Benjamonster's TV

UNDATEABLE Starring: Chris D'Elia, Brent Morin, Bianca Kajlich, Ron Funches, David Fynn, Rick Glassman, Briga Heelan Created by Adam Sztykiel Written by Adam Sztykiel, Directed by Scott Ellis Undateable is a new multi-camera sitcom centered on a bunch of "undateable" guys in Detroit. Confident man-child Danny (Chris D'Elia) has seen all his friends get married and he is in search of some new friends. He finds a gang of misfits at Black Eyes Bar including owner Justin (Brent Morin), newly gay Brett (David Fynn), nerdy Burski (Rick Glassman), and odd Shelly (Ron Funches). Rounding out the main cast is Danny's sister Leslie (Bianca Kajlich). THE GOOD: There are some funny things here: the gang at the bar have pretty good dynamics with each other and play a good group of loveable losers. I was mixed on Chris D'Elia but he had some very funny moments with comedic timing, such as yelling after his departing roommate. Finally, I want to ...

CROSSBONES Starring: John Malkovich, Richard Coyle, Claire Foy, Yasmine All Massri, David Hoflin, Chris Perfetti, Tracy Ifeachor Created by Neil Cross, James V. Hart, and Amanda Welles Written by Neil Cross, James V. Hart, & Amanda Welles, Directed by David Slade Crossbones is a new pirate drama from NBC, and it is a fictionalized account of the famous Blackbeard (John Malkovich). Also in the story is Tom Lowe (Richard Coyle), a British spy posing as a doctor who is captured by Blackbeard. Rounding out the main cast is Kate (Claire Foy), a former Lady now called a traitor, pirate Nenna (Tracy Ifeachor), and Lowe's friend Fletch (Chris Perfetti). THE GOOD: I don't have much to say here. I guess I like the idea of a pirate-themed drama and John Malkovich was interesting casting. I wish they had given him more to do. THE BAD: I was bored to tears by this pilot. It was all so generic and boring while Malkovich's talent is wasted. From the first fi...

ABC 8:00 The Middle (Repeat) Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1 8:30 The Goldbergs (Repeat) Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1 9:00 Modern Family (Repeat) Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4 9:30 The Goldbergs (Repeat) Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2 10:00 Motive Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9 CBS 8:00 Hawaii Five-0 (Repeat) Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8 9:00 Criminal Minds (Repeat) Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2 10:00 CSI (Repeat) Viewers: 6.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1 NBC 8:00 Last Comic Standing (Repeat) Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1 10:00 Inside the Mind of Edward Snowden Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3 FOX   8:00 So You Think You Can Dance Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6  

ABC 8:00 Extreme Weight Loss Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3 10:00 Celebrity Wife Swap Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2 CBS 8:00 NCIS (Repeat) Viewers: 9.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3 9:00 NCIS: Los Angeles (Repeat) Viewers: 7.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1 10:00 Person of Interest (Repeat) Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8 NBC 8:00 America's Got Talent Viewers: 12.0 million, 18-49 demo: 3.0 10:00 The Night Shift Viewers: 7.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6 FOX   8:00 Riot Viewers: 1.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6 9:00 I Wanna Marry "Harry" Viewers: 1.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4   On Tuesday night, NBC had the first real success story of the summer as America's Got Talent came back strong with a dominant 3.0 demo. It's demo was only three tenths below the finale of The Voice last week and this show continues to be summer's top draw. It helped new medical drama The Night Shift get off to a decent start even though retention was bad. Con...

THE NIGHT SHIFT Starring: Eoin Macken, Jill Flint, Ken Leung, Brendan Fehr, Daniella Alonso, Robert Bailey Jr., Jeananne Goossen, JR Lemon, and Freddy Rodriguez Created by Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah Written by Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah, Directed by Pierre Morel The Night Shift is a new medical drama centered on the night shift staff at San Antonio Medical Center. The new chief of the night shift is Jordan Alexander (Jill Flint), and she is charged with getting the rowdy staff under control and with pressure from hospital administrator Michael Ragosa (Freddy Rodriguez). The most brilliant staff member is a rebellious doctor, TC Callahan (Eoin Macken), who recently returned from a stint in Afghanistan. He often sides with another doctor with military experience, Topher (Ken Leung). Rounding out the main cast is psychiatrist Dr. Landry Miller (Daniella Alonso) and two new residents, Krista and Paul (Jeananne Goossen and Robert Bailey Jr.). THE GOOD: There are a lot ...

