WEEKEND REWIND: The Dick Van Dyke Show

THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW
October 3, 1961 - June 1, 1966
158 episodes
Starring: Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam, Larry Mathews

One of the best-written and enduring sitcoms of all time, The Dick Van Dyke Show, is a television classic. Airing in a decade filled with absurd fantasy or dumb sitcoms (The Beverly Hillbillies, Gilligan's Island, Mister Ed to name a few), it was one of the only sitcoms with an adult feel and perhaps that is why it has held up so well over the years. Aided by a brilliant cast, the show has a very classy feel to it and many associate it as the TV equivalent to the iconic JFK "Camelot" era. Of course some of the more outrageous sitcoms from that era have had lasting appeal too, but this one has stood the test of time due to quality not nostalgia.

Of course at the center of the show is Dick Van Dyke. One of the most gifted physical comedians ever, his performance as Rob Petrie was especially memorable. Van Dyke was nimble and manic both in his physical actions and his conversations and he could act out any comedy routine with hilarity. He gave Rob a nervous energy that always kept the show's tempo up but he was never over the top. In the first of two very classic sitcom roles, Mary Tyler Moore shined as his beautiful wife Laura. Only in her mid 20s when she started the role, she was originally intended to be more of a background figure until the writers and creators saw what a gifted comedienne she was. This is never more apparent that when she gets upset and her tearful tirades filled with "Oh Rob"s are legendary. Together, Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore were the TV JFK and Jackie - a classy couple with enviable lives. Their son Richie (Larry Mathews) was not a very memorable part of the show but sometimes allowed Rob and Laura to have some funny parenting scenes.

Equally important to the show were Rob's co-workers - fellow writers on the fictional variety series The Alan Brady Show. Man-hungry Sally Rogers was played by Rose Marie with a tremendous amount of self assurance despite the character being a girl in a boy's world of TV writing. In the few instances where Sally appeared vulnerable, Marie gave a very dynamic performance. Wisecracking Buddy Sorrell (Morey Amsterdam) rounded out the writers room and was a great throwback to a Vaudevillian era. He had a joke a minute and had a very funny back-and-forth with frazzled producer (and Alan Brady's brother-in-law) Mel Cooley (Richard Deacon). Other less-seen supporting characters were fantastic too including the Petries' neighbors Jerry and Millie Helper (Jerry Paris and Ann Morgan Guilbert) and the egotistical star himself Alan Brady (played by series creator Carl Reiner).

With the backdrop of show business like I Love Lucy, The Dick Van Dyke Show was able to incorporate many musical and comedic numbers and had such a talented cast to do so. Moore and Van Dyke were gifted dancers, Marie was a singer, and Amsterdam a throwback comedian and cello player. The Dick Van Dyke Show was one of TV's first real adult sitcoms (of course it aired in a much more innocent age so it doesn't have adult themes like sitcoms do now). It was written intelligently for intelligent audiences. Despite being nearly 50 years old (it will be in October!), it feels fresh and funny because it was so well-written and so well-acted. It's a classic TV treasure.

THE TOP 10 EPISODES OF "THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW"
Note: This is based solely on personal opinion.

10. #76 "The Alan Brady Show Presents" (first aired December 18, 1963)
The show's only Christmas episode was unlike any other episode of the series. Presented as a sort-of family Christmas special on The Alan Brady Show, Rob, Laura, Buddy, and Sally do a variety of musical performances including the sweet scene of street Santas Rob and Laura falling in love the musical homage to Alan Brady.

9. #63 "All About Evesdropping" (first aired October 23, 1963)
Rob and Laura overhear Millie and Jerry insulting them on their son's walkie-talkie just before they are supposed to go to a party. They do go but appear outwardly annoyed and angry throughout the evening in a very funny performance.

"My Blonde Haired Brunette"

8. #9 "My Blonde Haired Brunette" (first aired October 10, 1961)
Laura thinks her marriage is growing dull and tries to dye her hair blonde to add some spice to the marriage but as things don't work out and it turns out half blonde and half brunette, hilarity ensues. This is the first great performance by Mary Tyler Moore and the one that convinced the writers and producers to use her in comedic situations more. Because of how strong it was, it was actually the second episode to air despite being the ninth one filmed.

7. #106 "Pink Pills and Purple Parents" (first aired November 25, 1964) 
This episode is another great Laura showcase. In a flashback, we see Laura taking pink pills to feel better on a night when Rob's parents are coming for dinner, but the side effects of the pills make her completely loopy. Mary Tyler Moore puts on a physical comedy clinic as she gets increasingly crazy during the disastrous dinner.

6. #6 "Oh How We Met on the Night that We Danced" (first aired October 31, 1961)
In the first of many flashback episodes in the series, we see how Rob and Laura first met when they both worked on an army base in Kansas. It's a sweet throwback to their first encounter despite the comedic pratfalls that happen.

5. #122 "100 Terrible Hours" (first aired May 5, 1965)
In an unheralded but hilarious episode and yet another flashback, Rob is working as a DJ and agrees to do a marathon to set a record to most consecutive hours logged on the radio but gets the news part way through that Alan Brady wants to interview him for a job. This is a comedic masterpiece by Dick Van Dyke who plays a loopy and sleep deprived Rob to perfection.

4. #60 "A Surprise Surprise is a Surprise" (first aired April 24, 1963)
As Rob's birthday approaches, he thinks he has Laura's plans for a surprise party figured out and spend the entire episode as a very arrogant know-it-all but Laura gets the last laugh when she throws a party for him bright and early in the morning. This episode is memorable due to Rob's complete smugness for supposedly being able to figure out his wife.

3. #45 "The Cat Burglar" (first aired January 2, 1963)
There is a cat burglar in the neighborhood and Rob and Laura are on edge and for good reason as they do indeed get hit. This episode has many classic moments including Rob trying to get a bullet quietly out of Laura's musical jewelry box and the seemingly normal morning where they don't notice their dining room table is missing.

