Saturday, April 12, 2008
Mini-DVD Review: Woody Woodpecker and Friends: Classic Cartoon Collection Volume 2 (April 15); Solomon's Weekly Rant
The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Classic Cartoon Collection - Volume 2 (Universal, $39.98) brings 45 more classic unedited Woody Woodpecker cartoons and 30 other unedited classic cartoons from the legendary Walter Lantz to DVD on another classic 3-disc set! This time three of these shorts were nominated for Academy Awards. The set also goes again to the vault for classic behind-the-scenes with Walter Lantz and some rare Lantz pilots.
On this set we not only get 45 Woody Woodpecker cartoons, but also 5 each of the following: Oswald the Luck Rabbit, Andy Panda, Chilly Willy, Cartune Classics, Cartune Co-Stars and Musical Favorites. The Woody Woodpecker cartoons generally are between 6-7 minutes. Chilly Willy is about the same as well, and the others are a bit higher, more like 7-8 minutes each. There are no chapter stops once again, which is acceptable here because the episodes are very short. There are 75 total shorts.
The video is digitally remastered and uncut and it looks great! You see some dust and debris here and there, but a bit better than the last set, as that set had more older shorts...but some shorts like Oswald the Lucky Rabbit are still from the '30s. Woody is from 1952-58 on this set. The audio is decent, nothing too bad about it. It is in mono, but very good for its age.
Packaging has a nice brown outer box (like a tree again) with Woody coming out of the whole on the tree holding a sling shot. His nephew and niece, Knothead and Splinter are also on the cover. The back cover has information on the set and has some screenshots of the shorts along with a big photo of Woody pumping up dynamites or something. A box titled Rare Vintage Bonus Features is also listed on the back of the box. Inside the box is a digipak. The front of the digipak has Woody again coming out of a whole on a tree with a sling shot surrounded by more hole on the three with are screenshots from the show like Smedly and Chilly Willy. Woody's "Ha-Ha-Ha-HAAA-Ha!" is also mentioned on the front of the digipak. The back of the digipak has a nice list of characters from Walter Lantz's shows, with details on each such as Woody, Chilly Willy and Space Mouse. Below that are nice photos of each all together! Opening the case once, we get a very nice disc by disc breakdown as we got on the last set, which is very colorful and has lots of pictures. Opening the case one last time, we get to the discs. We have four panels. The first panel, all the way to the far left, has a a nice paragraph each on each disc and what is inside it. The next three panels hold each disc. The artwork has a tree wooden background with niece Splinter on disc one, Woody himself on disc two and nephew Knothead on disc three. Nice classic images from the shorts are in the background on the case itself.
The menu screen has Play All, Cartoon Selection, Bonus, and Languages...exactly the same as the last set. The main menu has Woody pecking to start and then we hear Woody's famous laugh....again exactly the same as the last set, but that is good! Languages section has us in English only, but subtitles can be added for English, Espanol, and Francais. Bonus Features are on each disc, so they are spread out evenly. Cartoon Selection is where we can choose the classic shorts...we get a list of titles in a tree hole.
Moving on to the extras. As I mentioned, they are evenly placed on each disc. The extras are all from the vaults and are not new material once again, which is indeed classic and great. Since this is a classic collection, might as well dig stuff up from the archives. Disc one has more of those "Behind the Scenes with Walter Lantz" episodes. We get six short segments running between 3-5 minutes or so. We have Creating Woody Woodpecker (Episode 2), Timing a Cartoon (Episode 11), Character Movement (Episode 12), Photography Animation Cels (Episode 13), Animator's Job (Episode 14), and Using Backgrounds (Episode 15). These are all so interesting and it was great of Mr. Lantz to do these...we should have all of these finished by the time we get all Woody episodes finished on DVD. On disc two we have six more "Behind the Scenes with Walter Lantz" episodes! We have Inking Department (Episode 17), Painting Department (Episode 18), Drawing with Walter Lantz (Episode 20), Sound Effects in Cartoons (Episode 22), Storyboarding Woody Woodpecker (Episode 24), and Creating New Characters (Episode 26). So we get a dozen of these on this set...we got six last time, so 18 of them are done! Then we have Rare TV Pilot Episodes of other Lantz characters. We get the pilot episode of The Secret Weapon, with Space Mouse that runs 6:04 and Jungle Medias, with Sam 'n Simian that runs 6:01...rare stuff! On the last disc we have a full episode of The Woody Woodpecker Show. It is episode 47 and runs 26:59. It is from 1957-58 when it aired on ABC...we get four classic shorts packaged together: Ballyhooey/Rough and Tumbleweed/Franken-Stymied/Mother's Little Helper. As I said in the last set, it was later revived in 1970 by NBC with more episodes. And in the '80s it was packed together for syndication we saw different themes and stuff in syndication. I love this the best as I stated last time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5zwBBFJ63c (I hope we get that on a future set as an extra and all the theme songs used in syndication).
I highly do recommend any fan of classic cartoons and Woody Woodpecker to pick-up this set...especially if you have Volume 1. If you remember the show from local syndication in the late 80s/early 90s, you'll be fascinated by this because these shorts were made for theatrical cartoons and not television, which I never knew obviously then. This set covers Woody from 1952-1958...so we have still have 12 years or so left. Volume 1 covered 1940-52. Maybe we will need about 4-5 volumes to finish it up. Let's hope we do and we get all of the Woody shorts released and the other Lantz shorts. I want all of the Chilly Willy shorts too...I loved him and Smedly. So start 'guessing who' is coming to DVD once again? Yes Woody Woodpecker and Friends once again!
-- Reviewed by Pavan
(5/5 stars)To purchase the DVD, click below and help support SitcomsOnline.com:
Amazon.com
Related links:
SitcomsOnline.com Full DVD Reviews Page
The Woody Woodpecker Show TV.com Page
Solomon's Weekly Rant
Saturday, April 12, 2008
"BET Doing Stuff Wrong Now; Enough Spitzer, Leno; Complaining of High Gas Prices"
By Solomon Davis
BET was almost the cable channel of 2008 with its new acquisitions but now the network is just doing stuff wrong. First, the editing STINKS on Diff'rent Strokes and it is actually worse than ION's editing probably because I never seen a network cut from a scene while two characters are dancing and talking. That's called pre-school editing at its best and it is unacceptable. Second they added more airings of Diff'rent Strokes, which is great, but the additional slots are still during the day. So how is airing Diff'rent Strokes at 3pm any different from 9am? Most people are still at work or school at 3pm. No one at BET has enough sense to air additional airings in the evening or regular airings during weekends? And last, why would BET have two marathons of the same show in one month? We just watched an eight hour marathon of Diff'rent Strokes last Sunday and now they have a five hour marathon coming on Sunday, April 20? It is good they are having marathons at least, but I guess no one at BET ever heard of the month of May where the Strokes marathons can be more spread out.
How much longer is Jay Leno going to make fun of former governor of New York Elliot Spitzer? The jokes are no longer funny because the story is now OLD and it is time to move on and joke about something else. No need to keep bringing up an old news story when there is new stuff to make fun of about everyday. Time for Jay to get some FRESH jokes and start leaving the STALE jokes alone.
I get so annoyed when I hear people who have nice salaries talk about high gas prices like they can't afford to pay the increase. I have heard radio talk show hosts, late night TV hosts, and news anchors mention how ridiculous it is that gas is so high in 2008 and we all know they are not affected. The "average working person" definitely doesn't want to hear someone with a six figure salary complain about high gas prices. It's really amazing that these high paid people don't have a clue on how stupid they sound. I guess news anchors have to report it, though...but they shouldn't be complaining.
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.
Friday, April 11, 2008
TV Land June 2008 Schedule and Highlights; BET Adds More Hours to Strokes Marathon on April 20
Mad About You and Murphy Brown will also join the TV Land June schedule, as both will move from sister station Nick at Nite to TV Land. Murphy Brown had already once moved over to TV Land and it didn't fair too well. This time TV Land will just air it every night at 3:00am. Mad About You will be its lead-in at 2:30am every night...but Mad About You will also air Monday nights 9-11pm, and have some filler slots after movies and encores of originals from time to time. The show will get a weekend marathon as well, Saturday June 21 (early Sunday) 12:30am-6am and Sunday, June 22 from 9pm-6am.
