Wednesday, December 30, 2015

YEAR IN REVIEW: Top 20 Episodes of 2015

Here is my annual end of year countdown of my favorite episodes!

I'll always add that this incomplete because there are shows like Parenthood and Mad Men that certainly aired great episodes in 2015 but I am further behind in the show and have not seen the episodes that aired this season.

Past Years: 2014   2013   2012   2011

20) Modern Family #142 "Patriot Games" (May 6, 2015)
It has been a sad tumble for Modern Family, which was once one of the sharpest shows on TV. It churned out great episodes week after week for a couple years but the recent seasons have seen the episodes much fewer and further between. In fact, this current season has been almost unwatchable. One rare bright spot in 2015 for this show was "Patriot Games," an episode that seemed to be a call back to its earlier, better days. This was thanks mainly to the Cam and Mitch storyline, which found them unhappily participating in a protest with their friends. It was a funny and bold commentary on an era where almost everything gets protested for one reason or another.

19) How to Get Away with Murder #24 "What Did We Do?" (November 19, 2015)
How to Get Away with Murder has had an uneven second season, but it had a very satisfying fall finale as it caught up to the time leap seen in the season premiere. In many ways, it was more satisfying than the first season jump, which gave away too much in the episodes leading up to it. This finale was much more twisty and it took another twist in the final seconds that made things very interesting. As Annalise Keating was shouting at her law students to shoot her in this episode, it struck me that Viola Davis brings so much gravitas to this role that even the most ridiculous situations carry a lot of weight. It's quite a testament that a single performer can transform a show from trash to one with high quality moments.

18) Chicago Fire #60 "Call It Paradise" (February 10, 2015)
Chicago Fire is a show that turns out good episodes week after week, but it's quite hard to pick out individual episodes that stand above the rest for a list like this. I didn't want to leave one of my favorite dramas off the list though so I included "Call It Paradise," which is set when Chicago is reaching negative 40 degrees with the wind chill and the emergency services are down. There were several good stories tied to the weather and it was an interesting take on a day in a Chicago winter. But the best and most poignant moment was Chief Boden sadly losing his father. This is more of a character drama than it gets credit for and this episode was a good example.

17) Brooklyn Nine-Nine #45 "Johnny and Dora" (May 17, 2015)
Two years of dancing around the Jake and Amy storyline came to a head in Brooklyn Nine-Nine's second season finale. After Jake revealed his feelings to Amy in a surprisingly vulnerable moment, the two were paired together as an undercover couple. This only exacerbated the situation but also led to some very funny moments. There were some other very funny storylines including some advancing of the Boyle/Rosa storyline and a cliffhanger ending regarding a new captain at the precinct. But the Jake and Amy moment was reminiscent of Jim and Pam at the end of season two of The Office. Wherever things go with their relationship, I have a feeling this episode will be remembered as a pivotal turning point.

16) Blue Bloods #111 "The Art of War" (May 1, 2015)
Like Chicago FireBlue Bloods is one of my favorite shows but it's very hard to pick out individual episodes that stand above the rest. I went with the intense season finale that had Danny's wife, Linda, shot at the hospital where she works. It tied into a case that affected the other Reagans because the shooter was the son of a friend of Linda's and tied up in a gang. As Linda was being rushed into surgery, the other Reagans had a case to solve and they each played their roles, which sometimes come in conflict with each other. A variation of this story is told a lot on Blue Bloods, but they are always done so well that they feel quite different.

15) Gotham #25 "Rise of the Villains: The Last Laugh" (October 5, 2015)
Gotham has made some notable improvements in its second season and it really had a good thing going for it in the first couple episodes when it seemingly was introducing the Joker with Cameron Monaghan as the delightfully evil Jerome Valeska. It seemed like he might be the next great villain in the series but Gotham shockingly offed him just three episodes into the season with an epic moment at a hospital gala. I didn't quite believe it at first and I'm sure Gotham has a plan, but it was a shame to see such a great character leave so quickly.

14) The Middle #146 "Cutting the Cord" (September 30, 2015)
Unlike Modern FamilyThe Middle continues to be an incredibly sweet and funny show even in its seventh season. "Cutting the Cord" was a great look at the struggle for Sue to let go from her parents as she enters college. After coming to her every need at first, Frankie and Mike decide to "cut the cord" for a bit but they did not need to worry because the usually difficult big brother Axl was there for his little sister in a very sweet scene at a pizza parlor.

13) Scandal #72 "Paris is Burning" (October 8, 2015)
In an episode that basically took place in real time, Olivia Pope and President Fitzgerald Grant and team have an hour to convince Mellie to go through with a TV interview that will hopefully put the media frenzy about Olivia and Fitz's relationship to bed. Mellie gets more and more difficult in negotiations and there are fits and starts throughout the episode. A seemingly sweet moment between Fitz and Mellie seemed to resolve things only to have it blow up again just minutes later. This unique way of frenzied storytelling only upped the energy level at a show that always moves a million miles a minute.

12) Law & Order: SVU #362 "Granting Immunity" (April 8, 2015)
Law & Order: SVU as well as its parent show has always been at its best when its tackled a very recent and controversial subject in the news. This was a great example of that as the show dealt with the trend of fabulously wealthy parents refusing to vaccinate their children. This episode dealt with a measles outbreak but there were so many layers to it. It happened at a private high school where kids were engaging in bad behavior (and posting it to social media) and they were more exposed because of a parent's refusal to vaccinate. At the same time, a sibling of one of the kids potentially exposed Benson's newly adopted baby to the disease before he could get vaccinated. With such a hot button issue and so many false claims being put out regarding vaccinations in a presidential election season, this was SVU taking a stand.

11) Parks and Recreation #116 "Leslie & Ron" (January 20, 2015)
Parks and Recreation spent its farewell season giving closing arcs and stories to all of the beloved characters of Pawnee. The most satisfying one was the final arc between Leslie Knope & Ron Swanson. Even with so many high quality regular and recurring characters on this show, the Leslie & Ron relationship was always at the heart of this comedy as the two polar opposite characters came to a level of respect and love. That was threatened as the final season began and Leslie and Ron were at odds like they've never been before. Their friends locked them in a room to sort out their differences and we were treated to brilliant performances from Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman.