2. #128 "Coast to Coast Big Mouth" (first aired September 15, 1965)
In a very classic episode of the series, Laura accidentally tells the world on TV that Alan Brady wears a toupee. This episode has so many classic moments including Laura's tearful admission to Rob and his panicked reaction and Laura's nervous visit to Alan Brady to try to fix things. It's often regarded as the best episode of the series and for good reason.

"Where Did I Come From?"

1. #19 "Where Did I Come From?" (first aired January 3, 1962)
But it's not as good as this one, which is also Dick Van Dyke's favorite episode. In another flashback episode, Richie asks about the story of when he was born. We are taken back to that time where Rob is extremely nervous about the impending birth of his child. There are the memorable scenes of Rob practicing putting on his hat in bed so he's ready to go and then when he actually does get the word that it's time at work, a hilarious physical comedy routine begins that ends with Rob running into the house wearing someone else's pants. It is Dick Van Dyke at his very best.

RATINGS RECAP: 1/29/11

ABC
8:00 Movie: Dreamgirls
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

CBS
8:00 CSI (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8
9:00 Criminal Minds (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
10:00 48 Hours Mystery
Viewers: 7.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7

NBC
8:00 Harry's Law (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
9:00 US Figure Skating
Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6

FOX
8:00 Cops
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:00 America's Most Wanted
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8

RATINGS RECAP: 1/28/11

ABC
8:00 Supernanny
Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
9:00 Primetime: What Would You Do?
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 5.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

CBS
8:00 NCIS: Los Angeles (Repeat)
Viewers: 7.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 CSI: NY (Repeat)
Viewers: 8.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
10:00 Hawaii Five-0 (Repeat)
Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

NBC
8:00 Minute to Win It (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7

FOX
8:00 Kitchen Nightmares
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:00 Fringe
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9

ABC had a low Friday night with its unscripted lineup. At 8pm, Supernanny was down nine tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for season lows. This spring is supposedly the end of this show and for good reason as its not even an adequate Friday filler anymore. At 9pm, Primetime: What Would You Do? was down six tenths in viewers and four tenths in the demo. The demo is a season low and this show hasn't been that strong either this year even by Friday standards. At 10pm, 20/20 was up six tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo which is good especially considering the lead-ins were down and competing Dateline NBC was strong. CBS got decent repeat numbers for three dramas. The struggling freshman drama The Defenders will move to the 8pm slot next week.

NBC had a decent night. A repeat of Minute to Win It did alright at 8pm. Next week those repeats will stop with the season premiere of Who Do You Think You Are? will take this slot. At 9pm though, Dateline NBC was up nine tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo. The demo is a season high and it is by far the best performance the newsmagazine has had in the 9-11pm hour as it was stronger earlier in the season from 8-10pm. 

FOX had its second week of its new Friday lineup and had another decent performance by FOX Friday standards. At 8pm, Kitchen Nightmares was down two tenths in viewers and the demo which is still a decent performance. At 9pm, Fringe was down four tenths in viewers but even in the demo. These numbers might not look great but this is a nice step up from the fall performance of House encores and now cancelled The Good Guys. 

RATINGS RECAP: 1/27/11

ABC
8:00 Wipeout
Viewers: 7.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
9:00 Grey's Anatomy (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
10:00 Private Practice (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory (Repeat)
Viewers: 9.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
8:30 $#*! My Dad Says
Viewers: 8.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
9:00 CSI (Repeat)
Viewers: 9.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
10:00 The Mentalist (Repeat)
Viewers: 10.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9

NBC
8:00 Community
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
8:30 Perfect Couples
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:00 The Office
Viewers: 7.9 million, 18-49 demo: 4.0
9:30 Parks and Recreation
Viewers: 5.8 million, 18-49 demo: 3.0
10:00 30 Rock
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
10:30 Outsourced
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9

FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 22.5 million, 18-49 demo: 7.7
9:00 Bones
Viewers: 12.0 million, 18-49 demo: 3.9

ABC was mostly in repeats again on Thursday night but they started things off with a new edition of Wipeout which was down seven tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo from last week to season lows. This show is clearly getting hit hard by American Idol but it's still an improvement for ABC in the time period. Low rated repeats of Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice followed. CBS also aired repeats but to decent numbers. The only new show was $#*! My Dad Says which was down 1.6 million viewers and half a demo point from last week. These are series lows and the show did not do as well following a Big Bang Theory repeat as it did two weeks ago in the same situation. That does not help this on-the-bubble show's chances.

NBC had mixed results for the second week of its three hour comedy block. At 8pm, Community was down just a tenth in viewers and even in the demo from last week, but it was against a Big Bang Theory repeat this week and not last week. New sitcom Perfect Couples saw a troubling drop of seven tenths in viewers and four tenths in the demo. In just its second week, it's already the glaring weak spot on this schedule. The Office followed and was down four tenths in viewers and half a demo point. Despite the drop, the demo is still better than the show was getting through most of the fall. Week two of the new season of Parks and Recreation was down three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo but it is still way up year to year plus it is outperforming Outsourced's numbers from the fall. At 10pm, 30 Rock was down four tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo but is still doing fairly well, especially in the demo, for a 10pm comedy. Finally at 10:30pm, Outsourced was up a tenth in viewers and the demo. It was the only comedy to go up but it is still not very strong in its new timeslot.

Finally FOX had another night of American Idol which was down just four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo from last week's Thursday edition. It's clear that Idol is a stronger performer on Wednesday but it is dominating on Thursday as well. At 9pm, Bones was up a nice 1.4 million viewers and four tenths in the demo, hitting season highs in both categories. Perhaps it was because both CBS and ABC were in reruns, but this is is a strong performance for a veteran show.

