You may not agree, but I think I have been very, very consistent here. I have always said I would not watch it over The Big Bang Theory, and I meant that. Did you ever see the repeat numbers that Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory put up ? How about the syndication numbers that Two and a Half Men puts up, as well ? Obviously, lots of people like me like to watch these shows multiple times.

I would love to watch Romantically Challenged. ABC needs to find another time slot if I am going to watch.

By the way, you can call The Big Bang Theory average if you like, but we are witnessing the next great sitcom that will live in syndication for years and years to come. It is very far from average.

I did not call Big Bang Theory average. I think it's a very above average. But, the show is one big cliche. The storylines are ones that have been done numerous times before, and the writing is usually nothing more than average. But, it's the acting and the constant jokes that make it so great. I completely agree that BBT is the next big sitcom (it's already the top rated sitcom on television), but who says RC can't be also? I'm just saying that you can afford to miss a BBT repeat. Like you said, it'll be seen again on DVD, and it'll be played in syndication for years to come. DVR it if you'd like. You may be consistent, but you're also being pig-headed about this.

It's quite alright if you don't watch superbowl, but no need to try putting the show down, before you even see it to try making your point. Just watch TBBT and enjoy, but I will watch Romantically Challenged and will probably enjoy it too.

...and I will also watch TBBT when it return in original, I have arrived a long time ago in the age where you don't have to choose one over the other. You can easily watch both...There's time shifting, DVR's, Online viewing...no need to miss anything anymore, have you heard?


And since TBBT original episode on May 3rd is now moved to 9:00pm, RC will have 3 weeks against TBBT repeat before being against an original.

Superbowl you're just stubborn and insecure. I don't understand why either. It's not like Romantically Challenged is going to smash Big Bang Theory to pieces. You wanted to watch the show, but then ABC placed it against Big Bang--a big no-no for you, I know. Now Big Bang is in repeats for the first three airings of RomChallenged and you read one review and won't watch. If that is a reason not to watch, then it is a very stupid one. It makes no sense at all, like you don't have a mind of your own. Sorry, but that is a weak excuse.

And when you said, "I have heard from a few others who have seen the pilot as well, and did not like it." That is pure bull****. If it was bad why was it picked-up?? They have gone through so much to pick this show up. I know for a fact. Please stop making up things. And you said, "I would love to watch Romantically Challenged." Then why do you keep ripping it here? The only reason the fourth episode was scheduled first was because it best introduces Alyssa. That is all. I was baffled myself why ABC decided that, but it is good they have come to their senses and will air the real first episode first. I think it is a good move and while it won't be in time for critics to review, I'm sure millions didn't read USA Today or Variety anyway.

And since you said you watch EVERY single Big Bang airing, that is fine. That's being a good fan. But there is an old-fashioned thing called a VCR if you don't have a DVR in your room to watch RomChallenged if you really did want to watch it.

Superbowl you're just stubborn and insecure. I don't understand why either. It's not like Romantically Challenged is going to smash Big Bang Theory to pieces. You wanted to watch the show, but then ABC placed it against Big Bang--a big no-no for you, I know. Now Big Bang is in repeats for the first three airings of RomChallenged and you read one review and won't watch. If that is a reason not to watch, then it is a very stupid one. It makes no sense at all, like you don't have a mind of your own. Sorry, but that is a weak excuse.

And when you said, "I have heard from a few others who have seen the pilot as well, and did not like it." That is pure bull****. If it was bad why was it picked-up?? They have gone through so much to pick this show up. I know for a fact. Please stop making up things. And you said, "I would love to watch Romantically Challenged." Then why do you keep ripping it here? The only reason the fourth episode was scheduled first was because it best introduces Alyssa. That is all. I was baffled myself why ABC decided that, but it is good they have come to their senses and will air the real first episode first. I think it is a good move and while it won't be in time for critics to review, I'm sure millions didn't read USA Today or Variety anyway.

And since you said you watch EVERY single Big Bang airing, that is fine. That's being a good fan. But there is an old-fashioned thing called a VCR if you don't have a DVR in your room to watch RomChallenged if you really did want to watch it.

You people are a joke telling me what to watch, and what not to watch. I said months and months ago I would not watch the show if it was up against The Big Bang Theory. Did you ever hear me say that if it was up against a Big Bang repeat that I would watch it ? I told you I watch The Big Bang Theory new or repeats. I enjoy the show very much in repeats. Judging by the repeat ratings, many other people like the repeats, too.

I never came here and bashed Romatnically Challenged. It was Robert Bianco who bashed it. And as for the other people who have seen it, there are several critics and/or bloggers on twitter that saw it, and hated it, too. I never commented on the show. I have not seen it, and thanks to ABC scheduling it against my favorite show I probably never will see it.

Just so people like Pavan here don't think I am making it up to bash Romantically challenged here are two reviews of Romantically Challenged from The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. THESE ARE NOT MY VIEWS. THESE ARE THE REVIEWS OF CRITICS WHO HAVE SEEN THE SHOW. I am just posting so people can read, and not think I am making up what I said in previous posts about many critics not liking the show.


"Romantically Challenged" Not Likely to Win Hearts
By Barry Garron


LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - With "Friends" long gone and "How I Met Your Mother" approaching veteran status, America must certainly be yearning for a new comedy about young, attractive friends who meet frequently for beverages and whose conversation spans the gamut of subjects from dating to sex to relationships to sex to physical characteristics to sex.

Could the nation be thirsting for "Romantically Challenged"? Probably not, at least based on the episode made available by ABC. Still, one could see a few good reasons for developing this multicamera sitcom, which premieres Monday (April 19).

First and foremost is executive producer/director James Burrows. Not only can he get more out of a so-so script and a weak premise than just about anyone in the studio-laughter business, but he proves it here. (It's not that the script from Ted Cohen and Andrew Reich lacks jokes. To the contrary, it substitutes laughs for character and story development.)

Brooks papers over these defects to a degree with his eye for camera angles, keen sense of timing and breezy pace. As a result, the premiere is much better than anyone has a right to expect it to be. And with Burrows at the helm, the four co-stars -- Alyssa Milano, Kelly Stables, Kyle Bornheimer and Josh Lawson -- are nearly pitch-perfect in their delivery.

Milano plays Rebecca Thomas, newly divorced after 15 years of marriage. Stables is her younger sister, Lisa, a walking encyclopedia on hooking up. Bornheimer, unforgettable as the luckless newlywed in "Worst Week," plays Perry Gill, a workaholic financial planner and a romantic. Lawson is his freeloading friend and roommate, Shawn, an aspiring novelist.

To sum up, we've got a drop-dead gorgeous star who has no confidence and no idea how to meet men, a would-be writer enjoying a middle-class existence with no visible means of support, an extremely eligible financial planner with a taste for romance and a celibate lifestyle, and a woman whose chief cause is the advocacy of one-night stands amid a real-life epidemic of STDs.

Granted, no one would accuse "Friends" or "How I Met Your Mother" of dead-on realism. Still, their vision of love and friendship struck a chord with viewers, most of whom could relate to at least some of their travails.

"Challenged," on the other hand, seems preoccupied with keeping the beat for a steady rhythm of jokes, even as it challenges viewers to ignore the implausibility of its premise.

It will get a boost by airing right after "Dancing With the Stars." It will need it.





Romantically Challenged

(Series -- ABC, Mon. April 19, 9:30 p.m.) Filmed in Los Angeles by Candy Bar Prods. and Warner Bros. Television. Executive producers, Ricky Blitt, James Burrows; producer, Tracey Ormandy; director, Burrows; writers, Ted Cohen, Andrew Reich.

Rebecca Thomas - Alyssa Milano
Perry Gill - Kyle Bornheimer
Shawn Goldwater - Josh Lawson
Lisa Thomas - Kelly Stables

By BRIAN LOWRY
Variety

In the interest of truth in labeling, ABC's "Romantically Challenged" should rightfully be titled "Comedically Challenged." The allure of watching Alyssa Milano in this four-character ensemble sitcom provides small compensation for a litany of tired, warmed-over sex jokes. By beginning with the fourth episode, moreover, the network not only creates some confusion about the relationships among the central quartet but causes the mind to wander regarding just how bad the first three must have been. It will take considerable fancy footwork from a "Dancing With the Stars" lead-in to conquer this challenge.

As best as one can tell, Milano's Rebecca is newly divorced and testing the dating waters again after a 15-year marriage. Functioning as de facto guides for this unmarried woman are her sister Lisa (Kelly Stables, who had a recurring stint on "Two and a Half Men") and pals Perry ("Worst Week's" Kyle Bornheimer) and Shawn (Josh Lawson).

The four receive roughly equal screen time, with a subplot involving the discomfort felt by Shawn -- a wannabe writer living rent-free with Perry -- over how financial inequality shapes their interaction. This triggers a string of prison rape jokes, and really, you can never have enough of those.

Indeed, despite the presence of sitcom director supreme James Burrows, "Challenged" is almost painfully on-the-nose with most of its gags -- repeating the few decent ones as if the audience might have somehow missed them. (The showrunner is Ricky Blitt, whose credits include "Family Guy," which is actually less of a cartoon than this is.)

Renowned for her sex appeal, Milano certainly looks terrific as the single mom (whose kid just kind of magically appears part-way through), but her angst over one-night-stand etiquette in this introductory airing makes "Cougar Town" seem intellectually demanding. All told, it's as if "Will and Grace" sired a straight, particularly unfunny child with "It's Like, You Know … "

While 90 minutes of "Dancing" should funnel scads of female viewers in the show's direction, those who dare linger will find little to glom onto among these characters. Indeed, a last-minute postponement of the premiere only appears to be prolonging the inevitable.

Rebecca's confusion about dating is summed up near the episode's end (a moment already blown in the on-air promos), when she says, "That's how you scare a guy away." And viewers, too.

ABC is rearing a LOST ep on apr 27th. Its a great ep but with all that competition on Tues and a New V at 10p, I question it.

My first choice would be for them to air a new clip show that explains everything. When they did last year on the same week it got close to a 3. Now with 5 hours left they can sell it as the 10 most important ques for LOST going into finale.

If they dont do that, Id rather they put the rerun at 8p and DWTS at 9p. They are doing something similar with PP this week. I just feel it will help an original of V more. DWTS would not haver to face IDOL that week either.

I dont expect them to do this, but this is what I would do.

I did not call Big Bang Theory average.

Your quote:
But, let's face it - what multi-cam comedy isn't generic? Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, and Old Christine, which are the best in their genre, are pretty average shows.

On another note, Old Christine should not be included in the same category as Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory. Old Christine is down with Gary Unmarried in terms of being closely related.

Just so people like Pavan here don't think I am making it up to bash Romantically challenged here are two reviews of Romantically Challenged from The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. THESE ARE NOT MY VIEWS. THESE ARE THE REVIEWS OF CRITICS WHO HAVE SEEN THE SHOW. I am just posting so people can read, and not think I am making up what I said in previous posts about many critics not liking the show.

And those are reviews for the fourth episode ("Rebecca's One Night Stand") that was originally slated to air first. They are NOT airing that first anymore! They changed the episode to the first one taped now (the pilot titled "Don't Be Yourself"). And you still said people said that episode was bad ("I have heard from a few others who have seen the pilot as well, and did not like it."). No one had ever said that. Here is some feedback from the ACTUAL first episode that is NOW airing first and no critic has seen: http://www.imdb.com/rg/title-tease/boards-subject/title/tt1392247/board/nest/156459851 I guess you let critics decide what you watch or think is good? And I spoke to Brian Lowry of Variety and he is updating the review to reflect that this is not the episode airing first anymore.

And I see you use Twitter and read blogs, but you can't watch two shows that air at the same time? You keep saying you would watch the show if it aired in another slot. If you really wanted to watch it, you can easily watch it, even if you watch Big Bang live. You could use the old-fashioned VCR since you don't use DVR or watch on the internet. Why don't you just say you don't want to watch anything that is up against Big Bang? That would be more truthful and I'd understand. I'll be watching both shows (well not Big Bang repeats, I rarely watch any repeats unless nothing is on).

EDIT: Here is my review if you missed that since you're posting reviews: http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2010/04/abc-midseason-pilot-review-romantically.html All of the reviews online are irrelevant now anyway, since ABC changed it to the actual first episode ("Don't Be Yourself") and no one has seen that episode unless they went to the taping on Jan. 28. And by the way, all of the trade reviews only base it on "Rebecca's One Night Stand," my review was based on TWO episodes "Rebecca's One Night Stand" and "The Charade" (which is, as of now, still slated to air second). And all the complaints, like underusing Bornheimer, made no sense because he was GREAT in "The Charade." I think the only other person here to have seen "The Charade" is probably tvcrazed, and I think he would agree.

Your quote:


On another note, Old Christine should not be included in the same category as Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory. Old Christine is down with Gary Unmarried in terms of being closely related.

What is with all the hatred here today? Seriously, if you continued reading what I said, I said that if it wasn't for the brilliant acting on BBT, it would be an average show. It is an average show, with the generic storylines and average writing, but the acting and the great comedic timing lift it above average.

And if you would actually watch Old Christine, you would know that is a very funny show. Sure, it has its dry episodes, but when it's funny, it's hysterical, and at the top of its game. Just because it gets bad ratings doesn't mean it isn't one of the best shows in its genre.

And I agree with Pavan - Superbowl, you are being so closed-minded it's almost hard to believe. Seriously, you can't give up a repeat of BBT for one week? You want to watch RC, but you refuse to because it's airing up against a repeat of BBT? Give me a break . . . :rolleyes:

ABC is rearing a LOST ep on apr 27th. Its a great ep but with all that competition on Tues and a New V at 10p, I question it.

My first choice would be for them to air a new clip show that explains everything. When they did last year on the same week it got close to a 3. Now with 5 hours left they can sell it as the 10 most important ques for LOST going into finale.

If they dont do that, Id rather they put the rerun at 8p and DWTS at 9p. They are doing something similar with PP this week. I just feel it will help an original of V more. DWTS would not haver to face IDOL that week either.

I dont expect them to do this, but this is what I would do.

I agree. A recap/special would be best on April 27. Or I was thinking two repeats of LOST enhanced from 9-11pm and air that V on Wednesday, April 21 (instead of Cougar Town repeats), calling it a two-night event.


And I agree with Pavan - Superbowl, you are being so closed-minded it's almost hard to believe. Seriously, you can't give up a repeat of BBT for one week? You want to watch RC, but you refuse to because it's airing up against a repeat of BBT? Give me a break . . .

I understand if he wants to watch Big Bang repeat live, but he can easily watch RomChallenged if he really wanted to on VCR/DVR/internet. It's not that hard. Even in 1985 people were recording on VHS.

And those are reviews for the fourth episode ("Rebecca's One Night Stand") that was originally slated to air first. They are NOT airing that first anymore! They changed the episode to the first one taped now (the pilot titled "Don't Be Yourself"). And you still said people said that episode was bad ("I have heard from a few others who have seen the pilot as well, and did not like it."). No one had ever said that. Here is some feedback from the ACTUAL first episode that is NOW airing first and no critic has seen: http://www.imdb.com/rg/title-tease/boards-subject/title/tt1392247/board/nest/156459851 I guess you let critics decide what you watch or think is good? And I spoke to Brian Lowry of Variety and he is updating the review to reflect that this is not the episode airing first anymore.

And I see you use Twitter and read blogs, but you can't watch two shows that air at the same time? You keep saying you would watch the show if it aired in another slot. If you really wanted to watch it, you can easily watch it, even if you watch Big Bang live. You could use the old-fashioned VCR since you don't use DVR or watch on the internet. Why don't you just say you don't want to watch anything that is up against Big Bang? That would be more truthful and I'd understand. I'll be watching both shows (well not Big Bang repeats, I rarely watch any repeats unless nothing is on).

EDIT: Here is my review if you missed that since you're posting reviews: http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2010/04/abc-midseason-pilot-review-romantically.html All of the reviews online are irrelevant now anyway, since ABC changed it to the actual first episode ("Don't Be Yourself") and no one has seen that episode unless they went to the taping on Jan. 28. And by the way, all of the trade reviews only base it on "Rebecca's One Night Stand," my review was based on TWO episodes "Rebecca's One Night Stand" and "The Charade" (which is, as of now, still slated to air second). And all the complaints, like underusing Bornheimer, made no sense because he was GREAT in "The Charade." I think the only other person here to have seen "The Charade" is probably tvcrazed, and I think he would agree.

If I told you I also watch the Modern Family repeats every week I am sure you would love to hear that. However, your ABC bias will not allow you to accept me watching a CBS show over an ABC show. I said repeatedly that I want to watch this show, but will not watch it in that time slot. Nothing has changed.

Hi, Pavan i don`t know if you read this but nikki of deadline made your "Panic Pilot list" and here are the shows of ABC.

ABC

NO ORDINARY FAMILY: An early drama standout from top showrunner Greg Berlanti. This high-concept drama has been garnering momentum through casting (landing Michel Chiklis as the lead), and through filming.

THE WHOLE TRUTH: Solid legal show. Good chemistry between stars Joely Richardson and Rob Morrow

TRUE BLUE: Its different take on the cop drama sets it apart. Having a strong woman lead in Poppy Montgomery helps on a female-centric ABC.

BODY OF EVIDENCE: One of the best-liked drama scripts at the network. Big–name star in Dana Delany.

WRIGHT VS. WRONG: Early frontrunner on the comedy side based on a well-received script and a solid table read. Very strong cast, too, led by Debra Messing.

For me the suprise is Wright vs. Wrong and she no mention anything about Mr. Sunshine and i do make myself a question: is Mr. Sunshine loose the race?

I agree. A recap/special would be best on April 27. Or I was thinking two repeats of LOST enhanced from 9-11pm and air that V on Wednesday, April 21 (instead of Cougar Town repeats), calling it a two-night event.




I like you suggestion and instead of airing a traditional type of recap show, ABC should air this seasons online LOST Untangled episodes. I watch them every week and they're great. In addition they can add 'fan questions to the stars' (questions that can can actually be answered) to round out the show. At 10pm they can still air the Enhanced version of "Ab Eterno" rather the 'V".

ABC has to take advantage of everything they have. It may produce the same demo results but it would be a more imaginative programming choice.

If I told you I also watch the Modern Family repeats every week I am sure you would love to hear that. However, your ABC bias will not allow you to accept me watching a CBS show over an ABC show. I said repeatedly that I want to watch this show, but will not watch it in that time slot. Nothing has changed.

Dude, do you understand what I am trying to say? I am saying you can watch the Big Bang repeats live, but to say you won't watch Romantically Challenged because it is on opposite that is absurd. If you wanted to watch it, you would find a way to watch it. You don't have to just pick one show in the timeslot and watch. I'm glad you watch Modern Family repeats, but that is not the point here. The point is that you keep saying you would watch Romantically Challenged in another slot. Why can't you just watch it at 10pm after Big Bang? Anyway, this is gone far enough...you don't have to watch anything except what you want. I was just suggesting you don't have to shun a show because it is on the same timeslot as another show you watch.

If I told you I also watch the Modern Family repeats every week I am sure you would love to hear that. However, your ABC bias will not allow you to accept me watching a CBS show over an ABC show. I said repeatedly that I want to watch this show, but will not watch it in that time slot. Nothing has changed.
Less and less people are watching their favorite tv shows in their regular time slots anymore. I only watch a couple. I think TBBT is the best sitcom currently on tv but that doesn't mean I won't give other sitcoms a chance, especially multi-camera sitcoms. DVR it or use a VCR.

What is with all the hatred here today? Seriously, if you continued reading what I said, I said that if it wasn't for the brilliant acting on BBT, it would be an average show. It is an average show, with the generic storylines and average writing, but the acting and the great comedic timing lift it above average.

And if you would actually watch Old Christine, you would know that is a very funny show. Sure, it has its dry episodes, but when it's funny, it's hysterical, and at the top of its game. Just because it gets bad ratings doesn't mean it isn't one of the best shows in its genre.

And I agree with Pavan - Superbowl, you are being so closed-minded it's almost hard to believe. Seriously, you can't give up a repeat of BBT for one week? You want to watch RC, but you refuse to because it's airing up against a repeat of BBT? Give me a break . . . :rolleyes:
Not from the original quote you posted. You simply called them all average shows. If I have to show you again:
which are the best in their genre, are pretty average shows. Yes you said the acting makes them funny, but you never said that makes them above average shows.

And I do watch Old Christine. Everyone has different tastes in shows, and I don't think its all that great. The only good part about Old Christine IMO is Barb. Without Barb, show is unfunny.

They're doing it with PP this week. I suggest next week when theres an original AFV and rerun EM, they flop slots. Same for LOST and DWTS next week fro same reason. Maybe you can suggest this to ABC Pavan, if you think it makes sense.

No, the critics opinion has nothing do with anything. I told you before I will not watch this show opposite The Big Bang Theory. I am one of the millions who also watch The Big Bang Theory repeats.
i still always watch the BBT repeats because i KNOW that I am going to enjoy every episode.

...one thing RC does NOT have going for it is that if it is NOT a big hit I know that abc isn't going to keep it on the air for very long or give it too much of a chance, so I don't want to get too invested in it if it doesn't take off right away.

i still always watch the BBT repeats because i KNOW that I am going to enjoy every episode.

