30 Rock and Mad Men Snag Top Honors at the Emmys

THE PROGRAMMING INSIDERMonday, September 21, 2009 Primetime Ratings:Weekend Highlights The 61th Annual Prime-Time Emmy Awards:And the Winners Were… Ratings Box:What's Hot/What's Not On the Air Tonight:Prime-Time Programming Options TV Tidbits:Notes of Interest TV Trivia Time:A Tasty Question_______________________________________________________________________ Prime-Time Ratings:Weekend Highlights Friday 9/18/09Note: The following results are based on the fast affiliate ratings (Live Plus Same Day data). HH Rtg/Shr NBC 5.1/10CBS 3.0/ 6Fox 2.4/ 4ABC 2.3/ 4CW 0.9/ 2 -Total Viewers:NBC: 7.48 million, CBS: 4.49, Fox: 3.81, ABC: 3.29, CW: 1.37 -Adults 18-49: NBC: 1.9 rating/7 share, CBS and Fox: 1.0/ 3 each, ABC: 0.8/ 3, CW: 0.6/ 2 -------------------- Note: Any prior rating results are based on the final nationals. Since the level of DVR penetration has increased from 20 percent at this same point last year to approximately 28 percent at present, the overall results may be negatively impacted. ---------- -Friday’s Winners:Dateline (NBC), The Jay Leno Show (NBC) -Friday’s Losers:The ALMA Awards (ABC) ---------- -Ratings Breakdown:NBC led the Friday troops with its combination of the two-hour season-premiere of Dateline (Viewers: #1, 7.38 million; A18-49: #1, 2.0/ 7 from 8-10 p.m.) and the fifth night (and Friday premiere) of The Jay Leno Show (Viewers: #1, 7.69 million; A18-49: #1, 2.1/ 7 at 10 p.m.). Once again, this is good news for NBC. Take a look at the half-hour breakdown for Dateline, which built as the show progressed. Dateline (NBC)8:00 p.m. – Viewers: 6.08 million (#1), A18-49: 1.4/ 6 (#1)8:30 p.m. – Viewers: 6.34 million (#1), A18-49: 1.5/ 6 (#1)9:00 p.m. – Viewers: 7.87 million (#1), A18-49: 1.9/ 7 (#1)9:30 p.m. – Viewers: 9.24 million (#1), A18-49: 2.3/ 8 (#1) Retention for The Jay Leno Show out of 9:30 p.m. portion of Dateline was solid at 83 percent in total viewers and 91 percent among adults 18-49. Although losses from Friday to Monday are more than 50 percent, NBC accomplished what it had hoped for The Jay Leno Show, and that was solid sampling. Now let’s wait and see what happens once the start of the new season begins today. Here is Leno’s first week track (with Monday through Thursday based on the Live Plus Same Day nationals). The Jay Leno Show (NBC)Monday 9/14/09 – Viewers: 18.42 million; A18-49: 5.3/14Tuesday 9/15/09 – Viewers: 11.09 million; A18-49: 3.4/ 9Wednesday 9/16/09 – Viewers: 13.36 million; A18-49: 3.5/10Thursday 9/17/09 – Viewers: 8.82 million; A18-49: 2.7/ 8Friday 9/18/09 – Viewers: 7.69 million; A18-49: 2.1/ 7 Elsewhere, it was typical Friday of repeats for CBS with its combination of Ghost Whisperer (Viewers: #3, 4.63 million; A18-49: #2, 1.1/ 4), Medium (Viewers: #2, 4.53 million; A18-49: #2, 1.0/ 3) and Numbers (Viewers: #3, 4.29 million; A18-49: #3, 1.0/ 3). In season-finale news, Fox game show Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? finished second in the 8 p.m. hour in total viewers (5.02 million), and third among adults 18-49 (1.0/ 4). That led into a repeat of Glee at 2.76 million viewers (#3) and a 0.9/ 3 in the demo -- third in both categories at 9 p.m. Don’t forget that a half-hour version of Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? begins in first-run syndication today. ABC aired its annual two-hour telecast of The ALMA Awards (Viewers: #4, 2.21 million; A18-49: #4t, 0.6/ 2 from 8-10 p.m.), which is never a competitive option, followed by veteran 20/20 at 5.45 million viewers (#2) and a 1.4/ 5 (#2) among adults 18-49 at 10 p.m. While 20/20’s performance was nothing to boast about, it was a vast improvement over lead-in The ALMA Awards. The CW capped off this final Friday of the summer season with a repeat of Smallville (Viewers: #5, 1.57 million; A18-49: #4t, 0.6/ 2) and a repeat of the pilot episode of The Beautiful Life (Viewers: #5, 1.08 million; A18-49: #4t, 0.5/ 2), which was dead on arrival on Wednesday. Coming up next Friday:The one hour series-premiere of Fox sitcom Brothers; and the season-premieres of CBS’ Ghost Whisperer, Medium and Numbers; NBC’s Law & Order; Fox’s Dollhouse; and The CW’s relocated Smallville. Let the games begin! Source: Nielsen Media Research data (R = repeat) ------------------------- Saturday 