Benjamonster's TV

MANHATTAN LOVE STORY Starring: Analeigh Tipton, Jake McDorman, Nicolas Wright, Jade Catta-Preta, Chloe Wepper, and Kurt Fuller Created by Jeff Lowell Written by Jeff Lowell, Directed by Michael Fresco THE PREMISE: Manhattan Love Story is a new romantic comedy that gives viewers the inner monologues and thoughts of its two leads. Dana (Analeigh Tipton) is new to the Big Apple, looking for a career and armed with a bucket list. She lives with college friend Amy (Jade Catta-Preta) and Amy's husband, David (Nicolas Wright). In the pilot, she is set up with David's co-worker Peter (Jake McDorman) and sparks may fly despite a rocky first date. Rounding out the main cast is David and Peter's boss (and the requisite father-figure) William (Kurt Fuller). THE GOOD: Well, this show tries to be a bit of a love letter to NYC and it mostly succeeds in that. The show has a very cute approach but it does make the city look appealing in an idealistic, love-struck kind of way. I gue...

Check below this post for a review of Selfie and my new feature, the weekly recap! ABC 8:00 Dancing with the Stars Viewers: 12.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8 10:00 Castle Viewers: 10.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2 CBS 8:00 The Big Bang Theory Viewers: 16.4 million, 18-49 demo: 4.8 8:30 The Big Bang Theory (Repeat) Viewers: 12.3 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1 9:00 Scorpion Viewers: 13.4 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1 10:00 NCIS: Los Angeles Viewers: 9.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9 NBC 8:00 The Voice Viewers: 12.9 million, 18-49 demo: 4.0 10:00 The Blacklist Viewers: 10.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.8 FOX 8:00 Gotham Viewers: 7.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.8 9:00 Sleepy Hollow Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7 Week two of the new season kicked off with a mix of results. On CBS, The Big Bang Theory started things off down 1.6 million viewers and six tenths in the demo from last week's premiere. It's a pretty big drop but last week was pretty high so it may be leveling out. A r...

SELFIE Starring: Karen Gillan, John Cho, David Harewood, Allyn Rachel, Tim Peper, Da'Vine Joy Randolph Created by Emily Kapnek Written by Emily Kapnek, Directed by Julie Anne Robinson THE PREMISE: Selfie is a new sitcom from the creator of Suburgatory and based loosely on My Fair Lady . Eliza Dooly (Karen Gillan) - get it? - is self-absorbed and obsessed with all things social media at the expense of creating real friendships. When she has a social media disaster on an airplane (she vomits all over herself the plane and herself and it goes viral), she hires Henry Higenbottam (John Cho) - get it again? - to rehab her image. This includes actually connecting with people in a non-digital way. Rounding out the main cast is Henry's boss, Sam Saperstein (Dorian Harewood), Eliza's nerdy neighbor Bryn (Allyn Rachel), and company receptionist Charmonique (Da'Vine Joy Randolph). THE GOOD: Some of the supporting cast is serviceable. John Cho is likable enough as the moder...

A new feature this year! This will recap the week that was. It won't appear until Tuesday nights when the Sunday final ratings come in. Hope you enjoy!! Please note these will only cover regularly scheduled shows - not sports, not specials, not repeats, and not Saturday shows (too many burn-offs/oddities). TOP 10 SHOWS (18-49 DEMO) 1. The Big Bang Theory (CBS, Monday 8:30pm) - 5.5 2.  The Big Bang Theory (CBS, Monday 8:30pm) - 5.4 3. Family Guy (FOX, Sunday 9:00pm) - 4.6 4. The Voice (NBC, Monday 8:00pm) - 4.1      The Voice (NBC, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 4.1 6. The Simpsons (FOX, Sunday 8:00pm) - 4.0 7.  Modern Family (ABC, Wednesday 9:00pm) - 3.8     Scandal (ABC, Thursday 9:00pm) - 3.8     How to Get Away with Murder (ABC, Thursday 10:00pm) - 3.8 10. Once Upon a Time (ABC, Sunday 8:00pm) - 3.5 TOP 10 SHOWS (TOTAL VIEWERS) 1. The Big Bang Theory (CBS, Monday 8:30pm) - 18.3 million     NCIS (CBS, Tuesday 8:00pm) - 18.3 m...

