OPINION
NETWORK SCORECARD: NBC
Jan 7th
It’s Network Scorecard time again and it’s the turn of NBC, the troubled network that’s desperately trying to turn the corner. But is it working?
WHAT’S WORKING:
THURSDAY NIGHT COMEDY: ‘Working’ is a relative term when it comes to NBC, but by the standards of the network, Thursday is one of the brighter spots in their line-up. Both 30 Rock and The Office bring in good 18-49 demo numbers and decent ratings, generally in the 7-8 million range for the latter. Earlier in the evening Community is critically acclaimed and can manage passable demos, though its overall ratings are poor. And the likewise lauded Parks And Recreation returns later this month.
On the downside, none of the above are really more then a cult hit and let’s be honest Community’s ratings are downright ugly at times. Plus newbie Outsourced is neither a critical or ratings hit. The days of Must See Thursday feel very long ago now…
THE SING OFF: After a bleak 2010, NBC ended the year on a bit of a high note – literally. Nick Lachey’s a capella singing competition returned surprisingly strong in the ratings, up an average of 25% year to year and pulling in around 8-10 million viewers during the More >
NETWORK SCORECARD: FOX
Jan 5th
Our journey through the big five broadcast nets continues – and today it’s Fox’s turn in the spotlight. But how is the network shaping up for the New Year?
WHAT’S WORKING:
AMERICAN IDOL: Down but not out, American Idol is still THE show to beat this spring season. I was a very vocal critic of Season 9, the Season of Suck which crowned a pub singer as the American Idol (whose debut album has sold barely 100,000 copies since NOVEMBER!) Now the show’s biggest star, Simon Cowell, is gone – replaced by untested talents Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler. And though we’re promised numerous format changes, few of them seem to be materializing – so expect business as usual in the coming weeks. Still even a bad season of Idol rated as the number one show of the season and the addition of high profile new judges is almost certainly going to guarantee eyeballs for the Season 10 premiere. The real story will be how the show is rating in March and April…
NETWORK SCORECARD: THE CW
Jan 4th
Time for another Network Scorecard and this time it’s the CW, the teen and twenty-something channel that’s a strange mishmash of sci-fi series (Smallville, Supernatural) and girl power shows (Hellcats, Nikita)
WHAT’S WORKING:
THE VAMPIRE DIARIES – When VD first launched many (including myself) wondered if the CW has jumped on board the vampire bandwagon too late following a couple of seasons of True Blood and the first Twilight movie. But there WAS room for another vampire franchise as Diaries has becomes the CW’s most valuable player, averaging over 3 million viewers each week, resurrecting Lost star Ian Somerhalder’s career and proving a neat crossover between the fanboys and teen girls who comprise the CW audience.
AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL – Ratings wise it’s certainly not what it used to be, but Tyra’s Top Model is still a relative bright spot on the network’s schedule. The latest cycle averaged 2.87 million viewers, down substantially on the show’s Cycle 7/8 peak where it pulled in an average of 5.4 million, but still better than the CW average. Plus the show is littered with product placements which offset many of the show’s costs. But the fact that Tyra ‘tweaked’ the format with a high fashion spin More >
DOWNTON ABBEY: DUMBED DOWN FOR AMERICA!!!
Jan 3rd
Sorry my American friends!
You all know how much I’ve been raving over the last 6 months about superior UK import Downton Abbey which starts this Sunday on PBS.
I noticed that the 7 episode series had been trimmed down to just 4 episodes for the US version but had assumed this was just a case of UK / US timing adjustments. But now I hear news that the series has actually been CUT from 8 to 6 hours because PBS doesn’t think Americans are smart enough to follow the plot… wow, patronizing, much?
NETWORK SCORECARD: ABC
Jan 3rd
It’s the start of a new year for the five broadcast networks and a chance to take stock for the year ahead. But how are all five shaping up – and what does the future hold? Here’s our Remote Patrolled perspective…
WHAT’S WORKING:
DANCING WITH THE STARS – the ratings keep getting higher and higher as the caliber of celebrities continues to improve. Season 1 featured Rachel Hunter, Joey McIntyre and Kelly Monaco while Season 11 saw David Hasselhoff, Michael Bolton and Brandy competing for the mirrorball. And for tabloid trashiness it doesn’t get much better than Kate Gosselin, Bristol Palin and The Situation. With American Idol struggling, Dancing is now officially the biggest show on TV… but how long can it keep the crown?