10) Brooklyn Nine-Nine #34 "Beach House" (January 4, 2015)
One of the funniest episodes of the year belonged to Brooklyn Nine-Nine, where its cast traveled to a beach house for a "detectives only" part with no Captain Holt. In an episode that had elements of a zany 70s sitcom, Captain Holt showed up and they tried to take turns with a boring party upstairs and a rager downstairs in the beach house. That was just one very funny element while the other was a great performance by Melissa Fumero as an increasingly drunk Amy. We got to see the elusive "six drink Amy" who sadly declared she was "so alone." This wasn't an episode that did much to advance an overall storyline but it was just plain funny and that is important for a sitcom.

9) The Goldbergs #37 "Barry Goldberg's Day Off" (February 25, 2015)
I'll be honest, this episode wasn't one of my favorites until this summer when I finally saw "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" for the first time. Then, I appreciated this episode so much more and its very clever and very faithful tribute to the classic 1980s movie. From distinct callbacks to the movie (including a memorable cameo by Charlie Sheen) to evoking the sheer joyfulness that is such a part of the movie. The Goldbergs has done several great takes on iconic 1980s movies but this was perhaps the best one yet.

8) The Middle #144 "The Graduate" (May 13, 2015)
It seems like the best episodes of The Middle often center on the sunny, optimistic middle child, Sue. But as she was about to graduate from high school, she was feeling despondent because of a mistake in the yearbook. Suddenly, the girl who couldn't be fazed by any bad news, was feeling like she hadn't made a difference in her four years of high school. But as she crossed the platform, she learned that she made more of a difference than she ever realized. In a very sweet moment that included a nicely done montage of Sue's high school career, she had a happy ending to one chapter of her life.

7) The Last Man on Earth #1 "Alive in Tucson" (March 1, 2015)
Probably the most interesting episode on this list, the pilot to The Last Man on Earth was unlike any other show. Though I am not still watching the show and it ended up going in circles at time, the pilot was a tour de force by Will Forte. As he was seemingly the last person alive on Earth, he traveled to abandoned places in the country and struck up a friendship with athletic equipment. It was such an interesting look at a world that's typically reserved for sci-fi movies but was being done in a comedy. I know they couldn't keep it going and they had to introduce other characters but in some ways, that meant the show couldn't keep up its unique premise. The pilot in and of itself, was the best pilot of 2015.

6) Mom #33 "Three Smiles and an Unpainted Ceiling" (January 22, 2015)
Mom took a huge leap forward in quality in its second season as it tackled serious subjects head-on and in a way that no other sitcom on TV is doing. It seemed as though Bonnie was finally finding happiness with her ex Alvin back in the picture and moving into the same apartment complex. But then he shockingly died of a heart attack and Mom once again showed us that it's not afraid to upset the fruit basket. Instead of being a comedic relationship between two characters, Mom killed off a likable recurring character and set in motion the downward tailspin Allison Janney's character experienced in the second half of the season. It has handled some very intense plot lines without ever becoming a show with "very special episodes." It's the most realistic sitcom on TV right now.

5) The Late Show with David Letterman #4263 "Final Episode" (May 20, 2015)
The only unscripted entry on this list, David Letterman said goodbye to 33 years in late night TV with a star studded finale that captured the very best of Dave. I wrote a longer post on his farewell back in May so I don't need to repeat myself here. Just that this episode was a culmination of a career that changed television forever but it captured him perfectly. It wasn't overly sentimental or overproduced. It was Dave telling a few jokes, talking with the audience, and taking a trip down memory lane. We won't see the likes of David Letterman again but his influence can be felt in varying ways in every late night host.

4) Fresh Off the Boat #23 "The Real Santa" (December 9, 2015)
The funniest Christmas episode of the year belonged to the freshest and funniest new sitcom on TV today. Fresh Off the Boat has had a stellar first year but it's best episode to date was the most recent one. With young Evan questioning the existence of Santa, Jessica goes to cray lengths to try to convince him that Santa is real. When every other option backfires, she insists that Santa as Asian and dresses as Santa herself with a very funny, yet sweet moment between her and Evan. She crawls back into bed with Louis still in her Santa outfit and the very sweet ending becomes a very funny moment when she explains that she has a lot to tell Louis. Constance Wu has quite possibly been the comedic actress of the year and this was a great showcase for her.

3) Parks and Recreation #124/125 "One Last Ride" (February 24, 2015)
Parks and Recreation was always the little show that could. Despite a minuscule audience throughout its run, it managed to last seven seasons and it had a final season that was very interesting but still rewarding for the long time fans. I don't know if I'd say the series finale was among the greatest of all time, but it had so many callbacks to long time fans with a parade of the many wonderful characters that populated Pawnee over the years. Most importantly, all the characters were able to ride off into the sunset doing exactly what we want them to do. We saw that Leslie had a brilliant career in public service, Andy and April finally started a family, and Ron Swanson got to have the job of a lifetime for him. By itself, I'm not sure this episode would rank this high but for all that it stood for and brought back, this long time fan was incredibly satisfied.

2) Scandal #61 "The Lawn Chair" (March 5, 2015)
Scandal is known for its twisty stories filled with shock and awe but for one episode back in March, it decided to take a stand on a hot button social issue of the day. In a "ripped from the headlines" episode, a 17 year old black man is shot by a white cop. When his father takes firearms and a lawn chair and sits over his dead son's body until justice is served, Olivia Pope is called in to help the police. But she quickly changes sides and supports the father as racial tensions rise. There are many sides to every story and the cop debate in America is no exception. Shows like Blue Bloods have shown the good that cops can do and their value in society. This episode of Scandal was not shaming or blaming cops. It was a tasteful and thought provoking take on a tough subject. It made me wish Scandal did a few more of these "case of the week" shows than they do because this episode towered above the rest in terms of nuance and substance. For a show that's usually a thrill ride, it was a welcome and interesting episode.

