Episode 2 ratings--still strong

[Pavan]

I knew when JAG's new season starts, 8SR and JAG should be battling. I think it will be much closer next week between these two, since people who watched In-Laws will probably tune into 8SR now, since In-Laws' viewers probably hated the show...Here is the breakdown:

-Yesterday's Winners:
JAG (CBS), 8 Simple Rules (ABC), Gilmore Girls (WB), Frasier (NBC), The Guardian (CBS), Smallville (WB), NYPD Blue (ABC)

-Yesterday's Losers:
In-Laws (NBC, 8 p.m.), Life With Bonnie (ABC), Buffy, the Vampire Slayer (UPN), Grounded for Life (Fox), Inside NYPD Blue: A Decade on the Job (ABC), Celebrity Daredevils (Fox), Haunted (UPN), Dateline (NBC)

-Ratings Breakdown:
Thanks to its combination of the season premieres of JAG and The Guardian plus a Tuesday preview of Wednesday medical drama Presidio Med, CBS won the first Tuesday of the season (based on the overnights -- I know) with a 9 percent advantage over second-place NBC. JAG opened its eighth season (stop kicking yourself, NBC) with a time period-winning 11.4/17 at 8 p.m. -- equal to its year-ago season premiere on Sept. 25, 2001. Although ABC's 8 Simple Rules (#2: 9.7/15) dipped 25 percent from last Tuesday's series premiere (13.0/21 on Sept. 17, 2001), it was still a hefty 37 percent above the series premiere of NBC sitcom In-laws (#3: 7.1/11). In-Laws was equal to the debut of former time period disaster Emeril on Sept. 25, 2001.

At 8:30 p.m., the better news for a second episode of NBC's In-Laws was a second-place 8.5/12 -- 5 percent above episode two of ABC's competing Life With Bonnie (#3, 8.1/12), which moves to its regularly scheduled 9 p.m. time period (opposite Frasier) next Tuesday. Bonnie was off 16 percent from lead-in 8 Simple Rules with erosion of 34 percent from its debut last Tuesday (12.2/18 on Sept. 17, 2001). Obviously, this is not a positive sign for Bonnie.

On The WB, season three of the Gilmore Girls kicked off with a solid (and tied for fourth place) 5.4/8 -- 8 percent above its two-hour year-ago season opener on Oct. 9, 2001 (5.0/7) with its best opening ratings ever. Left out in the cold was the seventh season premiere of UPN's Buffy, the Vampire Slayer with a sixth-place 3.9/6. Versus its two-hour debut on UPN last year (6.2/9 on Oct. 2, 2001), Buffy was off by a considerable 37 percent. As predicted, it looks like this is the last season for the long-in-the-tooth vampire slayer.

On Fox, That'70s Show (6.0/9) ranked fourth in the 8 p.m. half-hour followed by a fifth-place 4.9/7 for lackluster lead-out Grounded For Life.

At 9 p.m., it was no contest with the Daphne/Niles season-opening wedding on NBC's Frasier at a first-place 15.6/22 -- 84 percent above lead-in In-Laws and 10 percent above its one-hour ninth season premiere on Sept. 25, 2001. Although the debut of lead-out NBC sitcom Hidden Hills won the 9:30 p.m. half-hour with a 10.9/15, erosion of 30 percent from Frasier keeps the new comedy off the winner's list.

In 9 p.m. series premiere news, UPN's Haunted was left at the starting gate with a sixth-place 3.1/4 -- 51 percent below the second season opener of The WB's Smallville (#3: 6.3/9). On ABC, 9 p.m. special Inside NYPD Blue; A Decade on the Job, ranked fourth in the hour with a 6.1/8 followed by Fox special Celebrity Daredevils at a fifth-place 3.6/5.

At 10 p.m., the winning ratings ball moved into ABC's corner with the 10th season opener of NYPD Blue (10.3/16) 12 percent above the series preview of CBS's Presidio Med (#2: 9.2/14). Versus regularly scheduled Judging Amy's year-ago season premiere (11.2/17 on Sept. 25, 2001), Presidio Med was off by 18 percent. Look for the debut of Presidio Med in its regularly scheduled Wednesday 10 p.m. time period tonight (and expect plenty of audience fall-off opposite the second hour of NBC's season premiering The West Wing).

On PAX's repeat Tuesday, The Weakest Link scored a 0.9/1 followed by new Richard Thomas drama Just Cause (0.7/1) and old faithful Diagnosis Murder (1.1/2).

Although erosion in week two (and slightly beyond) is a given, if 8 Simple Rules can stay ahead of competing NBC sitcom In-Laws (based on last night it certainly did), this is the show that ABC can begin to build a comeback with. Welcome back John Ritter and Katey Sagal.