9/19/09Note: The following results are based on the fast affiliate ratings (Live Plus Same Day data). HH Rtg/Shr ABC 3.8/ 7Fox 2.9/ 6CBS 2.4/ 5NBC 2.1/ 4 -Total Viewers:ABC: 6.22 million, Fox: 4.81, CBS: 3.55, NBC: 3.17 -Adults 18-49: ABC: 2.0 rating/7 share, Fox: 1.6/ 5, CBS and NBC: 0.8/ 3 each ---------- Note: Any prior rating results are based on the final nationals. Since the level of DVR penetration has increased from 20 percent at this same point last year to approximately 28 percent at present, the overall results may be negatively impacted. ---------- -Saturday’s Winners:Nothing -Saturday’s Losers (excluding repeats):The night overall, as usual. ---------- -Ratings Breakdown:College Football on ABC (Texas Tech at Texas) led ABC to Saturday victory, with an average (and estimated) 6.22 million viewers and a 2.0 rating/7 share among adults 18-49 in prime-time. For a Saturday, this is a very respectable performance. As a reminder, results for any live sporting event are always approximate. Next up was Fox care of its perennial combination of Cops (Viewers: #2, avg. 4.56 million; A18-49: #1, avg. 1.4/ 5 from 8-9 p.m.) and America’s Most Wanted (Viewers: #2, 5.05 million; A18-49: #2, 1.7/ 5). As I say all the time, these shows will outlive us all. CBS aired repeats of CSI: Miami (Viewers: #3, 2.23 million; A18-49: #3, 0.6/ 2) and CSI (Viewers: #4, 3.26 million; A18-49: #4, 0.7/ 2) from 8-10 p.m., followed by veteran 48 Hours Mystery at 5.5/15 million viewers (#2) and a 1.3/ 5 in the demo (#2) at 10 p.m. And NBC traveled the all non-original route care of The Office (Viewers: #4, 1.90 million; A18-49: #3t, 0.6/ 2), the pilot episode of Community (Viewers: #4, 1.64 million; A18-49: #3t, 0.5/ 2), Law & Order (Viewers: #3, 3.46 million; A18-49: #3, 0.8/ 3) and Law & Order: SVU (Viewers: #3, 4.28 million; A18-49: #3, 1.1/ 4). Source: Nielsen Media Research data (R = repeat) ------------------------- Note: Due to the early release of The Programming Insider, metered market (overnight) results were not available for Sunday, Sept. 20. Source: Nielsen Media Research data____________________________________________________________________________ Ratings Box:What's Hot/What's Not -Dr. Oz – Week One:Overnight results for Friday were not available, but based on the metered markets from Monday, Sept. 14 through Thursday, Sept. 17, week one of Sony Pictures Television talker Dr. Mehmet Oz is off to a positive start. According to the 56 markets tallied, Dr. Oz is averaging a weighted 1.6 rating/ 5 share -- up 23 percent from both the lead-in and year-ago time period averages (1.3/ 4). Keep in mind that most new shows barely maintain the two benchmarks. -Above Average It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia:Season five of FX sitcom It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia opened on Thursday, Sept. 17 with an improved 2.24 million total viewers, 1.7 million adults 18-49 and 1.42 million adults 18-34 at 10 p.m. ET. Comparably, that built by 22 percent in total viewers (2.24 vs. 1.73 million) and as much as 76 percent among adults 18-34 (1.42 million vs. 803,000) from its year-ago fourth season-premeire. -Final Thursday Nationals:What follows are the final Live Plus Same Days ratings for Thursday, Sept. 17. Households:CBS: 6.2 rating/11 share, Fox: 5.5/ 9, NBC: 4.6/ 8, ABC: 3.1/ 5, CW: 2.2/ 4 Total Viewers:CBS: 9.83 million, Fox: 9.09, NBC: 7.34, ABC: 4.38, CW: 3.28 Adults 18-49:Fox: 3.0 rating/9 share, NBC: 2.9/ 8, CBS: 2.5/ 7, CW: 1.4/ 2, ABC: 1.3/ 4 For the individual results by show, click here: http://pifeedback.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/63310451/m/209103142/p/6 Source: Nielsen Media Research data ________________________________________________________________________________ On the Air Tonight:Prime-Time Programming Options Monday 9/21/09Night One of the 2009-10 Season ABC: 8:00 p.m. Dancing With the Stars (season premiere, two hours) CBS: 8:00 p.m. How I Met Your Mother (season premiere) 8:30 p.m. Accidentally on Purpose (series premiere) 9:00 p.m. Two and a Half Men (season premiere) 9:30 p.m. The Big Bang Theory (season premiere)10:00 p.m. CSI: Miami (season premiere) NBC: 8:00 p.m. Heroes (season premiere, two hours)10:00 p.m. The Jay Leno Show Fox: 8:00 p.m. House (season premiere, two hours) CW: 