Rants and Ratings

Daily ratings for primetime network shows, with my personal commentary.

[rantsandratings]

Rants and Ratings - Wednesday March 11th

Tiny but interesting shifts in the ratings for Wednesday primetime, including American Idol ticking up in the demo vs last Wednesday’s fast nationals (suck it, Daylight Saving Time curse!), Survivor and Black-ish down (the latter really missing a new Modern Family lead-in), and Empire leveling off in the demo (technically down a tenth), while continuing to add households and *total viewers*. CSI: Cyber was even with its week-ago debut, and The 100 was flat for its season finale. Your Top 12 perform on a 2-hour American Idol tonight and I need to ask America: Daniel Seavey. WHY??? Idol will stay on Thursdays moving forward, facing The Big Bang Theory, Vampire Diaries, and Scandal. American Crime and The Slap are also new tonight, conference tournaments continue in men’s college basketball, and Portlandia wraps up its season on IFC. Your Comfort Movie of the Night is The Fugitive on Sundance, really just an excuse for me to share my favorite Harry Connick, Jr. moment of all time.  Please let me know if there are any questions. Programming note: I will be away from the office tomorrow, so have a wonderful weekend!! Best regards and there’s hope for more Galavant?!

3/11/2015 HH RATING HH SHARE 18-49 ADULTS 18-49 SHARE 8pm ABC The Goldbergs: R 3.0 5 1.2 4 CBS Survivor 5.4 10 2.1 8 NBC The Mysteries of Laura: R 3.4 6 0.8 3 FOX American Idol 5.2 9 2.0 8 CW Arrow: R 0.8 1 0.4 1 8:30pm ABC The Goldbergs: R 2.8 5 1.2 4 CBS Survivor 5.5 9 2.3 8 NBC The Mysteries of Laura: R 3.3 6 0.8 3 FOX American Idol 6.2 10 2.5 8 CW Arrow: R 0.8 1 0.3 1 9pm ABC Modern Family: R 3.2 5 1.5 4 CBS Criminal Minds 6.5 11 2.1 7 NBC Law 7 Order: SVU: R 2.4 4 0.8 2 FOX Empire 9.0 15 5.5 17 CW The 100 (season finale) 0.9 1 0.4 1 9:30pm ABC Black-ish 3.0 5 1.5 4 CBS Criminal Minds 6.4 11 2.0 6 NBC The Voice (recap) 2.6 4 0.8 2 FOX Empire 8.9 15 5.8 17 CW The 100 (season finale) 0.9 1 0.4 1 10pm ABC American Crime: R 2.0 3 0.7 2 CBS CSI: Cyber 6.3 11 1.8 6 NBC Chicago PD: R 3.1 5 0.9 3 10:30pm ABC American Crime: R 1.7 3 0.6 2 CBS CSI: Cyber 6.0 11 1.7 6 NBC Chicago PD: R 3.3 6 0.9 3

[rantsandratings]

Rants and Ratings - Monday March 9th

Good morning!! Woo sun!! Below please find ratings for Monday primetime, including the season finale of The Bachelor rising week-on-week, and actually staying fairly level with 2014’s household rating, if down in the demo. (Also interesting: last year’s After the Rose Special was the highest rated show of the night in the demo, even against The Voice, and NBC debuted something called Believe to a really impressive 2.8/8 and yet I have zero recollection of what that show was.) Mike & Molly ticked down despite a stronger lead-in, The Following lost some followers from its week-ago premiere, and Night Shift declined against a competitive 10pm hour. Hell’s Kitchen and Agents of SHIELD are new tonight, Battle Rounds continue on The Voice, and Barry Allen sings karaoke on the cutest ever repeat of The Flash. There are all-new weirdo couples to judge on a second season of Bravo’s Newlyweds: The First Year, and Framework (the furniture-building reality competition show hosted by Common on Spike that is real, and not a thing I made up with Mad Libs) crowns its winner. Your Comfort Movie of the Night is Magic Mike on E! Best regards and I think I might be winning my Drag Race pool this week!

3/9/2015 HH RATING HH SHARE 18-49 ADULTS 18-49 SHARE 8pm ABC The Bachelor (season finale) 6.2 10 2.5 9 CBS 2 Broke Girls 5.1 9 2.0 7 NBC The Voice 7.5 13 3.2 11 FOX Gotham: R 1.7 3 0.7 2 CW The Originals 0.9 2 0.6 2 8:30pm ABC The Bachelor (season finale) 6.2 10 2.7 9 CBS Mike & Molly 5.3 8 2.0 6 NBC The Voice 8.2 13 3.6 11 FOX Gotham: R 1.6 3 0.7 2 CW The Originals 0.8 1 0.5 2 9pm ABC The Bachelor (season finale) 6.1 10 2.6 8 CBS Scorpion 6.5 10 2.1 6 NBC The Voice 8.3 13 3.9 12 FOX The Following 2.2 4 1.0 3 CW Jane the Virgin 0.9 1 0.5 1 9:30pm ABC The Bachelor (season finale) 6.8 11 3.1 9 CBS Scorpion 6.2 10 1.9 5 NBC The Voice 7.9 12 3.7 11 FOX The Following 2.2 3 1.1 3 CW Jane the Virgin 0.8 1 0.5 1 10pm ABC After the Final Rose 6.4 11 2.7 8 CBS NCIS: LA 6.6 11 1.8 5 NBC Night Shift 4.0 7 1.5 5 10:30pm ABC After the Final Rose 6.2 11 2.7 8 CBS NCIS: LA 6.4 11 1.6 5 NBC Night Shift 3.4 6 1.2 4

[rantsandratings]

