Comments on: Thursday broadcast finals: Grey's Anatomy up; The Vampire Diaries, 30 Rock down

By: Riff Rafferty

Riff Rafferty — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:59:39 +0000

“Fringe” retention out of “Bones”…

Total viewers – 60%
HH – 59%
18-49 – 74%

Yup, that’s a disaster alright.

By: ABCHasProblems

ABCHasProblems — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:43:59 +0000

Doug (2), there’s a huge difference between last summer’s primetime return of WWTBAM and the 2004 spin-off Super Millionaire. I doubt the original series (top prize: $1 million) will ever make it back to ABC primetime after last summer’s horrible performance, but I do think ABC should revive Super Millionaire (top prize: $10 million) just to see if it can outrate FF. If it’s a one-episode-a-week series rather than a multi-night series, I can see it getting DWTS-like numbers in the 8pm Thursday slot.

Aznfratboy: I agree that FF is too early for 8pm. I was shocked hearing the word pr**k and seeing a fetish club in some of the recent episodes. Even Grey’s is more family-friendly than FF, and that’s a 9pm show.

By: aznfratboy

aznfratboy — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:11:50 +0000

FF doesn’t belong at 8pm, it’s too early, it’s more suited for a 9pm Tuesday or somewhere.

Thursday 8pm is better suited for like a second comedy block or The Deep End.

By: Doug (2)

Doug (2) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:52:47 +0000

ABC, I do agree that FF is not long for the 8pm timeslot, but SuperMillionaire’s puny returns over the summer (despite the hype) preclude it from Thursday. Super Millionaire would be giving up the slot which, given ABC’s fairly big stable of series, is pointless. I also believe that ABC said, after the summer airing, that there were no future plans to air the show.

As for FF, I think that it’s near or at the ratings floor at this point. Those returns are *okay* but ABC can do better in the time slot.

By: Julia

Julia — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:44:17 +0000

I can’t think of a reality show that has done over 4 this season, with the exception of two episodes of Survivor, so I don’t think there’s any others.

By: Bill Gorman

Bill Gorman — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:25:13 +0000

j, I don’t keep close track of unscripted show averages but here are the scripted shows with 18-49 ratings averages > 4.

The Cleveland Show
The Simpsons
The Office
NCIS
Two And A Half Men
V
Family Guy
Desperate Housewives
Big Bang Theory
House
Grey’s Anatomy

The list above counts repeats in the averages. CSI: Miami is averaging a 3.97 if you exclude its one repeat.

By: j

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:21:13 +0000

What’s regularly 4+ so far this season?

Monday: House, Bang/Men
Tuesday: NCIS
Thursday: Grey’s, Office
Sunday: Simpsons/Family Guy, Desperate, Football

Though despite nothing from W, its middle hour is one of the most competitive with 3 nets getting good ratings. Of course, W at 8 has nothing (as does Tu at 10).
Sunday is interesting, losing one good-rated net each hour, starting out with the most powerful hour in primetime broadcast right now (4 nets w/3+’s).

By: ABCHasProblems

ABCHasProblems — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:51:35 +0000

Doug (2):
With FlashForward’s consistently declining ratings, it’s possible that Super Millionaire could outrate FF in the key 18-49 demo, whether it’s “extremely old skewing” or not. DWTS skews ancient, yet it maintains solid 3′s in the demo against stiff Monday night competition. The same thing could happen to SM on Thursdays @ 8. ABC put FF in the 8pm slot on Thursdays because they believed it could perform better than Ugly Betty over the same nights last year. As you said, on “Thursdays, you maximize ratings, whatever the expense (to a point).” FF’s ratings keep declining while all the other 8pm shows’ ratings stay consistent. Why then should ABC let FF air all its episodes on Thursday night at 8pm? I think FF needs to be shipped to the post-LOST slot in the spring.

By: Mumbo

Mumbo — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:37:16 +0000

Wait, wait, wait, a Thursday night full of heavy-hitters during November sweeps, and Grey’s is the only show to break a 4.0?

That can’t be good. And New Moon is no excuse.

By: Doug (2)

Doug (2) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:19:22 +0000

Why would ABC air Super Millionaire at 8pm? It’s extremely old skewing and would be a complete waste of a timeslot. Thursday is one of the nights were you don’t worry too much about expense because of its sheer advertising value. Thursdays, you maximize ratings, whatever the expense (to a point). Expense worries are for Saturdays and Sundays.

By: Julia

Julia — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:56:40 +0000

Yeah, this was the most I’ve liked Dwight in a long time. It’s nice to get him away from the boring-hating-Jim thing.

By: ABCHasProblems

ABCHasProblems — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:54:28 +0000

I can’t believe no one has mentioned that FlashForward actually did worse than Ugly Betty on the same night one year ago. UB got 8.29 million and a 2.5/7 rating on 11/20/08, while last night’s FF got 7.98 million and a 2.4/7 rating. ABC has to fill this timeslot with something other than FF because the show, unfortunately, has nowhere to go from here but down (ratings-wise).

