A Bad Sign? Charlie Brown to Pre-empt 'Hank'

[Brian Damage]

On Oct. 28, ABC's annual holiday special "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" will pre-empt Kelsey Grammer's Wednesday night sitcom "Hank."

The network emphasizes that this is a one-time-only pre-emption (so, let me get this straight, you're not going to air "Great Pumpkin" every week?).

Yet some are abuzz: Is this a bad sign for "Hank"?

Those 6.2 million "Hank" fans can relax, it's actually not. The slot is perfectly logical because it's ABC's only half-hour 8 p.m. position all week (there's also a version of "Pumpkin" airing the night before, paired with the rather lesser-known special "You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown" to fill out the hour).

Also, the "Great Pumpkin" special always draws big ratings, so the scheduling is a wise move to help bring some new viewers to the rest of the comedy block.

So the Charlie Brown pre-emption isn't a bad sign ... the fact "Hank" keeps ranking as Wednesday's lowest-rated program on a major broadcast network and has failed to improve -- that's the bad sign.

http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/10/its-the-great-hank-preemption-charlie-brown.html

[R.jsheedy]

Well, let's hope during The High Rated Penut Specals, They Will Promote Their Comedy Block Every 10 minunts. That would be good for publicitty on the comedy block and most likley boost the ratings a bit. Expecally For The Middle, It Gets The Treatment Of Being In The Slot Right After It's The Great Pumpkin airs on Wednesday Night so more publicitty. Good Move ABC!!!

[yankeesrj12]

Smart move. Hank is a dud anyways.

[R.jsheedy]

http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/hank-kelsey-grammer-cancellation/

Kelsey Grammer and his sitcom Hank have not been having an easy time of it. While ABC’s other freshman sitcoms — The Middle, Modern Family, and Cougar Town — have all received additional episode orders, Hank has not. To add insult to injury, the comedy’s now being replaced by a 43-year-old rerun.

It’s that time of year again and ABC is pulling out its venerable animated special, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Though we’ve all seen it before, the special tends to bring in very good numbers.

Last year, Charlie Brown attracted 10.43 million and a 3.4/9 in the demo. That was down from 2007 when it brought in 11.4 million and a 3.8/11 in the 18-49 demographic.

Of course, those numbers put Hank’s performance to shame so it makes sense to replace the sitcom on Wednesday, October 28th. With any luck, a significant percentage of people who tune in will stick around to sample the rest of ABC’s comedies.

While it might seem like a good strategy to boost the sitcoms’ audience, it’s really only a half-hearted attempt. The network is actually “double-dipping” with the Charlie Brown special. They’re airing a version of the special the night before as well. On Tuesday night, the network is pairing it with the less-popular You’re Not Elected, Charlie Brown special to round out the hour.

Though this move makes sense for the network for the immediate future, it can only hurt Hank’s chances for survival. It’s interrupting the normal schedule and will presumably give extra exposure to all of the comedies but Hank, the one that needs it most.

ABC may not have totally given up on Hank yet but they’re not going out of their way to help it either. The way things are going, Hank may very well be replaced for November sweeps.

What do you think? Is Hank doomed already or could a different strategy help save it? Is it as bad as many people are saying?

[Schmoopie]

I'll take Charlie Brown over Kelsey Grammer any day!

[catlover79]

I'll take Charlie Brown over Kelsey Grammer any day!
So would I (sorry, Kelsey)!

[Dr. Thong]

They should push Hank & The Middle back a half hour so the kids can see Charlie Brown and preempt Cougar Town, because that show is bloody frickin' awful!!

But it's also a "hit," so go figure.:rolleyes:

[robyrob]

doesn't ABC always pre-empt some show for the Charlie Brown specials every year?

it seems like Hank is the natural choice being the lowest rated of the new shows, but does that necessarily mean its canceled?

