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GOOD WEEK/BAD WEEK: 2012-13 Week 8

GOOD WEEK: "THE BIG BANG THEORY"
For the second time in three weeks, I have to give the honors to TV's top show because it just keeps rising and doing the unthinkable in an era where nearly every show is seeing drops year to year. This past Thursday, Big Bang soared to a series high with over 17 million viewers and a 5.7 demo. When DVR gains are added, it goes over 20 million viewers. In an era where the audience is so fractured, this is the biggest hit on TV and it has become appointment viewing on Thursday at 8pm in the same way The Cosby Show and Friends were in years past. I don't get the appeal of this show but clearly I'm in the minority. Too bad TV doesn't have more mass hits like this right now.

BAD WEEK: ABC'S TUESDAY COMEDY BLOCK
There were plenty of candidates for this slot but the single lowest comedy block on TV right now is not NBC Thursdays at 8pm or Wednesdays at 8pm, it is Tuesdays at 9pm on ABC. The pairing of Happy Endings and Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 got off to a rough start on Oct 23. Then a week later they took big drops to a 1.4 and 1.2 demo respectively. Some blamed it on Hurricane Sandy preemptions and issues but the excuses were done this week when they dropped to a 1.3 and 1.1. This lineup isn't working at all and there's no sign that it's going to get better. ABC seems committed to Happy Endings but they really should drop both shows. They don't fit in with the family themed comedies on Wednesdays and Fridays and they clearly can't survive on Tuesdays.

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