Comments on: ABC's November Sweeps programming to include Hank, The Forgotten and Eastwick

By: Crystal

Crystal — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:57:51 +0000

Eastwick is the best show on abc right now. The whole dancing show is so overrated!

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:21:19 +0000

Well I guess Eastwick and The Forgotten may actually burn off all episodes now. ABC still could pull either 1 but highly unlikely until December. Hank could get pulled after November 25 but its likely to at least air most eps by December.

By: Riff Rafferty

Riff Rafferty — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:32:44 +0000

“The Forgotten” pulled? Fuhgetaboutit! Besides, they’re shooting James Van Der Beek’s episode, “Lucky John,” right now, which should be on in December. That might be just the thing to boost the demos. The show’s holding steady… which is more than you can say about “Eli Stone.”

“Hank?” Well, they’ll just preempt that every other week until people forget it exists.

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:12:02 +0000

Dan, ABC just sent out a press release for the week of 11/16-22 (I posted it) and Hank is there (Eastwick & Forgotten, too).

By: Dan

Dan — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:00:56 +0000

I think the only thing keeping The Forgotten from being pulled is that its numbers are doing better than Eli Stone only by a little. Dirty Sexy Money had done better than Eastwick in the slot but ABC seems to like Eastwick so if either gets pulled I still think it wont be until December. I still would say burn em all off but If ABC would rather pull either for specials its up to them. Hank however will likely be yanked in favor of Holiday specials. On average ABC waits the longest of all networks to officially axe a series.

Hank – Pulled after November 18th or 25th airing
The Forgotten – Pulled after December 15th airing (May burn off all eps)
Eastwick – Will likely air all episodes.

By: Michael J

Michael J — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:36:19 +0000

True J.R. I was just surprised that ABC had a commercial for their series on the SyFy channel.

By: J.R. Herbaugh

J.R. Herbaugh — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:27:31 +0000

V the tv series is on thewb.com and the WB logo is on the DVD boxes.

It makes sense for SyFy to capitalize on it while there’s buzz.

By: Michael J

Michael J — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:02:01 +0000

Thanks…point of clarification that when I sent “their version” I meant ABC’s new version.

Lol, never mind the damn accountants, the damn lawyers will confuse you ever time!

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:58:38 +0000

Michael, not sure. It could be the V ads for the ABC version were purchased directly from SciFi or it could be that ABC bought ad time allocated to the local cable providers and advertised through them. The Original V aired on NBC, not ABC and I’m not sure who produced it or who owns the rights to the original.

By: Michael J

Michael J — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:52:14 +0000

You’re right Rob…my bad. On another note I’ve been watching the SyFy presentation of ‘V’ the original series and ABC had a commercial for their series. Is it the norm for two competing networks to collaborate like that, although there must have been some agreement for ABC to get the rights to ‘V’ to begin and perhaps this showing of the original series was part of that agreement. Sorry, I’m a lawyer so it’s professional curiosity.

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:38:03 +0000

Michael J, we are now already in November Sweeps (officially started Thursday, 10/29)

By: Michael J

Michael J — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:36:53 +0000

Syfy is running the original “V” this Sunday. Interesting timing right before the sweeps and ABC’s placement of their version.

By: Phoenix

Phoenix — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 06:08:47 +0000

Gah, I’m always behind on numbers and then I get lost on this site! I had no idea “Eastwick” wasn’t doing well; I was just wondering if anyone knew exactly how slim its chances were for renewal so I could gauge whether or not I even want to keep watching at this stage.

PS — And, yeah, all the rest of us “Dollhouse” fans (unless blatantly in denial-land) have accepted that the show is screwed…but hey, we were never expecting a SECOND season in the first place, so, yay, us.

By: Mumbo

Mumbo — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 05:54:19 +0000

ABC doesn’t seem to have many any really rerun-friendly series, unlike CBS, so I guess it’s not too surprising that they just leave first-run stuff on even with putrid ratings, because they’re still probably higher than what reruns of other shows would do.

By: Christian

Christian — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:44:07 +0000

They already made a change! According to pavan at sitcoms online, the Nov. 20 ep of Ugly Betty will be pre-empted for the premiere of Shrek the 3rd! Grr!

By: Riff Rafferty

Riff Rafferty — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:10:41 +0000

ABC airs their regular prime-time lineup on November 19.

Flash Forward (“Believe”)
Grey’s Anatomy (“Holidaze”)
Private Practice (“Sins of the Father”)

Apparently, ABC did not consider these episodes “highlights.”

By: Kyle

Kyle — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 04:01:17 +0000

I think they should move Ugly Betty to The Forgotten or Eastwick’s slot… It would do better and deserves to be seen.

By: forg

forg — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:45:02 +0000

I like Kelsey too, Hank is a step backwards from Frasier. Back to You was better. Oh well, maybe Kelsey should re-invent himself and try an hour long series.