ABC 7:00 Once Upon a Time: Storybrooke Has Frozen Over Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6 8:00 Once Upon a Time Viewers: 10.2 million, 18-49 demo: 3.7 9:00 Resurrection Viewers: 8.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5 10:00 Revenge Viewers: 5.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5 CBS 7:00 60 Minutes Viewers: 9.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1 8:00 Madam Secretary Viewers: 12.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4 9:00 The Good Wife Viewers: 11.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3 10:00 CSI Viewers: 9.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3 NBC 7:00 Football Night in America Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2 8:00 NFL Pregame Viewers: 13.0 million, 18-49 demo: 4.6 8:30 Sunday Night Football Viewers: 22.7 million, 18-49 demo: 8.7 FOX 7:00 NFL Overrun Viewers: 25.8 million, 18-49 demo: 9.0 8:00 The Simpsons Viewers: 8.5 million, 18-49 demo: 3.9 8:30 Brooklyn Nine-Nine Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6 9:00 Family Guy Viewers: 8.5 million, 18-49 demo: 4.5 Sunday night saw some very impressive results. Afte...

ABC 8:00 College Football Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1 CBS 8:00 Madam Secretary (Repeat) Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6 9:00 Scorpion (Repeat) Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7 10:00 48 Hours Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0 NBC 8:00 The Voice (Repeat) Viewers: 1.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6 9:00 Music for Change: The Global Citizen Festival Viewers: 1.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.4 10:00 Saturday Night Live (Repeat) Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9 FOX 8:00 College Football Viewers: 1.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5

ABC 8:00 Shark Tank Viewers: 7.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9 10:00 20/20 Viewers: 6.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6 CBS 8:00 The Amazing Race Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1 9:00 Hawaii Five-0 Viewers: 9.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2 10:00 Blue Bloods Viewers: 10.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2 NBC 8:00 The Mysteries of Laura (Repeat) Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7 9:00 Dateline NBC Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4 FOX 8:00 Utopia Viewers: 1.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7 9:00 Gotham (Repeat) Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7 After a pretty solid four days of premiere week, Friday didn't have as much to be excited about. It was a pretty rock start for CBS as all three of their shows showed big decline. The Amazing Race 's move to Friday from Sunday looks to not be nearly as good a move as Undercover Boss . With 5.5 million viewers and a 1.1 demo, it was down nearly a full point from last season's premiere and easily hit a series low. The weak 8p...

Check below this post for my review of How to Get Away with Murder ! GOOD WEEK: THE NEWBIES The first week of the new fall season saw strong performances from nearly all the new shows except for week two of Red Band Society . On ABC, How to Get Away with Murder and Black-ish were the top two new shows in the demo with stellar debuts while Forever surprised everyone by growing on its second night of a two night premiere after a lackluster first night. On CBS, Madam Secretary, Scorpion, and NCIS: New Orleans have all gotten huge total numbers of viewers. On NBC, The Mysteries of Laura held up surprisingly well in week two despite an older skew. And Gotham on FOX was its strongest show in the demo by over a full point. This might look great for the new shows but the networks did bring out their biggest guns this week. The next week sees premieres of second tier shows like Stalker on CBS, ABC's Tuesday comedies, NBC's Thursday comedies, and Gracepoint on FOX. The newbie number...

HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER Starring: Viola Davis, Billy Brown, Alfred Enoch, Jack Falahee, Katie Findlay, Aja Naomi King, Matt McGorry, Karla Souza, Charlie Weber, Liza Weil Created by Peter Nowalk Written by Peter Nowalk, Directed by Michael Offer THE PREMISE: How to Get Away with Murder is a twisty crime/legal thriller centered around tough law professor and laywer Annelise Keating (Viola Davis). She teaches a course she nicknames "How to Get Away with Murder" and chooses five lucky proteges to join her team, also consisting of Frank Delfino and Bonnie Winterbottom (Charlie Weber and Liza Weil). The five proteges are underdog Wes (Alfred Enoch), teacher's pet Michaela (Aja Naomi King), driven and gay Connor (Jack Falahee), mysterious Laurel (Karla Souza), and confident Asher (Matt McGorry). Rounding out the main cast is a detective with a connection to Keating, Nate Lahey (Billy Brown). Oh and by the way, at least four of the five proteges are featured in a flas...

ABC 8:00 Grey's Anatomy Viewers: 10.1 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1 9:00 Scandal Viewers: 12.2 million, 18-49 demo: 3.9 10:00 How to Get Away with Murder Viewers: 14.3 million, 18-49 demo: 3.9 CBS 8:00 Thursday Night Kickoff Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2 8:30 Thursday Night Football Viewers: 16.3 million, 18-49 demo: 6.0 NBC 8:00 The Biggest Loser Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3 10:00 Parenthood Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4 FOX 8:00 Bones Viewers: 6.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6 9:00 Sleepy Hollow (Repeat) Viewers: 2.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6 TGIT indeed... ABC's very hyped Shondaland lineup delivered fantastic results in its first time out from start to finish. It really couldn't have gone better for ABC. At 8pm, Grey's Anatomy in its new timeslot may have finally broken ABC's decades-long Thursday night 8pm curse. The season premiere delivered the best ratings for ABC in the timeslot for a regularly scheduled show since Fla...

ABC 8:00 The Middle Viewers: 7.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2 8:30 The Goldbergs Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4 9:00 Modern Family Viewers: 11.4 million, 18-49 demo: 3.9 9:30 Black-ish Viewers: 11.0 million, 18-49 demo: 3.3 10:00 Nashville Viewers: 5.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5 CBS 8:00 Survivor Viewers: 9.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7 9:30 Big Brother Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6 NBC 8:00 The Mysteries of Laura Viewers: 10.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5 9:00 Law & Order: SVU Viewers: 10.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2 10:00 Chicago PD Viewers: 8.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9 FOX 8:00 Hell's Kitchen Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3 9:00 Red Band Society Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1 On Wednesday night, ABC's new comedy lineup got off to a great start. Leading off at 8pm, The Middle wasn't at its strongest with an OK 2.2 demo. It seems like it should have done better for a season premiere. The Goldbergs first new Wednesday airing w...

BLACK-ISH Starring: Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Yara Shahidi, Marcus Scribner, Miles Brown, Marsai Martin Created by Kenya Barris Written by Kenya Barris, Directed by James Griffiths THE PREMISE: Black-ish  is a new family sitcom that's a bit like a 2014 version of The Cosby Show in that it centers on a middle to upper class family. Andre Johnson (Anthony Anderson) is a successful senior VP at an advertising firm. His wife, Rainbow (Tracee Ellis Ross) is a nurse and they have four kids: Zoey, Andre Jr., Jack, and Diane (Yara Shahidi, Marcus Scribner, Miles Brown, & Marsai Martin). The problem is that Andre worries that the lifestyle of a successful black family means their losing their black roots. THE GOOD: Like so many are saying, I think this is a great show for TV for the same reasons The Cosby Show was 30 years ago. Back then, Cosby presented a black family as it had never been done before on TV (wealthy and successful) and they often acted li...

Ahead of tonight's season finale, CBS announced that it has renewed Big Brother for two more seasons in the summers of 2015 and 2016. The show has been on since the summer of 2000 and has been a solid performer year after year. Along with TVGN's Big Brother After Dark , the show has become an annual summer institution and will now continue for at least two more years.