ABC   8:00 The Bachelorette Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6 10:00 Castle (Repeat) Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9 CBS 8:00 2 Broke Girls (Repeat) Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0 8:30 Friends with Better Lives Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4 9:00 Mike & Molly (Repeat) Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0 9:30 Mom (Repeat) Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9 10:00 48 Hours Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9 NBC 8:00 American Ninja Warrior Clip Show Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8 9:00 American Ninja Warrior Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6 FOX 8:00 Masterchef Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5 9:00 24: Live Another Day Viewers: 5.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5   It was a very soft Memorial Day for the broadcast networks. FOX had the return of annual summer series Masterchef , but it fell to a series low. It could perk up in the weeks to come. It was no help for 24: Live Another Day which fell yet again....

ABC   7:00 America's Funniest Home Videos (Repeat) Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8 8:00 America's Funniest Home Videos (Repeat) Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0 9:00 Castle (Repeat) Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6 10:00 Motive (Repeat) Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5 CBS 7:00 60 Minutes Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6 8:00 The Good Wife (Repeat) Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3 9:00 The Good Wife (Repeat) Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3 10:00 The Mentalist (Repeat) Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5 NBC 7:00 American Dream Builders Viewers: 1.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4 9:00 Believe Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7 10:00 Crisis Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7 FOX   7:00 NASCAR Racing Viewers: 7.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6

ABC 8:00 Celebrity Wife Swap (Repeat) Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6 9:00 20/20 Saturday Viewers: 3.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6 10:00 Nightline Prime Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5 CBS 8:00 Mike & Molly (Repeat) Viewers: 2.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4 8:30 Mike & Molly (Repeat) Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5 9:00 48 Hours (Repeat) Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6 10:00 48 Hours (Repeat) Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8 NBC 8:00 NHL Hockey Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8 FOX 8:00 MLB Baseball Viewers: 1.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4

ABC   8:00 Shark Tank (Repeat) Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1 9:00 Primetime: What Would You Do? Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3 10:00 20/20 Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4 CBS 8:00 Undercover Boss (Repeat) Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7 9:00 Hawaii Five-0 (Repeat) Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7 10:00 Blue Bloods (Repeat) Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8 NBC 8:00 Dateline NBC Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2 10:00 Hannibal Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8 FOX 8:00 24: Live Another Day (Repeat) Viewers: 1.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3 9:00 Gang Related (Repeat) Viewers: 1.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3

GANG RELATED Starring: Ramon Rodriguez, Jay Hernandez, Rza, Sung Kang, Inbar Lavi, Shantel Vansanten, with Cliff Curtis, and Terry O'Quinn Created by Chris Morgan Written by Chris Morgan, Directed by Allen Hughes Gang Related is a new FOX drama about members of an elite force on the LAPD trying to take down the most dangerous gangs in the city. The force is led by Sam Chapel (Terry O'Quinn), but at the center is Ryan Lopez (Ramon Rodriguez), who was raised by one of the gang families, the Acosta family with its head Javier Acosta (Cliff Curtis) and a banker, Dante (Jay Hernandez), who has gone clean. Rounding out the main cast are other agents Cassius Green (Rza), Tae Kim (Sung Kang), Vanessa Hicks (Inbar Levi), and Chapel's daughter and ADA Jessica Chapel (Shantel Vansanten). THE GOOD: Well, I think this is an interesting topic for a TV show. While many crime dramas deal with gang episodes or arcs, there is very rarely an entire show devoted to d...

ABC 8:00 The Bachelorette (Repeat) Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6 9:30 Modern Family (Repeat) Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9 10:00 Black Box Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8 CBS 8:00 The Big Bang Theory (Repeat) Viewers: 9.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2 8:30 The Millers (Repeat) Viewers: 5.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4 9:00 Two and a Half Men (Repeat) Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3 9:30 Bad Teacher Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1 10:00 Elementary (Repeat) Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8   NBC 8:00 Hollywood Game Night Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1 9:00 Last Comic Standing Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7 FOX 8:00 Hell's Kitchen Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6 9:00 Gang Related Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9   The first night of the summer season was not bad for the victor of the regular season, NBC. After Hollywood Game Night , which was up two tenths in viewers and even in the demo, th...

ABC 8:00 The Middle Viewers: 7.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1   9:00 Modern Family Viewers: 10.5 million, 18-49 demo: 3.7 9:30 Mixology Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3 10:00 Motive Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9 CBS 8:00 Survivor Viewers: 9.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6 10:00 Survivor Live Reunion Show Viewers: 7.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9 NBC 8:00 Revolution Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1 9:00 Law & Order: SVU Viewers: 6.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6 10:00 Chicago PD Viewers: 6.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6 FOX   8:00 American Idol Viewers: 10.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6 On the final night of the season there were a lot of big players. On FOX, the season finale of American Idol was up 1.6 million viewers and half a demo point. It's a nice finale spike but still down nearly 30% year to year and I don't see it getting better next year. Over on CBS, Survivor 's finale was down three tenths in viewers and even in the demo, which isn...