...one thing RC does NOT have going for it is that if it is NOT a big hit I know that abc isn't going to keep it on the air for very long or give it too much of a chance, so I don't want to get too invested in it if it doesn't take off right away.

I will not post them here so not to offend Pavan, but wow are the critics beating up Romantically Challenged today. I have seen reviews today anywhere from its mediocre to its is totally awful.

Tonight it is sure to put up a huge number with the DWTS lead in and curiousity. The true test of RC will come in weeks 2 and 3 to see how many people return to watch.

Superbowl, the reviews are based on episode four. No one has seen the pilot. I think I have said that here like 3-4 times already, not sure why you don't understand yet. So the reviews mean even more nothing since it isn't what is being aired tonight...

Superbowl, the reviews are based on episode four. No one has seen the pilot. I think I have said that here like 3-4 times already, not sure why you don't understand yet. So the reviews mean even more nothing since it isn't what is being aired tonight...

I heard the reason they switched to episode four was because they were afraid to send the pilot to the critics. They were afraid that the pilot would get totally trashed. So ABC thinks the pilot is actually worse than episode 4. I guess in your opinion (and only your opinion) episode four is awful and the pilot is great. You really should not review ABC shows, because you are just too biased to have any reviewing integrity. Like I said, the success of this show will come in weeks 2 and 3. That's when you will find out how many of the large sampling of viewers tonight come back.

By the way, did you see the NY Times and Washington Post reviews ? I really don't think those guys are going to like the pilot any better.

Wow, the first ep of RC was so much better and funnier than the eps they sent out. Since it was actually the first ep, I honestly dont get what ABC was thinking. I honestly think it would have gotten better reviews but even if it didnt its certainly no worse. I personally laughed a lot. It was better written and great showcase for Kyle and the whole cast. I just dont get what they were thinking. Theres enough Alyssa in this show too, so that cant be it.

I found Romantically Challenged to be fun, entertaining, and humorous. The way some people on here were talking about how they would never watch it is inane. I found it to be MUCH better than Hank, and honestly, it had a very CBS feel to it, which is a good thing. I'm completely rooting for this show now.

I heard the reason they switched to episode four was because they were afraid to send the pilot to the critics. They were afraid that the pilot would get totally trashed. So ABC thinks the pilot is actually worse than episode 4. I guess in your opinion (and only your opinion) episode four is awful and the pilot is great. You really should not review ABC shows, because you are just too biased to have any reviewing integrity. Like I said, the success of this show will come in weeks 2 and 3. That's when you will find out how many of the large sampling of viewers tonight come back.

By the way, did you see the NY Times and Washington Post reviews ? I really don't think those guys are going to like the pilot any better.

I don't know what your sources are but the only reason they scheduled the fourth one first is because it introduces Alyssa Milano better and she is in it a bit more. That is the ONLY reason why. The pilot is much better and they have always liked it. So they weren't afraid of anything. Glad they changed their mind and aired it first because it was good! And Supebowl, stop mentioning reviews. No one saw the pilot for review and you can't assume how anyone will like anything. This was a much better episode than the one they sent out.

You are not even watching the show, so why keep talking? Watch and then you can talk about the show. I think you're just too afraid of any competition for Big Bang, which is sad, because it is in no danger. And FYI, I hated Hank and was baffled by that one.

I hope they air "The Charade" next. I found that better than "Rebecca's One Night Stand" (the fourth one).

I found Romantically Challenged to be fun, entertaining, and humorous. The way some people on here were talking about how they would never watch it is inane. I found it to be MUCH better than Hank, and honestly, it had a very CBS feel to it, which is a good thing. I'm completely rooting for this show now.

I agree that it is MUCH better than "Hank" but I still found it to be a bit mundane. There weren't any characters or plots that really grabbed my attention and only once or twice did I chuckle. However, I don't think the show is without potential and I will probably give it a few more chances to win me over

Pretty good feedback from viewers on Twitter: http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23RomanticallyChallenged

I agree that it is MUCH better than "Hank" but I still found it to be a bit mundane. There weren't any characters or plots that really grabbed my attention and only once or twice did I chuckle. However, I don't think the show is without potential and I will probably give it a few more chances to win me over

I'd say that's a pretty fair review. It's in no way outstanding, or even fresh, but it was funny, and it did grab my attention. It's nice to see traditional sitcoms like this. As traditional as Hank was, it was just downright bad - at least this is good, and still has plenty of room to grow. Hopefully we'll see high ratings tomorrow morning.

..."swinging hammock" strategy they used to kick off "SAMANTHA WHO?" several years back; this time, they're using "DANCING WITH THE STARS" and "CASTLE" to give "ROMANTICALLY CHALLENGED" a chance to "catch on" with viewers- that is, using those shows as "two trees" to allow "RC" to swing between them (like a comfortable hammock)...even making sure it began at 9:32pm(et), so that viewers wouldn't switch to, say, CBS' "BIG BANG THEORY". And the network used episode #4 as the "premiere" because they weren't sure #1 [the pilot] would be as well received with viewers. The only complaint I have about the show is, doesn't anyone know HOW to properly apply a "laugh track" to a situation comedy these days, so that it sounds as "natural" as they did in the '50s, '60s and '70s?

:tv:

TV Knowledge Fan, they aired the first episode not the fourth episode. They changed it on Friday. And thank god they did. It sets-up the show better than the fourth.

Monday's Finals :

The Big Bang Theory (REPEAT) 11.66 milion viewers, 4.1/11 (18-49 demo rating)

Romantically Challenged (Premiere) 10.66 milion viewers, 2.9/8 (18-49 demo rating)

Well, after weeks and months of bickering here the viewers have spoken and millions and millions agreed with me and watched The Big Bang Theory repeat.

My purpose to this heated discussion was always to try and get a message to McPherson through Pavan to find another time slot for Alyssa's show. This show has no chance against The Big Bang Theory. If The Big Bang Theory ever airs a new episode opposite Romantically Challenged it will obliterate it.

If Romantically Challenged goes under 10 million next week (and it probably will) it will be done. ABC will pull it off before the May sweeps. I really wish they would give it a chance in another time slot.

ABC has to respect the monster hit that The Big Bang Theory has become. They can no longer schedule a sitcom at 9:30 on Mondays. These are no longer the days of Old Christine or Rules of Engagement at 9:30. The Big Bang Theory will kill any ABC sitcom regardless of whether it is new or a repeat.

Also CASTLE was its lowest number in months - a 2.6

I love ABC, they have best development and marketing out of any broadcast net, but i contiunue to be unimpressed by scheduling.

I said it all year. DWTS should be 2 hours, Results show should be Tues at 10p. V should be Wed at 10p. I am hardly a genius and wrong many times, but I firmly believe if they had scheduled this way all these shows would be higher rated. Well theres proof on CASTLE, just look at last week v this week.
DWTS is their highest rated show, why cut a half hour off?

There are certain things beyond ABC's control, this kind of scheduling is not.

ABC needs to transplant this show to Wednesdays fast. Whether it be burnoff or whatever, ABC might as well move it to Wednesdys at 8pm. I doubt it'll do any worse than MF repeats. Whether it does or not, it's bringing down Mondays. It's hurting Castle and costing ABC 10+ million it could get with a 4th half hour of DWTS.

It's a good show. What a shame more people didn't tune in. Although, 2 weeks of promotion didn't exactly help it. The wait until April to premiere it was another mistake. If ABC wanted this show to succeed, they certainly didn't show it.

ABC needs to transplant this show to Wednesdays fast. Whether it be burnoff or whatever, ABC might as well move it to Wednesdys at 8pm. I doubt it'll do any worse than MF repeats. Whether it does or not, it's bringing down Mondays. It's hurting Castle and costing ABC 10+ million it could get with a 4th half hour of DWTS.

It's a good show. What a shame more people didn't tune in. Although, 2 weeks of promotion didn't exactly help it. The wait until April to premiere it was another mistake. If ABC wanted this show to succeed, they certainly didn't show it.

ABC has to realize that Mondays at 9:30 is no longer and option for them for sitcoms as long as The Big Bang Theory is in that time slot. Could you imagine how low Romantically Challenged ratings would have been if The Big Bang Theory was a new episode ? The Big Bang Theory is a monster hit sitcom, and ABC must realize this. I read that the 4.1 demo rating The Big Bang Theory put up last night was the highest for a scripted show repeat in over 2 years.

If Romantically Challenged goes under 10 million next week, and sinks in the demo, ABC will pull it after next week.

I watched Romantically Challenged and discovered it was better than Hank, but still not good. In fact, I thought that Alyssa was the worst part of the show. I don't get why everyone is so in love with her, every time she came on screen I felt like changing the channel!
I will be returning to CBS for encores of The Big Bang Theory next week (or whenever it repeats).

Monday's Finals :

The Big Bang Theory (REPEAT) 11.66 milion viewers, 4.1/11 (18-49 demo rating)

Romantically Challenged (Premiere) 10.66 milion viewers, 2.9/8 (18-49 demo rating)

Well, after weeks and months of bickering here the viewers have spoken and millions and millions agreed with me and watched The Big Bang Theory repeat.

My purpose to this heated discussion was always to try and get a message to McPherson through Pavan to find another time slot for Alyssa's show. This show has no chance against The Big Bang Theory. If The Big Bang Theory ever airs a new episode opposite Romantically Challenged it will obliterate it.

If Romantically Challenged goes under 10 million next week (and it probably will) it will be done. ABC will pull it off before the May sweeps. I really wish they would give it a chance in another time slot.

ABC has to respect the monster hit that The Big Bang Theory has become. They can no longer schedule a sitcom at 9:30 on Mondays. These are no longer the days of Old Christine or Rules of Engagement at 9:30. The Big Bang Theory will kill any ABC sitcom regardless of whether it is new or a repeat.

For a person who wants to watch Romantically Challenged, you sure don't sound like it. I think if it can maintain these ratings vs BBT repeats, it will be fine and ABC will bring it back next fall on Wednesdays. I could certainly see them adding comedies to the 10pm hour on Wednesdays next fall. Would be good with Cougar Town in that hour.

Don't think anyone thought RC was going to beat BBT. I think this was about the best it could get against the #1 sitcom in 18-49. But the next 2 weeks I think with BBT in repeats and DWTS as the lead-in still, RC will be somewhat similar in ratings as this week. If that happens, you'll see a second season. And I'm sure ABC will not air it on Mondays next fall.

As for next season at 9:30, you never know, CBS might move BBT to 9pm or even another night (Thursdays?). I don't think any network has to respect any show. They are not there to lose. Or Grey's Anatomy would have never moved to Thursdays at 9pm in 2006 and beat CSI. I think in this case ABC is trying to build on a comedy to see if it has legs for Wednesdays. That might be the ultimate plan, so in the end after these 4 airings, it will not be on against BBT.

tvcrazed: Agree with you on all points, but still not on DWTS Results Tues at 10 bandwagon. That would cause more DVR for the show I think. Family audience would suffer. It's not the same when it is a one night thing like a finale from 9-11pm. Because it is that, just one night and plus it has the 9pm hour leading in.

For a person who wants to watch Romantically Challenged, you sure don't sound like it. I think if it can maintain these ratings vs BBT repeats, it will be fine and ABC will bring it back next fall on Wednesdays. I could certainly see them adding comedies to the 10pm hour on Wednesdays next fall. Would be good with Cougar Town in that hour.

Don't think anyone thought RC was going to beat BBT. I think this was about the best it could get against the #1 sitcom in 18-49. But the next 2 weeks I think with BBT in repeats and DWTS as the lead-in still, RC will be somewhat similar in ratings as this week. If that happens, you'll see a second season. And I'm sure ABC will not air it on Mondays next fall.

As for next season at 9:30, you never know, CBS might move BBT to 9pm or even another night (Thursdays?). I don't think any network has to respect any show. They are not there to lose. Or Grey's Anatomy would have never moved to Thursdays at 9pm in 2006 and beat CSI. I think in this case ABC is trying to build on a comedy to see if it has legs for Wednesdays. That might be the ultimate plan, so in the end after these 4 airings, it will not be on against BBT.

tvcrazed: Agree with you on all points, but still not on DWTS Results Tues at 10 bandwagon. That would cause more DVR for the show I think. Family audience would suffer. It's not the same when it is a one night thing like a finale from 9-11pm. Because it is that, just one night and plus it has the 9pm hour leading in.

Are you sure you are not writing the PR for the ABC public relations dept ? It got trounced by a Big Bang Theory REPEAT. Not a new show. It was a REPEAT. It also dragged down Castle with it. Castle had its lowest 18-49 demo in a month. In fact, Castle lost to CSI: Miami for the first time since DWTS spring premiered. ABC will not allow RC to drag Castle down. You just cannot accept anybody pointing out anything negative about an ABC show even if it is the truth.

I agree that if it maintains its ratings it stays. It has just barely enough to survive. However, judging on past precedent almost all shows drop after their initial sampling premiere week. If it drops it will be pulled before the May sweeps. Judging from what I have heard around the reactions from viewers were very mixed. Some people liked it, and some did not. That leads us to believe not everyone who watched Monday will return. For Romantically Challenged sake I hope it gets some first time viewers on Monday to make up for the ones it is sure to lose from this weeks sampling.

I can say the same for you. Are you a publicist for BBT? Did you expect RC to crush BBT or something? I think you just said that it would get big ratings so you can gloat for whatever reason (it's not like BBT needs gloating, its numbers speak for themselves). At least I watch both shows...you won't even make an effort to watch RC.

And I never wanted ABC to air RC on Mondays. I was always for it on Wednesdays (but it is hard to schedule it there with family comedies) and against it on Mondays. And I am hoping it can maintain these ratings so we have that shot next fall. And you should be hoping it does, too, instead of your continued knocking of the ratings. BBT will have its great numbers no matter what - repeat or new. Not sure why you need to gloat about it. It is a proven hit.

I know Castle is down. This is a test for it, too. It looks like it can work on its own. Those numbers are still higher than anything from its Sept-Feb numbers. I'll say it one last time, I would prefer two hour DWTS into Castle each week and RC on Wednesdays. And I hope we get that chance next fall.

tvcrazed: Agree with you on all points, but still not on DWTS Results Tues at 10 bandwagon. That would cause more DVR for the show I think. Family audience would suffer. It's not the same when it is a one night thing like a finale from 9-11pm. Because it is that, just one night and plus it has the 9pm hour leading in.
really? you dont think it would produce the same 2.4 it got at 8p last night at 10p. I think it would do better than that when not facing IDOL.

well I watched the premiere of RC right AFTER I watched the BBT repeat (which I had already seen at least twice before) and I definitely enjoyed BBT more than RC.

- the show seemed kind of clunky and the timing seemed off - especially Alyssa Milano. I just don't buy her as a "HIGH-POWERED ATTORNEY" that gets so flustered she can barely manage to dress herself or keep her story straight. I know I sure as heck wouldn't hire an attorney that acted like that. The sub-plot with the gay guy that didn't want to talk dirty or spank his date was hard to watch too.

the good parts were Kelly Stables, and the other male roommate.

the highlight was the line with the naughty date where she says "send in the roommate" when he offers to spank her for him.

Yes, robyrob compare three seasons of a show to a pilot episode of a new show. Very fair. I love BBT, too, but that isn't fair to compare.

Yes, robyrob compare three seasons of a show to a pilot episode of a new show. Very fair. I love BBT, too, but that isn't fair to compare.
what the heck are you talking about? I compared the two episodes that aired against each other - I would say that was a fair comparison seeing as they AIRED AGAINST EACH OTHER.

besides, I just said i enjoyed that one episode of one show more than the other episode - hardly a damnation, simply an opinion.

I'm trying to say, you have had three seasons to get used to BBT. You know what to expect. We know every episode is going to be good. I think Romantically Challenged after one episode can't do that yet. I hope it is given a chance to.

I'm trying to say, you have had three seasons to get used to BBT. You know what to expect. We know every episode is going to be good. I think Romantically Challenged after one episode can't do that yet. I hope it is given a chance to.
like I said, there was good and bad parts to the show - I'm not condemning it, but it does have some bugs to work out if it has any hope of ABC keeping it on the air.

...because lets face it - ABC doesn't really have the best track record of standing behind new shows that don't take off right away.

Fridays, May 28 and June 25, 2010
9:00-11:00 PM 20/20 (expanded)

Tuesday, June 1, 2010
10:00PM A Special Edition of 20/20 - "Real Super Heroes”

Few more updates:

Saturday, May 22, 2010
8:00-10:00PM LOST (R, Pilot, 9/22/04)
[Finale of course is the following night. Castle repeat follows on this night at 10.]

Tuesday, May 25, 2010
8:00PM TBD
[Dancing with the Stars Grand Finale follows from 9-11PM on this night.]
(My thinking: Probably a recap/repeat of the Performance Finale will be at 8pm)

Wednesday, May 26, 2010
8:00-11:00PM ABC Wednesday Movie of the Week: Transformers (network television premiere)

Thursday, May 27, 2010
9:00-11:00PM TBD
[FLASHFORWARD season finale airs at 8pm on this night.]
(My thinking: Maybe the LOST series finale encores from 9-11?)

Wednesdays, Effective April 28 through and including May 19, 2010
8:00PM The Middle (R)
[The Middle will be all-new in its regular 8:30pm slot on all four of these dates.]

I'd rather they left MF reruns there, especially now that MINUTE TO WIN IT is going in at 8p with Mercy at 9

Good. I'd much rather watch The Middle than Modern Family, now I can see a full hour. They're definitely testing it moving to 8 in the fall, which I think it should do.

Oops sorry forgot to put the movie title for the movie on May 26. It will be the network TV premiere of Transformers.

Smart move, ABC. Modern Family is being overplayed, so this should help. Obviously The Middle will be lower rated, but its better than playing Modern Family to death.

Pavan,

I think youre right about LOST rerun Thurs night. At least I think it should be, with pop ups.

I think Sun May 30 the Bachelorette premiere should be rerun from 9-11p. Dramas dont rerun well, plus that previous Mon it would be contending with last 24 and CSI MIAMI finale. This way people can see it before 2nd ep next night,

If ABC is not running 3 hours of comedies all Summer from 8-11p, then I think they should run MF, MIDDLE, MF, CT followed by Castle reruns at 10p after HT ends mid June. Castle would benefit from reruns on a more visible night than Sat.
If they do 3 hours of comedies, It should 2 MIddles from 8-9p. MF, CT 9-10p and MF CT from 10-11p

Good idea about The Bachelorette encore on May 30. Plus May 31 is Memorial Day.

Monday's Finals :

The Big Bang Theory (REPEAT) 10.83 milion viewers, 3.6/9 (18-49 demo rating)

Romantically Challenged (This Week) 9.06 milion viewers, 2.6/7 (18-49 demo rating)

Romantically Challenged (Last Week Premiere) 10.66 milion viewers, 2.9/8 (18-49 demo rating)


So Pavan, what do you think McPherson does ? Does he let it air another week, and risk it dragging down Castle during sweeps ? If he does this will be the last week because he will never let Romantically Challenged go up against a new The Big Bang Theory episode on May 10. If he does it gets obliterated. It would be down under 8 million and an 18-49 demo close to or under 2.0.

Superbowl, ABC never had Romantically Challenged scheduled for May 10. It has always been a two-hour Dancing for that date (as that is when each of the remaining four will dance twice). It will air next week (May 3, BBT is a repeat at 9:30) and if it does well it will air again on May 17. ABC only planned on airing 4 of the 6.

You should be happy that another sitcom is trying to build an audience when BBT is in repeats (but you keep bashing for some reason you need to gloat). Because if it does well, it will go to Wednesday next fall.

Dragging Castle down? Yeah, sure... it was a repeat this week and the repeat beat a repeat of CSI: Miami even with a larger lead-in. It is time for Castle to show its own legs and it has done well the last two weeks without DWTS as the direct lead-in.

Monday's Finals :




So Pavan, what do you think McPherson does ? Does he let it air another week, and risk it dragging down Castle during sweeps ? If he does this will be the last week because he will never let Romantically Challenged go up against a new The Big Bang Theory episode on May 10. If he does it gets obliterated. It would be down under 8 million and an 18-49 demo close to or under 2.0.

I don't understand what's your issue with this show? If you don't care for it that's fine, but it isn't the gigantic failure you make it out to be. No it doesn't hold more than 50% of the DWTS leadin, but what show ever has? Not Castle and look at it now. Even shows that aired out of American Idol, with the exception of House and now Glee, couldn't retain more than 50% of AI leadin audience. A year ago Castle couldn't hold that leadin, and now it has turned into a steady performer and ABC's hottest 10pm show.

The majority of new shows drop at least 20% of their audience from their premiere episode, with a drop of only 15% in audience and 10% in demo, Romantically Challenged held up well for episode 2 and I believe DWTS was down from the previous week. The show hasn't hurt Castle's performance and is outperforming last years Surviving Surburia by wide margins. If it holds at this level, I would not be surprised by a renewal. I don't believe ABC thought it would take the timeslot. They wanted to introduce a new comedy, that basically has growing pains, and see if they can get traction for it. And next weeks performance will tell not the May 10 performance.