RATINGS RECAP: 1/26/11

ABC
8:00 The Middle (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
8:30 The Middle (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
9:00 Modern Family (Repeat)
Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
9:30 Cougar Town 
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
10:00 Off the Map
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8

CBS
8:00 Live to Dance
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 Criminal Minds
Viewers: 12.8 million, 18-49 demo: 3.2
10:00 Blue Bloods
Viewers: 12.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1

NBC
8:00 Minute to Win It
Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:00 Chase
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
10:00 Law & Order: SVU (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7

FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 25.3 million, 18-49 demo: 9.2

ABC was in repeats for the first half of the night with a double dose of The Middle and then Modern Family. Both these sitcom hits for ABC are repeating better than they used to. The news was not as good for original programming though. Cougar Town was down seven tenths in viewers and four tenths in the demo for another season low. Despite being the only new sitcom, it had the least number of viewers and only tied both repeats of The Middle (which traditionally skews older) in the demo. Yet for whatever reason, Cougar Town has already been renewed for next season. At 10pm, week three of Off the Map was not very strong as it was down another seven tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo. Although it's still outperforming recent Wednesday dramas from ABC, it's not looking like a keeper.

CBS had more mixed numbers. The 8pm flop Live to Dance was down another six tenths in viewers and even in the demo from last week. These are embarrassing numbers for CBS and we likely won't see anymore of Paula Abdul's dance show once this edition ends. Criminal Minds perked back up a bit at 9pm as it was up eight tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo. It's still not getting the numbers it was getting in the fall - perhaps due to the weaker lead-in or increased competition from FOX? At 10pm, week two of Blue Bloods' trial Wednesday run. was down two tenths in viewers and up a tenth in the demo. Its old-skewing weakness is glaring on Wednesday but perfectly fit for Friday where it will head back to in a couple weeks.

NBC had a quiet Wednesday. At 8pm, Minute to Win It was down a tenth in viewers and two tenths in the demo. This seems like it might be a better fit for Fridays where it has been repeating well this winter. At 9pm, Chase was down two tenths in viewers but up the same in the demo. The viewer total is a series low. Chase will be preempted next week in what is likely the beginning of the end. A repeat of Law & Order: SVU rounded out the night.

FOX had strong results for Week 2 of American Idol. It was just nine tenths in viewers and even in the demo from last Wednesday and way up from last Thursday's numbers. This is a positive sign because last week's viewership was likely lots of curiosity to see the new judging panel but those viewers seem to like what they see. It appears that those who predicted Idol's beginning of a demise this season will not see that happen.

RATINGS RECAP: 1/25/11

A quiet day for the ratings as the State of the Union does not count and most other shows were repeats or special airings. Therefore, no commentary :)

ABC
8:00 No Ordinary Family (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 State of the Union
N/A
10:13 ABC News Analysis
Viewers: 7.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
10:37 Cougar Town (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

CBS
8:00 NCIS (Repeat)
Viewers: 13.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
9:00 State of the Union
N/A
10:30 CBS News Analysis
Viewers: 7.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
10:41 The Big Bang Theory (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

NBC
8:00 The Biggest Loser
Viewers: 8.6 million, 18-49 demo: 3.2
9:00 State of the Union
N/A
10:13 NBC News Analysis
Viewers: 7.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9

FOX
8:00 Glee (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 State of the Union
N/A 

RATINGS RECAP: 1/24/11

ABC
8:00 The Bachelor
Viewers: 9.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.9
10:00 Castle
Viewers: 9.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4

CBS
8:00 How I Met Your Mother (Repeat)
Viewers: 7.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
8:30 Rules of Engagement (Repeat)
Viewers: 7.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:00 Two and a Half Men (Repeat)
Viewers: 11.5 million, 18-49 demo: 3.0
9:30 Mike & Molly (Repeat)
Viewers: 9.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
10:00 Hawaii Five-0 (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7

NBC
8:00 Chuck
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
9:00 The Cape
Viewers: 5.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
10:00 Harry's Law
Viewers: 10.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1

FOX
8:00 House
Viewers: 10.4 million, 18-49 demo: 3.7
9:00 Lie to Me
Viewers: 7.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5

ABC had a decent Monday night. At 8pm, The Bachelor was up half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo. The total viewer count is a season high. Will it continue to grow or was this because the CBS comedies were in repeats? Castle was new at 10pm and was even in viewers but up three tenths in the demo from its last original airing. This seems to be about the best it can do without a Dancing with the Stars lead-in. CBS had decent numbers for a night of reruns. Worth noting is Two and a Half Men's impressive 3.0 demo - for a repeat! CBS announced that Mad Love will premiere on February 14 at 8:30pm instead of the following week.

NBC had mixed results. At 8pm, Chuck was up a tenth in viewers but down two tenths in the demo. New superhero series The Cape followed and was down another four tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. It's not as bad a drop as the previous week but this show isn't looking like a keeper as it's already down to a weak 1.6 in the demo and probably not done dropping. But the news was very positive at 10pm as week two of new legal drama Harry's Law was down just seven tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo from last week's premiere. This is one of the better holds for a new show this season and it appears that NBC made the right move in letting this air all 13 episodes this spring instead the originally planned 6.

FOX also had a good night. At 8pm, House was down a tenth in viewers but up two tenths in the demo. FOX will need it to be strong as it prepares to launch the new show The Chicago Code at 9pm in two weeks. But for now, Lie to Me continued to air and it was up a nice 1.8 million viewers and seven tenths in the demo to easy season highs. With the season finale of a 13 episode season scheduled to air next week and its chances slim, Lie to Me made an eleventh hour pitch for renewal. If it was getting these kinds of numbers all season, its chances would be better. It will be interesting to see what it does next week.

RATINGS RECAP: 1/23/11

ABC
7:00 America's Funniest Home Videos
Viewers: 6.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
8:00 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Viewers: 7.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
9:00 Desperate Housewives (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
10:00 Brothers & Sisters (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7

CBS
7:00 NFL AFC Championship Game
Viewers: 54.9 million, 18-49 demo: 19.7
9:54 NFL Postgame
Viewers: 31.5 million, 18-49 demo: 11.2
10:13 Hawaii Five-0
Viewers: 19.3 million, 18-49 demo: 5.6

NBC
7:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
8:00 Movie: Sex and the City
Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

FOX
7:00 The Simpsons (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
7:30 American Dad!
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
8:00 The Simpsons
Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 3.0
8:30 Bob's Burgers
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:00 Family Guy (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5
9:30 The Cleveland Show
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3

ABC was only new from 7-9pm on Sunday night, airing against the AFC Championship Game. At 7pm, America's Funniest Home Videos was down 1.3 million viewers and half a demo point from its last original episode. The demo ties a season  low but the drop isn't surprising considering what it was against. At 8pm, a new Extreme Makeover: Home Edition was down nine tenths in viewers but just a tenth in the demo which is also a fair performance all things considered. Repeats of Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters followed and were low. 