WEDNESDAY COMEDIES – After years of struggling, ABC has finally carved out a solid Wednesday comedy block – led by critically acclaimed Emmy magnet Modern Family (up 34% year to year). The Middle doesn’t get half the attention or kudos -probably because it’s only half as funny – but provides a strong lead in to the night. And even Cougar Town has now stabilized into a minor hit. Now if ABC could just do something with struggling freshman Better With More >
THE TOP 10 TV SHOWS OF 2010
Dec 31st
It’s that time of the year again – our chance to countdown the best of the 2010!
And while there was plenty of bad TV this year (much of it on E!) and several former favorites which disappointed (Glee, True Blood, American Idol), there was enough strong shows to prove once again we’re in a golden era of TV viewing…
Here’s my picks for 2010 – in no particular order!
MAD MEN: Hands down THE best TV show of the year was undoubtedly Mad Men, a show that’s pretty much TV perfection. I mean seriously, did the show even put a single foot wrong all season?
I’ve been a Mad Men fan from day one but I’d be the first to admit the first couple of seasons could be a tad slow at times. But since the sensational third season Mad Men hasn’t looked back. Season 4 offered us a new agency for a new era, the fall and rise of Don Draper, a triumphant and independent Peggy and a tragic Joan. Best episode of the series – undoubtedly The Suitcase – the Don / Peggy double-header which saw the duo fighting and bonding over the course of a single night. It’s why Emmys were More >
10 GREAT TV MOMENTS OF 2010
Dec 24th
It’s that time of the year again where we all start looking back at the last 12 months – and we’re no exception here at Remote Patrolled.
Next week I’ll present my Top 10 TV Shows of 2010 – but first here’s 10 Great TV Moments Of 2010. It was a hard list to narrow down and we had to leave a lot off the list (The View versus Sharron Angle, True Blood’s gay kiss). But I think what remains is a good mix of drama, tears and wow moments…
Here at Remote Patrolled we’re going to be taking a short break until Monday to enjoy the holidays – just like our sister sites Good Enough Mother and Angry Trainer Fitness. It really has been a very full on few months so we definitely need a little time away.
But don’t worry we’ll be back before you know it to bring you all the latest TV goodness.
As always, thanks for reading… and enjoy!
TAKE THE POLL: THE TOP TV SHOW OF 2010
Dec 23rd
Hi everyone!
It’s poll time again… earlier in the month we asked you to name the LEAST funny comedy on TV – and you certainly didn’t hold back! The ‘winning’ show was Two And A Half Men, CBS long running crapfest, which attracted 24.24% of the vote. Close behind was S#*! My Dad Says (another CBS clunker) with 17.32%...
So now it’s time for our new Poll – and since it’s the end of the year we want you to name your FAVORITE TV show of 2010. I’ll be giving you my list later – but in the meantime I’d love to hear what kept you glued to your screens in 2010. Here’s a list of some of the most critically acclaimed shows of the year (apologies for any we’ve had to leave off – but you can always comment below!)
DIDDY DRUNK ON CHELSEA LATELY
Dec 22nd
I’m normally not a fan of Chelsea Handler, finding her mean girl shtick more rude than funny. But I have to give Chelsea kudos for putting rap star and all round douchebag Diddy in his place this week.
Diddy arrived over an hour late for the Chelsea Lately show and you can tell Handler is not at all happy with his poor timekeeping skills. Plus the fact that he’s clearly a little intoxicated shows exactly what Diddy was up to pre-show. For me that’s just tacky and disrespectful and I love that Chelsea calls him on it. In fact it’s rather fun to see Diddy squirming a little.
The rapper and producer was appearing with his ‘band’ Diddy Dirty Money to promote their new CD, Last Train To Paris – a record that’s been delayed for over a year and has sold just 101,000 copies in its first week (his lowest first week sales ever). Hmm, maybe Diddy should be taking his promotional duties a little more seriously…?
If it sounds like I’m giving Diddy a hard time it’s because I have first hand knowledge of his bad attitude – I worked on one of his old TV shows and though I never met the More >
THE VIEW: THE 10 BEST MOMENTS OF 2010
Dec 21st
It’s coming up to the end of the year – so of course everyone is getting all retrospective (including us soon – my Top 10 TV Moments and Series are on the way soon!)
Here’s The View – one of our regular topics here on Remote Patrolled… counting down their Top 10 moments of the year.
Some of them are obvious – the Bill O’Reilly walkout and LL Cool J’s bicep curls… but some of the list did leave me scratching my head – especially number 10 – ‘First Visits’ Really – David Beckham and Robert Pattinson count among the top guests / moments of the year?
Plus where are all the juicy arguments and controversial moments The View is so well known for? This list feels like a cobbled together together of clips from a junior producer…
Anyway check out Elisabeth’s list and see what you think…
