I predict Jericho will do about as well as it did last week (a 3.8/6 HH Rating/Share and 5.67 million viewers) all the talk about how election coverage screwed up the Nielsen results notwithstanding. All the talk about how invalid Nielsen measurement is too. All measurement systems are flawed, but we do not live in a world where it’s NOT badly flawed for House, Lost and HBO’s The Wire, but is badly flawed for Jericho. If you want to live in that world and it makes you feel better, that’s fine. But, that’s as fictional as your favorite show.
It took me less than a month to watch the first three seasons of Lost. It probably took me less than 3 weeks to watch the first three seasons of House. I made it through four seasons of The Wire in less than a month. If it makes you feel any better, probably 10x as many people watch Jericho than The Wire, though if they stuck it on CBS at Tuesday’s at 10pm, I’m not so sure The Wire wouldn’t pull similar numbers to Jericho. I started watching Jericho Season One well over a month ago. I haven’t made it through yet.
Like most people, I watch television to be entertained. Jericho is a good fit for me theoretically. Apocalypse? Surviving the end of the world? That has “I LOVE IT” written all over it. Only I don’t love it. I like the basic story just fine. I think mostly the acting ranges from good to very good, too. What sucks for me is some of the storyline and the pacing.
Based on viewership and a very loyal following of fans, I think the show could do fine on a non-major broadcast network (that pretty much leaves CW on broadcast and SciFi, USA, and a host of other options on cable). But I’m not sure if it continues after this year because it seems to me like there is only so much room with the story arc to keep it interesting. That’s the only reason I can come up for the show being so miserably paced. They could’ve made a really good two hour movie out of the premise, or perhaps even a 10 hour miniseries. I’m not sure it’s cut out for episodic television without being as plodding as it is.
I don’t want to hear about how I’m a lover of reality shows. I’m not. In fact, there’s nothing on my DVR that’s unscripted that isn’t broadcast by ESPN. So spare me the “You love crap like American Idol” harassment. I don’t watch American Idol. I admit I did recently add Extreme Makeover: Home Edition just because I wanted to see what it is because it pulled in more viewers than Oprah’s Big Give. I’d have bet money on Oprah, and as with most of my wagering, I would’ve lost the bet.
Everything else I watch outside of sports is scripted drama. I personally enjoy Supernatural much more than Jericho. I thought the story arc involving Sam & Dean’s dad that played out over the first two seasons was extremely good. I still enjoyed season three, but the current story arc isn’t as interesting as the previous one, but I think the writers did a fair job of Season 3 anyway (I reserve the right to change my mind when new episodes begin airing!).
I grant that it could just be me. It seems like most episodic television winds up having parts I don’t love. That’s true for me with LOST, extremely true for me with Heroes, and true for me with one of my all-time favorites, 24. Any part of 24 that dwells on Jack’s daughter, Kim? Eh. Just not important to me. I understand why they do it and at least in season 2 (I think) there was some humor in it when she wound up at some crazy guy’s house in the woods and it was none other than Kevin Dillon (Johnny Drama on Entourage – and yes, I LOVE Entourage!), but those story lines don’t interest me. But it’s one small thing that I can ignore.
It’s not as easy to ignore with Jericho. At least if I’m not drinking when I watch it. There are way too many storylines in Jericho that don’t interest me so far. Dale’s rise to becoming a murderous gangster? Yawn. Anything to do with Eric and his sordid love life? Yawn.
Amazingly I actually do very much enjoy the interplay between Stanley (Brady Beyer) and Mimi (Alicia Coppola) and I give some love to Stanley’s little sister Bonnie (Shoshannah Stern) because I enjoyed Showtime’s Weeds where Ms. Stern spent a season.
And while Ashley Scott is quite lovely, the Emily character itself has been a real snooze (at least through the first 18 episodes). If I was writing the show I’d have focused more on the Jake Green (Skeet Ulrich) and Robert Hawkins (Lennie James) characters. Both are interesting and to the degree that their characters have been explored through the first 75% of Season One, it’s been interesting.
I suspect for the loyal following the reason that they love the show is the same reason I don’t: a very large ensemble cast, with a sprawling storyline that must focus a little on each of them. If the writers/producers can find the energy to do it off a broadcast network, I’d definitely recommend they do it. But CBS will almost certainly cancel this show from its primetime schedule, and there’s nothing that can stop that because the ratings are not going to increase by 3 million people. You don’t find three million new viewers who’ll jump in during the middle.
Online streaming won’t stop that. Neither will iTunes and most certainly neither will the DVR viewing (1.5 million DVR viewers for the premiere, about 1.25 million for the episode that aired the week after).
Please note that if you’re a huge fan of Jericho – I’m sorry. I’d much rather agree with you that it’s the best thing since high-speed Internet access, but I don’t. I’m not alone in that either. Still, for the sake of the show’s fans I do hope the show winds up living on somewhere – but CBS? I don’t think so.
If it turns out 10 million (or you know what, even 9 million) watch I’ll put my tail between my legs. 10.2 million people watched a rerun of CSI: Miami last night and it pulled a 2.7 in the 18-49 demo. If it beats that performance? I swear on my mother’s grave, I’ll eat nothing but nuts for a whole year. Probably not a hardship I LOVE sunflower kernels. I am a big fan of cashews and peanuts too. And don’t even get me started on pistachios, because once I start, I can’t stop.
I predict I’ll be able to eat an egg sandwich tomorrow with impunity.
March 11th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Totally agree about the pacing of Jericho. It’s why I don’t watch. Take the promotional image of the series? – The one that’s actually in the right sidebar – it looks very intriguing. Put out a movie with that same premise, it’d be a hit. But I’ve tried getting into it multiple times and the town drama just had me looking for another channel.
That said, even 24, as much as I love it, was starting to grate on me last season. The Kim plotlines were always ridiculous, but luckily after the whole “Kim runs from a cougar” debacle I think they wised up pretty quick. What’s taking that show down now is they’re getting too far outside the draw of the show’s pacing, and getting mired in way too fantastical a universe and top eschelon politics and drama.
