Comments on: TV Ratings: Sunday Night Football Wins; Three Rivers Runs Dry

By: Kim

Kim — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 01:30:33 +0000

Lynne@
Ok, Shame on you??
Just because your show is doing bad doesn’t mean people don’t care for Organ Donations.
I think your post is unfair, probably a lot of organ donors don’t even watch this show.
People can he interested but not wanting to watch the same eaxh week.
Please don’t blame people because they don’t like your show. It is silly. Honest

By: Lynne

Lynne — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:38:47 +0000

I really believed that this show “about transplants and organ donors” would encourage MORE people to get in the Organ Donor Program . . . what an amazing way to boost a desperately needed area of medicine ~ think of the lives it would have saved around the world with learning more from behind the scenes and seeing the positive impact from both the donor and the recipients view.

The show would have blossomed had it been given a chance in both the US and Australia – I think the TV executives have a lot to answer for – not just for axing a TV show BUT for preventing what could have been an increase in Organ Donation, as people everywhere became familiar with it and not afraid of it. SHAME ON ALL OF YOU !

By: Holly

Holly — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:27:20 +0000

Does anyone know when the contract for Sunday Night Football comes up again?

By: TK

TK — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:19:17 +0000

Well, when CBS canceled The Unit, they lost me as a viewer. I know they could care less, but now I watch anything but their shows. I think Flashpoint is OK, but not nearly as good as The Unit. CBS is horrible when it comes to advertising some shows and over advertises others.

By: Kathleen Murphy

Kathleen Murphy — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:20:50 +0000

As a volunteer for Lifepoint, organ/tissue donation in South Carolina, I hope Three Rivers stays on the air. I watched and enjoyed the first show, and hope that this program encourages organ/tissue donation in the USA. We all need to be aware of how we can save lives, in the case of an unexpected death. Watch Three Rivers, and DVR the Housewives!!

By: Stormy Goddess

Stormy Goddess — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:28:59 +0000

Jon, you’re most likely correct in saying that cbs doesn’t care if we watch or not. They certainly didn’t care when we did watch so why on earth would they care now that we don’t? In my honest opinion, cbs is a pos. I’m still going on about Moonlight because it won a Viewer’s Choice Award for Best New Drama and yet still got cancelled. It’s won a Saturn award (basically a sci-fi emmy) since being cancelled by cbs (or cbx as Louise put it)and I refuse to give up on a show that has that much potential simply because the idiot network did. VSRRR!!!

By: Shaz

Shaz — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:23:04 +0000

I like Alex but I don’t believe in blindly supporting an actor no matter how crappy a project he’s in (not that Three Rivers is THAT crappy).

Rather than being stuck in such a troubled production as Three Rivers (troubled both in ratings and also with all the behind-the-scenes episode swapping, etc. stuff going on), I would prefer that Three Rivers get cancelled fast so Alex can either go on to a movie career or find a show that has a better chance of being a success. I hear CBS is creating a Criminal Minds spinoff next year…

By: audreyd

audreyd — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:58:03 +0000

What was CBS thinking, putting Three Rivers in the same time slot as Sunday Night Football and Desperate Housewives, which have been successful in their own right, although I don’t watch either. Three Rivers is a good show and IMHO can’t be judged by one episode, although I thought it was very well done. Come Alex O’Loughlin fans where are you?

By: Shaz

Shaz — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 05:50:18 +0000

Flashpoint is a coproduction with CTV in Canada so it costs CBS a lot less to make than Three Rivers.

By: sylvi

sylvi — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 05:28:50 +0000

Why is everyone praising Flashpoint so much? Flashpoint has 2.1 demo while Three Rivers has 2.0. Not too far apart, and what if TR gets 2.1 demo and 9.6 million viewers, will that put them on par with FP?

Remember that TR is done in-house while CBS doesn’t own FP.

By: Jon

Jon — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 02:24:52 +0000

Cold Case is probably the only survivor of Sunday Nights in the last few years and once that goes, only The Amazing Race will be left with either an existing show plus a new show or two new shows next season.

