Comments on: Friday Ratings: Dollhouse downer, Terminator not uplifting

By: Bill Gorman

Bill Gorman — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:43:52 +0000

djm, I don't think that Flashpoint will be canceled.

By: djm

djm — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:41:35 +0000

sorry for double post but….
I just realized I didn’t actually say what show I was referring to. XD
I was talking about flashpoint.

By: djm

djm — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:39:22 +0000

on a totally different topic… how could CBS cancel a show that gets 8 million viewers on a rerun? I mean, that more viewers than 90% of ALL of NBC’s shows get for a new episode. Yeah I know that CBS get’s much larger numbers overall, but why change a show that seems to get decent numbers even with lots of repeats?

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:39:08 +0000

yeah, but c’mon, I had most of a sentence in ALL CAPS, I won fair and square

By: Bill Gorman

Bill Gorman — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:36:46 +0000

Mike Keller, you cannot calculate the share from the numbers in that table, First of all, the share is of adults 18-49, and the 4.22 million is viewers 2 and older. Second, the share is measured by Nielsen and includes all US adults 18-49 watching TV during that time period (1 hour in that case) including all broadcast *and* cable shows. The table above only includes the limited set of broadcast shows that are reported to us in the overnight fast affiliate report.

Edit: Robert, once again, ahead by seconds, but he did type fewer words. Brevity for the win!

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:36:40 +0000

Mike Keller, I’m not sure what data you have available to you that allowed you to add up EVERY SHOW ON TELEVISION including all local stations in local markets, and PBS overnight preliminary data. But if you’ll do a blog post summarizing all of the data for every show, every network, including local markets and PBS — I’ll happily link to it.

By: Mike Keller

Mike Keller — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:31:40 +0000

Hmmm. I added up the viewership for the Friday = 69.75m. Divide Dollhouse’s 4.22 by it and you get .06 – 6% not 5% like it says in the last column. This is actually UP from the week prior.
I am a Whedon fan, and do not agree with the comments of the person who called themselves JJ Abrams. It is very slick, and if the network gives it the whole season it will win more viewership. Besides if 4.22 million folks came to the place I work, we would be friggin ecstatic!!

By: John

John — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 17:10:47 +0000

Jackson says:
February 21st, 2009 at 9:46 am
I feel bad for Joss Whedon. The guy has the worst luck ever and can’t get a break. He’s a brillant guy and has a hardcore fanbase but his shows never last.
___
He’s had three: Buffy (7 seasons), Angel (5 seasons) and Firefly (1 seasons), thats quite good except for Firfly 8|

By: James17930

James17930 — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 07:19:32 +0000

Dollhouse is aimed at younger, cool people, whom, let’s face it, are all out on Friday nights.

I think Fox should really take into account how many views it gets on its website as well before making any final decisions.

Also (forgive me if this is a stupid question, I’m a newbie to the ins-and-outs of ratings) is TiVO included in the Neilson numbers? Because a lot of people could also be recording it and watching it later.

By: Rachel P

Rachel P — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 01:07:46 +0000

1.4! Hey that’s… better… at least…

By: Joseph R

Joseph R — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 01:03:30 +0000

In the final numbers TSCC was a “little” better than the numbers posted above. 3.86 million and 1.4/5 (18-49). Not that it matters much.

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=241555

By: ABCFanaticRocks!

ABCFanaticRocks! — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 05:58:48 +0000

WHOA theres no many comment in friday ratings!

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 01:42:47 +0000

Oh shut up Anna, say what you want about Dollhouse, just Leave Ghost Whisperer out of it, obviously your jealous cause Dollhouse would be lucky to pull GW numbers…

By: Rob R

Rob R — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:48:37 +0000

Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose!

By: Nick C

Nick C — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 22:19:10 +0000

Kim, X-FILES finished their first season 102nd out of 118. The pilot was universally PANNED by critics.

Yes, yes, the show got better. The ratings got better. The reviews got better. That is my entire point.

By: RJ

RJ — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 21:58:01 +0000

“NBC should just move Psych and Monk to the big network. They would probably out perform what they have now on Fridays.”

When NBC repeated these on Sundays last year, the numbers were terrible.

By: ana

ana — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 21:00:17 +0000

people we have to keep watching dollhouse before they pull it off the air the way they pulled off my beloved moonlightt. why do all the good shows have the worst luck, and crappy shows like ghost whisperer, numbers, and flashpoint get the luck????

By: Riff Rafferty

Riff Rafferty — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:32:13 +0000

“Riff Rafferty: have you problem?? i mean psychological problem?? how can you hate this show?? ok u re angry but why?? it just raped your child and ate your wife and run over your mom or maybe it was your dog or your ass.. never mind! just if you do not like the show: kee… not watch!!”

The funny thing is, this post is better-written than “Dullhouse.”

And, kee, I not watch. But then again, nokee else not watch, either. That’s why it’s a flop.

