It was a bit of a strange week for ratings. The Academy Awards (36.31m/12) sent most of the Sunday lineup into repeats. And the Obama address to Congress mixed things up on Tuesday, shifting Idol to Wednesday and Thursday. That, of course, had a ripple effect throughout the ratings. Elsewhere, the new FOX Friday suffered another drop that now calls into question whether or not we will even see the final episodes of Terminator:TSCC.
ABC - The Academy Awards (36.31m/12.1) was the biggest show of the week, topping even Idol. Better yet, those numbers were up over last year’s telecast. It made for a great start for the week as The Bachelor (10.93m/3.7) followed up on Monday with another good night. Finally, the numbers didn’t go up, but they are still very good. Lost (10.05m/4.4) continued its roller coaster ride as the relocated Idol performance show was enough to make the show drop over a million viewers and .8 in the demo. That was more bad news for Life On Mars (4.88m/1.7), which also dropped. Lost wasn’t the only one to suffer the effects of Idol. Ugly Betty (6.73m/1.9) struggled against the results show on Thursday.
CBS - The Amazing Race (7.81m/2.6) took on the Oscars to get the week started, and did about as well as you would expect. With Monday night all repeats, the good news started on Tuesday. NCIS (18.27m/3.9) had another good night in what has been a fantastic season. Criminal Minds (13.93m/3.5) followed that up on Wednesday. It did drop half a million viewers, week-to-week, with Idol in the picture, but managed to hold all of its demo. Survivor (12.05m/3.9) didn’t fare quite as well, having to take on Idol on Thursday, but those are still great numbers, making it understandable that two more seasons have been ordered.
More concerning were the numbers for CSI (17.72m/4.3). Still great numbers, but the demo actually dropped this week, even with Grey’s airing a repeat. We might be able to chalk that up to the Idol fueled Hell’s Kitchen that faced CSI, but it could also be a chink in the armour. Friday, as usual, was a cake walk for the combination of Ghost Whisperer (11.57m/2.8), Flashpoint (9.17m/1.9), and Numb3rs (9.61m/2.1). All three of them won their time slots in viewers and demo.
FOX - NASCAR (10.21m/3.7) had a rare foray into prime time, coming up against the Oscars on Sunday, and did well considering the competition. That led to another easy Monday win for House (14.86m/5.5) and 24 (11.68m/3.8). After taking Tuesday off, the Idol juggernaut returned on Wednesday (24.54m/9.1) and Thursday (20.89m/7.1). It’s probably worth noting that the numbers for Idol continue to be down slightly from last season, but at these levels, I doubt anyone is really concerned. The relocated results show gave a bump to Hell’s Kitchen (9.85m/4.3), but it did leave me wondering why they didn’t try throwing Dollhouse in that slot for the exposure.
Because, really, the show could use it. Week three of the new Friday experiment was more of the same. Terminator (3.42m/1.2) finished fourth in viewers and demo, behind Ghost Whisperer, Howie Do It, and Wife Swap. Really. Wife Swap. Dollhouse (4.13m/1.6) was only marginally better. That was good for fourth in viewers and third in the demo. We now have to at least consider the idea that Terminator may be pulled. Bringing back Prison Break early may, or may not, offer a better lead in for Dollhouse, but it’s hard to imagine it could do worse. As to Dollhouse, those really good episodes can’t come soon enough. The numbers have to go up, or this will be another 13 episode series.
NBC - What can you say about Heroes (7.07m/3.4)? The new chapter that was supposed to fix things doesn’t seem to be working for the viewers. The show was fourth in viewers and third in the demo. It just managed to edge repeats of Men and Christine in the demo. As bad as that was, it was still better than Chuck (6.59m/2.3) which was fourth in both categories, despite the CBS repeats. Medium (8.43m/2.6) looked a little better, finishing second in both categories.
The news was better on Tuesday, with The Biggest Loser (9.87m/3.7). The show also appeared on Wednesday (8.61m/3.3). Those numbers were down over the Biggest Loser averages, but also a huge improvement over the usual occupant, Knight Rider. Unfortunately, the improved lead in didn’t do much for Life (4.89m/1.6). It’s looking like this will be it for Charlie. Thursday brought more bad news as Kung Fu Panda (4.03m/1.3) was well below what Earl would have done. And Kath & Kim (3.39m/1.5) was well below what a reasonably attractive test pattern would have done. Seriously, why is that show still on? 30 Rock (6.39m/2.9) took a hit, due to an Office repeat. Finally, while still disturbingly low, Friday Night Lights (4.22m/1.5) was actually up over the previous week.
CW – The lone original last week was the finale for Privileged (1.53m/.7). There has been no official word on the series, but it’s a pretty safe bet that it was a series finale.
Things to look for in the coming week? Heroes could fall below 7 million for the first time as it goes up against the Bachelor finale, new comedies on CBS, and a special two hour 24. Speaking of the CBS comedies, Rules Of Engagement returns to put the final nail in the Worst Week coffin. Tuesday brings the return of Reaper. It will be interesting to see how those numbers compare to what 90210 was able to do against Idol in that spot. Lost should rebound again on Wednesday, with a repeat Criminal Minds and a returning Lie To Me lessening the competition. And of course, Terminator and Dollhouse give it another go on Friday.
Clacked by Brett Love 
on Mar 02, 2009 @ 11:00 EST5EDT
I think “Privileged” will get a renewal and a re-tool for cheaper production. I stopped watching but I think they are aiming for that demo. Maybe 90210 is enough for them but I don’t think so.