Comments on: Is Ugly Betty staying on Fridays?

By: matt stechel

matt stechel — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:28:29 +0000

they’re not axing castle
they’re not moving flash foward
they’re (sadly) not moving ugly beatty (i say sadly because whatever your thoughts ratings for it surely would go up on wed nights alongside modern fam and cougar town–and abc already has a full season of wife/swap on deck anyways, but it ain’t moving.)

i predict lost will get weds at 10—just like predicted. (unless for whatever reason they wanna go Tuesdays at 10—-how long do the dancing with the stars results show typically go anyways? they could in theory do a two hour block of V and Lost on tues nights if the results show isn’t two hours long (but again they won’t–they’ll prob just give the tues at 10 spot to Happy Town)

By: tlctaurus

tlctaurus — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:06:28 +0000

@jerichoguy – If you hate UB so much, why do you watch it? If you don’t watch it, how could you think it’s the worst show on TV? Just confused. I have never hard anyone refer to UB as the worst show on tv. It made me laugh out loud – your comment, that is…

By: Kyall

Kyall — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:19:56 +0000

Tuesday: Scrubs/Middle, Dancing with the Stars Results, V
Wednesday: Ugly Betty, Modern Family/Cougar Town, LOST
Friday: Whatever airs at 8pm and 10 pm with Happy Town in the middle

By: tom

tom — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:37:28 +0000

I agree, I think This is the best season for UB since Season 1. I wish they would move it back to thurs at 8pm but I dont see that happeneing

By: Bill

Bill — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:55:55 +0000

I watch one show on tv..”UGLY BETTY” I watch it new, I watch it on the TV guide network and I watch my dvds.

BIll

By: Bill

Bill — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:39:36 +0000

I love “Ugly Betty” I did in season 1 and I still do. It was clear ABC tossed in the “Betty” towl last spring when they tried the awful show “In the motherhood” in it’s time slot. When “Motherhood” tanked and tanked big time they had no choice but to return to “betty” but after yet another long disperance the Betty ratings decresed again and alas….the “buzz” was gone.

I hope they give betty another chance to at least make it to 5 seasons.

bill

By: Cucumber Jones

Cucumber Jones — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:13:05 +0000

Lost on at 10pm? Man, I hope not. I, like others, wouldn’t be able to watch it until Thursday evening in that scenario. I hope it doesn’t get banished to 10pm, or to Thursday for that matter. Why not throw in on Tuesday at 8 or 9; what would be airing anyway during that time? V wouldn’t be back quite yet.

By: jerichoguy

jerichoguy — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:51:12 +0000

If i accidently turn my set on to UB…..it automatically turns off…

By: Tommy

Tommy — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:46:51 +0000

Granted last weeks 20/20 was higher than normal, but it did beat this Monday’s Castle

By: Tommy

Tommy — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:44:27 +0000

Gary, I don’t know what data you are using when you say that Castle beat PP, FF, B&S, and CT. If you are using total viewers to make that statement that’s all well and good. But total viewers is meaningless when it comes to predicting renewals and cancelations. All of those shows that you listed including 20/20 beat Castle where is counts which is in the 18-49 Demo.

By: Gary A

Gary A — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:59:28 +0000

I am confused about a couple of things that have been said on here. I went to school for television in the long ago era of the 1970′s and studied and grew fascinated with schedules and ratings et al. Now I know things have changed quite a bit especially with the accountants taking over running the networks which is why we have so many god awful reality shows and repeats of hit series filling the prime time schedules. But, even with an emphasis on the 18 -49 viewers as being key, I don’t believe ABC is going to get rid of Castle any time soon. Even after this season.