CBS just killed all with its AFC Championship Game which was easily the highest rated show/special/etc of the season to date (though it will be eclipsed by the Super Bowl in two weeks). They used the massive lead-in to showcase new drama Hawaii Five-0 which easily hit series highs. Like the post-Super Bowl slot, this is not as much about retention as it is about exposure and Hawaii certainly got some new eyes on Sunday night. Will it translate to better ratings when new episodes return to Mondays? We'll see. For CBS, their lucrative NFL season is over as the Super Bowl will be on FOX. NBC aired a low-rated Dateline NBC to kick things off and then tried counter-programming to the NFL with the Sex and the City movie, but it didn't register much. 

FOX's animated lineup took a bit of a hit against football where there is a lot of crossover audience but there was some positive news. Following a repeat of The Simpsons, American Dad! managed to hold its own as it was up a nice 1.3 million viewers and six tenths in the demo. Maybe this is residual from the NFC Championship Game which aired earlier in the day? Either way, it's a strong showing at 7:30pm. At 8pm, The Simpsons was up a tenth in viewers but down a tenth in the demo which is a good hold. The bad news started though with Bob's Burgers which was down three tenths in viewers and the demo. Despite being after a Simpsons original, it got lower ratings than American Dad! which was following a Simpsons repeat. Maybe this isn't a keeper cartoon. At 9pm, Family Guy was a repeat and down a lot. It was followed by a new episode of The Cleveland Show which was down three tenths in viewers and four tenths in the demo. The demo is a season low.

RATINGS RECAP: 1/22/11

ABC 
8:00 Wipeout (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Movie: Blades of Glory
Viewers: 2.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9

CBS
8:00 CSI: Miami (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7
9:00 The Mentalist (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
10:00 48 Hours Mystery
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

NBC
8:00 Harry's Law (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
9:00 Law & Order: Los Angeles (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6
10:00 Law & Order: SVU (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

FOX
8:00 Cops
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:00 America's Most Wanted 
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7

RATINGS RECAP: 1/21/11

ABC
8:00 Supernanny
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Primetime: What Would You Do?
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 20/20
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

CBS
8:00 Medium
Viewers: 7.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
9:00 CSI: NY (Repeat)
Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
10:00 CSI: NY (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1

NBC
8:00 Minute to Win It (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2
9:00 Dateline NBC
Viewers: 6.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

FOX
8:00 Kitchen Nightmares
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
9:00 Fringe
Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9

ABC was quiet as usual with its unscripted lineup. At 8pm, Supernanny was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. ABC will launch the new season of Shark Tank in this slot starting March 25. Primetime: What Would You Do? followed and was up three tenths in viewers and the demo which is a positive direction. At 10pm, 20/20 was down two tenths in viewers but up a tenth in the demo. Things could be worse for ABC Friday.

CBS started things off with the series finale of Medium which was cancelled after a seven season run (the first five on NBC, the last two on CBS). This is a season high for CBS but still low in the grand scheme of things. With CBS's lineup doing so well, it's not surprising that Medium was axed after 13 episodes this season. The Defenders will move to this slot in two weeks. CBS followed that with two repeats of CSI: NY which did well by Friday repeat standards. NBC aired a repeat of Minute to Win It followed by Dateline NBC which was up a million viewers but down a tenth in the demo.

FOX had decent results for its first all-new Friday in a long time. The season premiere of Kitchen Nightmares was low in total viewers but tied for the highest demo of the night. It seems to be a good unscripted option for FOX Fridays. At 9pm, Fringe made its timeslot premiere and was actually up two tenths in viewers and the demo from its last Thursday airing in December. FOX has to be very happy that it held its Thursday audience and the numbers look much better on Friday than they would have on Thursday.

RATINGS RECAP: 1/20/11

ABC
8:00 Wipeout
Viewers: 8.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
9:00 Grey's Anatomy (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
10:00 Private Practice (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory
Viewers: 13.6 million, 18-49 demo: 4.2
8:30 $#*! My Dad Says
Viewers: 10.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.8
9:00 CSI
Viewers: 14.3 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1
10:00 The Mentalist
Viewers: 14.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.8

NBC
8:00 Community
Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
8:30 Perfect Couples
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:00 The Office
Viewers: 8.3 million, 18-49 demo: 4.5
9:30 Parks and Recreation
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 3.2
10:00 30 Rock
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7
10:30 Outsourced
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8

FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 22.9 million, 18-49 demo: 7.8
9:00 Bones
Viewers: 10.6 million, 18-49 demo: 3.5

ABC was the only network not entirely new on a busy Thursday. At 8pm, Wipeout was hit by American Idol as it was down a rough 2.3 million viewers and 1.1 demo points. This is a big drop but not too surprising as it had limited competition in recent weeks. If it can level off here or creep back up, it will still be the best performer in this timeslot on ABC in a long time. Repeats of Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice followed to low numbers but up from recent repeat numbers.


CBS did fine the increased competition. At 8pm, The Big Bang Theory was down just four tenths in the demo and two tenths in the demo from its last original two weeks ago despite going head-to-head with American Idol. This is a great hold as Big Bang faced its toughest competition all season and was still strong. At 8:30pm, $#*! My Dad Says was actually up two tenths in viewers but down a tenth in the demo from last week. This comedy is delivering strong enough numbers for renewal on other networks but probably not CBS. At 9pm, CSI was up a tenth in viewers but down two tenths in the demo from two weeks ago while The Mentalist was down a tenth in viewers and three tenths in the demo. CBS stayed strong with its reliable Thursday lineup.

