Sunday, December 28, 2014

YEAR IN REVIEW: The Top 20 Episodes of 2014

Here is my annual year end countdown of my favorite episodes of the year. I have to give clarification as always that I am behind on shows like Parenthood so no episodes from that show are on the list, but they certainly would be.

Past Years: 2013   2012   2011

20. The Night Shift #8 "Save Me" (July 15, 2014)
I happen to be quite excited that NBC is giving The Night Shift a chance in the regular season (and after The Voice) this coming spring because I was surprised with how much I enjoyed season one, which seemed to be a burn-off. It took a little while but it found its stride and the action-packed season finale was quite memorable with a very tense night in the hospital involving life or death surgeries and serious judgment calls that had to be made. It also had well-integrated flashbacks to Callahan's (Eoin Macken) time Afghanistan, It's early still, but I think The Night Shift could be the same type of show as St. Elsewhere or ER.. a strong, ensemble-driven show that deals with harrowing circumstances. I hope season two takes off creatively and in the ratings.


19. Parks and Recreation #103 "Ann and Chris" (January 30, 2014)
Longtime regulars Ann Perkins and Chris Traeger (Rashida Jones and Rob Lowe) said goodbye in this episode as they married and left Pawnee. While I felt like the Chris character had run its course and the Ann character never quite made the same impression as others, it was still a bittersweet goodbye. The biggest reason is not how much I cared about Ann as a viewer but how much Leslie (Amy Poehler) cared because Ann was her best friend. It was Poehler's magnificent performance that made this episode and everyone was sad that she was losing her closest confidante. Of course, the show came full circle to as it broke ground on the project that was the premise for the entire series during its rocky start back in 2009. It was a reminder of how far this show has come.


18. Scandal #46 "Flesh and Blood" (April 10, 2014)
This is actually the highest charting Scandal episode in 2014. While I still love the thrills and twists of this show, I worry that its best days are behind it. Maybe they really did do too much too fast. I'm still watching though because I've grown to love and/or loathe the characters and I still want to see what happens. This episode was the most reminiscent of season two of Scandal, when it was at its jaw-dropping stage. The best moment comes when Cyrus (Jeff Perry) gleefully believes that a bomb is going to go off at the church and kill Sally Langston (Kate Burton). Those are the kind of moments that Scandal needs to get back to... there's been too much Rowan this season and too much B613 in general. Scandal is at its best when terribly flawed individuals try to get the upper hand on each other. And that's what this episode was about.

17. Modern Family #125 "Won't You Be Our Neighbor?" (October 22, 2014)
Modern Family doesn't have as many gems as it used to, but it is still capable of being sharply written and very clever on any given week. The best example in 2014 was a rather routine episode but it had all the elements that make a strong episode. Primarily, all three storylines were strong - something that the show has had trouble with. The standout storyline in this episode was Cam and Mitch's (Eric Stonestreet and Jesse Tyler Ferguson) frustration with Lily's new teacher (a great turn by guest star Tyne Daly), but the story with the Dunphys trying to be the perfect neighbors and prevent a trashy couple from moving in was equally funny.

16. Chicago Fire #49 "Just Drive the Truck" (October 7, 2014)
Chicago Fire is one of the most underrated shows on TV in my opinion. It seems to get dismissed pretty quickly when it actually has great characters and tells great stories. "Just Drive the Truck" was a perfect example as it centered around controversy when two fire trucks collided with each other. The episode gave a nice showcase to an underused member of the ensemble, Joe Cruz (Joe Minoso). The episode was the epitome of Chicago Fire because it had the firefighters having each other's back and supporting each other when trouble came. This show wouldn't set itself apart with its stories or acting alone but it's the way the ensemble interacts with each other that makes it one of my favorite dramas on TV right now.

15. Brooklyn Nine-Nine #22 "Charges and Specs" (March 25, 2014)
Brooklyn Nine-Nine's brilliant first season ended on a strong note with this episode. This episode featured the three best characters in a very strong ensemble: Jake, Amy, and Captain Holt (Andy Samberg, Melissa Fumero, and Andre Braugher) as it centered on them going rogue to catch a corrupt civic leader. On top of that, it had the added element of Jake going undercover and best of all, it featured a sweet and awkward moment when Jake told Amy he had feelings for her. The slow burn possible romance between those two characters in reminiscent of the early days of Jim and Pam on The Office and the show is wisely taking its time. Few shows come out of the gate with as strong a first season as Brooklyn Nine-Nine.


14. Mom #25 "Chicken Nuggets and a Triple Homicide" (November 13, 2014)
After an uneven first season, Mom was on my list of possible shows to drop from my weekly viewing list. However, it has escaped that list with a major quality improvement in season two. The show is quickly becoming a modern day Roseanne as it tackles serious issues for a cash-starved, flawed family. This episode was so darkly comic, it was unique for a broadcast show. Christy and Bonnie (Anna Faris and Allison Janney) rent a beautiful house for a shockingly low price, only to discover that three people and a dog had been murdered there. Their subsequent reactions and nerves provided comedy for much of the episode. Mom has gone from being a show I sort of just watched to one I look forward to every week.

13. Black-ish #5 "Crime and Punishment" (October 22, 2014)
Black-ish is easily the best new comedy of the season so far, but it's been a bit uneven. It's strongest episode to date showed what a great family comedy this can become. Youngest son Jack (Miles Brown) is continually hiding from his parents. After an hilarious freak-out from Bow (Tracee Ellis Ross), Dre (Anthony Anderson) decides that Jack needs to be spanked. The show deals head-on with a hot button issue in a very funny way. The worry and fear coming from both parent and child was brilliantly mixed together in a very funny extended scene leading up to the possible spanking. This show needs to give Miles Brown more stories because he is a star in the making!

12. The Goldbergs #24 "Love is a Mixtape" (September 24, 2014)
After an uneven start, The Goldbergs found its stride midway through its first season. ABC wisely upgraded it to Wednesday nights and it started off season two with a bang. In a true 80s storyline, Adam (Sean Giambrone) makes a mix tape for his new girlfriend, but smothering mother Beverly (Wendi McLendon-Covey) gets her hands on it and mistakenly thinks it's for her, leading to a hilarious sequence of events. The fact that the song heard over and over again on the tape was the super cheesy 80s song "You're the Inspiration" by Chicago made it that much funnier. Yet, as always, The Goldbergs managed to be sentimental at the same time with a sweet ending. I'm so glad this show has found an audience on Wednesdays because it's a truly sweet family comedy.

11. Gotham #1 "Pilot" (September 22, 2014)
My favorite pilot of the year belonged to FOX's new Batman origin show, Gotham. No other show, drama or comedy, managed to define its tone and setting in episode one this year as well as Gotham did. From the noir look to the show with shady villains and a decaying city to the instantly dynamic performances from Robin Lord Taylor as the Penguin and Jada Pinkett Smith as Fish Mooney. The show set itself up well and left plenty of "Easter eggs" for Batman fans to find. Some reviews said they tried to do too much in the pilot but I disagree. I think a show like this needed to start with a bang and we all know that Gotham is a huge universe from comics, movies, etc. Gotham the show needed to portray that and it set the tone with its strong pilot.

