Comments on: Monday: Chuck beats Sarah Connor, Heroes down a little more

By: Mary

Mary — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:00:08 +0000

I don’t understand why The CW keeps worshipping dramas such as Gossip Girl and One Tree Hill when they have terrible ratings. They are being beat out by the spanish channel! If that’s the case, they should have given Veronica Mars the same treatment. At least that show had a plot and people who could act.

By: Joe Cool

Joe Cool — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:34:03 +0000

HEROES has pretty much screwed the pooch after Krings comments. With a show like HEROES, once the magics gone, its gone. Alot of people will just tune in for the series finale to find out how it all ends. I did that with JERICHO after Season 2 became a joke when it seems like they hired Michael Moore and Olly Stone to ghost write it. HEROES aint that bad – yet.

By: Bill Gorman

Bill Gorman — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:17:24 +0000

FrankJ, Heroes may continue to fall because of the reasons that started the fall (including some of the hubris evidenced by those comments), but I doubt that reading Kring’s idiot comments themselves will do much. Very few Heroes watchers on a relative basis will actually learn of them. Sure, we do, and so does everyone else who goes to fan sites, but that’s still a small % of the overall viewers.

By: FrankJ

FrankJ — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:13:06 +0000

I have to wonder, now that Kring has decided to open his mouth about the show’s fans, if Heroes won’t drop below Chuck’s ratings before long. It’ll be sad to see if it does, I hate it when any sci-fi themed show goes down, but with all of that promotion for Heroes last week and next to none for Chuck, both of them are separated by 800,000 viewers now. And Chuck is probably going to gain next week considering how the last episode ended (I still think it would have been even wilder if they had just shown Sarah holding the watch at the end, and not cut to Jill and Chuck in the car).

By: Nick C

Nick C — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:34:46 +0000

Rachel, the good news is that Nielsen fully understands the situation and realizes they are weak in sampling certain “buying audiences,” and does everything they can to improve their sampling. At least they aren’t an old dinosaur refusing to adjust their habits.

By: Rachel P

Rachel P — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:30:50 +0000

Oh, right. Well, that makes sense then… I do wish they’d track it my way as well, because I’d still like to know how many total viewers these shows are really getting.

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:25:06 +0000

Rachel, the problem with that is it can’t tell if it’s you or your dad watching. There’s a big difference to the advertisers.

The market that matters (advertising)has spoken. it doesn’t say that Nielsen is perfect, but it does say it’s preferential to everything else. All other discussions are fairly moot until the market moves in a different direction.

By: Rachel P

Rachel P — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:20:11 +0000

Yeah, screw the Nielsen Numbers!

I have a question though… since cable is all digital now (or at least will be next Feb) wouldn’t they somehow be able to use that to track what every TV is watching? Or maybe I’m totally missing something here…

By: Nick C

Nick C — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:06:14 +0000

Robert, I know of one study that basically compared the viewing statistics of cable boxes in NYC to Nielsen data in NYC. There was a large enough difference to question Nielsen’s sampling process.

Of course those boxes don’t tell you who is watching, what sex, how old, etc. All it could go against was overall viewing.

I’ve always questioned how Nielsen goes about their sampling. Questions certainly get raised when DVD box sets sell better than Nielsen data would leave you to believe (specifically FAMILY GUY, SMALLVILLE & FIREFLY, and FAMILY GUY before the reruns on Adult Swim). Those shows passed both the normal and high percentages of season sales.

Of course now FAMILY GUY does well with the ratings. Now it’s a bigger hit than it was before with the sales I mentioned.

I think there is statistical data available that shows that NIELSEN is weak in sampling certain buyer profiles.

Then again gauging TV “buying,” habits is much more difficult than say polling voters.

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:43:46 +0000

Thanks Robert. I actually thought the number might be close to maybe half a million but at 131,000; that isn’t a number big enough for any real difference in the NBC rating.

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:41:45 +0000

Rob, Wonder NO more. G4 viewing is insignificant, for Heroes and in general. It’s more than iTunes downloads, but Heroes last Tuesday at 10pm (not last night, but 11/11) on G4 drew 131,000 viewers. It was outranked by multiple episodes of Higglytown Heroes and reruns of Hogans Heroes.

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:32:40 +0000

i Do wonder. The G4 network is probably not available too that many households but it does aim at the 18-34 audience specifically tech geek crowd. Does the fact that G4 does air Heroes the next night impact the NBC monday night rating and dvr recordings at all. You have to think that there are some amount of viewers lost but is it in the thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands?

By: Sarah Connor Society » Blog Archive » TSCC News and Review Round-Up

Sarah Connor Society » Blog Archive » TSCC News and Review Round-Up — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:17:50 +0000

[...] only are the reviews in but also the overnight ratings have come in. TV by the Numbers posted the overnights and as we all know by now TSCC does not have the greatest numbers. The good [...]

