Tuesday, June 30, 2015

RATINGS RECAP: 6/29/15

ABC
8:00 The Bachelorette
Viewers: 6.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
10:00 The Whispers
Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

CBS
8:00 2 Broke Girls (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
8:30 Mike & Molly (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Scorpion (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
10:00 NCIS: Los Angeles (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

NBC
8:00 American Ninja Warrior
Viewers: 6.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
10:00 The Island
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

FOX
8:00 So You Think You Can Dance

Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

RATINGS RECAP: 6/28/15

ABC
7:00 Celebrity Family Feud (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
8:00 Celebrity Family Feud
Viewers: 8.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
9:00 BattleBots
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
10:00 Castle (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

CBS
7:00 60 Minutes
Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
8:00 Big Brother
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
9:00 Madam Secretary (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
10:00 CSI (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

NBC
7:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
8:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 I Can Do That (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
10:00 American Odyssey
Viewers: 2.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4

FOX
7:00 Bob's Burgers (Repeat)

Viewers: 0.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.1
7:30 Bob's Burgers (Repeat)
Viewers: 0.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3
8:00 The Simpsons (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
8:30 Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
9:00 Family Guy (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:30 Golan the Insatiable
Viewers: 1.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4

Monday, June 29, 2015

RATINGS RECAP: 6/27/15

ABC
8:00 BattleBots (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
9:00 In an Instant (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

CBS
8:00 CSI: Cyber (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
9:00 NCIS: Los Angeles (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
10:00 48 Hours (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

NBC
8:00 The Island (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3
9:00 American Ninja Warrior (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

FOX
8:00 MLB Baseball
Viewers: 1.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3 

RATINGS RECAP: 6/26/15

ABC
8:00 Shark Tank (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 What Would You Do?
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

CBS
8:00 The Briefcase
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 Hawaii Five-0 (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
10:00 Blue Bloods (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

NBC
8:00 America's Got Talent (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
10:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

FOX
8:00 FIFA Women's World Cup
Viewers: 5.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0

RATINGS RECAP: 6/25/15

ABC
8:00 The Astronaut Wives Club
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 Mistresses
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
10:00 Rookie Blue
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

CBS
8:00 Big Brother
Viewers: 6.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:00 Under the Dome
Viewers: 6.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

NBC
8:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 Aquarius
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
10:00 Hannibal
Viewers: 1.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4

FOX
8:00 Boom!
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Wayward Pines
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

On Thursday night, CBS started things with Big Brother, which was on par with its Wednesday premiere. At 9pm was the two hour premiere of Under the Dome. It returned to near series lows levels but it could have been worse. We'll see if it can be steady this year with a more consistent lead-in. FOX had the series premiere of Boom! with a very weak 2.5 million viewers and 0.9 demo. The news was much better for Wayward Pines, which was down seven tenths in viewers but even in the demo despite a lot of scripted competition. I know this was pegged as an event series but I wouldn't be shocked if FOX tries to find a way to bring it back. It's been one of the few summer shows to get any traction.

It was a disastrous night for ABC where nothing was above a 0.8 demo. The Astronaut Wives Club was down a million viewers and three tenths in the demo from last week's premiere. After a weak but acceptable premiere, this was a pretty bad drop. At 9pm, Mistresses was down half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo from last week's season premiere. Rookie Blue returned at 10pm to a terrible series low at a 0.6 demo. Finally on NBC, Dateline NBC was up six tenths in viewers and even in the demo while the two dramas were each down a tenth in the demo to new series lows. But Aquarius is coming back and Hannibal is not.

Thursday, June 25, 2015

RENEWAL ALERT: Aquarius

NBC has renewed its summer drama Aquarius for a second season. This might seem like a very surprising move if you just consider the raw numbers but it's been an experimental for NBC as they made the entire season available online immediately after the premiere. It's hard to know where the line is that causes these decisions but NBC must be getting enough online interest in Aquarius for it to continue. I wouldn't imagine this show will return before summer 2016. This came on the heels of the cancellation of the critically loved but terribly low-rated Hannibal after three seasons.

