Most shows hit season lows on Thursday night, making this week the second week in a row that programs declined nearly across the board. NBC’s headline was the harshest of the bunch: The network ranked last among the major broadcasters and tied its lowest-rated Thursday night ever.
With struggling freshman sitcoms Perfect Couples (1.4 preliminary adult demo rating) and Outsourced (1.5) leading the way to the bottom, NBC had Community (1.8), The Office (3.3), Parks and Recreation (2.3), and 30 Rock (2.0). Only Community remained steady compared to last week and all shows tied their season lows.
Image Credit: Chris Haston/NBCOn the other end of the spectrum, Fox’s American Idol (7.5) and Bones (3.3) were up a tick from last week.
CBS had a season-low Big Bang Theory, followed by the season finale of $#*! My Dad Says (2.6). CSI (2.9), with Justin Bieber as guest star, was up slightly from last week, and The Mentalist (3.0) was up a tad too.
On ABC, Wipeout (1.9), Grey’s Anatomy (3.7), and Private Practice (2.4) all hit season lows.
The CW’s Vampire Diaries (1.4) and Nikita (0.8) were both up a tenth.
It’s not just Thursday, why have the ratings been down accross the board for a week? It seems like more than an abberation. Did Neilsen change the sample or something?
The Ten old people with Neilsen boxes fell asleep after Matlock.
@wherisit Ha! Seriously, who ARE these Neilsen people?
Watch what you say about us old people….we’ll put yr favorite
I have to say, Parks and Rec and 30 Rock were shows I used to watch, and they just are not funny anymore. Parks and Rec’s new cast members don’t add anything to the show and after the first scene at the radio station, I switched the channel. 30 Rock should have ended last season when it was clear they were just retreading on old ground. The Office has always been garbage to me (I can’t stand Jim and Pam, and Michael schtick got old fast). Its no wonder the ratings stink
Old people watch ‘Matlock’ jokes are stale, just watch Jay Leno.
@Kal-El I was actually just talking about 30 Rock w/ some friends. We agree that though we still love the show the writing this season is really off the level we’re used to. There used to be multiple LOL moments and this year it seems that they are rare. Last night’s was no exception. Both it and The Office were way off their game.
NBC needs to move those shows from Thursday to another night. For several seasons, they continue to keep these shows on a very rough night. Why don’t they consider moving it to Tuesdays, there really aren’t any comedies on this night. The B.L. runs for 2 hours every week, which can be devoted to 4 of those comedies that most critics love, but viewers aren’t watching!
I agree. Something in the Neilsen technology had to have changed. Could someone at EW look into that? People usually pick a handful of shows to watch consistenly. Why would this change? It’s not like millions have suddenly decided to watch over the internet. Even though millions probably do, but we get plenty of ads aimed at us and I’m sure the networks are counting how many of us watch and complete those programs for the advertisers.
Why are they even still using Neilsen when surely they can track everyone using a cable box? Get real data.
I recently got picked to be in the Neilson sample. Can’t wait to get my box and start counting towards all of these awesome, underrated shows.
Please watch community when you get your box!
I find it hard to believe that with most tv content being delivered through digital cable boxes — that we cannot get a more accurate reading of what is being watched. Methinks Nielsen will not release their stranglehold on the old (outdated, inaccurate) system.
Big reason: American Idol is getting to the good stuff.
Did you really just use the words “American Idol” and “good stuff” in the same sentence??!!??
American Idol is not only good stuff, it’s clean stuff and the whole family can watch it.
If you want something your whole family can watch, tune to iCarly or Disney Channel. Creatively, American Idol is a stalemate. It’s disappointing that more people are watching a show that’s been exactly the same for, what….9 years? and not appreciating the amount of work and talent that goes into making a good television show.
Th whole family cannot watch anything on the Disney Channel because those shows cause psychiatric disorders in anyone over the age of 9. NBC needs to move “Community” back to the 9:30 time slot where it first premired. It’s a great show, but it doesn’t fit right at 8:00.