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:54:51 +0000

While I can't vouch for the accuracy of the Nielsen data, I can definitely vouch for the accuracy of statistical sampling in general. I'm sure you're not pretending to be ignorant about it, but really are -- so read and learn.

By: D E

D E — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:47:12 +0000

How can these ratings PRETEND to be accurate? I don’t have a nielsen system. If I watch or don’t watch it doesn’t matter. Nobody I know has one, I have never even heard of anybody who has. I don’t think that they actually have the boxes in any type of a representative fashion. The fact that it is so heavily skewed towards dancing with the stars and sitcoms shows how skewed it is.

By: Cookson

Cookson — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:00:59 +0000

Since people LOVEDDDD to compare HEROES and LOST back in the day, I’d just like to mention that HEROES is definitely behind…by a lot. Season 3 of LOST was still getting over 11m viewers… and actually stayed that way in Season 4.

So, numbers wise.. LOST wins…. yes, already. As far as quality, that’s up for you to decide, but LOST has definitely stabilized itself with the ending of S3 and the entire 4th season.

I hope these numbers aren’t an indication of what will happen to LOST this season though. There’s a difference though, LOST actually has good writers etc…

By: Julia

Julia — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:55:02 +0000

What’s Manswers? I’ve never heard of it.

By: Joe Cool

Joe Cool — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:42:11 +0000

The best show on the air is MANSWERS !!! Why is it on only at 11pm on SPIKE? Sure they get into adult stuff but its no worse than TWO MEN and an OBESE TEENAGER.

By: Josie

Josie — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:01:32 +0000

As much as I hate to say this once DWTS is over for this cycle, Heroes should see a rebound. If the numbers stay low during The Bacholer I think Kring and crew should seriously cut their losses-like they did with Crossing Jordan- bail out and hand Heroes over to a triage team and start a new development phase.

By: Alexx

Alexx — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:22:50 +0000

THis makes me so mad that heroes keeps getting low ratings.
They need to move it to another night. It’s up againts too many good shows
and football. I think this will solve it.

By: Rachel P

Rachel P — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:54:53 +0000

Suh-WEET!
Can’t wait!

By: Corey

Corey — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:57:41 +0000

R.G., I got this from the T:SCC writers blog. Episodes 14-22 start in Feburary. Standard back 9 deal.

“New episodes continue next Monday with Complications at 8PM/7PMc (only on FOX!) and air every Monday through the shocking end of our first thirteen episodes on December 15th! You’ll have to see it with your own eyes to believe it…

Then, get ready for the greatest night of sci-fi awesomeness that ever happened as we return with our fourteenth episode beginning on Friday, February 13, 2009.”

http://www.fox.com/blogs/terminator/

By: MILF Island

MILF Island — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:54:47 +0000

Stan Down

What tough issue is Two and a Half Men tackling that no other show go near? What is a better tool for masturbating: banana peel or a tube sock? What to do when you have an erection lasting more than 4 hours: go see a doctor or find a girl to bang? Two and a Half Men may have witty dialogue but it isn’t as sophisticated or smart as 30 Rock. Clearly, you are blinded by how the show has helped your grandma.

By: Noah

Noah — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:37:59 +0000

Stan, have you even seen Terminator and Chuck? What would make you call them turds?

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:28:29 +0000

Thanks Tom for your wonderful commentary. I will add I bet there are alot of families that watch DWTS together. It’s the only show on tv that my entire family watches. It is fun. It is also an inspiring and uplifting program and it seems to end it’s season so quickly that we never get tired of it, unlike alot of the reality shows that go on to the point that you get bored with them. We also like 2 1/2 Men on occasion but sometimes they go overboard with the sex jokes and I even like the CSI and Criminal Minds shows but watching people being murdered and disected everynight of the week is overkill and I don’t see how anyone can do it without eventually becoming paranoid and depressed. To each his own. Apparently, millions of people love to watch murder shows seven nights a week. I just don’t think it lends itself to a healthy mindset.

By: GRD

GRD — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 03:19:45 +0000

Um, Stan, how much are they paying you to shill for this show? You just crossed the line into total unbelievability.

By: Stan Down

Stan Down — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 02:56:21 +0000

That’s the beauty of where we live. Freedom of speech and freedom of expression!! Two and a half has matured radically and continues to tackle the tough issues other shows won’t go near. My 89 year old Grandma SWEARS it’s the reason her brain cancer went into remission. The constant laughter for 2 years from Two and a half during her treatments seems to have done the trick!! For that, I am forever grateful and supportive of this wonderful show!!!