RATINGS RECAP: 6/24/15

ABC
8:00 The Middle (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
8:30 The Goldbergs (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.5 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 Celebrity Wife Swap
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

CBS
8:00 Big Brother
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:00 The Briefcase
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
10:00 Criminal Minds (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

NBC
8:00 America's Got Talent (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 American Ninja Warrior (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

FOX
8:00 Masterchef

Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo; 1.5
9:00 Bullseye
Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

On Wednesday night, CBS's veteran summer show Big Brother returned slightly down from last summer's premiere. But at a 2.1 demo, it easily topped the night. At 9pm was the last Wednesday episode of The Briefcase. It was down half a million viewers and even in the demo. It had a strong debut but fell from there. Though the ratings weren't disastrous, CBS doesn't tend to renew these early summer reality shows. On ABC, Celebrity Wife Swap was up a tenth in viewers and the demo while on FOX, Masterchef was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo and Bullseye was down a tenth in viewers and two tenths in the demo.

RATINGS RECAP: 6/23/15

ABC
8:00 Fresh Off the Boat (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
8:30 Black-ish (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
9:00 Extreme Weight Loss
Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

CBS
8:00 NCIS (Repeat)
Viewers: 8.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 NCIS: New Orleans (Repeat)
Viewers: 7.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
10:00 48 Hours (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

NBC
8:00 America's Got Talent
Viewers: 11.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
10:00 I Can Do That
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

FOX
8:00 Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?

Viewers: 2.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 World's Funniest
Viewers: 1.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

RATINGS RECAP: 6/22/15

ABC
8:00 The Bachelorette
Viewers: 6.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
10:00 The Whispers
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

CBS
8:00 2 Broke Girls (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
8:30 Mike & Molly (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Scorpion (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
10:00 NCIS: Los Angeles (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

NBC
8:00 American Ninja Warrior
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
10:00 The Island
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

FOX
8:00 So You Think You Can Dance
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

RATINGS RECAP: 6/21/15

ABC
7:00 America's Funniest Home Videos (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
8:00 Celebrity Family Feud
Viewers: 8.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
9:00 BattleBots
Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9

CBS
7:00 60 Minutes
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
8:00 Madam Secretary (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
9:00 The Good Wife (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
10:00 CSI (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

NBC
7:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
8:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 A.D. The Bible Continues
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
10:00 American Odyssey
Viewers: 2.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4

FOX
7:00 US Open Golf
Viewers: 6.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

Sunday night showed that TV's top daytime game show can indeed succeed in primetime. ABC's premiere of Celebrity Family Feud was a big hit with audiences, scoring the best summer demo premiere since Under the Dome two years ago. A 2.4 demo on a Sunday night in the summer is pretty impressive but it shouldn't be much of a surprise considering how popular the daytime show has been since Steve Harvey took over as host. At 9pm, the return of BattleBots was also solid with a 1.9 demo. Though it paled in comparison to Feud, this was not a bad summer premiere number by any means. On NBC, the season (and most certainly) series finale of A.D. The Bible Continues was down four tenths in viewers and even in the demo. This was not nearly as successful as the cable show that came before it, The Bible. At 10pm, American Odyssey was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo.

Sunday, June 21, 2015

RATINGS RECAP: 6/20/15

ABC
8:00 The Astronaut Wives Club (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3
9:00 In an Instant (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

CBS
8:00 Scorpion (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.2
9:00 NCIS: New Orleans (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
10:00 48 Hours (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

NBC
8:00 Premiere Boxing Championships
Viewers: 2.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

FOX
8:00 US Open Golf
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

RATINGS RECAP: 6/19/15

ABC
8:00 Shark Tank (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 What Would You Do?
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

CBS
8:00 Undercover Boss (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 Hawaii Five-0 (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
10:00 Blue Bloods (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

NBC
8:00 America's Got Talent (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
10:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

FOX
8:00 US Open Golf
Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

RATINGS RECAP: 6/18/15

ABC
8:00 The Astronaut Wives Club
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Mistresses
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory (Repeat)
Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
8:30 The Odd Couple (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Mom (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:30 Mike & Molly (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
10:00 Elementary (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

NBC
8:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 6.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
9:00 Aquarius
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
10:00 Hannibal
Viewers: 1.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

FOX
8:00 US Open Golf
Viewers: 3.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

On Thursday night, ABC had the series premiere of The Astronaut Wives Club and it did alright with a decent 5.5 million viewers and 1.1 demo. This wasn't anything special but it didn't fall on its face though it might head that way in the weeks to come. The two hour season premiere of Mistresses was not as impressive as it came back to a very weak 0.9 demo. It's never been a hit but it seems to be getting worse each summer. On NBC, Dateline NBC was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. Aquarius was down four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. At 10pm, Hannibal was dead even with last week with a very weak 1.7 million viewers and 0.5 demo.