By: kim

kim — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:30:17 +0000

Nick C. you are dreaming. Let’s assume Dollhouse and X-Files have the same ratings, which they don’t, X-Files was a hit all across the board, with critics and all viewers AND had strong word of mouth. And great writers. Dollhouse has none of that. And X-files first two episodes were awesome, with a clear pilot for where the show was heading. Dollhouse is a mess. How can you built a show from that? The problem is in the concept AND the execution. It’s unfixable.

By: kim

kim — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:27:05 +0000

See the difference between X-files and Dollhouse in terms of ratings and sustainability is that X-files was actually good. RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE. Dollhouse is unfixable. The problems are rooted in the genes and the staff writers they hired aren’t good enough to fix those problems. Didn’t some of them work on Bionic Woman and I think one is related to Joss. Smart hiring Fox Execs! You deserve the bomb!!

By: Nicole

Nicole — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:45:49 +0000

Dawn is just a cold bit*h. she’s tryng to take down supernatural, the second big reason after smallville, by which CW is a ”big” nertwork. i hope sarah connor to end than to finish on that network!!!!!!!!

By: Jack

Jack — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:30:37 +0000

NBC should just move Psych and Monk to the big network. They would probably out perform what they have now on Fridays.

By: Nick C

Nick C — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:55:26 +0000

Robert, I’d guess it would pull in about 2.5M and a 1.5. So… it would depend on what the costs were. It’s cheaper than 90210 right now.

I’d prefer something “new,” and you’re right I’d probably say no. However I’d be interested in looking at the numbers. It all depends on what Warner is offering. If Warner packages it right, yeah I’d likely take it if I was convinced it could pull at least a 2.2M and 1.3. I mean that is what they’re getting right now with the crap they have.

However under that hypothetical I’d be in charge of the CW, and I’d really be talking to JJ about producing a new STAR TREK series for me and green lighting a DC pilot as well as trying to find a “MARRIED WITH CHILDREN,” of today. Taking TSCC wouldn’t even be on the table.

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:48:12 +0000

Nick, passing on TSCC *won’t* be a bad call by Dawn, regardless of her reasons. I wouldn’t take it if I was running the CW and neither likely would you. It’s fine to day IF IT COULD HOLD ITS NUMBERS ON THE CW, but we both know that it would not.

I wouldn’t assume that a show that could only do 5.x million on Mondays and 3.x million on Fridays would fare very well on CW and neither would you. Passing is the best call she could make. If it had 7 million viewers on FOX and FOX was cancelling it anyway, that would be a different story.

By: Rachel P

Rachel P — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:46:57 +0000

Thecolours – What are the international ratings for the show? Any idea? Your post has me curious.

By: mr ribbit

mr ribbit — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:37:11 +0000

dollhouse.
terminator also gave off that vibe, but not as strong.

so many new shows are like that now, even the new doctor who is so messed up.

By: Nun

Nun — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:26:18 +0000

did you talk about dollhouse, tscc or both?

By: mr ribbit

mr ribbit — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:22:05 +0000

i’m a big sci fi fan and tried to get past the first 5 minutes of the first episode, but it looked like i was watching some teenage 90210 episode on crack.

perhaps the show triggered some fear or survival part of my brain.
had to quickly turn off..
horrible.

By: Nick C

Nick C — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:13:36 +0000

thecolours, well obviously Warners owns part of the CW and if they want they can probably put enough pressure for the show to be placed there. It was what Moonves thought of when he had UPN and WB merged. However Dawn is for some reason against picking up shows she didn’t green light originally. Which is all kinds of stupid. If the show could keep its audience it would be bigger than the “Brand,” shows on the CW.

However I think they’ll shop it to Universal’s brand station and SCI FI. Chances there are much lower for them to pick up new episodes though, but high for picking up the previous episodes. SCI FI has a horrid track record with their own stuff though so if they believe they can get 2M or so viewers out of it they might bite.

By: Thecolours

Thecolours — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 04:13:58 +0000

Nick C, What networks, if any, would be interested in picking up T:SCC?

I keep hearing that the show does well in that ratings internationally. This would give WB incentive to keep it on the air.

By: Theoacme

Theoacme — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 02:37:01 +0000

Good – only another two hundred thousand or so Dollhouse related posts to go on the entire Interwebs (of which, perhaps one thousand or so of those will be here) before we know next Friday’s demos :p

By: Rachel P

Rachel P — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 02:21:31 +0000

Post #300! w00t!

By: Theoacme

Theoacme — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 02:19:00 +0000

How about this press release: FOX develops a groundbreaking new 60 minute dramedy for Friday nights, something not even cable would do: “Terminator: Dollhouse ‘Til Death!”, with both Eliza Dushku and Summer Glau fending off Brad Garrett and Ed O’Neill with sticks, Tasers, .50 caliber machine guns, and whatever else they can lay their hands on – only to find that their own bodies are the source of Garrett and O’Neill’s obsession…

By: Jesse

Jesse — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 02:04:33 +0000

Nass said:
“It’s got Christian Bale in it, for goodness’s sake.”