Give me back the earlier seasons where Jack was just going non-stop, with a much grittier, mysterious feel to it. I don’t need to see Martha going nuts and stabbing her husband, everyone going around LA to find cannisters for half a day, or the whole guidance chip fiasco from last season.
I will, however, give them kudos for actually giving Jack’s cellphone a piece of the terrorist body count. You have to know Verizon was loving it.
March 11th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Totally agree about the pacing of Jericho. It's why I don't watch. Take the promotional image of the series? – The one that's actually in the right sidebar – it looks very intriguing. Put out a movie with that same premise, it'd be a hit. But I've tried getting into it multiple times and the town drama just had me looking for another channel.
That said, even 24, as much as I love it, was starting to grate on me last season. The Kim plotlines were always ridiculous, but luckily after the whole “Kim runs from a cougar” debacle I think they wised up pretty quick. What's taking that show down now is they're getting too far outside the draw of the show's pacing, and getting mired in way too fantastical a universe and top eschelon politics and drama.
Give me back the earlier seasons where Jack was just going non-stop, with a much grittier, mysterious feel to it. I don't need to see Martha going nuts and stabbing her husband, everyone going around LA to find cannisters for half a day, or the whole guidance chip fiasco from last season.
I will, however, give them kudos for actually giving Jack's cellphone a piece of the terrorist body count. You have to know Verizon was loving it.
March 11th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Believe it or not, I agree with you that pacing during most of the first season of Jericho was lackluster. But then around episode 17 or 18 it got a lot better, and has continually gotten better throughout Season 2. I think most Jericho fans agree that the show was not gangbusters out of the gate. Everything you complain about from Dale’s rise as the town shopkeeper to Eric’s love triangle has been scrapped in Season 2, except the Mimi-Stanley story that you actually liked. So finish watching season one, then watch season two. You aren’t going to hold a lot of credibility with Jericho fans by criticizing a show you have not fully watched.
About Nielsen I will say this: I think your arguments about Nielsen, DVR, etc., although that’s mostly because I am not educated enough about Nielsen to see any other arguments. I also don’t know anything about who becomes a Nielsen family. I don’t know any.
March 11th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Believe it or not, I agree with you that pacing during most of the first season of Jericho was lackluster. But then around episode 17 or 18 it got a lot better, and has continually gotten better throughout Season 2. I think most Jericho fans agree that the show was not gangbusters out of the gate. Everything you complain about from Dale's rise as the town shopkeeper to Eric's love triangle has been scrapped in Season 2, except the Mimi-Stanley story that you actually liked. So finish watching season one, then watch season two. You aren't going to hold a lot of credibility with Jericho fans by criticizing a show you have not fully watched.
About Nielsen I will say this: I think your arguments about Nielsen, DVR, etc., although that's mostly because I am not educated enough about Nielsen to see any other arguments. I also don't know anything about who becomes a Nielsen family. I don't know any.
March 11th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Wow, i get that you don’t like the show, But wow, talk about a bitter write-up… Man, i think someone forgot to take their prozac today!
March 11th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Wow, i get that you don't like the show, But wow, talk about a bitter write-up… Man, i think someone forgot to take their prozac today!
March 11th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
IN addendum, you are missing the point, people are not saying the Neilsons are biased against Jericho, what is being said, is that more people are watching Jericho via non-traditional means than are watching other shows. And before you get all high and Neilson on me about how Neilsons are what power the revenue from Ad Dollars, we know this, we are just pointing out that more people watch the show than are being counted.
March 11th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
IN addendum, you are missing the point, people are not saying the Neilsons are biased against Jericho, what is being said, is that more people are watching Jericho via non-traditional means than are watching other shows. And before you get all high and Neilson on me about how Neilsons are what power the revenue from Ad Dollars, we know this, we are just pointing out that more people watch the show than are being counted.
March 11th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Matthew,I don’t love the show. I explained why. It wasn’t bitter. I wished the show was better, but per Mike B’s recommendation above I am plodding on.
ALL shows have more people watching than are being counted by Nielsen. But, it’s all relative. More people are watching Lost via the Internet than Jericho. More people are watching Lost on their TVs too, and more people are watching Lost on their DVRs. More people are downloading Lost from iTunes..
March 11th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Matthew,I don't love the show. I explained why. It wasn't bitter. I wished the show was better, but per Mike B's recommendation above I am plodding on.
ALL shows have more people watching than are being counted by Nielsen. But, it's all relative. More people are watching Lost via the Internet than Jericho. More people are watching Lost on their TVs too, and more people are watching Lost on their DVRs. More people are downloading Lost from iTunes..
March 11th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
I don’t believe you do like this show since every week you go out of your way to trash it. I think this is my last time reading your post. I hope if Jericho does make it another season you will have the “stuff” to admit you were wrong but I doubt you will.
March 11th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
I don't believe you do like this show since every week you go out of your way to trash it. I think this is my last time reading your post. I hope if Jericho does make it another season you will have the “stuff” to admit you were wrong but I doubt you will.
March 11th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
by the way, Nielsen is an antiquated system and should be abolished, it has done nothing but kill decent shows and save trash.
March 11th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
by the way, Nielsen is an antiquated system and should be abolished, it has done nothing but kill decent shows and save trash.
March 11th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Kennith: Huh?
every week — including THIS post I write it makes sense on another network other than CBS and that I hope for the fans sake there is a 3rd season on another network.
If it comes back for a 3rd season on another network I will not have the stuff to admit I was wrong since…I won’t be. If it comes back for a 3rd season on CBS, you will see pieces like “CBS agrees with Jericho fans — cites 10 MILLION viewers who DONT watch the show via traditional television as reason for pickup.”
If THAT happens? Oh yeah, I’ll admit I was wrong, every day, all season long. Count on it.
March 11th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Kennith: Huh?
every week — including THIS post I write it makes sense on another network other than CBS and that I hope for the fans sake there is a 3rd season on another network.
If it comes back for a 3rd season on another network I will not have the stuff to admit I was wrong since…I won't be. If it comes back for a 3rd season on CBS, you will see pieces like “CBS agrees with Jericho fans — cites 10 MILLION viewers who DONT watch the show via traditional television as reason for pickup.”