Superbowl, ABC never had Romantically Challenged scheduled for May 10. It has always been a two-hour Dancing for that date (as that is when each of the remaining four will dance twice). It will air next week (May 3, BBT is a repeat at 9:30) and if it does well it will air again on May 17. ABC only planned on airing 4 of the 6.

You should be happy that another sitcom is trying to build an audience when BBT is in repeats (but you keep bashing for some reason you need to gloat). Because if it does well, it will go to Wednesday next fall.

Dragging Castle down? Yeah, sure... it was a repeat this week and the repeat beat a repeat of CSI: Miami even with a larger lead-in. It is time for Castle to show its own legs and it has done well the last two weeks without DWTS as the direct lead-in.

Who's gloating ? You said last week that RC needed to maintain its ratings from last week to stay on the air now you seem to have reversed your course since it dropped 1.6 million viewers. How can ABC have any confidence in this show if they are actually afraid to let it run against a new TBBT show ? Did CBS shield Accidentally on Purpose from DWTS when it was on ? McPherson is scared to let it run against a new episode, because ABC and the show will look ridiculous. As I said many, many times the show should have aired in another time slot like Wednesday. At least it would have stood a chance.

I don't understand what's your issue with this show? If you don't care for it that's fine, but it isn't the gigantic failure you make it out to be. No it doesn't hold more than 50% of the DWTS leadin, but what show ever has? Not Castle and look at it now. Even shows that aired out of American Idol, with the exception of House and now Glee, couldn't retain more than 50% of AI leadin audience. A year ago Castle couldn't hold that leadin, and now it has turned into a steady performer and ABC's hottest 10pm show.

The majority of new shows drop at least 20% of their audience from their premiere episode, with a drop of only 15% in audience and 10% in demo, Romantically Challenged held up well for episode 2 and I believe DWTS was down from the previous week. The show hasn't hurt Castle's performance and is outperforming last years Surviving Surburia by wide margins. If it holds at this level, I would not be surprised by a renewal. I don't believe ABC thought it would take the timeslot. They wanted to introduce a new comedy, that basically has growing pains, and see if they can get traction for it. And next weeks performance will tell not the May 10 performance.


I have no issue with it except for Pavan's constant ABC bias. He said last week it would hold its ratings this week. I remember saying it better get some new viewers, because most shows drop after their premiere. Just pointing out he was wrong again, because he never would point this out on an ABC show.

I have no issue with it except for Pavan's constant ABC bias. He said last week it would hold its ratings this week. I remember saying it better get some new viewers, because most shows drop after their premiere. Just pointing out he was wrong again, because he never would point this out on an ABC show.

I never said that. I said it "if it can maintain" those ratings it will be fine. I'm disappointed, but the drop wasn't as steep as you make it out to be. It wasn't that big of a drop to force ABC to pull the show. I was more impressed by Castle's repeat numbers than anything last night. RomChallenged has one more scheduled airing left this season, hope it can maintain or build a bit from this week's performance (since its lead-out Castle is new). I don't think they will air it on May 17 unless next week (May 3) it builds a bit from episode two. It has a chance to do that with Castle being new.

Look the whole goal for this show is to build an audience now so ABC can bring it back next season to Wednesdays, especially if they add a third hour of comedy to the night. It does make sense to give it a shot after DWTS for a few weeks, especially when the monster sitcom is in repeats (see I do nothing but praise BBT...I'm a fan and love it). RomChallenged is certainly better than Surviving Suburbia and has potential to breakout, especially if it airs with other comedies (think about it, without Men, BBT would NOT be a huge like this.).

Who's gloating ? You said last week that RC needed to maintain its ratings from last week to stay on the air now you seem to have reversed your course since it dropped 1.6 million viewers. How can ABC have any confidence in this show if they are actually afraid to let it run against a new TBBT show ? Did CBS shield Accidentally on Purpose from DWTS when it was on ? McPherson is scared to let it run against a new episode, because ABC and the show will look ridiculous. As I said many, many times the show should have aired in another time slot like Wednesday. At least it would have stood a chance.

You are gloating. You haven't once posted about BBT ratings here this season until the last two weeks. I guess when DWTS beats it, you won't say anything but when a new sitcom that is trying to find an audience comes when a big hit sitcom is in repeats, you rip it to shreds. Romantically Challenged launched in April and Accidentally on Purpose was a FALL show. Stupid comparison.

And just where would RC air on Wednesday right now? It's not an 8pm show. Only possibility would be 10pm, and they are launching Happy Town there, so no chance right now. It is best to build up some kind of audience now and bring it back next fall on Wednesdays with better promotion and possibly a third hour of comedy.

I never said that. I said it "if it can maintain" those ratings it will be fine. I'm disappointed, but the drop wasn't as steep as you make it out to be. It wasn't that big of a drop to force ABC to pull the show. I was more impressed by Castle's repeat numbers than anything last night. RomChallenged has one more scheduled airing left this season, hope it can maintain or build a bit from this week's performance (since its lead-out Castle is new). I don't think they will air it on May 17 unless next week (May 3) it builds a bit from episode two. It has a chance to do that with Castle being new.

Look the whole goal for this show is to build an audience now so ABC can bring it back next season to Wednesdays, especially if they add a third hour of comedy to the night. It does make sense to give it a shot after DWTS for a few weeks, especially when the monster sitcom is in repeats (see I do nothing but praise BBT...I'm a fan and love it). RomChallenged is certainly better than Surviving Suburbia and has potential to breakout, especially if it airs with other comedies (think about it, without Men, BBT would NOT be a huge like this.).



You are gloating. You haven't once posted about BBT ratings here this season until the last two weeks. I guess when DWTS beats it, you won't say anything but when a new sitcom that is trying to find an audience comes when a big hit sitcom is in repeats, you rip it to shreds. Romantically Challenged launched in April and Accidentally on Purpose was a FALL show. Stupid comparison.

And just where would RC air on Wednesday right now? It's not an 8pm show. Only possibility would be 10pm, and they are launching Happy Town there, so no chance right now. It is best to build up some kind of audience now and bring it back next fall on Wednesdays with better promotion and possibly a third hour of comedy.

Okay, I will be fair. I will play scheduler. I would air it at 9:30 behind Modern Family. It would have a great lead in, and would have a good chance. The only thing that would hurt a little is that one is multi cam and one is single cam. It really would not have hurt to shelve Cougar Town for a few weeks or air it at 10:00. They could have planned ahead and ran some Cougar Town new eps while the other shows were in repeats to clear the time slot for RC. Cougar Town has really not done much for the last couple of months. I think in that time slot RC would have stood a chance. Here it probably air next week, and never be heard from again other than summer burn off.

That is fair. That is what I suggested (well I had RC at 10 to avoid Idol with CT leading in at 9:30, and random repeats at 10:30), but they went with Happy Town instead. Don't like the move, but we'll see how it does.

I don't care whether the show is appropriate for 8pm or not - ABC should air the final 3 episodes on Wednesdays at 8pm. It needs to be surrounded by other comedies, and although it would be out of place in the block, chances are it could stand its ground. Unfortunately, ABC put it on Mondays, where, like Superbowl said, it will air its final episode next week and probably never be seen again.

On a side note, I'm looking forward to Happy Town. ABC did a great job with the promos.

Scheduling news:

Tuesdays, June 29, July 6 and 13, 2010
10:00PM Primetime: What Would You Do?
[Primetime: What Would You Do? will also still air Fridays, May 7, 14, and 21 at 9:00PM. As previously announced, Primetime: Mind Games takes over the Tuesday 10PM slot starting July 20.]

That is fair. That is what I suggested (well I had RC at 10 to avoid Idol with CT leading in at 9:30, and random repeats at 10:30), but they went with Happy Town instead. Don't like the move, but we'll see how it does.

Do you understand the logic behind the way ABC has scheduled RC? I don't.
Last year it was picked up by ABC to be a mid-season show of 13 eps. Then in late fall it was announced the episode order was cut to 6. I believe the reasoning was to avoid premiering it against the Olympics. ABC then allows the 6 eps to be produced, starting in January, but without a set premiere date. All eps complete taping by mid March. The premiere date, April 12, is finally announced during the last week of March. Less then a week later the premiere gets pushed back a week to April 19. But before that date, the episode scheduled to premiere is replaced with the episode that was actually taped first. This believed to be done because of the poor reviews the episode planned was getting by critics. So now instead of all 6 eps airing, ABC only commits to 3, with constant shuffling of which eps to air & will only air a 4th if the first 3 have steady numbers.

Why is ABC so hesitant to commit air time to all 6 eps?

I know that the original premise was that a guy(Shawn) feels pressure to maintain a bromance with his needy best friend(Perry), while working on building a romance with a new girlfriend(Rebecca). That was the pilot last year. ABC passes on it for the fall, but keeps it in consideration for mid season. In late summer, ABC announces that the show will be a midseason show. Shortly after the official p/u it is revealed that the Shawn character has been recast. It wasn't until filming began that it became clear that the show morphed from the original concept to it's current premise of 4 single friends all struggling with dating.

So, do you know what prompted the change in direction for the show? Was it forced on to the producers from ABC? Was it a mutual decision?

I don't watch TBBT, the premise just seemed lame and I don't like Kaley from her 1 season on Charmed. I believe this is it's 3rd season, right? In being a visitor to many TV blogging/fan sites over the years, I never noticed much talk or interest in TBBT until this season. Actually, the first time I realized it's popularity was when the 1st rumors were swirling that RC would be competing against it. So I have to ask, was it always getting huge ratings in previous seasons when it was sandwiched between HIMYM and 2 1/2 Men? I've read some posts(sorry I don't remember where or by who) that say that TBBT got poor reviews early on in it's run and was near cancellation, is this true? If so, there is hope for RC, if ABC gives it a chance to grow, like CBS did with TBBT.

I know ABC hasnt announced Wed at 10p for Summer but I really hope its not another Primetime. Last Summer Primetime didnt do all that well and its already skeded for Tues and Thurs. Their comedies and or Castle would do just as well if not better and expose them to more eyeballs especially at 10p. Just look at what Castle did vs CSI this week, even though CBS had a higher lead in at 9:30

I know ABC hasnt announced Wed at 10p for Summer but I really hope its not another Primetime. Last Summer Primetime didnt do all that well and its already skeded for Tues and Thurs. Their comedies and or Castle would do just as well if not better and expose them to more eyeballs especially at 10p. Just look at what Castle did vs CSI this week, even though CBS had a higher lead in at 9:30
I'd like to see ABC open up an hour in their sked (Fridays or Saturdays from 8-9 pm) to showcase some of the many drama/comedy pilots that the network has invested in development of but chose not to pick up for series. Over the '50s-'90s, such summer season pilot theatre series often were capable of winning their timeslots against encores, and occasionally led to a busted pilot being re-activated for series or secondary pilot consideration.

Besides recovering some of the costs of development through ad sales, such a showcase might also provide viewer exposure that might lead to activation of a pilot thought not ready for primetime. And as ABC has commissioned so many cool, outside-the-box pilots in recent years, it would be interesting to see some of them get a broadcast for a wider audience.

I think all the networks had to have been surprised to see the nice Nielsens posted by the busted 'Secrets of the Mountain' backdoor pilot on NBC a few Fridays back.

I know ABC hasnt announced Wed at 10p for Summer but I really hope its not another Primetime. Last Summer Primetime didnt do all that well and its already skeded for Tues and Thurs. Their comedies and or Castle would do just as well if not better and expose them to more eyeballs especially at 10p. Just look at what Castle did vs CSI this week, even though CBS had a higher lead in at 9:30

It will be either comedy repeats or Castle when happy town finishes.

Also, ABC will launch the promo for summer drama The Gates tonight during happy town. Wipeout promo launches during NBA Playoffs on Sunday.

Schedule news:

Tuesday, May 25, 2010
8:00PM Dancing With The Stars (R, 5/24)
[Leads into the 2-hour grand finale from 9-11PM]

Saturday, May 29, 2010
8:00-10:00PM LOST finale (R, 5/23)
10:00PM Jimmy Kimmel Live: Aloha To LOST (R, 5/23)

It will be either comedy repeats or Castle when happy town finishes.

thanks, is this conjecture or they have told you that?

Pavan, do you know why they aired a Lost re-run last night? Also, my husband is crazy over the show V. He loves that sci-fi stuff. How is it doing in ratings?

Pavan, do you know why they aired a Lost re-run last night? Also, my husband is crazy over the show V. He loves that sci-fi stuff. How is it doing in ratings?

Although 18 hours are being produced, due to the two hour premiere and two season finale episodes, there are only 16 episodes in totaL Basically, not enough episodes to cover the number of weeks between Feb to May.

Last year there were two separate weeks when an original LOST episode did not air. On Mar 11/09 they aired a repeat and on Apr 22/09 a clips recap show. And although this years season premiere aired two weeks later than last season, the finale last year aired two weeks earlier on May 13/09.

I didn't mind the repeat, especially of one of the better episodes of this season, however, deleting about 3 minutes out of last nights episode to fit the one hour time period was a poor decision.

http://pifeedback.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/615104552/m/782109262?r=387106882#387106882

2009-10 Weekly Ratings

"V"
Tuesdays, 8/7c, ABC


Live+SD 18-49 25-54 Live+7 Canada's
Date Viewers(M) Rating Rating Viewers(demo) CTV
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.03.09(SP) 14.30 5.2/14 6.1/15 2.157 M
11.10.09 10.70 3.8/10 4.6/11 1.629 M
11.17.09 9.32 3.1/9 3.8/10 1.325 M
11.24.09 9.30 3.1/9 3.7/10 1.464 M


Tuesdays, 10/9c, ABC

Live+SD 18-49 25-54 Live+7 Canada's
Date Viewers(M) Rating Rating Viewers(demo) CTV
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
03.23.10(clips) 4.44 1.6/5 1.9/5
03.30.10 7.03 2.8/8 3.2/8
04.06.10 5.79 2.4/7 2.8/7
04.13.10 5.61 2.2/6


http://pifeedback.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&f=63310451&m=173104192&r=698104192#698104192
Tuesday April 27 2010 broadcast finals

V (58 minutes)
- 4.867 million viewers
- 3.2/5 HH
- 1.9/5 A18-49

that to me says renewal. It was very close to NBC and CBS at 10:30 and they had shows with huge lead ins at 9p.

BTW I have last nights LOST dvr'd (have seen it twice already) what did they cut out from original?

I would bring back V in the fall after DWTS: The Results (so, V in the current LOST slot of 9pm) and run it for 9 episodes straight. But then not sure if they would want to hold it until March (when Dancing returns) or air the remaining episodes starting in January?

I think you're right, tvcrazed. Feel good about it coming back and it gets a big boost in DVR as well (more than Parenthood). I would even repeat V on Saturdays in the summer, possibly at 9pm in between two good repeat players like Wipeout and Castle. Last night's V was my favorite episode of the series!

Janice, yes, what Zedman said is correct about the LOST repeat. Also, because they are airing three episodes during the finale week (Tues 9-10pm and Sun 9-11pm).

yeah I could see it in the Fall. I also thought last night was one of the best ones. The only thing is it skews more male and DWTS skews more female, maybe not the best match, but honestly not sure. I just want to see CASTLE repeated on a night not Fri or Sat.

If they are gonna repeat WIPEOUT, also would rather it be a on a night not Sat. That show repeats almost as well as originals. putting shows that repeat well on Sat seems like a waste to me, since it wont get more than a 1 on that night and a movie could do the same where those shows could get
close to a 2 during the week.

The thing is, ABC seems to be having all-new programming all summer long, so any repeat airings would have to be Fridays or Saturdays. Wednesday will be the only repeat ground during the week--with comedies and perhaps Castle at 10 (don't think they will try anything new here after happy town concludes). Only summer slot that might be open are Sundays and Thursdays at 8. Secret Millionaire maybe?

I just think Wipeout reruns on Sat are a waste.
I just would rather either comedies or CASTLE Wed at 10, no primetime.
I know they have 6 eps of SM, but why wouldn't they have announced that already. Curious.

that to me says renewal. It was very close to NBC and CBS at 10:30 and they had shows with huge lead ins at 9p.

BTW I have last nights LOST dvr'd (have seen it twice already) what did they cut out from original?

I have both airings dvr'd as well, and there is a difference of about 4 minutes between the two airings (excluding commercials) in length. The first noticeable scene missing is right after the opening credits. In the original airing after the commercial break they open at the camp fire scene again, however, in this enhanced airing it excludes those two minutes and the show opens straight to Richard's flashback riding horseback.

Personally, I enjoy the Enhanced repeats as they do provide some background information surrounding the show so it was a shame that some of the episode was cut.

Guess my prediction in other thread was too high: Please ABC, in two weeks, when you pick up your new shows, please remember that different and cutting edge is what gave you your biggest hits, including MF. Also producers like Shonda (Inside The Box) have a track record of hits for your net and the trio behind HT dont. Not to mention these kinds of shows NEVER work and you had evidence last Spring that it wouldnt when Harpers tanked. Please be smart with your pickups, because the other nets have strong development slates and you guys need new hits badly. Still curious how INSIDE THE BOX got passed over for this, made zero sense esp after Everyone that saw ISB raved. It certainly wouldnt have done worse than a 1.7 after 6 weeks of massive promo time.

Frm THR:
Bummer premiere for ABC's 'Happy Town'
The debut of ABC's thriller "Happy Town" disappointed Wednesday night, pulling weak numbers at 10 p.m.

"Happy Town" drew only 5.2 million viewers and a 1.7 preliminary adults 18-49 rating, dropping 39% from its "Cougar Town" lead-in (6.5 million, 2.8). "Town" was also 19% below the debut of "The Unusuals" in the slot last year

I have both airings dvr'd as well, and there is a difference of about 4 minutes between the two airings (excluding commercials) in length. The first noticeable scene missing is right after the opening credits. In the original airing after the commercial break they open at the camp fire scene again, however, in this enhanced airing it excludes those two minutes and the show opens straight to Richard's flashback riding horseback.

Personally, I enjoy the Enhanced repeats as they do provide some background information surrounding the show so it was a shame that some of the episode was cut.
I enjoy them too. I know which scene you are referring to. Well the original airing ran too long (was 48 min I believe), so it would have to be cut for syndication. A normal show would just have those scnes on DVD, glad they showed it to us in original airing.

HT will prob drop to a 1.6 in finals. Im sure they'll give it another week On wed, but when it tanks further than, it needs to be shuttled off to Sat. After 6 weeks of promos and a rerun on CBS if that all it can do, thats the highest its gonna get. Will prob be a 1.1 next week.

Maybe thats why they pulled MF off 8p, knowing they'll need it for 10p. Even in June let it run out on Sat, just like CBS did with Harpers.

Rookie Blue looks really good, althought I preferred previous title Copper:
http://abc.go.com/shows/rookie-blue

Thanks Zedman and Pavan.

"V" in the fall, tuesday 9pm ? Are you crazy ??
According to me, this would be much better :

Tuesday
8pm : Dancing With The Stars (result show)
9pm : No Ordinary Family (new drama)
10pm : 187 (new drama)

And this is my ABC fall schedule :
Sunday : EMHE / Desperate / Body of Evidence
Monday : Dancing (2-hour) / Castle
Tuesday : Dancin / No Ordinary Family / 187
Wednesday : The Middle / New Sitcom / Modern Family / New Sitcom / Brothers & Sisters
Thursday : Off The Map / Grey's / Private

I'm back from a trip, so I didn't get a chance to post this, but on Friday ABC booked Romantically Challenged for May 17. That is a good vote of confidence:

Monday, May 17, 2010
9:32pm Romantically Challenged #104 "Rebecca's One Night Stand"

not happy with that decison at all. Thats CASTLEs season finale night.

Why are there no LOST promos?

Well sometimes they need to sacrifice something to build a new show. You can't just give up on a new show after 2 airings. Traditional sitcoms especially need time to build. I think by airing it after DWTS it can find an audience next fall on Wednesday. I think Castle will be fine on May 17 (and tomorrow). Sure it will be down a bit, but doesn't it need to prove itself on its own? It has gotten plenty of airings after DWTS/Bachelor. In fact, last week a repeat did very good and beat a repeat of CSI Miami, which had a higher lead-in. I do hope next fall we don't see a comedy at 9:30, but who knows, maybe Castle will be on another night (I hope not though).

I don't know why there aren't many LOST promos. Lots of happy town during NBA it seems. To be honest, I think LOST will do the same with or without any promos. I'm sure we will see a ton the next few weeks, of course. BTW, Scoundrels promo launches tonight during Brothers and Sisters. If you missed The Gates one, it airs during Desperate tonight again (and many other times this week).

Awesome Wipeout-NBA promos today.

well we just disagree on this one. plus it will have had 3 airings and after a one week break its not gonna come back strong and and airing against a new TBBT is not gonna help ur cause of getting it renewed. Its gonna plunge to new lows and take CASTLE with it.

So there are no LOST promos the next 2 days? Yeah keep plugging Happy Town which will be at a new low this week. Aftet thats hits a new low this week that should be shuttled off to Saturday. After all Pushing Daisies couldnt finish its run on wed. They gave it 6 weeks of mega promotion. To premiere with a 1.7 against a CSI rerun means America doesnt care. You and I both know that its premiere is gonna be its highest number. SO i have no problem them giving it one more week to prove that, but the amount of promos getting VS zero for LOST makes zero sense to me.