10. Mom #30 "Free Therapy and a Dead Lady's Yardsale" (December 18, 2014)
In a year where the Ray Rice story dominated headlines for weeks, Mom dared to go where few sitcoms do: domestic abuse. The show has not been afraid of controversial storylines and it is tackling them within the confines of a traditional network sitcom. That is even more impressive to me than a niche cable show tackling the same issues. When Bonnie (Allison Janney) revealed to rebellious Violet (Sadie Calvano) that Christy (Anna Faris) was a victim of domestic abuse from Violet's father, the characters had to deal with some harsh realities and it brought them closer together. Of course, it wrapped the episode in comedy, but it also wasn't afraid to get serious and not in a sentimental way. I said in #14 that this show is a contemporary Roseanne and episodes like this just further that point.

9. How to Get Away with Murder #9 "Kill Me, Kill Me, Kill Me" (November 20, 2014)
What a thrill ride How to Get Away with Murder has been in its first nine episodes. While I have to suspend disbelief that they could tackle the number of court cases they did in one semester or resort to such shady tactics to get their way, it's a twisty show that has basically become Scandal in a college. That's not a slam though. For every serious drama, a fun and dark one like Murder is needed and star Viola Davis is elevating the whole show. The fall finale finally caught up to the flash forward we saw in the pilot. For a lot of the episode, I felt like it was a bit underwhelming because we had already seen so much of the flash forward in other episodes. All that changed in the final seconds of the episode when an insane twist involving Wes (Alfred Enoch) and Annalise (Davis) made me dying to find out what will happen next when it returns at the end of January.

8. The Middle #128 "The College Tour" (December 3, 2014)
Despite an uneven season so far, The Middle continues to be one of the most heartwarming sitcoms TV has seen in a long time. Two under-utilized relationships were the highlights of "The College Tour" - Frankie and Axl (Patricia Heaton and Charlie McDermott) and Mike and Sue (Neil Flynn and Eden Sher). Frankie goes to see Axl play in a college football game for the first time and ends up giving him some tips when things don't go well with the game or a potential girlfriend. Mike accompanies Sue on college tours and realizes just how much he'll miss her when she leaves. On top of the two sentimental and sweet stories, there was a very funny third story involving Brick (Atticus Shaffer) and multiple babysitters helping him with a school project. In short, this episode showed everything that's great about this underrated show.

7. New Girl #83 "LAXmas" (December 9, 2014)
No TV revelation this fall has been more enjoyable for me than the renaissance of New Girl. I was thisclose to to giving up on a show that was my favorite of the 2012-13 season because last season was such a disaster. But then this fall, the show ended the dreadful Nick/Jess relationship and got back to basics. I've been pleasantly surprised week after week and the best episode in more than a year came with the Christmas one. As the friends spent hours at the crowded LAX airport, we got hilarious bits that make New Girl so good: Nick (Jake Johnson) posing as an airport worker, Jess (Zooey Deschanel) being neurotic, Winston (Lamorne Morris) being weird, Schmidt and Cece (Max Greenfield and Hannah Simone) trying to be friends, and ultimately, friends coming together to help each other. I only hope that New Girl renaissance continues in 2015.

6. Gotham #7 "Penguin's Umbrella" (November 3, 2014)
After its brilliant pilot (see #11), Gotham went through a little bit of growing pains as it tried to reconcile a case of the week with the larger storylines going on at the same time. The most complete episode it has put together so far showed the promise of everything this show can be. It's no surprise that it's best episode primarily focused on Robin Lord Taylor as the Penguin. Taylor is giving as good a singular performance as any actor on any show as he has the mannerisms and evilness of the Penguin down perfectly. In this episode, we learn so much more about that character and then there's a delightful twist at the end of the episode that set this show up for many more stories.

5. The Goldbergs #23 "Livin' on a Prayer" (May 13, 2014)
The Goldbergs ended its first season on a very high note punctuated by the youth anthem of the 80s (and the title of the episode). Episodes dealing with Barry (Troy Gentile) are not always my favorite, but he was so easy to root for in this episode as he tried to have a massive party while the parents were out of town. Things didn't start well for perpetual loser Barry but his chance to have five minutes of heaven as Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer" was blasting was directly tied to the other storyline: a sweet and slightly sad one that had Murray (Jeff Garlin) going back to his alma mater as a once celebrated basketball player. While Murray had to deal with the fact that he's not the high school basketball star he once was, he also empathized with Barry and his struggles to ever come close to that level. So after a very funny scene where the parents came home to the party, Barry got the night of his life (for five minutes) and the show's season ended with new levels of relationships explored between some of the main characters.

4. Chicago Fire #47 "Always" (September 23, 2014)
Chicago Fire's season premiere earns a spot on this list for not being afraid to take a chance by killing off one of the main characters. It would have seemed disingenuous for that to never happen in a show about firefighters but then again, most network shows don't take such chances (look at the Law & Order franchise). By killing off the beloved Leslie Shay (Lauren German), the show was able to move on to a new level. It allowed characters like Dawson and Severide (Monica Raymund and Taylor Kinney) to deal with the loss of their friend, and it allowed the show to move forward with new stories including promising new character Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer). Chicago Fire deals with life and death issues every week. Most of the time, it deals with life as the firefighters make harrowing rescues, However, that is not always the reality of fires and the show decided not to take its audience for granted or treat them with kid gloves. I respect and admire that.

3. Blue Bloods #91 "Forgive and Forget" (October 3, 2014)
Blue Bloods is one of my favorite shows week in and week out but it often flies under the radar for me. It's probably the most consistent show on TV yet I have a hard time picking out favorite episodes (or maybe that's why). The best in a year of good episodes was "Forgive and Forget" - which dealt with issues all connected to the theme of the title. This was a great episode for my favorite duo on the show: Jamie and Eddie (Will Estes and Vanessa Ray) as they dealt with a cop in their precinct who had blown the whistle on another cop and was getting shunned. It also with a case for Danny (Donnie Wahlberg) and an old case that has resurfaced. Finally, Frank (Tom Selleck) continues to be the NYPD commissioner everyone wishes we had (much like we wish Jed Bartlett was the US President) as he respected a fellow cop and friend, while holding him responsible for his failings. In a year where the police force has been in the news constantly with high profile incidents in Ferguson, Missouri and New York City itself, this show has time and time again shown the value of good cops. That should be a sign to the many protestors that most in the police force should be respected and honored, and it should also show the police out there that they all must live up to a high standard.