NBC had its long-promoted three hours of comedy finally debut and saw mixed results. At 8pm, Community was up four tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo from its last original airing, tying a season high in the demo in its regular timeslot. Though it was low as always, it's encouraging that it went up in viewers and the demo despite facing Idol. The series premiere of Perfect Couples premiered at 8:30pm to low numbers. It won't be long before this is the glaring weak link on this lineup. At 9pm, The Office was up a nice 1.1 million viewers and eight tenths in the demo from its last airing. This is a season high in the demo and it could perk up as Steve Carell's finale nears. Parks and Recreation returned for a new season at 9:30pm to series highs. NBC has been pumping this for a long time and it will always be a niche show but a 3.1 demo is good. The big question was how the 10pm comedies will do and the result was mixed. At 10pm, 30 Rock was positive as it was up half a million viewers and six tenths in the demo. The demo is a season high except for the special "live show" and it was a positive start to the 10pm comedy plan, which seems likely to continue next season at this point. Finally at its new time of 10:30pm, Outsourced was down a rough 1.3 million viewers and seven tenths in the demo for series lows. Unlike 30 Rock, Outsourced doesn't have a built in viewer base and it may wither away in this late time period.

FOX had night two of American Idol which dominated the ratings despite being down from Wednesday's premiere and last year's second night. Though it may hit more lows this year, it's still a dominating show even with the new judging team. Bones followed in its new time period and hit season highs thanks to the Idol lead-in. It was up a nice 2.2 million viewers and 1.3 in the demo but its retention out of Idol wasn't very strong. It's surprising they used Bones as an Idol lead-out when Bones can stand on its own fine.

PILOT REVIEW: Perfect Couples

PERFECT COUPLES

Starring: Kyle Bornheimer, Christine Woods, David Walton, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Hayes MacArthur, Olivia Munn

Created by Jon Pollack and Scott Silveri
Written by Jon Pollack and Scott Silveri, Directed by Andy Ackerman

NBC's newest single camera sitcom to nestle into its Thursday night lineup is Perfect Couples. Recently, NBC's Thursday lineup has been known for critically acclaimed and/or cult favorite shows. But Couples is not likely to be either one of them. It's a shrill and unfunny show. Centered on three different couples - the normal Dave and Julia (Kyle Bornheimer and Christine Woods), the uptight "experts" Rex and Leigh (Hayes MacArthur and Olivia Munn), and the passionate and intense Vance and Amy (David Walton and Mary Elizabeth Ellis). The pilot was a bit of a mess, but it focused on a game night that went awry and an ensuing fight between Vance and Amy.

The show was off to a rough start with an unfunny cold open that seemed to mimic the openings fellow new sitcom Better With You has been using. Though this wasn't nearly as funny with the exception of the dog scene with Dave and Julia, which was mildly amusing. In fact, Bornheimer as Dave is the only character who shows any real potential as he delivered a few funny lines with what he was given. The rest of the cast doesn't even seem real - they seem to just be there to deliver lines that set up unfunny jokes. MacArthur's Rex might be the worst of them all as he is trying too hard to act. Walton's Vance is annoying, Ellis' Amy is over the top, and Munn and Woods as Leigh and Julia are barely even noticeable. Lines like "you Sesacrested me" and gags like Vance and Amy not being able to keep their hands off each other on game night elicited more groans from me than laughs.

There are many more terribly unfunny moments that it's hard to list them all - the "exit music" scene, Amy breaking into song when she accuses Vance of never letting her audition for American Idol. It tries too hard and it fails at that. It's hard to believe something this unfunny and poorly written/acted made it to the air because I can't see the appeal to even the most casual or dumb viewer. NBC's Thursday comedies are not for everyone, but this one is not for anyone.

RATINGS RECAP: 1/19/11

ABC
8:00 The Middle
Viewers: 8.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6
8:30 Better With You
Viewers: 6.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:00 Modern Family
Viewers: 10.9 million, 18-49 demo: 4.6
9:30 Cougar Town
Viewers: 5.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
10:00 Off the Map
Viewers: 5.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1

CBS
8:00 Live to Dance
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
9:00 Criminal Minds
Viewers: 12.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.9
10:00 Blue Bloods
Viewers: 12.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0

NBC
8:00 Minute to Win It
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
9:00 Chase
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0
10:00 Law & Order: SVU
Viewers: 7.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3

FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 26.2 million, 18-49 demo: 9.7

On a very crowded Wednesday, ABC had an all-new lineup. The comedies from 8-10pm took a hit from American Idol but this was probably the biggest hit they'll take from FOX's ratings mammoth. At 8pm, The Middle was down 1.8 million viewers and four tenths in the demo from last week. It remains a strong 8pm entry. It was followed by Better With You which dropped a million viewers and four tenths in the demo from its last new episode two weeks ago. It tied a season low in viewers and the demo but what ABC decides to do with it next year depends on their comedy plans and the new midseason comedies. At 9pm, Modern Family was down two tenths in viewers but up four tenths in the demo from last week's episode which aired at 9:20pm. It didn't seem to take a big hit from Idol and should be even more competitive as the Idol season wears on. Cougar Town followed and sunk nine tenths in viewers and four tenths in the demo from two weeks ago. The viewer total is a season low and it will be interesting to see what Matthew Perry's new sitcom Mr. Sunshine can do with this slot in a couple weeks because Cougar isn't pulling its weight. The comedies led into the second week of new drama Off the Map which was down 1.8 million viewers and two tenths in the demo from its premiere last week. Despite the extra exposure it got from a Thursday encore week, ABC's problems in the Weds 10pm slot continue and Map does not look like it will be a keeper.

CBS had a mixed bag of news. Live to Dance was clobbered by American Idol and was down 1.6 million viewers and half a demo point to an embarrassingly low 1.0 demo. Will CBS even let this show finish its run? Nothing on the eye network gets a 1.0 in the demo so this has been a huge flop. At 9pm, Criminal Minds returned and was down a rough 1.8 million viewers and four tenths in the demo from its last original airing in December. This are easily season  lows. Was it because of Idol or the bad lead-in? Either way, it should rebound soon. At 10pm, Blue Bloods premiered in its new temporary time period and had some success. It actually built on Minds in viewers significantly but continued to be old skewing. This belongs on Fridays which is an old-skewing night anyway, but it wasn't a bad move to give it some additional sampling.