Why? Well, first of all, check ABC’s 10:00 pm shows. Of regualarly scheduled series, Castle is either it’s most popular or 2nd most popular 10:00 pm series they currently run. It’s 18 – 49 is usually around 2.2 to 2.5 with total viewers around 9-10 million. Last week, it ranked 24 of all shows airing that week. It out rated Private Practice, FlashForward, 20-20 & Brothers & Sisters. It also beat Cougar Town but since that was airing against Game 6 of the WS, I won’t see that as a normal rating. It’s an ABC production which means that if they can generate enough episodes and then sell it into syndication, it’s more $ coming in to them. Add to this the fact that for the most part it is a stand alone series that casual viewers can tune in and follow along without the need for some backstory that requires regular weekly viewing and in some cases turns off those exact viewers. Just for the record – I ama fan of Lost, FlashForward, Fringe, 24 – all shows that require you be familiar with the stories as each episode requires you to watch. Miss a couple of episodes, you won’t know what the hell is going on. i also will admit to watching and enjoying Castle, not that it’s on my list of all time favorite shows. I watched a few episodes over the summer on Saturday night and enjoyed it enough to tune in this fall. If something I wanted to watch more or it was moved opposite a favorite show, I wouldn’t be watching it probably.

In this day and time, TV viewing has changed so rapidly and new series don’t get the chance to develop as they once did. Viewers are also more cautious. They may not be willing to invest time in a new serialized drama that may be yanked after 6 episodes. Rabid fan bases spring up for many of these shows and their members become tunnel visioned when it comes to defending their show. You may love Ugly Betty but ABC more or less let you know what they thought of the series with its move to Fridays this season. Get a 4th season on a less competetive night and then syndication.

By: aznfratboy

aznfratboy — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:28:31 +0000

They air Packed to the Rafters in America? Awesome to see that an Australian show is making it to the US, although I don’t see it as an lead-in to the 1 hr comedy block… I could see it on a Sunday night or Thursday night at 8pm, I think ABC is intent on having a 2 hour comedy block, like CBS.

My suggestion for September 2010 season, considering The Forgotten is cancelled and FlashForward AND V are both renewed for season 2 AND Lost doesn’t pull a fast one on us and goes through another season

Sunday:
8pm Packed to the Rafters/Extreme Makeover
9pm Desperate Housewives
10pm Brothers and Sisters

Monday:
8pm: Dancing
10pm: Castle

Tuesday
8pm Dancing
9 and 10pm V/FlashForward

Wednesday:
8pm Scrubs
8:30 Romantically Challenged
9pm Modern Family
9:30 Cougar Town
10pm Happy Town

Thursday:
8pm Ugly Betty
9pm Greys
10pm Private Practice

Friday:
8pm Two reality TV shows
10pm 20/20

8pm Dancing on Tuesdays won’t effect it too much, it’s up against Biggest loser on NBC, NCIS LA on CBS and Dance/Idol on Fox…

Both reality shows are 2 hours, so same difference regardless, but against NCIS and NCIS LA isn’t much difference anyway, NCIS gets about 10% more ratings then it’s spin-off anyway, and it allows V and FF to be paired up.

I know i’m thinking WAY ahead, but this years line-up is so messed up already, ABC is thinking week-by-week anyway, rather then on a seasonal basis, which seem to be CBS and Fox’s mindset.

By: Guy

Guy — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:21:31 +0000

Packed To The Rafters is a mid-season show? I thought it was going to launch next season in September. It is Australia’s #1 show so it will be interesting to see how the Americans adapt this show and if ABC were smart they would wait and have a massive launch with it. Oh and believe me when i say its not Kath and Kim. That show was done terribly by the US.

As for PP and B&S they wont move. As long as the Housewives and Grey’s is around they will stay put in their timeslots.

I think Lost will go to 9pm Wednesday and i pray Castle gets another season. I love that show. We pair it with Bones here in Australia and they do great together.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:30:04 +0000

That whole schedule is not an option. They arent moving Private Practice or B&S. If Anything, in lie of repeats, Private Practice may be preempted a few weeks for the deep end to air post Grey’s but thats still unlikely unless they run out of slots.