8:00 p.m. One Tree Hill 9:00 p.m. Gossip Girl New Program Descriptions Accidentally on Purpose (CBS) -The Premise:Former Dharma & Greg star Jenna Elfman plays a 39 year-old San Francisco movie critic who gets pregnant after a one night with a man 10 years her junior. The cast includes Ashley Jensen, Grant Show (Swingtown), Jon Foster, Lennon Parham and Nicolas Wright. -The Scoop:Said Jenna Elfman at the recent Summer 2009 Television Critics Association Press Tour about returning to the world of sitcoms: “I have been doing nothing but trying to find another show to do on television that makes me happy, that inspires me, that I feel like I’m in a comedy sandbox doing what I love to do, and I have that with this. So I am honestly so grateful. But it’s been sort of from one development deal to another and certain attempts and misses here and there, but just nonstop nose to the grindstone. Boy, it was a real test of my endurance, mentally, you know, because it was very challenging. Many times I would go in my backyard, and I would call my agent and go, “I think I’m just going to move to Montana and quit. I swear. I can’t take it.” I get really frustrated. But that kind of just goes to show you how hard it is to find great comedies right now.” -The Reality:Jenna Elman’s success on Dharma & Greg stemmed from three things: 1) a diversified mix of appealing characters; 2) interesting storylines; and 3) the show itself…it was funny (at least in the first few seasons). The pilot of Accidentally on Purpose, unfortunately, missed all three things. While I always say you can never fully judge a show from episode one, if subsequent installments do not get better, CBS will quickly realize it has benchwarmer Rules of Engagement ready to step in at any time. -Chance of Survival for Accidentally on Purpose (Based on a scale of 1-1 to 10-1):6-1 ________________________________________________________________________ TV Tidbits:Notes of Interest -The 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards:And the Winners Were… Hosted by still trophy-less Neil Patrick Harris, The 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards was a mixed night of many surprises and a number of continued winners, including AMC’s Mad Men and NBC’s 30 Rock as top drama and comedy. The three-hour telecast got off to an unpredictable start with teary eyed Kristin Chenoweth named Best Supporting Actress of a Comedy Series for ABC’s canceled Pushing Daisies. There was just something about that show the voters just loved (but the viewers did not, of course). The next surprise was Jon Cryer for his first win as Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy for CBS’ long-running Two and a Half Men. The fourth nomination was the charm for “Duckie.” And equally unexpected was Toni Collette for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Showtime’s The United States of Tara, who benefited no doubt by her portrayal of multiple personalities.. While Jon Cryer’s win could have signaled a long overdue victory for Charlie Sheen for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, 30 Rock’s Alec Baldwin was back at the podium for the second consecutive year. Ditto for Survivor’s Jeff Probst, who won another Emmy for hosting CBS’ veteran Survivor. Tom Bergeron…you were robbed! In an unprecedented winning streak, CBS’ The Amazing Race won its seventh consecutive Emmy for Outstanding Reality Series. Isn’t it time for another show to sneak in at this point? Following victories for Ken Howard (Grey Gardens), Shohreh Aghdashloo (House of Saddam), Brendan Gleeson (Into the Storm) and Jessica Lange (House of Grey Gardens), all HBO titles, in the miniseries and movie acting categories, it was wins for HBO’s Grey Gardens for Outstanding Made-For Television Movie and PBS’ Little Dorrit for Outstanding Miniseries. Considering HBO’s dominance, there is an obvious lack of made-for movies on the broadcast nets. Although there was certainly critical momentum for NBC’s veteran Saturday Night Live this season, Jon Stewart was back on the stage accepting another Emmy for Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart as Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series. Mirroring The Amazing Race, isn’t it time for a change? You can now consider Stewart the “Helen Hunt of