If THAT happens? Oh yeah, I'll admit I was wrong, every day, all season long. Count on it.
March 11th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
P.S. Kennith: I am a free market capitalist. If you have a problem with Nielsen, take it up with CBS because CBS from what I gather pays Nielsen more money than any other client. Posting “Nielsen is antiquated” comments on the Internet won’t do any good. The television companies and advertisers need to be up in arms about it. They (the networks and the advertisers) do want some changes to the system, but “up in arms” they are not.
March 11th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
P.S. Kennith: I am a free market capitalist. If you have a problem with Nielsen, take it up with CBS because CBS from what I gather pays Nielsen more money than any other client. Posting “Nielsen is antiquated” comments on the Internet won't do any good. The television companies and advertisers need to be up in arms about it. They (the networks and the advertisers) do want some changes to the system, but “up in arms” they are not.
March 11th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
This doesn’t seem like all that bad a review, if anything what he said was true. I absolutely LOVE Jericho, but the crazy love triangle and the Frodoish character of Dale and the whiny Heather doing absolutely nothing was starting to kill the show. So what do they do? Mid season 1, they start axing people left and right (I won’t spoil who!) and the pace really picks up. The first 5 episodes of season 2 honestly rival the first episodes of season 4 for Lost this year in my opinion. The writers know they only have a few shows left and thus have ramped up the pace ten fold. Keep watching, you’ll enjoy it!
March 12th, 2008 at 12:55 am
This doesn't seem like all that bad a review, if anything what he said was true. I absolutely LOVE Jericho, but the crazy love triangle and the Frodoish character of Dale and the whiny Heather doing absolutely nothing was starting to kill the show. So what do they do? Mid season 1, they start axing people left and right (I won't spoil who!) and the pace really picks up. The first 5 episodes of season 2 honestly rival the first episodes of season 4 for Lost this year in my opinion. The writers know they only have a few shows left and thus have ramped up the pace ten fold. Keep watching, you'll enjoy it!
March 11th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
So how did Jericho do last night?
March 12th, 2008 at 1:01 am
So how did Jericho do last night?
March 11th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Hi, I just wanted to say I’ve seen every episode of Jericho and the reviewer is completely right. In fact, he said it was a good fit for him as it is for me. But somehow something in this show is off. I love these genre shows but Jericho just doesn’t cut it for me. About the other shows you mentioned, also I agree with every point you make, talk about similar taste. So I don’t think it will come as a surprise that my fave show at the moment is TSCC. That being said I will still always root for shows like Jericho because these kind of shows will always be better than self-contained episode shows or…ugh, reality tv.
March 12th, 2008 at 1:54 am
Hi, I just wanted to say I've seen every episode of Jericho and the reviewer is completely right. In fact, he said it was a good fit for him as it is for me. But somehow something in this show is off. I love these genre shows but Jericho just doesn't cut it for me. About the other shows you mentioned, also I agree with every point you make, talk about similar taste. So I don't think it will come as a surprise that my fave show at the moment is TSCC. That being said I will still always root for shows like Jericho because these kind of shows will always be better than self-contained episode shows or…ugh, reality tv.
March 11th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
I understand that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but it is not an opinion when you are telling someone what to think. No one tells me what I like. I know what I like and I know what I think. I think that the Nielson Ratings are outdated and that they become a chore after a few days. CBS has other means to rate a show besides the Nielson. People like you, trying to tell people like me what to think are what is beginning to turn this into a Fahrenheit 451 escque society. Your “reports” are biased against shows that you just simply don’t like. Like others besides me have said, you go out of your way to trash Jericho. Just because you don’t like a show, that does not mean that absolutely everyone thinks the same as you.
March 12th, 2008 at 2:08 am
I understand that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but it is not an opinion when you are telling someone what to think. No one tells me what I like. I know what I like and I know what I think. I think that the Nielson Ratings are outdated and that they become a chore after a few days. CBS has other means to rate a show besides the Nielson. People like you, trying to tell people like me what to think are what is beginning to turn this into a Fahrenheit 451 escque society. Your “reports” are biased against shows that you just simply don't like. Like others besides me have said, you go out of your way to trash Jericho. Just because you don't like a show, that does not mean that absolutely everyone thinks the same as you.
March 11th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Also, I am sorry if that sounded kind of harsh.
March 12th, 2008 at 2:09 am
Also, I am sorry if that sounded kind of harsh.
March 11th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
You are correct in at least one aspect though, being a free marked capitalist, the basis of capitalism is making money and entrepreneurship. If a show does not make much money BUT has a large fan base that clearly exists, then there should be better ways of dealing with the show than just simply canceling it. In business, there is a saying, “The customer is always right.” In this case the customers are the viewers of the shows on the networks. Here are some simple steps people could take to save Jericho.
1. People who watch Jericho could sign up for the Nielson.
2. CBS can go on an advertising campaign.
3. The viewers could send in 3 terabytes of emails saying why CBS should not cancel Jericho.
4. People can start a grass roots campaign to spread the word about Jericho.
5. People can have fund raisers, helping to keep Jericho on the air.
March 12th, 2008 at 2:21 am
You are correct in at least one aspect though, being a free marked capitalist, the basis of capitalism is making money and entrepreneurship. If a show does not make much money BUT has a large fan base that clearly exists, then there should be better ways of dealing with the show than just simply canceling it. In business, there is a saying, “The customer is always right.” In this case the customers are the viewers of the shows on the networks. Here are some simple steps people could take to save Jericho.
1. People who watch Jericho could sign up for the Nielson.
2. CBS can go on an advertising campaign.
3. The viewers could send in 3 terabytes of emails saying why CBS should not cancel Jericho.
4. People can start a grass roots campaign to spread the word about Jericho.
5. People can have fund raisers, helping to keep Jericho on the air.
March 11th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
I misspelled market as marked for some reason.
March 12th, 2008 at 2:21 am
I misspelled market as marked for some reason.
March 12th, 2008 at 12:46 am
Robert, Thank you for the website. It is absolutely wonderful. I hope to see Jericho on for another season. I hope it stays on CBS but if not, agree with you about moving to another network. I do have one question that is somewhat irrelevant. You had mentioned one time before about the DVD sales for Jericho. Is there anywhere to get those numbers? I know it all has to do with ratings, but if you had that information, it would be some nice geewhiz information to know. Thanks for your time.