2. Brooklyn Nine-Nine #13 "The Bet" (January 14, 2014)
I've already sung the praises of Brooklyn Nine-Nine (see #15) but my favorite episode of the year for this show was actually one of the first ones because it was all about the rivalry/secret affection between Jake and Amy. They make a bet over number of collars and Jake's win makes for a hilarious punishment for Amy: she must go on a date with him, which he proceeds to turn into the "worst date ever." However, their date is cut short when they have to go to a stakeout and we see the first signs of real feelings between them. Part of me wants this relationship to not ever become official because for each Leslie and Ben (Parks and Recreation), which elevate the show, there's a Nick/Jess (New Girl), which hurts the show. I'm more than fine with a slow burn... a couple episodes a year. Especially if they're as good as this one.

1. Parks and Recreation #111/112 "Moving Up" (April 24, 2014)
For the second time in three years, Parks and Recreation owns the top spot in my countdown. The sixth season finale felt like a series finale for most of the episode. As Pawnee held a unity concert with arch-rival Eagleton, Leslie debated taking a job with the National Parks Department (at the request of Michelle Obama in a cameo). Everything we love about Pawnee showed up in this episode including classic characters Jean-Ralphio, Mona Lisa, Joan Callamezzo, Councilman Jamm, Perd Hapley, and Tammy Two. The show ended with the whole gang getting ready to say goodbye to Leslie before she had an idea to bring her new job to Pawnee. Just when the episode felt like it was ending, it make a shocking three year time jump to 2017 and showed Leslie's new life, still in Pawnee, and featuring changes aplenty before its final season (as well as a cameo by Jon Hamm). Now, we head into the final season of this brilliant show (the show will double pump episodes starting January 13 and end its run in February) and it's still as fresh and funny as its ever been, I'm a bit nervous about the time jump but I'm also excited. The show told everything it could tell in its current format, which is why "Moving Up" felt like a series finale. It's quite possible the new season will make me wish it had another seven years. At the very least, an episode like "Moving Up" that features everything I love about a show, is a pretty perfect episode to put at the top of my list. Who knows, maybe it'll get three out of four years at #1 when my 2015 episode list comes out.

RATINGS RECAP: 12/27/14

ABC
8:00 Movie: Norbit
Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
10:00 20/20 Saturday
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

CBS
8:00 Hawaii Five-0 (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
9:00 48 Hours (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
10:00 48 Hours (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

NBC
8:00 WWE Tribute to the Troops
Viewers: 1.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
9:00 The Mysteries of Laura (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
10:00 Saturday Night Live (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

FOX
8:00 Bones (Repeat)

Viewers: 2.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
9:00 Sleepy Hollow (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.2

RATINGS RECAP: 12/26/14

ABC
8:00 Last Man Standing (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
8:30 Cristela (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 Shark Tank (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

CBS
8:00 Now That's Funny! On Set with TV Comedies
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:30 Mom (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
10:00 Blue Bloods (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

NBC
8:00 Caught on Camera with Nick Cannon
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

FOX
8:00 Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas

Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
8:30 Bob's Burgers (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
9:00 Glee (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3

Friday, December 26, 2014

RATINGS RECAP: 12/25/14

ABC
8:00 How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
8:30 Movie: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo; 1.3
8:30 Mom (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 Two and a Half Men (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:30 The McCarthys (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
10:00 Elementary (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

NBC
8:00 How Murray Saved Christmas
Viewers: 1.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3
9:00 Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas
Viewers: 1.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3
10:00 Christmas in Rockefeller Center
Viewers: 2.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4

FOX
8:00 Bones (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
9:00 Bones (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

RATINGS RECAP: 12/24/14

ABC
8:00 The Middle (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
8:30 The Goldbergs (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
9:00 Modern Family (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:30 Black-ish (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
10:00 Black-ish (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
10:30 Black-ish (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

CBS
8:00 I Love Lucy Christmas Special
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 Madam Secretary (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
10:00 Scorpion (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

NBC
8:00 Movie: It's a Wonderful Life
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

FOX
8:00 Bob's Burgers (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
8:30 Bob's Burgers (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
9:00 Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
9:30 Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4

RATINGS RECAP: 12/23/14

ABC
8:00 Shrek the Halls
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
8:30 Toy Story that Time Forgot
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 The Year: 2014
Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

CBS
8:00 NCIS (Repeat)
Viewers: 10.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 NCIS: Los Angeles (Repeat)
Viewers: 8.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
10:00 NCIS: New Orleans
Viewers: 7.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

NBC
8:00 One Direction: The TV Special
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 Michael Buble's Christmas in New York
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
10:00 Kelly Clarkson's Cautionary Christmas Tale
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

FOX
8:00 New Girl (Repeat)

Viewers: 1.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
8:30 The Mindy Project (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
9:00 New Girl (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
9:30 The Mindy Project (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

RATINGS RECAP: 12/22/14

ABC
8:00 The Great Christmas Light Fight
Viewers: 5.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
10:00 Castle (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory (Repeat)
Viewers: 8.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
8:30 Mike & Molly
Viewers: 8.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:00 Scorpion (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 NCIS: Los Angeles (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

NBC
8:00 SNL Christmas
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
10:00 State of Affairs
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

FOX
8:00 Gotham (Repeat)

Viewers: 1.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
9:00 Sleepy Hollow (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

WEEKLY RECAP: December 15-21, 2014

Here's my weekly recap for Week #13. Please note this only covers regularly scheduled shows (no sports, specials, repeats, or Saturday shows)

TOP 10 SHOWS (18-49 DEMO)
1. The Voice (NBC, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 3.3    12th week
2. The Voice (NBC, Monday 8:00pm) - 2.8    13th week
3. NCIS (CBS, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 2.4    7th week
    Survivor (CBS, Wednesday 8:00pm) - 2.4    5th week
5. Mom (CBS, Thursday 8:30pm) - 2.3    6th week
6. 60 Minutes (CBS, Sunday 7:49pm) - 2.2    4th week
7. 2 Broke Girls (CBS, Monday 8:00pm) - 2.1    1st week
8. Scorpion (CBS, Monday 9:00pm) - 2.0    3rd week
9. NCIS: New Orleans (CBS, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 1.9    3rd week
    Two and a Half Men (CBS, Thursday 9:00pm) - 1.9    2nd week

TOP 10 SHOWS (TOTAL VIEWERS)
1. NCIS (CBS, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 17.5 million    10th week
2. NCIS: New Orleans (CBS, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 14.1 million    10th week
3. 60 Minutes (CBS, Sunday 7:49pm) - 13.2 million    11th week
4. The Voice (NBC, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 12.9 million    10th week
5. The Voice (NBC, Monday 8:00pm) - 12.1 million    13th week
6. Scorpion (CBS, Monday 9:00pm) - 10.1 million    8th week
7. Mom (CBS, Thursday 8:30pm) - 10.0 million    6th week
8. Survivor (CBS, Wednesday 8:00pm) - 9.8 million    3rd week
9. NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS, Monday 10:00pm) - 9.5 million    1st week
10. Person of Interest (CBS, Tuesday 10:00pm) - 8.9 million    1st week