ABC 8:00 Dancing with the Stars Recap Viewers: 11.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7 9:00 Dancing with the Stars Viewers: 15.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4 CBS 8:00 Judge Judy Primetime Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9 9:00 ACM Presents: An All-Star Salute to the Troops Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9   NBC 8:00 The Voice Recap Viewers: 7.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9 9:00 The Voice Viewers: 11.7 million, 18-49 demo: 3.3   FOX   8:00 American Idol Viewers: 6.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7 9:00 I Wanna Marry "Harry" Viewers: 1.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7   Tuesday night had the second showdown between Dancing with the Stars and The Voice and the results were the same as Monday: a total viewers win for Dancing and demo win for The Voice with both possibly hurting each other a little bit. Dancing with the Stars was up a bit from its finale last fall so that's a good thing since it was facing The Voice . It's been a rebound spring for Dancing . It was ...

ABC 8:00 Dancing with the Stars Viewers: 15.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6 9:30 The Bachelorette Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0 CBS 8:00 2 Broke Girls (Repeat) Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3 8:30 Friends with Better Lives Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6 9:00 Mike & Molly Viewers: 7.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9 9:30 Mom (Repeat) Viewers: 5.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4 10:00 Criminal Minds (Repeat) Viewers: 5.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3   NBC 8:00 The Voice Viewers: 11.7 million, 18-49 demo: 3.2 10:00 The Maya Rudolph Show Viewers: 6.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1   FOX   8:00 Bones Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6 9:00 24: Live Another Day Viewers: 5.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7   Monday night was the first on a two night showdown between Dancing with the Stars and The Voice . First up on ABC, the performance finale of Dancing with the Stars was up 1.3 million viewers and three tenths in the demo to tie its season high. I...

ABC 7:00 America's Funniest Home Videos Viewers: 6.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6 8:00 2014 Billboard Music Awards Viewers: 10.7 million, 18-49 demo: 3.5 CBS   7:00 60 Minutes Viewers: 9.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3 8:00 The Amazing Race Viewers: 8.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8 9:00 The Good Wife Viewers: 9.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2 10:00 The Mentalist Viewers: 9.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5   NBC 7:00 Coldplay: Ghost Stories Viewers: 1.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4 8:00 American Dream Builders Viewers: 1.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5 9:00 The Women of SNL Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8   FOX 7:00 Bob's Burgers Viewers: 2.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9 7:30 American Dad! Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2 8:00 The Simpsons Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6 8:30 Family Guy Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0 9:00 Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1 Sunday night had season finales on CBS and FOX. On CBS, 60 Mi...

We have reached the final day of the 2013-14 season so I have my miscellaneous awards post as I have in years past - looking at the best and worst of the TV season that is ending! Check back over the summer on this blog for ratings recaps, pilot reviews of new scripted shows (and there's a lot this year!), and a continuation of the Weekend Rewind from old CBS lineups (before I start with NBC in the fall). Past Years: 2013    2012    2011 BEST RETURNING COMEDY - The Middle (ABC) Since it premiered just one week after Modern Family on the same network and night, The Middle has always been considered the "second sitcom." And for a couple years, it deserved that status. While consistently good, it wasn't as witty or as sharp as the acclaimed Modern Family . But in the past two years, that has reversed. While Family is showing signs of age and inconsistency, The Middle is as good as ever, if not better. This season, the show felt fresh with storylines that invol...

Here is my season in review of the new dramas! It was not nearly as good a year for dramas as it was for comedies. There were 20 new dramas, just like comedies, but very few quality ones. All four networks are high on their dramas for next year so hopefully next year will be a step up for the dramas. Tomorrow, check back for my miscellaneous awards for returning shows and other highlights and lowlights of the season! Past Years: 2013    2012    2011 BEST NEW DRAMA The Blacklist (NBC) - By far the biggest new hit of the season, The Blacklist was also my favorite new one even though I liked it at some points better than other points. This was a show, much like Person of Interest , that was better when it was less complicated as it was early on. When each week was a different villain and the show was just exploring some overarching stories, it was better than when it got bogged down in some of the longer range storylines. Still, James Spader's performance alo...