Rants and Ratings - Sunday March 8th

Happy First Monday of 2015 You Won’t Leave Work in the Dark! Below please find ratings from Sunday primetime, including Madam Secretary and The Good Wife ticking down for CBS, The Last Man on Earth down about 20% from its debut (but still FOX’s biggest draw in Households/Total Viewers, coming second in the demo behind Family Guy), and Secrets & Lies holding mostly level for ABC while Battle Creek sagged on CBS. Your Monday primetime tonight sees the always-dramatic season finale on The Bachelor, the beginning of the Battle Rounds on The Voice, and new episodes of Jane the Virgin and NCIS: Los Angeles. Men’s and Women’s NCAA Conference championships start rolling in (#GoUConn), RuPaul’s Drag Race and Better Call Saul are new, and The Returned debuts tonight on A&E, following the season premiere of Bates Motel. Your Comfort Movie of the Night is Sixteen Candles on VH1 Classic. Best regards and I don’t even miss the hour of sleep tbh,

3/8/2015 HH RATING HH SHARE 18-49 ADULTS 18-49 SHARE 7pm ABC America's Funniest Home Videos 3.7 7 1.3 5 CBS 60 Minutes 6.3 12 0.9 4 NBC The Voice: R 1.7 3 0.5 2 FOX The Simpsons: R 1.4 3 0.9 3 7:30pm ABC America's Funniest Home Videos 3.9 7 1.5 5 CBS 60 Minutes 6.9 12 1.1 4 NBC The Voice: R 1.8 3 0.6 2 FOX Bob's Burgers 1.4 3 1.1 4 8pm ABC Once Upon a Time 3.9 7 2.1 7 CBS Madam Secretary 6.8 11 1.1 4 NBC The Voice: R 2.6 4 0.9 3 FOX The Simpsons 2.1 3 1.6 5 8:30pm ABC Once Upon a Time 3.8 6 2.0 6 CBS Madam Secretary 6.6 11 1.1 3 NBC The Voice: R 3.0 5 1.2 4 FOX Brooklyn Nine-Nine 1.8 3 1.4 4 9pm ABC Secrets & Lies 3.7 6 1.4 4 CBS The Good Wife 5.9 9 1.0 3 NBC Dateline NBC 2.5 4 0.9 2 FOX Family Guy 2.2 4 2.0 6 9:30pm ABC Secrets & Lies 3.7 6 1.4 4 CBS The Good Wife 5.7 9 1.0 3 NBC Dateline NBC 2.2 3 0.7 2 FOX The Last Man on Earth 2.5 4 1.8 5 10pm ABC Revenge 3.3 6 1.1 3 CBS Battle Creek 4.5 8 0.8 2 NBC Dateline NBC 2.3 4 0.8 2 10:30pm ABC Revenge 3.1 6 1.0 3 CBS Battle Creek 4.3 8 0.8 3 NBC Dateline NBC 2.5 4 0.8 2

[rantsandratings]

Rants and Ratings - Wednesday March 4th

I am not even mad at the snow anymore, that’s how crazy it is here in NYC ANYWAY here are your ratings from Wednesday primetime including an incredibly close race at 8pm, with a recap special on The Voice outdrawing NBC’s usual timeslot occupant Mysteries of Laura, the ABC comedies up a bit in households week-on-week, and American Idol ticking down (I’m still in mourning over Trevor; those were some fucking terrible decisions there America). Empire naturally rose, again, because that’s what it does every week (but seriously W H A T?!), and the series debut of CSI: Cyber was solid if unspectacular for CBS. It did well enough. The Top 8 Girls take the Detroit stage tonight on American Idol, against a new episode of The Big Bang Theory and The Slap. ABC debuts their limited (?) series American Crime, which I’m guessing is True Detective: Sanitized for Network Edition, and the Real Housewives of Melbourne return to Bravo. Your Comfort Movie of the Night is Pump Up the Volume on Ovation (although Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist on ABC Family is almost as instantly classic). Best regards and I don’t know if I’ve forgiven Cousin Matthew entirely, but I am INTO this,

3/4/2015 HH RATING HH SHARE 18-49 ADULTS 18-49 SHARE 8pm ABC The Middle 5.0 8 2.2 7 CBS Survivor 5.6 9 2.2 7 NBC The Voice (recap) 5.5 9 2.1 7 FOX American Idol 5.0 8 1.9 6 CW Arrow: R 1.0 2 0.5 2 8:30pm ABC The Goldbergs 4.7 7 2.5 8 CBS Survivor 5.6 9 2.4 7 NBC The Voice (recap) 5.1 8 2.1 3 FOX American Idol 5.6 9 2.3 7 CW Arrow: R 0.8 1 0.4 1 9pm ABC Modern Family 5.6 9 3.4 10 CBS Criminal Minds 6.3 10 2.0 6 NBC The Voice (recap) 5.1 8 2.1 6 FOX Empire 8.6 14 5.6 16 CW The 100 1.0 2 0.5 1 9:30pm ABC Black-ish 4.1 6 2.3 6 CBS Criminal Minds 6.5 10 1.9 5 NBC The Voice (recap) 5.0 8 2.1 6 FOX Empire 8.7 14 5.7 16 CW The 100 0.9 1 0.4 1 10pm ABC Nashville 3.5 6 1.5 5 CBS CSI: Cyber (series debut) 6.5 11 1.8 5 NBC Chicago PD: R 3.3 6 1.2 4 10:30pm ABC Nashville 3.6 6 1.4 4 CBS CSI: Cyber (series debut) 6.4 12 1.7 6 NBC Chicago PD: R 3.0 6 1.0 3

[rantsandratings]

Rants and Ratings - Tuesday March 3rd

I’ve no good intro for your ratings for Tuesday primetime, including The Voice ticking up week-on-week and giving a generous boost to lead-out Chicago Fire, giving the drama its best result in six months. Hell’s Kitchen returned to FOX, coming in below the finale numbers for MasterChef: Junior last Tuesday, while ABC’s Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD (still boycotting that title format) outdrew Agent Carter’s timeslot average. Tonight, 4 guys go home and I am seriously nervous for some of my early favorites, and the remaining Top 8 perform on American Idol, The Voice has a recap “Best of Blinds” episode, and recently-minted Oscar winner Patricia Arquette returns to network television with CSI: Cyber. BBC America caters to me specifically tonight with the Sherlock pilot, A Study in Pink, followed by the season 2 premiere of Broadchurch (let’s give this a chance, and never speak of Gracepoint again) while USA drama Suits has its season finale (not caught up, no spoilers!). Your Comfort Movie of the Night is The Lost Boys on Sundance. Best regards and honestly this is a better Best Picture field than the Oscars,