BOTTOM 10 SHOWS (18-49 DEMO)
1. Mulaney (FOX, Sunday 7:00pm) - 0.4    8th week
2. The Taste (ABC, Thursday 8:00pm) - 0.8    3rd week
3. The Biggest Loser (NBC, Thursday 8:00pm) - 0.9    6th week
4. 20/20 (ABC, Friday 10:00pm) - 1.1    4th week
5. Person of Interest (CBS, Tuesday 10:00pm) - 1.3    1st week
    The Sing-Off (NBC, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 1.3    1st week (New Season)
    Hell's Kitchen (FOX, Wednesday 8:00pm) - 1.3    8th week
    Elementary (CBS, Thursday 10:00pm) - 1.3    4th week
    The Amazing Race (CBS, Friday 8:00pm) - 1.3    8th week
    Dateline NBC (NBC, Friday 9:00pm) - 1.3    3rd week
    The Mentalist (CBS, Sunday 9:49pm) - 1.3    2nd week
    CSI (CBS, Sunday 10:49pm) - 1.3    2nd week

BOTTOM 10 SHOWS (TOTAL VIEWERS)
1. Mulaney (FOX, Sunday 7:00pm) - 1.0 million    8th week
2. The Taste (ABC, Thursday 8:00pm) - 3.1 million    3rd week
3. Hell's Kitchen (FOX, Wednesday 8:00pm) - 3.6 million    9th week
4. The Biggest Loser (NBC, Thursday 8:00pm) - 3.9 million    2nd week
5. 20/20 (ABC, Friday 10:00pm) - 4.9 million    1st week
6. The Sing-Off (NBC, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 5.1 million    1st week (New Season)
7. The Great Christmas Light Fight (ABC, Monday 8:00pm) - 5.3 million    1st week
8. Masterchef Junior (FOX, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 5.6 million    1st week
9. State of Affairs (NBC, Monday 10:00pm) - 6.2 million    1st week
10. The Amazing Race (CBS, Friday 8:00pm) - 6.6 million    1st week

WINNERS OF THE NIGHT
Monday - 2 Broke Girls (CBS)    2nd week
Tuesday - The Voice (NBC)    3rd week
Wednesday - Survivor (CBS)    2nd week
Thursday - The McCarthys (CBS)    1st week

LOSERS OF THE NIGHT
Monday - State of Affairs (NBC)    1st week
Tuesday - NCIS: New Orleans (CBS)    1st week
Wednesday - Hell's Kitchen (FOX)    2nd week
Thursday - The Biggest Loser (NBC)    3rd week

RATINGS RECAP: 12/21/14

ABC
7:00 The Sound of Music Sing-Along
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

CBS
7:00 NFL Overrun
Viewers: 25.9 million, 18-49 demo: 7.7
7:49 60 Minutes
Viewers: 13.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
8:49 Undercover Boss
Viewers: 8.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:49 The Mentalist
Viewers: 8.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
10:49 CSI
Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

NBC
7:00 Football Night in America
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
8:00 NFL Pregame
Viewers: 9.7 million, 18-49 demo: 3.0
8:30 Sunday Night Football
Viewers: 19.3 million, 18-49 demo: 6.1

FOX
7:00 Mulaney
Viewers: 1.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
7:30 Bob's Burgers (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
8:00 The Simpsons (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo; 1.1
8:30 Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Family Guy (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:30 Bob's Burgers (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

On Sunday night, CBS was fully new. After an NFL overrun and post-game, the lineup started 19 minutes late. 60 Minutes was up 1.8 million viewers and six tenths in the demo from last week's non-NFL infused edition. At 8:49pm, Undercover Boss was down seven tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo from last week's season premiere. This was a little disappointing considering the lead-in was better and the competition was light. The Mentalist followed and was up three tenths in viewers and even in the demo. CSI closed out the night up a tenth in viewers and the demo. NBC's Cardinals-Seahawks matchup delivered a season low for Sunday Night Football. Despite being two good teams, they're not the biggest national draws, especially Arizona. FOX's dead show walking, Mulaney, delivered a series low while airing at a special time of 7pm.

Sunday, December 21, 2014

RATINGS RECAP: 12/20/14

ABC
8:00 I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown
Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
9:00 CMA Country Christmas (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

CBS
8:00 NFL Football
Viewers: 7.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0

NBC
8:00 The Sound of Music Live! (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3

FOX
8:00 Bones (Repeat)

Viewers: 2.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3
9:00 Sleepy Hollow (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3

Saturday, December 20, 2014

RATINGS RECAP: 12/19/14

ABC
8:00 Last Man Standing (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
8:30 Cristela (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 Shark Tank (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

CBS
8:00 The Amazing Race
Viewers: 6.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 Home for the Holidays
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
10:00 Blue Bloods (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

NBC
8:00 Caught on Camera with Nick Cannon
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 6.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

FOX
8:00 Masterchef Junior (Repeat)

Viewers: 1.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
9:00 Hell's Kitchen (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4

RATINGS RECAP: 12/18/14

ABC
8:00 The Taste
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
10:00 How to Get Away with Murder (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory (Repeat)
Viewers: 10.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
8:30 Mom
Viewers: 10.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
9:00 Two and a Half Men
Viewers: 8.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
9:30 The McCarthys
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
10:00 Elementary
Viewers: 7.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

NBC
8:00 The Biggest Loser
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 People Magazine Awards
Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

FOX
8:00 Bones (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 Bones (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

Thursday night had the CBS sitcoms go at it alone again without a new episode of The Big Bang Theory leading things off. At 8:30pm, Mom was down eight tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo. Though it dropped from last week, it did much better than any other week that it's followed a Big Bang repeat. This show is definitely developing its own audience. At 9pm, Two and a Half Men was down half a million viewers and three tenths in the demo. The McCarthys followed and was actually dead even with last week despite the much lower lead-in. I wonder if CBS is regretting cutting the season short for this show. After a rough start, it has been pretty solid the past couple weeks. At 10pm, Elementary was even in viewers and down a tenth in the demo. Over on ABC, The Taste was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo, tying series lows in both categories. Finally, NBC had The Biggest Loser down four tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for a series low. This show has really tanked this fall. The new People Magazine Awards drew very little interest at 9pm.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: The McCarthys (CBS)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: The Biggest Loser (NBC)

Thursday, December 18, 2014

RATINGS RECAP: 12/17/14

ABC
8:00 The Middle (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
8:30 The Goldbergs (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 Modern Family (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:30 Black-ish (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
10:00 Black-ish (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:30 Black-ish (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 9.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
10:00 Survivor: Live Reunion Show
Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8

NBC
8:00 Michael Buble's Christmas in New York
Viewers: 7.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 The Sing-Off
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