By: Daniel

Daniel — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 02:46:37 +0000

I think Heroes, NBC, and its writers need to understand this story line is practically impossible to follow. It took me rewinds and rewinds to understand if a certain line was symbolic for something or just a line. They need to keep it suspenseful but easy to follow. And definetely more interesting… I still will watch it live to try to help it as much as I can.

Gossip Girl last night offered absolutely nothing. It was the second worst episode of the year. The Jenny leaving story line was boring, and is finally over. Thank Gosh. But I would love to see the Blair- Chuck story line get steamier. I hope it can get at last 3.4 mil next week! (It ain’t impossible)

By: Daniel

Daniel — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 02:45:34 +0000

The only two shows I watch on Mondays are Gossip Girl and Heroes, and both weren’t very enticing!

By: Fulcrum Agent 47

Fulcrum Agent 47 — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 01:30:49 +0000

I totally agree with MILF Island, Two and a Half Men is mediocre now. They use the same sex jokes over and over. Plus the kid can’t act. Stan Down, you need to ‘Stan Up’ and stop sipping on that sub-par comedy kool-aid.

By: stacy

stacy — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 01:29:36 +0000

OK, when did this site turn into a place where people insulted each other for liking or disliking stupid TV shows. The reason I really enjoy this site is because it’s just about the numbers, and as a numbers girl I can enjoy that.

There are millions of other websites where you can go yell at each other. Can you PLEASE just leave this one alone. PLEASE!!!

By: DeM

DeM — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 01:28:43 +0000

This is Chuck’s most watched episode correct? I’m hoping that the upward trend keeps going. With Dancing with the Stars ending next week, the show has a possibility of getting some viewers. I’m also happy with HIMYIM’s numbers, funny episode last night.

By: Nick C

Nick C — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 01:19:04 +0000

Vader, who do I trust you on the internet claiming they know what the pattern is or Jeff Pinkner who claims they “have an idea,” of what it is? I’ll trust Jeff. Also where have I stated hate for JJ? I haven’t. In fact I call some of them friends. I think the only thing they were sure of on the story was the prequel they had Zack write.

By: MILF Island

MILF Island — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 01:17:59 +0000

Stan Down,

Are you kidding me?!? No press, no awards, no hype. Wasn’t it nominated for best comedy? Wasn’t Charlie Sheen nominated for best actor? Wasn’t Jon Cryer nominated for best supporting actor? Granted, they didn’t win…rightfully so…but still got its recognition.

Two and a Half Men was funny its first four seasons but since season 5, IMO it has been sub-par. Jake has transform from a lovable fowl-mouthed rascal into a obese, awkward teenager who all of a sudden can’t act. The show uses the same dirty jokes over and over….oral sex jokes here…masturbating jokes there…..after 4 seasons, it is getting very OLD & tiresome.

Yet, America still loves this show. How I Met Your Mother, The Office, 30 Rock, Big Bang Theory is so funnier.

One last thing, ‘CHUCK’ ROCKS!!!

By: Tommy

Tommy — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 01:12:24 +0000

Two and a Half Men, despite the ratings, isn’t even the best sitcom on its own network. That would be How I Met Your Mother. No one does a better job of comedic storytelling. But I guess if you like sex jokes, MEN is the appropriate show.

By: Tommy

Tommy — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 01:05:46 +0000

Stan Down,

You’re kidding right? I watch Two and a Half Men and find it really funny, but let’s be serious here. There’s a reason why it gets no press or awards. It is far from a masterpiece. Now imagine what a non-fan would say about that show.

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 01:01:12 +0000

Sorry Stan.

Two and a Half Men is funny, but TSCC is the best show on TV (regardless of the ratings). Also the reason you hear about TSCC so much, is because the fans come here to see if it is going to get canceled. Two and a Half Men isn’t in any danger, so why would people be coming here to check it that often? If TSCC had Two and a Half Men numbers, I wouldn’t be here every week. I would just enjoy my show.

By: SH

SH — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:59:33 +0000

Yeah, it’s not like OFFICE is going anywhere for NBC anytime soon. I mean, I think I read somewhere that Steve Carell just signed a three year extension so it’ll be on for at least that long.

CHUCK and A LOT of other NBC shows, on the other hand…well…

By: Vader

Vader — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:58:24 +0000

Nick, looks like you’ve been drinking the Kool Aid of many other JJ haters on the web. JJ left Alias for LOST, as in he had no say in how it ended because he wasn’t there. Also, JJ told Damon Lindelof he had no interest at all in running LOST and really had to be dragged into doing it in the first place. Interviews with Kurtzman and Orci show that they know exactly how Fringe will end, and until you can show me otherwise, despite your opinion of the show, you will be spouting just because you don’t like shows JJ Abrams works on. Besides, I fail to see why it’s important to know where the show will end while sitting down to write down a pilot. It is conceivable to produce quality episodes before knowing what the end of the show will be…

By: Nick C

Nick C — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:56:13 +0000

Stan Down, that is cute.

