Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Hallmark Channel April 2009, Two Shows Dropped; TV Land Makes Last Week's Schedule Change Until Further Notice
See the full Hallmark Channel April 2009 schedule.
TV Land has made it official this week. At the very least for the rest of March the changes we saw last week will be in effect for at least the end of this month. The big change was having CSI: NY on Thursday nights from 10pm-4am. Mainly the late night schedule is effected. Monday nights we see Cosby Show from 12-2am and encoring 3-5am. Tuesday nights will see more Cosby Show from 1-3am. All three of the nights will have an encore of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition at 5am. Wednesday nights will see two hours each of Jeffersons and M*A*S*H from 2-6am. Fridays will see more changes during the early evening portion. The Beverly Hillbillies is 6-7pm, Cosby Show will lead into the movie from 8-10pm and encore 2-4am, and M*A*S*H will air 1-2am and encore 5-6am. Yes, this is all very confusing. I suggest you keep checking the schedule adjustments on our TV Land March 2009 thread.
Monday, March 16, 2009
ABC Mid-Season Pilot Review: Better Off Ted - Premieres March 18; Lifetime Schedule Change
Better Off Ted - Wednesdays 8:30PM ET/PT on ABC
Premieres Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 8:30PM ET/PT
Better Off Ted is a satirical office comedy about successful good guy, Ted, who runs research and development at the morally questionable Veridian Dynamics. No achievement is too far-fetched and no invention too unorthodox for Veridian. Need cow-less meat grown in a test tube? Done. Need pumpkins that also double as weapons of mass destruction? No problem. Ted's a single dad to a seven-year-old girl, and he loves his job, but he's starting to take a closer look at the company's extremely dubious practices. Do you manufacture the best teeth whitener ever if it could also kill off all of the planet's fish? Probably not, but...
Ted's also fighting an attraction to co-worker Linda, who enjoys small acts of rebellion against Veridian (she's secretly stealing and hoarding all the company's creamer packets). But he holds back about his true feelings. He's already had his self imposed "one office affair" with überboss Veronica. Incredibly beautiful (if seemingly devoid of conscience and also emotion-free), Veronica lets nothing get in her way when it comes to serving Veridian's needs... even if it means doing something like cryogenically freezing an employee for testing purposes. And after all, the employee, research scientist Phil, survived (after he thawed out). So what if he screams like an eagle at the slightest provocation? He and his best friend, fellow research scientist Lem, are both geniuses and when they're not bickering, they're responsible for many of Veridian's miracles of weird science.
Cast Details:
* Jay Harrington as Ted Crisp
* Portia de Rossi as Veronica Palmer
* Andrea Anders as Linda Zwordling
* Jonathan Slavin as Phil Mymen
* Malcolm Barrett as Lem Hewitt
* Isabella Acres as Rose Crisp
Jay Harrington (Ted) has a recurring role on Private Practice as Dr. Wyatt Lockhart and has appeared on The Inside and Coupling. Other television credits include Teri Hatcher's doctor-turned boyfiend Dr. Ron on Desperate Housewives, Ghost Whisperer, Las Vegas, The Division, The Shield, Without a Trace and the Lifetime movie Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy. His feature film credits include Partners, Whatever It Takes and Anywhere But Here. Jay is also an avid sports fan. He plays in the NBA Entertainment League and dons skates for a local hockey team.
Portia de Rossi (Veronica) has had a widely varied career, captivating audiences in both television and film. She recently starred as a fifth-season series regular on the FX popular original drama Nip/Tuck as Olivia Lord, a holistic medicine practitioner who has problematic relationships with both her girlfriend, Julia, and her out-of-control daughter. She also starred as Lindsay Bluth Funke in the critically acclaimed Fox comedy Arrested Development. The show won a Primetime Emmy Award in 2004 for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble and was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2006 and a SAG Award in 2005. De Rossi is perhaps best known for her portrayal of enigmatic lawyer Nelle Porter on Fox's hugely successful Ally McBeal. On the big screen, she starred in Wes Craven's Cursed, opposite Christina Ricci, Chris Ver Wiel's Who is Cletis Tout?, opposite Richard Dreyfuss and Tim Allen, Paul Goldman's The Night We Called It a Day, opposite Dennis Hopper and Melanie Griffith, Wes Craven's Scream 2, Rupert Wainwright's Stigmata, Bruce Wagner's Women in Film, Noah Stern's The Invisibles and Michael Goorjians Ambition to Meaning, with Wayne Dyer.
Andrea Anders (Linda) is best known to television audiences for her roles as Nicole Allen on the sitcom The Class and as Alex Garrett in the comedy Joey. Additional television credits include Law & Order, Tru Calling, Oz and Numb3rs. Her feature film credits include the road comedy Sex Drive and The Stepford Wives.
Jonathan Slavin (Phil) has been acting steadily in recent years. After a string of "insert occupation here" guy TV roles (Flower Delivery Guy, Fish and Chips Guy, Computer Tech Guy, etc.), Slavin landed a memorable turn as "Ice Cream Guy" on Caroline in the City, and has worked in television ever since. He has appeared as a series regular on Andy Richter Controls the Universe and Union Square, and had recurring roles on My Name is Earl, Summerland, Inconceivable and Wings. Recent guest starring roles include Life, Grey's Anatomy, CSI, Ugly Betty, Friends and Bones. He has also appeared in the feature films Hard Pill, A Cinderella Story, Grand Theft Parsons, Race to Witch Mountain and My Mother's Hairdo.
Malcolm Barrett (Lem) has appeared on a number of series as either a regular or guest star, including The Bonnie Hunt Show, Kelsey Grammar Presents: The Sketch Show, Monk, Psych, Ghost Whisperer, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and The Sopranos. Feature film credits include My Best Friend's Girl, Hurt Locker, American Violet, The Rhythm of the Saints, King of the Jungle and Swimfan.
Isabella Acres (Rose) was born in Atlanta, where she discovered her love for acting in children's theater. Since relocating to Los Angeles she has appeared on such TV series as Monk, Hannah Montana and Jimmy Kimmel Live. She has also appeared in the recurring role of Jane's daughter on The Mentalist. Isabella has extensive voiceover credits, including the feature films Horton Hears a Who, Four Christmases, The Women and Fred Claus, and has voiced characters in the animated series Phineas and Ferb and Special Agent Oso.
Pilot Plot:
I received two episodes for review. So, I will base my thoughts on the show on these two.
#1 Pilot (Airs March 18)
Ted finds out just how far Veronica's willing to go for Veridian's greater good when she charges him with convincing brilliant research scientist Phil to be cryogenically frozen for a test experiment. Phil is excited, even if best friend and research partner, Lem, is a little jealous...and Ted is more than a little worried about the long-term effects if the experiment actually goes ahead.
Guest starring are Maz Jobrani (The Knights of Prosperity) as Dr. Bhamba and Jim Lau as the screaming office worker. "Pilot" was written by Victor Fresco and directed by Mike Fresco.
#2 "Through Rose Colored HAZMAT Suits" (Airs April 1)
When the nanny calls in sick, Ted reluctantly takes daughter Rose to work, where Veronica forms a surprising (if frightening) bond with the little girl. Rose's visit to Veridian also stirs up trouble when a casual remark she makes sends Phil and Lem into a tailspin about just who has the upper hand in their work relationship. Meanwhile, Ted finds out where he stands with Linda when her ex-boyfriend comes back to town.
Guest starring are Julian Bailey as Hal, Martha Boles as Lisa, Mason Lauderdale as the little boy, Sean Christopher Davis as Jerry and Richard Fancy as Mr. Campbell. "Through Rose Colored HAZMAT Suits" was written by Justin Adler and directed by Michael Fresco.
Analysis:
After watching two episodes, I am pleased. The show is very smartly written and has some laugh-out-loud moments. Both Jay Harrington and Portia de Rossi as Ted and Veronica are strong leads and likable, yet de Rossi's character is a bit weird and wacky, but at the same time hilarious. Some of the stuff she says is priceless! The supporting cast includes scientists Phil and Lem, who are an excellent comedic duo. They are very funny. Also, we have co-worker Linda, who has instant chemistry with Ted...but will they get together? Or will Veronica beat Linda to it? And finally we have Rose, who is Ted's little daughter. She is smart and blends in well with Veronica, as you'll see on episode three (the second one I saw).
As for the plot of the show, it is all centered around the workplace. Both episodes I saw starts off with a one-minute presentation for Veridian Dynamics. Very cool and hilarious to start like that. Veridian Dynamics is certainly a future company. We can see that as they develop quite outrageous stuff, but it is funny. Some of the hilarious and wacky stuff they want to do are...to freeze Phil, just to see if it is possible; itchy chairs to have better production at work; and exploding pumpkins with Dr. Bhamba! If you like The Office, you'll certainly like this show. I hate that show, yet I liked this show, though. Why? There is no weird camera zooming to make this look documentary style or cheap. Plus this actually has music and background sound, unlike that show. The similarities for that show with this show so far is that this really is a good cast and ensemble. Everyone plays well off each other and Veridian Dynamics is a very fun place to work, even though they have weird ideas! It just makes it funny!
Will this series work for ABC? It will be following new episodes of Scrubs, so the young audience ABC is hoping for will certainly be there. It will air in a rather weak timeslot with the only competition really from Fox's Lie to Me and CBS's Gary Unmarried, the latter is also a comedy and ABC should have no problem beating it in 18-49. Hopefully this show surprises and at least becomes a cult hit like The Office that skews very young.