ABC 8:00 Dancing with the Stars Viewers: 10.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7 9:00 Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Viewers: 6.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1 10:00 Forever Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8 CBS 8:00 NCIS Viewers: 18.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.9 9:00 NCIS: New Orleans Viewers: 17.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5 10:00 Person of Interest Viewers: 10.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7 NBC 8:00 The Voice Viewers: 13.2 million, 18-49 demo: 4.1 10:00 Chicago Fire Viewers: 9.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.6 FOX 8:00 Utopia Viewers: 1.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8 9:00 New Girl Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3 9:30 The Mindy Project Viewers: 2.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0 Tuesday night had just one series premiere and it was a solid one for CBS. First up for them though, the season premiere of NCIS delivered solid numbers, but it was well behind last year's 3.6 premiere. It was even with what it was getting early last season and well above what it was getting at the end ...

NCIS: NEW ORLEANS Starring: Scott Bakula, Lucas Black, Zoe McLellan, Rob Kerkovich, and CCH Pounder Created by Gary Glasberg Written by Jeffrey Lieber, Directed by Michael Zinberg THE PREMISE: Well, the title pretty much says it all. The show follows an NCIS team operating out of the Big Easy. The Special Agent in Charge for this one is Dwayne Cassius Pride (Scott Bakula). His team consists of Senior Special Agent Christopher LaSalle (Lucas Black), Medical Examiner Dr. Loretta Wade (CCH Pounder), newcomer Special Agent Merri Brody (Zoe McLellan), and, of course, the lab assistant. This one is Sebastian Lund (Rob Kerkovich) THE GOOD: This seems like it would be catnip to NCIS fans: a leading man appealing to the generation of NCIS fans in Scott Bakula, a decent story that has some suspense but isn't overly violent or shocking, little banter between the agents, and a decent backdrop. The decision to set an NCIS in New Orleans was a good idea as the city has such a...

At the bottom of each ratings recap post, I will post a winner and loser of the night. Not necessarily by raw numbers but by expectation/situation (it's a judgment call but I thought it would be an enjoyable addition this season) ABC 8:00 Dancing with the Stars Viewers: 12.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2 10:00 Forever Viewers: 8.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7 CBS 8:00 The Big Bang Theory Viewers: 18.0 million, 18-49 demo: 5.4 8:30 The Big Bang Theory Viewers: 18.2 million, 18-49 demo: 5.4 9:00 Scorpion Viewers: 13.8 million, 18-49 demo: 3.2 10:00 Under the Dome Viewers: 7.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8 NBC 8:00 The Voice Viewers: 13.0 million, 18-49 demo: 3.9 10:00 The Blacklist Viewers: 12.3 million, 18-49 demo: 3.4 FOX 8:00 Gotham Viewers: 8.2 million, 18-49 demo: 3.2 9:00 Sleepy Hollow Viewers: 5.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0 The 2014-15 season kicked off with a lot of big guns and each network had at least one thing to be happy about. CBS was the big winner of th...

ABC 7:00 America's Funniest Home Videos (Repeat) Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9 8:00 Once Upon a Time (Repeat) Viewers: 3.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8 9:00 Resurrection (Repeat) Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7 10:00 Revenge (Repeat) Viewers: 2.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6 CBS 7:00 NFL Overrun Viewers: 27.0 million, 18-49 demo: 9.0 8:04 60 Minutes Viewers: 17.9 million, 18-49 demo: 3.5 9:04 Madam Secretary Viewers: 14.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0 10:04 The Good Wife Viewers: 11.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4 NBC 7:00 Football Night in America Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8 8:00 NFL Pregame Viewers: 10.0 million, 18-49 demo: 3.7 8:30 Sunday Night Football Viewers: 19.7 million, 18-49 demo: 7.8 FOX 7:00 Bob's Burgers (Repeat) Viewers: 1.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8 7:30 The Simpsons (Repeat) Viewers: 2.2 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9 8:00 The Simpsons (Repeat) Viewers: 3.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3 8:30 Family Guy ...