1) Black-ish #25 "The Word' (September 23, 2015)
Continuing along with the "hot button issue" episodes, Black-ish's stellar second season got off to a brilliant start with an episode that revolved around the "n" word and its use. When eight year old Jack drops the "n" word while singing "Golddigger" at a school talent show, a feisty debate is set off in the Johnson house and at Dre's workplace. The show managed to humorously look at this very complex issue in black culture. They managed to poke fun at the seeming hypocrisy of its use (a board at Dre's work showed people who can use the word - African Americans, Doms, PR, and people who can't - Mexicans, Nigerians (other Africans), and Police Officers, while they were torn on people like Bill Clinton). Yet, the show also really explored the use and had people on both sides of the aisle. It didn't really solve the issue but it showed it wasn't afraid to bring it to the forefront. That's why Black-ish is taking the legacy of The Cosby Show to a new level with an affluent black family and head-on tackling of issues without being a Norman Lear-type "issue" show. After a decent first season, Black-ish has been on fire this season creatively and its premiere is a well-deserving #1 episode of 2015.

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

RATINGS RECAP: 12/27/15

ABC
7:00 America's Funniest Home Videos (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
8:00 The Muppets (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
8:30 The Muppets (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3
9:00 The Muppets (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3
9:30 The Muppets (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3
10:00 Shark Tank (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

CBS
7:00 60 Minutes
Viewers: 10.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
8:00 Undercover Boss
Viewers: 7.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:00 CSI (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

NBC
7:00 Football Night in America
Viewers: 8.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5
8:30 Sunday Night Football
Viewers: 17.9 million, 18-49 demo: 5.8

FOX
7:00 NFL Overrun/The OT
Viewers: 27.8 million, 18-49 demo: 8.3
8:00 The Simpsons (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
8:30 Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Family Guy (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:30 The Last Man on Earth (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

RATINGS RECAP: 12/26/15

Please note these are based on preliminary results. This post will be updated to reflect final numbers when available.

ABC
8:00 America's Funniest Home Videos (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 America's Funniest Home Videos (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

CBS
8:00 Hawaii Five-0 (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 48 Hours (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 48 Hours
Viewers: 6.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

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

FOX
8:00 Bones (Repeat)

Viewers: 1.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
9:00 Sleepy Hollow (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3

RATINGS RECAP: 12/25/15

ABC
8:00 CMA Country Christmas
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

CBS
8:00 The Andy Griffith Christmas Special
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 Blue Bloods (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
10:00 Blue Bloods (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

NBC
8:00 Truth Be Told
Viewers: 2.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
8:30 Truth Be Told
Viewers: 1.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
9:00 Movie: Dolly Parton's The Coat of Many Colors
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

FOX
8:00 Masterchef Junior (Repeat)

Viewers: 1.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
9:00 American Country Countdown's Top 10 Stories of 2015
Viewers: 1.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3

Saturday, December 26, 2015

RATINGS RECAP: 12/24/15

ABC
8:00 A Charlie Brown Christmas
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 It's Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
10:00 The Great Christmas Light Fight (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
8:30 Life in Pieces (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 Mom (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:30 2 Broke Girls (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
10:00 Elementary (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

NBC
8:00 Movie: It's a Wonderful Life
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

FOX
8:00 TV's Funniest Animated Stars
Viewers: 1.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4

RATINGS RECAP: 12/23/15

ABC
8:00 The Middle (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
8:30 The Goldbergs (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 Modern Family (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:30 Black-ish (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
10:00 Fresh Off the Boat (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
10:30 Black-ish (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

CBS
8:00 I Love Lucy Christmas Special
Viewers: 7.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Hawaii Five-0 (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
10:00 Criminal Minds (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

NBC
8:00 How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
8:30 How Murray Saved Christmas
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Adele Live in New York City
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 Michael Buble's Christmas in Hollywood
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

FOX
8:00 Empire (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
9:00 Rosewood (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4

RATINGS RECAP: 12/22/15

ABC
8:00 Fresh Off the Boat (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
8:30 The Muppets (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
9:00 The Year: 2015
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

CBS
8:00 NCIS (Repeat)
Viewers: 10.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 NCIS: New Orleans (Repeat)
Viewers: 8.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 Limitless (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

NBC
8:00 Hollywood Game Night (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 Chicago Med (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
10:00 Chicago Fire (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

FOX
8:00 The Simpsons (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
8:30 Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas
Viewers: 2.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 Taraji and Terrence's White Hot Holidays
Viewers: 1.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

RATINGS RECAP: 12/21/15

ABC
8:00 The Great Christmas Light Fight
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
10:00 The Great Holiday Baking Show
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory (Repeat)

Viewers: 8.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
8:30 The Big Bang Theory (Repeat)
Viewers: 8.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
9:00 Supergirl (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
10:00 Scorpion (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

NBC
8:00 Superstore (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
8:30 Telenovela (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
9:00 SNL Christmas
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

FOX
8:00 Gotham (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
9:00 Bones (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4

RATINGS RECAP: 12/20/15

ABC
7:00 Movie: The Sound of Music Sing-Along
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

CBS
7:00 NFL Overrun
Viewers: 25.0 million, 18-49 demo: 7.5
8:00 60 Minutes
Viewers: 12.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7
9:00 Undercover Boss
Viewers: 7.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
10:00 CSI: Cyber
Viewers: 6.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

NBC
7:00 Football Night in America
Viewers: 5.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
8:30 Sunday Night Football
Viewers: 18.1 million, 18-49 demo: 6.1

FOX
7:00 Miss Universe Pageant

Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

Sunday, December 20, 2015

RATINGS RECAP: 12/19/15

ABC
8:00 Democratic Presidential Debate
Viewers: 6.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

CBS
8:00 NCIS (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Criminal Minds (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 48 Hours (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

NBC
8:00 The Wiz Live! (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4

FOX
8:00 UFC Fight Night

Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

Saturday, December 19, 2015

RATINGS RECAP: 12/18/15

ABC
8:00 Last Man Standing (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
8:30 Yes, Virginia
Viewers: 2.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
9:00 Shark Tank (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

CBS
8:00 Frosty the Snowman/Frosty Returns
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 A Home for the Holidays
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
10:00 Blue Bloods (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

NBC
8:00 Caught on Camera with Nick Cannon
Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 5.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

FOX
8:00 Masterchef Junior
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 World's Funniest
Viewers: 1.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

RATINGS RECAP: 12/17/15

ABC
8:00 Disney Prep & Landing
Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
8:30 Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Modern Family (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:30 Barbara Walters' 10 Most Fascinating People of 2015
Viewers: 6.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory
Viewers: 17.2 million, 18-49 demo: 4.1
8:30 Life in Pieces
Viewers: 10.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:00 Mom
Viewers: 9.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
9:30 2 Broke Girls
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
10:00 Elementary
Viewers: 5.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