Saturday, June 20, 2015

PILOT REVIEW: The Astronaut Wives Club

THE ASTRONAUT WIVES CLUB











Starring: JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Yvonne Strahovski, Dominique McElligott, Odette Annable, Erin Cummings, Azure Parsons, Zoe Boyle, Desmond Harrington, Bret Harrison, Wilson Bethel, Kenneth Mitchell, Joel Johnstone, Sam Reid, Aaron McCusker

Based on the Novel by Lily Kpppel
Developed by Stephanie Savage
Written by Stephanie Savage, Directed by Lone Scherfig

The Astronaut Wives Club is a period drama based on the book of the same name. Set during the 1960s space race, the show focuses on the other side of the famous astronauts from that era: their personal lives and specifically, their wives. Famous couples fill out the large ensemble including Annie and John Glenn (Azure Parsons and Sam Reid), Louise and Alan Shepard (Dominique McElligott and Desmond Harrington), Betty and Gus Grissom (JoAnna Garcia Swisher and Joel Johnstone), Rene and Scott Carpenter (Yvonne Strahovski and Wilson Bethel), Trudy and Gordon Cooper (Odette Annable and Bret Harrison), Marge and Deke Slayton (Erin Cummings and Kenneth Mitchell), and Jo and Wally Schirra (Zoe Boyle and Aaron McCusker).

I wanted to like this show so bad. I love the 60s and I think the Space Race is a really interesting topic. However, I just didn't enjoy it and that's too bad because it really had a shot at being an intriguing show. It may be set in the 1960s and based on real life people, but it had such a feel of an ABC soap. It was the same thing ABC has been peddling in too many of their shows back to Desperate Housewives. And really, this was just a vanilla, 1960s version of Housewives. The wives were all "types" to be sure yet I really couldn't distinguish one from the other. And their husbands were even less memorable. I know this is a show about the wives, but couldn't they have made some very memorable figures from the decade a bit more memorable?

On top of that, the pacing was all off with this show. It spent an inordinate amount of time on the women snipping at each other and being suspicious of philandering from their husbands. Then the first launch with a man in space was reduced to a short scene with no real emotion attached to it because we didn't get to know the characters on anything more than a surface level. And I know this takes place in a different era, but this show did nothing to explore gender roles in the 60s, something Mad Men has supposedly done exceptionally well (I don't watch that show though I have always wanted to). There could be some really unique stories from that perspective given the plot of the show but instead it was all the same drama we see on any of ABC's female-centric soaps. Besides Housewives, I'm thinking of shows like GCB, Women's Murder Club, Eastwick, etc. Finally, my last complaint is that the footage from the 1960s meshed with the actual show didn't work for me. It was cool to see some footage but the splicing felt awkward.

Unfortunately we are two for two on lame period dramas this summer with this show joining the slightly more interesting Aquarius. Network TV shouldn't shy away from period dramas but they need to make it less... broadcast-y. Take some chances. This was a great idea for a show and it's been watered down to a whole lot of nothing.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

RATINGS RECAP: 6/17/15

ABC
8:00 The Middle (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
8:30 The Goldbergs (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 Modern Family (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:30 Black-ish (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
10:00 Celebrity Wife Swap
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

CBS
8:00 The Briefcase
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Criminal Minds (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
10:00 CSI: Cyber (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

NBC
8:00 I Can Do That (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 American Ninja Warrior (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

FOX
8:00 Masterchef
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 Bullseye
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

RATINGS RECAP: 6/16/15

ABC
8:00 Jimmy Kimmel Live Game Night
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
8:30 NBA Countdown
Viewers: 6.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:00 NBA Finals Game 6
Viewers: 23.3 million, 18-49 demo: 8.9

CBS
8:00 NCIS (Repeat)
Viewers: 7.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 NCIS: New Orleans (Repeat)
Viewers: 6,0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
10:00 48 Hours (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

NBC
8:00 America's Got Talent
Viewers: 10.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
10:00 I Can Do That
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

FOX
8:00 FIFA Women's World Cup
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

RATINGS RECAP: 6/15/15

ABC
8:00 The Bachelorette
Viewers: 6.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
10:00 The Whispers
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

CBS
8:00 2 Broke Girls (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
8:30 Mike & Molly (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Scorpion (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
10:00 NCIS: Los Angeles (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

