What are you watching this Spring?

[Brent]

TV Ratings: ABC Crosses Over to Thursday Win
Season best for 'Private Practice'; no Super Bowl bump for 'The Office'

February 6, 2009

Fast National ratings for Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009

A crossover episode helped "Private Practice" to its best ratings of the season Thursday and led ABC to a healthy win for the night.

ABC averaged a 7.7 rating/12 share in primetime. FOX and CBS tied for second in households at 5.6/9, but FOX had more total viewers (9.2 million to 8.6 million for CBS). NBC, 4.3/7, came in fourth. The CW earned a 2.2/3.

ABC also led among adults 18-49 with a 4.5 rating. FOX took second in the advertisers' favorite demographic with a 3.3. NBC, 2.9, finished third, followed by CBS, 2.2, and The CW, 1.5.

"Bones" put FOX on top at 8 p.m. with a 6.7/11. "Ugly Betty," 5.0/8, grabbed second for ABC. CBS was third with reruns of "The Big Bang Theory" and "How I Met Your Mother, which beat NBC's "My Name Is Earl," 3.9/6, and "Kath & Kim," 3.1/5. "Smallville" delivered a 2.4/4 for The CW.

"Grey's Anatomy," 9.8/15, moved ABC into the lead at 9 p.m. CBS took second with a "CSI" rerun, 7.4/11. FOX's "Hell's Kitchen" finished third. "The Office" (5.2/8) didn't enjoy any kind of post-Super Bowl bump and along with "30 Rock," 4.1/6, finished fourth for NBC. The CW got a 2.1/3 from "Supernatural."

"Private Practice," which began a crossover with "Grey's," scored an 8.4/14 -- easily its biggest audience of the season -- at 10 p.m. An "Eleventh Hour" rerun, 5.5/9, on CBS beat out "ER," 4.8/8, on NBC.

http://www.zap2it.com/tv/ratings/zap-ra ... 1655.story

[Brent]

Just a note: President Obama will have a news conference Monday at 8pm ET for probably close to an entire hour. All four networks will almost certainly cover it, though not sure how the schedules will be affected yet. NBC is pre-empting Chuck, CBS is pre-empting How I Met Your Mother and airing a new Big Bang Theory at 9:30 after Two and a Half Men. ABC will likely shift The Bachelor to 9-11 and FOX will likely pre-empt House.

ABC and FOX both have confirmed the above. ABC will air True Beauty's episode on Tuesday at 10 instead. There will be another smaller speech the following Monday on the 16th but so far the networks are not covering that one(and hopefully won't, no offense to Obama). Also on Tuesday the 24th, an address to Congress similar to the State of the Union from 9-10, FOX is totally pre-empting Idol shifting it to Wednesday/Thursday while NBC will cut The Biggest Loser down to an hour(and air the 2nd hour Wednesday the 25th), CBS and ABC would have been in repeats anyway.

In the meantime... new episodes of Desperate Housewives and Brothers and Sisters Sunday. ABC will be announcing the Dancing With the Stars cast which premieres next month all night long.

[lurkey]

the "LIST" for Season 8 of DTWS:

Belinda Carilsle --- 80's singer band- The Go Gos
Chuck Wicks country singer
David Alan Grier -- actor and comedian
Denise Richardson - actress; former wife of Charlie Sheen
Glles Marini -- actor
Jewel -- singer
Ty Murray aka Mr. Jewel -- bull rider and Jewel's husband
Lawrence Taylor -- retired NFL football player
Lil' Kim -- rapper
Nancy O'Dell co-host Access Hollywood
Shawn Johnson - 2008 medalist gymnastics
Steve-o -- from Jackass
Steve Wozniak aka Woz -- co-founder of Apple Inc

[JonathanBelles]

I am very disappointed by that list! There are four people I have heard of, and one that I care about. They couldnt come up with anyone else?

[lurkey]

I am very disappointed by that list! There are four people I have heard of, and one that I care about. They couldnt come up with anyone else?

I have heard of at least 10 of the "stars". Pretty lame line-up, though. ..

[southerngale]

Belinda Carlisle... the Bangles?

She was the lead singer for the Go-Go's.

[lurkey]

Belinda Carlisle... the Bangles?

She was the lead singer for the Go-Go's.

changed . .. sorry, its late and they all sounded alike . . . at least in my mind. . .

[Brent]

I know all but 4, but it is a pretty lame list. Most of them I haven't heard anything about in a long time.

Loved both DH and B&S tonight. Found them both kind of dull in December/January so this was a nice change.

