Friday, November 4, 2011

Today in TV History
The 100^th episode of multi-honored Cheers spin-off Frasier aired in 1997.   The sitcom concluded seven years later with a grand total of 265 half-hours and 37 Emmys, which beat prior record holder The Mary Tyler Moore Show (29) by eight trophies.  Also on this day: Donna (Donna Reed) decides to write a book on the final season of The Donna Reed Show in 1965, Thomas Magnum (Tom Selleck) wakes up one morning and finds he is back in 1936 and must solve a murder on Magnum, P.I. in 1982, and Amy (Amy Brenneman) makes a controversial decision to overturn the jury’s verdict on legal drama Judging Amy in 2003.

In Today’s Issue

NETWORK
-ABC Renews Three
-The Chew on ABC Picks Up Steam
-Lucy Day at the Hollywood Museum

CABLE
-Drew Barrymore Heads to TCM
-Starving Secrets with Tracey Gold on Lifetime
-ABC Family January Premiere Dates
-GMC to Introduce Engagement Story on GMC
-Shaquille O’Neal to Host Cartoon Network’s Hall of Game Awards
-Cable Top 20 – Wednesday, November 2

SCHEDULE BOX
-On the Air This Weekend

TRIVIA CHALLENGE
-Pat MacDougall

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SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT TV MEDIA INSIGHTS

Contact Joel Spicola at joel@tvmediainsights.com or 720/323-4055 for more information.

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NETWORK

Metered Market Thursday Ratings Update
CBS Wins, Solid Return for Bones on Fox

Thursday 11/03/11

Household
Rating/Share
CBS    8.3/14
Fox     6.9/11
ABC   5.3/ 9
NBC   3.3/ 5
CW     2.1/ 3

-Percent Change from the Year-Ago Evening (Thursday 11/04/10)
Fox: +41, CBS: – 8, CW: – 9. NBC: -11, ABC: -21

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-Winners:
The Big Bang Theory (CBS), The X Factor (Fox), Person of Interest (CBS), Bones (Fox), The Mentalist (CBS)

-Down But Not Out:
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC), The Office (NBC)

-Losers (excluding repeats):
Charlie’s Angels (ABC), Community (NBC), Parks and Recreation (NBC), Whitney (NBC), Primse Suspect (NBC)

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Ratings Breakdown:
CBS dominated this first Thursday in November in the metered markets with its combination of The Big Bang Theory (#1: 9.8 rating/16 share), which topped the night, recent returnee Rules of Engagement (#2: 6.9/11), Person of Interest (#1: 8.0/12) and The Mentalist (#1: 8.8/15).  Comparably, the Eye net’s advantage over second-place Fox was 1.4 overnight rating points.

Of note on CBS:

-Rules of Engagement remains a vast improvement over recent failed occupant How To Be a Gentleman, with 70 percent retention out of The Big Bang Theory.  But compared to year-ago occupant $#*! My Day Says, it is only equal.
-Person of Interest deserves a “thumbs up” for dominating the 9 p.m. hour in the overnights.  But chances are it will finish third among adults 18-49, and its overnight average dipped by 12 percent from year-ago occupant CSI (9.1/14 on 11/04/10).
-Aging The Mentalist was down by nine percent from one year earlier.

In season-premiere news, Bones on Fox was on the 9 p.m. map with a third-place 6.6/10 in the overnights.  Comparably, this increased by 94 percent from year-ago occupant Fringe (3.4/ 5 on 11/05/10), with retention out of the 8:30 p.m. portion of lead-in The X Factor (8.0/13) of a respectable 82 percent.  The X Factor finished second overall from 8-9 p.m., with a 7.5/12.

Over at ABC, Charlie’s Angels earned its cancellation stripes with a distant third-place 3.6/ 6 at 8 p.m.  Grey’s Anatomy at 9 p.m. perked up to a second-place 7.2/11 at 9 p.m., and that should be enough to win the hour among adults 18-49.  But versus one year earlier, the aging medical drama dipped by 20 percent (9.0/13 to 7.2/11).

ABC’s Private Practice at 10 p.m. capped off the evening with a second-place 5.1/ 9 at 10 p.m.  One year earlier it was considerably stronger at a 7.9/13 on 11/05/10.

Elsewhere, NBC is not benefiting from the lack of Thursday anchor support from struggling Community (#4: 2.8/ 5) and Parks and Recreation (#4: 3.0/ 5) from 8-9 p.m.  Year-to-year, Community dropped by 18 percent (3.4/ 5 to 2.8/ 5), while Parks and Recreation was off 21 percent from year-ago occupant 30 Rock (3.8/ 6).  The Office remains NBC’s strongest Thursday entry, with a fourth-place 4.1/ 6 in the overnights at 9 p.m. But compared to the year-ago evening (5.1/ 8 on 11/05/10), this is down by 20 percent.  Recent entry Whitney sunk to a 3.1/ 5 (#4) at 9:30 p.m. — down 16 percent from failed year-ago occupant Outsourced (3.7/ 6 on 11/04/10).