Conclusion:
This show is very funny. It is not as crazy as say Worst Week, but is much better written and relies more on dialog. Though this show has its fair share of physical comedy as well. Having both funny dialog and physical comedy, along with a great ensemble make a recipe for a great comedy. This show has so much potential. The promos have been showcasing scenes from later episodes, so I cannot wait to see a worker jumping out of a window, and the human resources lady saying "that's gonna be some paperwork," Ted staring at Linda's butt, and Veronica making fun of the balding guy. So there are going to more fun stuff coming soon, and I cannot wait! I hope to see more of Dr. Bhamba, too. He was only in the pilot episode but will make more appearances this season. He is played by Maz Jabrini, who was on The Knights of Prosperity, which is the funniest sitcom to air in the last few years. Too bad it didn't last...but I hope and think this will. There are stuff I didn't like, such as sitcom cliches (smart daughter, sitcom romance), but who cares. We need bread and butter sitcoms to get an audience, even though this is not a traditional sitcom.
Freezing Phil, training children of Veridian Dynamics "life skills," and so much more makes this show top-notch and a must watch. Watch the premiere, and if you like it...please tune in every week as we need a new sitcom hit. And if you like the premiere but are on the fence, don't give up because episode two is even better! Portia de Rossi deserves an Emmy nomination for her work here!
Final Numbers (out of 5 stars):
Watchability: 4/5
Funniness: 4.5/5
Overall: 4/5
-- Reviewed by pavanbadal on 03/16/09
Discuss the show after you watch it on Wednesday, March 18 on our message board.
Related Links:
Finally, if you didn't see this posted on our message board over the weekend, Lifetime made a schedule change effective today. They are replacing the afternoon movie with an extra Desperate Housewives and Wife Swap, so both of those shows will now air three in a row...12-3pm and 3-6pm. Also, in primetime, Will & Grace will be airing in the 8pm hour, while the primetime Wife Swap moves from Mondays to Fridays, 9-11pm. A movie will still air in primetime the other nights. Late nights, we now have a Reba hour at 1am replacing the late Desperate Housewives airing, followed by a Rita Rocks half-hour at 2am, five days a week. Rita Rocks won't be airing in primetime until it returns with new episodes now. No other changes are being made.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Week 25 Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did; Ugly Betty Returns May 7, ABC Season Finale Dates
Week 25 numbers (first four nights final averages, Mon-Thurs):
(We don't have network averages through Thursday, but we do have final program numbers for Thursday in our analysis...)
Households: N/A.
Total Viewers: N/A.
Adults 18-49: N/A.
Analysis: Week 25 had the return of Dancing with the Stars for ABC, and the series had its best season premiere ever in the ratings! We don't have first four day averages, but I am "predicting" through the first four day, Fox is on top, with CBS in second everywhere, while ABC is third in everything but second in 18-49. And NBC is fourth everywhere else.
Last week, CBS won in week 24 in HH/viewers, but Fox took 18-49 by a wide margin, over second place CBS. ABC was third in all categories, while NBC was back in fourth of course.
Monday it was all ABC as Dancing with the Stars had its season eight premiere. ABC aired the two-hour season premiere of Dancing with the Stars at an impressive 22.83 million, 14.1 HH rating and a 6.1 18-49 rating...wow. After that, ABC aired the series premiere of crime-romance drama Castle doing a solid 10.76 million...could be better, but solid for ABC in this slot. It has a chance to grow since it is not serialized. CBS did decent but the comedies suffered thanks to the big Dance premiere. A new episode of The Big Bang Theory did 9.47 million which is down nearly 1.5 million week-to-week, while a new How I Met Your Mother did worse with 8.68 million, which was down well over two million from previous week. #1 sitcom Two and a Half Men did 13.44 million, that also was down two million from previous week. A new Rules of Engagement followed and did 9.95 million, and yes that was down near two million week-to-week. At 10pm a new CSI: Miami did 14.21 million, which was up from previous week by nearly a million...go figure. Fox started with House and did a below normal 12.38 million, but still solid, followed by 24 at 11.37 million, up a bit from previous week, but that was two-hours. NBC was next with its so-so line-up. A new Chuck did 5.8 million, down nearly a million from previous week. Heroes still struggled and did 6.7 million, down from previous week and just a 3.2 18-49 rating for a series low. Medium followed with 7.13 million, down just a bit from previous week. The CW was next with a repeat of Gossip Girl doing 1.0 million, down some from previous week's repeat and a repeat of One Tree Hill did 1.07 million, up some from previous week's repeat. CW has done a terrible job scheduling new and repeats for this night.
Tuesday Fox had a two-hour American Idol and of course it doubled up the nearest network. Fox had that two-hour Idol doing 25.77 million, up from previous week but still down year-to-year. CBS started with a repeat of NCIS at 13.52 million, down a bit week-to-week. A repeat of The Mentalist also did a solid 14.32 million, up nearly two million from previous week as looks like viewers thought it was new...you never can tell with shows like this. Without a Trace was also a repeat and did 10.22 million, and that was off a bit from previous week's repeat. NBC was next with a two-hour The Biggest Loser at 9.38 million, up some from previous week. NBC followed with a new episode of Law & Order: SVU doing 11.07 million...not bad, but maybe because CBS was a repeat. ABC was next and started with the last scheduled Homeland Security USA at 5.14 million, down some from previous week...5 episodes remain and I can see this show returning on Fridays soon. ABC then aired two Scrubs repeats doing just 2.85 and 2.69 million. Don't know why this is repeating but Dancing with the Stars: The Results premieres this week to help ABC on this night. Finally, ABC ended with the addicting Primetime: What Would You Do? doing 5.25 million, the next two will get a big boost thanks to Dancing before it ends its season. The CW aired a new episode of Reaper and did just 2.17 million, down a bit from previous week's premiere and an encore of 90210 only did 990,000 viewers. How many times has The CW aired each episode so far? It is crazy. This isn't a crime drama.
Wednesday saw you know who dominate. Fox moved American Idol results to 9pm and it did 25.55 million, up nearly three million from the previous week which was at 8pm. New Fox drama Lie to Me moved to 8pm and started the night off with 11.25 million, which was up a million from previous week when it aired at 9pm...could it be Idol pre-tune in? CBS started with a new episode of sitcom Old Christine at 7.46 million and a new Gary Unmarried did 7.63 million, growing from its lead-in. A new episode of Criminal Minds followed and did 14.34 million. CSI: NY followed with a new showing doing 13.63 million. NBC opened the night with the premiere of of Chopping Block doing a terrible 3.77 million...ouch, down over two million from the Knight Rider finale even, a new showing of dud Life followed and did just 5.21 million, Donal Logue is wasted on this show, too bad Knights of Prosperity didn't last on ABC...that was gold. Law & Order followed at 10pm with a new episode and did 7.64 million. ABC was next with two repeats of Scrubs (again?) at just 3.55 and 3.25 million...the show is finally new this Wednesday at least. An enhanced encore of Lost followed at 9pm doing 4.34 million, down some from previous week, but that was at 8pm... Lost is all-new this week at 9pm. A new Life on Mars did 4.49 million on its own..at least it built on the lead-in. For those who saw, Mark Linn-Baker guest starred...and was good. The CW was on the map with America's Next Top Model doing a nice 4.45 million, which is actually up from previous week's two-hour premiere...The CW followed with an encore of...what else...90210 at 900,000 viewers. What a waste.
Thursday saw CBS and ABC battle for the win. CBS started with Survivor: Tocantis doing 12.82 million, up a million from previous week as it was affected by Idol the past two weeks, followed by a new CSI at 17.13 million, down over three million from previous week, and a new Eleventh Hour followed with 11.61 million, down from previous week. ABC started with a new Ugly Betty doing 7.12 million, up from previous week as yes Idol affected it the past two weeks, a new episode of Grey's Anatomy was next and did 13.64 million and a night best 5.0 18-49 rating. A new episode of Private Practice followed and did 8.8 million at 10pm and a second place 3.3 18-49 rating, not bad against Clooney on ER. NBC started with a REPEAT of My Name is Earl doing just 4.17 million, the finale of Kath & Kim followed with only 3.89 million, down from previous week. A new episode of The Office did 7.87 million, down from previous week. A new showing of 30 Rock followed with just 6.43 million, down from previous week. A new ER was next and did 10.86 million, up two million week-to-week and best showing in two years, but really should have been better with Clooney and all those favorites returning. Fox finally aired Bones and did a solid 9.67 million and an all-new Hell's Kitchen at 9pm did 7.71 million, down two million from previous week when Idol was its lead-in. Smallville was all-new on The CW and did a solid 3.57 million, followed by a new Supernatural at 2.84 million.
Now, as usual final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but CBS won Friday with new episodes of Ghost Whisperer, Flashpoint, NUMBERS as usual. ABC finished second for the night helped by Superanny and 20/20. NBC was way back and Fox was off the map with the should-be-pulled Sarah Connor Chronicles and the new Dollhouse.
Saturday numbers were low with CBS winning a slow night in viewers but Fox won by a wider margin in 18-49.
Tonight will be a battle between CBS and ABC again. CBS has a new 60 Minutes and The Amazing Race, followed by Cold Case and The Unit. ABC will have new showings of AFV, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Desperate Housewives, and Brothers & Sisters should be more than enough to win the night in 18-49. NBC has a Dateline special at 7pm, followed by the two-hour premiere of Kings which to me looks like will bomb big, followed by Celebrity Apprentice at a special time of 10pm...that will just confuse viewers. Fox has an all-new lineup finally of its animated comedies again...even Family Guy.
As for the week, Fox or CBS could win the week. Fox for sure in 18-49, though. ABC will be third in HH/viewers, but 2nd likely in 18-49 and NBC fourth everywhere. As for the coming week...Dancing with the Stars: The Results returns Tuesday (with a new new Dance-Off feature at the end for the next few weeks), so that will help ABC. ABC premieres new sitcom Better Off Ted on Wednesday at 8:30pm (see our review tomorrow), and March Madness starts on CBS this Thursday, Friday and Saturday in primetime. Don't forget to make your brackets!
Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week of March 2-8, Week 24)
- The Simpsons (Fox) - 5.96 million for an all-new episode...seems way below normal.