[Brent]

TV Ratings: Grammys Play Sweet Tune for CBS
Music awards show draws 20 million viewers

February 9, 2009

Fast National ratings for Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009

Sunday's Grammy Awards improved their ratings over last year's show, carrying CBS to a ratings win for the night.

CBS averaged an 11.3 rating/18 share in primetime, easily beating the 6.5/10 for second-place ABC. NBC took third with a 4.5/7. FOX, 2.4/4, came in fourth, and The CW trailed at 0.8/1.

The adults 18-49 title also went to CBS, which drew a 6.5 rating in the demographic. ABC was the best of the rest at 3.5. FOX, 1.9, edged NBC, 1.8, for third. The CW managed only a 0.4.

CBS began the night with a highly rated "60 Minutes," 10.5/17. NBC's coverage of the NFL's Pro Bowl finished second in households at 5.6/9, but "America's Funniest Home Videos" (5.3/9) brought in a few more total viewers. "Hole in the Wall" drew a 1.5/3 for FOX. The CW ran a "Jericho" repeat.

The 51st annual Grammy Awards delivered an 11.9/18 for CBS at 8 p.m. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," 6.0/9, gave ABC sole possession of second place. "Dateline" earned a 4.5/7 for NBC. Repeats of "The Simpsons" and "King of the Hill" averaged 2.7/4 for FOX. The CW aired the movie "Teen Wolf."

The Grammys improved to 12.1/18 at 9 p.m. "Desperate Housewives" scored an 8.6/13 for ABC. The miniseries "XIII" put NBC in third, ahead of "Family Guy," 3.2/5, and "American Dad," 2.9/4, on FOX. "Teen Wolf" earned a 1.0/1 for The CW.

CBS fell a little at 10 p.m. as the Grammys posted a 10.9/18; the prime-time portion of the telecast drew about 20 million viewers. "Brothers & Sisters," 6.3/10, kept ABC ahead of NBC and "XIII," 3.8/6.

http://www.zap2it.com/tv/ratings/zap-ra ... 1482.story

[Miss Mary]

Two and a Half Men and Big Bang Theory - once again, both shows, hilarious. You would think Men would have run out of ideas by now but Charlie's shrink is so deadpan hilarious! Big Bang Theory's Sheldon and Leonard's mother - LOL!!! Penny and Leonard almost hooking up - another funny scene. And you knew it wouldn't end the way Leonard wanted it to........

If anyone's on the fence about Big Bang, it's a great show. Give it a try.

[Brent]

The Big Bang Theory had a series high while pretty much everything else was lower than normal due to the speech most likely.

TV Ratings: CBS Leads Obama-Shortened Monday
Comedies, 'CSI: Miami' hold off ABC

February 10, 2009

Fast National ratings for Monday, Feb. 9, 2009

President Obama's first prime-time news conference gathered a healthy audience Monday night, with preliminary estimates showing about 37 million people tuning in on the big four broadcast networks. CBS used the press conference and two-thirds of its regular lineup to win the night.

The Eye averaged a 7.8 rating/12 share in primetime. ABC finished second at 7.2/11. NBC, 5.4/8, came in third, a little ahead of FOX's 4.8/7. The CW drew a 1.1/2 with a night of reruns. (Ratings for everyone but The CW are likely to change because of the live coverage of the president and different scheduling on the West Coast.)

ABC led at 8 p.m., earning a 7.5/11 with its coverage of the Obama news conference (and "The Bachelor" out west). CBS drew a 6.2/9 for the hour, narrowly beating NBC. FOX came in fourth with a 3.7/6. The CW got a 1.2/2 from a "Gossip Girl" rerun.

"Two and a Half Men," 9.2/13, and "The Big Bang Theory," 8.1/12, moved CBS to the lead at 9 p.m. "The Bachelor" scored a 7.6/11 for ABC. FOX got a 6.0/9 from "24," which beat out NBC's "Heroes," 4.9/7, for third. "One Tree Hill" dipped a little from its lead-in on The CW.

At 10 p.m., "CSI: Miami," 8.7/14, kept CBS in front of ABC and "The Bachelor," 6.7/11. "Medium" posted a 5.2/8 for NBC.

http://www.zap2it.com/tv/ratings/zap-ra ... 8091.story

[lurkey]

Breaking: Are Katherine Heigl and T.R. Knight REALLY leaving 'Grey's Anatomy'?
Feb 10, 2009, 01:39 PM | by Michael Ausiello


Here we go again.

The ongoing soap opera concerning Katherine Heigl and T.R. Knight's uncertain Grey's Anatomy futures took another crazy turn today when co-star James Pickens Jr. confirmed to US Weekly that both actors are indeed leaving the show.