variety.” Hunt, of course, won Emmys year-after-year for sitcom Mad About You, while worthy star Paul Reiser always went home empty handed. Speaking of Paul Reiser, what ever happened to him? Getting back to the Emmys, dramas kicked-off with Michael Emerson (ABC’s Lost) and Cherry Jones (Fox’s 24) named Outstanding Supporting Actor and Actress. Considering the lack of buzz for 24 last season, Jones was yet another surprise in a night jammed packed with uncertainties. Glenn Close was back at the podium, accepting her second Emmy in a row as Lead Actress in a Drama for Damages on FX. But before anyone thinks she always wins, don’t forget that her current Oscar track is 0 for 5. Also two in a row: Bryan Cranston for AMC’s Breaking Bad as Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama. Does anyone even remember that unrecognizable Cranston was once Malcolm’s goofy father? As NBC’s 30 Rock and AMC’s Mad Men capped off the telecast with their expected Best Comedy and Drama victories, it is onto the 2009-10 TV season, which officially begins tonight. Here’s to a great season! What follows is a listing of the key winners: Outstanding…-Drama Series: Mad Men (AMC)-Comedy Series: 30 Rock (NBC)-Miniseries: Little Dorrit (PBS)-Made-for Television Movie: Grey Gardens (HBO)-Variety, Music or Comedy Series: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central)-Reality/Competition Program: The Amazing Race (CBS)-Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad, AMC)-Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Glenn Close (Damages, FX)-Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Alec Baldwin (30 Rock, NBC)-Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: Toni Collette (The United States of Tara, Showtime)-Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie: Brendan Gleeson (Into the Storm, HBO)-Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie: Jessica Lange (Grey Gardens, HBO)-Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program: Jeff Probst (Survivor, CBS)-Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Michael Emerson (Lost, ABC)-Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Cherry Jones (24, Fox)-Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Jon Cryer (Two and a Half Men, CBS)-Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Kristin Chenoweth (Pushing Daisies, ABC)-Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie: Ken Howard (Grey Gardens, HBO)-Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie: Shohreh Aghdashloo (House of Saddam, HBO)-Directing for a Drama Series: Rod Holcomb (ER, NBC)-Directing for a Comedy Series: Jeffrey Blitz (The Office, NBC)-Directing for a Miniseries or Movie: Dearbhla Walsh (Little Dorrit, PBS)-Directing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program: Bruce Gowers (American Idol, Fox)-Writing for a Drama Series: Kater Gordon and Matthew Weiner (Mad Men, AMC)-Writing for a Comedy Series: Matt Hubbard (30 Rock, NBC)-Writing for a Miniseries or Movie: Andrew Davies (Little Dorrit, PBS)-Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program: The team from The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central) _______________________________________________________________________________________ TV Trivia Time:A Tasty Question Four of the following five choices are actual titles for shows on The Food Network. Which one isn’t? The Best Thing I Ever AteChoppedFun in the Kitchen Good EatsPaula’s Best Dishes The answer to Friday’s question… Who played Mary’s new neighbor when she moved to the high rise apartment building in season five of The Mary Tyler Moore Show? Delta BurkeJoanna Kerns Judith LightPenny Marshall Rosie O’Donnell Is: d) Penny Marshall pre Laverne & Shirley, who was only seen twice. Did good ol’ Mary scare her away? -Current kudos goes to:Gerry Bixenspan, Larry Collins, Tom Condosta, Audrey Davis, Maureen Goldman, Carolyn Becker Hayes, Bob Ingersoll, Deb Kainer, Synda Kollman, Thomas Lobascio, Michael Murphy, Tony Naldrett, Gordon Purcell, Marc Schacher, Michelle Stanton, Michael Stern, Alexander Yeh

Convergent TV

30 Rock and Mad Men Snag Top Honors at the Emmys

Marc Berman

About

Subscriptions

Events

Publications

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Subscribe today!

Marc Berman