NBC
8:00 Stanley Cup Finals Game 6
Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.8

FOX
8:00 So You Think You Can Dance
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

RATINGS RECAP: 6/14/15

ABC
7:00 Jimmy Kimmel Live: Game Night
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
7:30 NBA Countdown
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
8:00 NBA Finals Game 5
Viewers: 20.9 million, 18-49 demo: 7.6

CBS
7:00 60 Minutes
Viewers: 7.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
8:00 Madam Secretary (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
9:00 The Good Wife (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
10:00 CSI (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

NBC
7:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
8:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 A.D. The Bible Continues
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
10:00 American Odyssey
Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

FOX
7:00 Bob's Burgers (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
7:30 Bob's Burgers (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
8:00 The Simpsons (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
8:30 Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 Family Guy (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:30 Golan the Insatiable
Viewers: 1.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

Sunday, June 14, 2015

RATINGS RECAP: 6/13/15

ABC
8:00 The Whispers (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3
9:00 In an Instant (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4

CBS
8:00 Elementary (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3
9:00 CSI (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
10:00 48 Hours (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

NBC
8:00 Stanley Cup Finals Game 5
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

FOX
8:00 MLB Baseball
Viewers: 2.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

RATINGS RECAP: 6/12/15

ABC
8:00 Shark Tank (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 What Would You Do?
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

CBS
8:00 Undercover Boss (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
9:00 Hawaii Five-0 (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
10:00 Blue Bloods (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

NBC
8:00 America's Got Talent (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
10:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

FOX
8:00 FIFA Women's World Cup
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

RATINGS RECAP: 6/11/15

ABC
8:00 Jimmy Kimmel Live Game Night
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
8:30 NBA Countdown
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:00 NBA Finals Game 4
Viewers: 19.8 million, 18-49 demo: 7.6

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory (Repeat)
Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
8:30 The Odd Couple (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Mom (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:30 Mike & Molly (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 Elementary (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

NBC
8:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Aquarius
Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
10:00 Hannibal
Viewers: 1.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

FOX
8:00 Bones
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo; 1.2
9:00 Wayward Pines
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

Thursday, June 11, 2015

RATINGS RECAP: 6/10/15

ABC
8:00 The Middle (Repeat)

Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
8:30 The Goldbergs (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Modern Family (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:30 Black-ish (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 Celebrity Wife Swap
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

CBS
8:00 The Briefcase
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 Criminal Minds (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
10:00 CSI: Cyber (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

NBC
8:00 I Can Do That (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
9:00 American Ninja Warrior (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

FOX
8:00 Masterchef
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 Bullseye
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

RATINGS RECAP: 6/9/15

ABC
8:00 Jimmy Kimmel Live Game Night
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
8:30 NBA Countdown
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
9:00 NBA Finals Game 3
Viewers: 18.8 million, 18-49 demo: 7.3

CBS
8:00 NCIS (Repeat)
Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 NCIS: New Orleans (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
10:00 48 Hours (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

NBC
8:00 America's Got Talent
Viewers: 10.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
10:00 I Can Do That
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

FOX
8:00 Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?
Viewers: 3.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 Hell's Kitchen
Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

RATINGS RECAP: 6/8/15

ABC
8:00 The Bachelorette
Viewers: 6.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
10:00 The Whispers
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

CBS
8:00 2 Broke Girls (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
8:30 Mike & Molly (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 Scorpion (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
10:00 NCIS: Los Angeles (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

NBC
8:00 American Ninja Warrior
Viewers: 7.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
10:00 The Island
Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

FOX
8:00 So You Think You Can Dance
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

On Monday night, ABC saw a pretty terrible second week for The Whispers. First up, The Bachelorette was down a tenth in viewers and the demo. Then, The Whispers fell apart in week two. After a promising debut last week, it fell 1.5 million viewers and half a demo point. The lead-in and competition were pretty much the same so this is a clear rejection of the show. On NBC, American Ninja Warrior is starting to look almost as strong as America's Got Talent. It was up yet again, rising a tenth in viewers and the demo. At 10pm, The Island was down a tenth in viewers and even in teh demo. Finally on FOX, So You Think You Can Dance was down two tenths in viewers and the demo from last week's season premiere.