Source: Nielsen Media Research

[Pavan]

ABC Release:

Quick Take for Tuesday, September 24, 2002 (Based on Fast Affiliate Ratings)
ABC Pulls in Strong Demos on the First Tuesday of the Season,
Notching its Highest Ratings in 8 Months in Men 18-49 and Adults 25-54
“8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter” Wins its Time Slot
And Improves the Half-hour for ABC in Viewers and Young Adults
“NYPD Blue” Opens its Season as the No. 1 Young Adult Drama on Tuesday Night,
Winning its Time Period and Giving ABC its Best Demo Ratings in Nearly 1 Year
Tuesday (8:00-11:00 p.m.)
With each of the networks rolling out new programming on the night, ABC earned solid demographic
numbers on the first official Tuesday of the 2002-03 TV Season. ABC captured second place in the key
Adult 18-49 category (4.3/11) and won the night in Men 18-49 (4.1/11) and Men 25-54 (4.9/12).
· ABC posted its highest Tuesday night ratings in 8 months among Men 18-49 (4.1/11) and Adults 25-
54 (5.2/12) – since 1/15/02.
“8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter” (8:00-8:30 p.m.)
“8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter” won its time period, beating second-place Fox’s
“That 70’s Show” by 9% in Adults 18-49 (4.8/14 vs. 4.4/13). “8 Simple Rules” defeated NBC’s series
debut of “In-Laws” by 50% in the key demo (3.2/9).
· Compared to 8:00-8:30 p.m. time period performance of the “Dharma & Greg” season premiere last
year (9/25/01), “8 Simple Rules” improved the time period for ABC by 13% in Total Viewers (12.4
million vs. 11.0 million) and 9% in Adults 18-49 (4.8/14 vs. 4.4/13).
“Life With Bonnie” (8:30-9:00 p.m.)
“Life With Bonnie” delivered a very close second-place finish in its half-hour among Adults 18-49
(4.3/12), in a virtual tie for first with NBC’s second episode of “In-Laws” (4.4/12). “In-Laws” was likely
boosted by pre-tuning for the season opener of “Frasier” at 9:00 p.m. “Life With Bonnie” retained a solid
90% of its young adult lead-in. Note: “Life with Bonnie” moves to its regular 9:00 p.m. time period
next Tuesday.
“NYPD Blue” (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
“NYPD Blue” debuted as the No. 1 drama on Tuesday among Adults 18-49 (5.2/14), besting the other
dramas on the night substantial margins (“JAG” – 3.9/11, “The Guardian” – 3.7/9 and “Presidio Med” –
4.1/11). “Blue” led its hour in Adults 18-49 beating NBC’s “Dateline” by 24% (4.2/11) and CBS’ bow of
“Presidio Med” by 27% (4.1/11). “NYPD Blue” also won its time period among Total Viewers (13.0
million), Adults 18-34 (3.6/11) and Adults 25-54 (6.5/15).
· “NYPD Blue” produced ABC’s best delivery in the time period in nearly 1 year among Adults 18-34,
Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54 – since 11/6/01.
· “NYPD Blue” built on its lead-in and gained audience during the course of its telecast. From start to
finish, “Blue” increased its delivery among Total Viewers (12.8 million to 13.2 million) and Adults
18-49, where it increased by 2 shares (5.2/13 to 5.3/15). Blue built on its lead-in (8.1 million &
3.2/8) by nearly 5 million viewers and by 63% in Adults 18-49.

Source: Nielsen Media Research (Fast Affiliate Ratings) 9/24/02.

[IheartMoonlighting]

I believe all of the tuesday shows have premiered that are gonna go up against 8 simple rules... Life with Bonnie is really gonna talk when 24 starts.

Looks like 8 is gonna get picked up for a full season. It will probably be the first comedy to do so. People still like Ritter, what can you say.

[Swimfan85]

ITS SOOO HARD!!! to flick between this and gilmore girls, cuz I love them both!!!

[KJH278]

The MLB Playoffs start Tuesday, it might hurt the rating for the show

[Pavan]

Originally posted by STEPH_McMAHON_FAN
The MLB Playoffs start Tuesday, it might hurt the rating for the show

I doubt it, the ratings for baseball go up in the later innings, around inning 5 and on. I still think CBS and ABC will battle for the 8 p.m. half hour. Fox should catch up around 9 or 10 that night. I know I'll be watching the Yankees after 8 Simple Rules.

[Pavan]

From ABC, this is still an early report, I am betting episode 3 tonight will be much higher:

