*** Television Winter 2011 ***

[bicker]

Entertainment Weekly posted a list of the Top 50 shows and Bottom 50 shows so far this year.

The Bottom 50 has a lot of shows you'd expect to see there... practically everything on The CW. The "fifth network" is naturally going to have the lowest ratings, but by the same token, it expects to, so low ratings on The CW don't mean the same thing as they do on other networks.

Among the Big Four, three of the worst rated shows are Supernanny, Live to Dance, and Who Do You Think You Are. These shows are clearly in trouble. But really the worst trouble is shared by the worst rated scripted programming: (from worst to less-bad)

• Detroit 1-8-7
• Perfect Couples
• Traffic Light
• Chase
• The Cape
• Human Target
• No Ordinary Family
• CSI:NY
• Community
• Chuck
• Lie To Me
• Better With You
• Blue Bloods
• V
• Off The Map
• Defenders
• Harry's Law
• Chicago Code
• Fringe

I stop there, because after that I think it gets hazier whether the low ratings are really bad enough to kill the show. What is very clear, though, is that the shows listed here are in big trouble, and if you're a fan of any of them, steel yourself for the worst.

 

[Pikester]

Entertainment Weekly posted a list of the Top 50 shows and Bottom 50 shows so far this year.

The Bottom 50 has a lot of shows you'd expect to see there... practically everything on The CW. The "fifth network" is naturally going to have the lowest ratings, but by the same token, it expects to, so low ratings on The CW don't mean the same thing as they do on other networks.


Among the Big Four, three of the worst rated shows are Supernanny, Live to Dance, and Who Do You Think You Are. These shows are clearly in trouble. But really the worst trouble is shared by the worst rated scripted programming: (from worst to less-bad)

• Detroit 1-8-7
• Perfect Couples
• Traffic Light
• Chase
• The Cape
• Human Target
• No Ordinary Family
• CSI:NY
• Community
• Chuck
• Lie To Me
• Better With You
• Blue Bloods
• V
• Off The Map
• Defenders
• Harry's Law
• Chicago Code
• Fringe

I stop there, because after that I think it gets hazier whether the low ratings are really bad enough to kill the show. What is very clear, though, is that the shows listed here are in big trouble, and if you're a fan of any of them, steel yourself for the worst.

CSI: NY and Lie to Me are two of my favorites. I actually LOVE CSI: NY way, way, way better then CSI:Miami or CSI:Las Vegas.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

I know its a few months off but anything date wise for Doctor Who?

 

[nomie74]

I didn't realize two of my favorites - Fringe and Detroit 1 8 7 were doing so poorly. Good thing I still have Southland.

 

[bicker]

I know its a few months off but anything date wise for Doctor Who?

I'm not sure if it is just that I don't know of the good sources, or there simply aren't any good sources, for advance info regarding BBC America. I think the latter... Sometimes it seems to me that they just make things up along the way, without any long-term schedule planning.

I didn't realize two of my favorites - Fringe and Detroit 1 8 7 were doing so poorly. Good thing I still have Southland.

I haven't heard any good news regarding Southland, but that's not unusual... there are three episodes left in the current season. Last I heard, though, was that the first couple of episodes did very poorly.

 

[gometros]

I'm a bit surprised that Human Target is in there. I think it's one of the better action shows on TV. Sadly, I'm not as surprised about Chuck, since as much as I like the show, like Moonlighting, it jumped the shark when Chuck and Sara's relationship was resolved.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

Entertainment Weekly posted a list of the Top 50 shows and Bottom 50 shows so far this year.

The Bottom 50 has a lot of shows you'd expect to see there... practically everything on The CW. The "fifth network" is naturally going to have the lowest ratings, but by the same token, it expects to, so low ratings on The CW don't mean the same thing as they do on other networks.

Among the Big Four, three of the worst rated shows are Supernanny, Live to Dance, and Who Do You Think You Are. These shows are clearly in trouble. But really the worst trouble is shared by the worst rated scripted programming: (from worst to less-bad)

• Detroit 1-8-7
• Perfect Couples
• Traffic Light
• Chase
• The Cape
• Human Target
• No Ordinary Family
• CSI:NY
• Community
• Chuck
• Lie To Me
• Better With You
• Blue Bloods
• V
• Off The Map
• Defenders
• Harry's Law
• Chicago Code
• Fringe

I stop there, because after that I think it gets hazier whether the low ratings are really bad enough to kill the show. What is very clear, though, is that the shows listed here are in big trouble, and if you're a fan of any of them, steel yourself for the worst.

The weird thing about these lists is that it's the 18-49 (I think) demo. I'm pretty sure I saw that The Good Wife is on this list, and even though I don't watch it I know it does pretty well because it's not watched by that demo. I don't think it's in any danger of cancelation.