Other schedule notes include Wings leaving the line-up from weekdays at 7:30am replaced by another slot of Designing Women. And some good news for The Munsters and The Addams Family fans...both shows will continue to air in their weekend airings! They were set to expire after May, but TV Land has renewed them once again. Also, although they haven't aired on the regular schedule for awhile, the Universal library deal (Knight Rider, A-Team, Miami Vice, Simon & Simon) will expire as its contract is up, and TV Land will not renew it.
TV Land premieres new original series She's Got the Look on Wednesday, June 4 for 6 weeks at 10pm. For the first time, TV Land and acclaimed modeling powerhouse Wilhelmina team up to search the country to find the greatest undiscovered models age 35 and older. The aspirants will be flown to New York City to live in a house together where they will face various challenges such as photo shoots and tests on their fashion acumen. Eliminations will occur weekly until the ultimate winner is crowned. Fashion icon and supermodel Kim Alexis is the host. Celebrity stylist Robert Verdi, Wilhelmina president Sean Patterson, and supermodel Beverly Johnson are judges of this six-episode series.
It's awards week on TV Land, as TV Land gets ready for the 6th Annual TV Land Awards on June 15 Beginning Monday, June 9 through Friday, June 13, catch daytime marathons of westerns, Leave it to Beaver, I Love Lucy, Hogan's Heroes and Beverly Hillbillies from 10am-5pm featuring Emmy award winning episodes and actors.
Then on Sunday, June 15 after a seven-hour Andy Griffith Show marathon from 2-9pm, The 6th Annual TV Land Awards show rolls out the red carpet for the biggest shows and the brightest stars of yesterday and today from 9pm-10:30pm, with an immediate encore from 10:30pm-12am. The host is still TBD. So we will announce it when we know. I heard Fran Drescher is in the running. May I suggest Tom Bergeron? Yes, he was never on a classic TV show, but he is a great TV host. Over the years the hosts have gotten worse and worse, although Kelly Ripa was good last year. No one beats John Ritter's hosting on the first awards.
As we mentioned earlier, TV Land is just "Mad About The Buchman's." On Sunday, June 22 TV Land is giving Mad About You the warm TV Land welcome it deserves by dedicating nine solid hours of programming to the lovable couple, their eccentric friends, neurotic family members and even Murray, their dog. Beginning at 9pm, fans of the show will go mad for their all-time favorite episodes as they watch Paul & Jamie tackle obstacles large and small (and usually of their own creation) in the city that never sleeps.
Get "Back in the Saddle" with TV Land on Sunday, June 29 and live your wildest Western dreams vicariously through crazy gunslingers, seasoned cowboys and even inept city slickers. For the fanatical Western-lover, TV Land presents double-headers of Bonanza and Gunsmoke immediately followed by Mel Brooks' infamous Western spoof, Blazing Saddles. Rounding out the afternoon is City Slickers, featuring grit-challenged Mitch Robbins (Billy Crystal) who endeavors to fulfill his cowboy fantasies but ends up being taught by veteran ranch hand Curly Washburn (Jack Palance) what it really takes to be one. It's an afternoon packed with eight fantastic hours of Western fun and one that is sure to please even the crustiest cowboy.
TV Land's MovieLand block this month features movies such as Caddyshack, City Slickers, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein and Big Business.
For COMPLETE TV Land June 2008 highlights, including the full list of schedule changes, I really urge you all to click HERE! You can also discuss these changes and highlights there, too. Get in on the action!
Just a few days ago we mentioned to you all about BET's upcoming marathons. They are still on, but we have a time change for the upcoming Diff'rent Strokes marathon. We mentioned it would be from 8-11pm on Sunday, April 20...well they have added two more hours to it now! It will now start at 6pm and run until 11pm! So we get four extra episodes...such as Kimberly taking a photo of Arnold's behind in "A Case of Overexposure," will the Drummonds get evicted in "Push Comes to Shove?" Arnold is now hall monitor in "Hall Monitor" and former first lady Nancy Reagan guest stars in "The Reporter." For a full list of episodes and times, click HERE!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
TV Land's High School Reunion Finale Scores Big, Renewed For Second Season; CBS Pulls Talents of the Stars
The episode posted a 0.5 rating (560,000 viewers) among A25-54, up 42% in rating from last week's episode and up 43% in viewers 25-54. Among the network's core A40-54 audience, the episode earned a 0.5 rating (266,000 viewers), a rise of 32% in rating and 30% in delivery over last week. It also scored double digit gains in total viewers (over 1 million) with a 51% increase over last week.
Throughout the season, High School Reunion averaged 821,000 total viewers, up 89% over the same time period last year with a median age of 45. Among A25-54, it posted a 0.5 rating for the season (487,000 viewers), up 147% in rating and 152% in viewers 25-54 versus last year. Among A40-54, the series averaged a 0.5 rating (275,000 viewers), an increase of 92% in rating and 96% in delivery over a year ago.
All this comes off last week's renewal announcement. Following impressive ratings gains and steady growth of its original reality series High School Reunion, TV Land announced that it has renewed the series for a second season, with Mike Fleiss returning as executive producer. Premiering in first quarter 2009, the second season will reunite high school alumni after 20 years as they gather for two weeks in an exotic vacation getaway.
Come on back tomorrow to the blog as we announce TV Land June 2008 highlights and schedule...which will have the TV Land Awards, Hogan's Heroes joining the line-up, Mad About You & Murphy Brown in the late nights and new original series She's Got the Look premieres.
CBS has pulled new reality show Secret Talents of the Stars after just one airing. The show just did 4.58 million viewers in its Tuesday at 10pm slot in its premiere and now only airing. You know that was low when it went down from the struggling Big Brother, which was its lead-in. For the next two weeks, CBS will air 48 Hours at 10pm on Tuesdays. Then starting April 29, CBS will move on-the-fence drama Shark to this timeslot. Shark was previously slated to return on this night at 9pm, but CBS will bring back reruns of The Unit in its old slot of Tuesdays at 9 leading into the fresh episodes of Shark. Talents joins series such as quarterlife, Viva Laughlin, and The Return of Jezebel James as shows that got pulled very fast this season. So darn it, we won't get to see Malcolm-Jamal Warner play the bass now!
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
BET Adds More Marathons; RTN Comes to Pennsylvania Affiliate
BET also will have a Malcolm & Eddie marathon this Saturday (April 19 from 9am-7pm), as we previously announced. Future marathons include a Thea marathon on Sunday, May 11 and another Sanford marathon on Sunday, June 15. Those are still tentative, so we will have full details closer to the airdates for those, such as timings and episode info. But for now enjoy the Malcolm & Eddie full-day marathon this Saturday and the primetime Diff'rent Strokes marathon this Sunday! BET is sure handling these sitcoms well and other networks should follow their strategy because it seems to be working for them.
Retro Television Network (RTN) announced today that COX Television plans to add a 7th RTN affiliate on its Johnstown/Altoona/State College, PA station. The network's "Prime Time All the Time" lineup will launch early next year on a digital stream of WJAC-TV, COX's NBC affiliate in the market.
Also, for those of you wonderding RTN's official website is back online. I am not sure what happened before but it was asking for a username/password and many of you wrote to us about the problem. So, head on over to the RTN website now if you haven't checked it out.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Diff'rent Strokes Gets Additional Slot on BET; Fox Summer Schedule; Network Notes
Fox has announced its summer plans. All-new episodes of reality shows The Moment of Truth, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, Hell's Kitchen, So You Think You Can Dance, Cops and America's Most Wanted will air throughout the summer on Fox. In addition, Don't Forget the Lyrics! will get encore airings starting Sunday, June 1 at 7:00pm. Among the scripted series, we will see repeats of House, Bones, and the Sunday animated comedies. Missing from the Fox summer line-up is sitcoms Back to You and 'Til Death...is this a sign they could be on the bubble for renewal for next season?