At 10 p.m., Prime Suspect on NBC continues to languish at a distant 3.4/ 6 in the overnights at 10 p.m.

Over at The CW, healthy The Vampire Diaries (#5: 2.5/. 4 at 8 p.m.) was equal to the year-ago evening, while recent entry The Secret Circle (#5: 1.8/ 3 at 9 p.m.) was also close to year-ago occupant Nikita.

Source: Nielsen Media Research data

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NETWORK SHORT ITEMS

ABC Renews Three
ABC, which already picked up Suburgatory and Revenge for the remainder of the season, has green-lit two more: Last Man Standing and Once Upon a Time.  Nine additional episodes have been ordered for each.  A lucky 13 of the 27 new fall entries have now been picked-up for the full season, including 2 Broke Girls, Unforgettable and Person of Interest on CBS; Up All Night and Whitney on NBC; New Girl on Fox; and The CW’s Hart of Dixie, Ringer and The Secret Circle.

ABC has also extended the sophomore season episode order of sitcom Happy Endings from 13 to 22, which means that midseason returnee (and former Wednesday 9:30 p.m. occupant) Cougar Town may have to find a new home.  And the alphabet net ordered five more scripts for struggling 1960s based drama Pan Am on Sunday, which could lead to additional episodes.

The Chew on ABC Picks Up Steam
It is still not necessarily stellar by any means.  But based on the Live Plus Same Day ratings for the week of Oct. 24 (week No. 5), ABC daytime talker The Chew rose to a series-high performance in total viewers (2.16 million), women 25-54 (1.1 rating/7 share), women 18-49 (0.8/ 5) and women 18-34 (0.5/ 3).  Former time period occupant All My Children still had a minor advantage among total viewers and women 25-54, but the remaining results were equal as follows:

All My Children (ABC) – Week of 10/25/10
Viewers: 2.27 million, Women 25-54: 1.2/ 7, Women 18-49: 0.8/ 5, Women 18-34: 0.5/ 4

The Chew (ABC) – Week of 10/24/11
Viewers: 2.16 million, Women 25-54: 1.1/ 7, Women 18-49: 0.8/ 5, Women 18-34: 0.5/ 3

Lucy Day at the Hollywood Museum
The Hollywood Museum in Los Angeles will honor the 60^th anniversary of classic sitcom I Love Lucy with an event themed “I Love Lucy Day” on Saturday, Nov. 12.  Events will include a panel with original cast, crew and friends; collectors and vendors; and a cocktail party.  For more information, visit http://the hollywoodmuseum.com.

Source: Nielsen Media Research

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CABLE

Drew Barrymore Heads to TCM
Busy Drew Barrymore has a new gig: co-host of the upcoming 12^th season of Turner Classic Movies’ (TCM) The Essentials.  Barrymore will join Robert Osborne each week to introduce a handpicked classic film and offer commentary on its relevance.  The new season of The Essentials airs on Saturday evenings beginning in March 2012.

Starving Secrets with Tracey Gold on Lifetime
Former Growing Pains co-star Tracey Gold, who successfully battled a highly publicized eating disorder, will be featured in a new one-hour non-scripted series on Lifetime called Starving Secrets with Tracey Gold.  Working with a team of specialists, Tracey will use her experience to help women facing anorexia or bulimia find the treatment they need to turn their lives around.  It debuts on Friday, Dec. 2 at 10 p.m., leading into the Lifetime debut of veteran America’s Most Wanted.

ABC Family January Premiere Dates
ABC Family had unveiled the launch dates for its new and returning programming in January.  Original episodes of Pretty Little Liars and The Lying Game will air in the Monday 8-10 p.m. ET block effective on Monday, Jan. 2.  Recent summer entry Switched at Birth is back on a new day and time, Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET, beginning on Jan. 3.  Leading out of Switched at Birth at 9 p.m. is the debut of Jane By Design, the scripted tale of a quirky teen (Erica Dasher) who lands a job at a hip fashion house when they mistake her for an adult.

GMC to Introduce Engagement Story
Gospel Music Channel, the home of inspirational family entertainment, has ordered a half-hour reality series from Big Fish Entertainment called Engagement Story, the first of its kind to focus on real-life marriage proposals.  The series will feature “everyday” men as well as the occasional celebrity as they plan to pop the big question. Engagement Story, which will shoot on location around the United States, premieres on GMC in early 2012.

Shaquille O’Neal to Host Cartoon Network’s Hall of Game Awards
Basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal will host Cartoon Network’s second annual Hall of Game Awards in early 2012.  The Hall of Game Awards allows viewers to vote for and honor their favorite sports stars and moments of the year.