By: Julia

Julia — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:06:03 +0000

Paul, Romantically Challenged is a half hour comedy. It’s not a 10 pm option.

By: Paul PT

Paul PT — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:42:41 +0000

The Middle could air in between cougar town and modern family new episodes, instead of repeats.

again, Lost should be at 8 PM, never at 10 pm.

FlashForward should stay at 8 pm on thursdays, in not wise to move this show in the first season.

My suggestion after the olympics.

Sunday
8:00 EM: HE
9:00 DH
10:00 Private Practice (new slot)

MOnday
8:00 Dancing with the Stars
10:00 Brothers and Sisters (new slot)

Tuesday
8:00 Dancing with the Stars
9:00 V
10:00 Castle

Wednesday
8:00 Packed to the Rafters
09:00 Modern Family / The Middle
09:30 Cougar Town / The Middle
10:00 Happy Town or Romantically Chalenged

Thursday
08:00 FlashForward
09:00 Grey’s Anatomy
10:00 The Deep End

Friday
08:00 Ugly Betty (Final Season)
09:00 Happty Town or Romantically Chalenged
10:00 20/20 or Primetime

Wednesdays and Thursdays 10 pm options:
Romantically Chalenged
Happy Town
The Deep End

Copper

By: aznfratboy

aznfratboy — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:30:14 +0000

FlashForward really shouldn’t be at 8pm, should be a 10pm show, Eastwick is cancelled, I see The Forgotten going after May, and Lost will end it’s run in May as well. V will almost definitely get a second season, and FlashForward may as well. throw V in Tuesday 10pm, FF Wednesday 10pm, and find 2 new GOOD shows to be at 8pm Tuesdays and Thursdays 8pm, with 2 comedies like Scrubs and Ted at 8-9 Wednesdays. If FF doesn’t get a second season, then Ugly Betty is a good match for Wednesday, a full 3 hours of dramedy.

By: Sam

Sam — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:51:26 +0000

Why doesn’t ABC just get rid of their two weakest comedies in the Wednesday line up, and pair “Modern Family”/”Cougar Town” with “Dancing With the Stars on Tuesdays? Then all they’d need to do is fill in the 10 pm slot.

Then they can place “Lost” and “V” on Wednesday nights together. Who cares about the “American Idol”/”Glee” competition. It’s targeting two different groups of people anyway. Lost and V are more male fanboy driven, while AI and Glee are more female friendly. It would work really well actually. I can see “Lost” at 9pm, “V” at 10 pm on Wednesdays. Have something filler on Wednesday at 8pm their obviously going to lose in that time slot anyway.

By: Riff Rafferty

Riff Rafferty — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:47:04 +0000

Did somebody just suggest “burning off” the final year of “Lost” on Saturdays because it’s “going away” next season? Hooo boy.

Even more hilarious is that they, for some reason, don’t think “Ugly Betty” is going away next season.

By: JNewt

JNewt — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:52:55 +0000

Okay lets not beat a damn dead horse like Ugly Betty. That show is over with and dead, it’ll just make the ratings in that timeslot even worse.

Hurry up and rush that new Charlie’s Angels that I can’t wait to see.

By: Mumbo

Mumbo — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:34:25 +0000

Oh please just put Lost on Tuesday or Wednesday. Please God not Thursday at 8:00, I’m already DVRing half my Thursday viewing as it is.

Loading Lost on the same night as Grey’s Anatomy seems like overkill honestly, and I just plain don’t see Lost at 8:00 in the first place. Spread the ratings around a little bit.

Wednesday at 10 sounds most reasonable to me. The show will do pretty much the same numbers wherever it’s placed, so why not put it in a slot they haven’t capitalized on in a long time? And it’s only an hour later than the usual slot, so it’s not a big change, either.