Here is the full summer schedule:
Mondays, beginning June 2:
8:00pm Bones repeats
9:00pm House repeats
Tuesdays, beginning May 27:
8:00pm The Moment of Truth (All-New Episodes)
9:00pm Hell's Kitchen (All-New Episodes started April 1 will run into mid-July) Wednesdays, beginning May 28 (As Previously Announced, No Changes):
8:00pm-10:00pm So You Think You Can Dance (All-New Episodes)
Thursdays beginning May 22 (As Previously Announced, No Changes):
8:00pm-10:00pm So You Think You Can Dance (All-New Episodes)
Beginning June 12 on Thursdays:
8:00pm Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (All-New Episodes)
9:00pm So You Think You Can Dance (All-New Episodes)
Fridays will have Movies, as previously announced.
Saturday line-up will remain the same, as previously announced.
Sundays will also remain the same, with animated repeats from 8-10pm, but encores od Don't Forget the Lyrics! will lead off the night in the 7pm hour.
Lifetime Networks and The Weinstein Company have entered into a groundbreaking partnership that will move cable's top reality series, Project Runway, from Bravo to the top network for women, Lifetime Television, beginning November 2008 with the premiere of season six. The deal is a 5-year deal. Bravo still has another season planned sometime this spring/summer.
Bravo is really upset by this and has issued this statement:
NBC Universal has continuing legal rights related to Project Runway, including a right of first refusal to future cycles of the series, which The Weinstein Company unfortunately has refused to honor. NBC Universal regrettably had no alternative but to bring legal action to enforce its rights to this program, including the right to decide whether it is in the best interest of the company to continue to air the show under the proposed financial terms.
Wonder what will happen?
Monday, April 07, 2008
Married with Children Coming to Spike TV, Unsolved Mysteries Also; Save October Road
As part of the distribution deal with Sony Pictures Television, Spike TV will have broadband rights and can exhibit episodes each week on the network's website at http://www.spike.com/. There are also 40 six-minute minisodes Spike TV can run on broadband or on mobile outlets.
Spike has said to have paid $12 million for the series, coming out to about $50,000 an episode, which is a bargain these days.
The series is currently on the FX cable network and has been airing there since Fall 1999. The series will leave FX this fall, as Spike TV's deal is exclusive.
The series starred Ed O'Neill as Al Bundy, Katey Sagal as Peg Bundy and Christina Applegate as the sexy Kelly Bundy. Later sitcom veteran Ted McGinley joined the series. Discuss this news on our message board. And speaking of Christina Applegate, her sitcom Samanatha Who? returns tonight with new episodes! The first of 6 straight new episodes airing Mondays at 9:30pm ET/PT on ABC! The series is the highest rated new sitcom.
Also coming to Spike TV this fall, is Unsolved Mysteries. They are creating a new collection of 175 re-edited episodes hosted by acclaimed television and film actor Dennis Farina. The new episodes, focusing on more of the dangerous and action-oriented cases, will also be available on Spike's web site, http://www.spike.com/, and mobile outlets. The series will have a five year run on Spike TV starting in October, 2008. Each one-hour episode will feature five stories re-enacted by professional actors, plus brand new show wraps and updates on past stories. The series will be stripped weekday afternoons. Spike TV has said to have paid $26 million for the 175 re-edited episodes, which comes out to about $150,000 per episode.
Related: Since Married with Children is leaving FX this fall, I'll give you a round-up of what is coming to FX and other networks affected by this, this fall. FX will add the sitcom Bernie Mac Show this fall starring Bernie Mac. That '70s Show will still be on FX despite ABC Family and The N also airing the series starting this June. So 3 cable networks will be airing that show. FX has aired the series since September 2005. Also coming to ABC Family this September is My Wife & Kids, the hit sitcom starring Damon Wayans and Tisha Campbell-Martin.
No word on what else Spike TV has planned this fall (if anything else) besides Married and Mysteries, but another sitcom would be wise to air with Married...with Children. You know what, The Simpsons still doesn't have a cable home, Spike TV could be a good fit.
Fans of on-the-bubble ABC drama October Road are deep into a campaign to save the show from cancelation. Their campaign is called "Pay October Road Forward." The premise of it is that the fans are buying copies of the first season DVD and donating to their local libraries' DVD sections. Along with that, some are donating books. Libraries are sometimes strapped for extra funds to puchase such things so this serves a double purpose. It allows the library to get things they can use at no cost to them and hopefully will produce new viewers for October Road when the DVD is checked out. The second season DVD is not out yet, but hopefully it will be soon.
All who are doing this are having a letter stamped by the library & signed by them and are sending onto ABC. They will be submitting a full report before the end of April to Mr. Stephen McPherson, President of ABC Entertainment about where they are in donations and how they plan to continue with this great campaign. You can view this by clicking HERE! Save the show so it can return for a third season! It really is a nice little show that is addictive. ABC is shopping the series, so they know it must be worth keeping. The series suffered in the ratings this season when it moved out of the post-Grey's Anatomy slot it had in its first season. So far ABC has shopped it to Lifetime, but they passed. I think ABC Family would be a good fit, especially out of their originals such as Greek, Lincoln Heights, Wildfire and Kyle XY. Heck, even The CW would be a good fit. Someone please bring it back! Help out! If Jericho could return, so could this show!
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Week 28 Numbers (First Four Nights); How the Sitcoms Did
Households: Fox 8.1/12.6, CBS 7.8/12.4, ABC 5.9/9.4, NBC 4.6/7.3, The CW 1.3/2.1, MyNetworkTV 0.8/1.2
Total Viewers: Fox 13.45 million, CBS 12.4 million, ABC 8.92 million, NBC 6.99 million, The CW 1.93 million, MyNetworkTV 1.14 million
Adults 18-49: Fox 4.9/12.9, CBS 3.7/9.9, ABC 2.5/6.6, NBC 2.4/6.4, The CW 0.8/2.2, MyNetworkTV 0.4/1.0
Analysis: Week 28 so far has Fox and CBS dominating...as CBS's scripted hits have returned (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday). Through the first four days of week 28, we have Fox on top by a slim margin, with CBS in second in HH/viewers, and 18-49. ABC is third, with NBC 4th in all categories. Last week, week 27, CBS edged out Fox (thanks to the NCAA) for number one in HH, but it Fox had a slight edge in total viewers. Fox was also first in 18-49, with CBS in second. ABC was 3rd in, with NBC fourth in everything.
On Monday, it was ABC on top with Dancing with the Stars doing 20.56 million for 96 minutes, slightly up from the two-hour episode the week before. The Bachelor: London Calling followed with 7.67 million, up a bit from the previous week. CBS was next with its sitcoms which were all-new! The Big Bang Theory's did 8.43 million, slightly off from the previous week, How I Met Your Mother followed with 9.5 million, down from the 10.67 million the week before, as Britney Spears guest-starred on that one. Two and a Half Men followed with 14.5 million, up slightly from previous week and the season finale of Old Christine followed with a season high 12.57 million, up nearly three million from previous week. CSI: Miami closed the night with a solid 15.65 million, down from its return the previous week. NBC was led by Deal or No Deal at 9pm doing 10.07 million, slightly off week-to-week, but NBC started the night off at 8pm slow with My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad at 4.3 million, but it was a bit up from previous week actually. Medium closed the night off with 9.65 million, it also was up week-to-week. Fox aired a repeat of House to start off the night and it did 7.5 million, down a bit from previous week, following at 9pm was a new New Amsterdam doing 6.6 million, up from previous week. The CW had a repeat of Gossip Girl doing 1.06 million and a new Pussycat Dolls at just 1.29 million...both down from previous week.