I think the reason NBC isn’t canceling either is that they still do well compared to the rest of the crap they air. Plus DWTS won’t be around forever. In fact it ends next week right?

By: Stan Down

Stan Down — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:53:49 +0000

…. sure would be nice to get a break from all this desperate “Chukk” chatter and “TSCC” tired rooting. Face it people – these shows are dead and stinking up the joint. They only remain on the air because the network doesn’t have any immediate programming to replace these fermenting turds with. It would sure be nice to hear just one person mention the best comedy and quite possibly the best show on television for 6 years running. A quiet little gem that defies the odds at every turn and truly puts the “Com” back in “Sit-Com”. The show i’m referring to, of course, is “Two and a Half Men”!!! No press, no awards, no blogs, chat room activity or “cool” factor to hype it, this masterpiece delivers the goods week in and week out! It has no interest in apologizing, explaining or defending itself, for pushing the envelope and raising the bar to heights only dreamt of by the “single camera cess pool” that leaks weekly and woefully from the NBC toxic land fill. Tune in folks; they show the rest of the gang just how it should be done.

By: Nick C

Nick C — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:51:49 +0000

Chucky, the money that THE OFFICE would make over CHUCK is not that much. Any show after the SUPER BOWL is a safe route. The 40% more that THE OFFICE might bring to me isn’t worth it when you look at the BIG PICTURE.

I’d want to do what is best for the Network. Remember that when NBC made this decision it was back in August. They had no idea their schedule would be doing so poorly. They had to cancel the plans to air the OFFICE SPIN OFF, because it was turning into an Amy Poehler vehicle that wouldn’t be ready in time because she was putting them off to have a baby (how self centered can you be?)

In August it made sense. I’m sure they thought HEROES would do about 11 million to 12 million worst case scenario and CHUCK would be doing around 8.5 million. Plus I’m sure they thought as a network to be averaging about 3 million more viewers than they are. Right now it doesn’t make sense.

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:47:55 +0000

Outside of the numbers, “better” is purely in the eye of the viewer. That said, I can see there being some legitimate reasons that Chuck might theoretically have more mass appeal. It’s sad for me that it’s on NBC. If CBS were airing Chuck on Mondays at 8pm, it might (purely speculative, there’s no way to know style fantasizing) do as well as TBBT and HIMYM.

By: Nick C

Nick C — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:47:43 +0000

Kevin, that would make sense but as Julia has stated NBC is already planning “heavy promotion,” for the 3D episode. I’m a numbers guy. I’m also a guy who understands things like BRAND IMAGE. Right now NBC has a bad BRAND IMAGE. The only show they definitely have returning for next season with a good BRAND IMAGE is THE OFFICE.

Because NBC is in such dire straits they need to be doing something. They’ve decided to promote CHUCK during the Super Bowl and use that 3D gimmick. I say why not go all out on CHUCK? Move it to after the game and see if the ratings go up the next night when CHUCK airs at its normal time. THE OFFICE isn’t going anywhere.

By: Chucky

Chucky — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:38:38 +0000

Nick C,

I agree with you that airing Chuck after the Super Bowl is a better long-term investment than The Office. But NBC is in a fragile state and The Office is just a safer route.

To end the discussion of Alias vs Chuck, both shows are great. I just like Alias more (well just the 1st 2 seasons) than Chuck while you like Chuck more. In my opinion, if Chuck can last a few more seasons—then in the end Chuck will be a better series as a whole.

By: Julia

Julia — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:33:33 +0000

Kevin, NBC already is planning on spending a lot to promote Chuck heavily during the Super Bowl.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:31:39 +0000

Perhaps NBC doesn’t want to spend all that money promoting CHUCK. Whereas with THE OFFICE, they don’t need to spend as much because people already know about it. But then that wouldn’t make sense, because NBC is going to pull in a lot of revenue for airing The Super Bowl. Who knows what the NBC suits are thinking.

By: Rachel P

Rachel P — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:28:59 +0000

Ah, thanks for the link Robert. Sucks how you can’t track a show once they fall off the top 30 :/

By: JH

JH — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:26:07 +0000

About the post-Super Bowl time slot, I wish they would put CHUCK after it. Why? Because it needs help. THE OFFICE is already popular, already makes money for NBC, and doesn’t need help. That show is gonna be on for as long as the cast/producers want to keep doing it. CHUCK is a different story. It’s only in it’s second season and viewership is down. It needs a boost. It doesn’t deserve to wonder whether they’re going to get cancelled or not.

By: Nick C

Nick C — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:16:14 +0000

Julia, yeah, BD is short for Blu-ray Disc.