NBC
8:00 How Murray Saved Christmas
Viewers: 2.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
9:00 Kelly Clarkson's Cautionary Christmas Tale
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
10:00 Running Wild with Bear Grylls
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

FOX
8:00 American Country Countdown's Top 10 Stories of 2015
Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
9:00 World's Funniest
Viewers: 1.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

On Thursday night, it was only CBS that had regular programming and it benefited from the lack of competition (though it did have to compete with Star Wars at the movies). The Big Bang Theory, with its big episode, was up 1.9 million viewers and three tenths in the demo for a Thursday high. Life in Pieces was up the same as Big Bang, reaching its best numbers since the series premiere. Retention remains terrible, but this show is holding on. At 9pm, Mom was up 2.1 million viewers and two tenths in the demo for a season high. I think this lineup might do well in January without NFL and limited network competition. At 9:30pm, 2 Broke Girls was up 1.2 million viewers and a tenth in the demo. It is on the move to Wednesdays in January as Angel From Hell will take this slot. At 10pm, Elementary was up nine tenths in viewers and even in the demo.

Thursday, December 17, 2015

RATINGS RECAP: 12/16/15

ABC
8:00 The Middle (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
8:30 The Goldbergs (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 Modern Family (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:30 Black-ish (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
10:00 Nashville: On the Record 3
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 9.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
10:00 Survivor Live Reunion Show
Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7

NBC
8:00 Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas
Viewers: 3.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 Law & Order: SVU (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
10:00 Chicago PD (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

FOX
8:00 Empire (Repeat)

Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 Rosewood (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

RATINGS RECAP: 12/15/15

ABC
8:00 Toy Story That Time Forgot
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
8:30 Shrek the Halls
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
10:00 Shark Tank (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

CBS
8:00 NCIS
Viewers: 15.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:00 NCIS: New Orleans
Viewers: 12.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 Limitless
Viewers: 6.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

NBC
8:00 The Voice Recap Special
Viewers: 8.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
9:00 The Voice
Viewers: 12.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.9

FOX
8:00 Grandfathered (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
8:30 The Grinder (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
9:00 Grandfathered (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
9:30 The Grinder (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4

On a night where 18 million people watched the CNN Republican debate, the finale of The Voice did not reach the heights comparatively to its recent showings. It was down four tenths in viewers and up a tenth in the demo from last week but it did not top the Monday night performance show. It's been a great season for The Voice but this was a weaker finale. The debate certainly played a role in that. On CBS, NCIS started things off down seven tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. NCIS: New Orleans and Limitless fared OK against The Voice. New Orleans was up two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo while Limitless was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. FOX had low-rated repeats while ABC fared slightly better with a trio of Christmas specials and a repeat of Shark Tank.

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

CANCELLATION ALERT: Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris

NBC announced today that it has cancelled the variety show Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris. NBC won a competitive bidding war for the showman's talents, but this show languished in development for quite a long time. When it finally premiered in September for an eight week run, it was critically panned and only did so-so ratings. I thought it might have a shot to come back in another limited capacity, but that was not the case. It's another blow at the attempt to revive the variety show. Best Time Ever joins ABC's Wicked City as the only shows with official cancellations though many others that had episode orders cut (Minority Report, Truth Be Told, Blood & Oil. The Player) are all unofficially cancelled.

RATINGS RECAP: 12/14/15

ABC
8:00 The Great Christmas Light Fight
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 The Great Holiday Baking Show
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

CBS
8:00 Supergirl

Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 Scorpion
Viewers: 9.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
10:00 NCIS: Los Angeles
Viewers: 9.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 14.0 million, 18-49 demo: 3.2
10:00 Adele Live in NYC
Viewers: 11.3 million, 18-49 demo: 3.0

FOX
8:00 Gotham (Repeat)

Viewers: 1.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
9:00 Bones (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4

Monday night was all about NBC and music. First at 8pm, the final performance night of The Voice was up 1.7 million viewers and four tenths in the demo. It has been an exceptional season for NBC's reality show. It was followed by an Adele concert special and the hottest act in music delivered huge numbers for her concert special with 11.3 million viewers and a 3.0 demo. Concert specials aren't really a huge draw usually but this was a notable exception. On ABC, The Great Christmas Light Fight was down seven tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo while The Great Holiday Baking Show was down four tenths in viewers and even in the demo. Finally, it was a pretty even night for CBS. Supergirl was down four tenths in viewers and even in the demo. Scorpion was even in viewers and up a tenth in the demo for its best performance in over a month. NCIS: Los Angeles was down three tenths in viewers and even in the demo.

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

WEEKLY RECAP: December 7-13, 2015

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

Check out Week #12 from last year!

TOP 10 SHOWS (18-49 DEMO)
1. The Big Bang Theory (CBS, Thursday 8:00pm) - 3.8    10th week
2. The Voice (NBC, Monday 8:00pm) - 2.8    12th week
    The Voice (NBC, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 2.8    12th week
4. Modern Family (ABC, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 2.6    9th week
5. The Simpsons (FOX, Sunday 8:00pm) - 2.4    5th week
6. Survivor (CBS, Wednesday 8:00pm) - 2.3    8th week
7. Chicago Med (NBC, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 2.1    4th week
8. Chicago Fire (NBC, Tuesday 10:00pm) - 2.0    2nd week
    The Middle (ABC, Wednesday 8:00pm) - 2.0    3rd week
    The Goldbergs (ABC, Wednesday 8:30pm) - 2.0    6th week

TOP 10 SHOWS (TOTAL VIEWERS)
1. The Big Bang Theory (CBS, Thursday 8:00pm) - 15.3 million    10th week
2. The Voice (NBC, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 13.1 million    10th week
3. The Voice (NBC, Monday 8:00pm) - 12.3 million    12th week
4. 60 Minutes (CBS, Sunday 7:00pm) - 10.7 million    11th week
5. Madam Secretary (CBS, Sunday 8:00pm) - 10.1 million    9th week
6. Blue Bloods (CBS, Friday 10:00pm) - 10.0 million    9th week
7. Survivor (CBS, Wednesday 8:00pm) - 9.9 million    2nd week
8. Chicago Med (NBC, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 9.6 million    2nd week
9. NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS, Monday 10:00pm) - 9.5 million    1st week
10. Scorpion (CBS, Monday 9:00pm) - 9.3 million    5th week
     Criminal Minds (CBS, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 9.3 million    2nd week

