Wednesday, November 30, 2011

RATINGS RECAP: 11/29/11

ABC
8:00 Last Man Standing
Viewers: 10.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
8:30 Man Up!
Viewers: 6.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:00 The Middle (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
10:00 Body of Proof
Viewers: 9.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8

CBS
8:00 Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Viewers: 12.6 million, 18-49 demo: 4.0
9:00 NCIS (Repeat)
Viewers: 13.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.8
10:00 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show
Viewers: 10.4 million, 18-49 demo: 4.6

NBC
8:00 The Biggest Loser
Viewers: 7.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
10:00 Parenthood
Viewers: 5.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1

FOX
8:00 Glee
Viewers: 7.9 million, 18-49 demo: 3.2
9:00 New Girl
Viewers: 7.6 million, 18-49 demo: 3.6
9:30 Raising Hope
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4

Specials filled CBS's lineup but the classic Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show helped CBS stay on top to start and end the night. The Fashion Show was up significantly year-to-year. If only a scripted series could pull a 4.6 demo at 10pm. ABC's lineup was all new except for the 9pm hour. At 8pm, Last Man Standing was up a million viewers but down three tenths in the demo. The total viewer count is the highest since the second episode but the demo is a series low... odd. At 8:30pm, Man Up! was down a tenth in viewers and two tenths in the demo, tying a series low in this category. ABC is just biding its time with this show in December which is all but officially cancelled. After a special repeat of The Middle, Body of Proof was down three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo, showing that its performance is pretty independent from the Dancing with the Stars lead-in. That should help this bubble show's case.  


Over on FOX, the lineup was up across the board after a week off which is a good sign. Glee was up eight tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo, posting its best numbers since before the long October hiatus. At 9pm, New Girl was up seven tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Though it's not as hot as it was the first couple weeks, this show is a beast in the demo. At 9:30pm, Raising Hope was up half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo.

NBC seemed to benefit some from changes in regular viewing patterns. At 8pm, The Biggest Loser was up a strong 1.5 million viewers and four tenths in the demo, hitting season highs. This show improves considerably when the other competition is repeats or specials. At 10pm, Parenthood also rebounded nicely as it was up 1.2 million viewers and two tenths in the demo. The viewer total is a season high and the demo easily beat ABC. Remind me why NBC is ending this season after 18 episodes when it is one of the stronger performers on their entire schedule, skewing very young?

PILOT REVIEW: I Hate My Teenage Daughter

I HATE MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER











Starring: Jaime Pressley, Katie Finneran, Kevin Rahm, Chad Coleman, Eric Sheffer Stevens, Aisha Dee, Kristi Lauren
Created by Ellen Kramer and Sherry Bilsing
Written by Ellen Kramer & Sherry Bilsing, Directed by Andy Ackerman

I Hate My Teenage Daughter is a new multi-camera sitcom on FOX that feels like it's direct from the 1990s. It is centered on two friends and former high school outcasts Annie and Nikki (Jaime Pressley and Katie Finneran) who are raising two popular teenage daughters, Mackenzie and Sophie (Aisha Dee and Kristi Lauren). Rounding out the cast are the ex (or soon to be ex) husbands (Chad Coleman and Eric Sheffer Stevens) as well as Annie's former brother-in-law and current crush, Jack (Kevin Rahm).

THE GOOD: Well, the title is one of the funnier titles in recent years.

THE BAD: But the show doesn't come anywhere close. In fact, this is the worst pilot to hit the air so far in the 2011-2012 season. Thanksgiving is over but FOX is clearly serving a turkey this week. Who in their right mind greenlit this show? The writing is so terrible and the jokes are beyond stale. Every single line in the sitcom seemed like a setup to a joke and a lame joke at that. There's a lot I could pick apart about this disaster but Kate Finneran was the worst of the bunch. She overplayed everything, and I mean everything, from completely unrealistic delivery to over the top dramatics (falling at the bottom of the stairs). No character seemed like a real person, they seem to have come from the bad sitcom school and could be picked up and dropped in any bad sitcom without anyone noticing. It's just really really bad.

BOTTOM LINE: Don't waste your time on this show. I'm glad FOX is trying multi-camera comedies but this one really leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Multi-camera sitcoms aren't dead - CBS Mondays is thriving and ABC's Last Man Standing is off to a good start. But the genre isn't helped by crap like this that sets the sitcom back many years. It probably won't stick around long but it shouldn't have even made it this far.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

RATINGS RECAP: 11/28/11

ABC 
8:00 How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Viewers: 7.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5
8:30 Shrek the Halls
Viewers: 7.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
9:00 You Deserve It
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
10:00 Castle (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

CBS
8:00 How I Met Your Mother (Repeat)
Viewers: 8.0 million, 18-49 demo: 3.0
8:30 2 Broke Girls (Repeat)
Viewers: 9.1 million, 18-49 demo: 3.3
9:00 Two and a Half Men (Repeat)
Viewers: 9.7 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1
9:30 Mike & Molly (Repeat)
Viewers: 8.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
10:00 Hawaii Five-0 (Repeat)
Viewers: 7.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0

NBC
8:00 The Sing Off
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
10:00 Rock Center with Brian Williams
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

FOX
8:00 Terra Nova
Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:00 House
Viewers: 7.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6 

December is nearly upon us which means many more repeats on the schedule. CBS continued to dominate Monday despite being all in repeats. Particularly strong was 2 Broke Girls' 3.3 demo for a repeat, which is a great number for the fall's biggest new hit. NBC started with the season finale of fall dud The Sing Off which was up 1.7 million viewers and two tenths in the demo with less competition. This was the best total viewer count of the season but NBC would be better off using The Sing Off as a December filler like it has in the past from now on. At 10pm, Rock Center hit or tied series highs as it was up eight tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. Still, that's nothing to write home about.