FOX
8:00 Hell's Kitchen
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

Wednesday night had the finale of the fall edition of Survivor. It was up three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. While that was no improvement from last week, it was closely behind last fall and spring's 2.6 demo result. It was another pretty consistent season for the long running reality show. A live reunion show was solid at 10pm as well. NBC got little traction from the season premiere of annual holiday entry The Sing-Off, but this will be acceptable for a holiday run. NBC got the same demo result from Michael Buble's Christmas special, though Buble did better with total viewers. Finally, the finale of Hell's Kitchen capped a very disappointing season for the show. It was down three tenths in viewers an even in the demo from last week's 8pm edition. It will not be on the spring and might be better suited for a summer run.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Survivor (CBS)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Hell's Kitchen (FOX)

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

RATINGS RECAP: 12/16/14

ABC
8:00 A Charlie Brown Christmas
Viewers: 6.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
9:00 Disney Prep & Landing
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:30 Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
10:00 Forever (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

CBS
8:00 NCIS
Viewers: 17.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
9:00 NCIS: New Orleans
Viewers: 14.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
10:00 Person of Interest
Viewers: 8.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

NBC
8:00 Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 The Voice
Viewers: 12.9 million, 18-49 demo: 3.3

FOX
8:00 Masterchef Junior

Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:00 New Girl (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:30 The Mindy Project (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

Tuesday night had the finale of The Voice. After a new special (Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas) got little traction, The Voice was up 1.7 million viewers and a full demo point from last week. It was down from last December's 4.0 demo, but it tied last May's result. Not too bad considering how much it was slumping in recent weeks. The Voice returns at the end of February. FOX had a finale of its own with Masterchef Junior. It was up seven tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. The viewer total was a series high. This show has been a pleasant Tuesday surprise. It will be back in January for another run. Over on CBS, NCIS started things off up 1.5 million viewers but down a tenth in the demo. The dramas that followed wilted against The Voice finale. NCIS: New Orleans was down four tenths in viewers and the demo for a new series low. It's a good thing it doesn't have to face The Voice all the time. At 10pm, Person of Interest was down a tenth in viewers and a rough four tenths in the demo, tying a series low. ABC countered with holiday specials that had OK numbers.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: The Voice (NBC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: NCIS: New Orleans (CBS)

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

RATINGS RECAP: 12/15/14

ABC
8:00 The Great Christmas Light Fight
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
10:00 Castle (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

CBS
8:00 2 Broke Girls
Viewers: 7.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
8:30 Mike & Molly
Viewers: 7.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
9:00 Scorpion
Viewers: 10.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
10:00 NCIS: Los Angeles
Viewers: 9.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 12.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.8
10:00 State of Affairs
Viewers: 6.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

FOX
8:00 American Country Countdown Awards
Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

On Monday night, the performance finale of The Voice was up 1.3 million viewers and three tenths in the demo. It only got back to a 2.8, which isn't so impressive. At 10pm, State of Affairs was down a tenth in viewers and the demo despite the better lead-in, hitting a series low. The Night Shift will take over the Monday 10pm slot when The Voice returns in February. Over on CBS, 2 Broke Girls was up a tenth in viewers and the demo. This show has held up well at 8pm. Week two of Mike & Molly was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. It hasn't been great but the best news for CBS is it's seemingly helping Scorpion, which was up a tenth in viewers and down a tenth in the demo at a still solid 2.0. NCIS: Los Angeles was up eight tenths in viewers and even in the demo, winning the hour with a 1.6 demo. Finally on ABC, week two of The Great Christmas Light Fight was down 1.5 million viewers and three tenths in the demo from last week's premiere. FOX got very little interest from the new American Country Countdown awards.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: 2 Broke Girls (CBS)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: State of Affairs (NBC)

WEEKLY RECAP: December 8-14, 2014

Here's my weekly recap for Week #12. Please note this only covers regularly scheduled shows (no sports, specials, repeats, or Saturday shows)

TOP 10 SHOWS (18-49 DEMO)
1. The Big Bang Theory (CBS, Thursday 8:00pm) - 3.9    10th week
2. Modern Family (ABC, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 3.1    10th week
3. Mom (CBS, Thursday 8:30pm) - 2.6    5th week
4. The Voice (NBC, Monday 8:00pm) - 2.5    12th week
5. Survivor (CBS, Wednesday 8:00pm) - 2.4    4th week
6. The Voice (NBC, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 2.3    11th week
    Black-ish (ABC, Wednesday 9:30pm) - 2.3    8th week
    Two and a Half Men (CBS, Thursday 9:00pm) - 2.3    1st week
9. The Middle (ABC, Wednesday 8:00pm) - 2.2    1st week
    The Goldbergs (ABC, Wednesday 8:30pm) - 2.2    1st week

TOP 10 SHOWS (TOTAL VIEWERS)
1. The Big Bang Theory (CBS, Thursday 8:00pm) - 15.5 million    10th week
2. 60 Minutes (CBS, Sunday 7:00pm) - 11.4 million    10th week
3. The Voice (NBC, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 11.2 million    9th week
4. Blue Bloods (CBS, Friday 10:00pm) - 11.1 million    6th week
5. The Voice (NBC, Monday 8:00pm) - 10.8 million    12th week
    Mom (CBS, Thursday 8:30pm) - 10.8 million    5th week
7. Criminal Minds (CBS, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 10.1 million    4th week
8. Scorpion (CBS, Monday 9:00pm) - 10.0 million    7th week
9. Modern Family (ABC, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 9.7 million    4th week
10. Survivor (CBS, Wednesday 8:00pm) - 9.5 million    2nd week

BOTTOM 10 SHOWS (18-49 DEMO)
1. The Taste (ABC, Thursday 8:00pm) - 0.8    2nd week
    A to Z (NBC, Thursday 9:30pm) - 0.8    9th week
    Cristela (ABC, Friday 8:30pm) - 0.8    7th week
4. About a Boy (NBC, Tuesday 9:30pm) - 0.9    4th week
    Gracepoint (FOX, Thursday 9:00pm) - 0.9    10th week
6. Constantine (NBC, Friday 10:00pm) - 1.0    6th week
7. The Mindy Project (FOX, Tuesday 9:30pm) - 1.1    8th week
    Forever (ABC, Tuesday 10:00pm) - 1.1    6th week
    The Biggest Loser (NBC, Thursday 8:00pm) - 1.1    5th week
    Bad Judge (NBC, Thursday 9:00pm) - 1.1    6th week
    Last Man Standing (ABC, Friday 8:00pm) - 1.1    4th week
    Hawaii Five-0 (CBS, Friday 9:00pm) - 1.1    5th week