RATINGS RECAP: 6/7/15

ABC
7:00 Jimmy Kimmel Live Game Night
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
7:30 NBA Countdown
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
8:00 NBA Finals Game 2
Viewers: 19.2 million, 18-49 demo: 7.4

CBS
7:00 60 Minutes
Viewers: 8.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
8:00 69th Annual Tony Awards
Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

NBC
7:00 Dateline NBC (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
8:00 Dateline NBC (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 A.D. The Bible Continues
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
10:00 American Odyssey
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4

FOX
7:00 Bob's Burgers (Repeat)

Viewers: 1.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
7:30 Bob's Burgers (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
8:00 The Simpsons (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
8:30 Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 Family Guy (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:30 Golan the Insatiable
Viewers: 1.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

Sunday, June 7, 2015

RATINGS RECAP: 6/6/15

ABC
8:00 The Whispers (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
9:00 In an Instant (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4

CBS
8:00 Blue Bloods (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3
9:00 Hawaii Five-0 (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
10:00 48 Hours
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

NBC
8:00 Stanley Cup Finals Game 2
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7

FOX
8:00 MLB Baseball
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

RATINGS RECAP: 6/5/15

ABC
8:00 Shark Tank (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 What Would You Do?
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 6.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

CBS
8:00 The Briefcase (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
9:00 Hawaii Five-0 (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
10:00 Blue Bloods (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

NBC
8:00 Movie: Jurassic Park
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

FOX
8:00 Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (Repeat)

Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
9:00 Bullseye (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

RATINGS RECAP: 6/4/15

ABC
8:00 Jimmy Kimmel Live Game Night
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
8:30 NBA Countdown
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
9:00 NBA Finals Game 1
Viewers: 17.8 million, 18-49 demo: 6.9

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory (Repeat)
Viewers: 7.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
8:30 The Odd Couple (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Mom (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:30 Mike & Molly (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 Elementary (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

NBC
8:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 6.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Aquarius
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
10:00 Hannibal
Viewers: 2.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

FOX
8:00 Bones

Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Wayward Pines
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

On Thursday night, ABC had Game 1 of the NBA Finals and it delivered the best numbers since 2012 for a Game 1. The competition wasn't even close. On NBC, Dateline NBC was down a tenth in viewers and the demo. Aquarius dropped like a rock for its second week. It was down 1.8 million viewers and four tenths in the demo. Last week was serviceable but this week was terrible. I'm sure NBC will let it air all its episodes since its summer, but it has been rejected by audiences (or they watched it online since NBC made the whole season available, but I'm guessing that's not it). At 10pm, the season premiere of Hannibal was barely on the map with 2.6 million viewers and a 0.7 demo. This show only got a third season because its cheap for NBC and its critically acclaimed but these sorts of numbers may not even be good enough by those measures. Finally on FOX, Bones was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo while Wayward Pines was up two tenths in viewers and down a tenth in the demo.

Thursday, June 4, 2015

RATINGS RECAP: 6/3/15

ABC
8:00 The Middle (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
8:30 The Goldbergs (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Modern Family (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:30 Black-ish (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 Celebrity Wife Swap
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

CBS
8:00 The Briefcase
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Criminal Minds (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
10:00 CSI: Cyber (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

NBC
8:00 Stanley Cup Finals Game 1
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9

FOX
8:00 Masterchef
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 Bullseye
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

RATINGS RECAP: 6/2/15

ABC
8:00 Fresh Off the Boat (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
8:30 Black-ish (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 Extreme Weight Loss
Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

CBS
8:00 NCIS (Repeat)
Viewers: 8.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 NCIS: New Orleans (Repeat)
Viewers: 8.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
10:00 48 Hours (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

NBC
8:00 America's Got Talent
Viewers: 10.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
10:00 I Can Do That
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

FOX
8:00 Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?
Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 Hell's Kitchen
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

Tuesday night was week two for most summer shows so there were drops across the board. On NBC, America's Got Talent started things off down three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo so it held pretty well. At 10pm, I Can Do That was down a rougher 1.1 million viewers and three tenths in the demo. It also dropped a lot at the half so it probably wouldn't do anything in a different slot. On ABC, Extreme Weight Loss was down half a million viewers and a tenth in the demo from its already weak debut last week. Finally on FOX, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader was down four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo while Hell's Kitchen was dead even with last week.