BOTTOM 10 SHOWS (18-49 DEMO)
1. Truth Be Told (NBC, Friday 8:30pm) - 0.6    8th week
2. Undateable (NBC, Friday 8:00pm) - 0.7    8th week
    World's Funniest (FOX, Friday 9:00pm) - 0.7    6th week
4. Nashville (ABC, Wednesday 10:00pm) - 0.8    5th week
    Blood & Oil (ABC, Sunday 9:00pm) - 0.8    8th week
    CSI: Cyber (CBS, Sunday 10:00pm) - 0.8    8th week
7. The Great Holiday Baking Show (ABC, Monday 10:00pm) - 0.9    1st week
    Telenovela (NBC, Monday 10:30pm) - 0.9    1st week (NEW SHOW)
    Scream Queens (FOX, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 0.9    6th week
    Bones (FOX, Thursday 8:00pm) - 0.9    1st week
    20/20 (ABC, Friday 10:00pm) - 0.9    3rd week
    Grimm (NBC, Friday 9:00pm) - 0.9    4th week
    Dateline NBC (NBC, Friday 10:00pm) - 0.9    10th week
    America's Funniest Home Videos (ABC, Sunday 7:00pm) - 0.9    5th week

BOTTOM 10 SHOWS (TOTAL VIEWERS)
1. World's Funniest (FOX, Friday 9:00pm) - 1.9 million    6th week
2. Truth Be Told (NBC, Friday 8:30pm) - 2.1 million    8th week
3. Scream Queens (FOX, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 2.5 million    11th week
4. Undateable (NBC, Friday 8:00pm) - 2.7 million    8th week
5. Blood & Oil (ABC, Sunday 9:00pm) - 3.1 million    5th week
6. The Last Man on Earth (FOX, Sunday 9:30pm) - 3.2 million    10th week
7. Telenovela (NBC, Monday 10:30pm) - 3.4 million    1st week (NEW SHOW)
8. Grimm (NBC, Friday 9:00pm) - 3.6 million    2nd week
9. The Great Holiday Baking Show (ABC, Monday 10:00pm) - 3.7 million    1st week
    Family Guy (FOX, Sunday 9:00pm) - 3.7 million    8th week

WINNERS OF THE NIGHT
Monday - The Voice (NBC)    4th week
Tuesday - The Voice (NBC)    1st week
Wednesday - Criminal Minds (CBS)    1st week
Thursday - Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors (NBC)    Special Airing
Friday - Masterchef Junior (FOX)    2nd week
Sunday - Quantico (ABC)    3rd week

LOSERS OF THE NIGHT
Monday - Telenovela (NBC)    1st week (NEW SHOW)
Tuesday - Scream Queens (FOX)    3rd week
Wednesday - Nashville (ABC)    5th week
Thursday - Bones (FOX)    1st week
Friday - Dr. Ken (ABC)    1st week
Sunday - CSI: Cyber (CBS)    3rd week

MY TOP 5 EPISODES OF THE WEEK
1. Fresh Off the Boat #23 "The Real Santa"    6th week
2. The Middle #154 "Not So Silent Night"    4th week
3. Chicago Med #4 "Mistaken"    1st week
4. Black-ish #34 "Stuff"    3rd week
5. The Goldbergs #57 "A Christmas Story"    5th week

RATINGS RECAP: 12/13/15

ABC
7:00 America's Funniest Home Videos
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
8:00 Behind the Magic: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 Blood & Oil
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
10:00 Quantico
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

CBS
7:00 60 Minutes
Viewers: 10.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
8:00 Madam Secretary
Viewers: 10.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 The Good Wife
Viewers: 8.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 CSI: Cyber
Viewers: 5.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

NBC
7:00 Football Night in America
Viewers: 11.2 million, 18-49 demo: 3.8
8:30 Sunday Night Football
Viewers: 21.0 million, 18-49 demo: 7.0

FOX
7:00 NFL Overrun
Viewers: 28.9 million, 18-49 demo: 8.7
7:37 The OT
Viewers: 13.1 million, 18-49 demo: 4.2
8:00 The Simpsons
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
8:30 Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:00 Family Guy
Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:30 The Last Man on Earth
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

On Sunday night, FOX had the NFL overrun for a second week. The animated lineup that followed didn't get interrupted by a presidential address this week, but it didn't seem to make much of a difference as the lineup did very similar numbers. At 8pm, The Simpsons was up half a million viewers and a tenth in the demo. At 8:30pm, Brooklyn Nine-Nine was down two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. It is now on the move back to Tuesdays after its year and a half run on Sundays. At 9pm, Family Guy was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. The Last Man on Earth closed things out down four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. It will be replaced by Bordertown in January and does not currently have a slot on the midseason FOX schedule. On NBC, a Patriots blowout of the Texans was up a bit from last week's game (also a blowout).

ABC didn't cross the 1.0 demo threshold until the 10pm hour. At 7pm, America's Funniest Home Videos was up nine tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. Instead of Once Upon a Time, ABC aired a special about the classic Disney movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, but it was largely ignored. At 9pm, the season (and most certainly series) finale of Blood & Oil was down a tenth in viewers and a tenth in the demo. The viewer total was a series low and the demo tied a series low. The fall finale of Quantico had a good showing as it rose two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo despite having nothing as a lead-in all night. It will come back in March when it will follow new drama The Family. CBS had an OK night with no direct NFL lead-in. 60 Minutes was up two million viewers and four tenths in the demo. Madam Secretary was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo and The Good Wife was up six tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. At 10pm, CSI: Cyber was down four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Quantico (ABC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: CSI: Cyber (CBS)

Monday, December 14, 2015

CANCELLATION ALERT: Mike & Molly

Though it has not been confirmed by CBS, several stars of Mike & Molly have confirmed that the upcoming sixth season of the sitcom will be the show's last, and it has been trimmed from 22 episodes to 13 episodes.