By: vsaint

vsaint — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:20:56 +0000

Wednesday at 10pm is probably the best for LOST.
It’s always aired Wednesday, except the strike year when it aired Thursday.
I might be easier to bring back some of the casual viewers.
Plus LOST has there usual 2 hour Premiere and Finales.

Unless LOST wants to pull a Dancing/24 where the air on multiple nights to try and help out V / Flashforward (if moved).

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:01:11 +0000

And pairing V, Lost and Flashforward on wednesdays would be great. Just 1 problem, ABC has a comedy block that actually works especially at Losts usual slot, 9pm wednesdays. ABC would not just want to keep putting MF repeats at 8 for January. That month is when they completely rechange their not so great fall schedule and air new series.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:59:13 +0000

I know why they ordered a back 9. Because the network believed the series could improve airing after Dancing and, because they do that with every series that airs midseason and returns 10pm mondays, and because if they had axed Castle in the fall then basically ABC would admit that their whole 2008-2009 season was a waste. So in turn in makes a lot o sense why Castle got a full year.

By: Craig

Craig — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:46:27 +0000

Robert Seidman – I didn’t consider that the 9pm slot would be stronger than 8 for the comedies, but to be honest that’s my fault for not paying enough attention. I had figured that ABC’s real weak point on Wednesdays is that Hank underperforms at 8, and if something actually good was there at 8 they’d be in good shape. You’d know better than I for sure.

It is too bad we can’t get a pairing of LOST with another new series. I’m kind of at a loss for where V, Flashforward, and LOST will all go, then… then again, most of us seem to be. Yes there’s that Thursday at 8 slot, but beyond it? I think keeping just one at a 10pm slot on Wednesday could be a bad choice, as would Tuesday at 8 against Idol, NCIS, etc.

By: Sara

Sara — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:53:53 +0000

I hope it gets the spot because, like Michael Ausiello said, it has been a really great season.

By: Tommy

Tommy — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:16:06 +0000

I completely agree with you about Castle (I don’t understand why they ordered a back 9 honestly,) but I think ABC really wants a 2hr comedy block like the rest of the broadcast networks have (with the exception of The CW. But do they even count anymore?) So they are willing to stick with that format for the rest of this season and hope that with Hank removed the 8pm hour will grow. The Middle did improve slightly when The Great Pumpkin was on at 8, so who knows. I have seen every episode of it too (having a job where there’s nothing to do but watch tv and wait for the phone to ring will do that to you too….lol) and I can see where it has some room to improve.

By: Julia

Julia — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:02:43 +0000

My thinking is Castle is dead anyway, and ABC knows it. If they want to launch a 10 pm show there next season, they can always go back to 120 mins. If they want to put an hour long show on Wednesdays at 8, I don’t think it’s ridiculous to think they’d cut back DWTS. At this point, they may want to try to save The Middle (though I don’t know why they would, and I’ve watched every episode – being unemployed will do that to you) and view that as more important than Castle.

By: Tommy

Tommy — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:54:37 +0000

I think dropping DWTS to 90mins might help it a little, but I think it would be getting similar ratings whether it’s 90mins or 120mins. And unless they put a high rated comedy on at 9:30, they would kill the 10pm slot. I think ABC’s 10pm hour is more leadin dependent then the rest of the night. DWTS has proven to be a decent leadin for Castle, and that’s the only reason I think they may keep it the way it is now even if Castle doesn’t last another show could benefit from it.

By: Julia

Julia — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:41:53 +0000

DWTS’s ratings are down from last year, though. They probably would be anyway, but it’s not like they are really seeing a more successful show because it’s 120 mins. Maybe dropping it to 90 will keep more people interested?

By: Tommy

Tommy — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:31:39 +0000

Julia, what I’m thinking is that the 120min format of DWTS this year has been more successful for ABC’s Monday night then the 90min format they used last year. I know they did it to prop up Castle, and I think they’d be more inclined to keep the 120min format to get the best ratings they can out of Castle, and possibly use the same format next year to launch a new show if Castle isn’t renewed.