Youll probably disagree, but logically speaking I dont really think you do

After a week off and Tues at 9 being so competetive, and 4 weeks left of one of the best shows of all time, IMHO, they should be running tons of LOST promos, saying just that - "only 4 weeks left". Many people that have left might come back.

well we just disagree on this one. plus it will have had 3 airings and after a one week break its not gonna come back strong and and airing against a new TBBT is not gonna help ur cause of getting it renewed. Its gonna plunge to new lows and take CASTLE with it.



In terms of RomChallenged airing on May 17, I can only assume ABC is leaning towards renewing the program. If that is not the case, the scheduling is strange. It does not air the week prior on May 10; May 18 is the ABC upfront and therefore RomChallenged fate would have been determined prior to its airing on May 17. If the show gets cancelled, people will know that day and they will bail out for that evening show. I can't believe that's the scheduling intention.

In either case, I for one don't believe Castle needs the DWTS lead-in help any longer. Castle is on the upswing and its a show that can and should be able to stand on its own at this point. I believe its repeat showing last week proved that.

Everybody knows Lost is ending, not need to mass promote it that long in advance.

As for Happy Town not sure why it should be moved when it is at season level average. It`s not like they have something else waiting to replace it that would bring in more viewers. The slot is just hard to program and get viewers...even an Oprah Oscar special could't bring in viewers, that says a lot.

Unless it goes down to 3 millions viewers I would't move it. They could always give it a week off the week of the comedies season finale and have an hour of Romantically Challanged in the hour since they have the episodes made anyway and see how it does on Wednesday.

well we just disagree on this one. plus it will have had 3 airings and after a one week break its not gonna come back strong and and airing against a new TBBT is not gonna help ur cause of getting it renewed. Its gonna plunge to new lows and take CASTLE with it.

So there are no LOST promos the next 2 days? Yeah keep plugging Happy Town which will be at a new low this week. Aftet thats hits a new low this week that should be shuttled off to Saturday. After all Pushing Daisies couldnt finish its run on wed. They gave it 6 weeks of mega promotion. To premiere with a 1.7 against a CSI rerun means America doesnt care. You and I both know that its premiere is gonna be its highest number. SO i have no problem them giving it one more week to prove that, but the amount of promos getting VS zero for LOST makes zero sense to me.

Youll probably disagree, but logically speaking I dont really think you do

The May 17 airing of RC is not going to make or break the show. ABC upfront is the next day. Tomorrow's airing of RC is the big one. If it goes up, I think it is just about coming back. It has a good chance of going up, too, tomorrow because its lead-out Castle is all-new, unlike last week.

You are not giving Castle any credit. It doesn't need 22 million lead-in to be successful. I can bet you the finale of Castle will still be well above its season average (and might still even come close to or beat Miami). I do expect RC to be at season lows that week against TBBT, but it is not going to be THAT low. It has a 22 million lead-in.

As for LOST, I don't think it matters. But I would love a promo or two (I'm more irked of low amount of promos this week so far for RC). There is a 5 second bumper tonight for LOST at the end of B&S, but you'll only see it on over the air or satellite. Maybe the episode is so secretive, no promo? I don't know. But I don't see it as that big of a deal. It's not like LOST fans are not going to watch because it wasn't on one week. The viewers who left the show will come back for the finale I think, not the final 3 episodes prior.

And for happy town, if there were no promos there would be complaints. I don't get it. I never was for the pick-up of the show either, but still they are trying for some reason. Maybe it gets better?

whether it gets better or not, its done. We all know its not gonna exceed the 1.7 last week. Im not saying dont promote it, but promoting it to this extent when 6 weeks of promos including 2 on the Oscars, got them a 1.7. Promoting it to this extent and NO promos for LOST, sorry you guys can disagree all you want - this decision is NUTS.

As for CASTLE it got a 2.6 the week RC ran in front of it and the CSI lead in was a 3.2 biggest disparity in weeks. Im not saying dont run it tomorrow. But once it s preempted next week, let CASTLE finale have DWTS lead in. RC airing or not at that point woint make a diff andfwith a new TBBT it will hurt ABC that night.

You know I just watched DH and I think ABCs promo placement for the hours was great. There were :30 each for MIDDLE, MF, CT and CASTLE. You guiys were right LOST probnably has its own audience and the others probably need more helo. I just hope they find a spot for it tomorrow during DWTS

Not saying I disagree with you about happy town, but I'm just saying they are trying. You never know with a show (no matter how good or bad), it could go up. Not saying it will, but nothing ever surprises me anymore with Nielsen. As for RomChallenged, they need to try and not play it safe. I would have put it on Wed in the first place, but to just only air it 3 times is not good. 4 would be a bit better and they could also test to see how it does with a week off. Again for the greater good to try and develop a traditional comedy. If they go with a six comedy night, then they would need to find 3 more comedies that are all new. With RC in the mix, it would be only 2 more.

I agree about putting a promo for LOST, but maybe there is something secretive about the episode that they are not airing any promos. What else would be the reason?

Promos during DWTS tomorrow, as of now (0 happy town promos not counting a local spot):

BREAK 1
:15 Romantically Challenged (Tonight)

BREAK 2
:10 GMA (Tomorrow)

BREAK 3:
LOCAL - :30 The Middle (Wed)
LOCAL - :30 Grey's Anatomy (Thurs)

BREAK 4:
:15 Jimmy Kimmel Live! (Late Night Tonight)
:15 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (Sun)
:05 Dancing with the Stars Promotion with Paramount

BREAK 5:
:30 The Middle (Wed)
OPTIONAL - :30 The Bachelorette (Monday, May 24)

BREAK 6:
LOCAL - :30 Castle (Tonight)
LOCAL - :30 Cougar Town (Wed)

BREAK 7:
:30 Grey's Anatomy (Thurs)
:30 Modern Family (Wed)

BREAK 8:
:15 Cougar Town (Wed)
:15 The Gates (Sunday, June 20)

BREAK 9:
LOCAL - :30 The Middle (Wed)
LOCAL - :30 Cougar Town (Wed)

BREAK 10:
:15 Romantically Challenged (Next)
:45 Castle (Tonight)
:30 The Bachelorette (Monday, May 24)


Look for V and Romantically Challenged to make it I bet next season. ABC seems to be trying with those shows. I think FLASHFORWARD is a long shot, as is The Deep End. Too early to tell about happy town, but they have always planned it as a limited series. If it does well (unlikely), they can bring it back that way. Fate of all the other scripted series are made already (comedies are all back, Hank, Eastwick and the forgotten are long gone). Shark Tank and Jamie Oliver have a good shot in the unscripted department.

V seems like a lock to return.

I have to say the lack of HT promos tonight and tomorrow makes me feel better. There should be a V promo tomorrow as opposed to HT.

Pavan I admire ur sense of positiveness but HT is done. Every show ABC premiered this year dropped after its premiere. HT is a horror show, they never work and they NEVER work on ABC. Harpers flopped badly right before they greenlit this. The show was massacred critically. CSI is new this week. There is no way its gonna improve. Ill say Im wrong if it does, but honestly theres very few sure things, I think this is one. Its not like it increased at the half. It was not developed as a limited series. They just cut the order, when they probably realized what a long shot it was. Hell they even gave it a 2 hour pilot out of all their pilots (another thing I dont get)

They could air a LOST promo with no footage - replace the :15 EM which is 6 days away with LOST. Thats how they sold this season before premiere. I dont get how theres not one promo for it on DWTS but whatever.

Pavan
I get the feeling u just dont want to say anything critical about ABC. I honestly respect that, I really do and its your right and if you really feel that you should say that. Sometimes when I crticize something It seems like you feel you have to defend them even though I praise many things. I have stated here many times all the great things I think they do and how I root for them. One can really like something and also say "what the hell are they thinking" based on all evidence in the past etc. It like being a Mets fan and criticizing some decisions. The things I question about ABC, like some scheduling, some pickups (HT) are not just random. They are based on smiliar things they have tried that didnt work
or even skedding RC opposite TBBT, that just are head scratchers.

Putting RC the 4th week after a week off makes less sense than not doing it, 4 times not consecutively is hardly so much less than 3 consecutive. If they really wanted they could get 10 dances done by 9:32 next week and not preempt then too. Sometimes they do things I feel u dont agree with but since they are doing it u try to rationalize the thinking which on a level I really respect but its okay to say I'd rather they not if you feel that way. I personally think CASTLES season finale could benefit from having as many viewers watching live, because assuming there is a cliffhanger there'd be that many more people ready to come back in FALL when I feel it really could overtake CSI. DWTS into it would funnel many more people there.

There is a V promo tomorrow...

So you think I wanted shows like the forgotten, Hank, The Deep End picked-up? Like you I wanted Inside the Box. The only one of the odd pick-ups I ended up liking was Eastwick. I'm indifferent so far on happy town, but it might go on the list with the forgotten. The other fall dramas/sitcoms were good pick-ups (Middle, MF, Cougar Town, V and FF) -- I was for them all before they aired. The only one of those in danger is FF. I think I said I wanted Jamie Oliver Thurs at 8 in January instead of Deep End. Looks like it would have done tons better it seems.

I'm sure there is a reason for no LOST promos, but not really a big deal to me. Unless it drops a lot, then you can tell me it was a big deal. As for HT, I'm not defending the show or the ratings. You called out on the promos, I'm saying why give up already? That is all I'm saying. Yes it is unlikely it will go up, but there is always a chance it can go up. That is why you continue to promote. If it drops this week, then the promos will go down.

I know you want to win Monday with only DWTS-Castle (so do I), but don't you see they are trying to build an audience for RC? Sometimes you take a ratings cut to help a show. And I'll say it again, I never wanted RC on Mondays, but that is where it is now and they shouldn't give up (and they aren't). I think Castle will be fine on May 17. There will be plenty of promos during DWTS, so if they want to watch they can wait 28 minutes.

You said it, I want them to win. They should as well. There are times it seems they dont with some of their scheduling.

With all due respect, you're not gonna convince me it was a good idea to schedule RC on Mon at 9:30 for all the reason u stated. Hurts the night, hurts CASTLE doesnt help RC much more than Wed could have. They are not in any position to to take a "ratings cut" as you say. Cutting their biggest hit by far now makes ZERO sense to me.

NBC didnt cut TBL to 90 minutes like they always threaten to. I know you dont wnat to hear this but NBC is very close to ABC on any given week now and they are one hit away from taking them over. In 04 ABC had less hits going into their comeback season then NBC does now and they appear to have a very buzzy pilot season.

All my questions are from a sincere place, we just disagree here

Couple of promos have changed during DWTS tonight, such as the local one for happy town was removed. See post #1344.

Pavan - Why do you think "V" is such a lock to return? It has been tanking in the ratings since its return. Is it because ABC does not want to cancel all its freshman drama series to go along with "Lost" ending? I feel like if they renew it, they're just going to keep trying (and failing) to make an already dead series work (like NBC does with "Heroes" and "Chuck")

V is airing on a competitive night (DWTS Results/Idol/LOST/Glee) and it is doing the best ABC has done on Tues at 10 in 2 seasons (Eli Stone, the forgotten, Cupid, all did much worse). V is also adding 2 million more viewers in DVR and 0.8-1.0 pts in 18-49 from Live+SD numbers. And this doesn't even count abc.com/Hulu.com and iTunes where V is very popular.
Everything on Tuesday is down, because of so much competition.

I think if they move it to an earlier timeslot and air it in the fall (no Idol and lesser competition on the night), it will do decent like it did in November. You can't have everything new, so I think V will return to Tuesdays with DWTS Results and a new drama. A limited order of 9-13 episodes would be ideal.

"Romantically Challenged" just isn't doing it for me. I gave it another chance but I think I'm done now. It's just so bland and generic. The characters seem forced and the writing is BAD. I love Alyssa Milano, she deserves better than this. The other three in the ensemble are no good at all, just bad bad bad.... I'm disappointed because I was hopeful about this show once upon a time. I'm not always in favor of judging a show on its first couple episodes but sometimes you can just see that it's not anything special ("Hank" is another good example). Other shows may not quite have their rhythm down early but you can see the potential, not the case here

http://pifeedback.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/200104911/m/102106292

Live Plus 7 Day Ratings – Season to-Date Update:

Season to-date through April 18 and based on total viewers, what follows are the programs ranked in order of the greatest DVR usage. Led by Grey’s Anatomy on ABC, Thursday programming holds three of the top five spots (and 6 of the top 15), with five of the top 10 overall on CBS. Of the freshman mix, CBS’ The Good Wife leads the pack at No. 16 overall (with 1.78 million added viewers), but ABC’s Modern Family (#19: +1.74 million) and NBC’s Parenthood (#21: +1.72 million) are right behind. Fox’s canceled Dollhouse did not crack the top 30 based on actual added viewers, but according to additional viewers by percentage the audience-starved drama topped the charts at an added 26.4 percent (2.17 to 2.95 million).

Here is the top 30 in total viewers based on DVR usage:

1. Grey’s Anatomy (ABC): 13.43 to 16.29 million (+2.86 million)
2. The Mentalist (CBS): 15.48 to 18.31 million (+2.83 million)
3. House (Fox): 13.43 to 15.93 million (+2.50 million)
4. Lost (ABC): 10.11 to 12.31 million (+2.20 million)
5. CSI (CBS): 15.23 to 17.33 (+2.10 million)
6. Criminal Minds (CBS): 13.88 to 15.95 million (+2.07 million)
7. NCIS (CBS): 20.15 to 22.21 million (+2.06 million)
8. American Idol – Wednesday (Fox): 22.69 to 24.69 million (+2.0 million)
9. The Big Bang Theory (CBS): 14.21 to 16.19 million (+1.98 million)
10. American Idol – Tuesday (Fox): 24.02 to 26.00 million (+1.98 million)
11. The Office (NBC): 8.07 to 10.05 million (+1.98 million)
12. Fringe (Fox): 6.40 to 8.35 million (+1.95 million)
13. Private Practice (ABC): 9.27 to 11.16 million (+1.89 million)
14. Castle (ABC): 10.20 to 12.06 million (+1.86 million)
15. V (ABC): 8.42 to 10.22 million (+1.80 million)
16. The Good Wife (CBS): 13.41 to 15.19 million (+1.78 million)
17. Glee (Fox): 7.95 to 9.73 (+1.78 million)
18. Bones (Fox): 10.27 to 12.03 million (+1.76 million)
19. Modern Family (ABC): 9.26 to 11.00 million (+1.74 million)
20. CSI: Miami (CBS): 13.07 to 14.80 million (+1.73 million)
21. Parenthood (NBC): 6.56 to 8.28 million (+1.72 million)
22. 24 (Fox): 9.46 to 11.18 million (+1.72 million)
23. NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS): 16.39 to 18.10 million (+1.71 million)
24. Desperate Housewives (ABC): 13.02 to 14.72 million (+1.70 million)
25. FlashForward (ABC): 7.93 to 9.61 million (+1.68 million)
26. Two and a Half Men (CBS): 15.07 to 16.64 million (+1.57 million)
27. CSI: NY (CBS): 12.97 to 14.43 million (+1.46 million)
28. Law & Order: SVU (NBC): 8.80 to 10.22 million (+1.42 million)
29. Lie to Me (Fox): 7.39 to 8.74 million (+1.35 million)
30. Human Target (Fox): 8.22 to 9.57 million (+1.35 million)

Source: Nielsen Media Research data

http://pifeedback.com/eve/forums/a/t...11/m/102106292

Top-rated 10 p.m. overnight honors went to ABC’s Castle (7.7/12), which built from Romantically Challenged by 12 percent and outdelivered CBS’ tired CSI: Miami (#2: 6.6/11) by 17 percent.

As I said previously, at this point Castle can stand on its own and is no longer lead-in dependant.

Exactly. I think at this point it is best to build up Romantically Challenged so it can air next fall with other sitcoms. I think V and RC will be the only new scripted series back for ABC next season.

Exactly. I think at this point it is best to build up Romantically Challenged so it can air next fall with other sitcoms. I think V and RC will be the only new scripted series back for ABC next season. You mean along with The middle, Cougar Town and Modern Family of course ;)

Yes, those were a given since they are picked-up. So it looks like four new comedies and a new drama will be back, bearing any miracles/surprises.

I think they might renew RC simply to prevent him to go that CBS show he is in the pilot to. I think he'S actually the best in RC...

Yes, those were a given since they are picked-up. So it looks like four new comedies and a new drama will be back, bearing any miracles/surprises.
Fingers crossed tightly on both hands for 'Better Off Ted'. :angel:

At this point, just seeing those final two episodes would be an unexpected, but sweet surprise.

In my wildest dream better off ted comes back, but I don,t think it is even possible at this point. But I agree that if we could get at least the 2 remaining episodes in the summer that would be great

After tonights mind blowing LOST, im even more shocked, they ran zero promos.

LOST finale is now 2,5 hours, goes straight into KIMMEL

http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/05/abc-expands-lost-finale-by-extra-halfhour.html

News is now 11:30pm, so the finale still isn't directly into Kimmel:

Time changes:

Sunday, May 23, 2010
9:00-11:30PM LOST (series finale, extended)
11:30PM Late Local News
12:05AM Jimmy Kimmel Live!: ALoha to LOST

he updated the story later

Pav, are you doing any upfront topics for this years upfronts, id be great if ya did...

After tonights mind blowing LOST, im even more shocked, they ran zero promos.

LOST finale is now 2,5 hours, goes straight into KIMMEL

http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/05/abc-expands-lost-finale-by-extra-halfhour.html

No further promos for LOST showing scenes from the next new episode:

http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Lost+maintains+dread+suspense+tonight+episode/2984459/story.html

Lost will no longer be showing promos for the following week's episode, for example. That's why details of new episodes will be bare-bones from now on.

As Cuse explained: "Our feeling is that most people do not really want to see a bunch of scenes from upcoming episodes, that the joy of Lost is approaching it cold, with the mysteries of the show washing over you."

Lost is all about maintaining dread and suspense.


Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Lost+maintains+dread+suspense+tonight+episode/2984459/story.html#ixzz0n2x3ZGzv

i dont want them to show any new footage ever. As a crazy LOST fan I never watch the promos for next week for fear of being spoiled. I just want them to run promos. they can use footage of "if you missed last weeks LOST, here's what you missed"

My comment was that they ran NO promos, even something that said ONLY 4 left. They ran 6 weeks of promos for season 6 with no new footage. You can run compelling promos with no new footage.

i dont want them to show any new footage ever. As a crazy LOST fan I never watch the promos for next week for fear of being spoiled. I just want them to run promos. they can use footage of "if you missed last weeks LOST, here's what you missed"

My comment was that they ran NO promos, even something that said ONLY 4 left. They ran 6 weeks of promos for season 6 with no new footage. You can run compelling promos with no new footage.

But they did run a promo for next week show at the end of last night's episode using scenes from previous season/episodes.

Pav, are you doing any upfront topics for this years upfronts, id be great if ya did...

Yes, our annual preview is next week. Then the following week wall-to-wall coverage of the upfronts.

I agree there should be LOST promos even with no new footage. But the ratings didn't matter last night. It did the same as it did in recent weeks without a promo. I think there are promos for next week's episode coming, though (with no new footage).

Well I's assume all the chatter over last nights ep should propel others to watch, but I guess at this point Most of the people watching us hardcore fans, but it couldn't hurt to run promos that say "only 3 eps left"

Are there Rookie Blue promos starting Thurs during GREYS?

Don't see any Rookie Blue promos listed yet. It's all The Gates and Scoundrels. And speaking of those two, they are switching timeslots:

Effective Sunday, June 20, 2010
9:00pm Scoundrels
10:00pm The Gates

BTW, see the Monday ratings thread. See how much time shifting goes for shows like House. It did a 2.7 live at 8pm, but with DVR through 3am it goes up to 3.9. (Grey's and Desperate both did a 3.0 in live last week and ended up 3.8 with DVR 3am added)

I saw that, thankfully. I have been asking for weeks why are they pitting a drama with Vampire elements against TRUE BLOOD

Thanks for the DVR info

Don't see any Rookie Blue promos listed yet. It's all The Gates and Scoundrels. And speaking of those two, they are switching timeslots:

Effective Sunday, June 20, 2010
9:00pm Scoundrels
10:00pm The Gates

BTW, see the Monday ratings thread. See how much time shifting goes for shows like House. It did a 2.7 live at 8pm, but with DVR through 3am it goes up to 3.9. (Grey's and Desperate both did a 3.0 in live last week and ended up 3.8 with DVR 3am added)
Based on the promos shown over the past few days, 'Scoundrels' does appear to the be the more enticing of the two and probably has better prospects as lead-in.

That being said, with Sundays in the summer, households and P2+ viewership tends to build over the evening, so maybe this means 'The Gates' has become ABC's favourite?

From what I read, there are a lot of industry professionals who loved the script/pilot of THE GATES

Last night
HAPPY TOWN, week 2 = 3.887 million viewers, 1.2/4 A18-49

I think ABC has to pull this one immediately. They would be better off airing comedy repeats in the hour (but not Modern Family which I beleive they are over using in terms of repeating).