"Yes, she is," Pickens said when asked if Heigl was checking out of Seattle Grace. "Wherever Katherine goes, I wish her nothing but the best." And what about Knight? "He's going too," Pickens said. "He just wanted to pursue other career paths."

ABC isn't commenting, but here's what sources close to the situation are telling me about Pickens' comments: Dude jumped the gun.

While it's hardly a secret that Heigl and Knight want off the show, Alphabet execs have yet to officially issue the actors their Get Out of Jail Free cards. Unofficially, however, all indications are that it will happen. The only question now is when.

"Right now, the whole thing is in the hands of their agents and ABC's lawyers," explains an insider. "Something will probably be worked out soon, but it's a safe bet that Katherine and T.R. won't be returning as series regulars next season."

If you believe the rumors, Heigl has been trying to wiggle her way out of her Grey's contract for the better part of the past two years. (She's a movie star, people!) Knight, meanwhile, approached the show's producers last fall about making an early exit. As I previously reported, the Isaiahgate survivor has been frustrated by his lack of air time. "He's an actor. He wants to act," a Grey's insider told me at the time. "It's that simple."

One possible wrinkle that may be delaying an official announcement: Grey's boss Shonda Rhimes may want Heigl and Knight to briefly reprise their roles next season. "There's talk of one or both of them doing an arc in the fall," whispers a Grey's snitch. "That's one of several things being discussed."

What do you think? Would Grey's flatline without George and Izzie? Or has it gotten to the point where you're so sick of hearing about them leaving that you just want them to leave, period? Sound off below!

[Brent]

Or has it gotten to the point where you're so sick of hearing about them leaving that you just want them to leave, period? Sound off below!

That would be me.

I'm hoping the finale includes their departure and Derek/Meredith getting married.

[Miss Mary]

What am I watching tonight? LOL

Hopefully Lost.......making sure my Sony Watchman has good batteries, in case the power goes out (high wind warning in place for my area, many states but you all know that I'm sure). It's a good thing I can still use this Sony Watchman, because soon it will be a useless piece of technology.

So if the power goes out, I can still see Lost.

But if this is going to be a repeat of the freak windstorm last Sept., 90% of Cincinnati lost power, so no doubt local Mets will pre-empt local programming. So there goes Lost if that happens....

It's just one hour, I hope to see Lost tonight! Who cares about the rest of our shows.....he he Gotta get my priorities in line here. LOL

[Brent]

TV Ratings: CBS Nearly Passes FOX Tuesday
'American Idol' barely holds off 'Mentalist,' 'NCIS'

February 11, 2009

Fast National ratings for Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009

CBS nearly pulled off the rare feat of drawing more viewers than FOX on an "American Idol" night on Tuesday, but FOX managed just to hold onto the title.

CBS did lead the night in households, drawing a 10.9 rating/17 share. FOX (10.0/15), however, held a scant lead in viewers -- 17.48 million to 17.39 million for CBS. NBC finished third with a 6.4/10. ABC, 2.7/4, came in a distant fourth, while The CW trailed at 1.4/2.

FOX maintained its dominance among adults 18-49, scoring a 6.7 rating in the key demographic. CBS and NBC tied for second at 3.8. ABC averaged 1.7 and The CW 0.9.

"American Idol" scored a 13.8/21 for FOX at 8 p.m. "NCIS" was its usual solid self, coming in at 11.3/17. "The Biggest Loser: Couples," 4.9/7, came in third for NBC. A pair of Charlie Brown Valentine's specials put ABC in fourth, beating the 1.7/3 for "90210" on The CW.

"The Mentalist," 12.1/18, captured the lead for CBS at 9 p.m. "The Biggest Loser" jumped up to 6.8/10 in its second hour, topping the 6.2/9 for "Fringe" on FOX. An hour of "Scrubs" earned a 2.8/4 for ABC. "Privileged" closed the night for The CW.

CBS stayed on top at 10 p.m. thanks to "Without a Trace," 9.2/15. A "Dateline NBC" interview with octuplets mother Nadya Suleman posted a 7.6/13. "True Beauty" suffered without a "Bachelor" lead-in, drawing only a 2.5/4.

http://www.zap2it.com/tv/ratings/zap-ra ... 0755.story

[mf_dolphin]

CSI ( all three ), NCIS, Burn Notice plus whatever sports happen to be on

[Brent]

Nicollette Sheridan to be killed off Desperate Housewives

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/the_awf ... idans.html

[lurkey]