Actually you probably don’t watch because American Idol has different judges now. Simon quit and they fired Kara and Ellen. They brought on superstars Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez. As for the format of the show. Why would they change it when it has been number 1 for like 8 years. The episodes this week were great.
Someone mentioned iCarly and I agree. It’s very funny and I find myself watching it frequently.
Not sure but I bet Whoopi Goldberg will be mad for some reason.
LOL!!!
This is just sad.
4 out of those 6 NBC comedies are some of the best things on television.
NBC has been loyal to these shows. Thanks from at least one viewer!
Eh. I’d say 2 out of 6 (Community and Parks & Rec). The Office and 30 Rock are a shell of their former selves.
I agree – Community and Parks & Rec were great last night – people need to start watching!! I even had to watch P&R twice!
I agree with you on The Office, but I think 30 Rock found its spark again this season.
I generally agree with you, but 30 Rock still busts it out on occasion (last week’s episode was fantastic), and The Office…well, it gets a lot of mileage coasting on its former genius. And Melora Hardin frustatedly trying to get a car door open last night still had me cackling.
To me, 30 Rock continues to be the most hilarious of the bunch, followed by Community. I completely stopped watching The Office this year–it’s just pure crap now.
The Office was just awful last night. Community is a solid show, but I wish ppl would give Parks and Rec a chance. Its really funny and smartly written.
I’m with Erin and BLM. The Office is pretty unwatchable now, but 30 Rock is in peak form. Parks & Rec and Community are also Must-See.
The Office, while crap, is less crappy than it’s been the last couple seasons. Community and Parks & Rec are two of the funniest comedies on TV right now- I really hope they don’t get cancelled!!!
Please, the Office has been absolutely HILARIOUS this season. Sucks for you guys who aren’t enjoying it; great stuff from that show this year.
parks and rec, and comm rock, ill be so pissed if either get cut
I, too, think that 30 Rock has gotten better again. I don’t know why people don’t watch it. It’s just so clever.
The humor on 30 Rock is over the head of 75% of the American population. Two and a Half Men is one of television’s top shows, remember? What does this say about the average viewer?
Agreed, except I would say that The Office is better than it was last season (when it was truly terrible). It’s the weakest of the four, but easily better than any comedy on CBS or Fox.
I guess we are each a little different. Cause for me it is Parks and Rec, 30 Rock, and The Office. Love them and always watch. If I’m bored, Perfect Couples, maybe Community, and I gave up on Outsourced a couple months ago.
For me, I would have to say Parks and Rec, then 30 Rock, community, the office. Watched outsourced like twice, hated it. Watched fifteen minutes of perfect couples, and done
It’s 3 out of 6 for me (Community, The Office, and Parks & Recreation). Then I watch Archer and Jersey Shore.
me too..I love 30 Rock, but Archer is the best show on TV
How in the world does stuff like American Idol and the CBS line-up do better than the NBC block of comedies? It’s astounding. America loves crap.
America just isnt as smart as you.
I just don’t love the kind of CRAP that you do! I look forward to Idol every year – and this year is better than EVER! Just go for a walk if you don’t like it. That’s what I do the rest of the year when Your crappy shows are on! I don’t think ANY of those shows mentioned are HILARIOUS! Now Everybody Loves Raymond is what I call FUNNY! And no, I’m not old! I just love decency and wholesomeness!
^^ Clown.
I love NBC sitcoms!
3h of hilarious shows!
It is very sad that more people watch CBS lame shows…
That tells a lot about our country…
I have to throw in – if any NBC execs are somehow reading this, I can tell you that I faithfully watch your Thursday night block and so do a good number of my friends and co-workers.
Two things to consider, though: we DVR the shows, and we DON’T have Neilson boxes.
Community and 30 Rock are among the funniest things on TV right now; please don’t be like Fox – give shows a chance!
I completely agree. Community and Parks and Rec are the two best shows on TV right now, and I still love the Office and 30 Rock. I will be unbelievably upset if any of these are cancelled.