I think they should air Romantically Challenged (new)/Cougar Town (R) the next two weeks. They would gets 2s. (I just suggested it to ABC) Or RC new and repeat in the hour?

Romantically Challenged would air Wednesday, May 12 at 10pm; Monday, May 17 at 9:32pm; and the season finale on Wednesday, May 19 at 10pm.

they got a 2.4 out of a 4/5 lead in. There is no proof they will get 2's wed at 10. In fact odds are against it. Frankly the only thing that might pull numbers is a MF rerun at 10p. RC after it would be better for RC.

If ABC actually wants numbers, and I assume they do, then they should put something at 10 that might actually get them.

It got a 2.4 because there was other comedy competition and there wasn't a comedy lead-in like there would be on Wednesday. They need to try it at 10pm. MF repeat can air at 10:30pm. I can guarantee that hour would do above a 1.2.

How will you feel if it gets a 1.? and let's be honest nothing in that time slot of late, even compatible Ugly Betty which at one time was a hit has gotten a 2. That would serverly diminish any chance for a return for it. If the 2 hits in the time period are getting a 2.6 and a 2.2, I highly doubt RC would get a 2. But that's just me. I could be wrong.

Wouldn't hurt to try. Modern Family repeat at 10pm would do a 1.8 or so. I think a new RC can do a bit better.

ABC Weekend Afternoon update:

Saturday, June 5, 2010
4pm ET/1pm PT True Beauty (R)
[Leading into Belmont Stakes at 5PM ET]

Sunday, June 6, 2010
3pm ET/2:30pm PT Shaq Vs. (R, Albert Pujols)
[Leading into AVP Volleyball – Huntington Beach at 4pm ET]

Looks like Matt Damon special is on after FF finale and ABC rerunning the Bachelorette premiere Sun 9-11p

Yes, I was hoping for the Damon special on Tuesday, June 22 at 10pm after a two-hour Wipeout, but whatever (that night's slot is still TBD; Primetime: WWYD starts June 29).

Thursday, May 27, 2010
9:00pm Hollywood Salutes Matt Damon: An American Cinematheque Tribute (new special)
10:00pm Grey's Anatomy (R)

Sunday, May 30, 2010
9:00-11:00pm The Bachelorette (R, 5/24)

Yes, I was hoping for the Damon special on Tuesday, June 22 at 10pm after a two-hour Wipeout, but whatever (that night's slot is still TBD; Primetime: WWYD starts June 29).

Thursday, May 27, 2010
9:00pm Hollywood Salutes Matt Damon: An American Cinematheque Tribute (new special)
10:00pm Grey's Anatomy (R)

Sunday, May 30, 2010
9:00-11:00pm The Bachelorette (R, 5/24)

I could see them using that Tuesday slot to encore a Sunday drama

http://www.tvguidemagazine.com/ask-matt/ask-matt-a-cowboy-rematch-4996.html

Question: Recently ABC has started running promotions for The Gates and Scoundrels, promoting them as "part of ABC's new summer season." The promos really aren't that descriptive, but it's good to see them at least experimenting with scripted fare during the summer. But the scripted show I really think they should have on this summer is Castle. Do you know if they have any plans to air repeats over its hiatus (excluding Saturdays)? I know they don't typically do that any more for serialized shows, but in this case, it's a procedural, which would seem to repeat well, and has had a spike in popularity in the last couple of months. So it would seem to me that repeating some of the earlier episodes of this show in a reasonably high-profile summer slot would be a good idea, to give new fans a chance to catch up and help maintain the show's buzz throughout the summer. True Beauty is occupying its current slot during summer, though, so if they were going to repeat it, the show would have to move. Just wanted to toss out the idea that summer reruns are not always a bad idea.—Jake

Matt Roush: Couldn’t agree more. Seems to me that it would be in ABC’s, and Castle’s, long-term best interest to keep it on the air through the summer, benefiting from a Bachelorette lead-in in hopes of attracting new viewers during the off-season. Better this strategy than wasting another hour on disposable summer reality filler. Though Castle’s regular Monday time slot is occupied all summer (after True Beauty is done, a new cycle of—sigh—Dating in the Dark will take its place in August), I’m told the show will be repeating during the off-season. Just not sure where or when just yet. But the point you make is a good one, that not all shows should be benched during traditional repeat season, and some shows might actually be able to take advantage of the extra exposure.

I think Castle will be on Wednesdays at 10 in summer. Wonder if it is moves there in the fall as well?

I think Castle will be on Wednesdays at 10 in summer. Wonder if it is moves there in the fall as well?

Moving Castle to another night would be a dumb move by ABC. I can completely understand wanting to capitalize on the DWTS lead-in, but time has proven that DWTS does not work as a lead-in. It may have boosted Castle a bit, but that boost was also do to the growing buzz Castle has been getting since it's semi-return in March.

Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing Brothers & Sisters moving to Wednesdays at 10pm. Unless, ABC wanted to put B&S on Mondays instead of Castle. That would be the only plausible reasoning for moving Castle, IMO.

I think they'd be crazy to move the show now. They finally have something that works Monday. Same reason I dont think NBC should move PARENTHOOD.

If CASTLE grows more next year and DWTS/BACHELOR remain strong, maybe they can move CASTLE 11/12 to anchor a night and put something new Mon at 10. As of now I think it shoudl stay Mondays.

There is an argument to be made to leave CASTLE reruns on Mon all Summer. I guess ABC knows TB will only do well after Bachelorette as evidenced by that one night they had to move it to Tues and it collapsed.

Oh and while we're talking Wednesday, since ABC is leaving HT there this week, I assume no matter how low it dips this week, it will be there next week too.

However, the final 4 eps, if they must be shown on TV (as opposed to online)
should be relegated to Sat at 10 and CASTLE deserves to be rerun on a night people actually watch tv. I say it all the time, but Pushing Daisies couldnt finish its run outside of that horrible slot, even though it was EMMY WINNING and critically admired (and higher rated), no reason HT should be treated better, especially since 4 weeks in JUNE it'll have record lows. Out of Wed orginals it got a 1.2. It would have already been pulled on any other net.

tvcrazed, I think the only reason happy town is on this week is because of the cast promoting the show this week. I think if it doesn't improve this week, you'll see it pulled and the season finale of Romantically Challenged will air on May 19 at 10.

well when a show bombs, a network usually pulls it and cancels cast appearances, happens all the time.

Its just strange with ABC they always put such stock in sweeps, even running new eps on thanksgiving eve cause it's sweeps, when reruns would do almost as well. Yet they have no problem, leaving a show that was savaged critically and getting a 1.2 as a lead in to the news. Sorry it makes zero sense to me. But I guess it's silly of me to care if they don't, so I'll shutup about it now.

A nice one-minute combo promo for ABC Sunday finales (Home Edition, Desperate, and B&S) is at the end of Dancing tonight. This promo will be on a lot this week. A separate promo for Desperate will air earlier during Dancing. And yes, Grey's and Private will each get some promos tonight, too. No happy town again.

Their promos for Sun shows last night were great. Happy to see them running 2 PP promos last night.

My guess is LOST promos start heavy next Sun night again?

Still no Rookie Blue promos?

Not sure about LOST, but I would guess next week. Rookie Blue possibly this Thursday or next Thursday.

ABC takes "Happy Town" off the sked after this week's airing; show will return on June 2 with its remaining five episodes.

they're weird, they announce they're taking it off, basically saying its done, but stay tuned for tomorrows ep. What??

It's only being preempted one week. May 26 was already a movie.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010
10:00pm Primetime: What Would You Do? (all-new, special night/time)

It's not like it's going to change anything on the years rating so I am very happy that they are planning on showing all the episodes anyway. It might have few people watching, but it will at least please those fans of the show.

Pavan, any word on if ABC will show the 2 unaired episodes of Better Off Ted this summer?

ABC Pilot Script Reviews and General Thoughts:

http://travisyanan.blogspot.com/2010/05/pilot-script-review-abc-pilots.html

No word on Better off Ted's 2 unaired episodes yet. Maybe they'll repeat them after Modern Family in the summer ?

Wednesdays, effective June 2, 2010
8:00pm The Middle (R)
[Repeats of The Middle will also air in its 8:30pm timeslot]

Saturday, June 5, 2010
8:00-10:00pm The Bachelorette (R, 5/31)
10:00pm Castle (R, 4/5)

LOST promos return on Sunday during the Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters season finales. Promo will promote Tues/Sun finales. Also first combination promos for Scoundrels/The Gates.

Now HT is ending July 7th. I have to say Im really annoyed they are wasting this important slot on this crap extending into July. Like I said better shows were burnt off on Sat at 10 last Summer. This slot could/should be used for CASTLE or comedies.

http://www.hitfix.com/articles/2010-5-13-jimmy-kimmel-celebrates-the-twilight-saga-eclipse-in-primetime

Wednesday, June 23, 2010
10:01-11:00pm Jimmy Kimmel Live: Twilight Saga: Total Eclipse of the Heart
(The Twilight trinity returns to “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” this time with cast mates Dakota Fanning, Bryce Howard, Xavier Samuel and other surprise guests. Twihards will see exclusive “Twilight” content a week before the highly anticipated premiere.)
[happy town is preempted and will now end its run on Wednesday, July 7, baring ratings.]

tvcrazed, if it bombs June 2 and 9, they'll pull it for comedy repeats or Castle repeats. I don't think you'll see it on July 7.

happy town episode schedule (again baring ratings):

Wednesday, June 2, 2010
10:01 - 11:00 pm HAPPY TOWN - "Slight of Hand"

Wednesday, June 9, 2010
10:01 - 11:00 pm HAPPY TOWN - "This Is Why We Stay"

Wednesday, June 16, 2010
10:01 - 11:00 pm HAPPY TOWN - "Questions and Antlers"

Wednesday, June 30, 2010
10:01 - 11:00 pm HAPPY TOWN - "Dallas Alice Doesn't Live here Anymore"

Wednesday, July 7, 2010
10:01 - 11:00 pm HAPPY TOWN - "Blame It On Rio Bravo" (Season Finale)

tvcrazed, if it bombs June 2 and 9, they'll pull it for comedy repeats or Castle repeats. I don't think you'll see it on July 7.


Well i consider a 1.1 already a colassal bomb (and any other net would and yank totally) and that was out of a 2.7. When a rerun CT leads into it, I dont see it getting more than a .7 - it's not gonna grow. More missed opportunities.

Well NBC had Mercy to similar ratings the past few weeks, too, lol. I know happy town is going to bomb, but even in the summer they'll have a short leash and it will only last 1-2 weeks in that slot before being yanked or moved to Sat at 10. I think they are just trying to please whatever fans it has and say that they tried it in the summer and it didn't work.
Castle summer season repeats will probably start soon enough (as that promo said this week).

Anyway back to upfront stuff, comedy pilot That Couple (starring Jennifer Finnigan, Joanna Garcia, Josh Cooke, Kurt Fuller, and Debra Jo Rupp) looks like will be picked-up. Maybe ABC uses that with Romantically Challenged next season? Both are multicam.

Updates (I'm surprised no one already posted):

ABC cancels ROMANTICALLY CHALLENGED, SCRUBS, BETTER OFF TED, and FLASHFORWARD


Amidst a flurry of renewals tonight comes word from multiple sources that ABC has axed the Alyssa Milano-headlined freshman comedy Romantically Challenged. In less surprising news, the Alphabet net has also canceled Better Off Ted, Scrubs, and FlashForward. An ABC spokesperson had no comment.


http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/20...bs-ted-flashforward/

----------------------------

ABC picks up six more new series: 'Mr. Sunshine,' 'Happy Endings,' more


ABC is making pilot pickups for next season, granting series status to several new shows, including Jerry Bruckheimer legal drama "The Whole Truth," ensemble dramedy "Generation Y" and Michael Imperioli-starring cop dramedy "Detroit 187."

On the comedy side, ABC has picked up "Mr. Sunshine" starring Matthew Perry, sisterly relationship comedy "Better Together," and "Happy Endings."


http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/

----------------------------

ABC renews "V"


After solid ratings gains this week, V is being renewed for next season. Lizards rule!


http://www.deadline.com/2010/0...-panic-abc-renews-v/

----------------------------

Honestly, nothing here surprises me. V seemed likely to return (ABC wouldn't have cancelled all their freshman dramas). It'll likely be used for filler after DWTS ends. Romantically Challenged, a little surprising, considering it would have made a good fit with Happy Endings. Maybe ABC will opt to pick up Christine for 13 episodes instead? Seems like a third comedy hour will definitely happen, though, and if ABC picks up more comedies, a couple will have to be benched for midseason it seems.

^^^ WOW, thanks for the updates

There are some surprises there. I'm not upset about "Romantically Challenged" because the show sucks but I am kinda surprised because it wasn't doing terrible in the ratings. I think it goes to show that ABC never really had very high hopes for it. I could never get in to "Better Off Ted" but that's obviously not a surprise nor is "FlashForward" and "Scrubs" was way past its expiration date

Glad to see more comedies picked up! I still think they'll pair "Mr. Sunshine" with "Cougar Town" on Tues nights, but we'll see soon

Also I am excited they picked up "Generation Y" - that looks interesting to me

And "V" - hmmm, ABC will just let that die a slow death I see

Don't believe everything yet. These are not official until you see a press release or a schedule. I have seen bad reporting over the years where a show is reported canned and ends up not being canned.

Suggestion for ABC that I'm sure they wont do: Re-Run this weeks GA into 2 hour finale next week (it wont get less than the 1.3 FF got and no Surivivor next week). The following week 2 hour FF finale into Matt Damon special

Shonda said she had to cut out :15 minutes from it. A shame they couldnt run a 45 min clip show and start at 8:45 or run til 11:15

ABC'S SUMMER SERIES "DOWNFALL" AND "SHAQ VS" WILL EACH PREMIERE ONE WEEK EARLIER


"Wipeout's" New Premiere Time on June 22 is 8:00-9:00 p.m., ET
Please note the following changes to ABC's previously announced summer schedule:

DOWNFALL - NEW PREMIERE DATE, TUESDAY, JUNE 22 (9:00-10:00 p.m.) -- "Downfall" is a unique, high-stakes, adrenaline-charged and larger-than-life game show from FremantleMedia North America ("The Price Is Right," "Family Feud," "Let's Make a Deal"). Played atop a tall building in the middle of a metropolitan landscape, the game has contestants quickly answer a series of trivia questions against the clock. If they play the perfect game, they could leave with a million dollars in cash and prizes. But if not, they could just as easily see their hopes and dreams slip through their fingers and off the side of the building -- literally.

WIPEOUT - NEW PREMIERE TIME, TUESDAY, JUNE 22 (8:00-9:00 p.m.) -- The third season of "Wipeout" will feature brand new, bigger, better and wilder obstacles, in addition to specially themed episodes like "Ladies Night," "Family Edition" and "Wipeout Blind Date." Each week, 24 energetic new contestants of all ages, shapes and sizes go head to head through four rounds of demanding but hilarious obstacle courses to win the title of "Wipeout Champion" and the $50,000 grand prize. In the end, only one contestant will be victorious, while everyone else will Wipeout!

The series is hosted by John Anderson (ESPN's "SportsCenter,"), John Henson ("Talk Soup") and co-hosted by Jill Wagner. "Wipeout" executive producers are Matt Kunitz ("Fear Factor") and Scott Larsen. Shye Sutherland, Kevin Wehrenberg, Trice Barto and J. Rupert Thompson are co-executive producers. The series is produced by Endemol USA. David Goldberg is the chairman of Endemol North America.

SHAQ VS - NEW PREMIERE DATE, TUESDAY, AUGUST 3 (9:00-10:00 p.m.) - "Shaq VS" stars Shaquille O'Neal as he faces off against top athletes in their respective fields. In Season One, O'Neal faced off against Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh in beach volleyball, the St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols in baseball, Oscar de la Hoya in boxing and Michael Phelps in swimming. Episodes in Season Two will not rely solely on sporting matches but will also feature some fun, comedic non-sports competitions such as a spelling bee contest or a dance crew battle, among others. Casting for the second season is currently underway.

"Shaq VS" is produced by Media Rights Capital in association with dick clark productions. Orly Adelson, Will Staeger and Barry Adelman of dick clark productions, Shaquille O'Neal, Scott Messick Perry Rogers and Steve Nash serve as executive producers.

I saw the June 22 episode of Wipeout. The new Wipeout zone course is great! The other courses have minor changes, too.

Summer Updates:

Tuesday, June 22, 2010
8:00pm Wipeout (all-new, now an hour)
9:00pm Downfall (new premiere date)
10:00pm TBD

Thursday, June 24, 2010
8:00pm Wipeout (all-new, special night)
[Leads into the premiere of Rookie Blue.]

Tuesday, August 3, 2010
9:00pm Shaq Vs. (new premiere date)

Updates:

If BOTH the NBA Eastern & Western Conference Finals concludes in 5 games or less, Game 1 of the NBA Finals would start on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 (instead of Thursday, June 3). So it would run June 1-15, instead of June 3-17 if this happens. Right now both Eastern and Western Conference Finals have the Lakers and Celtics up 2-0 each (with 4 wins needed).
[I hope this doesn't happen, since ABC has Wipeout on June 1.]

Saturday, June 12, 2010
8:00pm The Bachelorette (R, 6/7)
10:00pm Castle (R, TBD)

Sunday, June 20, 2010
1:00pm ET/3:00pm PT Wipeout (R)

Sunday, June 27, 2010
1:00pm ET/1:30pm PT Wipeout (R)

Pavan,

do you know the promos for Sunday night?

Promos during the LOST Series Finale Event on Sundaym May 23:

LOST: The Journey
7:00PM-9:00PM
BREAK 1: :15 GMA/Nightline: Jesse James Interview (Tuesday)
BREAK 2: :15 NBA Finals (Thursday, June 3) and :30 Rookie Blue: ABC Summer Season (Thursday, June 24)
BREAK 4: :15 Jimmy Kimmel Live: Aloha to LOST! (Late Night Tonight)
BREAK 5: :30 Dancing with the Stars Performance/Grand Finales (Tomorrow/Tuesday)
BREAK 7: :30 Wipeout: ABC Summer Season (Tuesday, June 1)
BREAK 8: :30 Laugh On Wednesday: The Middle, Modern Family & Cougar Town (Wednesdays All Summer)
BREAK 9: :30 The Gates: ABC Summer Season (Sunday, June 20) and :05 The Whole Truth/ABC.com (Wednesdays This Fall)
BREAK 10: :30 Rookie Blue: ABC Summer Season (Thursday, June 24)
BREAK 12: :30 Jimmy Kimmel Live: Aloha to LOST! (Late Night Tonight)
BREAK 14: :30 Dancing with the Stars/The Bachelorette Season Premiere (Tomorrow) and :30 Scoundrels: ABC Summer Season (Sunday, June 20)
Voiceover :30 LOST (Next)

LOST SERIES FINALE
9:00PM-11:30PM
BREAK 2: :15 NBA Finals (Thursday, June 3) and :30 Wipeout: ABC Summer Season (Tuesday, June 1)
BREAK 4: :30 Dancing with the Stars/The Bachelorette Season Premiere (Tomorrow) and :05 Body of Proof/ABC.com (Fridays This Fall)
BREAK 5: :30 Laugh On Wednesday: The Middle, Modern Family & Cougar Town (Wednesdays All Summer)
BREAK 7: :30 Scoundrels: ABC Summer Season (Sunday, June 20
BREAK 8: :45 The Gates: ABC Summer Season (Sunday, June 20
BREAK 9: :45 Scoundrels/The Gates: ABC Summer Season (Sunday, June 20) and :05 No Ordinary Family/ABC.com (Tuesdays This Fall)
BREAK 10: :15 Wipeout: ABC Summer Season (Tuesday, June 1)
BREAK 11: :15 GMA/Nightline: Jesse James Interview (Tuesday) and :05 The Whole Truth/ABC.com (Wednesdays this Fall)
BREAK 13: :30 Rookie Blue: ABC Summer Season (Thursday, June 24)
BREAK 15: :30 The Bachelorette: ABC Summer Season (Tomorrow)
BREAK 17: :15 Jimmy Kimmel Live: Aloha to LOST! (Late Night Tonight) and :30 Dancing with the Stars Performance/Grand Finales (Tomorrow/Tuesday))
Voice-Over :33 LOST (TBD)
LOCAL BUMPER: :05 Dancing with the Stars (Tomorrow)
LOCAL BUMPER: :05 The Bachelorette (Tomorrow)

thanks a lot

If BOTH the NBA Eastern & Western Conference Finals concludes in 5 games or less, Game 1 of the NBA Finals would start on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 (instead of Thursday, June 3). So it would run June 1-15, instead of June 3-17 if this happens. Right now both Eastern and Western Conference Finals have the Lakers and Celtics up 2-0 each (with 4 wins needed).
[I hope this doesn't happen, since ABC has Wipeout on June 1.]

There will not be a move-up scenario for the 2010 NBA Finals because the Suns forced a game 6 against the Lakers last night in the Western Conference Finals. Even if the Celtics win tonight's game 5 vs. the Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals, since one series is going to a game 6, there will be no need to move up the start of the NBA finals to Tuesday. So, the NBA Finals will officially start on Thursday, June 3, 2010.

