CABLE - With the end of sweeps, things were pretty slow on the networks last week, so let’s start with cable. The big premiere of the week was A&E’s Breakout Kings (2.81m/1.2). That’s a reasonable debut. It puts it somewhere between what AMC is getting with Mad Men and what USA is getting for most of the Character Approved shows. Of course, week two will be very telling.
Over on Syfy, Stargate Universe (1.04m/.5) returned to modest numbers. And while it was solidly behind Being Human (1.46m/.5) in viewers, the fact that they are tied in the demo might make Being Human fans a bit uneasy. In series finale news, Greek (.92m/.4) has finally signed off.
Basic
Premium
NBC - It was an ugly fall where The Apprentice was concerned, and I would be surprised if NBC rolls that one out again any time soon. The same can’t be said for the celebrity addition. The Celebrity Apprentice (7.93m/2.8) returned to solid numbers, and was only edged by Biggest Loser (8.15m/2.9) as top show for the network this week. Unfortunately, the premiere of Next Great Restaurant (4.59m/1.6) wasn’t nearly as successful.
More bad news came in the form of the return of The Event (5.23m/1.4). Absence didn’t make the viewer grow fonder. Harry’s Law (9.59m/1.8) followed, and is looking more and more like the lesser of a whole bag of ratings evils. The rest of the week was made up of Minute To Win It (3.45m/1) and Dateline (6.38m/1.4 – 7.14m/1.9).
ABC – Also getting in on the reality premiere game, ABC kicked off Secret Millionaire (12.67m/3.4) to surprisingly good numbers. I doubt those will hold up for long, but it is an excellent debut. That was joined by Desperate Housewives (11.35m/3.4) and Brothers & Sisters (7.37m/2.1) to easily win Sunday night. More good news Monday, from The Bachelor (10.02m/3.1). That’s slightly off the pace, but still a solid outing.
Things started going downhill from there. V (4.98m/1.7) was typically iffy on Tuesday, and was joined by the soon to be canceled Detroit 187 (5.09m/1.1). Wednesday wasn’t much better, as Mr Sunshine (4.76m/1.8) and Off The Map (4.31m/1.4) were left stranded from 9:30 to 11. And the week finished with Supernanny (4.01m/1.1), What Would You Do (4.35m/1.4), and 20/20 (5.88m/1.6).
FOX - A solid start to the week from Animation Domination — Simpsons (6.13m/2.8), Bob’s Burgers (4.91m/2.2), Family Guy (6.33m/3.1), Cleveland (4.8m/2.2) — was followed by a first place showing from House (11.08m/3.8) on Monday. Chicago Code (7.46m/2) slipped back to a 2 in the demo, and remains a coin flip for a second go-round.
Things really picked up after that. With CBS in repeats, Glee (11.92m/4.6) easily dominated Tuesday. And, of course, American Idol was huge on Wednesday (24.4m/8.1) and Thursday (22.05m/6.7). That helped Bones (10.49m/3.2) to a first place in the demo at 9. Friday was led off by Kitchen Nightmares (4.13m/1.7). The good news for Fringe (3.76m/1.5) fans is that the demo was steady. Falling below 4m viewers though…
CBS - A full Sunday to start consisted of Amazing Race (9.78m/2.7), Undercover Boss (11.09m/2.7), and CSI Miami (10.65m/2.2). That momentum was lost Monday, where only Mad Love (7.27m/2.4) was new. After taking Tuesday off, Survivor (10.96m/3.2) and Suspect Behavior (9.12m/2.2) were up next. That’s solid for Survivor against Idol, but the Suspect Behavior numbers, facing only Off The Map, are not encouraging.
Thursday brought another full slate with Big Bang Theory (12.08m/3.8), Rules Of Engagement (9.4m/2.8), CSI (13.39m/3), and The Mentalist (14.28m/2.9). The Rules numbers are making the decision on $#*! My Dad Says very complicated. Friday finished things up with CSI NY (11.04m/2), Blue Bloods (11.75m/1.6), and the season (series?) finale of The Defenders (9.03m/1.5).
CW - The entire week amounted to Next Top Model (2.24m/1.1) and Shedding for the Wedding (.93m/.4).
Clacked by Brett Love 
on Mar 14, 2011 @ 10:45 EST5EDT
I realize no one wants to follow-up on SGU anymore as it has been canceled, but last weeks episode was damn good. It is a real shame the show could not find an audience.
lolzerker: Oddly, I wasn’t that impressed with this past week’s SGU. It felt oddly unsatisfying. But I do think the numbers have some relevance at this point. There is still a decision to be made about a TV movie (or two) to wrap things up. I think these numbers are going to be the basis of that decision.
*POST AUTHOR*
I would agree that these numbers will be a factor in whether or not there is a movie to be made. However, given the numbers, I would be surprised if SGU moved ahead of SGA in the movie line. And considering we are still waiting to see that SGA movie…
“We” are not waiting :P
Count me as one of those folks who didn’t pick up on the SG universe until SGU, and have no real desire to go back.
I just can’t get into Atlantis. I looooooved SG1 and would like to see more of those characters. During SGU (which I really enjoy), I always think SG1 could have this fixed easily. Maybe they can tie in a Lucian Alliance attack with SGU and SG1 for the wrap up movie……
Or not. No one listens to me. :)
It would certainly be nice to get some closure to Atlantis. The finale was terribly weak.
*POST AUTHOR*
Of the three, my favorite is Atlantis. So, the circle is complete. We’ve now found three different people that all pick a different version. Perhaps they need to just do one big SG mini bringing all three crews together.
A “King Solomon the Wise” resolution! :)
I’m still watching SGU, just to find out what happens to Rush. This last episode seems to suggest that Rush is beginning to believe that there is purpose behind the various things that have happened. It’s no coincidence the ship is called Destiny. I don’t know where the show is going with this. Will SGU ultimately be about his journey toward finding meaning in life? I want to see how it ends and then compare it with the other Stargate series. I already know I prefer SG-1 and Atlantis (they’re both much more entertaining), but I would like to see how SGU fits thematically with the other two. That’s the reason I’m still watching, even though the show is not really that much fun (it moves at a snail’s pace, as compared to V, which rolls right along and is pulling me with it).
I didn’t realize Off the Map’s ratings were so bad. No wonder the actors are all picking up pilots. But, gives a little hope to V :) Really, it is worse than V and even The Event. Wow.
Fingers crossed for a Fringe renewal. The show continues to impress and probably the show I most look forward to each week.
Hey someone mentioned “Breakout Kings” *presses a button*
Eight days and some change…
What, because you liked it and none of us did?
I watched it. Not impressed. Definitely not impressed enough to write about how I wasn’t impressed with it.
There, that should be enough about Breakout Kings for the next 8 days and change.
. . . . .
*snort*
Nah it’s just that this is a site about TV and I thought new scripted drama might be worth a mention. Didn’t think that it depends on whether you like it or not.
I think the show’s ok but just another White Collar/Leverage clone. If I thought it was so super duper uber great I would’ve written a review of the pilot and send it to you.
You know because you usually don’t give a rat’s ass if I like it or not and publish my stuff anyway.
Which makes it a “as long as I don’t have to write it and it’s free” thing I guess, no?
I’ve taken a new policy of not publishing stuff from people who shit on our regular writers, though.
Hehe
Does that mean you also won’t publish stuff from people who shit on commenters anymore?
Because, you know, I heard you have a fun mailing list…