Thursday night is my NBC night from 8:30-11:00. I watch The Big Bang Theory while recording Community then switch over to NBC for the rest of the sitcom lineup. Perfect Couples took a few episodes to “grow on me” but I think it’s getting better. Last night’s episode with the o’possum was pretty good. At first I didn’t like the episode of The Office, but it got better, and now I guess we know what Michael Scott hopes to do for a career after he leaves Dunder Mifflin/ Sabre– be a movie producer. Though he’ll need to tighten his timeline from 11 years.
I dont know a single person who still watched American Idol, while most of my friends watch Bones and Big Bang Theory religiously.
It seems to me the “ratings” sample is inaccurate somehow.
So who actually has those Nielson boxes, anyway?
I don’t know a single person who watches “Two and a Half Men” but somehow it’s the number one show on television.
Don’t you mean that you don’t know a single person who is willing to admit that he or she watches “Two and a Half Men”?
True… I should’ve mentioned that.
I, too, dont know a single person who watches 2&1/2 Men.
I’ve seen it once or twice in syndication, and its not funny.
I should point out that I am NOT a Charlie Sheen hater, just a bad show hater. Charlie can do whatever he wants, IMO
Ratings are completely irrelevant in this day and age. Too many people watch on dvr or the Internet.
Ineffective, yes, but unfortunately as relevant as ever, since it’s still the primary way that advertisers set their ad rates/measure their revenue. It’s a shame, because really, these days I don’t think viewer numbers fluctuate that much, and most people who watch shows keeps watching them week to week.
Relevant? Most of us fast forward through the commercials. What they are paying is too high for all of us to fast forward through them
ratings tell what’s going on in the mind of the american people, some
of it makes me shudder. Love Idol!
Can we get some actual numbers EW? I love the magazine and the site but these “preliminary adult rating demo” and “share” numbers make no sense! I want to see the numbers in the millions!
Agreed.
The 18-48yr old demo is what networks use to judge shows. This share differs from total viewers. Anyway TVbythenumbers is a good site to read about ratings and viewership.
Outsourced rocks!
My wife and I love Outsource, but we watch it on demand from Comcast.
YES!!
I love OUTSOURCED!!
The characters are funny, cute and very interesting to watch.
Perfect Couples is also getting funnier and funnier….
I hope NBC gives it a real chance.
Outsourced is so funny! Gupta is my favorite. It’s a shame that high-minded critics didn’t give it a chance because they decided it was offensive before it even premiered. It really is a great workplace comedy that’s more sweet than zany.
I thought outsourced sounded vile when I first heard about it, but I have watched it a few times and must say it’s a pretty good show! My husband and I love it!
Outsourced is hilarious. My boyfriend’s family is Indian so I wonder if I’m just catching in-jokes other people aren’t getting when they say it isn’t funny. Community is one of the funniest shows on TV and Perfect Couple is showing potential. I actually think the 3 “big” shows are really losing steam and I feel like I only watch them out of some sort of hope they’ll get back to being good.
This is not remotely a surprise. The single camera comedy does NOT generate high ratings…hence why crap comedies like Two and Half Men rate highest. NBC’s best days were with TRADITIONAL sitcom’s and while I’m a huge fan of 30 Rock they need to move back towards the traditional format. It’s the writing/acting not the camera style.
Isn’t it crazy that the “popular” shows have laugh tracks that have to inform people when to, in fact, laugh.
Modern Family has no laugh track and it is consistently one of the highest ranked comedies.
Last night my husband had the tv on for 2 minutes, and I kept hearing the laugh track from the kitchen. It was such an odd sound (he was waiting for me so we could watch Community on TiVo together). When I asked him what he was watching, he told me Big Bang Theory. Then he pointed out how he had laughed out loud zero times.
I don’t know of ANY “popular” comedies that have a laugh track. They may have a live audience at taping, like BBT & 2.5 Men, but it is NOT taped laughter.
Thank you, Rock Golf. I hate it when people use the “laugh track” argument to diss the “traditional” sitcoms. They tape these shows in front of a live audience, though they may use a little “sweetening” in post-production. I hate Two and a Half Men too but not because of the supposed laugh track. Agree with JJ btw.