[catlover79]

doesn't ABC always pre-empt some show for the Charlie Brown specials every year?

it seems like Hank is the natural choice being the lowest rated of the new shows, but does that necessarily mean its canceled?
Yes, they do. Same for Rudolph and Frosty at Christmas time.

[Iluvtv4]

Charlie Brown didn't help ABC much. The ratings were about the same. And this week's episode of Hank is great!

[R.jsheedy]

And this week's episode of Hank is great!

How could you possibly know that?

[MrCleveland]

Kelsey Grammer hasn't made a lucky break after "Frasier".

I thought the show was okay IMO. I just can't watch the show because I'm busy that night.

[Pavan]

Charlie Brown didn't help ABC much. The ratings were about the same. And this week's episode of Hank is great!

To be fair, Charlie Brown also aired on Tuesday night from 8-9pm (doing a solid 2.8 18-49 rating and 8.8 million). The Wednesday airing did 6.0 million, still a bit up from Hank's previous week numbers. And 25% more than Hank in 18-49 from a 1.5 for Hank to a 2.0 for Charlie Brown.

[JulieSomoski]

Kelsey Grammer hasn't made a lucky break after "Frasier".

I thought the show was okay IMO. I just can't watch the show because I'm busy that night.

I've been watching the show online, but I haven't found it to be bad at all. It's a real throwback to the old family sitcom, but it seems like people just aren't interested in that nowadays. It also doesn't help that it's airing against Old Christine (same for The Middle and Gary Unmarried), which already have semi-built-in fanbases.

Still, I wish ABC would give this more time. Personally, I think they should try airing it on Fridays in place of Ugly Betty. ABC might be smart to try moving Ugly Betty to Wednesdays at 8pm, and move Hank/The Middle to Fridays at 8 or 9pm, but I doubt we'll see that happen.

[Dr. Thong]

I don't think Hank is a bad show. It's just an okay show. Nothing more, nothing less. There are far worse shows among this year's debuts -- Cougar Town, for example -- but this show doesn't make me want to not miss the next episode like say, Frasier, Cheers or even Back To You did.

[Iluvtv4]

[QUOTE=R.jsheedy]How could you possibly know that?[/QUOT

Hmm, I could possibly know more than most on this thread. As a matter of fact I do!!!!

[R.jsheedy]

[QUOTE=R.jsheedy]How could you possibly know that?[/QUOT

Hmm, I could possibly know more than most on this thread. As a matter of fact I do!!!!
:eek2: :cuss: :cuss: :cuss: :cuss: :cuss: :cuss: :mumble: :mumble: :yousuck:

My God I Was Just Asking A Simple Question. You didn't have to be an ******* about it!!!!!

[Iluvtv4]

[QUOTE=Iluvtv4]
:eek2: :cuss: :cuss: :cuss: :cuss: :cuss: :cuss: :mumble: :mumble: :yousuck:

My God I Was Just Asking A Simple Question. You didn't have to be an ******* about it!!!!!
Not so sure the question was as innocent as you profess, but my apologies nonetheless. By the way, HANK is done. You will all be happy to know. The news should be out next week.

[JulieSomoski]

Not so sure the question was as innocent as you profess, but my apologies nonetheless. By the way, HANK is done. You will all be happy to know. The news should be out next week.

If I may ask, how do you know that?

[TVFactFan]

doesn't ABC always pre-empt some show for the Charlie Brown specials every year?

it seems like Hank is the natural choice being the lowest rated of the new shows, but does that necessarily mean its canceled?


Well usually when a new show is pre-empted that is not a good sign.

Example, Caveman

[kellygoo72]

U know... The ratings and reviews have stopped me from viewing Hank and I am mad I missed Charlie Brown! I was looking for it but forgot what day it was on since I NEVER watch ABC... Only when Lost is back on.
I did see the Turkey Day eppy of Hank and I didnt like it... i do think part of it was I went in thinking I would hate it.
I chuckled a couple times but it seemed to try too hard. i did like the lil boy... IS he the kid from the Dennis the Menace Movie?