Mike & Molly premiered in 2010 and has always been a solid but unspectacular performer for CBS. In its first year, it initially followed Two and a Half Men, but that show stopped airing new episodes in February due to Charlie Sheen's meltdown. It got a boost in its second year following the heralded return of Men. Since then, it's become a utility player. This is the third season in a row that it didn't get a spot on the fall schedule. Also since it's premiered, star Melissa McCarthy has become a huge film star. Many suspected she wouldn't want to stick with the show, but she tweeted today that she was "heartbroken" and would have done it for "50 more years."

Mike & Molly will air on Wednesday nights starting in January. When its season wraps, it will have aired 127 episodes and already has a life in reruns in syndication.

Sunday, December 13, 2015

RATINGS RECAP: 12/12/15

ABC
8:00 Movie: Mary Poppins
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

CBS
8:00 Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 The Flight Before Christmas
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
10:00 48 Hours
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

NBC
8:00 Caught on Camera with Nick Cannon
Viewers: 1.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3
8:30 Premier Boxing Champions
Viewers: 1.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4

FOX
8:00 Gotham (Repeat)

Viewers: 1.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.2
9:00 Rosewood (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3

Saturday, December 12, 2015

RATINGS RECAP: 12/11/15

ABC
8:00 Last Man Standing
Viewers: 6.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
8:30 Dr. Ken
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Shark Tank
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

CBS
8:00 The Amazing Race
Viewers: 6.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 Hawaii Five-0
Viewers: 8.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
10:00 Blue Bloods
Viewers: 10.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

NBC
8:00 Undateable
Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
8:30 Truth Be Told
Viewers: 2.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
9:00 Grimm
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
10:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

FOX
8:00 Masterchef Junior
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 World's Funniest
Viewers: 1.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

It was a very quiet Friday night where the top show got a 1.4 demo. On ABC, Last Man Standing was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo for another good week. It was a little more troubling for Dr. Ken, which fell half a million viewers and a tenth in the demo to a series low. I wouldn't be too concerned because it will probably recover in January. At 9pm, Shark Tank was down two tenths in viewers and the demo, tying a season low. 20/20 was down four tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo. It was a weak night for the CBS lineup. The finale of The Amazing Race was up four tenths in viewers but down a tenth in the demo. It's been a good run this fall for this show but it ended on a quiet note. It'll be back in February. At 9pm, Hawaii Five-0 was down a million viewers and a tenth in the demo, tying a series low. Blue Bloods was down a million viewers but even in the demo.

For a second straight week, NBC spent the entire night below a 1.0 demo. Undateable was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo while Truth Be Told was down two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. At 9pm, Grimm was down a tenth in viewers and up a tenth in the demo. Dateline NBC finished things off  down three tenths in viewers and even in the demo. FOX had a nice recovery for Masterchef Junior. It was up three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for its best result in a month. At 9pm, World's Funniest was down a tenth in viewers but up a tenth in the demo.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Masterchef Junior (FOX)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Dr. Ken (ABC)

Friday, December 11, 2015

RATINGS RECAP: 12/10/15

ABC
8:00 Toy Story at 20: To Infinity and Beyond
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Movie: Toy Story
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory
Viewers: 15.3 million, 18-49 demo: 3.8
8:30 Life in Pieces
Viewers: 8.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
9:00 Mom
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
9:30 2 Broke Girls
Viewers: 5.7 million, 18-49 demo; 1.5
10:00 Elementary
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

NBC
8:00 Michael Buble's Christmas in Hollywood
Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Movie: Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors
Viewers: 13.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8

FOX
8:00 Bones
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Bones
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

NBC had another successful December Thursday as its new TV movie, Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors delivered a stunning 13 million viewers. It skewed old with a 1.8 demo, but the total viewer count is very impressive, the best for a movie on NBC in several years. A Michael Buble special did OK as a lead-in as well. On CBS, The Big Bang Theory was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo from its last airing. The other three comedies were down from their Thanksgiving night airings: Life in Pieces was up six tenths in viewers but down two tenths in the demo. Mom was up two tenths in viewers and down a tenth in the demo. 2 Broke Girls was down two tenths in viewers and the demo for series lows. At 10pm, Elementary was down three tenths in viewers and even in the demo. Finally, ABC had a Toy Story special leading into the movie and they didn't get much traction. Finally, FOX had two hours of Bones. At 8pm, it was down seven tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. This was the first time it went below a 1.0 demo. The 9pm episode was down a bit in total viewers and up a bit in the demo.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors (NBC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Bones (FOX)

Thursday, December 10, 2015

RATINGS RECAP: 12/9/15

ABC
8:00 The Middle
Viewers: 8.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
8:30 The Goldbergs
Viewers: 7.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
9:00 Modern Family
Viewers: 8.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
9:30 Black-ish
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 Nashville
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

CBS
8:00 Survivor
Viewers: 9.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
9:00 Criminal Minds
Viewers: 9.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
10:00 Code Black
Viewers: 8.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

NBC
8:00 Mat Franco's Got Magic
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
10:00 The Illusionists
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

FOX
8:00 Empire (Repeat)

Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 Taraji and Terrence's White Hot Holidays
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

On Wednesday night, CBS had a solid night with less competition. Survivor was up half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo. The viewer total was a season high. At 9pm, Criminal Minds took major advantage of no competition from Empire or Law & Order: SVU. It was up half a million viewers and three tenths in the demo for its best performance since the season premiere. This is the most life this show has shown in quite awhile. If the bigger competition for this show is Empire then January and February could go well for the veteran drama. After a very impressive performance last week, Code Black didn't build on the momentum from last week or its improved lead-in as it fell a tenth in viewers and the demo. While this is still one of the show's best performances, it is somewhat disappointing after its rise last week.