With ABCs luck it wont be the Celtics and the Lakers. I know thats pressimistic but with Super Bowl and World Series latelty FOX and CBS get the best teams.

Well as a Spurs fan I hate the Lakers, so naturally I want Phoenix to finish them off.

With ABCs luck it wont be the Celtics and the Lakers. I know thats pressimistic but with Super Bowl and World Series latelty FOX and CBS get the best teams.

It will be Lakers-Celtics. Celtics are up 3-1 in their series and Lakers and Suns are tied at 2, but the Suns do not play well on the road and have no defense. And the Lakers have Kobe, the best player in the league (sorry LeBron). I'm sticking to my prediction of Celtics in 5 and Lakers in 6.

Wondering if ABC will burn-off any of these this summer?

Romantically Challenged (2 episodes), the forgotten (2 episodes), Hank (5 episodes), The Deep End (1 episode), Eastwick (2 episodes), Better off Ted (2 episodes), and Find My Family (1 episode)

They also have one episode of Shark Tank, but it is expected to be back likely so it would just go with the new episode order.

The only shows I see them burning on Sat nite is FORGOTTEN.

I really hope they flip HT and CASTLE after HAPPY TOWN gets under a 1 next week

I agree, though I do hope those last two Romantically Challenged episodes air. I can see them airing them. I mean come on, they aired Surviving Suburbia and The Goode Family completely last summer. Fridays at 9pm is TBD starting June 18 (there is a two-hour 20/20 on June 25, though). happy town will move to Saturdays at 10pm after an airing or two on Wednesdays I bet. They already have Castle repeats planned for summer on Wed at 10.

you're speaking logically and you know I love ABC but here's an example of lack of loigic. BETTER OFF TED could have run all eps in Jan. yet they removed originals and scheduled reruns and then 2 never aired. What???

So yes they spent all last Summer burning off horribly rated comedies, so your question is valid. I'm just showing you that logic doesn't seem to factor in here. Honestly Pavan HT did so bad, and was so rejected, they should literally pull it off completely. They can run them on ABC.com if they have to. But to waste an emerging hit like CASTLE on sat night for 5 weeks, in order to give a plum spot to HT is the height of head scratcher.

Schedule updates:

Friday, June 18, 2010
8:00pm Miley Cyrus: Live from London (all-new)
9:00pm Wife Swap (R)

Saturday, June 19, 2010
8:00pm ABC Saturday Movie of the Week: She's the Man
10:00pm Castle (R)

Also, John Quinones of ABC News and host of What Would You Do? says ABC has ordered a full season of What Would You Do? for fall. Hmm, so maybe it ends up on Fridays? He also says the 3 slated on Tuesdays (June 29, July 6 & July 13) will likely be held for fall and won't air this summer. As of now, ABC still has those three on the schedule. Stay tuned for updates.

Schedule updates:

Friday, June 18, 2010
8:00pm Miley Cyrus: Live from London (all-new)
9:00pm TBD

Saturday, June 19, 2010
8:00pm ABC Saturday Movie of the Week: She's the Man
10:00pm Castle (R)

Also, John Quinones of ABC News and host of What Would You Do? says ABC has ordered a full season of What Would You Do? for fall. Hmm, so maybe it ends up on Fridays? He also says the 3 slated on Tuesdays (June 29, July 6 & July 13) will likely be held for fall and won't air this summer. As of now, ABC still has those three on the schedule. Stay tuned for updates.
Its funny after I saw how well and consistent those did on Friday, I said, if they're smart they'll conserve the Summer ones and run it on Fri during season. I'm sure each ep of those eps take a long time to film. Honestly I dont get why they dont just leave it on Fridays in Fall. It is winning.

Maybe they will do that since John says they are not airing it the rest this summer and have ordered a new season for fall.

Maybe they will do that since John says they are not airing it the rest this summer and have ordered a new season for fall.
I'd love to see ABC make a couple of changes to their fall sked in addition to leaving WWYD on Friday.

1) BODY OF PROOF off Friday - Frankly 3 lawyer shows at 10p Wed makes zero sense to me. BOP could be unique here. Its a character centric procedural and a female one at that. It would fit better with female skewing CT. Could be good counter programming to the male skewing lawyer shows. Save TWT for midseason.

2) Change something on Sunday. At this point they are in 4th in the Fall. CBS will win 8-10 and possibly 10p too now. NBC is #1. Fox will beat DH with FG. Either change something at 10p or like my earlier suggestion save EM for midseason, but status quo is not smart IMHO.

3) I think NOF could be ABCs breakout hit. But why sked it Tues at 8p when every net has one of their biggest hits. There's not much audience left. Even if its lucky enough to do okay, it's not maximizing the ratings potential it could get. I do think best slot for it is Sun at 8p. But if it has to stay on Tues it could do much better at 9p. Spinoff of NCIS is not nearly as strong as original. GLEE will share lots of audience with it at 8p. At 9p I think those comedies dont provide a threat. I know ABC wants it at 8p for family viewing but on this night, they're all watching something else. at 9 it could breakout and provide a better lead in to Detroit, IMHO. Detroit is very male, DWTS is very female. NOF could bridge both shows.

I'd love to see ABC make a couple of changes to their fall sked in addition to leaving WWYD on Friday.

1) BODY OF PROOF off Friday - Frankly 3 lawyer shows at 10p Wed makes zero sense to me. BOP could be unique here. Its a character centric procedural and a female one at that. It would fit better with female skewing CT. Could be good counter programming to the male skewing lawyer shows. Save TWT for midseason.

2) Change something on Sunday. At this point they are in 4th in the Fall. CBS will win 8-10 and possibly 10p too now. NBC is #1. Fox will beat DH with FG. Either change something at 10p or like my earlier suggestion save EM for midseason, but status quo is not smart IMHO.

3) I think NOF could be ABCs breakout hit. But why sked it Tues at 8p when every net has one of their biggest hits. There's not much audience left. Even if its lucky enough to do okay, it's not maximizing the ratings potential it could get. I do think best slot for it is Sun at 8p. But if it has to stay on Tues it could do much better at 9p. Spinoff of NCIS is not nearly as strong as original. GLEE will share lots of audience with it at 8p. At 9p I think those comedies dont provide a threat. I know ABC wants it at 8p for family viewing but on this night, they're all watching something else. at 9 it could breakout and provide a better lead in to Detroit, IMHO. Detroit is very male, DWTS is very female. NOF could bridge both shows.
I agree. 9:00 would be better than 8. I'd rather it be on Sunday too though.

Wondering if ABC will burn-off any of these this summer?

Romantically Challenged (2 episodes), the forgotten (2 episodes), Hank (5 episodes), The Deep End (1 episode), Eastwick (2 episodes), Better off Ted (2 episodes), and Find My Family (1 episode)

They also have one episode of Shark Tank, but it is expected to be back likely so it would just go with the new episode order.
Is there any new news on Shark Tank? This is the first place I have seen news that it's expected to be back...

Pavan, based on the article below, do you know if ABC is thinking of canceling it's Daytime soaps?

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118019867.html?categoryid=1043&cs=1

Disney to shut down SoapNet
Mouse enters 24-hour preschool kids TV arena

By MICHAEL SCHNEIDERt

Disney is shutting down its SoapNet channel, and entering the competitive 24-hour preschool kids TV arena.
Disney Junior, which will target tykes aged 2-7, will launch in 2012. Channel replaces SoapNet, currently seen in 75 million homes.

"The launch of Disney Junior in the U.S. is the next step in our global preschool strategy, which began 10 years ago with the premiere of our first dedicated preschool channel in the UK," said Anne Sweeney, co-chair, Disney Media Networks and president, Disney/ABC Television Group. "The decision to ultimately transition SoapNet to accomplish this was not arrived at lightly. SoapNet was created in 2000 to give daytime viewers the ability to watch time-shifted soaps, before multiplatform viewing and DVRs were part of our vocabulary. But today, as technology and our businesses evolve, it makes more sense to align this distribution with a preschool channel that builds on the core strengths of our company."

News of the SoapNet ax comes as a surprise, as Disney/ABC TV Group has spent time growing that channel in recent years, adding original fare to the mix such as "Being Erica," an acquisition from Canada.

ABC Daytime prexy Brian Frons has overseen SoapNet since late 2007.

SoapNet reps the latest channel to disappear from cable systems as congloms realign their strategies. Scripps recently dumped its Fine Living Channel in favor of a new Cooking Channel, while News Corp. axed the Fox Reality Channel in favor of NatGeo Wild.

Disney Junior enters a field that has gotten crowded in recent years. Nickelodeon operates the 24-hour Nick Jr. preschool channel, while PBS Kids Sprout is a joint venture between Comcast Corporation, HIT Entertainment, PBS and Sesame Workshop. Discovery's upcoming joint venture with Hasbro, dubbed The Hub, is geared toward a slightly older kid audience.

Disney already operates a preschool block on the Disney Channel, dubbed "Playhouse Disney." That brand will be renamed "Disney Junior" in the coming months. Disney also plans to rename its 22 Playhouse Disney channels and blocks outside the U.S. as well, starting in 2011.

Current Playhouse Disney offerings that will make their way to the new channel include "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse," "Handy Manny," "Special Agent Oso" and "Imagination Movers." Features from the Disney library, such as "Aladdin," will also be included.

Disney Junior will also offer video on demand, a high-definition network and a Spanish lingo SAP feed, the company said.

If WWYD? is going to air in the fall, I bet it'll air Fridays at 10pm, replacing 20/20. Clearly, 20/20 has been underperforming bigtime this season. I don't see the point of automatically giving it that 10pm slot when they can clearly do better with something like WWYD?

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/453104-ABC_Affiliates_Want_10_P_M_Hits.php?rssid=20068

ABC Affiliates Want 10 P.M. Hits
175 stations turn up for Los Angeles confab with network

By Michael Malone -- Broadcasting & Cable, 5/26/2010 5:27:23 PM

175 stations are represented at the ABC affiliates meeting Tuesday and Wednesday (May 26) in Los Angeles, where they vowed to work with the network on issues affecting both parties, such as keeping free over the air television viable and halting the migration of big-ticket sports to cable.

New affiliates board chairman Bill Hoffman said the stations body and the network see eye to eye on most big issues. “We want to keep engaged in problem solving with the network,” he said before Wednesday's afternoon session, “in a way where we both emerge stronger and better equipped for the changing world ahead of us.”

Hoffman runs Cox’s leading WSB Atlanta. He succeeds Darrell Brown atop the affiliates board, a two-year assignment.

The issue of retransmission consent was more divisive. Networks are pushing for a cut of stations’ retransmission consent revenue as part of their affiliation agreements. Affiliates are typically torn between understanding the network’s need to stay flush, and struggling to meet their escalating demands. “It remains an issue for a chunk of the country’s affiliates,” said Hoffman, “who are in negotiations right now for their affiliation agreements.”

The affiliate bodies representing NBC and CBS met with their networks last week, while the Fox body did so in Las Vegas last month.

Execs from both ABC and sister cable network ESPN addressed the affiliates in Southern Cal, who made their opinions felt about major sports events shifting to cable.

Other pressing issues include the affiliates’ desire to see ABC build on its recent success of birthing sitcoms such as Modern Family, and its hope that the 2010-2011 schedule will attract more male viewers. ABC presented its new schedule in New York last week; attention grabbers include the dramas No Ordinary Family and Detroit 1-8-7 and the comedy Mr. Sunshine.

As the ABC affiliates board brought up at its meeting in Las Vegas last month, special attention needs to be paid to ABC’s 10 p.m. hour. “It’s such valuable real estate,” said Hoffman, “as it feeds into our local late news.”

Hoffman said the affiliates want to increasingly tap ABC parent Disney’s technological know-how to better put content in front of users on all platforms. “Hopefully we’ll get some good economic business models together to monetize,” he said.

yankeesrj12, no news on Shark Tank, but I feel they will bring it back in someway. It performed well for them on Friday nights.

Zedman, I don't think ABC soaps will be canceled. I could see one maybe being pulled, like One Life to Live, but not all of them. See the press release for Disney Junior below.

Julie, 20/20 is not going to be removed. It does well. Two weeks ago it was the #1 rated show in primetime among A18-49 building on WWYD. Newsmagazines can go up and down based on stories. WWYD is perfect for 9pm.


DISNEY/ABC TELEVISION GROUP ANNOUNCES DISNEY JUNIOR,
A NEW 24-HOUR CHANNEL FOR PRESCHOOLERS AND THEIR FAMILIES


Disney/ABC Television Group will launch Disney Junior, a new multiplatform brand and 24-hour basic cable/satellite channel and online site devoted to preschool-age children. Scheduled to debut in the U.S. in 2012, Disney Junior will invite mom and dad to join their child in the Disney experience of magical, musical and heartfelt stories and characters, both classic and new, while incorporating specific learning and development themes designed for kids age 2-7.

The new Disney Junior brand will also provide affiliate partners with a robust Video-On-Demand offering, a High-definition network and a Spanish language SAP feed.

Disney Junior's animated and live action programming will blend Disney's unparalleled storytelling and characters kids love deeply with learning, including early math, language skills, healthy eating and lifestyles, and social skills.

The 24-hour Disney Junior schedule will include 200 new episodes annually of both new series, including "Jake and the Never Land Pirates," and current hits, including "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse," "Handy Manny," "Special Agent Oso," "Imagination Movers" and "Jungle Junction." Disney's vast array of classic and contemporary movies, including among others "101 Dalmatians," "Aladdin" and "Little Mermaid," will be showcased.

In the U.S., the new Disney Junior channel will take the place of the SOAPnet channel, currently available in 75 million homes. Prior to the launch of the 24-hour channel, the Disney Junior brand will be introduced on Disney Channel's daily programming block for preschoolers (currently branded Playhouse Disney).

Anne Sweeney, co-chair, Disney Media Networks and president, Disney/ABC Television Group, said: "The launch of Disney Junior in the U.S. is the next step in our global preschool strategy, which began 10 years ago with the premiere of our first dedicated preschool channel in the UK. The decision to ultimately transition SOAPnet to accomplish this was not arrived at lightly. SOAPnet was created in 2000 to give daytime viewers the ability to watch time-shifted soaps, before multiplatform viewing and DVRs were part of our vocabulary. But today, as technology and our businesses evolve, it makes more sense to align this distribution with a preschool channel that builds on the core strengths of our company."

Carolina Lightcap, president, Disney Channels Worldwide, said: "Around the world, our Disney-branded channels are burgeoning, distinguished by the special place Disney has in the hearts of kids -- who delight in our characters and stories -- and parents who trust our commitment to entertaining and helping their preschoolers, kids and tweens grow through engaging, relevant programming." She continued, "By adding a dedicated U.S. channel for preschoolers to our global portfolio, we look forward to enhancing that sense of magical storytelling and parental trust, and expanding our offerings, locally and globally, from morning to night, to deliver more Disney-quality content that will resonate with generations to come."

Outside the U.S., the 22 Playhouse Disney channels and blocks, currently available in 29 languages in 156 countries/territories, reaching over 45 million households, will be rebranded Disney Junior beginning in 2011.

Disney's flagship TV content provider, Disney Channel, is the leader in the Kid and Tween (age 6-14) demographic with hit series (including "Hannah Montana," "Phineas and Ferb" and "Wizards of Waverly Place"), and the gold-standard in original movies for kids and families (including "Camp Rock," "High School Musical"). In the U.S., across all basic cable, Disney Channel Original Movies have produced basic cable's #1 movie with Kids 6-11 and/or Tweens from 2002-09.

For 2009, Disney Channel U.S. was TV's #1 network in Total Day among Tweens 9-14, recording its largest annual Total Viewer and Kid 6-11 audiences in the channel's history, and tied 2007 as its top-rated year in Tweens 9-14. Disney Channel was cable's #2 channel in primetime in Total Viewers, the fourth consecutive year it has ranked either #1 or #2 among all cable networks. Among its target demos, Disney Channel primetime was #1 for the seventh consecutive year among Kids 6-11 and for the ninth consecutive year among Tweens 9-14. Disney Channel's daily Playhouse Disney block delivered all-time highs in Total Viewers, Kids 2-5, Girls 2-5, Boys 2-5 and Women 18-49 for the year.

Disney XD was introduced in February 2009 with a demographic target of Kids age 6-14, especially boys, and has 2010-to-date exceeded the year-ago equivalent period by 32% in Boys 6-14, by 30% in Boys 6-11 and by 34% in Boys 9-14.

Julie, 20/20 is not going to be removed. It does well. Two weeks ago it was the #1 rated show in primetime among A18-49 building on WWYD. Newsmagazines can go up and down based on stories. WWYD is perfect for 9pm.

Assuming Quinones is right, and ABC has ordered a full season of WWYD? (assuming 22 episodes), the only opens lot for it is Fridays at 8pm. I doubt ABC will pull Body of Proof. It could start airing in November/December, once Secret Millionaire finishes up its season. Although, this would pretty much rule out the chance of Ghost Whisperer coming over.

On another note, I would very much like to see Body of Proof and The Whole Truth switch timeslots. The Whole Truth is calling for the low-demo Friday night, while Body of Proof makes much more sense out of Cougar Town on Wednesdays. Any chance this will happen?

'Better Off Ted' fans should pray for a short NBA Finals
Two unaired episodes will air in June, but only if a Game Seven isn't necessary
Published on Thursday, May 27, 2010 By Daniel Fienberg

'Better Off Ted' fans should pray for a short NBA Finals

Working a little bit under the radar, ABC made an interesting scheduling announcement on Thursday (May 27): Two previously unaired episodes of the beloved, cancelled comedy "Better Off Ted" may make it to air in June, but maybe they won't.

The situation goes like this: ABC will be airing the NBA Finals in June. Game Seven of the NBA Finals is slated for June 17.

However, if Game Seven isn't necessary, ABC has slated two episodes for "Better Off Ted" to air in the 8 p.m. hour (followed by four repeats of "Cougar Town"). Those two episodes -- titled "It's My Party and I'll Lie If I Want To" and "Swag the Dog" were left on the shelf after "Better Off Ted" completed its spring run and was eventually cancelled.

If, however, their is a Game Seven, an ABC rep tells HitFix there are no current plans to reschedule the two "Better Off Ted" episodes. That doesn't mean that they won't air at a later date in the summer, just that they wouldn't immediately be slotted to a different night.

Want a little historical cause for hope, "Better Off Ted" fans? The last NBA Finals series to go seven games was in 2005. And before that, you'd have to go back to 1994 to find a seven-game series. In fact, in the past 50 years, only 10 NBA Finals series have gone a full seven games. Those are pretty good odds, right?

http://www.hitfix.com/articles/2010-5-27-better-off-ted-fans-should-pray-for-a-short-nbc-finals


I REALLY hope the finals ends in 6...

http://www.hitfix.com/articles/2010-5-27-better-off-ted-fans-should-pray-for-a-short-nbc-finals
Originally Posted by HitFix
'Better Off Ted' fans should pray for a short NBA Finals
Two unaired episodes will air in June, but only if a Game Seven isn't necessary
Published on Thursday, May 27, 2010 By Daniel Fienberg

'Better Off Ted' fans should pray for a short NBA Finals

Working a little bit under the radar, ABC made an interesting scheduling announcement on Thursday (May 27): Two previously unaired episodes of the beloved, cancelled comedy "Better Off Ted" may make it to air in June, but maybe they won't.

The situation goes like this: ABC will be airing the NBA Finals in June. Game Seven of the NBA Finals is slated for June 17.

However, if Game Seven isn't necessary, ABC has slated two episodes for "Better Off Ted" to air in the 8 p.m. hour (followed by four repeats of "Cougar Town"). Those two episodes -- titled "It's My Party and I'll Lie If I Want To" and "Swag the Dog" were left on the shelf after "Better Off Ted" completed its spring run and was eventually cancelled.

If, however, their is a Game Seven, an ABC rep tells HitFix there are no current plans to reschedule the two "Better Off Ted" episodes. That doesn't mean that they won't air at a later date in the summer, just that they wouldn't immediately be slotted to a different night.

Want a little historical cause for hope, "Better Off Ted" fans? The last NBA Finals series to go seven games was in 2005. And before that, you'd have to go back to 1994 to find a seven-game series. In fact, in the past 50 years, only 10 NBA Finals series have gone a full seven games. Those are pretty good odds, right?

I REALLY hope the finals ends in 6...
What tantalizing news for June...the possibility of more 'Better Off Ted'! I had almost given up hope seeing those final two unaired episodes.

I too have fingers crossed for a quickly resolved NBA Final Series.

If the NBA Finals Games #5, #6 and #7 are not necessary on June 13, 15 and 17, 2010, the following will be the schedule on ABC:

Sunday, June 13, 2010
IF NO NBA FINALS GAME #5
7:00PM ET/PT America's Funniest Home Videos (R)
8:00PM ET/PT America's Funniest Home Videos (R, special time)
9:00-11:00 PM ET/PT Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (R, special time)

Tuesday, June 15, 2010
IF NO NBA FINALS GAME #6
8:00PM ET/PT Wipeout (TBD)
9:00PM ET/PT Wipeout (TBD)
10:00PM ET/PT Primetime: What Would You Do? (R)

Thursday, June 17, 2010
IF NO NBA FINALS GAME #7
8:00PM ET/PT Better Off Ted (all-new, "It's My Party and I'll Lie If I Want To")
8:30PM ET/PT Better Off Ted (all-new, "Swap the Dog")
9:00PM ET/PT Cougar Town (R, special night/time)
9:30PM ET/PT Cougar Town (R, special night)
10:00PM ET/PT Cougar Town (R, special night/time)
10:30PM ET/PT Cougar Town (R, special night/time)

More summer updates:

Friday, June 18, 2010
9:00PM Wife Swap (R)
[As previously announced, Miley Cyrus: Live from London airs on this night at 8PM.]