3/3/2015 HH RATING HH SHARE 18-49 ADULTS 18-49 SHARE 8pm ABC Fresh Off the Boat 3.8 6 1.7 6 CBS NCIS: R 6.8 11 1.2 4 NBC The Voice 8.6 14 3.6 12 FOX Hell's Kitchen (season premiere) 2.6 4 1.4 5 CW The Flash: R 1.0 2 0.4 1 8:30pm ABC Repeat After Me 2.6 4 1.2 4 CBS NCIS: R 6.8 11 1.2 4 NBC The Voice 9.1 14 4.0 12 FOX Hell's Kitchen (season premiere) 2.4 4 1.4 4 CW The Flash: R 0.9 1 0.3 1 9pm ABC Marvel's Agents of SHIELD 3.0 5 1.6 5 CBS NCIS: New Orleans: R 5.7 9 1.0 3 NBC The Voice 9.3 15 4.1 12 FOX New Girl 1.6 3 1.3 4 CW Supernatural: R 0.6 1 0.3 1 9:30pm ABC Marvel's Agents of SHIELD 2.7 4 1.5 4 CBS NCIS: New Orleans: R 5.5 9 1.0 3 NBC The Voice 9.8 16 4.5 13 FOX The Mindy Project 1.4 2 1.0 3 CW Supernatural: R 0.6 1 0.3 1 10pm ABC Forever 3.0 5 1.0 3 CBS Person of Interest: R 3.8 6 0.9 3 NBC Chicago Fire 6.2 11 2.3 7 10:30pm ABC Forever 2.9 5 0.9 3 CBS Person of Interest: R 3.3 6 0.8 3 NBC Chicago Fire 5.7 10 2.1 7

[rantsandratings]

Rants and Ratings - Monday March 2nd

Lotta solid “The” shows in ratings for Monday primetime, with the fairly easy win going to The Voice, down two tenths in the demo but gaining households against CBS repeats, vs last Monday’s premiere. The season premiere of The Following outdrew regular timeslot occupant Sleepy Hollow, coming in about level with last season’s performance, while The Night Shift was flat against weaker competition at 10pm. Tonight your primetime best bets include the return of Hell’s Kitchen to FOX, more of those spinning chairs America loves so much on The Voice and a new Fresh Off the Boat. Bravo catches up with the couples from Newlyweds: The First Year: Where Are They Now?, Born in the Wild kicks off on Lifetime with a couple in Alaska, so my parents’ season pass is already set, and Storage Wars has its season finale on A&E. Your Comfort Movie of the Night is Smokey and the Bandit on CMT. Best regards and it’s New Music Christmas!

3/2/2015 HH RATING HH SHARE 18-49 ADULTS 18-49 SHARE 8pm ABC The Bachelor 5.5 9 2.3 8 CBS The Big Bang Theory: R 5.5 9 1.8 6 NBC The Voice 8.1 13 3.4 11 FOX Gotham 3.8 6 2.0 7 CW The Originals: R 0.6 1 0.3 1 8:30pm ABC The Bachelor 5.2 8 2.3 7 CBS Mike & Molly 5.9 9 2.2 6 NBC The Voice 8.6 13 3.8 11 FOX Gotham 3.7 6 2.0 6 CW The Originals: R 0.4 1 0.2 1 9pm ABC The Bachelor 5.3 8 2.4 7 CBS Scorpion: R 4.9 8 1.4 4 NBC The Voice 8.6 13 3.9 11 FOX The Following (season premiere) 3.2 5 1.6 5 CW Jane the Virgin: R 0.4 1 0.2 1 9:30pm ABC The Bachelor 5.3 8 2.4 7 CBS Scorpion: R 4.5 7 1.3 4 NBC The Voice 8.8 14 4.1 12 FOX The Following (season premiere) 3.0 5 1.5 4 CW Jane the Virgin: R 0.4 1 0.2 1 10pm ABC Secrets & Lies: R 3.0 5 1.1 3 CBS NCIS: LA: R 4.4 7 1.2 4 NBC Night Shift 4.6 8 1.7 5 10:30pm ABC Secrets & Lies: R 2.7 5 0.9 3 CBS NCIS: LA: R 4.6 8 1.2 4 NBC Night Shift 3.6 7 1.1 4

[rantsandratings]

Rants and Ratings - Sunday March 1st

Of note in the ratings for Sunday primetime was the auspicious debut of heavily-promoted (especially by Comedy Twitter) series The Last Man on Earth, actually winning the night in the demo, and looking like an excellent fit for FOX’s Sunday lineup. New dramas Secrets & Lies and Battle Creek were only OK in their respective bows for ABC and CBS, the former at least gaining in total viewers each half hour.  Madam Secretary and The Good Wife declined from their last airings.  Monday primetime brings the always-controversial Women Tell All special episode of The Bachelor (and with it presumably the announcement of the next Bachelorette), the Season 3 premiere of Kevin Bacon’s FOX drama The Following, and further blind auditions on The Voice. Vanderpump Rules has its season finale on Bravo, but halleloo, RuPaul’s Drag Race is back on Logo, and I’m already second-guessing my pool picks. Your Comfort Movie of the Night is Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings on TCM.