Over on ABC, holiday specials at 8pm performed decently but new game show You Deserve It crashed and burned at 9pm as it was down 4.2 million viewers and three tenths in the demo from last week's premiere airing after Dancing with the Stars. ABC is still in search of a December filler for Dancing because both this and last year's Skating with the Stars have been bombs. Over on FOX, Terra Nova did not take much advantage of less competition as it was up seven tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. This show will probably not be coming back. At 9pm, House was down a tenth in viewers but up a tenth in the demo.

RATINGS RECAP: 11/27/11

ABC
7:00 America's Funniest Home Videos
Viewers: 7.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
8:00 Once Upon a Time
Viewers: 10.7 million, 18-49 demo: 3.4
9:00 Movie: Mitch Albom's Have a Little Faith
Viewers: 6.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

CBS
7:00 NFL Overrun
Viewers: 26.2 million, 18-49 demo: 9.2
7:55 60 Minutes
Viewers: 17.0 million, 18-49 demo: 3.7
8:55 The Amazing Race
Viewers: 10.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.9
9:55 Person of Interest (Repeat)
Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
10:55 Person of Interest (Repeat)

NBC
7:00 Football Night in America
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
8:00 NFL Pregame
Viewers: 10.8 million, 18-49 demo: 3.9
8:30 Sunday Night Football
Viewers: 20.3 million, 18-49 demo: 7.9

FOX
7:00 The Cleveland Show (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
7:30 The Cleveland Show
Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
8:00 The Simpsons
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
8:30 Allen Gregory
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 Family Guy
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.8
9:30 American Dad!
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2

There was mostly new episodes with some specials and repeats on Sunday night. On ABC, America's Funniest Home Videos was up three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo from its last new airing. At 8pm, Once Upon a Time was down seven tenths in viewers and four tenths in the demo, hitting series lows. This was the first sizable drop but it's still a good performance all and the drop isn't too surprising with the end of Thanksgiving Weekend. The first Hallmark Hall of Fame movie to air on ABC was low in the demo just like on CBS but the total viewership was much worse too. It doesn't seem like the Hallmark brand fits on ABC. A NFL overrun lasted nearly an hour for CBS thanks to an overtime game in San Diego. 60 Minutes immediately followed except on the West Coast and was up a nice 2.5 million viewers and eight tenths in the demo. The Amazing Race was even in viewers and up a tenth in the demo.


Over on NBC, the Sunday Night Football tilt between the Chiefs and Steelers was up slightly from last week's Eagles-Giants game. Over on FOX, the cartoons were all down from last week to season lows as this lineup is really struggling this year. First off, The Cleveland Show was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. The Simpsons followed down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. At 8:30pm, Allen Gregory slipped another seven tenths in viewers and a rough four tenths in the demo for series lows. Should FOX even air the two final episodes made? This show is a huge bomb. At 9pm, Family Guy was down half a million viewers and four tenths in the demo as it is falling apart this season. Finally at 9:30pm, American Dad! was down three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo.

Monday, November 28, 2011

WEEKEND REWIND: Top 10 Shows of the 1990s

Well it appears that the 60s and the 90s are my favorite decades since I could come up with a top 10 and 5 close calls for both those decades and couldn't think of 10 worthy shows from the 70s and 80s. Anyway, here we go. If you want to see the 60s list, click here. Also check out the 70s list and 80s list.

Close Calls: Murphy Brown (1988-1998), Newsradio (1995-1999), Just Shoot Me! (1997-2003), NYPD Blue (1993-2004), Evening Shade (1990-1994)

10. Doug (1991-1994, 1996-1999)
I couldn't make a 1990s list without looking back to my childhood with the best Nicktoon of them all. Yes it was for children, but the greatness about cartoons from this era was that they didn't treat children like idiots. They gave us well-developed characters and situations with clever humor. It was better than the other great Nicktoons of the era and it stomps all over today's cartoons.
Episodes you should see: #1 "Doug Bags a Neematoad" (8/18/91), #52 "Doug's Christmas Story" (12/12/93)

9. Home Improvement (1991-1999)
Tim Allen's first ABC sitcom was one of the biggest hits of the 1990s. It was never a huge critical success but it was good. This was a feel-good sitcom from the era that was safe and comfortable. As I've said with other shows in other decades (Who's the Boss?, I Dream of Jeannie, etc), shows don't have to reinvent the wheel or be sharply written to be enjoyable and Home Improvement is the 1990s example of that.
Episodes you should see: #13 "Up Your Alley" (1/7/92), #86 "Twas the Night Before Chaos" (12/13/94), #93 "The Naked Truth" (2/28/95), #106 "Let Them Eat Cake" (10/31/95), #151 "The Kiss and the Kiss Off" (5/20/97)

8. Wings (1990-1997)
Wings was essentially Cheers in an airport. All the elements were there but it never came close to the level of Cheers. It was still a good ensemble comedy done in a style that we don't see anymore. The fun character dynamics in this show elevated what was sometimes cookie-cutter writing. It seems like today's sitcoms are either extremely sharp or extremely terrible. There aren't as many average yet enjoyable sitcoms, like Wings. Thomas Haden Church is a standout on this series as the dim-witted Lowell.
Episodes you should see: #2 "Around the World in 80 Years" (4/26/90), #9 "The Story of Joe" (10/5/90), #37 "Ladies Who Lunch" (11/21/91), #107 "Insanity Claus" (12/13/94), #122 "Here it Is: The Big Wedding" (5/23/95)