On Tuesday, Fox was on top thanks to Idol at 26.12 million at 8pm, up over a million from previous week...and that was 90-minutes, too. At 9pm Fox premiered a new season of Hell's Kitchen and it did solid with 11.85 million...but more impressive was the 5.5 18-49 rating. ABC was next with two new episodes of Just for Laughs at 8pm doing 5.32 and 5.48 million...up from what it normally was doing. Then at 9pm, Dancing with the Stars: The Results did a solid 17.28 million, down slightly from previous week as Steve Guttenberg got shockingly eliminated. He didn't deserve to go...Carrolla or Winkour should have been the one instead. ABC closed the night at 10pm with the special ABC News Special: Live To Be 150 at 9.7 million. CBS was next with a repeat of NCIS at 9.97 million, up from previous week, followed by the Tuesday edition of the disappointing Big Brother 9 at just 6.11 million, but it was up from previous week. A new CSI: Miami on a special night did a very solid 14.23 million for part two of a two-part two-night event. NBC aired a two-hour Biggest Loser at 8.17 million, up from previous week, and a repeat of Law & Order: SVU drew 5.77 million, down nearly three million viewers from previous week...thanks to CBS. The CW aired a new Beauty & The Geek at just 1.6 million and a repeat of Reaper did 1.73 million, ouch it beat a new episode of Geek.
On Wednesday, it was all Fox again. American Idol Results at 9pm did 24.84 million, down from previous week, the season finale of The Moment of Truth at 8pm did 10.16 million, up a bit from previous week. CBS continues to struggle with Big Brother 9 at just 5.94 million, up a bit from previous week, but Criminal Minds and CSI: NY are now back with new episodes, and did solid at 12.81 and 12.85 million...very good, but it seems below normal. NBC was next with Deal or No Deal starting the night off with 9.53 million, followed by a repeat of Law & Order: Criminal Intent at 5.12 million, down from previous week, and the original Law & Order was a repeat as well and it did 6.48 million, down from previous week's repeat. ABC's Wife Swap did 5.69 million for a new episode, down from previous week, a new Supernanny followed with 5.89 million, up slightly from previous week, but that was a repeat and finally a new MEN IN TREES did 5.46 million, down a bit from previous week. The CW had an all-new Top Model at a decent 3.87 million, up a bit from previous week, a repeat of Pussycat Dolls did just 1.47 million, down a bit from previous week but still better than its original Monday airing, sad, isn't it?
On Thursday, CBS was back with its big guns and thus was number one for the night. Survivor: Micronesia started the night off with 12.87 million, seems below normal...but CSI followed with a nice 20.58 million for its return episode and Without a Trace closed the night off with its return episode doing 15.2 million. Fox was next with two Are You Smarter That a 5th Grader? episodes doing 9.88 and 10.41 million, wonder why it went up? NBC was next, with an all-new My Name is Earl hour doing 7.53 million...decent, but again seems below normal. The Office repeat marathon followed from 9-11pm doing not so good, dropping in each half-hour: 5.09, 4.58, 4.34, and 4.3 million...new episodes return this coming week. ABC was well behind as its top guns won't return until April 24, so they will have to suffer a bit the next two weeks. ABC started the night off with two new episodes of the hilarious Miss Guided at 4.6 and 4.34 million, down from the two episodes the previous week, these two were the season finale. Lost repeat followed with just 4.07 million, thus Eli Stone closed the night with only 5.15 million, down from previous week, but the building on a repeat shows this show does have an audience of its own...and is worth returning next season...two more episodes remain for this season on Thursdays and a special one for next Sunday following the return of Desperate Housewives.
Like usual, no Friday finals yet. CBS returned its top Friday shows and won the night, as Ghost Whisperer's return, a special primetime Price is Right, and the return of NUMB3RS all led it shours. NBC's Dateline did well at 10pm as well, but Amne$ia suffered at 8pm and ABC's return of Duel didn't do so well, which is sad to hear because it was really good. Saturday ratings were not available to us.
Tonight will be a toss-up, but ABC will win most likely again, lead by Oprah's Big Give but Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is a repeat, so not sure how it will be affected. CBS could be a wildcard and win the night, but with Big Brother & Dexter, it seems unlikely but 60 Minutes & a new Cold Case will make it interesting. NBC has a new Dateline but I'm scared to see how repeats of USA Network's Monk and Psych will do from 8-10pm...I think they will bomb big time. Fox will be in repeats with The Simpsons, Family Guy but King of the Hill is all-new.
As for the week, I believe CBS will win in HH, viewers with Fox in 18-49. Fox will be 2nd in HH/viewers and ABC will hang on for third in all spots, leaving NBC in 4th.
This coming week sees more shows return from strike hiatus such as Samantha Who and The Office.
Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week of March 17-23)
- Everybody Hates Chris (The CW) - All-new episode did 1.39 million, up from the 990,000 viewers the week before...at least it went over a million.
- Aliens in America (The CW) - A repeat did just 1 million, but it beat the 910,000 the previous week...and that was NEW!
- The Game (The CW) - A new episode did 1.5 million, up a bit from previous week.
- Girlfriends (The CW) - A repeat did 1.55 million, up from previous week...and it built on the lead-in...impressive.
- The Simpsons (Fox) - A new episode did 7.14 million...seems way below for a new showing.
- King of the Hill (Fox) 2 episodes - A repeat at 7pm did just 3.3 million, but it was up from previous week. A new episode at 8:30 did 6.07 million...typical.
- Family Guy (Fox) - Just 7.28 million for a repeat...but better than previous week, which was like 3 million less.
- Unhitched (Fox) - Just 4.18 million for the finale...a goner for sure.
- American Dad (Fox) - Only 3.97 million for a repeat at 7:30pm, but it was up a bit from previous week.
Monday Sitcoms
- The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - 8.43 million tuned in, down just a bit from previous week.
- How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - 9.5 million tuned in for a new episode...down from previous week's 10.67 million. If it can do 9.5 million or so every week now, it will be back for sure next season.
- Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 14.5 million for a new episode...up a bit from previous week.
- Old Christine (CBS) - 12.57 million for the season finale...two factors...didn't go head-to-head with Dancing with the Stars and it was the season finale.
Tuesday Sitcoms
- None
- None
- Miss Guided (ABC) 2 episodes - Two new episodes did 4.6 and 4.34 million...down from previous week...these two were the last episodes of the season. Hopefully it warrants a return sometime next season.
- My Name is Earl (NBC) - The one-hour return did a solid 7.53 million...seems low though, but maybe next week it will be higher as the rest of NBC's comedies return.
- The Office (NBC) 4 episodes - 4 repeats to get ready for the return this week did not so good dropping in each half-hour: 5.09, 4.58, 4.34, and 4.3 million.
- None
Saturday Sitcoms
- None.
Airing tonight (Sunday) is a mix of new and repeats of sitcoms on The CW from 8-10, and Fox's animated comedies are also a mix of new and repeats from 7-10.
Summing it up. Two and a Half Men, How I Met Your Mother, Old Christine & The Big Bang Theory were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (My Name is Earl) or just plain old terrible (The Office repeats, Miss Guided).
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Mini-DVD Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Season 6 (April 8); Solomon's Weekly Rant
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Season 6 (Lionsgate, $19.98) brings all 16 episodes from the series' sixth season on this wonderful two-disc DVD set. Leonardo, Donatello, Michaelangelo, Raphael, Splinter, April are all back to battle Shredder, Krang and other villains! Cowabunga! Starting with season four we started getting season releases. Prior to that, we were getting volume releases. Volume 6 had the last 11 episodes from season three, plus the first episode of season four. The third season had a total of 47 episodes, so they decided to split up that season into volumes, so volumes 3, 4, 5, and 6 covered season three. Season one had only 5 episodes, so that was on Volume 1. For season 2 there were just 13 episodes, so Lionsgate released that for volume two...so yes, technically the first two volumes were season sets. Season 4 and Season 5 had their actual full seasons...season 4 had 39 episodes and season 5 had 18.
Season six has a total of 16 episodes, and we get ALL of those on this set, which is a bit cheaper in quality than the last two sets we got.
The packaging started getting very good starting with season four. The first six volumes the packaging was simple (as they were just one-disc sets)...and we are back to that on this set. This set is 2-discs, but the case is very similar to those volume releases. We get a very thin box holding the case, which I don't understand why it is even needed. Both the thin box cover and the case cover has the same cover art...the four turtles in the middle with their respective weapons. The artwork is very colorful, though. We get a shot of Splinter on the upper left and April on the bottom left. It is in comic book style, so it is nicely done. The back of both the thing box and case are also similar. We get a photo of Leonardo with his sword and some details on the set and series. Below that we get an episode listing of each episode for season six in a rectangular yellow box. When we open the case, it is also pretty simple...black backgrounds surrounding the case with two disc holders holding each disc. At least no overlapping occurs! Disc one holds the first 8 episodes of the season and is in blue with Michaelangelo. Disc two has the rest of the episodes from season six, the final eight, and is in reddish/orangeish color with Dontatello.