Best regards and I wanna see you be brave,

3/1/2015                                              HH RATING            HH SHARE              18-49 ADULTS      18-49 SHARE

7pm

ABC         OUAT: Secrets of Storybrooke          2.8          5              1.3          4

CBS         60 Minutes            7.7          13           1.5          5

NBC         The Voice: R          2.6          4              0.8          3

FOX         The Simpsons: R   1.4          2              1.0          3

7:30pm

ABC         OUAT: Secrets of Storybrooke          2.4          4              1.2          4

CBS         60 Minutes            8.5          14           1.7          5

NBC         The Voice: R          2.7          4              1.0          3

FOX         Bob's Burgers       1.6          3              1.4          4

8pm

ABC         Once Upon a Time               3.8          6              2.2          6

CBS         Madam Secretary                7.2          11           1.4          4

NBC         The Voice: R          3.4          5              1.3          4

FOX         The Simpsons        2.3          4              1.8          5

8:30pm

ABC         Once Upon a Time               3.7          6              2.1          6

CBS         Madam Secretary                6.8          11           1.2          3

NBC         The Voice: R          3.7          6              1.5          4

FOX         Brooklyn Nine-Nine             2.0          3              1.8          5

9pm

ABC         Secrets & Lies (series debut)             3.7          6              1.5          4

CBS         The Good Wife     5.7          9              1.1          3

NBC         Dateline NBC         2.5          4              0.9          2

FOX         The Last Man on Earth (series debut)              3.2          5              2.3          6

9:30pm

ABC         Secrets & Lies (series debut)             3.7          6              1.5          4

CBS         The Good Wife     5.4          8              1.1          3

NBC         Dateline NBC         2.5          4              0.8          2

FOX         The Last Man on Earth (series debut)              3.2          5              2.3          6

10pm

ABC         Secrets & Lies (series debut)             3.8          6              1.5          4

CBS         Battle Creek (series debut)                4.9          8              1.0          3

NBC         Dateline NBC         2.5          4              0.9          2

10:30pm

ABC         Secrets & Lies (series debut)             4.0          7              1.5          5

CBS         Battle Creek (series debut)                4.8          9              1.0          3

NBC         Dateline NBC         2.5          5              0.9          3

[rantsandratings]

Rants and Ratings - Thursday February 26th

Little bit of shifting in ratings from Thursday primetime, including American Idol ticking up a tenth in households vs last Thursday’s fast results, a new Big Bang Theory down slightly week-on-week, The Slap slipping again for NBC while The Blacklist rose, and the season finale of How to Get Away with Murder up, especially in its presumably-shocking last half hour. Dateline NBC is new tonight and the US version of controversial UK relationship reality show Sex Box debuts on WE TV. Sunday night brings a whole host of new shows, from FOX comedy The Last Man on Earth, to Ryan Phillippe drama Secrets & Lies on ABC and something called Battle Creek on CBS that I have never heard of before this moment. Your gross zombie show is new and Christina is having “A Milian Emotions” on the season finale of her E! reality show. Your Comfort Movie of the Night is The Princess Bride on TV Guide. Have a rabbit rabbit weekend!!

2/26/2015

HH RATING HH SHARE 18-49 ADULTS 18-49 SHARE 8pm

ABC Grey's Anatomy 5.0 8 2.1 7 CBS The Big Bang Theory 9.8 16 4.5 15 NBC The Slap 2.6 4 0.7 3 FOX American Idol 5.4 9 2.1 7 CW Vampire Diaries: R 0.5 1 0.3 1 8:30pm

ABC Grey's Anatomy 5.1 8 2.3 7 CBS The Odd Couple 6.7 11 2.8 9 NBC The Slap 2.3 4 0.7 2 FOX American Idol 5.6 9 2.1 7 CW Vampire Diaries: R 0.5 1 0.2 1 9pm

ABC How to Get Away with Murder (season finale) 5.8 9 2.7 8 CBS The Big Bang Theory: R 5.6 9 2.1 6 NBC The Blacklist 4.8 8 1.9 6 FOX Backstrom 2.6 4 1.0 3 CW Supernatural: R 0.5 1 0.2 1 9:30pm

ABC How to Get Away with Murder (season finale) 5.7 9 2.7 8 CBS Mom 5.2 8 2.1 6 NBC The Blacklist 4.7 8 1.8 5 FOX Backstrom 2.2 4 0.9 3 CW Supernatural: R 0.5 1 0.2 1 10pm

ABC How to Get Away with Murder (season finale) 6.1 10 2.9 9 CBS Victoria's Secret Swim Special 3.0 5 1.1 3 NBC Allegiance 2.5 4 0.9 3 10:30pm

ABC How to Get Away with Murder (season finale) 6.3 12 3.0 10 CBS Victoria's Secret Swim Special 2.4 4 0.9 3 NBC Allegiance 2.1 4 0.7 2

[rantsandratings]

Rants and Ratings - Wednesday February 25th

Get ready to be totally not shocked by ratings for Wednesday primetime, including American Idol winning its hour against the season premiere of Survivor, which was down about 10% from its Feb 2014 opener, The Mysteries of Laura ticking up week-on-week, Empire rising yet again (say whaaaaaaaat!!!), and Chicago PD soft in the demo but gaining households to hold on to the 10pm hour. Thursday’s TV offerings include the Top 12 Girls singing for your Google SuperVote, a new Big Bang Theory, The Victoria’s Secret Swim Special on CBS, and the two-hour season finale of How to Get Away With Murder (let me know if anyone major gets killed off (coughWescough) and I might consider catching back up). QI is new (three episodes!) on BBC America and Party Down South returns for another wild season to CMT. My company is in some way responsible for both shows, and I don’t know how to feel about that. Your Comfort Movie of the Night is The Holiday on Lifetime. Best regards and no seriously, who is buying me tickets,