- King of the Hill (Fox) - A new episode did 4.95 million...down from previous week.
- Family Guy (Fox) - Yes, a new episode! Did a below 7.09 million though...
- American Dad! (Fox) - 5.37 million...should be better.
Week 25:
Monday Sitcoms
- The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - 9.47 million for a new episode. I was right last week when I said with Dancing coming it'll go down some.
- How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - 8.68 million for a new showing...wow didn't think it would go this down.
- Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 13.44 million for a new episode...down two million from previous week.
- Rules of Engagement (CBS) - 9.95 million for a new episode...imagine how low Worst Week could have been against Dancing.
Tuesday Sitcoms
- Scrubs (ABC) 2 episodes - Two repeats did just 2.85 and 2.69 million. Thankfully no more of these repeats.
- Old Christine (CBS) - 7.46 million for a new episode...not bad.
- Gary Unmarried (CBS) - 7.63 million for a new episode...built on the lead-in.
- Scrubs (ABC) 2 episodes - 2 repeats getting ready for FINALLY new episodes this week, did just 3.55 and 3.25 million.
Thursday Sitcoms
- My Name is Earl (NBC) - 4.17 million for a repeat...the only repeat of the night.
- Kath & Kim (NBC) - The finale only did 3.89 million...so yeah this one has no chance at all of coming back.
- The Office (NBC) - 7.87 million for a new episode...below normal.
- 30 Rock (NBC) - 6.43 million for a new episode...up and down pattern continues.
Friday Sitcoms
- Everybody Hates Chris (The CW) - A new episode did a prelim 1.83 million.
- The Game (The CW) - A new episode did a prelim 2.07 million...wow seems higher than normal.
Saturday Sitcoms
- None.
Airing tonight (Sunday) are all-new Fox animated comedies from 8-10pm!
Summing it up. Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, The Office were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as Rules of Engagement, Gary Unmarried) or just plain old terrible (such as Kath & Kim, FOUR repeats of Scrubs).
We have some news! As many Ugly Betty fans know, Ugly Betty is taking a break after its airing this Thursday (March 19)...but not to fret, it is only a six week break. The show will return Thursday, May 7 at its normal time. ABC has announced the series will have a two-hour season finale on Thursday, May 21 from 8-10pm ET/PT. ABC will have five episodes left after this week, so one episode will probably have to air on another night? My guess is a two-night finale? So one episode on Wednesday, May 20 and the final two of the season on Thursday, May 21? We'll see, but we know the season finale is two-hours on May 21.
As for other ABC season finale dates: Better off Ted will conclude its 7-episode first season on April 29. In the Motherhood and Samantha Who will air 6 episodes a piece and will end the season on April 30. Yes, I know Samantha Who would still have 5 other episodes left, so I guess that will be held over for next season. Private Practice ends its 22 episode season on the same night, April 30 at 10pm. The following night, Friday, May 1, will be the season finales of Wife Swap & Supernanny. Then as previously known, the series finales of According to Jim and Scrubs will air for one-hour each on Tuesday, May 5 and Wednesday, May 6 in the 8pm hours. On Sunday, May 10, Brothers & Sisters has its season finale after 24 episodes at 10pm. The following night at 10pm will see the season finale of rookie Castle after 10 weeks. Then the next night, Tuesday, May 11, will see the season finale of another rookie, Cupid at 10pm, after 7 episodes. Then the big two-hour season finale of Lost is on the next night (Wednesday, May 13) from 9-11pm, as the show concludes its 17 episode season. Finale central continues with the two-hour season finale of Grey's Anatomy after 24 episodes this year on Thursday, May 12 from 9-11pm. And the next night is the season finale of America's Funniest Home Videos on a special night (Friday, May 15) from 8-10pm. Then on Sunday, May 17 we get two, two-hour season finales...Extreme Makeover: Home Edition from 7-9pm and Desperate Housewives from 9-11pm, closes its 24 episode season. Then Dancing with the Stars has its final performance show on May 18, from 8-9PM, followed by the two-hour grand finale the next night from 9-11PM. And finally, as mentioned earlier, ABC concludes their season finales with Ugly Betty on Thursday, May 21 from 8-10pm. ABC has not announced finale dates for two yet to premiere series: comedy Surviving Suburbia and comedic drama The Unusuals.
Check these finale dates in a list form.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Blog DVD Review: JAG - The 8th Season (March 17)
JAG - The Eighth Season (CBS, $55.98) is coming to DVD for the first time on March 17th -- St. Patrick's Day. St. Patrick's Day is pretty much entirely unrelated to the series, but as a fan of the holiday I thought it deserved mention. Anywho, this long running Donald Bellisario classic has nearly completed its run on DVD -- this season is the show's 8th, from the 2002-03 TV season; we're in the home stretch!
My attention from the series had well already drifted by this point in the run, but a couple of episodes piqued my interest. At some point in the season, word got out that a backdoor pilot was being tried, and depending on how it played out it may well develop into a series. As a fan of backdoor pilots I was naturally curious to see what would occur. What resulted was a two-part episode that led the way to one of my favorite series, and based on the ratings, one of yours too: NCIS. The two-part episode "Ice Queen" and "Meltdown" serves as an introduction to the NCIS team, albeit one somewhat different from what you see now. The Kate character had yet to be introduced, but the episode features the rest of the season one cast -- everyone from Mark Harmon (Lt. Leroy "Jethro" Gibbs) to David McCallum (the inimitable "Ducky") to Pauley Perrette (Abby). If you like NCIS, you need to own this set, period. The season also features appearances by Quantum Leap alum Dean Stockwell in a recurring role, Gavin MacLeod, and political commentator Bill O'Reilly.
Moving to the technical side, packaging is, still VERY thankfully, the traditional outer box and slim cases; they haven't gotten around to tinkering with this one yet. Many CBS DVD titles are moving to those horrible translucent plastic cases with the fragile disc holders. Luckily, the slimcases-in-box setup is the ideal arrangement for sets with, say, 5+ discs -- so hour-long dramas such as JAG stand the best chance of continuing to use this preferred packaging type. I know I have a tendency to repeat myself in regards to this packaging thing, but those fragile plastic cases annoy me about as much as DVD packaging can be considered annoying. Cover art is a continuation of the patriotic theme, with the background color this season being purple.
Menus, while nothing to write home about, are certainly functional and effective. As the episodes are from the HD era, video is sharp and well-defined, with few video issues. Audio is an adequate English stereo track. I was really hoping for a move towards surround audio, but you take what you can get and the stereo track is a workhorse. Runtimes are in the mid 40's, a proper time for shows from the era. The episode edits disclaimer appears, but you should be used to that by now. It's the nature of the beast. There are no special features on this set.
If you like JAG, OR NCIS, you need this DVD set as part of your collection, and I highly recommend it. For those of you unsure of the series, I know the Sleuth channel is giving it heavy airplay ever since they ripped Miami Vice and other series off the schedule, and for those without the channel you can catch it mornings on USA. Recommended.
-- Reviewed by Seth Thrasher
(4/5 stars)To purchase the DVD, click below and help support SitcomsOnline.com:
Amazon.com
Related links:
SitcomsOnline.com Full DVD Reviews Page
JAG TV.com Page
NCIS TV.com Page
Friday, March 13, 2009
NBC Announces Summer 2009 Schedule; Nick Upfront, Includes Details on Nick at Nite's Glenn Martin
In addition, NBC's season finales of Medium, Law & Order: SVU and Law & Order and the premiere of The Listener will provide additional primetime momentum at 10 p.m. for the inaugural week of The Tonight Show Starring Conan O'Brien beginning Monday, June 1 from 11:35 p.m.-12:35 a.m. ET/PT. NBC's eventful summer will also include the action-packed original miniseries Meteor and The Storm. In addition, Law & Order: Criminal Intent episodes from USA Network will join the NBC lineup for its 16 new episodes.
Check out the full NBC summer schedule that starts June 1 basically.
Nickelodeon had their upfront yesterday, and of course Nick at Nite was there. They announced talent for their upcoming original animated comedy. Also, two Nickelodeon channels are renaming (more on that below), but first...
A star-studded voice-over cast featuring Kevin Nealon (Weeds, Anger Management), Catherine O'Hara (For Your Consideration, Chicken Little) and Judy Greer (27 Dresses, Miss Guided) has been tapped for Nick at Nite's upcoming stop-motion animated comedy, Glenn Martin, DDS set to premiere this Summer. The first television production to come from Michael Eisner's Tornante Animation, Glenn Martin, DDS follows a beleaguered dentist and his family trading in the suburbs for life on the road. Crisscrossing the country, the Martins are beset by an array of colorful locals and crazy situations in locations ranging from Las Vegas to Amish Country. Many of the characters they encounter are voiced by enough instantly recognizable guest stars to fill a parking lot of RVs, including: Chrissie Hynde, Betty White, Gene Simmons, Wendie Malick and more.
Each of season one's 20 episodes follows the life of Glenn Martin (Kevin Nealon), who yearns for a change of scenery and a deeper connection with his family. Determined to bring the family closer together, Glenn takes the Martins on a road trip to protest the destruction of a beloved childhood park. As things unravel right from the get-go, the family is forced to make the dental-mobile - replete with a giant decorative toothbrush on the roof - their new home. Glenn, Jackie and Courtney (Jackie Clarke) - an 11-year-old future corporate maven who brings along her personal assistant, Wendy (Judy Greer), a 14-year-old North Korean exile - and son, Conor (Peter Oldring), the 13-year-old hormone-addled tween who's not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed--quickly learn when hitting the road that the road can sometimes hit back in unexpected ways. The Martins are accompanied on their journey by the family dog, Canine, who's pronounced buttocks only add to the hilarity.