BOTTOM 10 SHOWS (TOTAL VIEWERS)
1. A to Z (NBC, Thursday 9:30pm) - 2.5 million    8th week
    Bob's Burgers (FOX, Sunday 9:30pm) - 2.5 million    7th week
3. The Mindy Project (FOX, Tuesday 9:30pm) - 2.6 million    10th week
4. The Taste (ABC, Thursday 8:00pm) - 3.2 million    2nd week
5. New Girl (FOX, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 3.3 million    10th week
    Constantine (NBC, Friday 10:00pm) - 3.3 million    8th week
7. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (FOX, Sunday 8:30pm) - 3.5 million    5th week
8. About a Boy (NBC, Tuesday 9:30pm) - 3.7 million    5th week
9. Bad Judge (NBC, Thursday 9:00pm) - 3.8 million    5th week
10. Hell's Kitchen (FOX, Wednesday 8:00pm) - 3.9 million    8th week
     Hell's Kitchen (FOX, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 3.9 million    (Special Airing)

WINNERS OF THE NIGHT
Monday - The Great Christmas Light Fight (ABC)    1st week (New Season)
Tuesday - Masterchef Junior (FOX)    3rd week
Wednesday - The Middle (ABC)    1st week
Thursday - Mom (CBS)    2nd week
Friday - Dateline NBC (NBC)    1st week
Sunday - Undercover Boss (CBS)    1st week (New Season)

LOSERS OF THE NIGHT
Monday - Castle (ABC)    2nd week
Tuesday - About a Boy (NBC)    3rd week
Wednesday - Law & Order: SVU (NBC)    1st week
Thursday - Bones (FOX)    1st week
Friday - Cristela (ABC)    3rd week
Sunday - Once Upon a Time (ABC)    1st week

MY TOP 5 EPISODES OF THE WEEK
1. New Girl #83 "LAXmas"    3rd week
2. About a Boy #21 "About a Christmas Carol"    3rd week
3. The Middle #129 "The Christmas Wall"    3rd week
4. Black-ish #10 "Black Santa/White Christmas"    4th week
5. Law & Order: SVU #352 "Pattern Seventeen"    1st week

RATINGS RECAP: 12/14/14

ABC
7:00 Backstage with Disney on Broadway
Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
8:00 Once Upon a Time
Viewers: 5.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:00 Barbara Walters 10 Most Fascinating People of 2014
Viewers: 7.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

CBS
7:00 60 Minutes
Viewers: 11.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
8:00 Undercover Boss
Viewers: 8.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:00 The Mentalist
Viewers: 8.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
10:00 CSI
Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

NBC
7:00 Football Night in America
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
8:00 NFL Pregame
Viewers: 12.4 million, 18-49 demo: 4.1
8:30 Sunday Night Football
Viewers: 24.3 million, 18-49 demo: 8.6

FOX
7:00 NFL Overrun

Viewers: 17.1 million, 18-49 demo: 5.8
7:30 The OT
Viewers: 12.8 million, 18-49 demo: 4.4
8:00 The Simpsons (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
8:30 Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 Family Guy (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:30 Bob's Burgers
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

Sunday night had the return of Undercover Boss. After a typical non-football lead-in result for 60 Minutes, Boss premiered to a solid 1.7 demo. It skewed younger than Madam Secretary has been, It will air for a couple weeks on Sunday before moving to Friday for a couple weeks. It seemed to help The Mentalist a bit as that show was down three tenths in viewers but up two tenths in the demo. CSI closed things out down seven tenths in viewers (a series low) and even in the demo. Time to retire this show, but I could see CBS giving it a 13 episode final season next year. A mammoth Sunday night football game between the Cowboys and Eagles gave NBC its best Sunday Night Football numbers since the Saints-Cowboys game on September 28. The Cowboys have played in three of the four Sunday night showdowns that went above an 8 in the demo.

On ABC, the fall finale of Once Upon a Time left the show on a very sour note. After a huge start to its season and the Frozen storyline (it premiered to a 3.5 demo!), it has declined rapidly in the past couple weeks. This result was a series low in total viewers and tied a series low in the demo. ABC is going to need to find yet another storyline to inject life into this show when it returns in March. The annual Barbara Walters "10 Most Fascinating People" special was down big year to year on its new night. After last year's special was billed as the last one, this might really be it as the usually reliable special didn't draw much interest this time around. FOX only had new episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Bob's Burgers. They were slightly up from the last time this scenario happened two weeks ago (though that night didn't have an NFL overrun earlier in the evening).

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Undercover Boss (CBS)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Once Upon a Time (ABC)

Monday, December 15, 2014

QUICK HITS: December 15, 2014

Now that all the networks have revealed their midseason plans, here are my quick thoughts on the many new shows coming, both from their trailer (if I've seen it) and chance for success.

ABC

Galavant (Sundays at 8pm for four weeks (two episodes a week), premieres Jan 4)
I don't even know what to make of this show. It seems so absurd yet it also seems like it could be charming. I don't see it working though. It's hard to imagine fans of the dark Once Upon a Time being all about a musical romp, even if it has to do with fairy tales.

Marvel's Agent Carter (Tuesdays at 9pm for seven weeks, 2 hour premiere Jan 6)
While I am not a big Marvel fan, I am quite intrigued by the 1940s setting and it's made me much more interested in this show than I would have been otherwise. I don't have huge hopes for it though considering Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. seems more mass appealing and doesn't do all that well.

Fresh Off the Boat (Tuesdays at 8pm starting Feb 10, special Weds premiere Feb 4 at 8:30pm & 9:30pm)
I have been excited about this show since the trailer first came out in May. I thought it looked like the funniest new comedy on any network. I'm so troubled by the scheduling though because comedies go to die at 8pm Tuesday on ABC. Hopefully the Weds premiere will give it some good will and it can exceed recent Tues 8pm entries.

Secrets and Lies (Sundays at 9pm, premieres Mar 1)
I love a good murder mystery but I'm skeptical about where they go on TV shows and how often they get overly complicated or dragged out. I'm also not a big Juliette Lewis fan and I'm indifferent towards Ryan Phillippe. I could see it being like Resurrection last year with its post-Oscars premiere. But will it follow the same trajectory Resurrection has had?

American Crime (Thursdays at 10pm, premieres Mar 5)
I think this looks like it could be smartly written and interesting, but it seems like a horrible fit in the timeslot. It seems methodical and slow yet it's following a show that moves at breakneck speed (Scandal) and inherits the timeslot of a show that moves even faster than that (How to Get Away with Murder). It just doesn't seem like it fits on ABC Thursday at all. I think they should have stuck with their original plan to have Secrets & Lies on Thurs and American Crime on Sun.

CBS

The Odd Couple (Thursdays at 8:30pm, premieres Feb 19) - No trailers available for CBS shows. I love Matthew Perry but I'm pretty skeptical about this. It doesn't seem like we need another Odd Couple and so many other shows play on that premise anyway.

Battle Creek (Sundays at 10pm, premieres Mar 1) - Well, I know so little about this show so I really have no opinion. But I don't think it has a great chance with a sleepy 10pm Sunday timeslot.