I can’t believe people are still going on about Moonlight, it’s gone and I doubt CBS are remotely affected by anyone who says they refuse to watch the network.

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 02:13:16 +0000

Three Rivers also didnt do better because of its lead in. A moderately rated lead in as well as competitive timeslot hurt this series. NCIS LA has NCIS has a lead in and while freshman The Good Wife has a freshman series NCIS LA which is also highly rated.

By: Louise

Louise — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:50:31 +0000

AMEN, AMEN to Stormy Goddess.
I not only lower case that network I also added an x as in cbx. Moonlight was replaced with Ex list so I felt it appropriate to do so. I am a MOONLIGHT FAN and contrary to nina from cbx stated…we are not all Alex fans. He was a major part of a magical team..the entire cast of Moonlight. That network is no longer on our viewing list since the cancelation. I hope that Alex runs away from that network as soon as he can to save his career. Stormy Goddess your statement is as if you read my mind.

By: Alicia

Alicia — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:49:57 +0000

I am pretty sure I would have watched three rivers if it hadn’t premiered up against desperate housewives. that is their mistake.

By: Stormy Goddess

Stormy Goddess — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:00:09 +0000

I’ve not seen a single program on cbs (I STILL refuse to capitalize those letters) since the credits rolled on Moonlight’s finale. I’ve had it with cbs, they cancel the one good show they have and put in it’s place another (yawn!) medical or crime drama. I’ve given up on finding something decent to watch on television. If they have an original show (such as Moonlight) they cancel it right off the bat because of various (and in Moonlight’s case, made up) reasons. I’ve had it with cbs. They lost me as a viewer a long time ago.

By: Maureen

Maureen — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:21:10 +0000

I thoroughly enjoyed Three Rivers and its very talented young cast. The stories are realistic, riveting and fast paced. Frankly, all the negative reviews by the critics have scared many viewers away before Three Rivers even premieres. This was totally unfair to Three Rivers and its cast. I hope CBS will give Three Rivers and its gifted young cast time to shine. It also didn’t help that Three Rivers did not premiere as other new and existing shows premiere the week before on CBS. I’m very optimistic that Three Rivers will gain more viewers over the next few weeks.

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:37:15 +0000

Jon – Thats whats notable about CBS. They dont have a powerhosue taking up 2 nights of the week like FOX or ABC. In fact the only reality they have is Amazing Race, Survivor and Big Brother in the summer. Also CBS has a very steady schedule. Most of their dramas have remained in the same slot since their premieres: CSI Miami, Two and a Half Men (since 2005), NCIS, Gary/Christine (past 2 seasons) Criminal Minds, CSI NY, Survivor, CSI (since 2001), Ghost Whisperer, Numb3rs, and Cold Case has remained on sundays since its premiere though moving gradually from 8-10. Football on NBC is a powerhouse, comedy Family Guy has increased in viewers, and Housewives is doing well too, which put Three Rivers at a disadvantage big enough for cancellation. Even if Rivers aired at 10 it would still decrease out of Cold Case. Sundays at 10 killed Shark and The Unit, and wont help Cold Case but hopefully Flashpoint would hold up there.

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:45:55 +0000

I’ve just watched Three Rivers . Well, I could not finished it. I understand the bad ratings completaly. All those screens , the guy with not Medical insurance getting a heart transplant , the characters had no chemistry between them at all, and it looked that for some of them it was even hard to say all those medical words…I guess I’ll stay with Desp.Housewives. I think ABC and Desperate H. numbers are going to get better because of Three Rivers. And if this was the strong chapter and this is why they showed in 1st place, I cannot ever imagine how the other episodes are.

By: Jon

Jon — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:34:24 +0000

CBS may not appeal to everyone but its a formula that has made them number 1 for the last few years with the strike year excepted, they don’t have a powerhouse like Idol or DWTS but all their shows pull in a strong audience.

Three Rivers is the weak link in the Sunday schedule and CBS probably knows this.

