> When A GIFTED MAN came onto the scene, it had all the high-class auspices a new series could want.  The pilot was directed by Academy Award-winner Jonathan Demme, was written by Susannah Grant (Eric Brockovich) and had a cast that included such strong actors as Patrick Wilson, Jennifer Ehle, Margo Martindale (who, by the […]

> Disclaimer:  Network pilots now in circulation are not necessarily in the form that will air in the Fall.  Pilots are often reedited and rescored, and in some cases even recast or reshot.  So these critiques shouldn’t be taken as full TV pilot reviews, but rather as a guide to the general style and content […]

  NETWORK UPDATE:  THE BACHELORETTE gained 0.1 in final ratings, but THE ISLAND fell by 0.1.  Also down by 0.1 each were the reruns of THE ORIGINALS and JANE THE VIRGIN. CABLE HIGHLIGHTS:  The US vs Colombia WOMENS WORLD CUP QUARTERFINALS on Fox Sports 1 took the cable night at 1.79.  VH1’s LOVE & HIP HOP ATLANTA was […]

> For one network, a night that moved in the wrong direction. FOX:  Does FOX have to start worrying about X FACTOR?  The show seemed to make its way through the wave of baseball-related preemptions and reschedulings very smoothly, but this week has been troubling.  Both Wednesday and last night, the show has hit season […]

  NETWORK UPDATE:  All of the night’s adjustments were football-related.  SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL adjusted up to 6.1, which was still far below last week’s 8.6 rating.  60 MINUTES gained 0.3 in final numbers, lifting it to 2.2.  CBS aired its scheduled new episode of CSI even though the show didn’t start airing until 10;50PM in […]

        NETWORK FINALS:  As expected, the entire CW line-up came down by 0.1 after adjustment.  Elsewhere, THE PROPOSAL lost 0.1 in final numbers, while the rerun of MOM gained the same.         Broadcast Official Nationals Program Ratings Chart     CABLE HIGHLIGHTS:  USA’s WWE telecast led Monday cable at […]

        NETWORK FINALS:  The BLUE BLOODS rerun gained 0.1 in final numbers.         Broadcast Official Nationals Program Ratings Chart     CABLE HIGHLIGHTS:  ESPN’s COLLEGE FOOTBALL games were on top of Friday cable at 0.66/0.40.  We’s LOVE AFTER LOCKUP ticked up to 0.29.  Food Network’s DINERS, DRIVE-INS & DIVES […]

  Goodbye, I FEEL BAD. DEMOGRAPHIC DETAIL: For each broadcast program (or hour segment), the chart below displays preliminary live+same day key advertiser demographics (adult 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 ratings), audience skews (women 18-49, men 18-49 and adults 50+ shares) and total viewership (thousands of people over the age of 2). Ratings analysis follows the chart. […]