Mixed Weekend Leadership

THE PROGRAMMING INSIDERMonday, April 26, 2010 Primetime Ratings:Weekend Highlights Ratings Box:What’s Hot/What’s Not On the Air Tonight:Prime-Time Programming Options TV Tidbits:Notes of Interest TV Trivia Time:Lucy the Impersonator_______________________________________________________________________ Prime-Time Ratings:Weekend Highlights Friday 4/23/10Note: The following results are based on the fast affiliate ratings (Live Plus Same Day data). HH Rtg/ShrNBC 4.6/ 8CBS 3.3/ 6ABC 2.6/ 5Fox 1.9/ 4CW 1.2/ 2 -Total Viewers:NBC: 6.84 million, CBS: 5.07, ABC: 3.91, Fox: 2.80, CW: 1.86 -Adults 18-49:NBC: 1.5 rating/5 share, ABC: 1.2/ 4, CBS: 1.0/ 4, Fox: 0.9/ 3, CW: 0.8/ 3 -------------------- Note: Any prior rating results are based on the final nationals. Since the level of DVR penetration has increased from 30 percent at this same point last year to approximately 36 percent at present, the overall results may be negatively impacted. ---------- -Friday’s Winners:Nothing -Friday’s Losers (excluding repeats):Wife Swap (ABC), Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution (ABC), 20/20 (ABC), Miami Medical (CBS) ---------- -Ratings Breakdown:NBC won this low-rated Friday, but less than 7-million viewers and a 1.5 rating among adults 18-49, on average, is nothing to boast about. Who Do You Think You Are, featuring Susan Sarandon, opened for NBC with a dominant 6.35 million viewers and a 1.3 rating/5 share among adults 18-49 at 8 p.m. Lead-out Dateline averaged 7.08 million viewers and a 1.5/ 5 in the demo from 9-11 p.m. Dateline (NBC)9:00 p.m. – Viewers: 6.42 million (#1), A18-49: 1.3/ 5 (#1t) 9:30 p.m. – Viewers: 7.05 million (#1), A18-49: 1.4/ 5 (#1t) 10:00 p.m. – Viewers: 7.16 million (#1), A18-49: 1.6/ 5 (#1)10:30 p.m. – Viewers: 7.69 million (#1), A18-49: 1.8/ 6 (#1) Sadly, this is the level a network dominates at on Friday. In week four news, CBS drama Miami Medical dipped to a series-low 6.00 million viewers (#2) and a last-place 1.0/ 3 among adults 18-49 at 10 p.m., which all but kills any chance of a second season renewal. Earlier in the evening on CBS were repeats on on-the-fence Ghost Whisperer (Viewers: #2, 4.67 million; A18-49: #2t, 1.1/ 4) and Medium (Viewers: #2, 4.53 million; A18-49: #3, 1.0/ 3) from 8-10 p.m. My prediction is one of those two dramas will return. In season (or series) finale news, Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution on ABC concluded with a mere 3.91 million viewers (#3) and a 1.3/ 4 among adults 18-49 (#2) at 9 p.m. Although that did build from sinking lead-in Wife Swap (Viewers: #3, 3.36 million; A18-49: #2t, 1.1/ 4 at 8 p.m.), it is certainly not enough to warrant a spot on the fall schedule. My prediction is ABC will keep Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution alive as a midseason returnee. Veteran 20/20 closed the evening for the alphabet net with 4.47 million viewers (#3) and a 1.1/ 4 in the demo (#2) at 10 p.m. Considering the network was in all originals, these are three losing performances. Fox populated this fourth Friday in April with repeats of House (Viewers: #4, 3.01 million; A18-49: #5, 0.8/ 3) and Glee (Viewers: #4, 2.59 million; A18-49: #4, 0.9/ 3). And The CW aired already renewed Smallville (Viewers: #5, 2.23 million; A18-49: #4, 1.0/ 4) and a repeat of America’s Next Top Model (Viewers: #5, 1.49 million; A18-49: #5, 0.6/ 2). Source: Nielsen Media Research data -------------------- Saturday 4/24/10Note: The following results are based on the fast affiliate ratings (Live Plus Same Day data). HH Rtg/Shr Fox 3.1/ 8CBS 3.1/ 6NBC 2.3/ 4ABC 2.1/ 4 -Total Viewers:Fox: 4.89 million, CBS: 4.58, NBC: 3.41, ABC: 3.26 -Adults 18-49:Fox: 1.6 rating/ share, ABC, 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 30 percent at this same point last year to approximately 36 percent at present, the overall results may be negatively impacted. --------------- -Saturday’s Winners: Nothing -Saturday’s Losers (excluding repeats):The night overall…it seems to get worse every week. ---------- -Ratings Breakdown:Fox led the depressed Saturday troops with its combination of Cops (original and repeat – Viewers: #1 avg. 5.00 million; A18-49: #1, avg. 1.6 rating/6 share) and America’s Most Wanted (Viewers: #1, 4.78 million; A18-49: #1, 1.6/ 5). The second most-watched network, CBS, aired repeats of CSI: NY (Viewers: #2, 3.66 million; A18-49: #3, 0.6/ 2) and 48 Hours Mystery (Viewers: #2, 4.20 million; A18-49: #3t, 0.7/ 2) from 8-10 p.m., followed by the original installment of 48 Hours Mystery at 5.88 million viewers (#1) and a 1.2/ 4 among adults 18-49 (#1t) at 10 p.m. Remember the days when there were restrictions and you could not air a crime drama like CSI: NY in the 8 p.m. hour? Next were repeats of a one-hour version of NBC’s The Biggest Loser (Viewers: #4, 1.94 million; A18-49: #4, 0.5/ 2), Law & Order (Viewers: #3, 3.56 million; A18-49: #3t, 0.7/ 2) and Law & Order: SVU (Viewers: #2, 4.73 million; A18-49: #1t, 1.2/ 4). And ABC closed the night with repeat theatrical Norbit (Viewers: #3, 3.16 million; A18-49: #2, 0.8/ 3 from 8-10 p.m.) and a repeat of Castle (Viewers: #4, 3.46 million; A18-49: #4, 0.7/ 2 at 10 p.m.). Yes, this is extraordinarily depressing, I know. Source: Nielsen Media Research data (R = repeat) ------------------------- Sunday 4/25/10 HH Rtg/Shr CBS 6.2/10ABC 5.7/ 9NBC 4.4/ 7Fox 3.0/ 5 ---------- -Percent Change From the Year-Ago Evening (Sunday, April 26, 2009):Fox: - 3, NBC: - 4, CBS: - 6, ABC: - 7 ---------- Note: The fast affiliate results for Sunday will be posted at PIFeedback.com by 12 p.m. ET. Go to the website, click on Ratings Box (the first category), then Last Night’s Results, and Sunday, April 25, 2010. ---------- -Yesterday’s Winners:60 Minutes (CBS), The Amazing Race 16 (CBS), Desperate Housewives (ABC) -Yesterday’s Losers (excluding repeats): Dateline (NBC), ‘Til Death (Fox), Minute to Win It (NBC), Hallmark Hall of Fame – When Love is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story (CBS) -----------Ratings Breakdown:CBS led the overnights on this final Sunday in April with its combination of granddaddy 60 Minutes (#1: 8.4 rating/15 share), The Amazing Race 16 (#1: 7.3/12) and original made-for movie Hallmark Hall of Fame – When Love is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story (4.5/ 7 from 9-11 p.m.), which likely skewed older and performed as follows by half-hour: Hallmark Hall of Fame – When Love is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story (CBS)9:00 p.m.: 4.6/ 7 (#3)9:30 p.m.: 4.3/ 7 (#3)10:00 p.m.: 4.5/ 7 (#3)10:30 p.m.: 4.7/ 8 (#3) Needless to say, there is a reason why you rarely see original movies on the broadcast networks anymore. Second-place ABC, which will likely win the evening among adults 18-49, aired its regularly scheduled combination of America’s Funniest Home Videos (#2, 4.3/ 8), which will likely outlive us all, a repeat of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (#2: 4.1/ 7), Desperate Housewives (#1: 8.2/13), which is beginning to heat up again, and the always quality driven Brothers & Sisters (#1: 6.2/10). Since I like to nitpick, did you know that returning guest star Marion Ross is only 11 years older than her TV son Ron Rifkin? At 81, good ‘ol “Mrs. C” is 18 years ahead of TV daughter Sally Field (63), but 70 year-old Ron Rifkin needs an older TV Mama! NBC started out slow with its 7-9 p.m. combination of Dateline (#3: 3.0/ 5) and Minute to Win It (#3: 3.5/ 6), but The Celebrity Apprentice was above-average at a 5.6/ 9 from 9-11 p.m. Here is the half-hour breakdown: The Celebrity Apprentice (NBC)9:00 p.m.: 5.3/ 8 (#2)9:30 p.m.: 5.3/ 8 (#2)10:00 p.m.: 5.8/ 9 (#2)10:30 p.m.: 6.1/10 (#1) Our positive thoughts and prayers, of course, go to Bret Michaels for a full and speedy recovery. Since Donald Trump did not want to fire losing team leader Sharon Osbourne last night, he decided to bring all seven remaining contestants back next week. Since the premise of the show is for someone to be fired each week, yes, this was a cop-out. And, yes, I still miss Carol Leifer, who exited way too soon. Fox, which is dependent on the young adult demos, of course, had nothing unusual to report with its line-up of canceled ‘Til Death (#4: 1.5/ 3), a repeat of The Simpsons (#4: 1.8/ 3), the regularly scheduled edition of The Simpsons (#2t: 3.9/ 6), a repeat of The Cleveland Show (#4: 3.0/ 5), a repeat of Family Guy (#4: 4.1/ 6) and American Dad (#4: 3.5/ 5). Source: Nielsen Media Research data____________________________________________________________________________ Ratings Box:What’s Hot/What’s Not -Emeril Live Week Two: Last week I reported a 0.3 rating/1 share in the overnights for the debut of The Emeril Lagasse Show on ION. Last night, the variety hour dipped to a 0.2 rating/0 share at 8 p.m. That’s right -- a 0 share of the audience! The one advantage of performing this poorly is not having too much further to fall! -Week of April 16 to-Date:Ratings for Fox, of course, will come down once Friday through Sunday is factored in. But based on the live plus same day ratings for Monday, April 19 through Thursday, April 22, dominant Fox has a solid lead in both total viewers and adults 18-49. With CBS losing steam last night as a result of Hallmark Hall of Fame – When Love is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story, my prediction is a full week victory for Fox in both categories. Here are the live plus same day results for Monday, April 19 through Thursday, April 22: Total Viewers:Fox: 13.42 million, CBS: 9.92, ABC: 8.91, NBC: 5.77, CW: 1.67 -Adults 18-49:Fox: 4.5 rating/13 share, ABC and CBS: 2.5/ 7 each, NBC: 2.1/ 6, CW: 0.8/ 2 Source: Nielsen Media Research data____________________________________________________________________________ On the Air Tonight:Prime-Time Programming Options Monday 4/26/10 ABC: 8:00 p.m. Dancing With the Stars (90-minutes) 9:30 p.m. Romantically Challenged 10:00 p.m. Castle (R) CBS:8:00 p.m. How I Met Your Mother (R) 8:30 p.m. Rules of Engagement 9:00 p.m. Two and a Half Men (R) 9:30 p.m. The Big Bang Theory (R)10:00 p.m. CSI: Miami (R) NBC: 8:00 p.m. Chuck 9:00 p.m. Trauma (series finale)10:00 p.m. Law & Order (R) Fox: 8:00 p.m. House 9:00 p.m. 24 CW: 8:00 p.m. One Tree Hill 9:00 p.m. Gossip Girl _____________________________________________________________________ TV Tidbits:Notes of Interest -Lisa Kudrow Heads to Showtime:Showtime has picked up a minimum of 10 episodes of online comedy Web Therapy, which features former Friends star Lisa Kudrow as a psychotherapist who treats patients via a webcam. The episodes on Showtime will feature new material. -Mark Your Calendars:The 37th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be telecast live from the Las Vegas Hilton on CBS on Sunday, June 27 at 9 p.m. ET. Nominations will be announced on May 12. The upcoming seasons of HBO’s Hung and Entourage, meanwhile, will kick-off on Sunday, June 27 at 10 p.m. ET out of True Blood. Both replace recently introduced drama Treme, which will have wrapped up it freshman run by then. And over at Comedy Central, former Fox animated comedy Futurama is returning with the first of 12 new episodes on Thursday, June 24 at 10 p.m. ET. -So You Think You Can Dance The All-Star Edition:Fox summer favorite So You Think You Can Dance, which returns on Thursday, May 27 at 8 p.m. ET, will feature 12 former contestants as all-star dance partners. The 12 all-stars are Stephen “tWitch” Boss, Comfort Fedoke, Courtney Galiano, Anya Garnis, Lauren Gottlieb, Neil Haskell, Allison Holker, Mark Kanemura, Pasha Kovalev, Kathryn McCormick, Ade Obayomi and Dominic “D-trix” Sandoval. ______________________________________________________________________ TV Trivia Time:Lucy the Impersonator Remember the classic episode of I Love Lucy set in California when everyone’s favorite redhead tried to impress Caroline Appleby by pretending to know a lot of stars? Which one of the then popular stars did Lucy not impersonate? Tallulah BankheadGary CooperJimmy DuranteClark GableHarpo Marx The answer to Friday’s question… Who played Dr. Victor Ehrlich’s wacky Aunt Charise on St. Elsewhere? Alice Ghostley Louise LasserJessica WalterAnn WedgeworthShelley Winters Is: b) Louise Lasser, who seemed like an older version of Mary Hartman in this two episode guest starring role. -Current kudos goes to:Gerry Bixenspan, Barbara Bloomfield, Larry Collins, John Ferlazzo, Stephen Ferrara, Maureen Goldman, Bob Ingersoll, David Jackino, Deb Kainer, Synda Kollman, Rick Locke, Lisa Menin, Michael Murphy, Tony Naldrett, Alan Perris, Gordon Purcell, Colleen Roth, David Ruckman, Ron Salmon, Maxine Shulman, Michelle Stanton

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Mixed Weekend Leadership

Marc Berman

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