By: Cat

Cat — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:35:27 +0000

Hank is a horrible show, but Kelsey Grammar will always get me to watch something at least once. I hope they come up with a show that’s worthy of him eventually.

By: Anna

Anna — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 01:49:40 +0000

All the Ugly Betty episodes sounds awesome!!!!!!!!!!

By: Dan

Dan — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:45:51 +0000

FOX should have kept Back to You. Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton had chemistry and the rest of the characters were so good. Hank is just horrible and tries to hard to be a 1990s early 2000s family comedy, but it just doesnt work. The Middle does try to be Malcolm in the Middle and cant really find its own thing. Though The Middle has a chance to improve while Hank is dead. Ty Burrell who was on Back to You and is now on Modern Family is the only actor who played both roles great and even expands and becomes better on Modern Family.

By: matt stechel

matt stechel — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:31:09 +0000

poor kelsey grammar…although to be fair the show is pretty bad. (and surprisingly old school too.) don’t get me wrong i like him, i like his way of delivering his lines–the last one that aired with him as an ice cream scooper had some good classic frasier line readings in it…i’ve been taping the episodes for my dad who loves frasier, same as i did the eps of Back To You that aired—i liked Back To You in all honesty—between him, heaton, and fred willard, (and ty burrell now on modern family!) that show i felt was gelling quite nicely as an ensemble as that season was progressing–its almost kind of a shame that show had to get the axe–i will not feel even remotely close to that not quite sentiment when this one inevitably gets pulled..even tho you have David Koechner as his brother in law…but the show just doesn’t work…no matter how much i wish it would.

I might not love The Middle—(it needs to develop into its own thing and not just a Malcom in the middle clone) but its lightning fast pace and ensemble gel much better then Hank does just on a comparitive basis.

By: Dan

Dan — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:13:38 +0000

Yeah, Dollhouse was pulled but Eastwick, Hank and Forgotten’s numbers are nowhere near as bad as Dollhousse, Brothers and Til Death. Hank, Eastwick, and The Forgotten will all air through sweeps. Eastwick will burn up all 13 through December (I think ABC would finish the show out rather then pull it altogether). The Forgotten will atleast air through it’s November 17 (following Dancing) I still think Forgotten will air in December (1st, 8th and 15th) but the ratings will be very bad. Hank will probably be pulled after November 18. Charlie Brown thanksgiving (I think) is airing 8-8:30 as a lead in for The Middle and I could see the show being put on hiatus after that in favor for more half hour holiday specials (like Cavemen and Carpoolers in 2007)

Maybe because of Kelsey Grammer, ABC will find some way of burning off all of Hank but with another preemption, its basically done. Eastwick and Forgotten are done too, though it seems more likely the episodes will be burned off and less likely the show will be pulled.

By: Riff Rafferty

Riff Rafferty — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:01:19 +0000

ABC switched some “Hank” episodes around today. They’re probably toying with the idea of pulling it from most of November sweeps.

By: rob

rob — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:00:26 +0000

Well The Forgotten and Eastwick arent doing terrible that they shouldnt be included. Hank really shouldnt be part of it since ABC has to know its killing The Middle but what else could they put there?

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:06:39 +0000

Tom, it’s probably a deliberate conspiracy to drive people like you crazy

Indeed, ABC has not updated its grid (I expect it will today or early next week) on its press site recently. Off the top of my head I can’t remember any special event for 11/19 so I imagine its the normal FF, Grey’s, PP lineup. But my memory isn’t so good.

I use TVGuide.com for program listings usually. It’s updated pretty frequently, goes out a couple of weeks in advance and as a bonus, it will allow you to see what was on YESTERDAY which sometimes comes in handy w/the overnight reports.

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:03:09 +0000

The 11th is the CMA awards which will take the whole night Tom.

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:59:32 +0000

“you have to LOOK AT THE SCHEDULE”

Is there an easy way to look at the schedule outside of their press site? ABC’s domestic website isn’t getting me anywhere. I also see the 19th is entirely MIA and was wondering if there’s a reason.

Still doesn’t disguise that e.g. Hank airing episodes way out of probable sequence looks like cherry picking prior to schedule banishment. Not that it’s a surprise or anything.

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:52:07 +0000

Tom, to quote the great sage Woody Paige, you have to LOOK AT THE SCHEDULE!

11/11 = CMA Awards

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:47:06 +0000

Again, what else would ABC air there? I can see some Primetime news specials for Eastwick’s slots, but its not like they can air them for all of Hank, Forgotten, & Eastwick’s slots.

And is the 11th intentionally not on the press release or is it a transcription error? Because I am, for example, only seeing two Hanks on the list, AND the episodes seem way out of order (Thanksgiving ep on 11/4 already), indicating ABC is cherry picking the two best remaining episodes that will ever air (outside of burn-off).

By: J.R. Herbaugh

J.R. Herbaugh — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:33:56 +0000

Accountants!

By: Tar

Tar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:29:23 +0000

there are a few missing episodes of Hank,Cougar Town Eastwick and Flashforward in there