7. Seinfeld (1989-1998)
I'll be honest, I think Seinfeld is overrated. Many would have this show as the best of the 1990s if not the best of all time. It's good but I don't think it's that good. Sure, the characters are iconic, it created many pop culture expressions, and the funny observational writing allowed entire episodes to be based on the most minute topic. But to me, it was hit and miss. There were times it was hilariously funny and other times that it fell flat. I don't need my sitcoms to be about too much, but I like them to be about more than nothing. I'm not questioning its iconic status as an all time classic, but it's just not for me all the time.
Episodes you should see: #16 "The Chinese Restaurant" (5/23/91), #30 "The Subway" (1/8/92), #51 "The Contest" (11/18/92), #116 "The Soup Nazi" (11/2/95), #134 "The Invitations" (5/16/96)

6. Roseanne (1988-1997)
Roseanne has a bad rap from classic TV fans for its bizarre final couple of seasons. But you must remember how great it was in its early years. Before it went into the Twilight Zone, it was the most realistic blue collar sitcom in the history of TV. While other TV families were wealthy or at least upper middle class, Roseanne and Dan Connor dealt with problems that Middle America dealt with. The show was refreshingly brash and didn't shy away from serious topics while managing to avoid the "very special episode" problems other sitcoms had in the 80s and 90s. The chemistry between Roseanne and John Goodman in the first several years gave us a portrayal of a very realistic yet very funny marriage. So remember the good times, not the weird fantasy sequences and plot turns of the final seasons.
Episodes you should see: #12 "The Monday Through Friday Show" (1/24/89), #30 "Boo!" (10/31/89), #53 "Becky, Beds, and Boys" (10/23/90), #71 "Scenes from a Barbecue" (5/7/91), #73 "A Bitter Pill to Swallow" (9/17/91)

5. Spin City (1996-2002)
Michael J. Fox's return to TV was even better than his first one with a unique setting - the NYC Mayor's Office. Spin City was never a huge hit but it was a sophisticated sitcom with strong writing and a strong ensemble. Fox's exasperation with a wacky cast of characters delivered some of the best workplace humor since The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Unfortunately the show had an early demise due to Michael J. Fox's departure after four years because of his battle with Parkinsons disease. Though the show soldiered on with Charlie Sheen and Heather Locklear for two more years, it was not the same.
Episodes you should see: #9 "Meet Tommy Dugan" (11/19/96), #31 "The Thirty Year Itch" (11/5/97), #36 "Miracle Near 34th Street" (12/17/97), #75 "Catcher in the Bronx" (9/21/99), #99/100 "Goodbye" (5/24/00)

4. Coach (1989-1997)
Coach was an underrated show of the 1990s. Most people credited its success to its lead-ins (often Home Improvement or Roseanne). That may be true but it was still a great show. Craig T. Nelson was hilarious as the blowhard football coach Hayden Fox and his interactions with everyone - from his understanding girlfriend Christine to his dramatic daughter and son-in-law (Kelly and Stuart) to his oddball assistant Dauber. But the best relationship was between Nelson and Jerry Van Dyke, who finally found a vehicle that gave him success. As the dim-witted Luther, he was a memorably lovable character from the era. Coach is an underrated classic from the 90s.
Episodes you should see: #17 "If a Coach Falls in the Woods" (12/19/89), #25 "Coaches Conference" (2/13/90), #30 "Sunshine on My Shoulder Makes Me Happy - A Show About Bird Ransom" (3/20/90), #88 "My True Love Gave to Me" (12/15/92), #186 "Wings Over Buffalo" (12/20/96)

3. Frasier (1993-2004)
The ultimate high-brow series of the decade if not in sitcom history, the most successful spinoff of all time was a place for sitcom fans who hated the idiocy of the many cookie-cutter sitcoms of the 1990s. Frasier was sophisticated in its writing as it was about snooty psychologist Frasier Crane and his snooty brother Niles. On paper, this sounds like a niche show for the kind of audience that watches niche cable sitcoms these days. But it was a massive hit. Why? Because of the performances. Kelsey Grammar, David Hyde Pierce, John Mahoney, Peri Gilpin, and Jane Leeves made a tight ensemble that made high brow humor accessible for a mass audience. The absolute scene stealer though was Pierce's Niles who made Frasier look like a good old boy.
Episodes you should see: #12 "Miracle on Third or Fourth Street" (12/16/93), #37 "Retirement is Murder" (1/10/95), #133 "The Show Where Woody Shows Up" (2/4/99), #134 "Three Valentines" (2/11/99), #179 "Motor Skills" (1/30/01)

2. Mad About You (1992-1999)
The 1990s were all about sitcoms set in New York City but no show captured the city better than this one, about a young, neurotic married couple. This show had good writing and plot lines, but everything about this show can really be chalked up to Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt who had amazing comedic timing and comedic chemistry. Between Hunt's nervous energy and Reiser's wishy-washy observational humor, it was a match made in TV heaven. Unlike Seinfeld, the show combined observational humor about minute details with real situations that were done with great care, particularly a marriage rift story arc that ended season 4. It could do both exceedingly well.
Episodes you should see: #22 "Happy Anniversary" (5/22/93), #29 "Natural History" (11/4/93), #43 "Disorientation" (4/28/94), #55 "Giblets for Murray" (11/17/94), #95/96/97 "The Finale" (5/5 & 5/19/96)

1. Friends (1994-2004)
The best sitcom of the decade though was Mad About You for singles. Of the many singles sitcoms of the 1990s, none was as good as Friends and no show ever managed an ensemble with six equal leads so well. Each character was so memorable in their own way and it's impossible to imagine the show without any of them. It was never just about Ross and Rachel or Monica and Chandler, it was about all of them and they grew up in front of us going from 20-something yuppies to marriage/parenthood/successful careers. They felt like our friends and when it isn't our day, week, month or even our year, they'll be there for us.
Episodes you should see: #31 "The One Where Ross Finds Out" (11/9/95), #50 "The One Where No One's Ready" (9/26/96), #57 "The One with the Football" (11/21/96), #96/97 "The One with Ross's Wedding" (5/7/98), #111 "The One Where Everybody Finds Out" (2/11/99)