CSI: Cyber (Wednesdays at 10pm, premieres Mar 4) - I've never been big into the CSI franchise, but I'm mildly intrigued in this one only because the cyber element seems interesting. Of the three CBS midseason shows, I think this is the only one that might make some noise. The CSI thing is tired but Criminal Minds fans are used to having a CSI show follow it at 10pm.

NBC

Allegiance (Thursdays at 10pm, premieres Feb 5) - Sounds like an interesting premise but also a little bit complicated. I'm skeptical of this whole drama lineup for NBC on Thursday since it has to go against ABC's powerful lineup. Therefore, I'm skeptical of a serial show like this working.

The Slap (Thursdays at 8pm, premieres Feb 12) - I know very little about this "limited" series. I'm very doubtful that it will be able to find an audience and I think NBC will have a short leash if it seems like it's bringing down The Blacklist at 9pm.

One Big Happy (Tuesdays at 9pm, premieres Mar 17) - I have no idea about the quality of this show but I like the idea of trying a multi-cam comedy after The Voice on Tuesdays. The single cam comedies certainly haven't been working so why not give it a shot?

A.D. (Sundays at 9pm, premieres Apr 5) - This is the only trailer I've seen so far from NBC and I think it stands a chance to make some serious noise considering how well The Bible did. With an Easter Sunday premiere, this could be a show that transcends the regular network TV audience.

Odyssey (Sundays at 10pm, premieres Apr 5) - I'm high on its lead-in, A.D., but I don't know that this will be able to find the same audience or capitalize on a potentially large lead-in. I like the concept on paper but I've been duped by shows like this before. We'll see...

FOX

Empire (Wednesdays at 9pm, premieres Jan 7) - Of all the FOX newbies at midseason, this is the only one I have reasonably decent hopes for. I think it should definitely be an improvement on former timeslot holder Red Band Society, and the bar isn't too high for FOX shows.

World's Funniest Fails (Fridays at 8pm, premieres Jan 16) - This is just filler stuff on Friday leading into the final season of Glee, which nobody cares about. I don't think it'll do well, but it doesn't really have to.

Backstrom (Thursdays at 9pm, premieres Jan 22) - This is totally the Rake of 2015. I don't see it working at all and an American Idol lead-in doesn't mean much anymore. It seems a sure goner to me and it really doesn't seem appealing.

Last Man on Earth (Sundays at 9:30pm, premieres Mar 1 at 9pm) - Talk about your niche comedies. FOX has so much unappealing junk coming on its midseason schedule. They're just gonna have to get through it and reboot for Fall 2015. I don't see this getting any traction at all and it doesn't strike me as funny in the least.

Weird Loners (Tuesdays at 9:30pm, premieres Mar 31) - See what I wrote about Last Man on Earth, and give it about a 2% better chance.

CANCELLATION ALERT: Gracepoint

In news that came as no surprise, FOX has confirmed that Gracepoint has been cancelled after one season. The show was always designed as a limited series, but I'm sure FOX would have found a way to extend it if it had been successful (like CBS did with Under the Dome). However, it premiered to a weak 4.7 million viewers and 1.1 demo and dropped from there so that did not become a concern. It rallied a bit at the end but got as low as 3.0 million viewers and a 0.7 demo.

Gracepoint joins Utopia on the official cancellation pile for FOX. Fellow newbies Mulaney and Red Band Society will surely join them, but it has not been made official. New Rainn Wilson drama Backstrom will take Gracepoint's Thursday 9pm slot in January.

Sunday, December 14, 2014

RATINGS RECAP: 12/13/14

ABC
8:00 Movie: Limitless
Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
10:00 20/20 Saturday
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

CBS
8:00 Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 Frosty the Snowman
Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:30 Frosty Returns
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
10:00 48 Hours (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

NBC
8:00 Peter Pan Live! (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3

FOX
8:00 UFC on FOX
Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

Saturday, December 13, 2014

RATINGS RECAP: 12/12/14

ABC
8:00 Last Man Standing
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
8:30 Cristela
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 Shark Tank
Viewers: 7.0 million, 18-49 demo; 1.5
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

CBS
8:00 The Amazing Race
Viewers; 5.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Hawaii Five-0
Viewers: 8.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 Blue Bloods
Viewers: 11.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

NBC
8:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 Grimm
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
10:00 Constantine
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

FOX
8:00 Masterchef Junior (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

Friday was a pretty weak night for ABC. Last Man Standing was down seven tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo, tying a series low. It's getting pretty dire for Cristela, which was down a tenth in viewers and the demo. A 0.8 is not going to cut it by any means. The most troubling result, however, came from Shark Tank which plunged two tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo. This is its worst performance in its regular timeslot since September 28, 2012. I have no idea what happened here and I don't think Cristela is to blame. Even though it's getting little interest, it's not a worse option than The Neighbors last year. Over on CBS, The Amazing Race was down three tenths in viewers and even in the demo. The dramas returned for the first time in three weeks. Hawaii Five-0 was down a big 1.3 million viewers and three tenths in the demo, tying a series low, while Blue Bloods was down half a million viewers and a tenth in the demo. Finally, NBC actually had a more positive week. Dateline NBC was up two tenths in viewers and even in the demo, Grimm was up a tenth in viewers and the demo, and Constantine was up a tenth in viewers and two tenths in the demo.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Dateline NBC (NBC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Cristela (ABC)

RATINGS RECAP: 12/11/14

ABC
8:00 The Taste
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
10:00 How to Get Away with Murder (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory
Viewers: 15.5 million, 18-49 demo: 3.9
8:30 Mom
Viewers: 10.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
9:00 Two and a Half Men
Viewers: 9.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
9:30 The McCarthys
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
10:00 Elementary
Viewers: 7.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

NBC
8:00 The Biggest Loser
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Bad Judge
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:30 A to Z
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
10:00 Blake Shelton's Not-So Family Christmas
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

FOX
8:00 Bones

Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Gracepoint
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

On Thursday night, CBS was on top but it was a mixed bag. At 8pm, The Big Bang Theory was up nine tenths in viewers but down two tenths in the demo for a season low. Usually it takes until late spring for Big Bang to dip like this while it usually gets stronger in the winter. So this is a worrying sign for TV's top scripted demo draw. However, where things are getting worse for Big Bang, it's looking better and better for Mom. The show was up a big 2.2 million viewers and six tenths in the demo from last week when it followed a repeat of Big Bang. But it also tied a series high in the demo and did better than recent episodes with bigger Big Bang lead-ins. This show is enjoying quite a sophomore bounce. At 9pm, Two and a Half Men was up 1.2 million viewers and four tenths in the demo. There's a rumor that Charlie Sheen will appear in the series finale. If that's true, it could turn into a pretty big event. At 9:30pm, The McCarthys was up eight tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for its best performance since the series premiere. Elementary closed the night up a million viewers and two tenths in the demo for a season high. It can do better when it doesn't have to face a new How to Get Away with Murder, but this is still nothing to write home about. Over on ABC, week two of The Taste was down a tenth in viewers and the demo. The demo was a new series low but oh well, it's filler.