In other Nickelodeon upfront news, The N will be renamed to TEENick Network later this year, likely the fall. That is not all... Noggin will also be renamed. Noggin will be renamed to Nick Jr. Nickelodeon had programming blocks on their network for TEENick and Nick Jr. and they will now be dropped. The name changing for both networks is because Nickelodeon wants to show their Nickelodeon brand on all their channels so instantly they know what to expect such as Nick at Nite, TEENick, Nick Jr., and NickToons TV.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
WGN America Spring Changes Includes Bullwinkle, WWE Superstars; ION Schedule Change
Then the week of April 13 is when the majority of the changes start! The weeknight 1am ET rotating hour will now have Funniest Pets & People on both Monday and Tuesday nights replacing AFV and Star Trek: TNG respectively. Reno 911's Thursday 1am airings migrate to Wednesday nights replacing ALF. ALF will still remain on Sundays on Outta Sight Retro Night, though. ALF has suffered a bit of a ratings let-down, but they are still keeping it on Sundays at least. The big change on WGN America will be the WWE Superstars series airing every Thursday on WGN America at 8pm ET and encoring at 11pm ET starting April 16. Thursdays in primetime will also see the series Around the World For Free at 9pm ET and 12am ET right after WWE Superstars. So what is Around the World for Free? Alex Boylan (winner of The Amazing Race, Season 2) attempts the impossible: he strips himself of all monetary funds, and with only a backpack and the help of an online community, sets off on a mission to circumnavigate the globe. So on Thursdays at 1am ET we will see Scrubs because its Thursday 11pm ET airings are preempted and at 4am ET Bob & Tom Show will air since its 12 am ET slot is preempted on Thursdays. This is bad news for Moesha fans because now the show will only air once a week at 5am ET on late Thursday nights (early Friday mornings). And for more bad news, Moesha will be gone after the end of June and will be replaced by more Funniest Pets & People. At least Moesha will still be on The N.
Moving to weekends, on Saturdays... Hollywood and Dine is going national. The local Cleveland produced food show on WJW, hosted by David "Mossman" Moss, will be syndicated on WGN America starting Saturday, April 18 at 12 noon ET and airing every Saturday at noon ET. Following Hollywood and Dine at 12:30pm ET will be Cultivating Life with Sean Conway. Both will replace an airing of Star Trek: TNG, so that series will only be in primetime on Tuesday nights by then. An episode of Boston Legal will follow at 1pm ET replacing a Bob & Tom Show airing, but that Bob & Tom airing will be moved to a Sunday slot of 11am ET. More on Sunday in a bit, but back to Saturday. The Saturday evening Boston Legal still remains in its slot. And the biggest news for us is that the classic '60s animated comedy The Bullwinkle Show is coming to WGN America on Saturday nights starting April 18! It will air Saturdays at 12 midnight ET (9pm PT) replacing an airing of The Honeymooners. Bullwinkle will follow two Scrubs episodes at 11 & 11:30pm ET. I'm still trying to find out what package of Bullwinkle this is, but I'm guessing it is the 98 episode package from The Program Exchange. It would be cool if it were all 130 episodes, though, including the Rocky episodes. And of course The Honeymooners will still air on the Outta Sight Retro Night on Sunday evenings, so the half-hour removal on Saturday nights is not a problem. So back to Sundays, we said Bob & Tom Show is in a Sunday slot of 11am ET, replacing Whacked Out Videos, which moves to Sunday nights at 3am ET replacing one of the Homicide: Life on the Street episodes, but that will still remain at 4am ET. The other Sunday change is at 12 noon ET with an encore of WWE Superstars replacing that Boston Legal airing, so both of its airings are on Saturdays starting April 18.
That's all for now, but Sean Compton of WGN America promises us that we will see more sitcom themed weeks this summer as we did last summer! Also, they will change up the Outta Sight Retro Night on Sundays in September a bit...so that will be cool to see what they add. So just because not much is added this spring, doesn't mean anything. WGN America is working on lots of classic TV stuff, and Bullwinkle is not a bad idea! Yes, ALF did well for them but it has weakened, but they are still airing it on Sundays at least. Stay tuned and keep it with us for all WGN America news!
Just a few days ago we gave you ION's April 2009 schedule saying that M*A*S*H would return to weekdays starting March 30. Well that is still happening...but two weeks earlier now! M*A*S*H will take over the 6pm hour on weekdays starting this Monday now (March 16). And in a twist, Family Feud will move to the 7pm hour from Mon-Thurs! Feud was supposed to be totally off the line-up by March 30, but ION is indeed keeping it! Feud will replace an airing of ER on Mondays and an airing of Boston Legal on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and a scheduled M*A*S*H hour or movie on Thursdays. So the only thing leaving is Steve Harvey Show...and two weeks earlier than planned. So tonight is the last night actually. This is tough news because BET removed it as well a few weeks back. Everything else we reported for April is intact, including the movies.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
FamilyNet Now Available On TVUNetworks; TV Land Adds CSI: NY Marathon for Tomorrow
TV Land keeps changing their primetime schedule with marathons of various shows. Tomorrow (Thursday, March 12), they will try CSI: NY from sister station Spike TV from 10pm-4am. Three episodes will air with encores following. TV Land has aired some episodes of the original CSI previously as well. The TV Land schedule from about 10pm-6am on weekdays is a big mess. Andy Griffith Show has basically taken over from 7-10pm on weekdays (except Cosby Show is Fridays 8-10pm, but 10pm-4am is strange. For example this week: Monday 10pm-12am is Andy Griffith and 12-2am and 3-5am is Cosby Show. Tuesday 10pm-12am and 1am-3am is Cosby Show. High School Reunion is 10pm-12am on Wednesdays, followed by 3rd Rock in the 12am hour, Jeffersons from 2-4am and M*A*S*H from 4-6am. This Thursday it is CSI: NY from 10pm-4am, as originally it was Beverly Hillbillies. And on Friday from 10pm-12am is of course the TV Land Movie.
Check out the minor adjustments for the week of March 9-15 for TV Land. I'm sure changes are coming to the minor adjustments for the rest of the month, so stay tuned.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
ION Television April 2009; Nick at Nite Changes Mind; SOAPnet Gets Gilmore Girls
RHI movies include movies from the Jane Doe, Mystery Woman, and McBride movie franchises, and movies such as Shapeshifter, In the Beginning and Bloodknot.
View the full ION Television April 2009 highlights with everything you need to know!
Nick at Nite has changed their mind! And it hasn't been even a week yet! The new schedule that was originally was supposed to be for a week (week of Feb. 23), was extended to March 2 and beyond...but now after just two weeks, the schedule prior to the Feb. 23 change returns! So, Home Improvement is back at 9pm and George Lopez's second airing is back at 10:30pm. This schedule returned last night and we only knew about it hours in advance, so we couldn't post it on the blog yesterday. So no more George Lopez at 9pm and a third Family Matters at 10:30pm. George is back to two episodes in the same hour, 10-11pm and Family Mattters is back to two episodes only from 11pm-12am, while Home Improvement gets it second airing back as it was only airing at 9:30pm, now it is 9-10pm again.
SOAPnet has also acquired all seven seasons of Gilmore Girls from Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. This acquisition is shared with sister network ABC Family, which has been airing the show for a few years now. Gilmore Girls will begin airing on Saturday, April 4, at 9PM and 10PM. The series will also air on Sundays from 6-8PM. Gilmore Girls revolves around single mother Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) and her daughter, and best friend in the world, "Rory" (Alexis Bledel). Set in a storybook Connecticut town populated with an eclectic mix of everyday folks and lovable lunatics, Gilmore Girls is a humorous multigenerational series about friendship, family and the ties that bind. The series was created by Amy Sherman-Palladino. There will be some changes to weekends as a result, The O.C. moves to 8am (Sat & Sun). One Tree Hill moves to 9 & 10am (Sat). Beverly Hills, 90210 moves to 11am-3pm (Sat) and 9am-1pm (Sun). And the General Hospital Marathon moves to 1-6pm (Sun). There will be no changes to weekdays.
Meanwhile, SOAPnet has also acquired more movies and is producing original series. The theatrical titles the network has acquired from Twentieth Television are How Stella Got Her Groove Back, The Truth About Cats and Dogs, Brokedown Palace, Object of My Affection and The Fabulous Baker Boys. The titles from Disney ABC Domestic Television include While You Were Sleeping, Tuck Everlasting, Bounce, Three Men and a Baby, Three Men and a Little Lady, Miami Rhapsody and Adventures in Babysitting. The movies will begin airing in March.
As for originals, Holidate is a reality special that takes two women who are looking for love but having no luck with the suitors in their individual cities and transports them into each other’s lives. The women will temporarily trade homes, spend time in each other's cities and date the men in each other's lives. They'll be able to communicate with each other throughout the journey. Holidate begins production in March and will premiere this Fall. In addition to Holidate, the other reality series in development from ABC Media Productions is Mother/Daughter Project (working title). In the series, celebrity mother-daughter pairs with huge relationship issues are brought together to work out their problems under the guidance of a renowned therapist. The format is from Outline Television and will be produced in association with ABC Media Productions.
The scripted series in development are Julia's Tango and Santa Monica. Julia's Tango is a one hour scripted series set in Buenos Aires. Despite her great job and devoted boyfriend, Julia feels stifled by a life of endless routine. On an impromptu trip to her hometown of Buenos Aires, she abandons it all to turn her family home into a bed & breakfast. With the help of her girlfriends, Julia embarks on an unpredictable detour she didn't know she needed. The format of the series is from Endemol. SOAPnet will produce the series in conjunction with Endemol. Santa Monica is a one-hour dramedy about four twenty-something best friends living together and embarking on adulthood. The series follows their journeys as they cope with obstacles in love lives, family lives and careers. Whether they're dealing with a broken heart or a career setback, they take comfort in the fact that they always have each other.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Hallmark Channel Reduces More Lucy; JustMyShow Interviews Dave Madden
So Golden Girls will now air weekdays 8-10am, 4-5pm, and 12am-2am; Saturdays 6-9am; and Sundays 8:30am-10am. And I Love Lucy is just weeknights at 2:30am. Discuss this new change on our message board.