The menu screen is not as creative as the last set for sure. No pizza menu this time, but still it is decent. First, we get autotrailers before the main menu appears on disc one only. Then after that is done, we see rotating images of each Turtle before we come to the main menu screen. The theme song is playing in the background, and it does loop, and the photo is similar to the box art, but the weapons of each turtle is moving a bit. Nicely done. Also, the background seems to have video clips playing in the background, but it is in blue and looks transparent. The options are: Play All Episodes, Episode Selection, Trailers. Trailers is on both disc for some reason and is I believe the same as the auto-trailers that are on disc one. Episode Selection takes us to a submenu with episode #, title, and a screenshot from the episode.
The video is on par with the other volumes, with dust and debris here and there but I think it is much better than the previous releases...but probably on par with seasons 4 and 5. The audio is also on par with the previous releases, not bad...and listenable. The episodes run a around 23:35-23:40, with the highest being 23:41 and the lowest at 23:35. We get 5 chapter stops per episode...nice.
Seasons four and five had extras...and decent ones, too...but this time we get absolutely nothing! Why??? Was the reason we were getting extras was because of the new TMNT CGI-movie? I hope not. I hope we get more extras in future seasons.
I still urge fans to buy this set even though it is a bit of a letdown from the seasons 4 and 5 sets. I was afraid of the quality dipping by Lionsgate starting with season six...I expressed my worries on my season 5 review about that. Seasons 7, 8, 9, and 10 still remain to be released, so let's hope they come out soon and in good quality. Season seven had 27 episodes and seasons eight through ten had 8 episodes each. Four of the eight episodes on season ten was released on the Volume 1 DVD, the very first DVD, though.
Anyway, this set will be released this Tuesday, click on the link below to purchase all the thrilling season six episodes and you'll like the comic book style packaging! Eat some pizza while you watch this DVD! Cowabunga dudes!
-- 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
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TV.com Page
Official Website
Solomon's Weekly Rant
Saturday, April 5, 2008
"Nick at Nite Delaying Family Matters; TV One Going Downhill Still; ESPN Wrong Again"
By Solomon Davis
Thank you Nick at Nite for deciding at the last minute to launch Family Matters at a later date when the promos were stating it will be coming "next month" (April). And is this decision all because of Home Improvement improving in the ratings lately? Well that means the promos in March were false advertisement and it's unfair to fans when it was stated April was the month that it would launch (was slated to launch April 20 with airings 9-10pm each weekday, bumping Tim Allen and the gang to just 12-1am). So I guess if Home Improvement continues to "improve," Family Matters will probably start in September or NEVER if Home Improvement becomes a new Nick at Nite HIT! That show is no George Lopez!
TV One is going to air a 24-hour marathon of Martin in May (part of their May Friday marathons) and the show has been on the schedule forever? This makes no sense at all since it's not a new show which is another poor program decision by TV One. And on top of that Amen will resurface on the TV One evening schedule this coming week which should be very exciting since it was already on the schedule two years ago. Holding on to shows for years and adding shows that they already had on the schedule means that TV One is nothing but a LARGER version of the station called ION Television.
ESPN wanted to be the first to report a story this week but just ended up looking like a national joke. Now why would ESPN report that Brett Farve may want to come out of retirement? Was the news that slow that day that the network had to make up something that dumb? Thankfully SI.com reported today that Farve never said that he wanted to come back and I'm still annoyed I have to continue to pay money to watch a network that reports false information.
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.
Friday, April 04, 2008
The N Revamps April Schedule Again; King of the Hill Returns for Season 13; RTN Coming to Palm Springs, CA
For the FULL schedule click HERE!
Fox has ordered an additional season (season 13) of the animated series King of the Hill. One of the longest-running comedies currently on primetime television, the series depicts the life and times of Hank Hill, his family and his neighbors in the fictional town of Arlen, TX. King of the Hill currently airs Sundays at 8:30PM ET/PT on Fox.
Since the episodes are done well in advance, we will likely not see these 13 episodes start until February 2009 or March 2009 because still a lot of episodes from season 12 are left to air. I even heard some that were produced for season 11 still remain, too...don't quote me on that, though.
Retro Television Network (RTN) announced today that it will add a Palm Springs, CA affiliate next month on KDPX-TV. The station is available over-the-air on Channel 45 and on Time Warner Cable on Channel 14.
Don't forget BET's 8-hour star-studded Diff'rent Strokes marathon this Sunday from 1-9pm ET/PT. BET has even put some fun facts on their website for it!
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Family Matters Nick at Nite Launch Delayed; ION Officially Announces April Expansion
So, I just wanted to let you all know since I have seen a ton of Google searches for Family Matters coming to Nick at Nite being redirected to our blog, so I owe it you all to let you know it has been delayed, BUT it IS coming, I can tell you that. We will report when Urkel and the gang are coming when it is official now, so we don't cause more confusion.
ION Television has officially announced their April programming expansion. We gave you all the details a week or two ago, but we haven't mentioned this on the blog, but the Thursday night slot from 8-10pm which was to be determined, will be a weekly block called "Total Theatre Thursday." Here is ION's announcement:
ION Media Networks, Inc. today announced an expanded entertainment schedule on ION Television beginning April 7th. Three new series – The Steve Harvey Show, Family Feud and Quantum Leap – along with a selection of blockbuster films will join the lineup, extending the schedule by an additional hour of entertainment programming from 5 to 6 p.m.
On Thursday nights, powered by deals with studios such as Warner Bros, ION Television will launch "Total Theatre Thursday" over the summer, an array of hit motion pictures like Blade Runner, Dirty Harry, Risky Business and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. These blockbuster Hollywood movies feature some of the biggest stars of the industry, including Clint Eastwood, Tom Cruise, Harrison Ford and Jack Nicholson.
With the addition of these three new series and big screen favorites, beginning April 7th, ION Television’s lineup will be: The Wayans Brothers from 5 to 6 p.m. Mon-Fri, The Steve Harvey Show from 6 to 7 p.m. Mon-Fri, Family Feud from 7 to 8 p.m. Mon-Thurs, Mama's Family from 8 to 9 p.m. Mon-Wed, Quantum Leap from 9 to 10 p.m. Mon-Wed, The Drew Carey Show from 10 to 11 p.m. Mon-Wed and "Total Theatre Thursday" from 8 to 11 p.m. Thursdays. Baywatch will now be seen at 6 to 7 p.m. on Saturdays.
View the entire press release.
ION's upfront is slated for May 1. We will try to do an interview with them (part of our ongoing 7 Questions feature) shortly after that. So keep your fringers crossed!
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
NBC Announces 2008-09 Season Schedules; RTN Announces 3 More Affiliates, Launches Official Website
Returning to the NBC schedule next season will be ER, the most-nominated series in Emmy Award history, returning for its 15th and final season on NBC's Thursday night lineup, and the acclaimed Friday Night Lights, slated to re-join the Friday schedule in February as part of a unique broadcast partnership between NBC and DIRECTV. NBC would begin broadcasting the Season 3 episodes on Fridays (9-10 p.m. ET), starting soon after NBC's telecast of the Super Bowl in 2009. DIRECTV would have exclusive rights to the season's 13 new episodes beginning Wednesday, October 1 on DIRECTV's entertainment channel "The 101."
NBC also announced today that the post Super Bowl slot, will be used to launch a spinoff of the network's hit comedy series, The Office. Immediately following NBC Sports' coverage of Super Bowl XLIII, the network will first present an original episode of The Office, followed by the debut of the new Greg Daniels comedy.
Also, a surprise on the schedule is the return of Lipstick Jungle, which will move to Wednesdays now. Law & Order will return in the winter for an all-new season. No sign of Scrubs returning, so it could be very well moving to ABC next season.