NBC did not have a strong night. Minute to Win It was serviceable enough at 8pm and above the numbers Undercovers was getting at the end of its run. There was probably significant crossover with Idol so as Idol slips a bit, Minute could perk up a bit. At 9pm, Chase premiered in its new time period to very quiet results. Will NBC even let it finish its 18 episode order? The competition is so fierce in this slot, it's hard to imagine what NBC could put there instead. Finally at 10pm, Law & Order: SVU took a hit and was down 1.4 million viewers and two tenths in the demo. It still managed to win the demo for the hour but NBC has to hope it can be a stronger performer at 10pm this spring. 

Finally, FOX had the season premiere of a little show called American Idol. It was down 3.7 million viewers and a full demo point from last spring. While this is a bigger year-to-year drop than usual, it was still a ratings powerhouse and feedback on new judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler has been mostly positive so far. It may continue its annual slide but it still has a long way to go to rejoin the pack of regular shows. For now, FOX must be breathing a sigh of relief as it looks like Idol will continue to be a ratings star this spring.

RATINGS RECAP: 1/18/11

ABC
8:00 No Ordinary Family
Viewers: 5.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
9:00 V
Viewers: 5.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
10:00 20/20 Special
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

CBS
8:00 NCIS
Viewers: 21.1 million, 18-49 demo: 4.1
9:00 NCIS: Los Angeles
Viewers: 17.3 million, 18-49 demo: 3.3
10:00 The Good Wife
Viewers: 11.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1

NBC
8:00 The Biggest Loser
Viewers: 8.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.9
10:00 Parenthood
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1

FOX
8:00 Glee (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 Million Dollar Money Drop
Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9

ABC continued to have trouble with its Tuesday night lineup. At 8pm, No Ordinary Family was up four tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo from last week's series lows. While the upward tick is good, these numbers are still far too low for renewal unless ABC decides not to cancel all its freshman dramas. At 9pm, V was down a tenth in viewers but up a tenth in the demo. It remained the demo winner for ABC but was also very low. At 10pm, a 20/20 special on Congresswoman Giffords and her husband was up from Detroit 1-8-7's performance a week ago but still low. ABC needs to blow this night up and start over next fall.  

CBS had another strong night with its Tuesday lineup. At 8pm, NCIS was down eight tenths in viewers and four tenths in the demo from last week's series highs. That's still an incredibly strong performance for this veteran drama which won't have to compete with American Idol this spring. At 9pm, NCIS: Los Angeles was down eight tenths in viewers and four tenths in the demo. The Good Wife followed and was down nine tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. Even though its demo is very low, it seems highly unlikely that CBS would axe this critically acclaimed drama. Many suspect it will move to Fridays next year though.

NBC had a new episode of The Biggest Loser which continued its rebound season. It was down six tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo but still well above last fall's levels. At 10pm, Parenthood was even in viewers and down a tenth in the demo. Despite dipping a hair, it actually tied The Good Wife for the demo win at 10pm which is a positive note for this show that skews young but struggles to find an audience. The perfect storm of Parenthood's recent improvement, Harry's Law debuting strong, and Law & Order: Los Angeles needing more hiatus to retool means that Parenthood will not move to Mondays as originally planned but will stay on Tuesdays through the season. FOX aired a repeat of Glee followed by Million Dollar Money Drop which was up two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. This is the third straight week it has built on itself on Tuesday as it has crawled out of the hole from being a flop to an adequate filler.

RATINGS RECAP: 1/17/11

ABC
8:00 The Bachelor
Viewers: 8.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7
10:00 Castle (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

CBS
8:00 How I Met Your Mother
Viewers: 10.5 million, 18-49 demo: 3.9
8:30 Rules of Engagement
Viewers: 9.9 million, 18-49 demo: 3.3
9:00 Two and a Half Men
Viewers: 15.6 million, 18-49 demo: 4.6
9:30 Mike & Molly
Viewers: 12.8 million, 18-49 demo: 3.7
10:00 Hawaii Five-0
Viewers: 10.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.9

NBC
8:00 Chuck
Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
9:00 The Cape
Viewers: 6.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
10:00 Harry's Law
Viewers: 11.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2

FOX
8:00 House
Viewers: 10.5 million, 18-49 demo: 3.5
9:00 Lie to Me
Viewers: 5.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8

ABC aired a new episode of The Bachelor on Monday night which was up three tenths in viewers but down a tenth in the demo from last week. So far, this isn't nearly as strong as it was last year. It seems to be like the spring version of last fall's The Biggest Loser - an edition of a longtime reality favorite that just isn't capturing viewers the way it usually does. It was followed by a Castle repeat which was adequate enough for a repeat.

CBS was all-new with its combo of sitcoms and Hawaii Five-0. At 8pm, How I Met Your Mother was up three tenths in viewers and even in the demo from its last new episode two weeks ago. The viewer total is another season high for this show which has been gaining strength as the season has gone on. At 8:30pm, Rules of Engagement was up a tenth in viewers but down a tenth in the demo. The positive news is that the viewer total was a season high for this show which will move to Thursdays later this season. At 9pm, Two and a Half Men was up two tenths in viewers but also down a tenth in the demo hitting, yes, a season high in total viewers. Mike & Molly followed and was up four tenths in viewers and even in the demo. Is this a success because of its timeslot or because its found its own audience? Finally at 10pm, Hawaii Five-0 was down two tenths in viewers and even in the demo. There was new competition on NBC but Castle was a repeat on ABC so it shouldn't have gone down when the rest of the lineup went up. It will get a much needed boost by airing after the AFC Championship Game for a special episode this weekend.

NBC had mixed results on Monday night. At 8pm, Chuck returned and was down two tenths in viewers but up a tenth in the demo from its last original episode which aired way back in November. At 9pm, the second week of The Cape lost a lot of its audience from its Sunday premiere. It seems to be deprecating faster than The Event which doesn't bode well for the superhero series as it was already down to a 1.8 demo. But the news was much better at 10pm where Harry's Law got a great sampling. Though it was very old-skewing, it easily delivered the best numbers NBC has had in this time period in awhile. As a result of this strong showing, NBC put more faith behind the show and will now air all 13 episodes instead of the planned 6. It will be interesting to see how this show fares next week.