Our friend Eric of JustMyShow.com has released another interview! He digs into the archives to bring you a never before heard 2007 interview with Reuben Kincaid himself, The Partridge Family's Dave Madden. Dave Madden is known to TV fans everywhere as manager Reuben Kincaid on the '70s ABC series The Partridge Family. His other credits include Laugh-In and Alice as well as extensive theatre and voiceover work. He is the author of the memoir Reuben on Wry.
In bonus material, he talks about where the famous Partridge Family bus is now, where Simone went, on being recognized on the street, and his bowling shoes! But before you listen to the bonus audio, listen to the actual interview at JustMyShow.com!
And finally, tonight on ABC premieres the new drama Castle following the two-hour season premiere of Dancing with the Stars. I already saw the pilot and loved it. Nathan Fillion of Desperate Housewives is the lead and really does a great job here...and is funny! You Moonlighting fans out there will like this, as the sexual tension between the two leads is great. I really think this show will hit big tonight, but before you watch it...read my thoughts of the pilot (and view the first 13 minutes of the pilot)! Tune in tonight a 10pm ET/PT on ABC!
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Week 24 (First Four Nights) Numbers; How the Sitcoms Did
Households: Fox: 9.7/14.9; CBS: 7.6/12.0; ABC: 5.8/9.1; NBC: 4.4/6.9; The CW: 1.5/2.3; MNT: 0.8/1.2.
Total Viewers: Fox: 16.93 million; CBS: 12.15 million; ABC: 8.78 million; NBC: 6.91 million; The CW: 2.19 million; MNT: 1.25 million.
Adults 18-49: Fox: 6.0/15.3; CBS: 3.2/8.2; ABC: 3.1/8.1; NBC: 2.6/6.8; The CW: 0.9/2.4; MNT: 0.4/1.1
Analysis: Week 24 has Fox in the lead in all categories through the first four days again as Idol aired three times this week. Through the first four day, as mentioned Fox is on top, with CBS in second everywhere, while ABC is third in everything but is very close to CBS in 18-49. And NBC is fourth everywhere else.
Last week, Fox nipped by CBS in week 23 in viewers, but CBS won in households. Fox took 18-49 by a wide margin, over second place ABC and CBS, who tied. ABC was third in HH/viewers, while NBC was back in fourth of course.
Monday it was all ABC as The Bachelor went out with a bang. ABC aired the two-hour season finale of The Bachelor at an impressive 15.48 million, just as I expected. After that, ABC aired a shocking The Bachelor: After the Final Rose special doing 17.47 million and a stunning 6.7 18-49 rating as America was shocked that Jason changed his mind after 6 weeks. Now Melissa is bouncing back reportedly by joining Dancing with the Stars as an injury replacement for Nancy O'Dell! Go Melissa! Tune in tomorrow! CBS was finally new and did decent. A new episode of The Big Bang Theory did a respectable 10.83 million against stiff competition, while a new How I Met Your Mother did even better with 11.09 million. #1 sitcom Two and a Half Men did 15.47 million, seems a bit below normal, but of course still solid. The season premiere of Rules of Engagement followed and did 11.82 million, which is solid, but could have been better given the lead-in. At 10pm a new CSI: Miami did a below normal 13.42 million. Fox didn't have big Monday gun House this week but they had a special two-hour 24 at 11.14 million, down from previous week which was just an hour. The 3.3 18-49 rating for the two-hours is a series low. NBC was next with its so-so line-up. A new Chuck did 6.66 million, up a bit from previous week. Heroes still struggled and did 7.15 million, also up a bit from previous week and just a 3.3 18-49 rating for this show is not good. Medium followed with 7.26 million, down from previous week as it seems The Bachelor special affected it. The CW was next with a repeat of Gossip Girl doing 1.11 million, up some from previous week's repeat and a repeat of One Tree Hill did just 970,000 viewers, down from previous week's repeat. CW has done a terrible job scheduling new and repeats for this night.
Tuesday Fox had a two-hour American Idol and of course it doubled up the nearest network. Fox had that two-hour Idol doing 24.31 million. Excellent, but down year-to-year. CBS started with a repeat of NCIS at 13.67 million, I say this all the time...how? A repeat of The Mentalist also did a solid 12.63 million. Without a Trace was also a repeat and did 10.47 million. NBC was next with a two-hour The Biggest Loser at 8.95 million, down from previous week when it was just an hour and did not face Idol. NBC followed with a repeat of Law & Order: SVU doing just 7.04 million...ouch. ABC was next and started with an all-new Homeland Security USA at 5.68 million, down some from previous week. ABC then aired two Scrubs repeats doing just 3.25 and 3.24 million. Don't know why this is repeating. Finally, ABC won the 10pm hour with The Bachelor: After the Final Rose, Part 2 doing a solid 10.9 million and a more impressive 4.1 18-49 rating, as looks like Jason and Molly are happy together despite everyone jeering over what he did to Melissa. The CW aired the season premiere of Reaper and did just 2.31 million, as the grim reaper is calling for it and an encore of 90210 only did 1.04 million.
Wednesday saw you know who dominate. Fox aired a one-hour American Idol doing 22.78 million, down from the previous week but that was two hours. New Fox drama Lie to Me followed and lost much of that and did 10.2 million. CBS started with repeats of sitcom Old Christine at just 5.21 million, down a bit from previous week and a repeat of Gary Unmarried did 5.11 million, down from previous week. A repeat episode of Criminal Minds followed and did 10.15 million. CSI: NY followed with a repeat doing 10.83 million, as it built from the lead-in. ABC was next with an enhanced encore of Lost at 8pm doing 4.58 million, down some from previous week, followed by an all-new Lost doing 10.65 million, up from previous week. A new Life on Mars did 5.34 million, up from previous week. This week Lost is a repeat, so it will be bad for ABC. NBC opened the night with the finale (series I'm sure) of Knight Rider, doing 5.68 million, a repeat of dud Life followed and did just 4.24 million, Donal Logue is wasted on this show. Law & Order followed at 10pm but was a repeat and did 5.65 million, down a bit from previous week's repeat. The CW was on the map finally with the two-hour season premiere of America's Next Top Model doing a nice 3.92 million.
Thursday saw Fox win. Fox aired American Idol on a special night and did a solid 21.5 million...up some from previous week. So Bones was preempted again, but an all-new Hell's Kitchen at 9pm did 9.71 million, down a bit week-to-week. CBS started with Survivor: Tocantis doing 11.85 million, down a bit from previous week as Idol affected it a bit, followed by a new CSI at 20.87 million, up from previous week as Taylor Swift guest-starred, and a new Eleventh Hour followed with 12.05 million, up some from previous week. ABC started with a new Ugly Betty doing 6.34 million, down some from previous week as Idol affected it, a repeat of Grey's Anatomy was next and did 5.7 million, down from previous week's repeat. A repeat of Private Practice followed and did 4.41 million at 10pm, down from previous week's repeat. Both dramas return this week! NBC started with a new My Name is Earl doing just 5.46 million, a new Kath & Kim followed with only 4.09 million, but up from previous week when it had that Kung Fu Panda special as its lead-in. A new The Office did 8.54 million, someone should tell NBC that Valentine's Day occurs in mid-February. A new showing of 30 Rock followed with an improved 7.25 million. A new ER was next and did 8.71 million, on par really week-to-week. Smallville was a repeat on The CW and did 2.21 million, up from previous week's repeat, followed by a repeat of Supernatural at 2.02 million, also up from previous week's repeat.
Now, as usual final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but CBS won Friday with new episodes of Ghost Whisperer, Flashpoint, NUMBERS as usual. ABC finished second for the night helped by the regular 20/20 and a special 20/20 on Siegfried & Roy. NBC was way back and Fox was off the map with the should-be-pulled Sarah Connor Chronicles and the new Dollhouse...both keep going lower and lower. 5th Grader will be back soon I bet.
Saturday numbers were low with CBS winning a slow night in viewers (but better than normal) but Fox won by a wider margin in 18-49.
Tonight will be a battle between CBS and ABC. CBS has a new 60 Minutes and The Amazing Race, followed by Cold Case and The Unit. ABC will have new showings of AFV, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and Desperate Housewives returns, and after the great two-hour movie last week Brothers & Sisters continues. ABC should win the night easily in 18-49 and maybe even viewers. NBC has a two-hour SNL special followed by a two hour Celebrity Apprentice which will likely suffer week-to-week. Fox has an all-new lineup finally of its animated comedies...yes even Family Guy.
As for the week, Fox or CBS could win the week. Fox for sure in 18-49, though. ABC will be third in HH/viewers, but 2nd likely in 18-49 and NBC fourth everywhere. As for the coming week...it's back, Dancing with the Stars returns tomorrow! NBC premieres Chopping Block on Wednesday, while swaps timeslots for Lie to Me and American Idol. And NBC premieres new drama Kings next Sunday, with a two-hour premiere...I don't think this show will hit big at all.
Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week of Feb. 23-March 1, Week 23)
- The Simpsons (Fox) - NASCAR delayed the start of an all-new episode in the east at least by 41 minutes, but the show did 6.53 million. Not too good though.
- King of the Hill (Fox) - A new episode did 5.74 million...could be better.
- Family Guy (Fox) - preempted.
- American Dad (Fox) - 5.66 million...held the lead-in better than usual....but it was King of the Hill instead of the normal Family Guy.
Week 24:
Monday Sitcoms
- The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - 10.83 million for a new episode. Great even with tough competition. I personally think it will go down some tomorrow with Dancing coming.
- How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - 11.09 million for a new showing and building from the lead-in...great.
- Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 15.47 million for a new episode is great but it might be a big below normal from recent new showings.
- Rules of Engagement (CBS) - 11.82 million for the season premiere, solid, but not as good as it could be.