By: Julia

Julia — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:24:08 +0000

Tommy, while you’re right that Scrubs and BOT will not be getting orders for more episodes than they currently have, I’m not sure it’s so ridiculous to think DWTS might be shortened. The performance was always 90 minutes after the first few rounds (and I think way back when they even shortened it to 60 minutes for the last few rounds) and ABC only made it 120 minutes for the whole cycle to prop up Castle.

But if they move The Middle, it won’t be for Scrubs and BOT. That’s for sure.

By: Tommy

Tommy — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:56:46 +0000

What I’m saying is they aren’t going to air a comedy at 9:30 on Monday. There is no need to, Scrubs and Better Off Ted most likely will not have 22 episode seasons so there is enough time to air it from Dec – March. And why would it matter if Scrubs ends in March or May?, It can get closure either way. They can stick with MF repeats at 8 until RC is ready to go, that’s the only change they would need to make to the schedule, instead of moving show A over here, show B other there, shorten show C to make room for show A, IMO you are making it more complicated then it needs to be.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:46:45 +0000

Tommy – If they air a comedy at 9:30 ratings for Castle may not rebound but that depends on how well Castle does airing post Bachelor. If it doesnt do great, it wont matter for ABC because they will probably axe the series anyway. And I meant that since Scrubs had a finale last season, ABC may want to create a new kind of closure for the series should it end, which probably wont be in March.

By: Tommy

Tommy — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:40:06 +0000

What do you mean by a 2nd Scrubs finale? And yes Castle’s performance post The Bachelor may be the final nail in it’s coffin, but I don’t see them changing the format, they just won’t renew it for a 3rd season. They have already ordered the back 9 for Castle, so even if it drops post Bachelor it may rebound when Dancing returns. ABC may still cancel it in May but they will want to get the highest ratings possible for it until then. 30 min sitcoms almost destroyed it last year, that’s why ABC make the format change to begin with.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:35:11 +0000

S – Yeah, I actually didnt know that RC started shooting in January, I just assumed that the series has been shooting. But RC not even being ready kind of confirms my Scrubs/Ted moving to 8-9 theory. The Middle could go on hiatus until Ted ends and then come back to the slot. RC could probably air post Dancing since theres no other slots.

Jan-March
8:00 Scrubs
8:30 Better Off Ted
9:00 Modern Family
9:30 Cougar Town
10:00 Lost

March-May
8:00 Scrubs
8:30 The Middle
9:00 Modern Family
9:30 Cougar Town
10:00 Lost

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:30:37 +0000

Tommy – The two can run there seasons out, but unless ABC wants to make a second Scrubs finale, they may want to find some way to make the series last until May, which is what happened last year. If Castle drops when it airs after The Bachelor, that may be the final nail in the coffin for the series and ABC may schedule a comedy post Dancing.

By: S.

S. — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:29:34 +0000

Dan,

Since Romantically Challenged starts shooting in January, according to Milano herself, can you please explain how ABC is going to premiere it 8 Jan? Specially since there don’t even have a pilot, and even if they did, they recast the the male lead so would be unusable.

By: Tommy

Tommy — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:22:53 +0000

My point earlier is that, ABC is having better results with having a 2hr DWTS followed by Castle then they did with the format they used last year. I know DWTS is down from last year, but the format itself is still an improvement over last year. I don’t see them changing it and killing Castle along with the change. Scrubs and BoT will air from December – March when DWTS, V, and Lost all return, that should be enough time for them to run their seasons out, so those aren’t going to be an issue.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:14:46 +0000

Tommy – 9:30 comedy series can kill Castle all they want, but if ABC is looking to develop comedies, then airing one (The Middle) post DWTS in March may not be a bad thing. Also The Middle being singled out it may need to air post Dancing. Another thing I thought of was ABC premiering RC post Dancing like they did last year with Surviving Suburbia. If Scrubs has 18 episodes this season then if Ted finishes airing around March, Scrubs could move to 8:00 wednesdays to make Scrubs/The Middle/Modern Family/Cougar Town/Lost. But then what will air 8:00 wed from Jan-March?