By: Griff

Griff — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:27:15 +0000

Three Rivers should be dumped in the river.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:23:14 +0000

I watched about 1/2 of three rivers and thought that no way this is going to survive and I will not waste any time on it. They should cancel it right away.

Same old, Same old, nothing original. Although I did surf the net on the iTouch to see where I had seen the lead character before and he was on the shield which is one of my all time favourite shows.

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:16:47 +0000

Thats why there are different networks. If you want to watch similiar crime procedurals watch CBS, if you want to watch a blend of sex in fields of work and home watch ABC., if you want to watch a series where character have personalities within the shows watch FOX. If you like teen dramas and soaps watch CW. If youve ran out of options watch NBC.

By: Jcavhs

Jcavhs — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:05:55 +0000

I was (and still am) and Moonlight fan. It was the first show since “The West Wing” that I would do my bes tto be home for when it aired, and where I would watch the repeats rather than just finding something else to do. I also don’t watch CBS anymore. They cancelled a show a enjoyed, which was their perogative but if they don’t have programs I’m interested in then I won’t watch. And I’m sick and tired of crime scene shows. Between NCIS, NCIS:LA, CSI, CSI:Miami CSI:NY you have five shows that all basically have the exact same premise. And I personally don’t care for it.

I didn’t watch Three Rivers and have no desire to. I’m an organ donor and I fully support promoting organ donation but it isn’t something I want to watch a show about every week. Because for many of the situations, in order to save a life another person has to die. And while an episode every once in awhile about transplants (such as ‘House’ or even ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ will do) constantly having those episodes is likely to get depressing unless extremely well written and acted – something that doesn’t seem to have been done with Three Rivers.

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:15:43 +0000

TommyK – Yep it was 2006-2007 when Shark aired post CSI. I think that sunday night worked, but CBS needs fresh new cheap shows. I think 7 seasons and 160 episodes is pretty good. AFter May of next year the 4 oldest CBS dramas will be CSI, CSI Miami, NCIS, and CSI NY.

By: TommyK

TommyK — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:12:33 +0000

Dan, as I recall, they did have a Race/Case/Trace combo a few years ago — maybe 2006/2007?

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:09:15 +0000

I had thought that if they had kept Trace and Case they could have a Race/Case/Trace combo on sundays, but CBS decided to try something new. Thats what happens when you have too many high rated series on a network. When you have too many low rated series, well ask NBC or The CW.

By: R.G

R.G — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:14:13 +0000

A lot of people viewed Three Rivers as a rip off of Grey’s. As a result nobody watched.

By: lisaw

lisaw — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:38:26 +0000

With figures like those Cold Case won’t last the Season unless CBS doesn’t want to admit to having egg on its face.

They made a serious error of judgement in cancelling Without A Trace, even if they had switched it to Sundays.

By: bloodlink

bloodlink — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 05:47:49 +0000

Gerry – the Moonlight fans wanted Moonlight back, not another craptacular Medical show. For the majority, despite what some delusional execs might think *glares at Ninz Tassler*, it was about the story, not just O’Loughlin. Hence, we all had better things to watch…

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:43:28 +0000

Riff – If you noticed, CBS hasnt axed a fall sitcom since Bram & Alice. Even seasons when they have 2 new comedies (Listen Up & Center of the Universe) both extended then axed, (How I Met Your Mother & Out of Practice) both get full seasons, Mother renewed, Practice axed, (Worst Week & Gary Unmarried) both extended, Week axed, Gary renewed. Its interesting that 8:00 comedies tend to survive for the season like Listen Up and Mother, while comedies that air post Two and a Half Men get axed early because of bad retention, like Worst Week and Out of Practice. Big Bang Theory has the post Men slot and its working well there so CBS wont move it. However Accidentally has the 8:30 slot so like The Class or Listen Up, Purpose is liekly to get a full year or additional eps, but is likely to be replaced with Rules of Engagement. I dont see Rules replacing Gary though, but if Purpose is successful it might. However Gary has a lot better retention out of Christine than Purpose does out of Mother so my bet is Rules replaces Accidentally. Its a shame that Jenna Elfman will likely have two comedy flops on CBS. Courting Alex wasnt great but Accidentally doesnt look too bad.

