TV by the Numbers - Latest Comments in Nielsen Ratings Thur, April 10: American Idol Back on Top With Surprise Boot

Re: Nielsen Ratings Thur, April 10: American Idol Back on Top With Surprise Boot

mjo — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 11:57:58 -0000

HA HA HA HA HA... I love you, TheTruthHurts.

Re: Nielsen Ratings Thur, April 10: American Idol Back on Top With Surprise Boot

Robert Seidman — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 02:20:57 -0000

rather than write an 800 word comment, I just did a post instead, including the final Thursday numbers.

Off to watch BSG on the DVR...

Re: Nielsen Ratings Thur, April 10: American Idol Back on Top With Surprise Boot

Akira — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 02:02:36 -0000

After getting far from the UK-version plot, The Office is much much better. I love CSI but I never watch any episodes twice. When it's done it's done. The Office, I never watch any episode less than twice. I think that's the difference.

Re: Nielsen Ratings Thur, April 10: American Idol Back on Top With Surprise Boot

Mark — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 00:28:34 -0000

I think just the fact that we're comparing The Office to CSI proves what a success The Office is. Once DVR numbers are factored in, The Office will probably get another boost. And it's even more impressive considering this is a show that had no business even getting renewed for a 2nd season. (It was pulling a 2.5 in the demo, and about 5 million viewers overall in the first season, excluding the pilot.)

Re: Nielsen Ratings Thur, April 10: American Idol Back on Top With Surprise Boot

Daniel C — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:48:14 -0000

Yes, yes Robert, we all know how you feel about CBS. I forgive you your narrow minded view of The Office.

While the Office puts in a decent half hour once a week, CSI puts in twice that on Thursdays so CBS can sell its "slightly" higher demo for twice as long.

Furthermore, while The Peacock tries to toss in a few "extended" Office hours throughout the season, CSI has franchised 2 additional hours each week which also rake in the bucks.

While there is no denying that the 18-49s are the most important advertising, total eyes aren't chopped liver. The Office would have to get like a 20 in the demo to match the CSIs each week.

A hollow victory, indeed.

Re: Nielsen Ratings Thur, April 10: American Idol Back on Top With Surprise Boot

Jon V — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 22:27:31 -0000

And Robert, one of your other little favorite handicapping tools (or is it one of mine)... Office is a LOT cheaper to make.

Re: Nielsen Ratings Thur, April 10: American Idol Back on Top With Surprise Boot

Robert Seidman — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 22:20:59 -0000

Daniel, The Office *is* a huge success, the people who don't understand this are...simply people who don't understand it. I forgive you.

Think of it this way, even though CSI had MORE THAN 100% more viewers overall (116% more viewers, if you want to get technical) in the 18-49 demographic, which really, really is important no matter how much Les Moonves wishes it wasn't. 14% of all 18-49 year olds watching TV were tuned into CSI and 12% of all of them were tuned into The Office, to make the 18-49 spread so very close with 116% less viewers is pretty HUGE.

Said another way, although The Office trailed CSI in total viewers by 116%, it only trailed in the demo by 18.8%. It's not just huge, but amazing really.

Re: Nielsen Ratings Thur, April 10: American Idol Back on Top With Surprise Boot

Daniel C — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:43:20 -0000

I LIKE Eli Stone. Some cute fantasy scenes against a Kelley-esque courtroom drama. I think it would fair well with the Pushing Daisies crowd (a much better show).

ABC is obviously trying very hard to find an audience for this show and I hope it does...but I'm not holding my breath.

Meanwhile NBC fans are again getting desperate if they see The Office as a "huge" success while finishing 3rd overall and 2nd in the demo to a true hit in CSI. For NBC, demos are enough to cheer for their only prime time success.

Re: Nielsen Ratings Thur, April 10: American Idol Back on Top With Surprise Boot

Jon V — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 18:31:30 -0000

I LOVE Eli Stone... meant a so-so episode (gay monkeys not the best topic for a show on the bubble).

Up against return of established ER and WOT... really not bad numbers. Bad slot.

This Sunday should be the breakthrough with a NEW Eathquake ep following a NEW ep of the Teri Hatcher Show (DWH).

Looking for Eli to go forward (and seeing that ABC is giving it it's No.1 hit as a lead-in) makes me think it will be back as one of those sleeper hits that really comes into its own in season 2.

It's already there for me

Re: Nielsen Ratings Thur, April 10: American Idol Back on Top With Surprise Boot

tom — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 18:22:45 -0000

i'm impressed (if you are not being sarcastic) that you can praise 5.9 million and a 1.9.

Re: Nielsen Ratings Thur, April 10: American Idol Back on Top With Surprise Boot

Robert Seidman — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 18:07:47 -0000

@JonV, I'm trying to figure out if you're being sarcastic about Eli or not. I meant to write about that in the morning update and completely forgot. I'm guessing Eli fares better after the return of DHW (though not "hold 95% of lead-in" better).

Re: Nielsen Ratings Thur, April 10: American Idol Back on Top With Surprise Boot

Jure — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:55:37 -0000

So-so! Eli Stone is a great show

Re: Nielsen Ratings Thur, April 10: American Idol Back on Top With Surprise Boot

Draco777 — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:48:04 -0000

OMG CSI ended up beating American Idol!! Wow...AI is really starting to lose its viewers. I'm afraid for season 8.

Re: Nielsen Ratings Thur, April 10: American Idol Back on Top With Surprise Boot

Jon V — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:57:33 -0000

Two things I noticed about last night...

For some unknown reason, people switched off 30 Rock (the best of the 4 NBC sitcoms, in my opinion, now that Scrubs is winding down) in droves (to do what, he asked?), and...

Eli Stone held an amazing 96% of the DesHW rerun lead-in (with a so-so episode - against two established dramas) which bodes well when it switches to following the NEW DHWs starting this Sunday.

NBC must be scratching their heads (happen to know they like 30 Rock best of the four).

And ABC is really trying to give Eli it's best chance to renew because it looks like multiple Emmy nominations if it continues on.

Another night of not knowing which way is up for me.

Re: Nielsen Ratings Thur, April 10: American Idol Back on Top With Surprise Boot

Jack — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:02:49 -0000

The Office owns the 18-49 demo! Great show.

Re: Nielsen Ratings Thur, April 10: American Idol Back on Top With Surprise Boot

kayarn — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:56:33 -0000

Wow I cannot wait until Lost comes back. The 4 comedies plus that is one great night of TV.

Re: Nielsen Ratings Thur, April 10: American Idol Back on Top With Surprise Boot

Rob — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:18:07 -0000

This really shows how hungry "The Office" fans were for a new episode. Those 18-49 numbers are huge. No wonder NBC wants a spin-off. "Scrubs" did really well too....makes me think ABC is smart to keep it going next year on their network.

Re: Nielsen Ratings Thur, April 10: American Idol Back on Top With Surprise Boot

Robert Seidman — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:34:53 -0000

TheTruthHurts, I love Marc for the data, not necesarily his analysis. But he publishes fairly tirelessly and we thank him for it. I have no idea what he looks like -- I have a face made for radio myself, and I have Jeff Zucker's hairdo!

Re: Nielsen Ratings Thur, April 10: American Idol Back on Top With Surprise Boot

TheTruthHurts — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:33:02 -0000

Marc Berman says “New Amsterdam” fits “House” repeats like a glove. Berman’s bar mitzvah suit fit like a glove…not like a suit. Bloated, pasty faced Marc Berman, who has a face for radio, is the only human who can make Jeff Zucker look like Antonio Banderas. Berman’s a “TV Insider” like I’m George Clooney.