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:10:25 +0000

Tommy – But The Middle isnt doing well, and if it stays in that slot it will likely continue to not do well, especially airing after a new series. ABC actually is the network that changes the most series come midseason. Last season they moved Private Practice behind Grey’s to try to save it, and they tried to move Life on Mars to air after Lost to try to save it to, but it didnt work. Also Dancing results will replace Scrubs and Ted not V, though both series will come into play by March.

If ABC wants to premiere RC at 8 in Jan then they could leave Scrubs and Ted to fill the 9:00 tuesday timeslot until March then move the duo to the 8-9 comedy block. I just have a feeling ABC will move The Middle somewhere.

By: Tommy

Tommy — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:00:57 +0000

I think ABC has learned that 30 min comedies after DWTS kills Castle at 10PM, so I don’t know how quickly they’d jump at that option again.

By: forg

forg — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:56:48 +0000

Yeah I think it’s not wise to launch Romantically Challenged against Idol. Scrubs and Better off Ted could serve as good cannon fodder for AI, but I think ABC will still stick them to Tuesday. I hope ABC cuts down DWTS to 1.5 hours so that The Middle could get the 9:30 slot

By: Tommy

Tommy — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:55:42 +0000

The way I see it, slotting RC in at 8 and keeping the rest of the Wed comedies as is is the easiest way for ABC to program those shows. Scrubs and BoT will air until V returns, so those are covered timeslot wise. ABC likes continuity in their schedule, and doesn’t usually make a lot of changes to it’s lineup come mid-season. Last year they shuffled a few things around, but that was to try and get the shows to improve. I don’t see them shuffling a lot of stuff around , when all they have to do is replace the repeats of MF, with RC when it premieres.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:54:32 +0000

Also American Idol airing at 8 wednesdays doesnt help anything ABC puts there. ABC aired double Scrubs last Jan-March in the wed 8-9 slot, I think if they led the night off with Scrubs and Ted it would be better there. ABC would likely rather see The Middle succeed then Scrubs to do well.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:51:14 +0000

Its just not compatible with the rest of the comedies, being multi camera. Its also hard for a new series to lead off the night like Hank had to.

By: Tommy

Tommy — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:47:54 +0000

Dan, why do you think RC would do worse then Hank did?

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:46:21 +0000

Forg – Well Id say the best thing is for the comedies MF and CT to stay 9 and 9:30 since they are doing well there. Lost can air at 10pm and if for some reason MF and CT finish there 22 episode seasons in April, Lost can move up to 9 in May to air its series finale. The problem is what will air 8pm wednesday. If its not Ugly Betty then Id suggest Scrubs and Ted. Normally Id say leave The Middle at 8:30 and premiere Romantically Challenged at 8 but RC airing at 8 is way worse then Hank. The Middle can then finish up airing post Dancing March-May.

By: forg

forg — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:39:33 +0000

The sitcoms should stay at 9pm, Modern Family/Cougar Town ratings are on par with Glee and Modern Family even beats it, although an Idol-supported Glee could push the show to 4.0, I think the comedies have better chances of doing well against Glee than facing AI. Lost should be on Wednesdays at 10pm, the show could pull a 4.0+ there

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:38:51 +0000

Its possible that if Betty stays on fridays the sched could look like this.

8:00 Scrubs
8:30 Better Off Ted
9:00 Modern Family
9:30 Cougar Town
10:00 Lost

If ABC doesnt move Betty to wednesdays Id suggest to ABC to keep their 2 hour wednesday comedy block. Since Scrubs and Ted are ratings failures any way airing them against Idol probably wont make a difference. A two hour Lost season premiere could preempt MF and CT for a day toward the end of Jan.