Tuesday Sitcoms
- Scrubs (ABC) 2 episodes - Two repeats did just 3.25 and 3.24 million. Please don't repeat this this week.
- Old Christine (CBS) - 5.21 million for a repeat could be better, and down from previous week.
- Gary Unmarried (CBS) - 5.11 million for a repeat ... same as above.
Thursday Sitcoms
- My Name is Earl (NBC) - Ouch only 5.46 million for a new episode. I don't think NBC will return this show next year. Sorry.
- Kath & Kim (NBC) - 4.09 million for a new episode. And this one has no chance at all of coming back.
- The Office (NBC) - 8.54 million for a new episode about Valentine's Day...only a month late.
- 30 Rock (NBC) - 7.25 million for a new episode, up from recent airings.
Friday Sitcoms
- Everybody Hates Chris (The CW) - preempted
- The Game (The CW) - preempted.
Saturday Sitcoms
- None.
Airing tonight (Sunday) are all-new Fox animated comedies from 8-10pm!
Summing it up. Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, The Office were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as Rules of Engagement, 30 Rock) or just plain old terrible (such as Kath & Kim, repeats of Scrubs).
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Blog DVD Review: South Park - The Complete Twelfth Season (3/10)
South Park - The Complete Twelfth Season (Comedy Central DVD, $49.99) takes you back to that quaint little town in Colorado for more adventures of our favorite group of fourth graders, their parents, and the faculty and staff at South Park Elementary School. The series, always determined to go one step further in each and every season, doesn't stop in this season by any means. Season twelve is perhaps one of the raunchiest and button-pushing seasons yet of the series, and this DVD set presents all fourteen episodes of the twelfth season in a three disc set.
The season begins with a very special episode--I guess--called "Tonsil Trouble," where poor little Cartman accidentally contracts AIDS. But not everybody feels sorry for Cartman, in fact, Kyle finds this to be hilarious, until Cartman intentionally gives him AIDS for making fun of him. How will this saga end? Britney Spears is in South Park and is going for the new headless look in "Britney's New Look." Can you get high off of cat pee? Find out in the episode "Major Boobage." Mrs. Garrison is ready for a sex-change operation (here we go again...) while Cartman is teaching a group of underachievers the "white man's method" (how to effectively cheat) in "Eek! A Penis!" The Internet has disappeared in South Park in "Over Logging," so how will the townsfolk survive? The kids go on a field trip to 1864 (and it is a disaster) in "Super Fun Time." Butters and Cartman are determined to save the USA from China, one P.F. Changs restaurant at a time, in "The China Problem." Flute bands are taking over South Park and the boys of South Park Elementary want in on it in "Pandemic," but it all backfires very quickly. We find out the truth about Barack Obama and John McCain in "About Last Night...," that they are working together as international jewel thieves! What is the difference between a vampire and a Goth? Find out in "The Ungroundable," where poor Butters goes to the dark side after drinking some blood.
The DVD set comes in the same type of packaging that we've seen for all of the South Park sets so far--a five panel digipak, with the discs in the three center panels and the listing of all of the episodes on the two outer panels. The cover art features Kenny driving the car from the episode "Major Boobage," with all of the other boys (except for poor Butters, who honestly has become a major part of the cast lately) in the other seats of the car.
Now, for the menus--I'm going to have to spare some details on the menus, because not all of them are appropriate to describe on our website! You'll see what I mean if you get the set... we are talking sexually graphic on the menu for Disc 2! But basically, the menus give you an Episode Selection option, as well as an individual listing for any special features and a Play All option. Once you select an episode, it plays right away, with chapters placed throughout each episode.
There isn't a problem at all with the video and audio quality, as each and every episode on the set looks and sounds fine. Each episode is presented in Dolby Digital Stereo Sound and is closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired. As mention, the episodes are unedited and uncensored, which means that you'll bee seeing and hearing a little bit more than what you saw and heard on the Comedy Central airings of the episodes. Expect a lot of f-words, for sure, and many other words that were bleeped out on the broadcast versions. Each episode consistently runs around 22:05 per episode.
The set features bonus features unlike most of the previous sets. Fans have gotten used to basically bare-bones sets for this series (aside from the mini-commentaries), but this set goes a little bit further. Of course, to start off, yes, there are still mini-commentaries for each episode. It seems that the creators aren't interested in doing full episode commentaries, which I guess is fair enough, as that is probably very time consuming and they may not have enough to say to fill an entire episode. But we have other special features this time as well, including "Six Days to South Park," where we get to see the process of making the series--in six days. Yep, that is all it takes to make an episode of South Park, six days! This is one of the first true behind-the-scenes things I have ever seen related to the series, and it is interesting to watch. It runs at 1 hour, 22 minutes (yes, I am serious!) and goes through the entire process of making the episode "Super Fun Time." Next, we have a "Behind the Scenes" featurette for the episode "About Last Night..." that runs at 22 minutes, but don't be fooled too much by this featurette. It is really more of a full commentary for the episode with a few drawings thrown in here and there. Finally, the episode "Major Boobage" has its own 13 minute behind-the-scenes featurette. So, as you can see, if you like behind-the-scenes footage, this set has plenty of that!
As an important note, this is the first set of South Park that is available not only on DVD, but also on Blu-ray High Definition. So for those using Blu-ray, you may want to consider purchasing that version of this set. We did not receive that version for the purposes of this review, as we prefer to focus on the standard DVD version (which is what most consumers will probably purchase), but the Blu-ray version is certainly available.
All in all, this is another great South Park set, and in my opinion, perhaps the best one yet. These episodes are among the best ones I have seen in the series, and the set is one of the best that I've seen when it comes to special features. There is absolutely no excuse in the world for any fan to skip this set. So head on up to South Park and meet these friends of mine today!
-- Reviewed by skees53
(4.5/5 stars)To purchase this DVD, click below and help support SitcomsOnline.com:
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Related links:
SitcomsOnline.com Full DVD Reviews Page
South Park TV.com Page
Friday, March 06, 2009
Good Ratings for Wednesday's High School Reunion for TV Land; Network Notes Includes Seinfeld Reunion on Curb?
Wednesday's installment -- the third episode of the new season of High School Reunion -- posted a 0.6 rating and 592,000 viewers among A25-54, up 30% in rating and 32% in viewers over previous week in the 25-54 demo. Among the network's core A40-54 audience, the episode posted a 0.8 rating and 452,000 viewers, up a whopping 82% in rating and 81% in viewers over previous week in the core 40-54 demo. It also scored double digit gains among total viewers with nearly 1 million (954,000 total viewers), up 38% over previous week, with a median age of 48.
The telecast posted huge gains with Men 25-54 and Women 25-54 over previous week. Among M25-54, it scored a 0.5 rating and 271,000 viewers, up 49% in rating and 48% in viewers over previous week's episode in M25-54. Among W25-54, it posted a 0.6 rating and 321,000 viewers, up 20% in rating and viewers versus last week in W25-54. Adding those two up, you get the 592,000 viewers among Adults 25-54.
It's time for a round of network notes! Multi-platinum singer/songwriter Jewel and Access Hollywood host Nancy O'Dell have withdrawn from Season Eight of ABC's Dancing with the Stars citing injuries. Jewel was diagnosed with a fractured tibia in both legs, O'Dell a torn meniscus. The injuries were sustained while training for the competition.
Jewel and O'Dell will appear on the season premiere of Dancing with the Stars, this Monday (March 9) at 8:00 p.m., ET/PT to address their injuries. The women were paired with professional dancers Tony Dovolani and Dmitry Chaplin, respectively. Additional changes to the cast will also be announced during Monday's premiere...so watch it LIIIIVE (as Tom Bergeron would say)!
ABC is ending Life on Mars after it finishes its 17 episode run on April 1. No fooling. The show hasn't done too well in the ratings since the move to Wednesdays following Lost. The show did a bit better in the fall on Thursdays after Grey's Anatomy, but maybe the hiatus between the two was the downfall for the show, as it was off the air for two months. It is too bad, because the show is wonderful and has top-notch actors.
The show is based on a British series of the same name. What's more, the U.S. version will end up more closely resembling its British predecessor, which lasted for 16 episodes and also was a close-ended series. While the British series spawned a sequel of sorts, called Ashes to Ashes, no such plans are in the works Stateside.
Ensuring a definitive ending for Life on Mars might also make it easier to promote the show's 17-episode run as a DVD release or, possibly on a cable network should the series land an off-net run in reruns. ABC also had an actual ending on the series Day Break a few years ago and since then it has been released on DVD and also airs weekly in reruns on TV One. So Life on Mars will go out properly, as producers will be able to write and shoot a definitive ending to the saga. Groovy!
Finally, the four main stars of the hit '90s NBC comedy Seinfeld will appear together, playing themselves, in a multi-episode arc on HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm alongside creator Larry David, who created both series. Yes, Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander and Michael Richards all reunite! The episodes are part of Curb's upcoming seventh season. 10 episodes have been ordered for the seventh season but there is no premiere date yet or how many episodes they will appear in.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
According to Jim Returns March 24 With Final 12 Episodes; Fox Schedules Glee, Osbourne Special
With the return of According to Jim, ABC will have comedy hours three nights a week in the 8-9pm hour from Tuesdays through Thursdays. Scrubs returns with new episodes and Better Off Ted launches Wednesdays starting March 18 in the 8pm hour, then Jim returns Tuesdays starting March 24, and Thursdays will see the launch of In the Motherhood and the return of Samantha Who? starting March 26.
According to Jim and Scrubs are both ending their runs after eight seasons a piece this season and ABC is trying to create a comedy block for next year, so the end of these two will provide a start. Both series will have their series finale on back-to-back nights (May 5 and May 6). Dancing with the Stars will probably give the comedies a good push for promotion, as the new Bob Saget sitcom Surviving Suburbia will premiere a few weeks later on Monday, April 6 at 9:30pm, giving ABC another comedy. ABC hasn't had this many sitcoms since like 2002 and 2003, when their promotion were called "ABC Happy Hour" and "Comedy Rules." For the sake of sitcoms, let's hope this works and I could certainly see a four-comedy night return to ABC next fall...with hopefully all traditional multi-camera sitcoms. Surviving Suburbia is a good start!