2/25/2015 HH RATING HH SHARE 18-49 ADULTS 18-49 SHARE 8pm ABC The Middle 4.6 8 2.0 7 CBS Survivor (season premiere) 5.6 9 2.3 8 NBC The Mysteries of Laura 5.0 8 1.4 5 FOX American Idol 5.6 9 2.5 8 CW Arrow 1.8 3 1.0 3 8:30pm ABC The Goldbergs 4.5 7 2.5 8 CBS Survivor (season premiere) 5.4 9 2.3 7 NBC The Mysteries of Laura 4.9 8 1.3 4 FOX American Idol 6.2 10 2.8 8 CW Arrow 1.8 3 1.0 3 9pm ABC Modern Family 5.4 9 3.4 10 CBS Survivor (season premiere) 5.5 9 2.4 7 NBC Law & Order: SVU 4.9 8 1.5 4 FOX Empire 8.1 13 5.2 15 CW The 100 1.2 2 0.6 2 9:30pm ABC Black-ish 4.0 6 2.3 6 CBS The Amazing Race (season premiere) 3.8 6 1.5 4 NBC Law & Order: SVU 5.2 8 1.6 4 FOX Empire 8.2 13 5.4 15 CW The 100 1.1 2 0.5 2 10pm ABC Nashville 3.5 6 1.5 4 CBS The Amazing Race (season premiere) 3.7 6 1.5 4 NBC Chicago PD 4.7 8 1.5 4 10:30pm ABC Nashville 3.3 6 1.3 4 CBS The Amazing Race (season premiere) 3.4 6 1.4 5 NBC Chicago PD 4.7 8 1.5 5

[rantsandratings]

Rants and Ratings - Tuesday February 24th

Some OK news of note in ratings for Tuesday primetime, including The Voice softening less than 10% from Monday’s premiere in the demo, and even though it ticked up slightly in households it was still outdrawn by NCIS in total viewers. Fresh Off the Boat was steady even facing stiffer competition from The Voice, so ABC has to like that. The basically flawless Parks and Recreation series finale saw a slight bump from its Voice lead-in but finished behind Person of Interest at 10pm. Agent Carter and MasterChef: Junior were both down slightly for their respective finales. Tonight, the Top 12 Boys on American Idol sing for your votes, followed of course by breakout smash hit Empire, and Survivor and The Amazing Race (debuting on Wednesday before moving back to Fridays) are back for their new seasons on CBS. King of the Nerds is new on TBS and The Soup on E! is live which really begs the question why Joel McHale has never hosted SNL. Your Comfort Movie of the Night is Step Up 2 the Streets on ABC Family.

Best regards and you are all my opalescent tree sharks,

2/24/2015 HH RATING HH SHARE 18-49 ADULTS 18-49 SHARE 8pm ABC Fresh Off the Boat 3.7 6 1.9 6 CBS NCIS 10.6 17 2.4 8 NBC The Voice 7.8 13 3.3 11 FOX MasterChef Junior (season finale) 2.9 5 1.5 5 CW TV's Hottest Commercials 1.0 2 0.4 1 8:30pm ABC Repeat After Me 2.5 4 1.3 4 CBS NCIS 10.8 17 2.5 7 NBC The Voice 8.2 13 3.8 11 FOX MasterChef Junior (season finale) 2.9 5 1.6 5 CW TV's Hottest Commercials 0.9 1 0.4 1 9pm ABC Agent Carter (season finale) 2.5 4 1.3 4 CBS NCIS: New Orleans 8.8 14 2.1 6 NBC The Voice 8.5 13 4.0 12 FOX New Girl 1.7 3 1.4 4 CW The Flash: R 0.8 1 0.4 1 9:30pm ABC Agent Carter (season finale) 2.4 4 1.3 4 CBS NCIS: New Orleans 8.4 13 2.0 6 NBC The Voice 8.8 14 4.2 12 FOX The Mindy Project 1.4 2 1.1 3 CW The Flash: R 0.7 1 0.3 1 10pm ABC Forever 3.1 5 1.1 3 CBS Person of Interest 6.4 11 1.7 5 NBC Parks & Rec (series finale) 3.0 5 1.9 6 10:30pm ABC Forever 3.0 5 1.0 3 CBS Person of Interest 5.8 11 1.6 5 NBC Parks & Rec (series finale) 2.3 4 1.4 5

[rantsandratings]

Rants and Ratings - Monday February 23rd

RATINGS I am doing the ratings for Monday primetime, including The Voice returning down about 15% vs last February’s spring premiere (whereas The Bachelor is basically even with the 2/24/14 numbers) but still easily winning the night. NBC will crow that it’s up from their last *finale*, but we all know the Blind Auditions are the main draw and always the highest-rated eps of The Voice. Gotham and Sleepy Hollow managed small gains, the CBS lineup was down, and even with the substantial Voice lead-in, the return of medical sudser The Night Shift finished 3rd at 10pm. Tonight after more chair-spinning on The Voice, the incomparable Parks and Recreation has its series finale and I’m already tearing up. Also concluding tonight is Marvel’s Agent Carter and the current season of MasterChef: Junior edition, while Fresh Off the Boat, New Girl, and Person of Interest are all new. Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce wraps its freshman season on Bravo and NatGeo gets Cabin Fever in Utah. Your Comfort Movie of the Night is The Day After Tomorrow on AMC. Please let me know if there are any questions.

Best regards and bye bye, Lil’ Sebastian,

8pm        ABC         The Bachelor        6.0          9              2.5          8

                CBS         2 Broke Girls         5.3          8              2.1          7

                NBC         The Voice (season premiere)            7.5          12           3.5          11

                FOX         Gotham  4.0          6              2.3          7

                CW          World Dog Awards: R          0.9          1              0.4          1

                                                                                                8:30pm  ABC         The Bachelor        5.6          8              2.4          7

                CBS         Mike & Molly        5.5          8              2.0          6

                NBC         The Voice (season premiere)            7.8          12           4.0          11

                FOX         Gotham  3.7          6              2.1          6

                CW          World Dog Awards: R          0.8          1              0.4          1

                                                                                                9pm        ABC         The Bachelor        5.8          9              2.6          7

                CBS         Scorpion                6.6          10           2.1          6

                NBC         The Voice (season premiere)            7.9          12           4.1          11

                FOX         Sleepy Hollow (season finale)            2.7          4              1.5          4

                CW          World Dog Awards: R          0.8          1              0.3          1

                                                                                                9:30pm  ABC         The Bachelor        6.2          9              2.8          7

                CBS         Scorpion                6.3          10           2.0          5

                NBC         The Voice (season premiere)            8.2          13           4.4          12

                FOX         Sleepy Hollow (season finale)            2.6          4              1.4          4