Human Target is an excellent show that doesn't seem to get a whole lot of network support. I have my DVR set to record it and sometimes I'm amazed at when it airs. Mark Valley, Chi McBride, and Jackie Earle Haley have some of the best chemistry I've ever seen on TV. I don't know how others feel, but I loved the addition of Ilsa.

I knew it was in trouble, and it almost hurts me. I have also loved Chuck since Day One... and The Cape. I won't be surprised to see The Cape go, but I hope at least one of the others will be back. Because if not, I won't have a whole lot to watch.

 

[bicker]

I'm a bit surprised that Human Target is in there. I think it's one of the better action shows on TV. Sadly, I'm not as surprised about Chuck, since as much as I like the show, like Moonlighting, it jumped the shark when Chuck and Sara's relationship was resolved.

I believe many television writers have learned the lesson of Moonlighting. First: Don't make a show about "will they or won't they". Chuck has never been about that, at least not for me. It's always been a side-dish to the main course of the plot. Second: Once the "will they or won't they" question is resolved, move on! Don't make the show about "will they or won't they stay together". Don't expect people who came for, and enjoyed, the build-up, to stick around after. Again, luckily (afaic) That just doesn't apply to Chuck, and as long as they just go forward with the show with the Chuck and Sarah relationship treated (within the context of plotting out story arcs) as if they started the series as a couple, then they should be okay.

It has been done, successfully, and within genre television. In Alias, Sidney Bristow and Michael Vaugh made a very successful transition from "will they or won't they" in the first season, to a full-blown relationship throughout Season Two after SD-6 was taken down. The second half of Season 2 didn't suffer one bit from that change in their relationships status. The big mistake Alias made was rocking that boat, injecting the whole Lauren thing into it. If they just had left well-enough alone, with the Sidney and Michael relationship just a strong foundation for their working together, as if they were together from the start of the series, I think that Season 3 and Season 4 would have been much better. And by Season 5, they had regained what they had in the second half of Season 2. While Alias, as a show, had its problems, the transformation of the relationship between Sidney and Michael, from "will they or won't they" into a full-blown relationship was not one of them.

 

[gometros]

Good point on Chuck and agreed on the Alias scenario. Lauren should never have been introduced.

 

[bicker]

The weird thing about these lists is that it's the 18-49 (I think) demo. I'm pretty sure I saw that The Good Wife is on this list, and even though I don't watch it I know it does pretty well because it's not watched by that demo. I don't think it's in any danger of cancelation.

Well, as I alluded to in my message, the list presented, having 50 shows listed, simply gets too close to "the middle" for the shows at the end of the list that is closest to "the middle", like The Good Wife, to really be considered in serious danger. Human Target is really the borderline, I think, between the Big Four Network scripted programs that absolutely in trouble and those that might end up in trouble, like The Good Wife.

Human Target is an excellent show that doesn't seem to get a whole lot of network support.

And that's why I decided to include Human Target in the list, and not include the Big Four Network scripted programs that are just a bit closer to "the middle", like The Good Wife. Network support will make the difference between those two shows' respective fates, even though their ratings are almost identical.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

When I originally read the lists, I had just finished reading the TV section of the current issue, which lists the Top 25. Then I go online and see these lists and got very confused. LOL.

I went back and checked, and it was indeed The Good Wife that tripped me up. I'm curious about that being so popular in total viewership but not that particular demographic.

 

[bicker]

Monday, February 28, 2011
Finales:
The Cape (new) (NBC)

 

[bicker]

ABC has booked a new, month-long run of "Spring" Wipeout, for March-into-April.

 

[bicker]

Sunday, March 06, 2011
Premieres:
The Apprentice (NBC)
America's Next Great Restaurant (NBC)
Army Wives (Lifetime)
Coming Home (new) (Lifetime)
Secret Millionaire (new) (ABC)

Monday, March 07, 2011
Returns:
The Event (NBC)
Stargate Universe (Syfy)
Finales:
Greek (ABC Family)

Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Finales:
Southland (TNT)

Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Finales:
Chase (NBC)

Friday, Mary 11, 2011
Finales:
The Defenders (CBS)

 

[nomie74]

Any word if Southland was renewed for a 3rd season?

 

[bicker]

Southland's producers are optimistic.

All indications are that their optimism is unwarranted.

But anything could happen. TNT hasn't said anything definitive yet, and won't until at least after next week's episode.

 

[nomie74]

I guess I'll just stay optimistic as well. Thanks for the info.

 

[bicker]

Latest word is much more encouraging. Signs are that Southland will be renewed.

 

[nomie74]

Yeah! I'm keeping my fingers crossed. So many of my favorite dramas have come to an end (or will be soon ) I really hope this stays another season.

 

[gometros]

Surprised you didn't include the premier of the new show on A&E, The Breakout Kings