FOX aired a new House for the first time since November and it was up a nice 1.3 million viewers and a tenth in the demo from its last original airing. Its not the powerhouse it once was but still a Monday night force. At 9pm, Lie to Me was new and up half a million viewers and three tenths in the demo from last week's 9pm episode. The viewer total ties a season high but it still needs some help to garner an unlikely renewal.

RATINGS RECAP: 1/16/11

ABC
7:00 America's Funniest Home Videos (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
8:00 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Viewers: 7.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
9:00 Desperate Housewives
Viewers: 10.3 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1
10:00 Brothers & Sisters
Viewers: 7.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0

CBS
7:00 NFL Overrun
Viewers: 43.6 million, 18-49 demo: 15.0
7:48 NFL Postgame
Viewers: 31.2 million, 18-49 demo: 10.5
8:00 60 Minutes
Viewers: 17.4 million, 18-49 demo: 4.0
9:00 Undercover Boss
Viewers: 13.8 million, 18-49 demo: 3.4
10:00 CSI: Miami
Viewers: 12.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4

NBC
7:00 Golden Globes Preshow
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
8:00 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards
Viewers: 17.0 million, 18-49 demo 5.2

FOX
7:00 The Simpsons (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
7:30 American Dad!
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
8:00 The Simpsons
Viewers: 6.4 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1
8:30 Bob's Burgers
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5
9:00 Family Guy
Viewers: 7.1 million, 18-49 demo: 3.7
9:30 The Cleveland Show
Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7

ABC put up mostly new programming against NBC's Golden Globe Awards and the results were not very positive. After a rerun of America's Funniest Home Videos, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition was down a rough 1.4 million viewers and seven tenths in the demo. At 9pm, a new Desperate Housewives was down a huge 2.5 million viewers and eight tenths in the demo to series lows. At 10pm, Brothers & Sisters was down 1.2 million viewers and two tenths in the demo also hitting series lows. Why ABC would air new episodes of these two shows against the Golden Globes, which would have a similar audience, is anyone's guess as both are fading. Especially Brothers & Sisters which is on the bubble for next season.


CBS was powered by huge numbers for the NFL Divisional Playoffs which took over the first hour. It will be even bigger this Sunday when the AFC Championship Game airs for most of primetime. Thanks to the football lead-in, 60 Minutes was up a huge 6.9 million viewers and 2.5 demo points. The demo was a season high but this was the last time this season that 60 Minutes will be football powered. Soon it will have to stand on its own. At 9pm, Undercover Boss was still feeling the football effects and was up 2 million viewers and four tenths in the demo for a season high in viewers. Finally at 10pm, CSI: Miami slid back to its regular 10pm timeslot and was even in viewers but down a tenth in the demo from last week's episode that aired at 8pm. The viewer total is a season high for its regular timeslot. Overall, CBS's football lead-in seemed to keep its shows afloat against the Golden Globes.

NBC scrapped its regular programming (and what even is regular on Sunday nights for NBC?) for the annual Golden Globe Awards which were up a tenth in viewers and seven tenths in the demo. The growth from last year (which grew from the year before) is positive even if it's only slight growth. FOX's animated lineup came crashing back to earth after last year's football-fueled numbers. In its timeslot premiere, American Dad! hit season lows at 7:30pm. At 8pm, The Simpsons was down a huge 6.2 million viewers and 2.6 demo points. Besides falling hard, which was expected, it hit a season low in total viewers. Week Two of the new addition Bob's Burgers had a huge drop - falling 4.3 million viewers (about 46%) and two full points in the demo. It was also the low of the 8-10pm shows, which doesn't bode well. But we'll have a better indication in a few weeks when the football competition dies down. At 9pm, Family Guy was down 2.2 million viewers and a point in the demo. Still down but not as far. Finally, at 9:30pm The Cleveland Show was down 1.9 million viewers and nine tenths in the demo, posting the best retention from last week though it was by far the weakest performer a week ago. These seem like terrible drops but last week's ratings were ridiculously high. It will be interesting to see where these shows, especially Bob's Burgers, settle this spring.

PILOT REVIEW: Harry's Law

HARRY'S LAW

Starring: Kathy Bates, Nate Corddry, Brittany Snow, Aml Ameen
Created by David E. Kelley
Written by David E. Kelly, Directed by Bill D'Elia

Harry's Law is a new legal drama from David E. Kelley (no stranger to legal dramas) and starring the award-winning Kathy Bates. In it, Bates plays Harriet Korn who is fired from her job as a Cincinnati patents lawyer and then forms her own legal practice in a building that her assistant Jenna (Brittany Snow) also uses as a shoe store. Kelley's trademark quirkiness is apparent from very early on when Harriet is walking on the sidewalk and knocked to the ground by a young man Malcolm Davies (Aml Ameen) fighting a drug charge and attempting suicide. After she has no injuries, she is walking again and right outside what becomes her store, she is hit by a car driven by rival lawyer Adam Branch (Nate Corddry). This unique intro forms her law practice as Branch joins the team and Harriet defends Malcolm on his drug charges. The show then proceeds more like a standard legal drama but still with some quirk.

There are things to like about Harry's Law and things to not like. It's no surprise that Kathy Bates is the standout of the show. Bates has a commanding presence in every role she's in and this is no different. She was a perfect casting choice to play an offbeat lawyer who doesn't always play by the rules. She is funny yet persuasive in the courtroom. I'm a big fan of Brittany Snow who plays ditzy assistant Jenna but she needs some better lines. With what she was given, she did a nice job with it. Aml Ameen was solid as the defendant and the blowhard rival lawyer (seemingly a recurring role) was good. Nate Corddry's character is the most interesting one. He had some funny lines (claiming his mother died in childbirth with his older brother) but his courtroom rant was over the top. The jury's still out on him (pun intended).