Tuesdays, Effective Tuesday, June 22, 2010 through and including Tuesday, July 27, 2010
10:00PM Primetime: Mind Games
[This is now starting earlier than the July 20 previous premiere date. Primetime: What Would You Do? is no longer scheduled to air June 29, July 6 and 13, as that will be saved for Fall.]

Thursdays, Effectuve Thursday, July 1, 2010
8:00PM Wipeout
[It is unclear as of now how many of these will be originals. Thursday, June 24 is new on this night, as previously announced leading into Rookie Blue.]

Friday, July 2, 2010
9:00PM America Celebrates July 4th at Ford's Theatre (all-new)

I know you guys love your sitcoms but, please, never hope for a boring 4-game sweep in an NBA finals or any major sporting event. Us sports fans wait all year for the culmination of the season and enjoy competitive series. Whatever would air earlier (should it end in 4 games) will end up airing not much later on anyways - maybe a week? Max. End of my little rant lol

This is technically still considered a 2009-2010 season update:

Wednesday, September 1, 2010
8:00-11:00pm CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock (all-new)

is Thursday the 2nd the NFL kickoff. No right? I dont get why this special isnt scheduled for that night. They could always double up Rookie Blue one week. 8p and 10p on Thursday in Sep are either Wipeout reruns or Primetime which can be moved. I just think taking off Comedy Wed so close to premiere week is not smart.

NFL kicks-off Thursday, Sept. 9.

exactly my point. this should be on Thursday

I agree, but the CMA's preemption didn't hurt the comedies in November. I think the dramas the year before were hurt much more by the CMA's preemption.

Its not the end of the world BUT as with lots of their scheduling it doesnt make much sense

1) comedies on Wed will probably be higher rated than their Thursdays will be, so why preempt the higher rated night

2) again it's the one night you're smartly leaving on in reruns to grow over Summer. As people return from Summer vacation and settle back into regular viewing patterns in September and there are more availbale viewers, why would u displace your one stable night.

If it were Sept. 8, then I would REALLY question it. Labor Day is Sept. 6, so after that people will be watching more TV. I don't think it is a big deal for CMA to air Sept. 1. Comedy Wednesday is encoring all summer (June 2-Sept. 15). That's 15 weeks of repeats. 1 week won't hurt. Plus it will be on Sept. 8 and 15 leading into the new season on Sept. 22. CMA Festival will do better than the repeats in the ratings anyway.

I think Thursdays will likely be as same as Wednesdays in the ratings, but we'll see. You have a second night of Wipeout, which repeats well and it will be in originals on some nights on Thursdays, too.

Another addendum to my previous post about what Id like to see ABc change about Fall sked. Why waste Secret Millionaire on Friday. I really believe they should rest EM:HE to midseason. I'd put SM at 8p in the Fall and I'd rest B&S until midseason too and put a new drama at 10p in the FALL. Steve McPherson said they plan to air OFF THE MAP there in Jan which means at least 8 eps of B&S will have to air on another night anyway. So why not air a new drama there in the Fall when their only scripted comp is CSI:MIAMI. in Jan they'll have to compete with NBC as well. Also, Jan is the worst time for them to launch a new drama there, with award shows and sports every other week.

A media exec was rating CBS fall sked in Medialifemagazine.com today and he commended CBS for shaking up their sked and expressed skepticism at ABCs lack of that. He didn't expand beyond that, but what I inferred was ABC has bigger issues, primarily on Sundays. For them not to change Sunday at all is baffling.

Another addendum to my previous post about what Id like to see ABc change about Fall sked. Why waste Secret Millionaire on Friday. I really believe they should rest EM:HE to midseason. I'd put SM at 8p in the Fall and I'd rest B&S until midseason too and put a new drama at 10p in the FALL. Steve McPherson said they plan to air OFF THE MAP there in Jan which means at least 8 eps of B&S will have to air on another night anyway. So why not air a new drama there in the Fall when their only scripted comp is CSI:MIAMI. in Jan they'll have to compete with NBC as well. Also, Jan is the worst time for them to launch a new drama there, with award shows and sports every other week.

A media exec was rating CBS fall sked in Medialifemagazine.com today and he commended CBS for shaking up their sked and expressed skepticism at ABCs lack of that. He didn't expand beyond that, but what I inferred was ABC has bigger issues, primarily on Sundays. For them not to change Sunday at all is baffling.

tvcrazed, I agree with you. Off the Map will struggle when it premieres in January. Desperate Housewives is trending down, and always returns with a big drop in January each year, therefore the lead-in will be lower and the competition will be stronger. In addition, there will probably be weeks where DH will either be a repeat or will not be the lead-in at all.

In terms of the fall schedule itself, it appears to be a schedule that was created by the Sales people rather than the programmers at the network. I can see sales being very afraid of any changes that would make it difficult to sell ads i.e. moving Brothers & Sisters to a new night, introducing NOP on Sundays. moving DWTS Results back to 9pm Tuesday, etc. A programmer would know changes are needed on Sundays, which in viewers minds is a very "STALE" night of programming. DWTS Results should remain at 8pm to keep NCIS in check, as the ABC show skews older. The move to 9pm just frees up viewers to go back to CBS and in effect provide a larger lead-in to NCIS LA. New shows at 10pm against established shows on the other networks will not help ABC, thus another reason why B&S should have moved from Sunday.

EM:HE should have moved to Friday 8pm to rotate with other reality shows ie. Secret Millionaire, Jamie Oliver (if it's still in play), and What Would You Do should have remained on the sked at Friday 9pm and rotated with Shark Tank. And God forbid ABC schedule another comedy at 9:30 on Mondays, as is being rumoured, after DWTS Performance Show for it too will die like others before it because of middle of the road results.

And don't kid yourself, CBS's move of TBBT to Thursday 8pm will hurt ABC and in effect Grey's Anatomy. I can only assume McPherson has lost interest because the ABC Fall Sked is poor and ABC will be taking a big step back. Unfortunately, now upfront selling in full swing, I can't see ABC making many changes, changes I think they need to make in order to compete come fall.

Zedman I totally agree. It feels like the lack of changes on Sunday in particular was motivated by ad dollars. But as you articulately stated and I intimated, leaving the status quo on Sunday, which has been severley dropping is not an option if you want to be a contender. Theres no way they are anywhere but 4th with this scenraio in Fall. CBS now has a killer 8-10p and with CSI at 10p a whole night vs nothing a year ago. ABC is not thinking long term with this sked. Surround DH with 2 new hits or at least one to rejuvinbate the night and protect DH.

I actually do think theres life left in EM;HE and if they rest it and bring back at midseason, it can still be a decent player like BACHELOR. Sending it to Fridays would finish it off IMHO.

Secret Millionaire is fresh and did well for FOX those 2 weeks it ran. Its very much an ABC show. Also, it's so along the lines of Undercover Boss which it would air an hour before. It feels like it could atract EM viewers but also some people that dont watch it and could hopefully pull at least a 3.

As I said a few weeks back, I honestly think their best bet for a breakout hit is NO ORDINARY FAMILY, but by putting it at 8p, they are limiting its potential since every net has a gargantuan hit there and theres little audience left. I agree with you leave DWTS at 8p and NOF has a shot at 9p where as opposed to 8p, there arent monster hits there except for TBL

I agree with you about TBBT doing great for CBS on Thurs, but there's nothing ABC can do about that, however they can fix Sun and Tues.

The only reason I have hope (naively) that ABC will make some changes before Fall are:

1) come on, they need to

2) They smartly removed WWYD from Summer and hopefully plan on leaving it on Fridays at 9p in Fall where it was winning for them and costs less than a scripted show for which there is a low ceiling for them on Friday night

3) Other industry professionals are commenting on it now like Today in Medialife, so clearly they must be getting pressure

4) I assume when they set their schedule they didnt anticipate CBS being as aggressive as they were, although to be honest I expected TBBT to Thursday since March and MoJoe called it.

I am hoping that no later than Press Tour, they will make changes

Also, NOF, DWTS, DETROIT, what kind of flow is that?

DWTS, NOF, DETROIT works much better. DWTS has families which ABC wants for NOF. NOF , unlike DWTS will also target males, which will lead into nicely to male DETROIT

Do you think ABC can ship 'Happy Town' off to a Saturday night burnoff? If no one wanted to watch during the regular season, what made them think people would care now? Eli Stone and Pushing Daisies were far superior shows and they got burned off on a Saturday and yet this gets the mid-week special treatment.

http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/06/03/tv-ratings-wednesday-so-you-think-you-can-dance-americas-got-talent-down-easily-top-repeats/53038

10:00 NBC Law & Order: SVU (repeat) 1.9 6 6.485
CBS CSI: NY (repeat) 1.7 5 8.556
ABC Happy Town 0.9 3 2.964

10:30 NBC Law & Order: SVU (repeat) 2.0 6 6.270
CBS CSI: NY (repeat) 1.8 5 8.635
ABC Happy Town 0.7 2 2.562

I give ABC another week or hopefully they will pull it this week. It's an easy fix. Just swap it with Castle on Saturday.

an easier fix is play them on ABC.com. Any other net would yank it NOW! Actually they would have yanked it already. They smartly yanked HANK with a 1.3. Under a 1 on a weeknight, there is no justification and if I were an affiliate i'd be pissed. We hear all the time about their affiliates and ad sales, how is there sense to continue airing this at all?

It's not even good for Saturday night. If people need to see them, they can play them on ABC.com like they did with the far superior and higher rated THE NINE

According to James Hibberd of the HOLLYWOOD REPORER, despite the anemic ratings, ABC plans to leave the show in this slot for the duration of this run.

Pavan, any word from the Alphabet on their remaining 2009-10 unaired episodes for the following ABC series:

'Eastwick' - still 1 or 2 left over I think
'Find My Family' - at least 1 still left to air
'Hank' - 5 unaired
'Romantically Challenged' - 2 unaired
'Shark Tank' - still a few left
'The Deep End' - 1 left on shelf
'The Forgotten' - 2 episodes unaired

Once 'Happy Town' finishes its run, ABC should shift 'Castle' to Wednesdays at 10 pm and use the 10-11 pm timeslot to finish up the above series, just like they did last summer for 'Dirty Sexy Money', 'Eli Stone' and 'Pushing Daisies'.

Also, I'd still like to see ABC air some of their highly-thought-of-but-still-not-bought comedy pilots in the Wednesday 8-8:30 pm timeslot, just to see if anything meshes, but also to avoid over-airing 'The Middle' to the point viewers start to tire of it.

OK I for one want to see hte show, I would understand to ship it to Saturday, but what exactly is wrong with a network showing all the episodes of a show? How is it a problem for you?

It is actullay a good thing for many reasons and one is to show people that no mather how bad a show does it probably will be shown it's full ordered.

That can help new serialized shows telling people that yes if they are interested to watch the show and they will see the end of it most likely.

I am really not sure why you are over reacting like this. You don't watch it, fine, but let people who started watching it watch it.

OK I for one want to see hte show, I would understand to ship it to Saturday, but what exactly is wrong with a network showing all the episodes of a show? How is it a problem for you?

It is actullay a good thing for many reasons and one is to show people that no mather how bad a show does it probably will be shown it's full ordered.

That can help new serialized shows telling people that yes if they are interested to watch the show and they will see the end of it most likely.

I am really not sure why you are over reacting like this. You don't watch it, fine, but let people who started watching it watch it.
well if you want a network to do well, a show that has brought them horrid reviews and incredibly low ratings doesnt deserve a prime spot on their network, especially when better and higher rated shows werent treated the same. I actually dont have a problem moving it to Saturday, but thats a moot point now anyway, since they are not.

Also CASTLE could benefit from the reruns on a night people actually watch tv. So for that show to be on Sat while this show is getting a prime spot makes zero sense to me.

May I remind you a .8 - its very few people.

Finally you will never see FOX, CBS, or NBC, leave a show with a .8 on in midweek anytime of year. That says they want to win, they are trying.

The overrated Community got a 0.9 last Thursday followed by the historic low for a sitcom premiere on a major network 100 Questions with a 0.8. Yet 100 Questions is still on. It is summer.

I do agree that happy town needs to be removed from Wednesdays at 10, but I think it should finish its run at least on Saturdays at 10. I don't think ABC should be pissing off fans anymore by not airing every episode. It is summer, so why not? That is why I hope they air most of the unaired stuff this summer on Saturdays, well except Hank because I don't think anyone wants to see that again nor is anyone complaining. Fans of Romantically Challenged and Eastwick are vocal.

That is why I hope they air most of the unaired stuff this summer on Saturdays, well except Hank because I don't think anyone wants to see that again.I do. And I doubt I'm the only one. As bad as Hank did Eastwick and Better Off Ted did worse. And I'd much rather see Hank than Romantically Challenged.

Fine catsrule. They could do something like this then (with happy town moving to Saturdays starting June 19):

What's available: Romantically Challenged (2 episodes), the forgotten (2 episodes), Hank (5 episodes), The Deep End (1 episode), Eastwick (2 episodes), Better off Ted (2 episodes), and Find My Family (1 episode)

MY thoughts (not an actual schedule!)

Wednesday, June 16, 2010
10:00pm Castle (R)

Saturday, June 19, 2010 & Saturday, June 26, 2010
10:00pm happy town

Wednesday, June 30, 2010 thru rest of summer
10:00pm Castle (R)

Saturday, July 3, 2010
8:00-10:00pm MOVIE
10:00pm happy town (finale)

Friday, July 9, 2010
8:00pm Find My Family (1 unaired ep)
9:00-10:00pm Hank (2 of 5 eps)
10:00pm 20/20

Saturday, July 10, 2010 and Saturday, July 17, 2010
8:00pm Downfall (R)
9:00pm the forgotten (2 unaired eps)
10:00pm Eastwick (2 unaired eps)

Friday, July 16, 2010
8:00pm Find My Family (R) -- it's got rewatchability and would do just as good as a Wife Swap repeat
9:00-10:00pm Hank (4 of 5 unaired complete)
10:00pm 20/20

Friday, July 23, 2010
8:00pm Find My Family (R) -- it's got rewatchability and would do just as good as a Wife Swap repeat
9:00-10:00pm Hank (5 of 5 unaired complete/1 repeat)
10:00pm 20/20

Saturday, July 24, 2010
8:00pm Downfall (R)
9:00pm Downfall (R) -- finale is July 27, so makes sense to double pump repeats on this night
10:00pm The Deep End (1 unaired ep)

Friday, July 30, 2010
8:00pm Wife Swap (R)
9:00-10:00pm Romantically Challenged (2 unaired episodes)
10:00pm 20/20

Everything would be done by August. If there is a game 7 of NBA Finals, then Better off Ted would air one week somewhere in here, perhaps Friday, July 23 from 8-9pm.

In August they can go back to Wife Swap/Supernanny on Fridays and Movies/Castle on Saturday.

The overrated Community got a 0.9 last Thursday followed by the historic low for a sitcom premiere on a major network 100 Questions with a 0.8. Yet 100 Questions is still on. It is summer.

I do agree that happy town needs to be removed from Wednesdays at 10, but I think it should finish its run at least on Saturdays at 10. I don't think ABC should be pissing off fans anymore by not airing every episode. It is summer, so why not? That is why I hope they air most of the unaired stuff this summer on Saturdays, well except Hank because I don't think anyone wants to see that again nor is anyone complaining. Fans of Romantically Challenged and Eastwick are vocal.

Community was a rerun, hardly the same thing. I didnt comment about GREYS .8 from last week. There are lots of fans of GREYS. Ad rates for a reun of GREYS are higher than HT

With all due respect, you decided that fans of RC want to see that but fans of HANK dont care. I dont see HT fans any mopre vocal than HANK and to be honest they both have miniscule audiences. Sounds like you're speaking about yourself which is fine. You're entitled to your opinion just like I am. However whenever i criticize ABC scheduling I get jumped on here. Zedman said the same thing as me about HT and many times questions their scheduling.

Summer isnt the same thing as it was in 1987. In case you havent noticed you cant close shop up anymore. Most of FOX's schedule is new and does well. They are gonna win Tues-Thurs. NBC will beat ABC on Tues and Wed. All I was doing was looking out for ABC. I said it before the season was over HT should finish on Sat. Also PD and better shows werent given this same treatment. So theres a lack of consistency.

I do give ABC commendation for at least trying to program Summer this year.
The truth is after talking about it this much it seems silly. Its 4 more weeks of HT and I dont really care at this point.

But I do feel like whatever I say or whatever they do, you're gonna defend them which is fine. It just makes me not want to voice an opinion here, if Im being honest.

Im not a sports fan but I see when Yankees fans question decisions that are made and no one thinks they're crazy. I feel whenever i voice an ABC opinion here, it's ripped apart. Maybe Im being overly sensitive, but what can I tell ya.

I do. And I doubt I'm the only one. As bad as Hank did Eastwick and Better Off Ted did worse. And I'd much rather see Hank than Romantically Challenged.
As a longtime fan of Mr. Kelsey Grammar who has seen almost every episode of 'Cheers', 'Frasier' and 'Kelsey Grammar Presents The Sketch Show', I'd really like to see the remaining unaired 'Hank' episodes as well.

I saved one episode from the fall run of 'Hank' on my DVR, and having re-watched it several times, I still find it amusing.

Fine catsrule. They could do something like this then (with happy town moving to Saturdays starting June 19):

What's available: Romantically Challenged (2 episodes), the forgotten (2 episodes), Hank (5 episodes), The Deep End (1 episode), Eastwick (2 episodes), Better off Ted (2 episodes), and Find My Family (1 episode)

MY thoughts (not an actual schedule!)

Wednesday, June 16, 2010
10:00pm Castle (R)

Saturday, June 19, 2010 & Saturday, June 26, 2010
10:00pm happy town

Wednesday, June 30, 2010 thru rest of summer
10:00pm Castle (R)

Saturday, July 3, 2010
8:00-10:00pm MOVIE
10:00pm happy town (finale)

Friday, July 9, 2010
8:00pm Find My Family (1 unaired ep)
9:00-10:00pm Hank (2 of 5 eps)
10:00pm 20/20

Saturday, July 10, 2010 and Saturday, July 17, 2010
8:00pm Downfall (R)
9:00pm the forgotten (2 unaired eps)
10:00pm Eastwick (2 unaired eps)

Friday, July 16, 2010
8:00pm Find My Family (R) -- it's got rewatchability and would do just as good as a Wife Swap repeat
9:00-10:00pm Hank (4 of 5 unaired complete)
10:00pm 20/20

Friday, July 23, 2010
8:00pm Find My Family (R) -- it's got rewatchability and would do just as good as a Wife Swap repeat
9:00-10:00pm Hank (5 of 5 unaired complete/1 repeat)
10:00pm 20/20

Saturday, July 24, 2010
8:00pm Downfall (R)
9:00pm Downfall (R) -- finale is July 27, so makes sense to double pump repeats on this night
10:00pm The Deep End (1 unaired ep)

Friday, July 30, 2010
8:00pm Wife Swap (R)
9:00-10:00pm Romantically Challenged (2 unaired episodes)
10:00pm 20/20

Everything would be done by August. If there is a game 7 of NBA Finals, then Better off Ted would air one week somewhere in here, perhaps Friday, July 23 from 8-9pm.

In August they can go back to Wife Swap/Supernanny on Fridays and Movies/Castle on Saturday.

Pavan, this is a well-thought summer scheduling that would go a long way to satisfying fans of the series that ABC started, but didn't finish, airing. And I don't think it would incrementally set ABC back even a fraction in the Nielsens, and it would allow them to save some of their Friday / Saturday series episodes / movie titles for further use down the road.

The only thing I might add in, selectively, would be a few of the more highly-regarded-but-unbought pilots, just to test-drive them with audiences once and see if there's a series there or not.

The overrated Community got a 0.9 last Thursday followed by the historic low for a sitcom premiere on a major network 100 Questions with a 0.8. Yet 100 Questions is still on. It is summer.

I do agree that happy town needs to be removed from Wednesdays at 10, but I think it should finish its run at least on Saturdays at 10. I don't think ABC should be pissing off fans anymore by not airing every episode. It is summer, so why not? That is why I hope they air most of the unaired stuff this summer on Saturdays, well except Hank because I don't think anyone wants to see that again nor is anyone complaining. Fans of Romantically Challenged and Eastwick are vocal.
i watched part of that "100 Questions" last night and that was possibly the worst 15 minutes of television I have ever seen.