March 12th, 2008 at 3:46 am
Robert, Thank you for the website. It is absolutely wonderful. I hope to see Jericho on for another season. I hope it stays on CBS but if not, agree with you about moving to another network. I do have one question that is somewhat irrelevant. You had mentioned one time before about the DVD sales for Jericho. Is there anywhere to get those numbers? I know it all has to do with ratings, but if you had that information, it would be some nice geewhiz information to know. Thanks for your time.
March 12th, 2008 at 1:00 am
You know, I actually like the Dale character, but I do hope that the show sticks around.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:00 am
You know, I actually like the Dale character, but I do hope that the show sticks around.
March 12th, 2008 at 2:59 am
I have to say…despite my disagreement with the author regarding Nielsens…there is one thing we, as Jericho fans, should be APPLAUDING him on. And, that is, he has FAITHFULLY done an article almost solely on Jericho every week since Season 2 began. He is simply reporting the numbers. While it is depressing, he is actually doing us a service in giving us the facts, quickly. If we couldn’t get out there and get 3 million more folks to watch the broadcast time of Jericho, then that isn’t his fault. CBS, however, should be taking a lot more of the blame. Fans being required to “get the viewership up,” without decent promotion by the network (Strike 1), without a decent timeslot (Strike 2), and without at LEAST a 13 episode committment to help advance the storyline for those new viewers (Strike 3)…well, they’re behind the eight ball from the get-go. I think the most likely outcome of this, is that Jericho will, indeed, be cancelled. If it makes it to another network, we will be EXTREMELY lucky, because we are not hearing much on that front. FNL has already…after just a few weeks…interest from Direct TV in a partnership to air the episodes one day prior to NBC. This Jericho business has been going on for almost a year and there’s no move yet. I think CBS probably feels like the martyr now…as in, “Oh look…we did this really nice thing for the fans and put their little show back on…no numbers? Oh well…too bad. We tried REALLY HARD.” @@ And, they pat us on the head and move on.
In short…let’s don’t kill the messenger. It blows, but our ire is better directed toward CBS, or…just chalked up. At the very least, I think the fan ressurection of Jericho has put the spotlight on traditional ratings gathering and left an interesting footnote in TV history. Maybe that’s all it was meant to do.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:59 am
I have to say…despite my disagreement with the author regarding Nielsens…there is one thing we, as Jericho fans, should be APPLAUDING him on. And, that is, he has FAITHFULLY done an article almost solely on Jericho every week since Season 2 began. He is simply reporting the numbers. While it is depressing, he is actually doing us a service in giving us the facts, quickly. If we couldn't get out there and get 3 million more folks to watch the broadcast time of Jericho, then that isn't his fault. CBS, however, should be taking a lot more of the blame. Fans being required to “get the viewership up,” without decent promotion by the network (Strike 1), without a decent timeslot (Strike 2), and without at LEAST a 13 episode committment to help advance the storyline for those new viewers (Strike 3)…well, they're behind the eight ball from the get-go. I think the most likely outcome of this, is that Jericho will, indeed, be cancelled. If it makes it to another network, we will be EXTREMELY lucky, because we are not hearing much on that front. FNL has already…after just a few weeks…interest from Direct TV in a partnership to air the episodes one day prior to NBC. This Jericho business has been going on for almost a year and there's no move yet. I think CBS probably feels like the martyr now…as in, “Oh look…we did this really nice thing for the fans and put their little show back on…no numbers? Oh well…too bad. We tried REALLY HARD.” @@ And, they pat us on the head and move on.
In short…let's don't kill the messenger. It blows, but our ire is better directed toward CBS, or…just chalked up. At the very least, I think the fan ressurection of Jericho has put the spotlight on traditional ratings gathering and left an interesting footnote in TV history. Maybe that's all it was meant to do.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:55 am
There are many fans of Jericho (myself included) that felt the first half of season one moved at a slower pace than it should have so you’re not alone there. However, like some shows you listed – Heroes, Entourage, LOST, Supernatural – they’re all unique and I think viewers are seeking out this brand more than they used to.
I don’t like nielsen, I don’t trust them and try as you may, they ARE antiquated. How can you POSSIBLY think they are not when they still use paper diaries! That is mind boggling. You can’t say they aren’t antiquated just because they monopolize the sampling market.
Their sampling size is 25,000 to 113 million. That is not representative. That is outrageous and ridiculous! Not just for Jericho, for all shows. I’d like to hear your thoughts about the live DTV measurement.
Jericho fans followed this on 3/4 and noticed Jericho a strong #2 out of the gate at 10pm EST, and even spiked to #1 for 15 minutes. But then dropped to #2 in the last 10 minutes of the hour. That is not what nielsen reported.
Central time reported they carried #1 on DTV.
DTV has 16 million subscribers, at least. If only a fraction of that number opts in for the live measurement, I’d say that is a MUCH more accurate sample than nielsen is providing. How do you explain that?
March 12th, 2008 at 7:55 am
There are many fans of Jericho (myself included) that felt the first half of season one moved at a slower pace than it should have so you're not alone there. However, like some shows you listed – Heroes, Entourage, LOST, Supernatural – they're all unique and I think viewers are seeking out this brand more than they used to.
I don't like nielsen, I don't trust them and try as you may, they ARE antiquated. How can you POSSIBLY think they are not when they still use paper diaries! That is mind boggling. You can't say they aren't antiquated just because they monopolize the sampling market.
Their sampling size is 25,000 to 113 million. That is not representative. That is outrageous and ridiculous! Not just for Jericho, for all shows. I'd like to hear your thoughts about the live DTV measurement.
Jericho fans followed this on 3/4 and noticed Jericho a strong #2 out of the gate at 10pm EST, and even spiked to #1 for 15 minutes. But then dropped to #2 in the last 10 minutes of the hour. That is not what nielsen reported.
Central time reported they carried #1 on DTV.
DTV has 16 million subscribers, at least. If only a fraction of that number opts in for the live measurement, I'd say that is a MUCH more accurate sample than nielsen is providing. How do you explain that?