Harry's Law had some strong courtroom moments, particularly when Bates is speaking even though it came close to being preachy. Perhaps the even better part though was the interaction between the new team in the legal practice/shoe store. Kathy Bates really makes this show though as not every actor could make the dialogue and the character believable, but she does. It's worth coming back just for her with the hope that the supporting cast and writing can find its footing.

WEEKEND REWIND: American Dreams

AMERICAN DREAMS

Aired: September 29, 2002 - March 30, 2005
61 episodes
Starring: Gail O'Gray, Tom Verica, Brittany Snow, Will Estes, Sarah Ramos, Ethan Dampf, Jonathan Adams, Vanessa Lengies, Arlen Escapeta, Rachel Boston

American Dreams was a critically acclaimed show that ran on NBC in the beginning of this past decade. Set in 1960s Philadelphia, it was unlike anything else on the air. Its gimmick of using modern-day music artists to play artists from the 1960s on American Bandstand garnered people's attention but its storylines, actors, and high production value made it an excellent drama that was cancelled far too soon. After The Wonder Years but before Mad Men, this show captured the turbulant decade of the 1960s in a dramatic and touching way. It focused on a suburban white family and struggling black family whose lives often crossed with the many events that made that decade memorable.

At the center of the show was the Pryor family. As mother Helen, Gail O'Grady gave a nuanced performance as a woman who struggled with just being a housewife but didn't know what else she could do. Father Jack (Tom Verica) was a proud and traditional man who had some reservations about the world that was changing around him. Oldest child JJ (Will Estes) went from a high school football star to injured college football player to Vietnam soldier to a young father and husband throughout the show's run. The show's protagonist was teen daughter Meg played by Brittany Snow, who is returning to NBC tomorrow in the new Kathy Bates show Harry's Law. She was without question the center of the show and Snow gave a magnificent performance as Meg changed from a wide eyed girl whose only wish was to dance on American Bandstand to a socially conscious young woman who left for California with her rebel boyfriend on a cliffhanger series finale. Younger children Patty (Sarah Ramos) and Will (Ethan Dampf) rounded out the Pryor family.

Another powerful storyline was the black family the Walkers led by Jonathan Adams as father Henry, who worked for Jack Pryor at his TV & Radio store. His son Sam (Arlen Escarpeta) went to the same nearly-all-white Catholic school that JJ attended. They were both excellent in the roles, even though their storylines were often heartbreaking. Other major characters including Meg's best friend Roxanne (Vanessa Lengies). Lengies also guided her character through many changes as she went from being Meg's boy crazy (and far more experienced) friend to an anti-war modern 1960s girl living with an ex-boyfriend of Meg's. There was also Beth (Sarah Ramos), the love of JJ's life, and his eventual wife. Many other characters came and went, with some standouts being American Bandstand producer Michael Brooks (Joseph Lawrence), Sam's troubled cousin Nathan (Keith Robinson), and Jack's immature but well-intentioned brother Pete (Matthew John Armstrong).

The show was also very notable for its use of modern music artists portraying 1960s artists on American Bandstand and re-recording their songs. With Dick Clark as an executive producer, the show blended old clips of Bandstand with new clips on a reconstructed set. It was originally seen as the show's gimmick and hook but it was done so effectively that it was very fun to watch. Among the many musical artists that appeared as 1960s artists were Usher, Michelle Branch, LeAnn Rimes, Kelly Clarkson, Third Eye Blind, Alicia Keys, and Jason Mraz.

American Dreams had a very loyal and devoted audience but unfortunately that audience was rather small and it was cancelled by NBC after three seasons. Due to the extensive use of 1960s music and copyright issues, only the first season has been released on DVD but many fans (myself included) are waiting for the day that the remaining seasons will be released. American Dreams was a family drama that touched on so many important issues of the 1960s and today without being cliche. It was an underrated TV masterpiece.

THE 5 BEST EPISODES OF "AMERICAN DREAMS"
As always, this is solely based on personal opinion
Due to it having been so long since I've seen season 2 & 3, I am only counting down episodes from Season 1.

5. #6 "Soldier Boy" (first aired November 3, 2002)
There are so many storylines in each episode that its hard to recap but the important ones in this episode deal with Jack reuniting with old army buddies and Helen finding out stories about Jack's heroics she never knew. Also, Meg plans a party when she meets Jay of Jay and the Americans (played by Nick Carter). She allows Patty to invite a boy she likes to the party but ends up dancing with Jay and the Americans in the parking lot of the diner and they never come back to the house leaving Patty in an awkward position. This episode is great for the dancing scene in the parking lot and new layers seen by Patty and Jack's characters.

4. #14 "Heartache" (first aired February 9, 2003)
Meg and Luke (Jamie Elman) break up at a Valentine's Day dance as she wants him to stop making fun of everything that's important to her (even if they are somewhat superficial things). Sam brings a girl to the dance but the stares they get as the only blacks there makes her feel uncomfortable. As with almost every episode of this show, it's a sad yet sweet storyline.

3. #23 "Down the Shore" (first aired May 4, 2003)
The Pryors go on their annual vacation to the Jersey Shore (long before the guidos took it over!) but Roxanne and Meg are still fighting from an incident surrounding new girls Meg has become friends with. JJ and Beth also take their relationship to the next level and Bandstand comes down to air from the Jersey Shore. It's a very fun episode set against a backdrop not regularly seen on this show.

2. #10 "Silent Night" (first aired December 15, 2002)
The Christmas episode is a very memorable one as Meg doesn't want her first kiss to be under the mistletoe on TV with her Bandstand dance partner. Tension is also mounting in the Pryor family that isn't relieved until Helen starts a snowball fight on their way to Midnight Mass. The powerful ending with "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" playing in the background makes this a classic.

1. #25 "City on Fire" (first aired May 18, 2003)
The best episode though was the heartbreaking season finale set against the backdrops of the 1964 Philadelphia Race Riots. The mounting tension catches Meg and Sam in the middle of it as they end up in North Philly at the new Pryor's TV & Radio store when the fighting breaks out. The saddest part though is watching the new Pryor store (that Henry was slated to run) burn. It's a powerful and sad ending to a brilliant season.