                CW          World Dog Awards: R          0.7          1              0.3          1

                                                                                                10pm      ABC         Castle     5.1          8              1.8          5

                CBS         NCIS: LA 6.2          10           1.6          5

                NBC         Night Shift (season premiere)            3.8          6              1.6          5

                                                                                                10:30pm                ABC         Castle     4.6          8              1.5          5

                CBS         NCIS: LA 6.0          11           1.5          5

                NBC         Night Shift (season premiere)            3.1          6              1.3          4

[rantsandratings]

Rants and Ratings - Sunday February 22nd

I know, I'm the worst, but here are your ratings for Sunday primetime, including the Oscars down again year-on-year (10.3 vs a 12.1 in the demo from 2014 fast nationals) but still outdrawing the 2015 Grammy Awards and of course easily winning the night. Everything was awesome for Team Birdman (other than Best Actor) and people ignoring/shaming the play-off orchestra. I didn’t win my pool, so we’re never speaking of this night again. Tonight, The Voice returns to NBC with its always-popular blind auditions, Sleepy Hollow concludes its shaky second season, and it’s Fantasy Suite Night (aka time for “fiancée-type stuff”) on The Bachelor. Kids Baking Championship on Food Network declares a winner, and E!’s Fashion Police pledge to #AskHerMore at the 2016 Oscars, or, maybe just argue about what exact color Emma Stone’s dress was. Your Comfort Movie of the Night is  Sixteen Candles on VH1 Classic.

Best regards and here, have some pretty dresses, 

2/22/2015 HH RATING HH SHARE 18-49 ADULTS 18-49 SHARE 7pm ABC Oscars Red Carpet 11.0 18 4.6 14 CBS 60 Minutes 4.0 7 0.8 3 NBC Dateline NBC: R 3.4 6 0.8 3 FOX Bob's Burgers: R 1.2 2 0.8 3 7:30pm ABC Oscars Red Carpet 13.3 21 6.1 17 CBS 60 Minutes 3.9 6 0.8 2 NBC Dateline NBC: R 3.6 6 0.9 3 FOX The Simpsons: R 1.3 2 1.0 3 8pm ABC 87th Annual Oscars 16.7 26 8.3 22 CBS 60 Minutes 4.3 7 0.9 2 NBC Chicago Fire: R 1.7 3 0.4 1 FOX The Simpsons: R 1.7 3 1.2 3 8:30pm ABC 87th Annual Oscars 22.5 33 12.1 31 CBS Act of Valor (movie) 3.1 5 0.6 2 NBC Chicago Fire: R 1.5 2 0.4 1 FOX Brooklyn Nine-Nine: R 1.1 2 0.8 2 9pm ABC 87th Annual Oscars 20.1 30 10.9 27 CBS Act of Valor (movie) 2.0 3 0.6 1 NBC Law & Order: SVU: R 1.6 2 0.5 1 FOX Family Guy: R 1.2 2 0.8 2 9:30pm ABC 87th Annual Oscars 18.8 28 10.1 25 CBS Act of Valor (movie) 2.0 3 0.6 1 NBC Law & Order: SVU: R 1.7 3 0.6 1 FOX Bob's Burgers: R 1.2 2 0.9 2 10pm ABC 87th Annual Oscars 17.9 29 9.6 25 CBS Act of Valor (movie) 1.9 3 0.6 1 NBC Chicago PD: R 1.7 3 0.6 2 10:30pm ABC 87th Annual Oscars 17.1 30 8.9 25 CBS Act of Valor (movie) 1.8 3 0.5 2 NBC Chicago PD: R 2.0 4 0.7 2

[rantsandratings]

Rants and Ratings - Thursday February 12th

Happy Friday the 13th! BOO!! Not so scary ratings from Thursday primetime, including American Idol essentially even with last Thursday’s fast nationals (5.7/9 vs 5.6/10 last week in HH), CBS comedies down without the support of a new episode of The Big Bang Theory to launch the night, Backstrom showing some life for FOX, The Blacklist stuttering down 30% in the demo week-on-week for NBC, and How to Get Away with Murder even for ABC but again conceding the Shondaland #TGIT crown to Scandal, the overall leader for the night. Looking ahead to the long weekend, Friday night sees the season finale of Constantine, while the CW airs the charmingly weird (basically my highest praise) indie movie Safety Not Guaranteed. Sunday primetime includes a new SNL 40th Anniversary Special (complete with a now-available app that includes a Drunk Uncle emoji!), a special Sunday edition of The Bachelor, the season (NOT series) finale of CSI, and of course a new Walking Dead. As I will be on holiday for the Presidents’ Day holiday, your recs for that night include an All-Star Grammy Tribute to Stevie Wonder (I’ll watch if you promise Mark Ronson shows up) on CBS, the season(cough) finale of State of Affairs, and Better Call Saul on AMC. Your Comfort Movie of the Night is The American President on Ovation (Saturday; aka when all the good movies are on). Best regards and YOU are my Valentine!! Xoxo,

2/12/2015 HH RATING HH SHARE 18-49 ADULTS 18-49 SHARE 8pm ABC Grey's Anatomy 5.0 8 2.1 8 CBS The Big Bang Theory: R 6.9 12 2.1 7 NBC The Slap (series debut) 3.5 6 1.1 4 FOX American Idol 5.5 9 2.2 8 CW Vampire Diaries 1.0 2 0.7 3 8:30pm ABC Grey's Anatomy 5.3 9 2.4 8 CBS Mom 6.2 10 2.1 7 NBC The Slap (series debut) 3.4 6 1.1 4 FOX American Idol 5.8 9 2.4 8 CW Vampire Diaries 0.9 2 0.7 2 9pm ABC Scandal 6.2 10 3.0 10 CBS Two and a Half Men 5.8 9 2.1 7 NBC The Blacklist 5.0 8 1.7 5 FOX Backstrom 2.9 5 1.4 4 CW Reign 0.7 1 0.4 1 9:30pm ABC Scandal 6.4 10 3.1 10 CBS The Big Bang Theory: R 4.9 8 1.7 5 NBC The Blacklist 4.8 8 1.6 5 FOX Backstrom 2.5 4 1.2 4 CW Reign 0.6 1 0.4 1 10pm ABC How to Get Away with Murder 5.9 10 2.8 9 CBS Elementary 5.1 9 1.4 5 NBC Allegiance 2.6 4 0.8 3 10:30pm ABC How to Get Away with Murder 5.6 10 2.6 9 CBS Elementary 4.9 9 1.3 5 NBC Allegiance 2.2 4 0.7 2