March 12th, 2008 at 5:18 am
I’m not one of those fans who sent nuts to CBS. In fact, up until a couple of months ago Jericho was just the name of a TV show that I’d heard rumblings about. I decided to check it out and found the same problem you did. The first half of the season was awkwardly paced, with storylines I really wasn’t that interested in and acting that was good, but nothing that blew my mind. I kept watching though, *wanting* to like it. I slowly made my way through the first season and the further I got into it, the more my opinion and interest it the show began to shift. By the time I’d reached episode 18, Jericho had meet eating out of the palm of its hand. The season finale let my jaw hanging open because I couldn’t believe what was happening and that the show had been canceled after *that*. The most recent season, with perhaps the exception of the first episode, have left me beyond impressed.
I honestly and truly believe that if you want to write the most informed article on this show, you should finish it. The shortened season has probably been the best thing creatively to happen to this show since they were forced to cut out a lot of the excess and the last two episodes that have air have completely blown me away, especially Brad Beyer’s (Stanley Richmond) performace. You’ve stopped just before getting to the good stuff. I’m not expecting you to change your mind and suddenly decide Jericho is the show for you, but at least you’ll be able to see both the good and the bad this show has offered us. Right now, your opinion to me seems like its missing all the information.
I don’t care how we get a third season, there is more to tell with this story. I think the creaters have found their storytelling stride and it would be a shame to see it go completely off the air. Put it on USA, Sci Fi, I really don’t care, just put it on and keep it on.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:18 am
I'm not one of those fans who sent nuts to CBS. In fact, up until a couple of months ago Jericho was just the name of a TV show that I'd heard rumblings about. I decided to check it out and found the same problem you did. The first half of the season was awkwardly paced, with storylines I really wasn't that interested in and acting that was good, but nothing that blew my mind. I kept watching though, *wanting* to like it. I slowly made my way through the first season and the further I got into it, the more my opinion and interest it the show began to shift. By the time I'd reached episode 18, Jericho had meet eating out of the palm of its hand. The season finale let my jaw hanging open because I couldn't believe what was happening and that the show had been canceled after *that*. The most recent season, with perhaps the exception of the first episode, have left me beyond impressed.
I honestly and truly believe that if you want to write the most informed article on this show, you should finish it. The shortened season has probably been the best thing creatively to happen to this show since they were forced to cut out a lot of the excess and the last two episodes that have air have completely blown me away, especially Brad Beyer's (Stanley Richmond) performace. You've stopped just before getting to the good stuff. I'm not expecting you to change your mind and suddenly decide Jericho is the show for you, but at least you'll be able to see both the good and the bad this show has offered us. Right now, your opinion to me seems like its missing all the information.
I don't care how we get a third season, there is more to tell with this story. I think the creaters have found their storytelling stride and it would be a shame to see it go completely off the air. Put it on USA, Sci Fi, I really don't care, just put it on and keep it on.
March 12th, 2008 at 6:24 am
Just as an FYI to Trish, Paper diaries are only a small part of the Neilson system, the main part, where the overnights etc coem from, are done from boxes hooked up to the family’s tv to see what they watch.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Just as an FYI to Trish, Paper diaries are only a small part of the Neilson system, the main part, where the overnights etc coem from, are done from boxes hooked up to the family's tv to see what they watch.
March 12th, 2008 at 6:48 am
Outside of the very start, and very end, I thought season 1 of Jericho was bad. I only watched it because I thought the show was interesting for its post nuclear attack scenario.
Season 2 however, has been excellent. I don’t watch television much, but season 2 of Jericho is the sort of show I enjoy. Fast paced with no filler.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Outside of the very start, and very end, I thought season 1 of Jericho was bad. I only watched it because I thought the show was interesting for its post nuclear attack scenario.
Season 2 however, has been excellent. I don't watch television much, but season 2 of Jericho is the sort of show I enjoy. Fast paced with no filler.
March 12th, 2008 at 6:56 am
Actually, I have to agree with you. I’m as big a Jericholic as anyone, and the first half of the season REALLY drags. You can almost start watching it from the midseason recap episode and not really lose that much. The second half of the season is way more Jake/Hawkins/action centered, and the pacing ratchets up very nicely towards the end.
That being said, the second season is *very* good, but a little bit confusing if you’re not already familiar with the characters. The pacing issues are gone (if anything, it might be TOO fast paced for casual/first time viewers, which probably hurt it in the ratings) and the show as a whole is a lot tighter.
Too bad it won’t be back.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Actually, I have to agree with you. I'm as big a Jericholic as anyone, and the first half of the season REALLY drags. You can almost start watching it from the midseason recap episode and not really lose that much. The second half of the season is way more Jake/Hawkins/action centered, and the pacing ratchets up very nicely towards the end.
That being said, the second season is *very* good, but a little bit confusing if you're not already familiar with the characters. The pacing issues are gone (if anything, it might be TOO fast paced for casual/first time viewers, which probably hurt it in the ratings) and the show as a whole is a lot tighter.
Too bad it won't be back.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:05 am
Matthew, I’m well aware of people meters which make up the majority. My point in mentioning the paper diaries is that it’s ridiculous to think such a method is even used today in conjunction with the box sampling.
Not only do you have to consider human error in the diaries, there’s also human error with the meters because nielsen families still have to indicate when and what they are watching.
We are in an age where human interaction is not needed in the measurement equation at all.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Matthew, I'm well aware of people meters which make up the majority. My point in mentioning the paper diaries is that it's ridiculous to think such a method is even used today in conjunction with the box sampling.
Not only do you have to consider human error in the diaries, there's also human error with the meters because nielsen families still have to indicate when and what they are watching.
We are in an age where human interaction is not needed in the measurement equation at all.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:09 am
with or without the paper (and it was without) Jericho pulled a 3.7/6 last night in the preliminary #s. for comparitive purposes Big brother had a 3.5/5 and a repeat of NCIS had a 6.2/10. I’ll post the viewer #s as soon as I can.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:09 am
with or without the paper (and it was without) Jericho pulled a 3.7/6 last night in the preliminary #s. for comparitive purposes Big brother had a 3.5/5 and a repeat of NCIS had a 6.2/10. I'll post the viewer #s as soon as I can.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:41 am
Well, if you haven’t seen the last few episodes of last season and the ones from this season, you really have no room to talk about Jericho because it is a different animal then the first half of the season. If you like the STanley Mimi set up, just be prepared.