Here are the schedules:
Fall 2008
(New programs in CAPS, except ER)
MONDAY
8-9 p.m. Chuck
9-10 p.m. Heroes
10-11 p.m. MY OWN WORST ENEMY
TUESDAY
8- 9:30 p.m. The Biggest Loser: Families
9:30-10 p.m. KATH & KIM
10-11 p.m. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
WEDNESDAY
8-9 p.m. KNIGHT RIDER
9-10 p.m. Deal or No Deal
10-11 p.m. Lipstick Jungle
THURSDAY
8- 8:30 p.m. My Name Is Earl
8:30-9 p.m. 30 Rock
9- 9:30 p.m. The Office
9:30-10 p.m. The Office/ SNL THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE
10-11 p.m. ER
FRIDAY
8-9 p.m. CRUSOE
9-10 p.m. Deal or No Deal
10-11 p.m. Life
SATURDAY
8-9 p.m. Dateline NBC
9-10 p.m. KNIGHT RIDER (Encores)
10-11 p.m. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (Encores)
SUNDAY
7- 8:20 p.m. Football Night in America
8:20-11 p.m. NBC Sunday Night Football
For the winter and summer 2009 schedules, and more on all these new series, I advise you to click HERE! You wanna bet we will see changes to the winter and summer 2009 right? Maybe even Fall 2008 will see changes. It makes no sense to release winter and summer 2009 already.
Retro Television Network (RTN) announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Citadel Communications Company to launch RTN programming in three markets. The new affiliates will air on the digital streams of WOI-TV (Des Moines-Ames, IA), KLKN-TV (Lincoln, NE) and WHBF-TV (Davenport, IA/Rock Island-Moline, IL).
Meanwhile, their official website is now up! RetroTelevision.net is their website. The website has details on RTN, their programming, shows, affiliates, how to advertise and how to contact them. It's 'primetime all the time' has now hit the web! The Fonz, Mr. T, Andy, Lucy, Matlock and the rest of RTN's finest are now online! Take a peek...it is pretty well designed, too!
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
TV One Brings Amen to Evenings Starting in April Now; Nick at Nite Sees 1st Quarter Ratings Do Big; TNT Loves Romano
As also stated late last week on the TV One May highlights, TV One will be airing 24-hour sitcom marathons during the month of May beginning on Friday nights. The first of these special marathons will actually begin now on Friday, May 2 at 8pm with a special Martin marathon continuing on the theme of TV One's election year slate of 'Martin for President' marathons that originated over President's Day weekend. This time, the "Martin 'HaterNation' Marathon" takes on the sniping that usually happens in election campaigns with a full 24 hours of Martin Payne & his host of wacky alter egos battling Pam, Sheneneh and all the other Martin-haters who would try to take Martin down.
Nick at Nite, fueled by the performance of George Lopez and Home Improvement, scored double digit increases during the 1Q08 (Jan-Mar) among total viewers (P2+) and Adults 18-49 in both primetime and total day. In primetime, Nick at Nite was up +32% over first quarter 2007 (1Q07), and was +37% higher among Adults 18-49. George Lopez has been the network's highest rated program in 2008, with ratings growing consistently since it joined the schedule, while Home Improvement ratings have also increased each month. The recent George Lopez marathon did huge as the ratings were the best week ever for Nick at Nite.
TNT has ordered a one-hour pilot of Men of a Certain Age, a new character-based drama from Everybody Loves Raymond Emmy winners Ray Romano and Mike Royce. Romano will star in the project that takes a wry look at what it means to be a guy approaching mid-life while also exploring the unique bonds of male friendship. Romano wrote the pilot script with Royce and will executive-produce with Royce (who will serve as show runner), Rory Rosegarten and Cary Hoffman. The show is about the highs and lows of being a guy in the modern era. It's about three best friends, each hoping to fulfill his dreams before the clock starts running out.
This is the latest project to emerge as part of TNT's aggressive plan to change most of the network's weekday, primetime schedule to originals by 2010. The network currently has 15 projects in various stages of development, including both scripted dramas and unscripted programs.
Monday, March 31, 2008
The N Revamps April Schedule, Adds Brothers Garcia; ABC Brings Back Murder Club, Moves Legal and Trees, ABC Summer Slate Announced
We were the first ones to tell you on our messages boards last week that ABC was going to move Women's Murder Club to Tuesdays at 10PM starting April 29...and we were right!
Women's Murder Club will return with original episodes on Tuesday, April at 10:00 p.m., ET/PT, on ABC. The one-hour series from James Patterson will air for three weeks (April 29, May 6 and May 13) in that time period.
As a result, Boston Legal will move to Wednesday nights at 10:00 p.m., as of Wednesday, April 30, where it will air for three weeks, on April 30, May 14 and May 21, with a preemption for an ABC News special on May 7. Boston Legal will still return on Tuesday, April 8 and air on April 15 and 22 as well in its Tuesday night at 10:00 p.m. time slot.
MEN IN TREES will return on Wednesday, May 28 at 10:00 p.m., ET/PT, following Boston Legal's run for its final three episodes of the season.
ABC announces its summer schedule with the premiere of eight original series, including the return of The Bachelorette on Monday, May 19 (9:00-11:00 p.m....moves to 10:00pm the following week), following the performance show finale of Dancing with the Stars; The Mole on Monday, May 26 (10:00-11:00 p.m.); Wipeout on Tuesday, June 24 (8:00-9:00 p.m.); I Survived a Japanese Game Show on Tuesday, June 24 (9:00-10:00 p.m.); ABC News' Hopkins on Thursday, June 26 (10:00-11:00 p.m.); Dance Machine on Friday, June 27 (8:00-9:00 p.m.); High School Musical: Summer Session on Sunday, July 20 (8:00-9:00 p.m....will air Sundays and Mondays at 8:00pm); and Wanna Bet on Monday, July 21 (9:00-10:00 p.m.).
For details on each summer program, click HERE!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Week 27 Numbers (First Four Nights); How the Sitcoms Did
Week 27 numbers (first four nights, Mon-Thu):
Households: Fox 8.1/12.8, ABC 6.7/10.7, CBS 5.8/9.4, NBC 5.6/9.0, The CW 1.5/2.4, MyNetworkTV 0.8/1.3
Total Viewers: Fox 13.72 million, ABC 10.19 million, CBS 9.11 million, NBC 8.68 million, The CW 2.21 million, MyNetworkTV 1.23 million
Adults 18-49: Fox 5.1/13.5, CBS 3.0/8.2, ABC 2.8/7.4, NBC 2.8/7.4, The CW 1.0/2.5, MyNetworkTV 0.5/1.2
Analysis: Week 27 so far has Fox and ABC dominating...ABC dominated Monday, while Fox and ABC had a big audience on Tuesday, and Fox dominated Wednesday. Through the first four days of week 27, we have Fox on top obviously, with ABC in second in HH/viewers, CBS surprisingly is second in 18-49 (thanks to NCAA most likely), CBS is third in HH/viewers (ABC is battling with NBC for third in 18-49 and has a very slight edge). NBC is 4th in all categories. Last week, week 26 Fox was number one in all categories (with Idol they should be), but it was a close finish, as ABC almost won the week. ABC was 2nd in HH/viewers, but third in 18-49. CBS was third in HH and viewers, but 2nd in 18-49 thanks to the NCAA Tournament. NBC was fourth in everything.
On Monday, it was all ABC as Dancing with the Stars did 20.52 million for two-hours, slightly off from the 90-minute premiere the week before. The Bachelor: London Calling followed with 7.27 million, down from the premiere. CBS was next with its sitcoms which were all-new! The Big Bang Theory's second post-strike episode did 8.53 million, off from the previous week, but How I Met Your Mother had a season high in viewers 10.67 million, thanks to Britney Spears guest starring. The show hit a series high in 18-49 as well at a 4.5/12 rating...wow. Two and a Half Men followed with 14.23 million and a new episode of Old Christine did 9.77 million, off from previous week. CSI: Miami is now back with new episodes and the show did 16.06 million for its return, seems normal. NBC was next with Deal or No Deal at 9pm doing 10.14 million but NBC started the night off at 8pm slow with My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad at 4.18 million, a series low and just a 1.2 18-49 rating. Medium closed the night off with 8.91 million, as the show went down because CBS was all-new. Fox aired a repeat of House to start off the night and it did 7.7 million, following at 9pm was New Amsterdam doing 6.19 million, a series low. The CW had a repeat of Gossip Girl doing 1.07 million and a new Pussycat Dolls at just 1.55 million.