Sunday, November 27, 2011

RATINGS RECAP: 11/26/11

ABC 
8:00 College Football
Viewers: 6.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8

CBS
8:00 How I Met Your Mother (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
8:30 How I Met Your Mother (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 Unforgettable (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
10:00 48 Hours Mystery
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

NBC
8:00 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Recap
Viewers: 2.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
9:00 Movie: Bee Movie
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

FOX
8:00 Cops
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
8:30 Cops (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:00 Terra Nova (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6 

RATINGS RECAP: 11/25/11

ABC 
8:00 Movie: Shrek the Third
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2 

CBS
8:00 Hoops & YoYo Ruin Christmas
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
8:30 Elf on the Shelf
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 CSI: NY (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
10:00 Blue Bloods (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

NBC
8:00 Movie: National Treasure - Book of Secrets
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

FOX
8:00 Movie: Iron Man
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

RATINGS RECAP: 11/24/11

ABC 
8:00 A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
Viewers: 5.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
9:00 The Middle (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:30 A Very Gaga Thanksgiving
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory (Repeat)
Viewers: 10.4 million, 18-49 demo: 3.3
8:30 Rules of Engagement (Repeat)
Viewers: 7.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:00 Person of Interest (Repeat)
Viewers: 8.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 The Mentalist (Repeat)
Viewers: 7.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

NBC
8:00 Movie: Horton Hears a Who
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
10:00 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Recap
Viewers: 3.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

FOX
8:00 Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas
Viewers: 7.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
8:30 Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
9:30 The Simpsons (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

RATINGS RECAP: 11/23/11

ABC 
8:00 The Middle
Viewers: 9.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5
8:30 Suburgatory
Viewers: 8.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5
9:00 Modern Family
Viewers: 12.7 million, 18-49 demo: 4.6
9:30 Happy Endings
Viewers: 7.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
10:00 Revenge
Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1

CBS
8:00 Survivor 
Viewers: 8.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
9:00 Criminal Minds (Repeat)
Viewers: 8.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
10:00 CSI (Repeat)
Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

NBC
8:00 Up All Night
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
8:30 Up All Night (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 The Biggest Loser Special
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

FOX
8:00 The X-Factor
Viewers: 8.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
9:00 Mobbed 
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

On the biggest party night of the year, the demo took a hit across the board. ABC's comedies and Revenge as well as Up All Night, The X-Factor, and a Survivor clip shows hit season lows in the demo. ABC has been criticized each year for airing new shows on Thanksgiving Eve. I don't disagree with the comedies as they have proven that they can bounce back easily and honestly, they did quite well on Wednesday night. I am concerned for Revenge though as a serialized soap may not recover as easily from a down week. 

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

RATINGS RECAP: 11/22/11

ABC
8:00 Last Man Standing
Viewers: 9.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7
8:30 Man Up!
Viewers: 6.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
9:00 Dancing with the Stars Results
Viewers: 19.6 million, 18-49 demo: 4.1

CBS
8:00 NCIS
Viewers: 18.5 million, 18-49 demo: 3.5
9:00 NCIS: Los Angeles
Viewers: 14.1 million, 18-49 demo: 3.0
10:00 Unforgettable
Viewers: 10.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2

NBC
8:00 The Biggest Loser
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
10:00 Parenthood
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9

FOX
8:00 The X-Factor
Viewers: 9.4 million, 18-49 demo: 3.2

On Tuesday night, ABC started things off with Last Man Standing which was up two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. This show is doing quite well in its timeslot and it shows that there is definitely an audience for traditional, old-fashioned sitcoms. At 8:30pm, Man Up! was up four tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. While not officially cancelled, Man Up! will wrap after 13 episodes to make room for Work It! so it is essentially cancelled. At 9pm, the finale of the fall edition of Dancing with the Stars was up 4.5 million viewers and 1.4 demo points. It was a good showing but down a big 4.8 million viewers and 1.2 demo points from last fall's finale. ABC will certainly be trying to get a more buzzworthy cast for the spring edition. 

Elsewhere, CBS hit season lows across the board perhaps due to Dancing with the Stars and The X-Factor. At 8pm, NCIS was down 1.5 million viewers and a half a demo point. It will likely bounce back when it airs again as it usually does. At 9pm, NCIS: Los Angeles was down 1.1 million viewers and four tenths in the demo. Finally at 10pm, Unforgettable was down a million viewers and two tenths in the demo. Yes, it was against Dancing with the Stars but this doesn't seem like it will be a Tuesday player in the long run. CBS wasn't looking for something that did about the same numbers as The Good Wife.