This season is amazing and packs an emotional wallop that is almost too real to handle. Honestly, I don’t think every show will appeal to everybody, but you are doing a write up on something that actually doesn’t even exist anymore if you haven’t even finished season 1. *That* is what is not right here. If you are going to critique the show in anyway you need to watch it through last night’s episode first.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Well, if you haven't seen the last few episodes of last season and the ones from this season, you really have no room to talk about Jericho because it is a different animal then the first half of the season. If you like the STanley Mimi set up, just be prepared.
This season is amazing and packs an emotional wallop that is almost too real to handle. Honestly, I don't think every show will appeal to everybody, but you are doing a write up on something that actually doesn't even exist anymore if you haven't even finished season 1. *That* is what is not right here. If you are going to critique the show in anyway you need to watch it through last night's episode first.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:56 am
The rating system is flawed, but not totally inaccurate. It is inaccurate on some shows, and on some demographics. I wonder how many colleges have those magical boxes. I know mine doesn’t. I know of others that dont as well. that is a huge portion of the 18-49 demo.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:56 am
The rating system is flawed, but not totally inaccurate. It is inaccurate on some shows, and on some demographics. I wonder how many colleges have those magical boxes. I know mine doesn't. I know of others that dont as well. that is a huge portion of the 18-49 demo.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Robert,
I think your view of Jericho will change a lot when you get to watch season 2. Because CBS only made 7 episodes they had to take out most of the back stories and focus on just the meat of the show. This causes Jake (Skeet) and Hawkins (Lennie) to get way more screen time. I really think season 2 is your type of show!
March 12th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Robert,
I think your view of Jericho will change a lot when you get to watch season 2. Because CBS only made 7 episodes they had to take out most of the back stories and focus on just the meat of the show. This causes Jake (Skeet) and Hawkins (Lennie) to get way more screen time. I really think season 2 is your type of show!
March 12th, 2008 at 8:17 am
I disagree on the assumption that if neilsons are accurate for shows like AI, house, CSI and others how can it not be accurate for Jericho? I think the whole system is flawed to where such a small percentage of people judge what the rest of us watch. I know of one person that has been a neilsons viewer my whole life, I am 33, have been to two different colleges, worked several jobs, and know a wide enough range of people well enough to know if they have been or not. So how can I be accurately represented, or the people I know represented when one person is representing 30k-60k homes? or whatever ridiculous ratio they have. There isn’t even a statement on the neilson charts that show a +/- margin for error like they do in political polling. How can that be? I would think that there are more dvr’s in homes than Neilson boxes, my idea is to scrap the system and track what people record and use that to be a more accurate view of what people watch.
March 12th, 2008 at 11:17 am
I disagree on the assumption that if neilsons are accurate for shows like AI, house, CSI and others how can it not be accurate for Jericho? I think the whole system is flawed to where such a small percentage of people judge what the rest of us watch. I know of one person that has been a neilsons viewer my whole life, I am 33, have been to two different colleges, worked several jobs, and know a wide enough range of people well enough to know if they have been or not. So how can I be accurately represented, or the people I know represented when one person is representing 30k-60k homes? or whatever ridiculous ratio they have. There isn't even a statement on the neilson charts that show a +/- margin for error like they do in political polling. How can that be? I would think that there are more dvr's in homes than Neilson boxes, my idea is to scrap the system and track what people record and use that to be a more accurate view of what people watch.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Jacob — here’s a curious thing: Nielsen only just recently began installing people meters in some college dorms. Prior to this a huge section of the “18-34″ (and the 18-49 too) was missed. Now it’s in some dorms but it’s a tiny # (I want to say less than 200).
Keith: I’m definitely planning to watch Season 2 — I’ll let you know.
March 12th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Jacob — here's a curious thing: Nielsen only just recently began installing people meters in some college dorms. Prior to this a huge section of the “18-34″ (and the 18-49 too) was missed. Now it's in some dorms but it's a tiny # (I want to say less than 200).
Keith: I'm definitely planning to watch Season 2 — I'll let you know.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:46 am
I don’t think scrapping the system entirely and just using records is effective because only the people with DVR will be tracked and even then, only what they record, nothing live will be captured. I think a hybrid of internet streaming, random samplings and DVR records are the best method to really gauge how popular a show it.
March 12th, 2008 at 11:46 am
I don't think scrapping the system entirely and just using records is effective because only the people with DVR will be tracked and even then, only what they record, nothing live will be captured. I think a hybrid of internet streaming, random samplings and DVR records are the best method to really gauge how popular a show it.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:36 am
If you don’t like the show change the channel.
You DON’T have to trash it.
There’s a lot of people who LOVE it and want it to continue.
NUTS TO YOU!!!
March 12th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
If you don't like the show change the channel.
You DON'T have to trash it.
There's a lot of people who LOVE it and want it to continue.
NUTS TO YOU!!!
March 12th, 2008 at 10:13 am
If advertisers want the 18-34 range, would you think neilson should have done that along time ago? Yes I am a Jericho fan, and I want it to continue, but that is not why I have an issue with Neilson. I believe the system needs fixed, but when it gets fixed it will need fixed again. After all nothing is Perfect.
March 12th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
If advertisers want the 18-34 range, would you think neilson should have done that along time ago? Yes I am a Jericho fan, and I want it to continue, but that is not why I have an issue with Neilson. I believe the system needs fixed, but when it gets fixed it will need fixed again. After all nothing is Perfect.
March 12th, 2008 at 11:03 am
hmmm, well you sure made your views on this known, and with the way the ratings appear, you are all comfortable thinking it will be canceled. Here is what you have forgotten, CBS has been writing about online monies to be made, and they are now getting that live viewership is being offset by this.
Now i have to wonder at why such a long write up over a show you expect to be ended? Have nothing else to bash, so hopefully when someone hears you wrote a bad review they will come here in droves, right??? good for your stats anyway.