On FOX, the 200th episode of Bones was down two tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo, tying a series low. This show is tired but what else does FOX have at this point? It will return in late March but could be back earlier if Backstrom fails. At 9pm, the season (and most definitely series) finale of Gracepoint was up four tenths in viewers and even in the demo. If this had been a huge hit, I'm sure FOX would have found a way to make it continue. But it wasn't so it can be what it was always intended to be, a limited series. Finally, after two weeks of football and Peter Pan, NBC was back to a mostly regular lineup. At 8pm, The Biggest Loser was even in viewers and up a tenth in the demo. Bad Judge followed and was up three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for its best performance since October 16. A to Z was up a tenth in viewers and the demo. A Blake Shelton special from last year did OK in total viewers at 10pm.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Mom (CBS)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Bones (FOX)

Thursday, December 11, 2014

RATINGS RECAP: 12/10/14

ABC
8:00 The Middle
Viewers: 8.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
8:30 The Goldbergs
Viewers: 7.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:00 Modern Family
Viewers: 9.7 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1
9:30 Black-ish
Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
10:00 Nashville
Viewers: 5.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 9,5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
9:00 Criminal Minds
Viewers: 10.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
10:00 Stalker
Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

NBC
8:00 The Mysteries of Laura
Viewers: 8.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Law & Order: SVU
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
10:00 Chicago PD
Viewers: 6.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

FOX
8:00 Hell's Kitchen

Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 Hell's Kitchen
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

Wednesday night was packed full with newbies despite the mid December date. ABC rebounded nicely from last week's poor performance. That was the most true for The Middle, which soared 1.1 million viewers and a huge six tenths in the demo, tying a season high. At 8:30pm, The Goldbergs was up eight tenths in viewers and half a demo point. It's a great rise, but it's also the first time it didn't build on The Middle in the demo. At 9pm, Modern Family was up seven tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo while Black-ish was up half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo. Each sitcom rose less as the night went on, but at least they were all up. At 10pm, Nashville was up four tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. It actually tied Chicago PD for the demo win in the hour.

The dramas on CBS and NBC were pretty disappointing. First up on CBS, Survivor was up eight tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo from last week's disappointing result. The dramas didn't follow suit though. Criminal Minds was down nine tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo and Stalker was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Both tied series lows. NBC started with The Mysteries of Laura down four tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo, tying a series low. Law & Order: SVU stumbled a million viewers and a rough four tenths in the demo, easily hitting a season low. At 10pm, Chicago PD was down six tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. With a 1.5 demo, it was not only tied for first at 10pm but it was NBC's best performer of the night. Finally on FOX, two episodes of Hell's Kitchen did very little but the 9pm episode was a nice improvement over Red Band Society.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: The Middle (ABC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Law & Order: SVU (NBC)

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

RATINGS RECAP: 12/9/14

ABC
8:00 Santa Claus is Comin' to Town
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 Forever
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

CBS
8:00 Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Viewers: 10.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.8
9:00 NCIS (Repeat)
Viewers: 10.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show
Viewers: 9.3 million, 18-49 demo: 3.4

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 11.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
9:00 Marry Me
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:30 About a Boy
Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
10:00 Angelina Jolie: Unbroken
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

FOX
8:00 Masterchef Junior

Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
9:00 New Girl
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:30 The Mindy Project
Viewers: 2.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

Tuesday night saw CBS on top with a formidable holiday lineup. Despite turning 50 years old and readily available in other formats, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer continued to be a big draw. It's nice that CBS can count on this each year to bring in a big audience. After an NCIS repeat, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show delivered a strong 3.4 demo at 10pm. This is one of the best 10pm performances for any network all season. NBC may have taken a hit from Rudolph with family audiences as The Voice was even in viewers but down three tenths in the demo to tie a series low set three weeks ago. This edition is really going out with a whimper. At 9pm, Marry Me was down a tenth in viewers and the demo while About a Boy was down half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo, tying a series low. An Angelina Jolie special did very little at 10pm.

On ABC, the special Santa Claus is Comin' to Town got walloped by its claymation rival on CBS. The fall finale of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was down a tenth in viewers and the demo. At least it's been pretty consistent over the past couple months. The new Marvel's Agent Carter takes its place starting in January for seven weeks. At 10pm, Forever was even in viewers and down a tenth in the demo. Finally on FOX, Masterchef Junior was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. It held on better against family competition on CBS than The Voice did. At 9pm, New Girl was up three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo for its best performance since November 4. The Mindy Project closed things out up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. This is the seventh time this season it has gotten a 1.1 demo.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Masterchef Junior (FOX)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: About a Boy (NBC)

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

RATINGS RECAP: 12/8/14

ABC
8:00 The Great Christmas Light Fight
Viewers: 6.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 Castle
Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

CBS
8:00 2 Broke Girls
Viewers: 7.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
8:30 Mike & Molly
Viewers: 8.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
9:00 Scorpion
Viewers: 10.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
10:00 NCIS: Los Angeles
Viewers: 8.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 10.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5
10:00 State of Affairs
Viewers: 6.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

FOX
8:00 Gotham (Repeat)

Viewers: 2.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
9:00 Sleepy Hollow (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4

Monday night had the return of Mike & Molly on CBS. First up, 2 Broke Girls was up a strong seven tenths in viewers and four tenths in the demo from its last airing. Its been a bit of a yo-yo performance for this show so far this season. At 8:30pm, Mike & Molly came back to an OK 1.9 demo. I thought it might have been better since it got a decent amount of promotion and has been airing in syndication. However, it is hard to launch a show - even a veteran one - in December. It was an improvement on The Millers, and that helped Scorpion rise seven tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for its best performance since November 3. This is why CBS needed to stop the bleeding in the comedy hour. At 10pm, NCIS: Los Angeles closed things out down a tenth in viewers and up a tenth in the demo.

ABC had a season premiere of its own with the limited holiday run of The Great Christmas Light Fight. It premiered above anything it got during last year's run, so that's a good sign. At 10pm though, Castle was down 1.2 million viewers and a tenth in the demo. The viewer total tied a low set back in April 2009 while the demo was an outright series low. This show has been pretty weak this fall. Finally on NBC, The Voice had a pretty quiet night as it fell half a million viewers and three tenths in the demo for a Monday low. Despite the lead-in drop, State of Affairs held up pretty well. It was down seven tenths in viewers and even in the demo. I'm still not sure what NBC is going to do with their schedule in the spring, and I keep thinking they're waiting to see more from this show. But I also don't think it's any clearer after three weeks. At this point, I'm inclined to think NBC is going to keep this show where it is and go forward with the rest of their dramas elsewhere.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: The Great Christmas Light Fight (ABC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Castle (ABC)