DWTS

The entire season eight lineup is as follows:
• Former NFL star Lawrence Taylor and Edyta Sliwinska
• Actor Gilles Marini and two-time DWTS champ Cheryl Burke
• Rapper Lil’ Kim and season seven champ Derek Hough
• Actress Denise Richards and Maksim Chmerkovskiy
• Pop star Belinda Carlisle and Jonathan Roberts
• Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson and season six champ Mark Ballas
• Reality star Steve-O and Lacey Schwimmer
• Rodeo star Ty Murray and first-time Dancing pro Chelsie Hightower
• Apple Computer co-founder Steve Wozniak and Karina Smirnoff
• Country singer Chuck Wicks and two-time champ Julianne Hough
• Access Hollywood’s Nancy O’Dell and Tony Dovolani
• Actor David Alan Grier and Kym Johnson
• Singer Jewel and first-time Dancing pro Dmitry Chaplin

[Brent]

TV Ratings: Two-Hour 'Idol' Rocks Wednesday
Announcement of semifinalists dominates the night

February 12, 2009

Fast National ratings for Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009

The naming of this year's "American Idol" semifinalists powered FOX to a dominant ratings win Wednesday night.

FOX averaged a 14.1 rating/22 share in households for the night, and its 24.6 million viewers were more than double the average for second-place CBS (7.0/11, 11 million). ABC, 4.0/6, edged NBC, 3.9/6, for third. The CW's rerun slate could only muster a 0.7/1.

FOX's 9.4 rating among adults 18-49 beat the combined total of the other four networks. CBS finished second in the demographic with a 2.9, followed by ABC at 2.6. NBC averaged 1.6 and The CW 0.4.

"American Idol" drew a 13.8/22 for FOX at 8 p.m. CBS led the also-rans with "The New Adventures of Old Christine," 4.5/7, and "Gary Unmarried," 4.4/7. "Knight Rider" scored a 3.4/5 for NBC, beating out a repeat of last week's "Lost" on ABC. The CW aired a "Privileged" rerun.

"Idol" improved to 14.4/22 at 9 p.m. "Criminal Minds" delivered an 8.5/13 for CBS. ABC moved up to third with "Lost," 5.7/9. "Life" earned a 3.2/5 for NBC, while The CW went with a "90210" encore.

With FOX done for the night, CBS took the lead at 10 p.m. with "CSI: NY," 8.2/14. "Law & Order," 5.1/9, took second for NBC, ahead of "Life on Mars," 3.3/5, on ABC.

http://www.zap2it.com/tv/ratings/zap-tv ... 0976.story


'American Idol' Top 36 Contestant Joanna Pacitti Ruled Ineligible

By Andrea Reiher

February 11, 10:58 PM

Joanna Pacitti, a much-maligned contestant due to her previous record deal, has been removed from the Top 36 of American Idol. She has been replaced by Felicia Barton.

Via the official press release sent at 10:30 p.m. PT (a half hour after the Top 36 episode finished airing on the west coast), "It has been determined that Joanna Pacitti is ineligible to continue in the competition. American Idol contestant Felicia Barton has replaced Ms. Pacitti as part of the Top 36."

More details as they become available, but Pacitti is definitely gone. As Los Angeles Times Idol Tracker notes: while the FOX press site posted the official publicity shots for the other 35 finalists, the only image available for Barton is a less than glamorous picture snapped during her original audition.

http://blog.zap2it.com/americanidol/200 ... gible.html

[lurkey]

T.R. Knight, Katherine Heigl Not Leaving Grey's Anatomy
By Sara Hammel

Originally posted Friday February 13, 2009 06:20 AM EST
Katherine Heigl and T.R. Knight


Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes wants to set the record straight: T.R. Knight and Katherine Heigl are not leaving the show.

"That was a very interesting rumor," Rhimes said Thursday night at the 40th NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles. "And it's not true."

Rhimes was referring to a recent comment in the press attributed to Grey's castmember James Pickens Jr., in which he was said to be confirming the departure of Heigl and Knight.

"That was absolutely taken out of context," said Rhimes. "Things happen, and ... I think rumors become fact very easily. And you know I don't like to tell you what's going to happen on the show – but that is a rumor," she emphasized.


Pickens Explains
For his part, Pickens says he meant to wish the pair well in general.

"We've been living with these rumors for a long time," he said before the NAACP's awards show. "When the question was posed to me, I was more trying to congratulate Katie and T.R. on whatever they were going to do. But yeah, I don't have any special info about it either way."

ABC's Grey's Anatomy took home three awards, including Chandra Wilson's win for outstanding actress in a drama series. Wilson said she was looking forward to the show's upcoming 100th episode – and insisted things were all good on the set.

"We're laughing at the rumors, as we always do," Wilson said before the ceremony. "Stories come out, and [there are] these big quotes, and we go, 'But that's not exactly what I said.' So, we're busy doing our jobs, doing our work."
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