As for you Jim fans, here are the episode titles the first two weeks: March 24 - "The Ego Boost" and "The Yoga Bear." March 31 - "Kyle's Crush" and "The Meaningful Gift." Then jumping a month later on May 5, the series finale "Heaven Opposed to Hell" will have many guest stars! Kimberly Williams-Paisley returns and Dan Aykroyd, Erik Estrada, Lee Majors, and Mitch Rouse are among the guests who also return.
In a broadcast first, Glee, the new one-hour musical comedy series from Ryan Murphy, will get a special preview following American Idol's performance finale on Tuesday, May 19 from 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT on Fox. The show will then premiere in the fall (date to be announced). So the series will get a special preview before returning about four months later. Will this work? It won't have an Idol lead-in in the fall, that's for sure. We shall see.
Glee is an uplifting series with biting humor that features a soundtrack of hit music from past to present, so it should blend well with American Idol.
But before Glee, Fox will hop aboard the "Crazy Train" when Ozzy, Sharon, Jack and Kelly Osbourne turn another television convention upside down and inside out with their new series Osbournes: Reloaded premiering after American Idol on Tuesday, March 31 from 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT.
The variety series features audience interaction, rowdy comedy and hilarious stunts that will shock and amuse. Outrageous sensibility and brash humor are at the core of the series filmed on location and in front of a studio audience that never knows what to expect from the First Family of Rock. Following the premiere, Osbournes: Reloaded will return to the Fox schedule as a series of one-hour specials to air later in the season, as six episodes were ordered in all. So this means Fringe won't return until April 7. The creepy drama series has 7 episodes left from its 21 episode order and hasn't aired since Feb. 10. So with the Glee premiere and the preemption on March 31 for the Osbournes, the Fringe finale will likely air out of sweeps with no American Idol lead-in on May 26. And if Osbournes does very well, Fringe could be preempted more likely. So Fringe has to watch its back, as the show really hasn't done that well in the ratings.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Nick at Nite March 2009: Lopezadrine; BET Changes Its Mind, 'Fresh', 'Matters' Marathons Are Back
In other Nick at Nite news, last week the schedule was changed for that week only, with George Lopez at 9 and another Family Matters at 10:30pm from Mon-Thurs. Now that schedule will be in effect until further notice, as you all probably noticed this week.
So we have George at 9, Home Improvement at 9:30, another George at 10, triple shot of Family Matters from 10:30pm-12am, followed by double shots of Home Improvement and George Lopez in the 12 and 1am hours. The Mon-Thurs nights conclude with a Fresh Prince block from 2-5am and an hour of Roseanne mornings at 5am. No changes will be made to the Fri-Sun blocks.
View and discuss more about Nick at Nite March.
On Friday, we mentioned BET removed the March Saturday marathons...guess what? Now they're back! Some things have changed from the original plan, but they are back. Originally this coming weekend was supposed to be Family Matters, but we will now get a mix of One on One (from 12pm-4pm) and The Game (4pm-6pm). Earlier the Proud Family Movie airs from 9-11a followed by two episodes of the series. So get ready to spring forward that night, as the clocks go ahead an hour. BET will air The Game encores before and after that from 2-3am EST and 4-5am EDT. So that will technically air back-to-back in a two-hour block.
The following Saturday (March 14) we have One on One again from 12pm-4pm followed by a 12-hour marathon of sister station Nick at Nite's The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air from 4pm-4am!
The week after (Saturday, March 21) will be another series from sister station Nick at Nite, this time Family Matters. The marathon will also continue to the next day on Sunday, March 22. On Saturday Steve Urkel and company will air from 10am-11pm. That's thirteen "lucky" hours of Urkel. And if that's not all the following day (Sunday, March 22), the show will air from 1pm-6pm, for an additional five-hour block.
Finally, March madness ends with a marathon of Season 2 episodes of The Game on Saturday, March 28 from 2pm-2am...so a nice 12-hour marathon.
As always with BET, this is all subject to change...and we're the only ones on top of this, so stay with us! Check out episode info for the marathons, as we post it (we will only provide the full-fledged marathons such as Fresh Prince, Family Matters and The Game on March 28).
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Neil Patrick Harris to Host 7th TV Land Awards; M*A*S*H All-Star Weekend on TV Land; Big Bang and Men Renewed for Multiple Seasons?
This year, the ninety-minute show will honor legendary artists from the entertainment industry, feature exhilarating musical performances, reunite some of the most iconic celebrity TV casts and of course, the fan favorite -- the perennial TV Land Awards parody that always highlights the year's most-talked-about events. TV Land has not yet announced any honorees, but as soon they do...we will tell you.
Read more about this and more about Neil Patrick Harris.
We continue you our TV Land news with a reminder for this weekend. Long before "Johnny" took "Baby" out of the corner in Dirty Dancing and "Opie" and "Richie Cunningham" added director extraordinaire to his résumé, Patrick Swayze and Ron Howard both paid guest visits to M*A*S*H's 4077th. On Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8 from 8pm-4am ET/PT, catch both of these stars - along with a medley of your other favorite film and television icons - on TV Land when the network becomes a virtual celebrity central during the "M*A*S*H Weekend Marathon." This twenty-four episode showcase features guest appearances by John Ritter, Laurence Fishburne, Teri Garr, Blythe Danner, Leslie Nielsen and more. Throughout the marathon, there will be no shortage of antics, pranks and escapades that still captivate viewers, making M*A*S*H one of the most successful shows ever seen on television.
Check out the schedule of episodes for this weekend!
Finally rumor has it that CBS has ordered three more seasons of TV's top sitcom Two and a Half Men and two more seasons of the red-hot sitcom The Big Bang Theory! CBS has not made it official yet, but as soon as they do, we'll let you know the specifics. Both shows are owned by Warner Bros. and produced by Chuck Loree. Remember this is just a rumor right now, and this same source was quoted in saying that Evangeline Lilly of Lost was auditioning for pilots, meaning she would be leaving the show...which was NOT true. She confirmed that last night on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Monday, March 02, 2009
TV One April 2009 Includes That's My Mama Marathon; Lifetime Renews Rita Rocks for 2nd Seasons
On Sunday, April 19 at 5pm, the gang is back together again as TV One encores their original special Living Single: The Reunion Show which reunites the cast of the popular sitcom Living Single including Kim Fields, Kim Coles, Erika Alexander, John Henton, and T.C. Carson as they take a stroll down memory lane with bloopers, set stories, and little known backstage gossip and antics that will have viewers wanting more. So if you missed it or need to record it, April 19 at 5pm is your chance!
Finally, on Friday, April 24 beginning at 10pm, TV One presents the "Viewers Choice Good Times Mega-thon," a 24-hour event that airs the funniest and most talked about episodes from the long running classic sitcom and lets viewers decide (by voting on the TV One website) on their favorite episodes which will air at the end of the mega-thon from 8pm to 10pm on Saturday April 25.
There are no changes really to the schedule, but some minor stuff. The short-lived comedy Good News has been removed from weekdays at 8:30am and Sunday mornings and replaced by Comics Unleashed. That change happened early last month though. TV One has scheduled original series Black Men Revealed at 11am on weekdays, so the daily marathons are now 12-3pm instead of 11am-3pm. More TV One originals air at 3pm. The Divorce Court encores weekdays from 5-6am have been replaced by the original series Get the Hookup. Court will still air weekdays 4-5pm, though. That's about it...no other real changes.
We don't see That's My Mama airing on the regular schedule, so for now it is just a one-time marathon...but wouldn't it be nice if it appears in May in time for Mother's Day? Mama would be proud...but spend this Easter with Mama! Mama Curtis, that is!
Rita Rocks, Lifetime Television's first original primetime comedy in 10 years, has been picked up for a second season. The 20-episode order was announced today. The family comedy starring Nicole Sullivan premiered on October 20, 2008, and, in a unique programming strategy, stripped original episodes for a full week before moving into its regular timeslot (Tuesdays, 8:30 p.m. ET/PT before moving to Mondays at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT). Developed as a companion to Lifetime's most popular comedy, Reba, Rita Rocks met with early success and frequently built on or retained the Reba audience. Since its debut, the first season has cumed more than 36.4 million viewers total.
The first season had its season finale last Monday. Reruns from the beginning start tonight at 8:00PM every Monday, so get hooked again or watch for the first time! No start date has been given for the second season premiere, but as soon as we know...we'll let you know because we 'rock'.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Week 23 (First Four Nights) Numbers; How the Sitcoms Did
Households: Fox: 9.1/14.2; CBS: 7.4/11.9; ABC: 4.8/7.7; NBC: 4.3/6.9; The CW: 0.9/1.4; MNT: 0.6/1.0.
Total Viewers: Fox: 15.9 million; CBS: 11.81 million; ABC: 7.38 million; NBC: 6.84 million; The CW: 1.32 million; MNT: 960,000 viewers.
Adults 18-49: Fox: 5.8/15.1; CBS: 3.0/8.1; ABC: 2.6/6.9; NBC: 2.6/6.8; The CW: 0.5/1.4; MNT: 0.3/0.8
Analysis: Week 23 has Fox in the lead in all categories through the first four days again. Through the first four day, as mentioned Fox is on top, with CBS in second in HH, while ABC is third in everything but tied for third with NBC in 18-49. And NBC is fourth everywhere else.
Last week, Fox nipped by ABC in week 22 in all categories. CBS was third in everything, and of course NBC back in fourth.