On troubled NBC, The Biggest Loser was down half a million viewers and a tenth in the demo while Parenthood was down half a million viewers and a tenth in the demo for season lows. The sad thing is that a 1.9 demo at 10pm isn't bad for NBC. Over on FOX, they aired a performance show of The X-Factor instead of the usual lineup. It was below its Wednesday average but made the night more competitive overall.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

RATINGS RECAP: 11/21/11

ABC
8:00 Dancing with the Stars
Viewers: 19.6 million, 18-49 demo: 3.5
9:00 You Deserve It
Viewers: 8.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 Castle
Viewers: 10.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3 

CBS
8:00 How I Met Your Mother
Viewers: 10.0 million, 18-49 demo: 4.4
8:30 2 Broke Girls
Viewers: 11.3 million, 18-49 demo: 4.6
9:00 Two and a Half Men
Viewers: 15.8 million, 18-49 demo: 5.2
9:30 Mike & Molly
Viewers: 13.1 million, 18-49 demo: 4.2
10:00 Hawaii Five-0
Viewers: 10.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.8

NBC
8:00 The Sing Off
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
10:00 Rock Center with Brian Williams
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

FOX
8:00 Terra Nova
Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:00 House
Viewers: 7.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5

On Monday night, ABC started with the final performance night of Dancing with the Stars. Though it was up 1.6 million viewers and three tenths in the demo from last week, it was down a very big 4.1 million viewers and 1.4 demo points from last fall's final performance show. All season long, this show has been way down and it looks like the finale will be no exception. At 9pm, the news was not good as You Deserve It got off to a worse start than last fall's instant bomb Skating with the Stars. Looks like ABC will be looking for a new filler next December. At 10pm, Castle was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo from its last new airing which isn't a bad showing considering it didn't have a Dancing lead-in. Maybe it is becoming more self-sufficient.

Over on CBS, everything was down some but still solid. At 8pm, How I Met Your Mother was down four tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. At 8:30pm, 2 Broke Girls was down half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo, still building on its lead-in and being very strong. At 9pm, Two and a Half Men was actually up a million viewers but down two tenths in the demo, which seems like an odd showing. At 9:30pm, Mike & Molly followed suit as it was up nine tenths in viewers but down two tenths in the demo. Finally at 10pm, Hawaii Five-0 was down 1.1 million viewers and a big half a demo point. The demo is a season low, but it still easily won the 10pm hour.


Over on NBC, The Sing Off was up a tenth in viewers and the demo while Rock Center with Brian Williams was down three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. The demo is a series low for this non-starter newsmagazine and it's sure to get killed in its new Wednesday slot. On FOX, Terra Nova was down half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo. After some ups and downs, this show is sliding towards its season finale in December. At 9pm, House rebounded a bit in total viewers as it was up nine tenths in viewers but it was still even in the demo.

RATINGS RECAP: 11/20/11

ABC
7:00 Countdown to American Music Awards
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
8:00 American Music Awards
Viewers: 12.1 million, 18-49 demo: 4.3

CBS
7:00 NFL Overrun
Viewers: 21.5 million, 18-49 demo: 7.5
7:30 60 Minutes
Viewers: 14.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.9
8:30 The Amazing Race
Viewers: 10.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.8
9:30 The Good Wife
Viewers: 9.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
10:30 CSI: Miami
Viewers: 9.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9

NBC
7:00 Football Night in America
Viewers: 7.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.9
8:00 NFL Pregame
Viewers: 10.4 million, 18-49 demo: 3.6
8:30 Sunday Night Football
Viewers: 20.3 million, 18-49 demo: 7.6

FOX
7:00 The Cleveland Show (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
7:30 The Cleveland Show (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
8:00 The Simpsons
Viewers: 5.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7
8:30 Allen Gregory
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
9:00 Family Guy
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 3.2
9:30 American Dad!
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4

On Sunday night, the American Music Awards was strong as it was up slightly in viewers and even in the demo from last year. So far, it seems like award shows are holding steady this season. Over on CBS, there was an NFL overrun that powered the early part of the night as 60 Minutes was up 1.4 million viewers and eight tenths in the demo but down a lot from the last NFL overrun night. The Amazing Race followed and was down a tenth in viewers and up a tenth in the demo. At 9:30pm, The Good Wife was down four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo for a series low in the demo, which is not good news. CSI: Miami closed the night down two tenths in viewers and the demo, though it did bleed into the 11pm hour.

Over on NBC, the NFL game between the Eagles and Giants was not as strong as recent weeks which is somewhat surprising since NFC East games usually do very well. Over on FOX, The Simpsons was down a rough 1.7 million viewers and a bad seven tenths in the demo. Though it didn't have the NFL lead-in, this is still a troubling drop. At 8:30pm, Allen Gregory hit another low as it was down three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. At 9pm, Family Guy reversed course as it was even in viewers and up a tenth in the demo while American Dad! was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo.

FULL SEASON ALERT: Grimm

In an unsurprising move following the release of the midseason schedule last week, NBC has picked up Friday night drama Grimm for a full season, making it the first (and only) fall drama to get a full season from the peacock network.

Grimm came in with low expectations thanks to NBC's troubles and a sleepy Friday timeslot but it surprised everyone but premiering to 6.6 million viewers and a 2.1 demo against Game 7 of the World Series. It was the best debut for any NBC drama this fall. It has fallen some since its debut but it is still staking a claim in the Friday night landscape, which is surprising since NBC can make in-roads for most other timeslots all week. Many thought Grimm would move to another night at midseason but NBC is planning to keep it on Fridays. Through four episodes, Grimm has averaged 5.8 million viewers and a 1.8 demo.

Monday, November 21, 2011

PILOT REVIEW: You Deserve It

YOU DESERVE IT








Hosted by Chris Harrison and Brooke Burns
Created by Dick de Rijk

THE GOOD: It's an admirable concept - contestants not playing for themselves but playing for someone they love who desperately needs the money. At this giving time of year, it's always nice to see people genuinely surprised by the kindness of others. The questions were challenging enough to play along at home with some clever wording in the clues that might be just enough to throw a contestant (or us) off course. Also, they didn't tease with commercials like so many other game shows in this family do.

THE BAD: It just was all kind of boring. The rules seemed unnecessarily complicated as it had a hint of Deal or No Deal to it. The show had a nice opening piece explaining the plight of the person who the contestant was playing for but then Chris Harrison followed it up with a stupid question - "can you put into words what she means to you?" Um hello, she just said it in the video piece that preceded the question. Also, the first question was obvious long before the contestant got it, at least to me.