FOREVER Starring: Ioan Gruffudd, Alana de la Garza, Joel David Moore, Donnie Keshawarz, Barbara Eve Harris, and Judd Hirsch Created by Matt Miller Written by Matt Miller, Directed by Brad Anderson THE PREMISE: Forever is a new drama from ABC that centers on a man who is seemingly immortal. Dr. Henry Morgan (Ioan Gruffudd) is a star medical examiner in New York City who studies the dead and has reason to because he's been killed many times and lived again going back over 200 years. Each time he wakes from the dead naked and in a river. The only person who knows his secret is confidante Abe (Judd Hirsch). Rounding out the main cast is Morgan's new partner, Detective Jo Martinez (Alana de la Garza), Morgan's assistant Lucas (Joel David Moore), and Detective Hanson (Donnie Keshawarz). THE GOOD: I think this is an interesting premise which unfortunately doesn't pan out (see more on that below). The integration of humor into this show is an interesting e...

SCORPION Starring: Elyes Gabel, Katharine McPhee, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Jadyn Wong, Ari Stidham, and Robert Patrick Developed by Nick Santora Teleplay by Nick Santora, Directed by Justin Lin THE PREMISE: Scorpion is a new procedural based on the true story of genius and computer expert Walter O'Brien. O'Brien (Elyes Gabel) is working with a group of ragtag geniuses: Toby Curtis (Eddie Kaye Thomas), Happy Quinn (Jadyn Wong), and Sylvester Dodd (Ari Stidham). When a man from his past, Agent Cabe Gallo (Robert Patrick) confronts them with a national crisis, they turn from doing small jobs to major national and international concerns. During a crisis involving planes coming to LAX, they set up shop at a local diner where waitress Paige Dineen (Katharine McPhee) gets involved. She also has a son who appears to be "challenged" but is actually a genius. THE GOOD: Well, I don't know. There were hints of humor in this dramedy that were somewhat funny. Th...

GOTHAM Starring: Ben McKenzie, Donal Logue, David Mazouz, Zebryna Guevara, Sean Pertwee, Robin Lord Taylor, Erin Richards, Camren Bicondova, Cory Michael Smith, and Jada Pinkett Smith Based on the Characters by DC Comics Developed by Bruno Heller Written by Bruno Heller, Directed by Danny Cannon THE PREMISE: Gotham is a Batman origin story set in one of the most famous fictional cities of all time. The show chronicles the rise of Detective James Gordon (Ben McKenzie) and his connection to young Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz), whose parents are killed. With his partner, Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue), Gordon learns firsthand about the extensive corruption in the city. The series also chronicles the rise of Batman villains: Osward Cobblepot/Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor), Edward Nygma/Riddler (Cory Michael Smith), and Selina Kyle/Catwoman (Camren Bicondova). Rounding out the main cast is Wayne's caretaker, Alfred Pennyworth (Sean Pertwee), Gordon's boss Sarah Essen (Z...

MADAM SECRETARY Starring: Tea Leoni, Tim Daly, Patina Miller, Geoffrey Arend, Erich Bergen, Katherine Herzer, Evan Roe, with Zeljko Ivanek, and Bebe Neuwirth Created by Barbara Hall Written by Barbara Hall, Directed by David Semel THE PREMISE: Elizabeth McCord (Tea Leoni) is a former CIA agent now enjoying a quiet life as a college professor with her husband Henry (Tim Daly) and two kids (Katherine Herzer and Evan Roe). When the US Secretary of State is in a plane crash, the President (her old boss at the CIA) asks her to become the new Secretary of State. We then flash forward two months and meet key players in her administration: chief of staff Nadine Tolliver (Bebe Neuwirth), speechwriter Matt Mahoney (Geoffrey Arend), and press coordinator Diasy Finch (Patina Miller). Rounding out the main cast is the White House Chief of Staff and adversary to McCord, Russell Jackson (Zeljko Ivanek). THE GOOD: This is an absolutely stellar cast: it is full of people who have ton...