On ABC, a night of holiday episodes for the comedies meant mostly more of the same. The Middle and The Goldbergs were both up half a million viewers and even in the demo. Modern Family was up eight tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo while Black-ish was up half a million viewers and a tenth in the demo. It was another disastrous week for Nashville, which fell a tenth in viewers and the demo to another series low. Why is ABC still airing this show? NBC and FOX both aired specials. NBC didn't get much traction with its night of magic shows while FOX had an OK performance from the cheesy holiday special hosted by the stars of Empire.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Criminal Minds (CBS)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Nashville (ABC)

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

RATINGS RECAP: 12/8/15

ABC
8:00 The Muppets
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
8:30 Fresh Off the Boat
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
10:00 Shark Tank (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

CBS
8:00 NCIS (Repeat)
Viewers: 11.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:00 NCIS: New Orleans (Repeat)
Viewers: 9.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
10:00 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show
Viewers: 6.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 13.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.8
9:00 Chicago Med
Viewers: 9.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
10:00 Chicago Fire
Viewers: 9.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0

FOX
8:00 Scream Queens
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

It was another stellar Tuesday for NBC which is going strong with its new lineup. The Voice is continuing to have one of its best runs up to the finale ever as it was up a million viewers and two tenths in the demo. It is up over 20% from the same week last fall. At 9pm, Chicago Med continued its hot streak as it was down three tenths in viewers but up a tenth in the demo. For its next airing in January, it will not get to follow The Voice, but it will be part of a crossover event with the other two Chicago shows. It will obviously dip in the weeks before The Voice comes back but I think NBC has a hit on its hands. At 10pm, Chicago Fire was up half a million viewers and a tenth in the demo for another great performance. It came close to a series high in total viewers.

On ABC, The Muppets was even with last week while Fresh Off the Boat was up two tenths in viewers but down a tenth in the demo to a new series low. Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo for its fall finale. On CBS, the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was down big from the last several years. It used to air on the same night as Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and oddly enough, that seemed to help it? Finally on FOX, the two hour season finale of Scream Queens was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo from last week's one hour episode. If this comes back, it will be for reasons other than its same day ratings, which have been abysmal.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: The Voice (NBC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Scream Queens (FOX)

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

RATINGS RECAP: 12/7/15

ABC
8:00 The Great Christmas Light Fight
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
10:00 The Great Holiday Baking Show
Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

CBS
8:00 Supergirl
Viewers: 7.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 Scorpion
Viewers: 9.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 NCIS: Los Angeles
Viewers: 9.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

NBC
8:00 The Voice
Viewers: 12.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.8
10:00 Telenovela
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
10:30 Telenovela
Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

FOX
8:00 TV's Funniest Animated Stars
Viewers: 1.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

NBC did not have nearly as much of a positive comedy sampling on Monday night with Telenovela's preview following The Voice. The Voice was down three tenths in viewers and even in the demo and was up in the year-to-year numbers. After Superstore got a 2.0/1.6 demo at 10pm last week, Telenovela got much more rejected from the audience of The Voice. It had a weak 1.4 demo at 10pm (only half of The Voice) and then it plummeted to a 0.9 demo at 10:30pm. I don't like either show's chances in the 8pm slot starting in January but I really don't like the chances for Telenovela. ABC had a night of limited holiday series. The season premiere of The Great Christmas Light Fight was down from last year's big 1.7 demo premiere. At 10pm, The Great Holiday Baking Show was down seven tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo from last week's series premiere. Finally, CBS had a weak showing for Supergirl as it fell three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo, tying a series low. At 9pm, Scorpion was up three tenths in viewers and even in the demo. NCIS: Los Angeles took advantage of the lack of drama competition in the hour and it rose 1.7 million viewers and two tenths in the demo for season highs.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: The Voice (NBC)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Telenovela (NBC)

WEEKLY RECAP: November 30-December 6, 2015

Here is my weekly recap for Week #11. Please note this only covers regularly scheduled shows (no sports, specials, repeats, or Saturday shows)

Check out Week #11 from last year!

TOP 10 SHOWS (18-49 DEMO)
1. Empire (FOX, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 4.5    10th week
2. The Voice (NBC, Monday 8:00pm) - 2.8    11th week
3. The Voice (NBC, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 2.6    11th week
4. Modern Family (ABC, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 2.4    8th week
5. The Simpsons (FOX, Sunday 8:16pm) - 2.3    4th week
6. Survivor (CBS, Wednesday 8:00pm) - 2.1    7th week
7. Superstore (NBC, Monday 10:00pm) - 2.0    1st week (NEW SHOW)
    Chicago Med (NBC, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 2.0    3rd week
    The Middle (ABC, Wednesday 8:00pm) - 2.0    2nd week
    The Goldbergs (ABC, Wednesday 8:30pm) - 2.0    5th week

TOP 10 SHOWS (TOTAL VIEWERS)
1. The Voice (NBC, Monday 8:00pm) - 12.6 million    11th week
2. The Voice (NBC, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 12.1 million    9th week
3. Empire (FOX, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 11.8 million    10th week
4. Chicago Med (NBC, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 9.9 million    1st week
5. Survivor (CBS, Wednesday 8:00pm) - 9.4 million    1st week
6. Criminal Minds (CBS, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 8.8 million    1st week
7. 60 Minutes (CBS, Sunday 7:00pm) - 8.7 million    10th week
8. Chicago Fire (NBC, Tuesday 10:00pm) - 8.6 million    1st week
9. Code Black (CBS, Wednesday 10:00pm) - 8.5 million    1st week
10. Supergirl (CBS, Monday 8:00pm) - 8.0 million    2nd week

BOTTOM 10 SHOWS (18-49 DEMO)
1. Truth Be Told (NBC, Friday 8:30pm) - 0.6    7th week
    World's Funniest (FOX, Friday 9:00pm) - 0.6    5th week
3. Minority Report (FOX, Monday 9:00pm) - 0.7    10th week
    The Grinder (FOX, Tuesday 8:30pm) - 0.7    8th week
    America's Funniest Home Videos (ABC, Sunday 7:00pm) - 0.7    4th week
6. Undateable (NBC, Friday 8:00pm) - 0.8    7th week
    Grimm (NBC, Friday 9:00pm) - 0.8    3rd week
8. Grandfathered (FOX, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 0.9    3rd week
    Scream Queens (FOX, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 0.9    5th week
    Nashville (ABC, Wednesday 10:00pm) - 0.9    4th week
    Dateline NBC (NBC, Friday 10:00pm) - 0.9    9th week
    Blood & Oil (ABC, Sunday 9:16pm) - 0.9    7th week

