies leading and leading out. At 9:30pm Breaking In was new and did just 2.7 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, but actually up a tenth from previous week. Wish it did better but it is not doing good. NBC was next with The Biggest Loser from 8-10pm doing 5.65 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, which was down three tenths from previous week. At 10pm, NBC's new reality series Fashion Star did just 4.0 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, down three tenths from previous week. Will The Voice Results help this week? The CW was new with 90210 doing 1.27 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. Then at 9pm, Ringer was new and did 1.11 million and a 0.5 18-49 rating, also on par week-to-week.

Wednesday it was Fox with win with another two-hour Idol leading the way of course. First, CBS started the night off with a new Survivor: One World doing 9.99 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, which was up a tenth from the previous week. Then at 9pm, a repeat of Criminal Minds did 7.3 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, which is below normal. And at 10pm a repeat of CSI did 7.96 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating. ABC was 75% in repeats for its Laugh On comedy block again with a repeat of The Middle doing 4.13 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, off a tenth week-to-week. Suburgatory followed with a repeat at 8:30pm doing 3.7 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, which built on its lead-in again but also down a tenth from previous week. The mega hit Modern Family was next at 9pm with a repeat though and it did 5.28 million and 1.9 18-49 rating, which was below normal ans also down a tenth from previous week. At 9:30pm, Happy Endings was ALL-NEW and did 4.13 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, up a tenth from the previous week. Season Finale is this Wednesday! Not to worry, the show has been renewed for a third season! At 10pm the addicting Revenge will return in April 11 with a special and then April 18 with the last six episodes of the season, but ABC aired an encore of Missing and did 4.04 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating, which was down four tenths from previous week. Fox aired American Idol from 8-10pm doing 17.87 million and a 5.3 18-49 rating, up two tenths from previous week but still good for #1 for the week again. Take that again The Voice, says Fox. NBC opened the night with the finale (hopefully series finale) of Whitney doing 4.09 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. The for-sure series finale of Are You There, Chelsea followed with only 3.08 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, down two tenths from previous week. Not good. But it gets worse for NBC, at 9pm, NBC aired back-to-back episodes of new sitcom Bent and did only 2.56 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating at 9, with the 9:30pm doing even worse with 2.34 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating. One more week left for this fast three week burn-off. And at 10pm, Rock Center with Brian Williams was new in its temporary new time period and did 3.34 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating, but up a tenth from previous week. Still, yank this already, too. The CW had a new One Tree Hill at 8pm doing 1.34 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. Then at 9pm, a new America's Next Top Model did 1.38 million and a 0.6 18-49 rating, on par with previous week and no longer the top gun of the network.

Thursday it was Fox again for the win, just nipping by CBS. Starting with ABC, they opened the night with week three of Missing doing 7.87 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. Total viewers is good but the 18-49 needs to be better. At 9pm, a repeat of Grey's Anatomy aired doing 4.13 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, on par week-to-week. At 10pm, Private Practice was a repeat, too doing 2.68 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating, also on par with previous week. It moves to Tuesdays at 10 for five airings starting April 17, as new series Scandal starts this Thursday! CBS aired new episodes, starting with The Big Bang Theory doing a great but below normal 13.96 million and a 4.7 18-49 rating. The return of Rules of Engagement came back below normal with 8.65 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating. Person of Interest was new at 9 and did 14.59 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, not missing a beat. And The Mentalist was new at 10 and did 13.62 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating. Perhaps this show will be on the move next season. Fox aired American Idol at 8 doing 15.87 million and a 4.4 18-49 rating, up two tenths from previous week. Fox aired a new episode of Touch, doing 8.92 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, which was down six tenths from previous week as some more competition returned. More competition returns this week, so will it go down more? NBC was almost all-new with a new Community up first doing 3.48 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, which was on par with previous week. I think it will return though. At 8:30pm, 30 Rock was new at 8:30pm and did 3.14 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, like its lead-in, on par with previous week. As I keep saying, time to end it after six seasons. A repeat of The Office was next and did just 2.59 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating. At 9:30pm Up All Night was new and did just 2.92 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, down two tenths from previous week. I don't think this will be back next season. At 10pm, week five of Awake did not do much with 3.18 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, down two tenths week-to-week for another series low. Another series that won't be back, I think. The CW's big gun Vampire Diaries was new and did 2.44 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week and again below normal. Then at 9pm, drama The Secret Circle was new and did 1.33 million and a 0.6 18-49 rating, also down a tenth from previous week.

Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but CBS just edged ABC on Friday with its dramas. ABC was a repeat though for Shark Tank at 8pm as Undercover Boss won the 8pm hour. At 9pm What Would You Do? did solid for ABC, with NBC's Grimm doing a series low, and CSI: NY edged out a win over ABC. CBS' Blue Bloods was second at 10pm as ABC's 20/20 was #1 at 10 with MegaMillions fever. Fox's Fringe was up at 9pm from previous week but still low.
Saturday numbers have CBS winning the night for a third straight week with NCAA coverage doing the best it has done thus far of course with the Final Four. ABC did decent for Saturday, but NBC struggled big time with Escape Routes and The Firm. ABC was lead by limited series 20/20: My Extreme Affliction while Fox returned Cops doing OK.

Tonight ABC's line-up is all-new with AFV, Once Upon a Time, Desperate Housewives and GCB. Look for a first place finish once again, as Once Upon a Time will be #1 for the night. NBC has Dateline at 7 followed by a three-hour Celebrity Apprentice, from 8-11pm, with Harry's Law preempted. Maybe a third place finish this time. CBS has new airings of 60 Minutes then Amazing Race, The Good Wife and CSI: Miami are preempted for the 47th Annual ACM Awards. I think that is a second place finish. Fox has all-new episodes of Animation Domination starting at 7:30pm, except for The Simpsons. It'll battle with NBC for third.

As for the week (week 28), CBS will likely win the week in 18-49 thanks to the big NCAA Final Four on Saturday. CBS will easily win HH/viewers. Fox will be second in 18-49, while ABC will hang on to HH/viewers. ABC will go pass NBC in 18-49 for third, leaving NBC fourth across the board. As for the coming week (week 29), ABC premieres news drama Scandal on Thursday at 10pm. I think it will do well following new Grey's Anatomy. NBC premieres a second night of The Voice on Tuesdays at 9pm, while new comedy hour of Betty White's Off Their Rockers and Best Friends Forever premieres Wednesday at 8. Look for our review of BFF on Tuesday right here on the blog. And Fox returns Bones tomorrow on a new night and time.

Week 28 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for Week 27 -- March 19-25)

The Simpsons (Fox) 2 airings - A repeat at 8pm did 4.08 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, which is decent. A repeat at 7pm earlier in the night did 2.34 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating on par with previous week.
The Cleveland Show (Fox) - A new episode at 7:30pm did just 3.12 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. Needs to be airing at 8:30.
Bob's Burgers (Fox) - A new episode aired at 8:30pm and did 3.97 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, which is down a tenth from previous week when its lead-in was new. Still not good, but always good to see near 100% retention when its lead-in isn't new.
Family Guy (Fox) - A repeat at 9 did 4.57 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, the best of the block and it was a repeat.
American Dad! (Fox) - A new airing at 9:30pm did 4.28 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, down two tenths week-to-week.