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

RATINGS RECAP: 6/1/15

ABC
8:00 The Bachelorette
Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
10:00 The Whispers
Viewers: 5.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

CBS
8:00 2 Broke Girls (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
8:30 Mike & Molly (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Scorpion (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
10:00 NCIS: Los Angeles (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

NBC
8:00 American Ninja Warrior
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
10:00 The Island
Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

FOX
8:00 So You Think You Can Dance
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

On Monday night, ABC saw the best summer scripted premiere so far this summer. First up, The Bachelorette was up 1.1 million viewers and three tenths in the demo from last week, which aired on Memorial Day and at 9pm. At 10pm, the series premiere of The Whispers delivered a solid 5.7 million viewers and 1.5 demo. This result topped recent scripted premieres including Wayward Pines and Aquarius, but it also had a much stronger lead-in. Still, it was a solid launch for a show that didn't get a lot of promotion or attention. Elsewhere, American Ninja Warrior topped the night and was up a million viewers and two tenths in the demo from last week's season premiere. However, week two of The Island looked less impressive. It was down a tenth in viewers and the demo despite the better lead-in. Finally, FOX had the season premiere of So You Think You Can Dance and it couldn't really compete with Bachelorette or Ninja Warrior. It had a serviceable 1.3 demo, but this show is clearly past its prime.

RATINGS RECAP: 5/31/15

ABC
7:00 America's Funniest Home Videos (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
8:00 Dancing with the Stars 10th Anniversary (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
9:00 The Middle (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
9:30 The Goldbergs (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
10:00 Modern Family (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
10:30 Black-ish (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

CBS
7:00 60 Minutes
Viewers: 8.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
8:00 Madam Secretary (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
9:00 The Good Wife (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
10:00 CSI (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

NBC
7:00 Dateline NBC (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 A.D. The Bible Continues
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
10:00 American Odyssey
Viewers: 3.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

FOX
7:00 Bob's Burgers (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4
7:30 Bob's Burgers (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5
8:00 The Simpsons (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
8:30 Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Repeat)
Viewers: 1.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
9:00 Family Guy (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:30 Golan the Insatiable
Viewers: 1.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

PILOT REVIEW: The Whispers

Note: I am going to go back to more narrative-style reviews for the rest of the summer scripted shows so I can see if I prefer it before the fall.

THE WHISPERS










Starring: Lily Rabe, Barry Sloane, Milo Ventimiglia, Kristen Connolly, Derek Webster, Catalina Denis, Kylie Rogers, Kyle Harrison Breitkopf

Based on "Zero Hour" by Ray Bradbury, Developed by Soo Hugh
Teleplay by Soo Hugh, Directed by Mark Romanek and Brad Turner

The Whispers is an eerie new drama that centers on a paranormal force possessing impressionable children. This mysterious force, known as "Drill," inspires/convinces children to commit horrible acts. We see it in the beginning when young Harper (Kylie Rogers) seemingly tries to kill her mother, Lena (Kristen Connolly). An FBI child specialist and recent widow (or is she?), Claire Bennigan (Lily Rabe) is brought on board to try to talk to Harper and she realizes she's more involved than she thought especially when it comes to her son, Henry (Kyle Harrison Breitkopf) and mysterious John Doe at the hospital (Milo Ventimiglia). Meanwhile, halfway across the world, Lena's husband, Wes (Barry Sloane) is a Defense Department operative stumbling onto something quite unusual.

The Whispers was a pleasant surprise for me and I'm not much of a sci-fi person. That's why the very odd moment in the middle of the pilot nearly turned me off from the show. But before and after, there was enough intriguing moments to make me want to come back for week two. It starts with the kids. As we've seen on sitcoms, kids can make or break a show and they are absolutely crucial here. Luckily, Kylie Rogers is delightfully eerie and creepy, delivering every line with earnest and that makes it all the more difficult to believe a little girl could be capable of terrible acts (or saying the word "amenable"). The other children in the pilot were good too but Rogers is clearly the standout.

The show threw a lot at the wall in the pilot and for awhile, it seemed terribly disjointed. But the last couple minutes of the pilot connected things a lot better than I thought it would and that's important because now I feel more invested. I saw the one twist with Claire's son coming but not the one involving John Doe. Some plot points that seemed cliche such as the deaf son or the tortured back-story to a tough FBI agent actually were more relevant to the plot than I thought they would be. That's not to say there weren't typically TV drama cliches. Claire's uncanny ability to connect with both the little girl and the traumatized mom is seen in almost every crime drama.

For me personally, it probably depends on how sci-fi this show gets that will determine whether or not I stick with it. I liked the pieces they were putting together and they've promised answers in season one so let's see where this goes... and stay away from Drill!