[rantsandratings]

Rants and Ratings - Wednesday February 11th

Wrapping my brain around ratings for Wednesday primetime, including American Idol winning its hour in the demo and total viewers, but coming in down slightly vs. last Wednesday’s fast results. The real news of course is that Empire rose AGAIN. FINE I GET IT I WILL WATCH EMPIRE. Probably. The ABC comedies were flat and Arrow ticked down. Nashville and Stalker both managed to gain a tenth of a point in the demo as Chicago PD softened. Your penultimate weekday evening offers up the last Hollywood Week night on American Idol before the contestants move to the Showcase round, the series debut of The Slap on NBC (which sounds hilarable), a new Scandal, and two repeats of The Big Bang Theory. Upcoming Oscar host Neil Patrick Harris visits the Actors’ Studio and the Project Runway All Stars season comes to an end. Your Comfort Movie of the Night is Toy Story 3 on Disney. Please let me know if there are any questions. Best regards and ILY Bill Hader [insert heart-eyes emoji], 

2/11/2015 HH RATING HH SHARE 18-49 ADULTS 18-49 SHARE 8pm ABC The Middle 4.9 8 2.1 7 CBS The Mentalist 5.5 9 1.5 5 NBC The Mysteries of Laura 4.0 7 1.0 4 FOX American Idol 5.9 10 2.5 9 CW Arrow 1.6 3 1.0 4 8:30pm ABC The Goldbergs 4.2 7 2.3 7 CBS The Mentalist 5.8 10 1.5 5 NBC The Mysteries of Laura 3.9 6 1.1 4 FOX American Idol 6.5 11 2.9 9 CW Arrow 1.6 3 1.0 3 9pm ABC Modern Family 6.0 10 3.3 10 CBS Criminal Minds 6.3 10 2.0 6 NBC Law & Order: SVU 4.0 6 1.5 4 FOX Empire 7.5 12 4.7 14 CW The 100 1.1 2 0.6 2 9:30pm ABC Black-ish 4.4 7 2.2 6 CBS Criminal Minds 6.3 10 2.0 6 NBC Law & Order: SVU 3.9 6 1.4 4 FOX Empire 7.2 12 4.8 14 CW The 100 1.0 2 0.5 2 10pm ABC Nashville 3.7 6 1.5 5 CBS Stalker 5.1 9 1.4 4 NBC Chicago PD 4.0 7 1.4 4 10:30pm ABC Nashville 3.4 6 1.3 4 CBS Stalker 4.9 9 1.3 4 NBC Chicago PD 4.2 8 1.4 5

[rantsandratings]

Rants and Ratings - Tuesday February 10th

Win some, lose some in the ratings for Tuesday primetime, including Fresh Off the Boat in its new timeslot falling well below its series debut on the ABC-comedy-friendly Wednesday night, but still outdrawing lead-out Agent Carter and coming in second only to NCIS in the hour. Five solid family sitcoms; four Wednesday slots. High class problems, ABC. The Flash rose week-on-week for the CW to overtake Parks & Rec in both the demo and households, which is crazypants and of course  I love The Flash but I ALSO love Parks & Rec and hate to see it limp out in its final season. New Girl and The Mindy Project fell slightly for FOX, while CSI was up to essentially draw with Chicago Fire in the demo. In Wednesday primetime, speaking of the ABC lineup, The Middle and Modern Family have their Valentine’s Day episodes while FOX’s Empire leans in to the obvious Shakespeare references with its episode “Out, Damned Spot.” Hollywood Week continues on American Idol and I already feel myself growing attached to a few of the kids, and Law & Order: SVU takes on GamerGate, which will absolutely end well for everyone. (Have the Twitter ‘Block’ function at the ready.) Top Chef finally has its finale (#TeamMei) and Broad City confronts every young city-dwellers’ greatest fear (after bedbugs), FOMO. Your Comfort Movie of the Night is Independence Day on USA. Best regards and my replacement vote goes to Jessica Williams,

2/10/2015

HH RATING HH SHARE 18-49 ADULTS 18-49 SHARE 8pm ABC Fresh Off the Boat 3.9 6 1.7 6 CBS NCIS 11.3 19 2.8 9 NBC Parks & Rec 2.0 3 1.0 4 FOX MasterChef Junior 2.8 5 1.3 5 CW The Flash 3.1 4 1.4 5 8:30pm ABC Fresh Off the Boat 3.7 6 1.8 6 CBS NCIS 11.7 19 2.8 9 NBC Parks & Rec 1.6 3 1.0 3 FOX MasterChef Junior 2.7 4 1.4 4 CW The Flash 2.0 3 1.4 4 9pm ABC Agent Carter 2.8 4 1.4 4 CBS NCIS: New Orleans 10.2 16 2.3 7 NBC Marry Me 1.4 2 0.8 2 FOX New Girl 1.8 3 1.3 4 CW Supernatural 1.3 2 0.9 3 9:30pm ABC Agent Carter 2.4 4 1.3 4 CBS NCIS: New Orleans 9.6 15 2.2 6 NBC About a Boy 1.8 3 0.8 3 FOX The Mindy Project 1.6 3 1.0 3 CW Supernatural 1.2 2 0.8 2 10pm ABC Forever 3.0 5 1.1 4 CBS CSI 6.4 11 1.6 5 NBC Chicago Fire 4.0 7 1.4 4 10:30pm ABC Forever 3.0 6 1.1 4 CBS CSI 5.8 11 1.4 5 NBC Chicago Fire 4.3 8 1.5 5