I. T. R. S.
RANKING REPORT
01 THRU 106 (OUT OF 106 PROGRAMS)
DAYPART: PRIMETIME MON-SUN
FROM 09/23/02 THROUGH 09/29/02
REGULAR AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS
LIST RANKED BY: VIEWR 2+ (000)
WEEK RANKING, W/O 9.23.02
--- --- ---
VIEWR VIEWR
RANK 2+ 2+
(000) RTG
----- ------ ------
1 FRIENDS 34010 12.5
2 CSI 30470 11.2
3 E.R. 26720 9.8
4 EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMND SP 24040 8.8
5 EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND 23270 8.6
6 CSI: MIAMI 23100 8.5
7 SCRUBS 22310 8.2
8 SURVIVOR: THAILAND 21730 8.0
9 WILL & GRACE 21450 7.9
10 FRASIER 21120 7.8
11 * NFL MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL 19130 7.0
12 WEST WING 18160 6.7
13 GOOD MORNING MIAMI 17450 6.4
14 WITHOUT A TRACE 16210 6.0
15 JAG 16130 5.9
16 LAW AND ORDER:CRIM INTENT 15790 5.8
17 HIDDEN HILLS 15710 5.8
18 YES, DEAR 15030 5.5
19 KING OF QUEENS 14950 5.5
20 LAW AND ORDER:SVU 14880 5.5
21 * MY WIFE AND KIDS 14820 5.4
22 AMERICAN DREAMS 13910 5.1
23 * PRACTICE, THE 13890 5.1
24 GUARDIAN, THE 13810 5.1
25 BOOMTOWN 13450 4.9
26 60 MINUTES 13250 4.9
27 * NYPD BLUE 13170 4.8
28 BIG BROTHER 3-WED 12940 4.8
29 HACK 12890 4.7
30 * 8 SIMPLE RULES 12830 4.7
31 PRESIDIO MED SPCL 12790 4.7
32 * ALIAS 11310 4.2
33 FEAR FACTOR 11300 4.2
34 * LIFE WITH BONNIE SP-9/24 11290 4.1
35 60 MINUTES II 10810 4.0
36 IN-LAWS 9/24 10670 3.9
37 * ABC SAT NIGHT AT MOVIES 10560 3.9
38 CROSSING JORDAN 10540 3.9
39 DATELINE FRI 10440 3.8
40 ED 10310 3.8
41 DISTRICT, THE 10300 3.8
42 DATELINE NBC-TUE 10240 3.8
43 AGENCY, THE 9650 3.5
44 * 20/20-FRI 9490 3.5
45 * BACHELOR, REVEALED 8930 3.3
46 THAT '70S SHOW 8920 3.3
47 CBS SUNDAY MOVIE 8760 3.2
48 PRESIDIO MED 8730 3.2
49 SMALLVILLE - WB 8660 3.2
50 * AMER FUNN HOME VIDEOS-8PM 8520 3.1
51 IN-LAWS 8440 3.1
52 ROBBERY HOMICIDE DIVISION 8410 3.1
53 FASTLANE 8340 3.1
54 CEDRIC ENTERTAINER: PRESN 8170 3.0
55 DATELINE SUN-7PM 8010 2.9
56 FOX MOVIE SPEC 7920 2.9
57 7TH HEAVEN - WB 7910 2.9
BERNIE MAC 7910 2.9
59 COPS 2 7890 2.9
60 * INSIDE NYPD BLUE 7860 2.9
61 * MDS 7820 2.9
62 GROUNDED FOR LIFE 7690 2.8
63 AMW: AMERICA FIGHTS BACK 7490 2.8
64 TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL 7180 2.6
65 AMERICAN IDOL IN VEGAS 7170 2.6
66 * MONK 7060 2.6
67 JOHN DOE 6980 2.6
68 48 HOURS INVESTIGATES 6880 2.5
69 SIMPSONS SPCL 6810 2.5
70 COPS 6460 2.4
71 * ABC SUN NIGHT MOVIES-9/29 6450 2.4
72 FOX MOVIE SPCL 6210 2.3
73 GILMORE GIRLS - WB 6200 2.3
74 * PRIMETIME THURSDAY 6050 2.2
75 WWE SMACKDOWN] 6000 2.2
76 * DREW CAREY SHOW 5910 2.2
77 * WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? 5670 2.1
78 NBC SATURDAY NIGHT MOVIES 5660 2.1
79 EVERWOOD - WB 5540 2.0
80 FIREFLY 5470 2.0
81 CELEBRITY DAREDEVILS 5450 2.0
82 CHARMED - WB 5060 1.9
83 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER 4990 1.8
84 ONE ON ONE 4980 1.8
85 REBA - WB 4850 1.8
86 ENTERPRISE 4840 1.8
87 GIRLFRIENDS 4730 1.7
88 PARKERS, THE 4680 1.7
89 * PUSH, NEVADA 4450 1.6
90 HALF AND HALF 4420 1.6
91 * THAT WAS THEN 4280 1.6
92 SIMPSONS SPCL 09/29 4250 1.6
93 WHAT I LIKE ABOUT YOU-WB 3950 1.5
94 WB WEDNESDAY MOVIE - WB 3910 1.4
95 GREETINGS FROM TUCSON-WB 3800 1.4
96 SABRINA - TEEN WITCH - WB 3590 1.3
97 TWILIGHT ZONE, THE 3540 1.3
98 SPY TV 9/28 3390 1.2
99 HAUNTED 3140 1.2
100 FAMILY AFFAIR - WB 2950 1.1
101 DO OVER - WB 2630 1.0
102 JAMIE KENNEDY - WB 2520 .9
103 GILMORE GIRLS - BEG - WB 2470 .9
104 ANGEL - SUN - WB 2160 .8
105 UPN'S MOVIE FRIDAY 2060 .8
106 OFF CENTRE - WB 1900 .7