On Tuesday, Fox was on top thanks to Idol at 24.76 million for 90-minutes, but it was lower than normal thanks to Dancing with the Stars also airing (they overlapped from 9-9:30). at 9:30 fox aired a new episode of 'Til Death and it didn't hold much and dropped to 10.0 million, but clearly a season high. ABC was next with a recap of the first three performance shows of Dancing with the Stars at 8pm doing a solid 10.5 million...not bad at all for a recap...then the real thing aired at 9pm, Dancing with the Stars: The Results did a solid 17.49 million and it built heavily in its second half. ABC was on top at 10pm with the finale of Primetime: What Would You Do? at 9.92 million. NBC aired a two-hour Biggest Loser at 7.84 million and a repeat of Law & Order: SVU drew a decent 8.55 million. CBS was next with a repeat of NCIS at 9.34 million, followed by the Tuesday edition of the disappointing Big Brother 9 at just 5.86 million, and the series finale (let it be done with already) of Jericho at 6.02 million. The CW aired a new Beauty & The Geek at just 1.61 million and a repeat of Reaper did 1.66 million, ouch it beat a new episode of Geek.
On Wednesday, it was all Fox again. American Idol Results at 9pm did 25.74 million, seems below normal, though. The Moment of Truth at 8pm did 10.05 million, solid...but down from previous weeks. NBC was next with its all-repeat line-up. Two Law & Order: Criminal Intent did 6.8 and 6.13 million, but the original Law & Order did better at 8.05 million, not bad for a repeat. CBS continues to struggle with Big Brother 9 at just 5.87 million and repeats of Criminal Minds and CSI: NY followed with 6.99 and 7.46 million...maybe CBS's crime repeats are getting tiring now even. ABC's Wife Swap did 6.27 million for a new episode, followed by a repeat of Supernanny at 5.81 million and a new MEN IN TREES did 5.62 million, very steady even with a repeat as its lead-in. The CW had an all-new Top Model at a decent 3.53 million, for some reason this is not as good this season in the ratings, a repeat of Pussycat Dolls did just 1.59 million, but better than its original Monday airing, sad, isn't it?
On Thursday, NBC was in a rare top spot thanks to the two-hour finale of Celebrity Apprentice from 9-11pm at 12.13 million. But would it have done that if it were facing originals of CSI/Grey's Anatomy or even Lost? Doubt it. Wonder what The Donald will say now? Deal or No Deal-Thursday started the night off with 11.4 million. CBS preempted its regular programming for the NCAA Tournament, as an average of 10.02 million tuned in during the primetime portion. Fox was next with Are You Smarter That a 5th Grader? and Don't Forget the Lyrics! doing 8.54 and 8.95 million, with the latter doing very well again. Lost is now in repeats for ABC, thanks to the strike, but it will return April 24 at a new time slot (10pm), but we still had a repeat at 9pm doing 5.39 million, but ABC started the night off better with two new episodes of the hilarious Miss Guided at 5.9 and 5.58 million, down from the two episodes the previous week, but still not too bad. Eli Stone closed the night with 6.53 million, that is just a bit off from what it was doing with a new Lost as its lead-in..so maybe this show does have an audience of its own.
Like usual, no Friday finals yet. CBS lead the first two hours with NCAA basketball coverage, but at 10pm NBC's Dateline did unusually high. Saturday ratings were not available to us.
Tonight will be ABC with the win most likely again, lead by Oprah's Big Give and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. NBC is in repeat mode from 9-11pm but Dateline is new at 8pm but its lead-in at 7pm is a Keith Olbermann special which did terrible once before. CBS will suffer with Big Brother but Cold Case returns tonight with new episodes, so CBS will get a bit of a bump. Fox will have a mix of new and old tonight, with new episodes of The Simpsons, Unhitched and King of the Hill. How low will Unhitched go tonight?
As for the week, Fox will win in HH, viewers and 18-49. I predict ABC will hang on for second, followed by CBS and NBC in 4th. In 18-49 it could be Fox, CBS, ABC and NBC, though.
This coming week sees more shows return from strike hiatus such as Criminal Minds and CSI.
Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week of March 17-23)
- Everybody Hates Chris (The CW) - All-new episode did just 990,000 viewers...OK this is just pathetic now.
- Aliens in America (The CW) - All-new as well and it did just 910,000...CW needs to move these back to Mondays.
- The Game (The CW) - A new episode did just 1.26 million, but compared to the other two shows, this is like American Idol.
- Girlfriends (The CW) - A repeat did 1.17 million.
- The Simpsons (Fox) - A repeat did 4.81 million...seems way below a normal repeat's numbers.
- King of the Hill (Fox) - A repeat at 7pm did just 2.5 million.
- Family Guy (Fox) - Just 4.49 million for a repeat...way below normal for an encore.
- Unhitched (Fox) 2 episodes - Only 3.21 and 3.11 million for 2 new episodes at 8:30 and 9:30...it seems fox wanted to just burn this off and fail.
- American Dad (Fox) - Only 2.7 million for a repeat at 7:30pm.
Monday Sitcoms
- The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - 8.53 million tuned in for the second episode back, down from the return, but still solid. What a funny show this is.
- How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - 10.67 million for its second new episode back...thank Britney Spears for it, a season high in viewers and a series high in 18-49 with a 4.5/12 rating/share!
- Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 14.23 million for a new episode...#1 sitcom airing of course.
- Old Christine (CBS) - 9.77 million for a new episode is good but it seems below normal... losing 4 1/2 million from the lead-in? Not good.
Tuesday Sitcoms
- 'Til Death (Fox) - A new episode on a special night and time following Idol did just 10.0 million...not good following a 24.76 million from 8-9:30.
- None
- Miss Guided (ABC) 2 episodes - Two new episodes did 5.9 and 5.58 million..down a bit from the timeslot debut the previous week, but still decent enough. Funny show, isn't it? Edie McClurg as Mrs. Pool (though not the same character from Hogan Family...but you never know) all over again is so great...even if it was just for one episode.
- None
Saturday Sitcoms
- None.
Airing tonight (Sunday) is a mix of new and repeats of sitcoms on The CW from 8-10, and Fox's animated comedies (and Unhitched at 9:30) are also a mix of new and repeats from 7-10.
Summing it up. Two and a Half Men, How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (Old Christine, 'Til Death) or just plain old terrible (CW Sunday 3/23, Unhitched 3/23).
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Mini-DVD Review: Alvin and the Chipmunks Go To the Movies: Funny, We Shrunk the Adults (April 1); Solomon's Weekly Rant
Alvin & the Chipmunks Go To the Movies: Funny, We Shrunk the Adults (Paramount, $16.99) brings three episodes from the short-lived 13 episode series where the Chipmunks spoofed major Hollywood films. This is the fifth set from Paramount featuring the Chipmunks series. The last set was the first Chipmunks Go To The Movies set (which featured "Star Wreck," "Batmunk," and "Funny...We Shrunk the Adults"). Previous sets were the Valentine's, Halloween and Christmas specials releases. Paramount has also released the Chipmunk Adventure feature film from 1987 on a separate set...so six sets really. Well maybe seven because they will also re-release this movie on April 1 as well with a bonus soundtrack disc inside (more on that below).
This set has three episodes from the 1990 series featuring spoofs on Back to the Future, Big & Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. Yes, the spoof on Honey, I Shrunk the Kids was on the last Chipmunks Go To The Movies set and for some reason is on this one, too. The episode titles for this set are "Back to Alvin's Future," "Bigger," and "Funny...We Shrunk the Adults." As I said in the previous review, why not just bring all 13 on two-discs or something? It doesn't make sense to me why just three episodes and one of them was already released on the last set. On the last set, each episode ran 21:30 or so, with NO closing credits or chapter stops. On this set two of the three have closing credits, but one doesn't. The two that do, have runtimes of 23:06 and the one that doesn't has a runtime of 22:33 (but that one has the original NBC In Stereo logo during the opening credits). Each episode has 3 chapter stops.