By: Gerry

Gerry — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:10:23 +0000

With a fourth place finish, the best thing about TR was Katherine Moennig. Where were the Moonlight fans?

By: afansafan

afansafan — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 03:45:57 +0000

I can’t believe that CBS thought that a subpar script like Three Rivers could ever appease Moonlight fans.

I adored Moonlight – not for the genre – but for the script, the storytelling, the acting, and yeah – Alex O. But as a great a fan of Alex as I am, I still won’t watch the drivel that is TR..

By: Emerald

Emerald — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 03:15:47 +0000

@Jon – Robert, I think Nana has sight problems judging from the caps lock although it also could be shouting.

You are correct with your first assumption. I’ve known Nana from the Moonlight Fandom since 2007. She does indeed have sight problems, and always posts in caps lock for that reason.

*waves to Nana*

By: Riff Rafferty

Riff Rafferty — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:06:43 +0000

Dan writes, “Riff – Your right. CBS always yanks 1 new drama after a few eps by the end of October since 2006″

Oh, “Welcome to New York” wasn’t a drama. It just seemed like it was because it was about as funny as one. Ditto “Danny” (how the hell did that EVER got on the air?), “Work with Me,” “The Brian Benben Show,” “Meego,” “Public Morals,” “Dweebs,” “Bram and Alice” and some of the other fall launches well spent from the Moonves administration.

Of course a sitcom won’t be their customary October cancellation this season, since the only one they launched is “Accidentally on Purpose” — and they’ve got way too much invested in it. (Ten bucks when it is finally canned, it won’t be over ratings but because no one can stand to deal with Gail Berman anymore.) Not that it deserves to last any longer than the 2 months the last Jenna Elfman slutcom lasted, since it isn’t even that good. But I digress.

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:12:51 +0000

Riff – I think Seth meant messes because ABC could not air a single comedy through its third season since Hope & Faith. I dont think they were commenting on the quality just the ratings. And its not that they cant make it, CBS’s policy is that out of 3 new dramas, 1 gets a full season, 1 gets a full season or additional eps, and 1 gets axed.

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:10:47 +0000

Riff – Your right. CBS always yanks 1 new drama after a few eps by the end of October since 2006

Smith (October 6, 2006)
Viva Laughlin (October 22, 2007)
The Ex List (October 27, 2008)
Three Rivers (October ??, 2009)

Ironically, the year CBS had four new dramas (Fall 2005) they waited until November to axe a series. Close to Home would have likely been that series had CBS not done that swap that saved Home and officially killed Threshold.

By: Holly

Holly — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:03:51 +0000

Looks like CBS decided what to do to replace Three Rivers

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3id9b527feb78495416855ccc748db487a

(hat tip to Christopher in the “Send CBS a liver…” post)

By: Garry

Garry — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:59:34 +0000

Why do you seem to be in such a hell-bent rush to write off “Desperate Housewives”? Is it really that inconceivable that millions of people still watch and enjoy the show? Get over yourself!

By: Riff Rafferty

Riff Rafferty — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:20:38 +0000

CBS can’t seem to make it through a single season without canning one of their new fall shows in October (except for 2005, when they waited all the way until the end of November to yank “Threshold,” and 2000, when David Letterman apparently blackmailed Les to keep the horrendous “Welcome to New York” on the air until January), but I’ve got to admit those “Three Rivers” ratings were well over and above what I was expecting. I was expecting it to be literally DOA. Granted, I can’t imagine most of those 9 million viewers will make that mistake again.

And note to Seth MacFarlane. That dig last night about ABC comedies being “messes?” Yeah, they’ve got “Better Off Ted,” “Modern Family” and “The Middle.” You’ve got “The Cleveland Show.” Okay, just checking to make sure you knew.