Here is my season in review look at the new comedies! 2013-14 saw TONS of new network comedies, mostly family oriented. There was a grand total of 20 new comedies and while they had trouble in the ratings, I felt like there were many quality ones. After a down year in 2012-13, this season gave us a lot of comedies with potential, some of which are coming back and some which are not. Past Years: 2013    2012    2011 BEST NEW COMEDY Brooklyn Nine-Nine (FOX) - In a year full of family comedies, the best new comedy was a sharply written and hilariously funny workplace sitcom. Set in a Brooklyn police precinct, the show was from Parks and Recreation people and it's easy to see the connection. Each of the characters are so well developed from Andy Samberg on down. The show is clever but silly and the police station setting is an area that hasn't been mined much for comedy since Barney Miller . I'm glad it's getting the acclaim it deserves with its surprise win at ...

ABC   8:00 Movie: Spiderman 2 Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6 CBS 8:00 2 Broke Girls (Repeat) Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5 8:30 Friends with Better Lives (Repeat) Viewers: 1.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4 9:00 48 Hours (Repeat) Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5 10:00 48 Hours Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8 NBC 8:00 Dateline Mystery Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9 10:00 Saturday Night Live (Repeat) Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0 FOX   8:00 Kitchen Nightmares (Repeat) Viewers: 1.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4 9:00 The Following (Repeat) Viewers: 1.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.3

ABC   8:00 Shark Tank Viewers: 6.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7 9:00 Barbara Walters: Her Story Viewers: 9.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6 CBS   8:00 Hawaii Five-0 (Repeat) Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7 9:00 Blue Bloods (Repeat) Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7 10:00 Blue Bloods (Repeat) Viewers: 7.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8 NBC 8:00 Dateline NBC Viewers: 6.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3 9:00 Grimm Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3 10:00 Hannibal Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9 FOX   8:00 24: Live Another Day (Repeat) Viewers: 1.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4 9:00 Kitchen Nightmares Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9 On Friday night, ABC started with the season finale of Shark Tank at a special time. It was down seven tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo as it looks like it belongs at 9pm. ABC saluted the long and distinguished career of the retiring Barbara Walters with a two hour special. As expected, it did well in total...

ABC 8:00 Grey's Anatomy (Repeat) Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7 9:00 Grey's Anatomy Viewers: 8.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6 10:00 Black Box Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1 CBS 8:00 The Big Bang Theory Viewers: 16.7 million, 18-49 demo: 4.9 8:30 The Millers Viewers: 9.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3 9:00 Two and a Half Men (Repeat) Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7 9:30 Bad Teacher Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4 10:00 Elementary Viewers: 7.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4   NBC 8:00 Hollywood Game Night Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1 9:00 Movie: Rosemary's Baby Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0 FOX   8:00 Hell's Kitchen Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7 9:00 American Idol Viewers: 8.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0   On Thursday night, CBS had a huge rally for The Big Bang Theory after last week's low against the draft. It soared back up 2.3 million viewers and 1.1 demo points for its best season finale numbers ...

ABC 8:00 The Middle Viewers: 7.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9 8:30 Suburgatory Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6 9:00 Modern Family Viewers: 9.1 million, 18-49 demo: 3.2 9:30 Mixology Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3 10:00 Nashville Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3 CBS 8:00 Survivor Viewers: 9.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6 9:00 Criminal Minds Viewers: 12.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7 10:00 CSI (Repeat) Viewers: 8.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4   NBC 8:00 Revolution Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2 9:00 Law & Order: SVU Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6 10:00 Chicago PD Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5   FOX   8:00 American Idol Viewers: 8.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1   On ABC, The Middle rebounded from last week as it was up four tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo. At 8:30pm, the series finale of the cancelled Suburgatory was up two tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo. Not bad for its finale an...

The last official schedule! But check back next week for my annual Season in Review! Past Years: 2013    2012    2011 MONDAYS 8:00 (Sep) The Big Bang Theory (8th Season)/(Nov) 2 Broke Girls (4th Season) 8:30 Mom (2nd Season) 9:00 SCORPION 10:00 NCIS: Los Angeles (6th Season) For the first time in almost three decades, CBS is not going with at least two hours of comedies and for the first time since the early 1950s, comedies will not air at 9pm. That's right, the timeslot that house I Love Lucy, M*A*S*H, Murphy Brown, Everybody Loves Raymond, and Two and a Half Men among many others will instead be a drama. But first on the night, CBS will give The Big Bang Theory a few weeks on its old night as football takes over Thursday. They will use it to try to bolster second year sitcom Mom . When Big Bang goes back to Thursdays, 2 Broke Girls will reclaim the 8pm slot it has right now. The sitcoms will lead into the lighthearted drama Scorpion , which CBS feels wi...