[rantsandratings]

Rants and Ratings - Monday February 9th

A few items of note in ratings for Monday primetime, including The Bachelor up again week-on-week in the demo, The Celebrity Apprentice down sharply (last night was maybe a recap/clip show?), a new Scorpion scoring the most total viewers on the night, and State of Affairs holding steady at the Mulaney line (™Daniel Fienberg) in the demo if down in households. Sleepy Hollow was down again, and looks increasingly unlikely to make it to a third season, while Jane the Virgin managed to tick up a tenth, hopefully because ALL of you are now watching it. Watch for cable ratings to see if Better Call Saul maintained most of its record-breaking Sunday debut audience. Tuesday night’s TV lineup is heavy on comedies, including two new episodes of Fresh Off the Boat, two of Parks & Recreation, and the entire (expanding) Castellano family at dinner on The Mindy Project. Restaurant Wars comes to MasterChef: Junior and I would make a Chuck E. Cheese vs Dave & Buster’s crack but those kids are legit, and Supernatural’s “Halt and Catch Fire” probably doesn’t feature a cameo from AMC’s Halt and Catch Fire’s Lee Pace, but one can dream. Your Comfort Movie of the Night is Starship Troopers on Logo.

Best regards and paging Donald Glover,

2/9/2015                                              HH RATING            HH SHARE              18-49 ADULTS      18-49 SHARE

8pm        ABC         The Bachelor        5.7          9              2.6          8

                CBS         2 Broke Girls         5.6          9              2.3          7

                NBC         Celebrity Apprentice          3.3          5              1.2          4

                FOX         Gotham  3.6          6              1.9          3

                CW          The Originals         0.9          1              0.6          2

                                                                                                8:30pm  ABC         The Bachelor        5.4          8              2.6          8

                CBS         Mike & Molly        5.7          9              2.1          6

                NBC         Celebrity Apprentice          2.9          5              1.2          3

                FOX         Gotham  3.3          5              1.8          5

                CW          The Originals         0.8          1              0.5          2

                                                                                                9pm        ABC         The Bachelor        5.5          9              2.6          7

                CBS         Scorpion                7.1          11           2.2          6

                NBC         Celebrity Apprentice          3.3          5              1.4          4

                FOX         Sleepy Hollow       2.4          4              1.2          3

                CW          Jane the Virgin      0.8          1              0.6          2

                                                                                                9:30pm  ABC         The Bachelor        5.9          9              2.9          8

                CBS         Scorpion                7.1          11           2.2          6

                NBC         Celebrity Apprentice          3.2          5              1.4          4

                FOX         Sleepy Hollow       2.3          4              1.2          3

                CW          Jane the Virgin      0.9          1              0.6          2

                                                                                                10pm      ABC         Castle     5.1          8              1.7          5

                CBS         NCIS: LA 6.5          11           1.7          5

                NBC         State of Affairs      2.7          4              1.0          3

                                                                                                10:30pm                ABC         Castle     4.7          8              1.4          5

                CBS         NCIS: LA 6.2          11           1.6          5

                NBC         State of Affairs      2.6          5              1.0          3

[rantsandratings]

Rants and Ratings - Sunday February 8th

As brief and heartfelt as a Sam Smith acceptance speech, ratings from Sunday primetime, including the Grammy Awards looking down from their January 2014 airing (which faced the Pro Bowl), the FOX animated series down slightly from their last original airings, with Brooklyn Nine-Nine alone holding steady, and a whoooole lot of counter-programming elsewhere. Another snowy Monday brings mostly new episodes across the networks, including Gotham, Jane the Virgin, Scorpion, and Castle. The top two teams in women’s college basketball face off on ESPN 2, E!’s Fashion Police review the red carpet style from the Grammys, and Better Call Saul moves into its real timeslot with a new episode at 10pm. Your Comfort Movie of the Night is The Holiday on Lifetime. Best regards and Kanye’s gonna Kanye-ye-ye, 

2/8/15 HH RATING HH SHARE 18-49 ADULTS 18-49 SHARE 7pm ABC America's Funniest Home Videos 3.7 6 1.3 4 CBS 60 Minutes 5.9 10 1.3 4 NBC Dateline 3.6 6 0.8 3 FOX Mulaney 0.7 1 0.5 2 7:30pm ABC America's Funniest Home Videos 3.8 6 1.4 4 CBS 60 Minutes 6.8 11 1.8 5 NBC Dateline 3.9 6 1.0 3 FOX The Simpsons: R 0.9 2 0.7 2 8pm ABC The Hunger Games 2.1 3 0.9 3 CBS Grammy Awards 14.6 23 8.1 23 NBC American Ninja Warrior: USA v World 1.6 2 0.7 2 FOX The Simpsons 1.6 3 1.2 3 8:30pm ABC The Hunger Games 2.1 3 1.0 3 CBS Grammy Awards 15.9 24 9.4 25 NBC American Ninja Warrior: USA v World 1.3 2 0.6 2 FOX Brooklyn Nine-Nine 1.5 2 1.2 3 9pm ABC The Hunger Games 1.9 3 1.1 3 CBS Grammy Awards 15.5 23 9.2 23 NBC American Ninja Warrior: USA v World 1.2 2 0.6 1 FOX Family Guy 1.7 3 1.4 3 9:30pm ABC The Hunger Games 2.0 3 1.1 3 CBS Grammy Awards 15.2 23 9.3 23 NBC American Ninja Warrior: USA v World 1.3 2 0.6 1 FOX Bob's Burgers 1.3 2 1.0 2 10pm ABC The Hunger Games 2.0 3 1.1 3 CBS Grammy Awards 14.1 23 8.5 23 NBC The Blacklist 1.4 2 0.6 2 10:30pm ABC The Hunger Games 2.2 4 1.2 3 CBS Grammy Awards 13.6 24 8.1 23 NBC American Ninja Warrior: USA v World 1.5 3 0.7 2