Monday Fox and ABC battled as CBS was in repeats again. Fox started with House and did a solid 14.86 million, up some from previous week leading into an all-new 24 at 11.68 million, also up some from previous week. ABC was next with a two-hour special The Bachelor: The Women Tell All did an excellent 10.93 million, down from previous week's regular episode but expect the finale to be very big tomorrow. I'm guessing 15 million+. The final episode of True Beauty followed and did a decent 7.43 million, up from previous week. CBS had repeats again. A repeat of The Big Bang Theory did a decent 8.32 million...down a bit from previous week's rerun, while a rerun of How I Met Your Mother did 7.56 million, as this repeat was up a bit from previous week. #1 sitcom Two and a Half Men was also a repeat and did 12.07 million, down over a million from previous week's repeat. A special repeat of Old Christine followed and did 9.23 million, which was up from the finale of Worst Week the previous week...ouch. At 10pm an encore episode of CSI: Miami did 10.06 million, down a bit from previous week. NBC was next with its so-so line-up. A new Chuck did 6.59 million, down from previous week and a 2.3 18-49 rating could be a series low. Heroes still struggled and did 7.07 million, down from previous week and just barely got 7 million and was beat by 24 in 18-49 even. Medium followed with 8.43 million, down a bit from previous week. The CW was next with a repeat of Gossip Girl doing 1.0 million, down some from previous week's repeat and a repeat of One Tree Hill did 1.24 million, up a tad from previous week's repeat.
Tuesday Fox moved American Idol to Wednesday because President Obama was addressing Congress tonight. So CBS won. CBS started with NCIS at 18.27 million...up a bit from previous week. New drama The Mentalist was preempted as President Obama addressed to Congress. Without a Trace was also preempted, as CBS aired an analysis of the address to 8.29 million, followed by a Two and a Half Men repeat from 10:41pm-11:12pm at 6.85 millon. NBC was next with an abbreviated one-hour The Biggest Loser at 9.86 million, the second hour was moved to the following night at 8pm, as Obama addresses Congress at 9pm. NBC followed with a repeat of The Office at 10:41pm doing just 4.16 million, as Law & Order: SVU was preempted. ABC was next and started with an all-new Homeland Security USA at 6.14 million, up well over a million with no Idol on the night. ABC then aired the Obama address to Congress, asScrubs was preempted. ABC's analysis of the address did a solid 8.33 million. ABC ended with an abbreviated Primetime: What Would You Do at 10:41pm and did an OK 5.54 million. Fox had no Idol, as a Bones repeat only did 4.93 million, followed by Obama's address to Congress coverage. The CW aired a repeat of 90210 and did 1.29 million, up a bit from previous week and the season (or series) finale of Privileged only did 1.53 million.
Wednesday saw you know who dominate, as the regular Tuesday edition was moved to this night for this week. Fox aired a two-hour American Idol doing 24.54 million, on par really from the previous week but that was one hour. New Fox drama Lie to Me had to be preempted. CBS started with repeats of sitcom Old Christine at just 5.6 million and a repeat of Gary Unmarried at a slightly better 5.71 million. A new episode of Criminal Minds followed and did 13.93 million, down some from previous week. CSI: NY followed with a new showing also doing 12.56 million, up a bit from previous week. ABC was next with an enhanced encore of Lost at 8pm doing 5.0 million, down some from previous week, but I bet this week fans who missed it the previous week because of the second hour of Idol will watch, followed by an all-new Lost doing 10.05 million, down a million or so from previous week as Idol affected it. A new Life on Mars did 4.88 million, down from previous week. NBC opened the night with a special Biggest Loser, instead of the loser Knight Rider, doing 8.61 million, a new episode of the dud Life followed and did just 4.89 million, down some from previous week. Law & Order followed at 10pm but was a repeat and did 5.77 million. The CW aired another repeat of Privileged at 8pm at just 880,000 viewers and a repeat of 90210 followed with only 570,000 viewers.
Thursday saw Fox edge CBS win in HH/viewers but won big in 18-49. Fox aired a special results show of American Idol on a special night, as the schedule for this week was altered due to Obama, and did a solid 20.89 million...but not normal for this show. Bones was preempted, but an all-new Hell's Kitchen at 9pm did an above normal 9.85 million, obviously up week-to-week. CBS started with Survivor: Tocantis doing 12.05 million, down from previous week as Idol affected it a bit, followed by a new CSI at 17.72 million, up some from previous week, and a new Eleventh Hour followed with 11.7 million, also up some from previous week. ABC started with a new Ugly Betty doing 6.74 million, down from previous week as Idol affected it, a repeat of Grey's Anatomy was next and did 6.8 million, seems above normal for a repeat. A repeat of Private Practice followed and did 4.63 million at 10pm. NBC was in the gutter in fourth...an animated special Secrets of the Furious Five preempted My Name is Earl and did just 4.03 million, a new Kath & Kim followed with only 3.39 million, ouch. A repeat of The Office did just 5.29 million, yet it built on the lead-in and that was NEW. A new showing of 30 Rock followed with just 6.36 million..not bad, but is this lead-in dependent? A new ER was next and did 8.72 million, up over a million week-to-week. Smallville was a repeat on The CW and did 2.09 million, followed by a repeat of Supernatural at 1.94 million.
Now, as usual final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but CBS won Friday with new episodes of Ghost Whisperer, Flashpoint, NUMBERS as usual. ABC finished second for the night helped by 20/20 and Supernanny. NBC was way back and Fox was off the map with the should-be-pulled Sarah Connor Chronicles and the new Dollhouse.
Saturday numbers were low with CBS winning a slow night in viewers but Fox won by a wider margin in 18-49.
Tonight will be a battle between CBS and ABC. CBS has a new 60 Minutes and The Amazing Race, followed by a special Jesse Stone movie which draws in viewers but not in 18-49. ABC will have new showings of AFV and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition but big gun Desperate Housewives is preempted for a special two-hour movie event of Brothers & Sisters, which looks excellent. NBC has a two-hour Dateline and followed by a two hour premiere of Celebrity Apprentice which could do decent or bomb big. Fox has the conclusion of a NASCAR race followed by animated comedies which are all new but Family Guy (what else is new?).
As for the week, Fox or CBS could win the week. Fox for sure in 18-49, though. ABC will be third and NBC fourth. As for the coming week...the weird March sweeps starts Thursday, but networks are backing off than normal with a mix of repeats this sweep. But before sweeps, The Bachelor has its finale tomorrow that will do huge.
Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week of Feb. 16-22, Week 22)
- The Simpsons (Fox) - preempted for NASCAR.
- King of the Hill (Fox) - preempted for NASCAR.
- Family Guy (Fox) - preempted for NASCAR.
- American Dad (Fox) - preempted for NASCAR.
Week 23:
Monday Sitcoms
- The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - 8.32 million for a repeat, down from previous week a bit...but still very good.
- How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - 7.566 million for a repeat...up from previous week but could be better.
- Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 12.07 million for a repeat for our sitcom leader. Though, down over a million.
- Old Christine (CBS) - 9.23 million for a repeat...not bad.
Tuesday Sitcoms
- Two and a Half Men (CBS) - Special encore from 10:41-11:12pm ET did 6.85 million following Obama coverage.
- The Office (NBC) - A repeat at 10:41pm after Obama did just 4.16 million.
- Old Christine (CBS) - 5.6 million for a repeat could be better.
- Gary Unmarried (CBS) - 5.71 million for a repeat and built from the lead-in.
Thursday Sitcoms
- My Name is Earl (NBC) - preempted for a Kung Fu Panda special that did only 4.03 million.
- Kath & Kim (NBC) - 3.39 million for a new episode. NOT good!
- The Office (NBC) - 5.29 million for a repeat. Though tt built from the lead-in and that was NEW once again.
- 30 Rock (NBC) - 6.36 million for a new episode...not as good as usual.
Friday Sitcoms
- Everybody Hates Chris (The CW) 2 episodes - 1.55 and 1.07 prelim million for two repeats at 8 and 9pm.
- The Game (The CW) 2 episodes - 1.25 and 1.33 prelim million for two repeats at 8:30 & 9:30pm.
Saturday Sitcoms
- None.
Airing tonight (Sunday) are Fox animated comedies from 8-10pm!
Summing it up. Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as repeats of The Office, Gary Unmarried) or just plain old terrible (such as Kath & Kim, Tues repeat of The Office).
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Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Tuesday, November 3
Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "Not Afraid" (BET, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Determined to face his fears alone, Philip returns to school; his family's covert intervention nearly lands them in jail, forcing everyone to confront trust, boundaries and unconditional love.
Lot Patrol - "" (BET, 9:30PM ET/PT)
A squad of security guards patrol a Hollywood studio, wrangling unhinged actors, rogue crew members, and their own dysfunctional lives.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 2)
Tuesday, November 3
- Ronny Chieng (Young Rock/Ronny Chieng: International Student) - Ronny hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
- Jane Leeves (Hot in Cleveland/Frasier/Throb) - Andy Cohen interviews Jane on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 3:30am on Bravo.
- Henry Winkler (Barry/Arrested Development/Out of Practice/Monty/Happy Days) - Henry talks about Hexed and Detective Duck: The Mystery of the Flash Flood on ABC's GMA3 at 1pm.
- Emma Roberts (Scream Queens/Unfabulous) - Emma drops by for a chat about FX's American Horror Story on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
- Justine Lupe (Nobody Wants This/Cristela) - Justine talks about Nobody Wants This on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
- David Zayas (The Bear) and Dominic Fumusa (Nurse Jackie) - David and Dominic will be on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
- Awkwafina (Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens) - Awkwafina talks about The Unlikely Chef on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and in the 9am hour.
- Wilmer Valderrama (That '70s Show) - Wilmer talks about NCIS on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
- Timothy Simons (Nobody Wants This/HouseBroken/Veep) - Timothy can be heard on the Morning Mashup on SiriusXM.
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)
10/20/26 - The Quick Draw McGraw Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
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