Yes rockgolf please regurgitate chuck lorre a lil more if ya could. They may have a live studio audience but seriously record yourself next to you watch it, Do you bawl with laughter at every single joke as the “audience” does? No that’s because that audience is being coaxed and then later added to in post editing.
So yeah they have their “audience” but you can bet your ass off it’s a laugh track in part.
And you do laugh at the single camera comedies? Pathetic.
For me, living in New Jersey, where we’ve been hit hard by snow, ice and cold, last night was the warmest it’s been in months, so I decided to go out instead of staying home to watch TV.
I love Parks and Community. 30 Rock, though not at its strongest, is still top notch. The Office needs to be put out to pasture. Without Carell, it’ll fall the way Scrubs did.
people who don’t watch Community do not know what they’re missing. Most consistentlly funny and crestive of the Thurs. nite shows. and, my God, America, LeVar Burton was on lat nite!
Can we get a regular Community recap on EW? You can help a great show get some attention instead of reviewing Jersey Shore.
amen Holly
Agreed! I have had to look else where for sites that recap Community, because it’s all reality recaps here!
ditto Leesa!
time to dismantle NBC’s Thursday comedy block…spread it out the rest of the week on 8-9 time period. concentrate on new dramas at 9 and 10. can’t wait to see if the new nbc leaders will do something different this fall.
There is nothing NBC could put out right now that would keep me away from Vampire Diaries. It’s just a very tough night. I would watch those shows almost any other night. How about Sunday’s NBC. I don’t even know what NBC has on Sunday anymore.
Maybe they never did well with dramas at 10 pm right after ER’s final season, so they switched to comedies this season. I can take watching a mix of 4 comedies and one drama but six straight comedies in a 3 hour slot is a bit too much.
I just don’t understand this….something has to be up with the ratings. Almost everyone I know watches these shows. Plus, with DVR I watch all the other shows too.
Hard numbers, indeed. We need confirmation these shows suck before they run forever in reruns. Until then, we’ll just have to fake pretend they’re funny; which isn’t as hard as it seems after three consecutive hours.
Perhaps it is time for NBC to review their ptogramming – I for one hardly watch NBC – used to then they went to Leno and now !
NBC has made some terrible programming decisions in the past few years. Leno being a prime example of it. But I admire that they’ve stuck to comedies like 30 Rock, Community, Office and Parks & Rec. I agree that the Office has seen much better days, but appreciate that we were able to see a few great seasons. I like that they’ve stuck to Chuck–but it does feel like they’re wrapping up the storylines this season. But shows like Perfect Couples are trite and tired. And shows like minute to win it and four versions of Law and Order aren’t exactly must see TV.
*bursts into tears* NOOO don’t suggest that Chuck isn’t coming back next season!!!!
I can’t speak for everyone but I watch less big network tv and have switched over to cable shows on channels like FX, USA, SyFy, AMC HBO, and Shotime. Every time I get invested in a new series on FOX, CBS, or NBC it gets cancelled because 10mil people don’t watch it. Whats the point in watching a series that won’t last a season? But if I watch Justified on FX and 3mil people watch it sticks around. Or Californicaton on Shotime that only a 1mil people watch. I just don’t understand how big networks haven’t figured out that there are more then 13 channels out there now and its harder to get 20mil people to watch anything when there are 300 channels, DVR, and the internet to contend with. Until they realize that I’m going to stop watching their shows.
Agreed! I’ve had way too many network shows cancelled prematurely. I think my NOT watching Fringe has single-handedly kept it on the air till its third season, because every other Fox SciFi show I’ve ever watched (Firefly, Terminator:TSCC, Dollhouse) hasn’t made it to a second season. And it’s not like there aren’t plenty of quality shows on other channels. That said, I do watch Community, 30 Rock, and Parks and Recreation. NBC is in such dire straits, what would they replace those three hours with? I feel reasonably confident that at least the critically acclaimed comedies will continue to stick around despite their low ratings.