By: the128boy

the128boy — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:50:02 +0000

Julia, I agree that topical can be good. And I think the bankruptcy storyline definately works.

Also, the more often they can cram Michael, Andy, Dwight, and Oscar into one scene the better

By: R.G

R.G — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:07:53 +0000

I didn’t like the Office episode last week, but I did like the Mentalist episode. It was great.

By: J.R. Herbaugh

J.R. Herbaugh — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:06:13 +0000

Carolina's sole primary market is Charlotte. The game aired on WAXN 64, which has no affiliation.

By: ABCHasProblems

ABCHasProblems — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:52:36 +0000

After last night’s FF ratings, shouldn’t ABC try out Super Millionaire in the 8pm Thursday slot this winter? I don’t see why not as it must cost significantly less to produce compared to an episode of FF.

By: Julia

Julia — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:34:13 +0000

I think it was Ben Grossman who was complaining that the bankruptcy storyline is not what people are looking for in a comedy right now. Personally, I disagree, and I think that bring topical situations into the show is a good idea, but I can see how it may drive some people away.

By: the128boy

the128boy — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:24:40 +0000

Johnthemon,

I actually thought last nights The Office was pretty good, though there have been many episodes I liked more, there have been a lot I liked less too.

As far as the ratings go, despite a mediocre start to the season, The Office has actually been doing quite well, even when compared to any season in its past.

Compared to last season specifically, it has been tracking very close in recent weeks. Last night was a marked difference. And this is just a few weeks after one of its highest rated episodes ever (the wedding ep, #8-tie not including the post superbowl episode) just afew weeks ago.

Hopefully a large part of it is due to football, stealing young men, and they will return next week.

By: TomKH

TomKH — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:23:19 +0000

I think the last time Survivor was the strong part of CBS’ Thursdays and beat the competition was back in 2002 if not 2001. It’s amazing how after 7 years it’s at the top again.

By: johnthemon

johnthemon — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:48:56 +0000

@the128boy

Don’t make too much of the office hitting 7th from series low numbers. Shows eventually lose their mojo, and last night’s Office wasn’t the kind to grab a lot of viewers.

By: Smallville

Smallville — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:26:25 +0000

the only shows right now that are most likely gonna be renewed seriously is Smallville, Vampire Diaries, Supernatural, & One Tree Hill danger is like gossip girl/90210 and most likely to not is mp

By: David

David — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:56:32 +0000

I mis spelled much brilliant.

By: David

David — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:25:35 +0000

Well tv critics like parks and rec now but tv audience not so mouch.

By: DenverDean

DenverDean — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:15:26 +0000

Since the NFL game stated at 8:20, wouldn’t all of NBC’s line-up been pre-empted on those NC stations? I’m not sure why only the 9 p.m. shows were pre-empted.

By: Joselito

Joselito — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:05:07 +0000

To Paul whether people wanna be believe it or not Vampire Diaries was in competing with The New Moon midnight release I know people that lined up 5 hours before it even started to get good seats, parking etc. It will be back up once it comes back.

By: the128boy

the128boy — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:44:51 +0000

Ouch this week for The Office. That is tied for the its 12th lowest airing of ALL TIME.

And 5 of those lower airings were in the ratings-basement first season, so last night’s was essentially tied for 7th lowest original The Office ever… that sucks.

However Grey’s was also a tick away from a series low, and CSI can’t be much better, although I don’t know what its series low is.

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:43:32 +0000

Is Vampire Diaries about to drop further? Hmm, maybe. I love the show and last nights episode was by far the best yet, but i have heard a lot of people are not happy with the pacing of the story, hopefully new moon did affect it, and it goes back above 4 million, 1.8. But regardless it’s CW’s number 1 show, it aint going anywhere, although i did expect it to tick up, not down in the finals, ahwell be there January 14th viewers or be square!!

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:17:03 +0000

Private Practice’s ratings were bad- a season low.

By: j

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:15:52 +0000

Hmm, usually 30 Rock goes up. Well, one ep below 3.0. Still their #3 show.
VD probably the net’s #2 of the week after the Top Model finale.
Has Fringe hit below a 2 this season?
CSI #5 of the night.

Biggest hits of the last 3 seasons, most recent ep:
3.7 Modern Family & Mentalist
3.4 NCIS2
3.3 Glee & Cleveland
3.2 Cougar Town
3.1 Private Practice & V

& towering above them all, Big Bang which got in the 5-range again I believe.

By: Alison

Alison — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:15:16 +0000

Please can you check the finals for The Mentalist – it usually goes up from the overnights but here its virtually the same 15.8. Thanks!

By: nick

nick — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:14:20 +0000

Dont like vampire diaries but i dont deny its a winner for the cw, plus its paired with supernatural (which rocks) and as the only two paranormal shows their both likely to return next year

By: Joselito

Joselito — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:02:08 +0000

Vampire Diaries hit a series low but still doing amazing. When the show returns it will go back up. Especially with the marathon airing for people to either catch up or start watching for the first time.

By: johnthemon

johnthemon — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:00:56 +0000

ouch for 30 Rock. Last night’s episode was really good.