Sunday, June 20, 2010
1:00pm ET/3:00pm PT Wipeout (R)

Sunday, June 27, 2010
1:00pm ET/1:30pm PT Wipeout (R)

Some updates to this:

Sunday, June 27, 2010
1:00pm ET/1:30pm PT Downfall (R)

Sunday, July 4, 2010
2:30pm ET/3:00pm PT Downfall (R)

Saturday July 10, 2010
1:00pm ET/3:00pm PT Wipeout (R)

Saturday July 17, 2010
2:00pm ET/3:00pm PT Wipeout (R)

Saturdays July 24 & 31, 2010
3:00pm ET/1:00pm PT Wipeout (R)

Sunday July 25, 2010
3:00pm ET/3:00pm PT Wipeout (R)


Primetime:

Saturday, June 26, 2010
8:00pm America's Funniest Home Videos (R)
9:00pm Castle (R)
10:00pm Rookie Blue (R, 6/24)

Some notes:

5.7 A18-49 rating for NBA Finals Game 1 last night. Best since 2004 for a Game 1. Even better than previous 2 years' 5.4 rating.

Wipeout is all-new for AT LEAST 3 weeks on Thursdays at 8pm - June 24, July 1 and July 8. This is in addition to its regular Tuesdays at 8pm slot. Thursdays at 8 from July 15 and on is still Wipeout, but not sure if repeats will occur on most of those nights.

Scoundrels and The Gates will be REPEATS on Sunday, July 4 due to the holiday. First episodes of each will air (from June 20).
Scoundrels has an 8 episode order and The Gates has 13. With the July 4 repeat, Scoundrels will run through and including Aug. 15, while The Gates will run through and including Sept. 19 (unless The Gates is doubled-up up starting Aug. 22?).

From @JohnQuinonesABC on Twitter:

I just got word that WWYD will be back Friday nights starting in late July thru Sept! Then back in Nov-Jan! Thanks to our multitude of fans!

Du Mont, one unaired episodes series down, many more to go. ABC has scheduled the 2 unaired episodes of "the forgotten" for Saturday, July 3, 2010 from 9-11 p.m. ET/PT

Saturday, July 3, 2010
8:00pm America's Funniest Home Videos (R, special night/time)
9:00pm the forgotten (all-new)
10:00pm the forgotten (all-new)

The 9pm the forgotten episode is titled "Designer Jane" and guest stars Aisha Tyler and the 10pm episode is titled "Living Joe."

And if there are any difficulties with the World Cup Kick-Off concert tonight, ABC will air repeats of AFV at 8 and Wipeout at 9 as stand-by programming

Du Mont, one unaired episodes series down, many more to go. ABC has scheduled the 2 unaired episodes of "the forgotten" for Saturday, July 3, 2010 from 9-11 p.m. ET/PT

Saturday, July 3, 2010
8:00pm America's Funniest Home Videos (R, special night/time)
9:00pm the forgotten (all-new)
10:00pm the forgotten (all-new)
Yay! I love the forgotten!

The 9pm the forgotten episode is titled "Designer Jane" and guest stars Aisha Tyler and the 10pm episode is titled "Living Joe."

And if there are any difficulties with the World Cup Kick-Off concert tonight, ABC will air repeats of AFV at 8 and Wipeout at 9 as stand-by programming

What difficulties would be expected. Is the show not the taped version of yesterday's concert that aired on ESPN2?

http://www.multichannel.com/article/453665-U_S_England_Draws_13_Million_Viewers.php?rssid=20059&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MultichannelBreakingNews+%28Multichannel+News+-+Breaking+News%29

U.S.-England Draws 13 Million Viewers

ABC Telecast Marks Top Opening Round FIFA Delivery, Fifth Best All-Time Match In This Nation
Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 6/13/2010

The Group C match between the U.S. and England drew almost 13 million viewers, the most ever for a FIFA World Cup opening-round game in this nation and the tops for a U.S. men's national team contest since 1994.

The much-anticipated June 12 telecast on ABC, which ended in a 1-1 draw, drew a 7.3 national household rating, 8.39 million households and 12.96 million watchers during the match window from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (ET), according to fast national data from Nielsen.

The three-hour telecast, including the pre-match coverage from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., averaged a 6.1 household rating, 7.03 million households and just under 10.8 million viewers

The overall three-hour telecast ranks as the fifth all-time soccer match in the U.S. behind three World Cup finals and a round of 16 game in 1994, all televised on ABC:

1. U.S.-China, Women's WC Final (7/10/1999) - 18.0 million viewers (11.4 rating)
2. Brazil-Italy, WC Final (7/17/1994) - 14.5 million viewers(9.5 rating)
3. Brazil-U.S., Round of 16 (7/4/1994) - 13.7 million viewers (9.3 rating)
4. Italy-France, WC Final (7/9/2006) - 12.0 million viewers (7.0 rating)
5. U.S.-England, First Round (6/12/2010) - 10.8 million viewers (6.1 rating)



On the local level, U.S.-England netted its highest rating in San Diego, where it pulled an 11.5 rating, followed by an 11.2 in San Francisco, with Las Vegas third with an 11.0. Cincinnati (10.8) and Salt Lake City (10.2) rounded out the top five, according to Nielsen data.

Great ratings for USA-England.

NBA should be huge tonight, too. The Sunday games count entirely in ABC's primetime ratings, since coverage is from 8-11pm ET. Nielsen needs to count the entire games for primetime on Tuesdays and Thursdays, too and not just 9-11pm ET. It makes no sense to me. Yes, the games on those nights go beyond primetime in E/C at 11pm ET, but so what? It is primetime out west (8pm PT and beyond) at that time and yet when the game starts at 9pm ET, it is 6pm PT, but yet those ratings still count in primetime network averages.

Anyway, good chance ABC is going to get a 7 game series this season. Lakers will be ready for game 6.

Great ratings for USA-England.

NBA should be huge tonight, too. The Sunday games count entirely in ABC's primetime ratings, since coverage is from 8-11pm ET. Nielsen needs to count the entire games for primetime on Tuesdays and Thursdays, too and not just 9-11pm ET. It makes no sense to me. Yes, the games on those nights go beyond primetime in E/C at 11pm ET, but so what? It is primetime out west (8pm PT and beyond) at that time and yet when the game starts at 9pm ET, it is 6pm PT, but yet those ratings still count in primetime network averages.

Anyway, good chance ABC is going to get a 7 game series this season. Lakers will be ready for game 6.
I thought that ABC skedded the non-Sunday 'NBA Playoff' games at 9 pm so they could start just a bit later on the coast (6 pm, instead of 5 pm when many are still commuting from work). The 'Jimmy Kimmel Live! Game Night' / 'GMC Sierra NBA Countdown' were skedded to be east coast filler for the pre-tune-in audiences, and I know the Kimmel specials run after the game on the west coast (even with the NBA finals as lead-in on the west coast, Kimmel still gets anemic numbers). Their sacrifice of an hour primetime on the east coast is made up by gaining bigger numbers in the Pacific timezone, especially in the Los Angeles market.

I'd like to see ABC do well by the NBA finals, but at the same time, I'm rather anxious to see those two remaining 'Better Off Ted' episodes, which may or may not receive a DVD release from 20th Television. Pavan, have you heard anything from the Alphabet about potential back-up dates for 'Better Off Ted' should the NBA go the full 7-game series?

President Obama's Address will air on ABC at 8pm ET/5pm PT running approx. 15 min. So, E/C time zones will be affected by 15 min in primetime tonight.

East/Central
Jimmy Kimmel Live Game Night #6 will be joined in progress at approx. 8:15pm ET|7:15pm CT. Jimmy Kimmel Live Game Night #6 will end at approx. 8:32pm ET|7:32pm CT then GMC Sierra NBA Countdown will begin at 8:34pm ET|7:34pm CT.

Mountain/Pacific:
Will not be affected, but GMC Sierra NBA Countdown will start at 6:34pm MT|5:34pm PT.

NOTE:
IF Obama's Address coverage goes beyond 8:25pm ET, ABC News will fill time until 8:28pm ET and then GMC Sierra NBA Countdown would begin on time at 8:30pm ET|5:30pm PT. If this scenario happens, Jimmy Kimmel Live Game Night #6 will be obviously preempted in the East/Central, but ALSO in Mountain/Pacific times. As a result, a repeat of Cougar Town will air in Mountain/Pacifc following the 2010 NBA Finals Game #6 at about 9:30pm MT|8:30pm PT instead of Jimmy Kimmel Live! Game Night.

http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2010/06/ion-television-acquires-without-trace.html

Fridays, effective Friday, July 9, 2010
9:00pm Primetime: What Would You Do?

Saturday, July 10, 2010
8:00pm TBD
9:00pm Eastwick (all-new)
10:00pm Eastwick (all-new)
[Final 2 episodes of Eastwick]

Wednesdays, Effective Wednesday, July 14, 2010
10:00pm Castle (R)

Fridays, effective Friday, July 9, 2010
9:00pm Primetime: What Would You Do?

Saturday, July 10, 2010
8:00pm TBD
9:00pm Eastwick (all-new)
10:00pm Eastwick (all-new)
[Final 2 episodes of Eastwick]

Wednesdays, Effective Wednesday, July 14, 2010
10:00pm Castle (R)
Happy, happy news, Pavan.

What an absolute summer delight to have those final two 'Eastwick' episodes coming up back-to-back on a Saturday night in July.

I have my fingers crossed in hopes for a 'Better Off Ted' double-up at 8-9 pm (the episodes pre-empted by tonights 'NBA Playoff Finals' finale.

Final two episode of happy town have been removed. Castle repeats will air Wednesday, June 30 and Wednesday, July 7 at 10 p.m.

Thanks for the update, Pavan. I do hope that 'Happy Town' finds its way back on the sked as I've watched all six episodes and I want to see how it ends.

Here are the Alphabet'sremaining 2009-10 unaired episodes for the following ABC series:

'Better Off Ted' - 2 eps pre-empted by 'NBA Finals' need to be re-skedded
'Eastwick' - still 1 or 2 left over I think (double-up skedded Sat.Jul.10)
'Find My Family' - at least 1 still left to air
'Hank' - 5 unaired
'Romantically Challenged' - 2 unaired
'Shark Tank' - still a few left
'The Deep End' - 1 left on shelf
'The Forgotten' - 2 episodes unaired (double-up skedded Sat.Jul.3)

'Happy Town' should get a Saturday double-up a la 'The Forgotton' and 'Eastwick', and I do hope they can find a way to squeeze 'Better Off Ted', 'Hank' and 'Romantically Challenged' double-ups into the 8-9 pm Saturday slot, monikered as "Comedy Saturdays".

Shark Tank's season finale is finally airing!

Saturday, July 10, 2010
8:00pm AFV (R, special night/time)
[Replaces the TBD and leads into final two Eastick episodes.]

Wednesday, July 14, 2010
8:00pm Lucy Must Be Traded, Charlie Brown
[The Middle (R) follows at 8:30]

Thursday, July 15, 2010
8:00pm Shark Tank (all-new, season finale)

Saturday, July 17 and Saturday, July 24, 2010
8:00pm AFV (R, special night/time)
9:00pm Wipeout (R, special night/time)
10:00pm Castle

I think that is a good sign for Shark Tank to be airing its finale during the week rather than Friday ot Saturday.

Shark Tank's season finale is finally airing!


Thursday, July 15, 2010
8:00pm Shark Tank (all-new, season finale)


I think that is a good sign for Shark Tank to be airing its finale during the week rather than Friday ot Saturday.

I'm not sure this is a good thing or not. I was hoping the show would be renewed, but by airing the final episode now in the summer instead of holding for next season, it may not be a good sign.

Any word on whether the show will return next season or will this basically be it for Shark Tank?

Wednesday, July 14, 2010
8:00pm Lucy Must Be Traded, Charlie Brown
[The Middle (R) follows at 8:30]

Thursday, July 15, 2010
8:00pm Shark Tank (all-new, season finale)

I think that is a good sign for Shark Tank to be airing its finale during the week rather than Friday ot Saturday.
Good to see that 'Shark Tank' is getting its finale.

Still anxiously waiting for an announcement regarding the final two 'Better Off Ted' episodes, which are perhaps being held over until the end of the July Sweep (Saturday July 31st would be the first non-Sweep Saturday upcoming).

I always thought ABC is leaning towards a second season for Shark Tank. I think there is a good chance. Hearing the show will air Thursdays at 8 for the summer in repeats after its July 15 airing.

I am also hearing happy town will air Saturday, July 31. But none of this is official yet.

According to THRFeed:
ABC still has some time before the deadline to decide on a second season; producers have pitched shaking up the panel of sharks by adding a high-profile name or two. So far, however, there's still no official verdict on "Shark Tank" -- or ABC's other altruistic reality effort, "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution."

LINK: http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/06/shark-tank-to-return-for-one-episode.html

It's official. Shark Tank repeats will air Thursdays at 8pm for the rest of the summer after its new episode on Thursday, July 15 at 8pm.

Thursdays, Effective Thursday, July 22, 2010
8:00pm Shark Tank (R)

Good sign for a new season.

Also, Wife Swap is new this Friday (June 25), then it will be new until further notice starting July 9. Primetime: WWYD is in repeats on July 9, 16, and 23. As of now, it is slated for new on July 30. WWYD has a new episode order of 8 and 3 more episodes left from this season, so not sure how many of the 11 will air after July 30. WWYD returns for the remaining airings in November.

I bet when My Generation bombs Shark Tank will remain Thursdays at 8. Reality into drama works for Home Edition/Housewives and DWTS/Castle, it might work here especially with Survivor gone.

is this gonna air at 10p instead of TB? It would be insane to cut it in to already existing show and not use it to pump up another timeslot. They could always air TB on Tuesday.

http://extratv.warnerbros.com/2010/06/jake_pavelka_and_vienna_girardi_face_off_july_5_on_the_bachelorette.php

It now appears that Vienna returning the ring To Jake will be part of the July 5th Bachelorette.

So they are gonna cut content out that show and add this in?

They have 2 Summer shows right now that get ratings. Bachelorette and Wipeout.

I know it's not usually acceptable to question anything ABC does or say anything negative here, but why wouldn't they preempt PRIMETIME on Tues night and put an hour Jake and Vienna special there? Primetime gets low numbers and can be rescheduled anytime.

Shark Tank's season finale is finally airing!

Saturday, July 10, 2010
8:00pm AFV (R, special night/time)
[Replaces the TBD and leads into final two Eastick episodes.]

Wednesday, July 14, 2010
8:00pm Lucy Must Be Traded, Charlie Brown
[The Middle (R) follows at 8:30]

Thursday, July 15, 2010
8:00pm Shark Tank (all-new, season finale)

Saturday, July 17 and Saturday, July 24, 2010
8:00pm AFV (R, special night/time)
9:00pm Wipeout (R, special night/time)
10:00pm Castle

I think that is a good sign for Shark Tank to be airing its finale during the week rather than Friday ot Saturday.
Wouldn't it make more sense to air EM:HE on Sat at 9 and WIPEOUT on Sunday at 8?

Summer updates:

Monday, July 26, 2010
10:02pm TBD
[True Beauty has its season finale on July 19.]

Tuesdays, effective Tuesday, July 27, 2010 (through Aug. 24)
10:01pm Primetime: Family Secrets
[Primetime: Mind Games will now have its season finale on July 20.]

Saturdays, July 31, August 7, 14, 2010
8:00pm Wipeout (R)
9:00-11:00pm ABC Saturday Movie of the Week

Movie Titles:
July 31: Flight Plan
August 7: Red Eye
August 14: Meet the Fockers

Saturday, August 21, 2010
7:30pm-11:00pm NASCAR 2010 Sprint Cup Series: Bristol

Saturday, August 28, 2010
TBD

Saturday, September 11, 2010
7:30pm-11:00pm NASCAR 2010 Sprint Cup Series: Richmond

[College Football airs Saturday, Sept. 4]

I'm still maintaining a vigil for those two remaining 'Better Off Ted' episodes.

I ended up hoping for a seven-game NBA series just so ABC would get the good numbers, with the wish that ABC would kindly re-schedule those two pre-empted 'Better Off Ted' episodes so that fans of the series would not be penalized for ABC's game seven viewer-demo largesse.

Awaiting better news about 'Better Off Ted' forthcoming from Pavan.

Summer updates:

Monday, July 26, 2010
10:02pm TBD
[True Beauty has its season finale on July 19.]

Saturdays, July 31, August 7, 14, 2010
8:00pm Wipeout (R)
9:00-11:00pm ABC Saturday Movie of the Week

Movie Titles:
July 31: Flight Plan
August 7: Red Eye
August 14: Meet the Fockers

Tuesdays, effective Tuesday, August 3, 2010
10:00pm Primetime: Crime (new start date instead of Aug. 24)

Saturday, August 21, 2010
7:30pm-11:00pm NASCAR 2010 Sprint Cup Series: Bristol

Saturday, August 28, 2010
TBD

Saturday, September 11, 2010
7:30pm-11:00pm NASCAR 2010 Sprint Cup Series: Richmond

[College Football airs Saturday, Sept. 4]

Ill say it til the cows come home, wasting WIPEOUT on sat is a waste. AFV or EM could go there and WIPEOUT could go Sun or Thurs or Tues where DOWNFALL got a 1.3 in prelim last night. that's abysmal. Also. Primetime got a 1. If they must run PRIMETIME which never seems to do well in Summer, they'd be better off putting those reruns of WWYD Tues at 10p.

After seeing DOWNFALL and honestly not being able to make it thru an ep I am shocked they greenlit this. There is zero drama to this show at all. CRASH COURSE from last Summer was better. Still don't understand why they didnt greenlight Conveyer Belt of Lovw which did decently in that tryout and in Summer would get buzz. I could see it being featured on THE SOUP. It's more a comic dating/reality show. Leaving DOWNFALL in their Tuesday anchor slot for the next 4 weeks makes no sense. At this point it's doing worse than ISAJGS and CC and in this case I understand why. It's not interesting.

If I'm ABC next Tuesday at 9p i'd schedule - Jake and Vienna: The Breakup

I'm still maintaining a vigil for those two remaining 'Better Off Ted' episodes.

I ended up hoping for a seven-game NBA series just so ABC would get the good numbers, with the wish that ABC would kindly re-schedule those two pre-empted 'Better Off Ted' episodes so that fans of the series would not be penalized for ABC's game seven viewer-demo largesse.

Awaiting better news about 'Better Off Ted' forthcoming from Pavan.
I have to believe they are gonna show them. If they can find room for 4 hours for eps of FORGOTTEN and EASTWICK, I have to assume they can spare 1 hour to show their most critically acclaimed cancelled show. If they don't show them, that would be insane.

this is Chris Harrison from tvguide.com. he basically says theyre cutting part of Bachelorette and even cut part of his chat with jake to fit it all in. Am I missing something.

Why wouldn they just air a seperate hour special with chris jake and vienna for tues. It's not like they dont have timeslots that could benefit from this. I dont understand these decisions:

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Bachelorettes-Chris-Harrison-1020030.aspx

TVGuide.com: What can you say about the meeting between Jake and Vienna?
Harrison: You're going to see [the next episode] in its entirety, and then we'll have a separate update that I shot with Jake and Vienna at their house. I sit down and talk to Jake just a little bit alone and then I bring out Vienna and we have our discussion. I've been told we cut the first part with Jake short so we can show the Jake and Vienna stuff unedited in its entirety — we didn't clean it up. It got heated and contentious, but the report about violence is just not true. I wouldn't stand for any violence on our set ... If he had touched Vienna or even come close to touching Vienna, I would have knocked him on his ass and there would be a line of 50 other people that would've knocked him on his ass

I'd air the Jake and Vienna interview at 10pm on Monday and preempt True Beauty. Monday, July 26 at 10pm is still TBD, so they can just push back True Beauty by a week and have its finale on that night.

I'd air the Jake and Vienna interview at 10pm on Monday and preempt True Beauty. Monday, July 26 at 10pm is still TBD, so they can just push back True Beauty by a week and have its finale on that night.

That would be fine, but part of me wonders if they have something special planned for that Monday.

Do you see the NBC sked changes, they are encoring their biggest show AGT on Sundays and Mon, which will immediately bring up both nights in numbers (that show reruns well). That is what I refer to with not wasting WIPEOUT encores on Sat. Also NBC is acting quick replacing shows that arent working. ABC should work fast on Tues 9-11p IMHO.

In addition to them not greenlighting Conveyer Belt, LETS DANCE would have been a good Summer Option. They could have slotted it Thurs at 8p. Theres a hole there for a competetive reality show or even after WIPEOUT Tues.

ABC did a lot of good things on paper this Summer and I really commend them but some things should be attended to now.

BTW I love BOSTON MED and even though the show premiered to low numbers it's a worthy show to air and critically acclaimed. However Primetime Tues if continue to get a 1.0, they can do better.

I'd air the Jake and Vienna interview at 10pm on Monday and preempt True Beauty. Monday, July 26 at 10pm is still TBD, so they can just push back True Beauty by a week and have its finale on that night.

But clearly you agree with me that it's silly to cut parts of both shows (B'rette will be their highest rated show in the demo this week)
when they have many slots available that can use the upgrade.

Sunday, July 4, 2010
9:00pm Jimmy Kimmel Live’s Twilight Saga: Total Eclipse of the Heart (R, 6/23)
[Scoundrels' first episode will no longer be repeating on this night.]