The BOTTOM LINE IS CBS WILL DO WHAT IT DEEMS BEST FOR CBS, regardless of what “reviewers” such as yourself write, so we are not done yet… not by a long shot.
March 12th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
hmmm, well you sure made your views on this known, and with the way the ratings appear, you are all comfortable thinking it will be canceled. Here is what you have forgotten, CBS has been writing about online monies to be made, and they are now getting that live viewership is being offset by this.
Now i have to wonder at why such a long write up over a show you expect to be ended? Have nothing else to bash, so hopefully when someone hears you wrote a bad review they will come here in droves, right??? good for your stats anyway.
The BOTTOM LINE IS CBS WILL DO WHAT IT DEEMS BEST FOR CBS, regardless of what “reviewers” such as yourself write, so we are not done yet… not by a long shot.
March 12th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Nielson and the electorial College are both outdated systems. There is a far easier and more Accurate way to measure the Vote for Office and the TV viwership that doesn’t give a 1% measure the decision of who gets the $$$ DTV has whats Hot and I am sure Dish can easily install such system along with a majority of the cable Companys. The internet is already a Measured media so thats solved along with itunes and other forms of viewing.
Answer me this if Jericho is so terrible how come it is constatly #1 1 on Amazon ,Itunes and such I will Tell you why. Because people can not sit up till 11pm on a work night when they have to get up at 4 or 5 am to go to work.
March 12th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Nielson and the electorial College are both outdated systems. There is a far easier and more Accurate way to measure the Vote for Office and the TV viwership that doesn't give a 1% measure the decision of who gets the $$$ DTV has whats Hot and I am sure Dish can easily install such system along with a majority of the cable Companys. The internet is already a Measured media so thats solved along with itunes and other forms of viewing.
Answer me this if Jericho is so terrible how come it is constatly #1 1 on Amazon ,Itunes and such I will Tell you why. Because people can not sit up till 11pm on a work night when they have to get up at 4 or 5 am to go to work.
March 12th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
And intelligent people who are responsible enough to hold jobs in the morning are the ones who watch Jericho.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
And intelligent people who are responsible enough to hold jobs in the morning are the ones who watch Jericho.
March 12th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
I’m from Belgium, you know, we invented “french” fries and our waffles are from brussels (as the muscles).I’m a huge fan of Jericho,episode 4 season 2 blew me away… I really want this show to continue, please stop the negative comments. I’m not familiar with the ratings, but seems to me it’s not looking good. Lost, House, blabla, … I can predict what’s going to happen next…but Bonnie’s death? Come on? This show is so intense, I have to watch it 10 minutes a day!!!So I beg u, America, let this show go on. Do it for me, WenD, JC VanDamme’s little neighbour, I can make amazing “belgian” fries, waffles, no? anybody….????
March 12th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
I'm from Belgium, you know, we invented “french” fries and our waffles are from brussels (as the muscles).I'm a huge fan of Jericho,episode 4 season 2 blew me away… I really want this show to continue, please stop the negative comments. I'm not familiar with the ratings, but seems to me it's not looking good. Lost, House, blabla, … I can predict what's going to happen next…but Bonnie's death? Come on? This show is so intense, I have to watch it 10 minutes a day!!!So I beg u, America, let this show go on. Do it for me, WenD, JC VanDamme's little neighbour, I can make amazing “belgian” fries, waffles, no? anybody….????
March 12th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Please?
March 12th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Please?
March 12th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Jericho’s premise was awesome. The execution was horrible. It quickly turned from a “what if” show to a daytime soap opera full of hunkiness. I honestly do not know one single person who watches the show other than my grandma. I’ve tried to get into conversations about the fight against the establishment with co-workers and friends, but to be honest, most have never even heard of the show.
I’ve followed the ratings and message board since it began and to be quite honest, I now believe the rabid fanbase to be completely obnoxious and so removed from reality it’s almost comical. How many times do I have to read how some poll on the internet of a “best tv show” category is completely void of Jericho, only to have the Jericho brigade fudge the numbers by repeatidly voting all night. And then they have the nerve to come back and claim how popular it is. I mean comon. If Jericho never seems to be listed anywhere, if nobody is talking about it, if the ratings are poor, maybe the truth of the matter is that it’s just not a good show afterall?
But no, let’s ignore all this real life evedince and tell everyone that if they don’t watch it, they must either be reality tv watchers or just too dumb to “get” Jericho.
These are the same fans who pleaded on other shows message boards to help them in the fight, because one day their show may be canceled too. And now it’s the time of year when other shows are being canceled and people are coming to Jericho fans for assistance, but instead are getting the cold shoulder and told to just start watching Jericho instead since it’s the best thing since slice cheese.
Most close minded, arrogant, and obnoxious fans EVER.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Jericho's premise was awesome. The execution was horrible. It quickly turned from a “what if” show to a daytime soap opera full of hunkiness. I honestly do not know one single person who watches the show other than my grandma. I've tried to get into conversations about the fight against the establishment with co-workers and friends, but to be honest, most have never even heard of the show.
I've followed the ratings and message board since it began and to be quite honest, I now believe the rabid fanbase to be completely obnoxious and so removed from reality it's almost comical. How many times do I have to read how some poll on the internet of a “best tv show” category is completely void of Jericho, only to have the Jericho brigade fudge the numbers by repeatidly voting all night. And then they have the nerve to come back and claim how popular it is. I mean comon. If Jericho never seems to be listed anywhere, if nobody is talking about it, if the ratings are poor, maybe the truth of the matter is that it's just not a good show afterall?
But no, let's ignore all this real life evedince and tell everyone that if they don't watch it, they must either be reality tv watchers or just too dumb to “get” Jericho.
These are the same fans who pleaded on other shows message boards to help them in the fight, because one day their show may be canceled too. And now it's the time of year when other shows are being canceled and people are coming to Jericho fans for assistance, but instead are getting the cold shoulder and told to just start watching Jericho instead since it's the best thing since slice cheese.
