GOOD WEEK/BAD WEEK: Week 22

GOOD WEEK: "UNDERCOVER BOSS"
It was hard to find a show that had a good week in a week of mostly declines across all broadcast networks and all nights but one show that showed real promise was the Friday debut of Undercover Boss. The CBS reality show was a huge hit on Sunday nights following its post-Super Bowl premiere in 2010. Then CBS gave it a full season and it wilted badly at the end of the year. CBS smartly held it until midseason where it had some decent Sunday showings and then gave CBS its best Friday 8pm showing in years. In an hour filled with reality series, this show is the clear winner for now. I think CBS would be wise to hold it until midseason every year because it seems to have audience fatigue after awhile.

BAD WEEK: "THE OFFICE"
It's sad to watch a once-great show die a slow death but that is what is happening on The Office and now the ratings are reflecting that as it continues to hit its lowest numbers since its debut season in 2005. It tied an all time low this week and could reach a new low in the coming weeks. The show always was a strong demo performer that skewed young even though the viewer total wasn't strong. Now it's just weak and can no longer be a Thursday tentpole show for a night that is collapsing for NBC. You can't blame them for trying to soldier on without Steve Carell but it's not working creatively or ratings-wise. Let's give this show some dignity, because it was once brilliant, and let it end after this season. But I doubt that will happen.

Comments

EPISODE GUIDES: Rhoda Season Five

On Thursdays, I go through classic series with a critical look at each season. Today I am looking at Season Five (the final season) of Rhoda ! RHODA: SEASON FIVE 1978 13 episodes Rhoda' s final season was a truncated one as the show was cancelled in December 1978 after only 13 episodes had been produced (and only nine had aired). This feels like a continuation from season four in many ways except with the ill-advised split between Ida and Martin (more on that below). While Rhoda has an occasional good moment and even a couple decent episodes, it is a show that seems so wildly different from season one and not in a good way. Rhoda could never figure out what it fully wanted to be and only made it four and a half seasons as a result. Starring Valerie Harper as Rhoda Morgenstern (13 episodes) Julie Kavner as Brenda Morgenstern (13 episodes) Ray Buktenica as Benny Goodwin (11 episodes) Kenneth McMillan as Jack Doyle (9 episodes) Nancy Wa...

SCHEDULES OF THE PAST: 1995-1996 Thursdays

On Tuesdays, I take a look at schedules from yesteryear. Here's a look at Thursdays in the 1995-96 season! ABC 8:00 8:30 9:00 10:00 Sep Charlie Grace The Monroes Various Programs Oct Murder One Nov Various Programs Dec Various Programs Thursday Night Movie Jan Feb World’s Funniest Videos Before They Were Stars! Mar Apr May NBC was the powerhouse on Thursday nights but ABC still gave it the old college try in the Fall of 1995 with a trio of new dramas that they hoped would help them cut into the Peacock's dominance. Headlining their night was Murder One , a high profile new show from Steven Bochco that received much of the network's attention before the season started. The series focused on one murder case for an entire season, whi...

DECADE IN REVIEW: The Best Comedies of the 2010s

During the month of December, I will be looking back at the decade that was the 2010s on TV. I will be sharing my favorite sitcoms, dramas, the best episodes, the best performances and the worst shows of the decade. To be eligible for this list, a show had to air the majority of its episodes in the 2010s. However, for the rankings and determination, all episodes were taken into account, including ones that may have aired before 2010. I will also preface that there are comedies that have aired this decade that I haven't watched yet so this is the best of what I have watched. To be fair, that preface is more true for dramas. There's not a ton of unwatched comedies sitting in my Netflix or Amazon watchlist. So here are my Top 10 comedies of the 2010s! Close Calls: Master of None (Netflix) - An inconsistent but occasionally fascinating commentary on many life issues done so with innovative storytelling. The Good Place (NBC) - A show that aims high with a fascinating premis...

Benjamonster's TV

Search This Blog