It’s taking every ounce of restraint in my body not to go off on a profanity laced tyrade right now.

By: Julia

Julia — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:19:58 +0000

Nass, if people know about it and don’t want to watch it, the show has no hope. The standard line for fans of any show that has poor ratings is that people DON’T know about the show, and that the network is screwing the show over by not promoting it. You need to work on your complaints.

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:16:46 +0000

I’d love to see that press release: “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and Dollhouse convert as FOX gives Friday night over to comedy. TSCC and Dollhouse will air as 30 minute sitcoms followed by two episodes of ‘Til Death!”

By: Holly

Holly — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:07:48 +0000

Come on, it would be easy to change TSCC into a 30-minute comedy. Just think of the possibilities!

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:52:39 +0000

Holly, if TSCC was a 30 minute sitcom produced by SPT with over 50 episodes in the can, I would not be so willing to make the bet!

By: Bill Gorman

Bill Gorman — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:36:31 +0000

In fact, I just may have to caveat everything concerning show cancellation with “After all, Fox did renew ‘Til Death”.

By: Holly

Holly — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:33:36 +0000

I’m not so sure I’d make that bet Robert. After all, FOX did renew ‘Til Death…

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:14:20 +0000

Nass, since you don’t buy into the numbers as much as we do, nothing we can say will convince you about TSCC until it isn’t on the schedule next year. Conversely, nothing will convince us otherwise until/unless FOX announces it has been renewed and will be back on the air next season. I’d be willing to bet quite a bit that will not happen. We’ll see.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:04:23 +0000

Riff Rafferty: have you problem?? i mean psychological problem?? how can you hate this show?? ok u re angry but why?? it just raped your child and ate your wife and run over your mom or maybe it was your dog or your ass.. never mind! just if you do not like the show: kee… not watch!!

By: Nass

Nass — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:04:03 +0000

actually if anything they might want to not renew it, but not cancel it and see how the movie plays out (and then if its good renew it really quickly XD )

By: Nass

Nass — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:01:56 +0000

I’m not convinced tbh.

And if so it’s not a smart move- people know about the show, just not enough are watching. The Terminator movie may whet their appetite for more terminator. If Fox play their cards, and this is dependant on the movie being as big as it should be, they could rescue Terminator. After all it is Terminator, the tv show and people DO know about it. They just need a push imo

By: Nick C

Nick C — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 21:18:42 +0000

Naas, FOX notified Warner that they should shop the show around. It’s not coming back.

By: Bill Gorman

Bill Gorman — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 20:55:22 +0000

Nass, I’m pretty sure that Terminator lasts through its run this season. There’s no chance at all it comes back next season.

By: Nass

Nass — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 20:48:27 +0000

A) Joss Whedon does not really have bad luck- he was the creator of two phenomenally successful series, another which was cancelled but was so well received they made a film out it, and bonafide a web phenomenon. I think he’s doing okay.

B) TERMINATOR WON’T GET CANCELLED! Why? Because one of the biggest films of the summer is a TERMINATOR movie. All Fox need to do is ride out this season, renew it and in the 3rd season promos show the future Terminator world that everyone will be dying to see, cos the odds are its gonna be a massive movie a little bit of future action is what people are gonna tune in for. All Fox’ll need to is give the audience what they want, maybe schedule it early in the season to get more reflected glory, or later in the season when there’s dvd buzz. Easy. Even FOX aren’t stupid enough to cancel the Terminator SHOW when a Terminator MOVIE is going to do half its publicity for it.

It’s got Christian Bale in it, for goodness’s sake.

By: Nick C

Nick C — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 20:09:27 +0000

clutz, I agree FNL is a much better show than DOLLHOUSE. Peter Berg is a great guy, but not a great writer. He is a bad actor. He is an above average Director. He is however a great guy in a business where that is a rarity. FNL however is critically acclaimed and still gets no viewers. NBC also doesn’t promote it well at all, and I think they keep it on for the critics. DIRECTV said they liked the numbers they got for FNL so they may help bring it back. I understand from NBC that even with its crap ratings it makes money thanks to DIRECTV and DVD.

By: Nick C

Nick C — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 20:06:15 +0000

Jimmy, he can do that blog when ever he wants. DOLLHOUSE won’t slow him down. I’m sure he wants to make dozens and dozens of more dollars.

By: Nick C

Nick C — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 20:05:32 +0000

LOST, that’s funny. X-FILES was nominated for two Emmys and won one. Won for title sequence, and nom for theme (music). It was critically panned for the most part when it debuted. The pilot was bad. The show wasn’t good at the start, but it did GET good by the end of the first season. I guarantee you that DOLLHOUSE will at least get a set design nomination if not the win. The critics changed their mind on X-FILES in the last leg of the first season. That may well happen with DOLLHOUSE, it happened with Whedon’s previous efforts. How many critics panned FIREFLY only to say they were wrong later?