Most close minded, arrogant, and obnoxious fans EVER.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
How fair or accurate can the Nielson ratings be when 3 families on the same block are Nielson families??? I know this for a fact – I deliver their mail.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
How fair or accurate can the Nielson ratings be when 3 families on the same block are Nielson families??? I know this for a fact – I deliver their mail.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Wen D, buy the DVDs off Amazon or buy a seasons pass of iTunes and CBS may care about the Belgian demographic, otherwise, sadly, not so much.
How did you let the French co-opt your fries like that?
March 12th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Wen D, buy the DVDs off Amazon or buy a seasons pass of iTunes and CBS may care about the Belgian demographic, otherwise, sadly, not so much.
How did you let the French co-opt your fries like that?
March 12th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Mr. Seidman, I apologize for the harshness of my previous comments. Please accept my apologies.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Mr. Seidman, I apologize for the harshness of my previous comments. Please accept my apologies.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Jack, no problem. I’m fairly thick skinned and believe if I can’t take the heat I shouldn’t post my opinions for the world to see. I understand your motivation is you really love the show and I do not hold that against you. But I appreciate the good will, thank you.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Jack, no problem. I'm fairly thick skinned and believe if I can't take the heat I shouldn't post my opinions for the world to see. I understand your motivation is you really love the show and I do not hold that against you. But I appreciate the good will, thank you.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Like a lot of Jericho fans, I wasn’t blown away with the first half or so of season one, but stuck around because the DVR kept recording it, and I DID like the actual characters. It was obviously trying to figure out what kind of show it wanted to be, and I suspect the network has something to do with that (knowing how networks like to fiddle around with shows). But by the last four or five episodes, I remember thinking, when did this show get so good? The payoff was very satisfying, and probably contributed to the rabid-ness of it’s fans.
Now, here we are almost done with season two, and the show has gone above and beyond my fannish expectations. It’s very exciting. Every person I harassed about this show last year has thanked me for showing them the way to something so fun on their television.
Of course the ratings are disappointing. But the online numbers (downloads, streaming, etc) are telling. The new generation likes their tv on the go, and if CBS really wants the money of the youngsters, they should start paying attention. CBS themselves have said that the advertisers are raring to go over online content. That in itself tells me that the giant corporations are finally starting to see the pull of the internet.
Will Jericho get another season? Eh, I don’t know. I would LOVE it if it did (NBC has shown it can nurture some rating challenged shows, but they don’t have much else right now, do they?), but I think that networks should start looking to where the kids are getting their entertainment and get on board or get out of the way.
I hope you enjoy the rest of season one, and dive head first into season two. It really is a lovely ride.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:21 am
Like a lot of Jericho fans, I wasn't blown away with the first half or so of season one, but stuck around because the DVR kept recording it, and I DID like the actual characters. It was obviously trying to figure out what kind of show it wanted to be, and I suspect the network has something to do with that (knowing how networks like to fiddle around with shows). But by the last four or five episodes, I remember thinking, when did this show get so good? The payoff was very satisfying, and probably contributed to the rabid-ness of it's fans.
Now, here we are almost done with season two, and the show has gone above and beyond my fannish expectations. It's very exciting. Every person I harassed about this show last year has thanked me for showing them the way to something so fun on their television.
Of course the ratings are disappointing. But the online numbers (downloads, streaming, etc) are telling. The new generation likes their tv on the go, and if CBS really wants the money of the youngsters, they should start paying attention. CBS themselves have said that the advertisers are raring to go over online content. That in itself tells me that the giant corporations are finally starting to see the pull of the internet.
Will Jericho get another season? Eh, I don't know. I would LOVE it if it did (NBC has shown it can nurture some rating challenged shows, but they don't have much else right now, do they?), but I think that networks should start looking to where the kids are getting their entertainment and get on board or get out of the way.
I hope you enjoy the rest of season one, and dive head first into season two. It really is a lovely ride.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:35 am
“What sucks for me is some of the storyline and the pacing.”
This is a sentiment I’ve heard quite a bit regarding the early half of the first season, and I have no quarrel with it. (Nor do I have much sympathy for the “Nielsen bad, me yum-yum” level of thinking expressed by many of my fellow Jericho fans.)
But one thing that seems to get lost in recent examinations, and is of minor import, I suppose, is that those early episodes I think reeled in a certain sort of person who was familiar with the written genre the “first” time it came around the pike or was there to resonate against it. The writers tipped their caps (or brazenly borrowed from) the novel “Alas, Babylon” on many occasions, and that fifth-grade ringing really was enough for me for some time.
In fact, aside from the super-soapy elements, I quite liked the “Little Home on the Apocalyptic Prarie” routine. And I was sorely relieved when things were largely de-Lost-ified in episode 19 (”A.K.A.”), even though the show devolved pretty much into a shoot-’em-up.
So, I’m positing a certain intersection of sets, a winnowing, instead of a snoring-away, of viewers. What hay could possibly be made with this going forward, I do not know.
But I do think there’s an explanation for the high early ratings, and I tentatively claim it in the name of the geezers, such as myself.
March 13th, 2008 at 4:35 am
“What sucks for me is some of the storyline and the pacing.”
This is a sentiment I've heard quite a bit regarding the early half of the first season, and I have no quarrel with it. (Nor do I have much sympathy for the “Nielsen bad, me yum-yum” level of thinking expressed by many of my fellow Jericho fans.)
But one thing that seems to get lost in recent examinations, and is of minor import, I suppose, is that those early episodes I think reeled in a certain sort of person who was familiar with the written genre the “first” time it came around the pike or was there to resonate against it. The writers tipped their caps (or brazenly borrowed from) the novel “Alas, Babylon” on many occasions, and that fifth-grade ringing really was enough for me for some time.
In fact, aside from the super-soapy elements, I quite liked the “Little Home on the Apocalyptic Prarie” routine. And I was sorely relieved when things were largely de-Lost-ified in episode 19 (”A.K.A.”), even though the show devolved pretty much into a shoot-'em-up.
So, I'm positing a certain intersection of sets, a winnowing, instead of a snoring-away, of viewers. What hay could possibly be made with this going forward, I do not know.
But I do think there's an explanation for the high early ratings, and I tentatively claim it in the name of the geezers, such as myself.