Cable Top 20 – Wednesday, November 2
Back-to-back off-net airings of NCIS on USA were the most-watched shows on cable this past Wednesday, with Psych tops of the original scripted programs.  Right behind (at No. 5 overall) was breakout hit American Horror Story on FX.  Here are the top 20 most-watched shows on cable in primetime (first-run and off-network) for Wednesday, November 2:

NCIS (USA, 8 p.m.) – Viewers: 3.92 million, NCIS (USA, 9 p.m.): 3.51, The O’Reilly Factor (Fox News, 8 p.m.): 3.49, Psych (USA, 10 p.m.): 3.08, South Park (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.): 2.85, American Horror Story (FX, 10 p.m.): 2.74, SpongeBob SquarePants (Nickelodeon, 8:30 p.m.): 2.41, Phineas and Feb Shorts (Disney Channel, 9 p.m.): 2.36, SpongeBob SquarePants (Nickelodeon, 8 p.m.): 2.27, Hannity (Fox News Channel, 9 p.m.): 2.26, Jessie (Disney Channel, 8:30 p.m.) and A.N.T. Farm (Disney Channel, 8 p.m.): 2.25 each, Storage Wars (A&E, 9 p.m.): 2.13, Good Luck Charlie (Disney Channel, 9:30 p.m.): 2.14, Storage Wars (A&E, 9:30 p.m.): 2.13, American Hoggers (A&E, 10:30 p.m.): 2.09, Fish Hooks (Disney Channel, 9:15 p.m.): 2.04, American Dad (Adult Swim, 10:30 p.m.): 2.03, Storage Wars (A&E, 8:30 p.m.): 2.02, On The Record With Greta VanSusternen (Fox News Channel, 10 p.m.): 1.96

Source: Nielsen Media Research data

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SCHEDULE BOX

Friday, November 4

ABC
8:00 p.m. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
9:00 p.m. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
10:00 p.m. 20/20

CBS
8:00 p.m. A Gifted Man
9:00 p.m. CSI: NY
10:00 p.m. Blue Bloods

NBC
8:00 p.m. Chuck
9:00 p.m. Grimm
10:00 p.m. Dateline

Fox
8:00 p.m. Kitchen Nightmares
9:00 p.m. Fringe

CW
8:00 p.m. Nikita
9:00 p.m. Supernatural

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Saturday, November 5

ABC
8:00 p.m. Saturday Night Football

CBS
8:00 p.m. Home Depot SEC (LSU at Alabama)

NBC
8:00 p.m. Harry’s Law (R)
9:00 p.m. Prime Suspect (R)
10:00 p.m. Law & Order: SVU (R)

Fox
8:00 p.m. Cops
8:30 p.m. Cops (R)
9:00 p.m. Terra Nova (R)

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Sunday, November 6

ABC
7:00 p.m. America’s Funniest Home Videos
8:00 p.m. Once Upon a Time
9:00 p.m. Desperate Housewives
10:00 p.m. Pan Am

CBS
7:00 p.m. 60 Minutes
8:00 p.m. The Amazing Race
9:00 p.m. The Good Wife
10:00 p.m. CSI: Miami

NBC
7:00 p.m. Football Night in America (90-minutes)
8:30 p.m.  Sunday Night Football (Baltimore at Pittsburgh)

Fox
7:00 p.m. The OT
8:00 p.m. The Simpsons
8:30 p.m. Allen Gregory
9:00 p.m. Family Guy
9:30 p.m. The Cleveland Show

Of Note on Cable:

Hell on Wheels (AMC) – 10 p.m. (series premiere)
A former Confederate soldier (Anson Mount) seeks revenge over the wartime death of his wife.

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TRIVIA CHALLENGE
Pat MacDougall

What was the secret Pat was hiding when Amy’s parents visited for Easter on sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond?

a)  she was not a virgin when she got married
b)  she has a gambling problem
c)  she smokes
d)  she has a job
e)  Amy was adopted

Yesterday’s answer was…

What was the name of the magazine where Susan Keane worked on sitcom Suddenly Susan?

a)  Blush
b)  Flavor
c)  The Gate
d)  The Lagoon
e)  The Register

…c) The Gate.  Suddenly Susan aired on NBC from 1996-2000.  Blush was the magazine on Just Shoot Me, and Flavor was Living Single.

Todays Trivia All-Stars:
John Beadle, Barbara Bloomfield, Mark Cosenza, Arleen Fong (cool beans!), Gail Goins, Robert Gori, Martha Gonzalez, Christine Hatch, Carla Snell-Hatfield, Carolyn Becker Hayes, Heidi Hoffmeister, Julie Hurwitz, Bob Ingersoll, David Jackino, Kathryn Kieser, Synda Kollman, Rick Locke (2x), Stacie Nice, Aaron Paquette, Joe Pedri, Alan Perris (2x), Jodi Perris, Alex Petrilli, Jr., Greg Phelan, Gordon Purcell, Lamar Reid, Lisa Tatum-Roehrig, Colleen Roth, Ron Salmon, Maxine Shulman, Michelle Stanton, Joe Swaney, Linda We