Packaging is simple and in the same line as the previous sets--a nice simple case with the disc inside with an insert for Chipmunks.com. Cover art has Alvin and the Chipmunks Go To The Movies logo with a reel strip and the mention of "Funny, We Shrunk The Adults." Picture of Theodore, Alvin and Simon are on the cover as Alvin holds a shrunken Dave and Ms. Miller. Disc art is the same as the cover art, but with just Alvin's shot from the cover. The last set's packaging featured Star Trek on the cover and Batman on the back, while this set is all about Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.
The menu screen has Play All and all the episodes listed on the main menu, with a screenshot and episode title. The main menu is in blue/pink background.
The video and audio are decent and very watchable and in line with other releases.
I highly do recommend any fan to pick up this set. New fans might also want to see this hilarious take on popular films (such as Tom Hanks in Big and Michael J. Fox in Back to the Future), but I am hoping Paramount (or any other studio) releases the series on DVD in order with the classic episodes, and not just select episodes from The Chipmunks years (1988-1990). I like the old style animation the series had on NBC from 1983-87...why aren't they coming to DVD first? I think those might be from Warner and Ruby-Spears, while these are from DiC. But for now get shrunk (again) but this time we get 'bigger' and go to the 'future' with the Chipmunks. Alvinnnnnnnnnn!
Now I'll just comment a bit on the new release of The Chipmunk Adventure feature film movie from 1987 that runs 76 minutes. The packaging is different and the disc artwork is different, but everything else is the same. We get the same menus, video/audio, scene selections, special feature (original artwork). However, this new release has The Chipmunk Adventure soundtrack with all 11 tracks. So if you want to spend the money just for the soundtrack, because basically everything is the same except for the things I mentioned above, then buy this set. If you haven't bought the movie on DVD, then go for this set instead of the older one. The movie is really fun!
-- Reviewed by Pavan
(4/5 stars) for both setsTo purchase the DVD, click below and help support SitcomsOnline.com:
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Also purchase the new release of The Chipmunk Adventure with the soundtrack CD:
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Related links:
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Alvin & the Chipmunks TV.com Page
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Solomon's Weekly Rant
Saturday, March 29, 2008
"Price DVD Disappointing; Local News Breaks Into Programming, ION Strikes Again"
By Solomon Davis
I thought the Best of Price is Right DVD would be a great buy for fans of the show but when I heard that there are episodes from the 2007 season included, I was no longer in a rush to buy the DVD. Why in the world would FIVE episodes from 2007 be on a best of the Price is Right DVD? The very last episode with Bob Barker I can understand a little but what are the other 4 episodes on the DVD for? Who cares if they are from Bob's last week on the show, this DVD should be all about the HISTORY of the Price is Right and not episodes from this decade at all. I don't even think it should be episodes from 1997, so to hear that 2007 episodes are on the DVD just sounds really stupid. This release proved that BCI Eclipse doesn't have no clue as to what should be on a Best of the Price is Right DVD. I hope they are planning on a second release because besides the 2007 episodes the newest episode is from the mid-70s...they skipped the entire '80s??
I know that someone has experienced watching a show on one of their local stations and the news cuts in to go to a press conference or a breaking news story when they can just tell viewers about it when the news comes on. I lost count at the number of times I was recording something only to have my local news station cut in and stop me from getting an entire show on tape. Which was what happened to me this week on my Fox station when the news station cut in on The Tyra Banks Show at the 40 minute mark to go to a Hilary Clinton press conference in Philadelphia leaving me with an incomplete episode. I just wish local news would leave regularly scheduled programming ALONE if it's not a MAJOR NATIONAL NEWS story...they could wait for the regular local news timeslot to report it. If Charlie Gibson, Brian Williams or Katie Couric are not breaking in, no one else should.
Can't say I'm surprised by the recent programming by ION Television this past week with its new April schedule. ION for some reason feels the need to add shows that have already been played on other cable networks which is not an intriguing pick-up for TV fans. Who hasn't seen The Wayans Bros., Family Feud, and The Steve Harvey Show in syndication before? Plus ION decides to do this ODD mix of primetime scheduling and will now have a drama (Quantum Leap) leading into sitcoms which is just bizarre. OK, Quantum Leap hasn't been played much in syndication, but it is out of place on ION (Mama's Family airs before it and Drew Carey Show plays after it...what???) So it's the same 'ole story with ION each month, which is adding TV shows that are in the "Brand New Old" syndication category.
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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.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Star-Studded Marathon for Diff'rent Strokes on BET; TV One May 2008 Highlights
TV One in May will see lots of marathons, including a Mother's Day stunt filled with motherly episodes. Throughout the month, TV One is going to get the weekends pumping with a series of true 'marathons' – 24 hour May Mega-Marathons, which will each start on Friday evening and run through Saturday evening.
On Friday, May 9 beginning at 7pm, TV One offers a "Mothers Day Weekend" 24-hour marathon saluting favorite sitcom moms from TV One sitcom favorites Martin, All of Us, The Parent'hood, Good Times, Amen, and The Hughleys.
On Friday, May 16 beginning at 9pm, TV One offers its annual birthday tribute to superstar Janet Jackson (she turns 42 on May 16) with a 24-hour marathon of Good Times: "The Janet Years," featuring episodes when a young Janet played the Evans' neighbor, Penny. Directly preceding the marathon at 8pm on Friday, a special TV One Access, hosted by former Cosby Show Kid Keshia Knight Pulliam, takes a look at "Our Favorite Child Stars: All Grown Up."
On Friday, May 23 beginning at 11pm, TV One kicks off the long Memorial Day weekend with a trip to the 'projects' of The PJs – featuring all the episodes of the series during the course of the 24 hour marathon.
Finally, on Memorial Day itself (Monday, May 26), TV One takes a "Memorial Day Break" beginning at 8am, TV One presents a full day marathon of the first 11 episodes of the action crime-drama series Day Break starring Taye Diggs. The show airs weekly every Sunday at 10pm.
Schedule changes include more Amen as it will also air 5 and 5:30pm weekdays starting May 5 replacing For Your Love and Eve, which will both be off the line-up totally. Amen will also air in the mornings as well still at 6am & 6:30am. Eve will be replaced in the early mornings as well, weekdays at 4am will be another Parent'hood instead. And the 1am airing of NY Undercover will be replaced by two more Divorce Court episodes. NY Undercover will still air in its other slots.
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Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Saturday, August 29
Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "Heartbreak and the Refuge of the Downtrodden" (CBS, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Georgie, Mandy and the family do their best to lift Connor’s spirits during a rough patch while Connor tries to figure out a plan for his life.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of August 24)
Saturday, August 29 and August 30
- Amy Poehler (Duncanville/Parks and Recreation) and Will Ferrell (The Hawk/The Office) - Amy and Will bond over their box office bomb on a repeat of The Weekend View on ABC News Live at 7:30am.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
01/20/26 - The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Golden Age Collection (Blu-ray)
01/27/26 - The New Fred and Barney Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/11/26 - Tom and Jerry - The Complete CinemaScope Collection (Blu-ray)
03/24/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)
04/11/26 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Fourth Season (DVD)
04/21/26 - Famous Studios Champion Collection (Blu-ray) (DVD)
05/19/26 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series - 75th Anniversary Edition (DVD)
05/19/26 - Looney Tunes Cartoons - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
06/16/26 - Difficult People - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
06/30/26 - Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
07/14/26 - The Office - The Complete Series - Superfan Extended Episodes (Blu-ray)
07/28/26 - The Bill Dana Show - The Complete Series (DVD)
07/28/26 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series - 75th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray)
07/28/26 - The Paper - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
08/25/26 - Perfect Strangers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/08/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 3 (Blu-ray)
09/22/26 - Bridget Loves Bernie - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
09/29/26 - The Quick Draw McGraw Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
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