BOTTOM 10 SHOWS (TOTAL VIEWERS)
1. World's Funniest (FOX, Friday 9:00pm) - 2.0 million    5th week
2. Minority Report (FOX, Monday 9:00pm) - 2.2 million    10th week
3. Truth Be Told (NBC, Friday 8:30pm) - 2.3 million    7th week
4. The Grinder (FOX, Tuesday 8:30pm) - 2.4 million    9th week
    Scream Queens (FOX, Tuesday 9:00pm) - 2.4 million    10th week
6. Undateable (NBC, Friday 8:00pm) - 2.9 million    7th week
7. Grandfathered (FOX, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 3.1 million    5th week
8. Blood & Oil (ABC, Sunday 9:16pm) - 3.2 million    4th week
9. Masterchef Junior (FOX, Friday 8:00pm) - 3.5 million    2nd week
10. Family Guy (FOX, Sunday 9:16pm) - 3.6 million    7th week
      The Last Man on Earth (FOX, Sunday 9:46pm) - 3.6 million    9th week

WINNERS OF THE NIGHT
Monday - The Voice (NBC)    3rd week
Tuesday - Chicago Med (NBC)    2nd week
Wednesday - Empire (FOX)    4th week
Thursday - None
Friday - Last Man Standing (ABC)    4th week
Sunday - The Simpsons (FOX)    4th week

LOSERS OF THE NIGHT
Monday - None
Tuesday - The Muppets (ABC)    3rd week
Wednesday - Nashville (ABC)    4th week
Thursday - None
Friday - Grimm (NBC)    2nd week
Sunday - Once Upon a Time (ABC)    2nd week

MY TOP 5 EPISODES OF THE WEEK
1. Black-ish #33 "Man at Work"    2nd week
2. Superstore #1 "Pilot"    1st week (NEW SHOW)
3. Gotham #33 "Worse than a Crime"    3rd week
4. The Middle #153 "The Convention"    3rd week
5. Grandfathered #9 "Jimmy & Son"    5th week

RATINGS RECAP: 12/6/15

ABC
7:00 America's Funniest Home Videos
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
8:00 President Obama Address
N/A
8:16 Once Upon a Time
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:16 Blood & Oil
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
10:16 Quantico
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

CBS
7:00 60 Minutes
Viewers: 8.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
8:00 President Obama Address
N/A
8:18 60 Minutes (continued)
Viewers: 9.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Sinatra 100 - An All Star Grammy Concert
Viewers: 8.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

NBC
7:00 Football Night in America
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
8:00 President Obama Address
N/A
8:30 Sunday Night Football
Viewers: 19.2 million, 18-49 demo: 6.7

FOX
7:00 NFL Overrun/The OT

Viewers: 20.8 million, 18-49 demo: 7.2
8:00 President Obama Address
N/A
8:16 The Simpsons
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
8:46 Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:16 Family Guy
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:46 The Last Man on Earth
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

On Sunday night, an address by President Obama led to delayed starts for shows and perhaps some negative effects. On ABC, America's Funniest Home Videos started things off very weak as it fell a million viewers and three tenths in the demo. The fall final of Once Upon a Time started at 8:16pm and couldn't recover from its series low last week as it rose just two tenths in viewers and was even in the demo. Blood & Oil followed and was even with last week. The fall finale of Quantico was up three tenths in viewers and even in the demo. Both Quantico and Once will be back in March but they went out with a pretty weak end to their falls. CBS had 60 Minutes interrupted mid broadcast by the speech but it ended a little stronger than it started. At 9pm was a tribute to Frank Sinatra's 100th birthday. As expected, it skewed very old with a decent 8.8 million viewers but a minuscule 0.8 demo.

The FOX lineup also started 15 minutes late and maybe didn't get the full benefit of the NFL lead-in, but the night was pretty comparable to the last NFL lead-in night two weeks ago. The Simpsons was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. Brooklyn Nine-Nine was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. Family Guy was up two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo while The Last Man on Earth was up three tenths in viewers and even in the demo. For Last Man, this was a season high in total viewers. Finally, the Steelers' blowout of the Colts was down big from last week's Patriots-Broncos instant classic.

WINNER OF THE NIGHT: The Simpsons (FOX)
LOSER OF THE NIGHT: Once Upon a Time (ABC)

Monday, December 7, 2015

PILOT REVIEW: Telenovela

TELENOVELA












Starring: Eva Longoria, Jencarlos Canela, Diana-Maria Riva, Amaury Nolasco, Jose Moreno Brooks, Jadyn Douglas, Alex Meneses, Izzy Diaz

Created by Chrissy Pietrosh, Jessica Goldstein, and Robert Harling
Written by Chrissy Pietrosh, Jessica Goldstein, & Robert Harling, Directed by Steve Pink

THE PREMISE
Telenovela is a new sitcom that takes place on the set of a telenovela (Spanish soap opera). The star of the telenovela is Ana Sofia Calderon (Eva Longoria). She does not speak Spanish but she is the center of everything until her ex-husband and adversary, Xavier Castillo (Jencarlos Canela) joins the cast. Other cast members include the villain in the show within the show, Rodrigo Suarez (Amaury Nolasco), Ana Sofia's best friend, Mimi (Diana-Maria Riva), faded telenovela star Iabela (Alex Meneses), and co-stars Gael (Jose Moreno Brooks) and Roxie (Jadyn Douglas).

THE REVIEW
I'll admit that I've never watched a telenovela so maybe I just didn't get it but this was not enjoyable at all. The on-screen scenes of the telenovela felt like a longer version of Saturday Night Live's "The Californians" sketch (and believe me, those are long enough as is!) The off-screen scenes were perhaps even worse because they used every cliche in the book, dealt with overacting everywhere, and didn't do much with a plot.

It started with Eva Longoria who was horribly overacting in every scene whether she was being in the "telenovela" or not. Her hissy fit outside the studio wasn't funny and it definitely wasn't real, even in a comedic way. It was amateur in every sense of the word. The rest of the cast wasn't as noticeably bad, but they were certainly not memorable. Also, hasn't the whole "we dated once and now we have to work together!" premise been done a bit too many times? I felt like I was watching a pilot I've seen plenty of times before, only this time it had a Spanish twist.

It's too bad that this show is going to be paired with the far more clever Superstore. Even if I liked both shows, this is a terrible pairing. So now we get a potentially funny workplace comedy followed by this overblown, overacted "comedy." I think the idea of a parody telenovela is a great idea but it needs to be much more clever. I don't watch it but many would say Jane the Virgin has found a clever way to bring the telenovela to mainstream US audiences. This could have been the half hour comedy equivalent but it's most certainly not.

WILL I WATCH IT AGAIN?
Considering the fact that I didn't watch the second episode that immediately followed the pilot, that's going to be a no.