BOTTOM LINE: This shouldn't be an instant disaster like last year's Skating with the Stars filler for ABC, but there's just not much there. It should be fine as a holiday filler but it is just that, filler. It is just your average game show with an admirable, but ultimately inconsequential (in terms of game play), twist.

RATINGS RECAP: 11/19/11

ABC 
8:00 College Football
Viewers: 9.7 million, 18-49 demo: 3.4

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
8:30 2 Broke Girls (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 The Mentalist (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
10:00 48 Hours Mystery
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

NBC
8:00 Harry's Law (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
9:00 Prime Suspect (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
10:00 Law & Order: SVU (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

FOX
8:00 Cops
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
8:30 Cops
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:00 Terra Nova (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6 

RATINGS RECAP: 11/18/11

ABC
8:00 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Viewers: 5.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

CBS
8:00 A Gifted Man
Viewers: 8.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 CSI: NY
Viewers: 10.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 Blue Bloods
Viewers: 12.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0

NBC
8:00 Chuck
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Grimm
Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
10:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 5.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

FOX
8:00 Kitchen Nightmares
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:00 Fringe
Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

On Friday night, CBS was the only network to have any sort of night (as usual). At 8pm, A Gifted Man was down a tenth in viewers but up a tenth in the demo for its best demo performance since the series premiere. It's still up in the air what show will air after Gifted runs its course or if CBS will pick up more Gifted episodes. I'm not sure anything could do much better here. At 9pm, CSI: NY was down a tenth in viewers but even in the demo while Blue Bloods followed up 1.1 million viewers and three tenths in the demo. Bloods is really the only bonafide Friday hit on any network.

Meanwhile on NBC, Chuck was terrible as usual but dead even with last week. At 9pm, Grimm showed signs of stabilization as it was up two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. These numbers are definitely good enough for NBC Fridays if it stays around these levels. Many were surprised that NBC didn't try Grimm on a different night at midseason after the promise it has shown this first couple weeks. At 10pm, Dateline NBC was up eight tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo.

Over on ABC, the 8pm edition of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition rebounded some as it was up six tenths in viewers and four tenths in the demo and the 9pm edition built from there. At 10pm, 20/20 was down nine tenths in viewers but up two tenths in the demo. Finally, FOX's Kitchen Nightmares was down four tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo but it still won the weak hour with a paltry 1.4 demo. At 9pm, Fringe was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. The viewer total is another series low. It is now below 3 million viewers. Time to go.

RATINGS RECAP: 11/17/11

ABC
8:00 20/20 Special
Viewers: 8.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 Private Practice
Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory
Viewers: 15.1 million, 18-49 demo: 5.3
8:30 Rules of Engagement
Viewers: 10.9 million, 18-49 demo: 3.6
9:00 Person of Interest
Viewers: 11.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
10:00 The Mentalist
Viewers: 12.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5

NBC
8:00 Community
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
8:30 Parks and Recreation
Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
9:00 The Office
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.9
9:30 Whitney
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
10:00 Prime Suspect
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

FOX
8:00 The X-Factor
Viewers: 9.7 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1
9:00 Bones
Viewers: 8.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7

On Thursday night, CBS started with The Big Bang Theory down eight tenths in viewers but even in the demo. This show has really blossomed on Thursday night this season. Will that continue when American Idol comes back? At 8:30pm, Rules of Engagement was down seven tenths in viewers and up a tenth in the demo. This show is performing well even if it's losing a lot of its lead-in but CBS will yank it temporarily for the new sitcom iRob in January. At 9pm, Person of Interest was down a tenth in viewers and the demo from its last new airing while The Mentalist was down a rough 1.5 million viewers and four tenths in the demo, hitting a season low in the demo. What is happening to this show this season?

NBC's dismal lineup was fully new on Thursday. At 8pm, Community was up a tenth in viewers and the demo. People can be upset that NBC is taking this off the lineup in January but let's be serious - it should have happened a long time ago. At 8:30pm, Parks and Recreation was even in viewers but up two tenths in the demo. This show skews very young given its terrible total viewer numbers. At 9pm, The Office was down half a million viewers and a tenth in the demo while Whitney was down three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for a series low. Good luck to this show on Wednesdays, it will need it. Finally at 10pm, the cancelled Prime Suspect was down six tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo.  


ABC started things off with a 20/20 special covering Regis Philbin's departure from morning TV. It was a player in total viewers but didn't do much better in the demo than the cancelled Charlie's Angels. At 9pm, a two hour Private Practice was down three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo despite heavy promotion. This show still relies on its Grey's Anatomy lead-in. Finally on FOX, The X-Factor was down four tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo, hitting a Thursday low. This show is not improving as the season goes on like many reality shows do. At 9pm, Bones was up two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

RENEWAL ALERT: Survivor

In an early decision for next year (but perhaps necessary due to production schedule), CBS has renewed Survivor for another two editions (#25 and #26). The long running reality show has been a durable hit for CBS for over a decade. After years on Thursday, it made the move to Wednesday last season where it has held up well against stiff competition including ABC's comedies and FOX's American Idol and now The X-Factor. In its current edition this fall, it has averaged 11.1 million viewers and a good 3.3 in the demo.

Survivor joins The Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother as early renewals for the 2012-2013. CBS will have some tough calls about what to keep after this year with every veteran and new show performing decently enough.

