After the premiere episode in Sept of 1974, it was reported that NBC was disappointed at the ratings following the 1st episode. It was speculated by a TV critic that maybe the basic premise is too limited and that the two stars should get out of that seamy garage every once in a while.

Phila Daily News, Oct 30, 1974


That was one of the reasons I couldnt get into the show. Ed was old and cranky and not funny and Chico wasnt funny either and they stayed in that garage all the time. May

After the premiere episode in Sept of 1974, it was reported that NBC was disappointed at the ratings following the 1st episode. It was speculated by a TV critic that maybe the basic premise is too limited and that the two stars should get out of that seamy garage every once in a while.

Phila Daily News, Oct 30, 1974


That was one of the reasons I couldnt get into the show. Ed was old and cranky and not funny and Chico wasnt funny either and they stayed in that garage all the time. May

I also do not like ‘Chico And The Man’. It is an unfunny version of ‘Sanford And Son’ to me. Ed’s racism was unfunny and cringe. He wasn’t witty and LOL funny like Fred Sanford. Chico was a pushover who let Ed feel comfortable to make those statements!

I also do not like ‘Chico And The Man’. It is an unfunny version of ‘Sanford And Son’ to me. Ed’s racism was unfunny and cringe. He wasn’t witty and LOL funny like Fred Sanford. Chico was a pushover who let Ed feel comfortable to make those statements!

I think the show must have had a large female fanbase because of eddie prinze because It was nothing about the show that grabbed me.

After the premiere episode in Sept of 1974, it was reported that NBC was disappointed at the ratings following the 1st episode. It was speculated by a TV critic that maybe the basic premise is too limited and that the two stars should get out of that seamy garage every once in a while.

Phila Daily News, Oct 30, 1974

How is NBC going to be disappointed at a 26.9 rating and a 45 share, especially for a series premiere? (According to Page 20 of the September 23, 1974 issue of Broadcasting Magazine (https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/74-OCR/1974-09-23-BC-OCR-Page-0020.pdf).)

Chico and the Man finished in third place for the Fall 1974 premiere week. Another series premiere, that of Rhoda, finished first, with a 28.2 rating and 42 share. All in the Family had the highest share (50), yet came in second, with a 27.8. Born Innocent, a controversial TV movie that aired on Tuesday the 10th, placed fourth with a 25.2/39. That Broadcasting issue didn't publish figures for Sanford and Son (CatM's lead-in), but the following week's (September 30 (https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/74-OCR/1974-09-30-BC-OCR-Page-0018.pdf)) issue confirms that it finished fifth on premiere week. CatM actually finished first for the fall 1974 season's second week, with a share exceeding 50 (AitF, which finished second with a 28.8 rating, had the same share), and S&S jumped to third. On week three (https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/74-OCR/1974-10-07-BC-OCR-Page-0016.pdf), CatM had a fourth-place finish with a 28.3 rating and a 47 share (S&S finished second).

This report about NBC being disappointed with CatM's premiere ratings is odd, given how CatM's first-season ratings average turned out (a 28.5).

How is NBC going to be disappointed at a 26.9 rating and a 45 share, especially for a series premiere? (According to Page 20 of the September 23, 1974 issue of Broadcasting Magazine (https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/74-OCR/1974-09-23-BC-OCR-Page-0020.pdf).)

Chico and the Man finished in third place for the Fall 1974 premiere week. Another series premiere, that of Rhoda, finished first, with a 28.2 rating and 42 share. All in the Family had the highest share (50), yet came in second, with a 27.8. Born Innocent, a controversial TV movie that aired on Tuesday the 10th, placed fourth with a 25.2/39. That Broadcasting issue didn't publish figures for Sanford and Son (CatM's lead-in), but the following week's (September 30 (https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/74-OCR/1974-09-30-BC-OCR-Page-0018.pdf)) issue confirms that it finished fifth on premiere week. CatM actually finished first for the fall 1974 season's second week, with a share exceeding 50 (AitF, which finished second with a 28.8 rating, had the same share), and S&S jumped to third. On week three (https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/74-OCR/1974-10-07-BC-OCR-Page-0016.pdf), CatM had a fourth-place finish with a 28.3 rating and a 47 share (S&S finished second).

This report about NBC being disappointed with CatM's premiere ratings is odd, given how CatM's first-season ratings average turned out (a 28.5).

The ratings after the 2nd episode and after

How is NBC going to be disappointed at a 26.9 rating and a 45 share, especially for a series premiere? (According to Page 20 of the September 23, 1974 issue of Broadcasting Magazine (https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/74-OCR/1974-09-23-BC-OCR-Page-0020.pdf).)

Chico and the Man finished in third place for the Fall 1974 premiere week. Another series premiere, that of Rhoda, finished first, with a 28.2 rating and 42 share. All in the Family had the highest share (50), yet came in second, with a 27.8. Born Innocent, a controversial TV movie that aired on Tuesday the 10th, placed fourth with a 25.2/39. That Broadcasting issue didn't publish figures for Sanford and Son (CatM's lead-in), but the following week's (September 30 (https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/74-OCR/1974-09-30-BC-OCR-Page-0018.pdf)) issue confirms that it finished fifth on premiere week. CatM actually finished first for the fall 1974 season's second week, with a share exceeding 50 (AitF, which finished second with a 28.8 rating, had the same share), and S&S jumped to third. On week three (https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/74-OCR/1974-10-07-BC-OCR-Page-0016.pdf), CatM had a fourth-place finish with a 28.3 rating and a 47 share (S&S finished second).

This report about NBC being disappointed with CatM's premiere ratings is odd, given how CatM's first-season ratings average turned out (a 28.5).


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