By: forg

forg — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:18:39 +0000

^ I mean post-DH slot not DWTS (same for boths, should have type both shows). Typo

By: forg

forg — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:17:10 +0000

DH and B&S are up in the demo,good news for ABC as last week’s premiere ratings for boths were pretty alarming but yeah I agree with one commenter that said without DH, B&S won’t really that well. But I was actually hoping B&S would be much stronger on its own so that ABC could test it on another night (Wednesdays or Tuesdays 10 pm probably) so that ABC could sample a new show on the post-DWTS slot.

The Amazing Race held up okay, I wish it could go 3.0 though.

By: Buzz

Buzz — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:19 +0000

I didn’t watch Three Rivers, I guess that was a good thing, bring Flashpoint back, if CBS wants to try shows out put them on after CSI on Thursday then move them, would it matters who knows.

By: Harold

Harold — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:36:55 +0000

Hope says on October 5, 2009 at 2:14 pm:

“I have a new respect to TV viewers from today. Before watching the show I thought they were all morons for being so negative towards Three Rivers. Now, I know they were just honest.”

Moonlight sucked, too. Just being honest.

By: vsaint

vsaint — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:26:39 +0000

CBS would never move shuffle there lineup that much.
You want them to Move Mentalist 3.6 ish , Good Wife 3.0 and NCIS:LA 4.2 ish to make room for a show that got a 2.0 demo in it’s premiere .
TR doesn’t fit the CBS lineup. They haven’t developed a Medical Drama in a long time.
i’m 27 year male, i watch DH, don’t watch football or animation on Sunday.
TR was a bad concept, transplants and it had a gimmicky vibe to it, from the commercials, plus the poor reviews, not i positive review.
If it was on NBC it would be given more of a chance, TR is no different than Mercy, Trauma, just bad shows.
It had nothing to do with all the new medical drama’s, for me.
I sampled them all. They were just poorly executed shows.

By: J.R. Herbaugh

J.R. Herbaugh — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:22:56 +0000

HOM — Excellent question. Someone here can give you a better answer.

Generally, the networks’ scripted shows on Friday would be canceled if they didn’t make money in syndication. (“Brothers,” “Dollhouse,” and “Southland” are the exceptions, and they’re likely to get axed.)

2.0 means 2% of people 18-49 watched “Three Rivers.” A 5 share means 5% of people aged 18-49, who were using their TVs, watched “Three Rivers.” “Law and Order” earned a 5 share on Friday and 1.2 rating. This means many more people were not using their TVs on Friday. Share is important because some advertisers need to buy commercial time on Friday night, like for movies. Since “GW” has the best share, it earns more than a show that places fourth on Sunday, when advertisers have three better options.

Switching “Three Rivers” to Friday wouldn’t improve its numbers, and it has no syndication money to save it.

By: Bill Gorman

Bill Gorman — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:06:23 +0000

Tommy, commenter Dan, who is quite the TV historian has it all nailed down. CBS cans one new drama early, its not going to be Good Wife or NCIS:LA, so its got to be Three Rivers.

By: Tommy

Tommy — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:01:51 +0000

Holly I completely agree with you. Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t CBS usually cancel at least 1 new show fairly fast when it’s doing poorly? I agree with everyone that 3 Rivers has 2 maybe 3 more episodes to air before it gets canceled.

By: Jon

Jon — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:42:38 +0000

CBS is in a postition where they can cancel a show which has numbers which on other networks would get a renewal. Unfortunately that may upset fans of said shows but that is the way it works.

By: ABCHasProblems

ABCHasProblems — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:38:35 +0000

Why doesn’t ABC ever air promos for AFV? They aired promos for DH, EMHE, B&S, etc…but no AFV. I really think AFV could be a juggernaut at 7pm if ABC aired promos for it. They have a loyal fanbase like Bones; but unlike Bones, AFV is a show for the whole family and their fanbase can be increased easily if ABC aired promos for it like they do with all their other shows.

By: Mandi

Mandi — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:37:32 +0000

What– so only old people watched 3R? Because their viewership numbers weren’t too bad or different from the lead-in and lead-out but their demo numbers got slashed. Don’t get it.

I thought it was decent. Liked it much better than I thought I would. Too bad.