RATINGS RECAP: 11/16/11

ABC
8:00 The Middle
Viewers: 9.2 million, 18-49 demo: 3.0
8:30 Suburgatory
Viewers: 8.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.9
9:00 Modern Family
Viewers: 12.9 million, 18-49 demo: 5.6
9:30 Happy Endings
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 3.2
10:00 Revenge
Viewers: 8.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 11.7 million, 18-49 demo: 3.3
9:00 Criminal Minds
Viewers: 12.7 million, 18-49 demo: 3.7
10:00 CSI
Viewers: 10.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6

NBC
8:00 Up All Night
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
8:30 Up All Night (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:00 Harry's Law
Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 Law & Order: SVU
Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9

FOX
8:00 The X-Factor
Viewers: 11.3 million, 18-49 demo: 3.9

After a week off due to the CMA Awards, nearly all of ABC's Wednesday night shows were down but still solid. The only exception was The Middle which was just down two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. At 8:30pm, Suburgatory slid three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for a series low. This is the first time it hasn't built from The Middle in the demo. This is still a very strong companion to The Middle but it's moving in the wrong direction right now. At 9pm, Modern Family was down half a million viewers and a tenth in the demo, hitting a season low in the demo (you know you're a hit when a 5.6 is a season low). At 9:30pm, Happy Endings was down seven tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. At 10pm, Revenge slipped more than most as it was down six tenths in viewers and four tenths in the demo. This show would be the only hit hardest by weeks off given its serialized nature. How will it fare next week on Thanksgiving Eve?

CBS on the other hand was up across the board without the CMA Awards to compete with. At 8pm, the just-renewed Survivor was up nine tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. At 9pm, Criminal Minds was up a nice 1.3 million viewers and three tenths in the demo. This show is quietly one of the top demo performers for dramas. At 10pm, CSI was up four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Over on FOX, The X-Factor was up a million viewers and a tenth in the demo from last week.

Finally on NBC, Up All Night started things off up a tenth in viewers and the demo. This show should be able to survive here until it moves to 9:30pm Thursday in January, which will certainly help its demo rating. At 9pm, Harry's Law was up a tenth in viewers but down two tenths in the demo. This show is getting a 1.1 demo which is just way way too low but does NBC think Rock Center will do better when it will likely do the same in the demo with much less viewers. At 10pm, Law & Order: SVU was up six tenths in viewers but even in the demo, tying its series low from last week.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

RATINGS RECAP: 11/15/11

ABC
8:00 Last Man Standing
Viewers: 9.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
8:30 Man Up!
Viewers: 6.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:00 Dancing with the Stars Results
Viewers: 15.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7
10:00 Body of Proof
Viewers: 9.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0

CBS
8:00 NCIS
Viewers: 20.0 million, 18-49 demo: 4.0
9:00 NCIS: Los Angeles
Viewers: 15.2 million, 18-49 demo: 3.4
10:00 Unforgettable
Viewers: 11.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4

NBC
8:00 The Biggest Loser
Viewers: 6.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
10:00 Parenthood
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0

FOX
8:00 Glee
Viewers: 7.1 million, 18-49 demo: 3.0
9:00 New Girl
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 3.5
9:30 Raising Hope
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2

On Tuesday night, FOX's once promising lineup continued to deliver below expectations. At 8pm, Glee was up two tenths in viewers but down a tenth in the demo. It looks like it will stay in this range for now but this show will probably head more south in the spring. At 9pm, New Girl was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. A 3.5 is good but it was starting off over a 4. At 9:30pm, Raising Hope was up three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. This show is never going to catch on and FOX can probably find a better partner for New Girl next season. 

Over on ABC, Last Man Standing has really leveled off as it was down just two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. This is doing miles better than last year's No Ordinary Family. ABC just needs some good multi-cam comedies to go with it. At 8:30pm, Man Up! was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. It has stabilized but it is not good enough to last. At 9pm, the results edition of Dancing with the Stars was even in viewers but down a tenth in the demo which is surprising since it revealed the final three. At 10pm, Body of Proof was down a tenth in viewers but up a tenth in the demo from its last airing two weeks ago. The demo is its best performance since October 4.  

CBS was steady as always on Tuesday night. At 8pm, NCIS was down four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. NCIS: Los Angeles followed and was down half a million viewers but even in the demo. Finally at 10pm, Unforgettable was down three tenths in viewers but also even in the demo. This is the most successful lineup of all dramas on any network. Finally on NBC, The Biggest Loser was down six tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo, reversing a positive trend the past couple weeks. Even with the state NBC is in, this show needs to be cut to an hour. At 10pm, Parenthood was down two tenths in viewers but even in the demo.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

CANCELLATION ALERT: Prime Suspect

Another swing and miss in a terrible fall for NBC has resulted in another cancellation. NBC's high profile reboot of the classic 1980s series Prime Suspect was effectively cancelled today according to people involved with the show, though nothing official has come from NBC. It was rumored yesterday when Suspect was not on the spring schedule released by the peacock network and today it was confirmed that production is shutting down after 13 episodes.

Prime Suspect was NBC's big return to drama in the Thursday 10pm slot that has housed Hill Street Blues, LA Law, and ER. But it debuted with a very underwhelming 6.1 million viewers and 1.8 demo. NBC tried very hard to make this show work including a run of every episode so far in the 10pm slot for a week in October, but that did not help and the show has barely been a blip on the demo radar. Through 7 episodes, the show has averaged a weak 5 million viewers and a 1.4 demo. It will probably air through January though as it will have 6 episodes in the can.

For NBC, it is another flop in the fall joining fellow new series The Playboy Club and Free Agents on the cancellation list. Other new shows Whitney, Up All Night, Grimm, and Rock Center have been either underwhelming or terrible in the ratings. NBC released a new midseason schedule yesterday that included the debuts of Smash, Fashion Star, The Firm, and Are You There Chelsea? as well as the return of The Voice, 30 Rock, Who Do You Think You Are? and Celebrity Apprentice and timeslot changes for Rock Center, Harry's Law, Whitney, and Up All Night. NBC might see some improvement, but not much can be expected because everything NBC touches seems to turn to coal.

RATINGS RECAP: 11/14/11

ABC
8:00 Dancing with the Stars
Viewers: 18.0 million, 18-49 demo: 3.2
10:00 20/20 Special
Viewers: 12.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4

CBS
8:00 How I Met Your Mother
Viewers: 10.4 million, 18-49 demo: 4.6
8:30 2 Broke Girls
Viewers: 11.8 million, 18-49 demo: 4.8
9:00 Two and a Half Men
Viewers: 14.8 million, 18-49 demo: 5.4
9:30 Mike & Molly
Viewers: 12.2 million, 18-49 demo: 4.4
10:00 Hawaii Five-0
Viewers: 11.7 million, 18-49 demo: 3.3 

NBC
8:00 The Sing Off
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
10:00 Rock Center with Brian Williams
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

FOX
8:00 Terra Nova
Viewers: 7.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
9:00 House
Viewers: 6.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5

CBS Monday just continues to deliver unbelievable ratings as every show was up this week yet again. At 8pm, How I Met Your Mother was up a tenth in viewers and two tenths in the demo, posting its best demo rating since the season premiere. It is shocking how well this show is performing year-to-year. At 8:30pm, 2 Broke Girls continued to cement its breakout hit status as it was up four tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for its best performance yet at 8:30pm. Everyone is talking about CBS splitting this night up, but why? Save it for next year because 8:30pm hasn't been this strong in years. At 9pm, Two and a Half Men was up a tenth in viewers and two tenths in the demo while Mike & Molly was up three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for its best performance since the season premiere. At 10pm, Hawaii Five-0 was up 1.4 million viewers and two tenths in the demo. The viewer total is the best since the season premiere. CBS Monday is just rocking it from top to bottom.

Meanwhile on ABC, Dancing with the Stars was down two tenths in viewers and the demo from last week ahead of next week's finale. At 10pm, a special 20/20 that had the first interview with Gabby Giffords since she was shot last January did well, particularly in total viewers as expected. FOX started things off with Terra Nova, which was down eight tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo. Every time the show looks like it might be doing well enough to come back, it has a troubling drop. At 9pm, House was down a million viewers and three tenths in the demo, hitting a series low in total viewers. It's time for FOX to say goodbye to this show after this season. It's starting to collapse hard in the ratings after a couple years on the decline.

NBC continued to be off the map. The Sing Off was down a tenth in viewers and two tenths in the demo for a series low. This show has completely tanked in its first non-December run. At 10pm, Rock Center with Brian Williams was up four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. It could have been higher especially since they had Bob Costas interviewing disgraced Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. Rock Center will move to Wednesdays at 9pm in 2012 while NBC is banking big on The Voice/Smash reigniting this night starting in February.

RATINGS RECAP: 11/13/11

ABC
7:00 America's Funniest Home Videos
Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
8:00 Once Upon a Time
Viewers: 11.4 million, 18-49 demo: 3.8
9:00 Desperate Housewives
Viewers: 9.3 million, 18-49 demo: 3.0
10:00 Pan Am
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8

CBS
7:00 60 Minutes
Viewers: 13.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
8:00 The Amazing Race
Viewers: 10.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7
9:00 The Good Wife
Viewers: 10.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
10:00 CSI: Miami
Viewers: 9.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1

NBC
7:00 Football Night in America
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
8:00 NFL Pregame
Viewers: 11.8 million, 18-49 demo: 4.0
8:30 Sunday Night Football
Viewers: 20.9 million, 18-49 demo: 8.1

FOX
7:00 NFL Overrun
Viewers: 25.9 million, 18-49 demo: 9.4
7:30 The OT
Viewers: 11.8 million, 18-49 demo: 4.7
8:00 The Simpsons
Viewers: 7.5 million, 18-49 demo: 3.4
8:30 Allen Gregory
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
9:00 Family Guy
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1
9:30 American Dad!
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4

ABC's magical ratings for Once Upon a Time are showing no signs of slowing down. On Sunday night, the news was great again as the show was down just a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. Through four episodes, it has dropped a mere 1.5 million viewers and two tenths in the demo, which is awesome for any drama, particularly a high concept serial one. The show seems to also have a halo effect on the rest of the lineup. Earlier in the night, America's Funniest Home Videos was up seven tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for a season high. At 9pm, Desperate Housewives was up half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo while Pan Am was up four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Pan Am has really leveled off but it's probably still too low.

Elsewhere, CBS was up or even in the demo across the board with its older-skewing Sunday night. At 7pm, 60 Minutes was down three tenths in viewers but up two tenths in the demo. At 8pm, The Amazing Race was up six tenths in viewers but even in the demo, kind of the opposite trend of 60 Minutes, which is odd. At 9pm, The Good Wife was up 1.1 million viewers yet even in the demo. This show is nothing if not consistent, it has had a 2.0 demo for four consecutive weeks. At 10pm, CSI: Miami rebounded some from last week's low as it was up 1.1 million viewers and two tenths in the demo.

Over on NBC, a Sunday night tilt between the Jets and Patriots was down a bit from last week's Steelers-Ravens game which is sort of surprising. FOX was powered by a football lead-in again this week. At 8pm, The Simpsons was down half a million viewers and three tenths in the demo. New cartoon Allen Gregory was down a tenth in viewers and the demo for a series low. This show shouldn't even really finish its run because it's bringing down the night. At 9pm, Family Guy was up two tenths in viewers and the demo. This show isn't the demo star it has been in recent years. At 9:30pm, American Dad! was even in viewers and down a tenth in the demo.