Comments on: We Look Back At The Top TV Shows of 2002 http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/04/26/we-look-back-at-the-top-tv-shows-of-2002/3513 Nielsen TV Show Ratings, Data and More Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:27:43 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Craig W http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/04/26/we-look-back-at-the-top-tv-shows-of-2002/3513#comment-72570 Craig W Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:27:05 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/04/26/we-look-back-at-the-top-tv-shows-of-2002/3513#comment-72570 It's interesting to go through old ratings and see how many sitcoms were canceled after one or two seasons despite being firmly in the top 20. It appears it has to do with the drop-off compared to the hit show that preceded it. I wonder if a different strategy could've saved the sitcom. I miss the days of when there was a good chance that you could find a sitcom at almost anytime between 8 and 10 on the Big Four. These hour-long crime dramas are such a drag. It’s interesting to go through old ratings and see how many sitcoms were canceled after one or two seasons despite being firmly in the top 20. It appears it has to do with the drop-off compared to the hit show that preceded it. I wonder if a different strategy could’ve saved the sitcom. I miss the days of when there was a good chance that you could find a sitcom at almost anytime between 8 and 10 on the Big Four. These hour-long crime dramas are such a drag.

]]> By: Doug http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/04/26/we-look-back-at-the-top-tv-shows-of-2002/3513#comment-10728 Doug Sat, 26 Apr 2008 21:17:57 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/04/26/we-look-back-at-the-top-tv-shows-of-2002/3513#comment-10728 The big difference between now and that was ABC's complete reinvention in 2004/2005, when it launched Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, Lost, DWTS, and to a lesser extent, Boston Legal. EM: HE also became a huge hit. It really was a dream season for a network. Will we ever see the likes of it again? The big difference between now and that was ABC’s complete reinvention in 2004/2005, when it launched Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy, Lost, DWTS, and to a lesser extent, Boston Legal. EM: HE also became a huge hit. It really was a dream season for a network. Will we ever see the likes of it again?

]]> By: Doug http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/04/26/we-look-back-at-the-top-tv-shows-of-2002/3513#comment-18613 Doug Sat, 26 Apr 2008 21:17:57 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/04/26/we-look-back-at-the-top-tv-shows-of-2002/3513#comment-18613 The big difference between now and that was ABC's complete reinvention in 2004/2005, when it launched Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, Lost, DWTS, and to a lesser extent, Boston Legal. EM: HE also became a huge hit. It really was a dream season for a network. Will we ever see the likes of it again? The big difference between now and that was ABC's complete reinvention in 2004/2005, when it launched Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, Lost, DWTS, and to a lesser extent, Boston Legal. EM: HE also became a huge hit. It really was a dream season for a network. Will we ever see the likes of it again?

]]> By: Outlander http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/04/26/we-look-back-at-the-top-tv-shows-of-2002/3513#comment-10691 Outlander Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:38:37 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/04/26/we-look-back-at-the-top-tv-shows-of-2002/3513#comment-10691 I think the biggest difference between the Top 20 shows in 2002 and the Top 20 shows in 2008 is the percentage of reality tv. The two Survivors were the only reality shows in the Top 20. In 2008, year to date, the top 20 shows include 7 reality shows -- which, because of multi-day airings for Dancing With The Stars and American Idol, actually count as 10. So, it looks to me like the sitcom was displaced by reality shows. I don't know that a reality show attracts the same audience as a sitcom (I certainly get my fair share of laughs in during a reality show, but most of these reality shows are competition-based.) However, I'm reminded of the old adage that the hardest thing to create is a good comedy show. Maybe the networks have taken that to heart and would rather spend their money on reality. I think the biggest difference between the Top 20 shows in 2002 and the Top 20 shows in 2008 is the percentage of reality tv. The two Survivors were the only reality shows in the Top 20.

In 2008, year to date, the top 20 shows include 7 reality shows — which, because of multi-day airings for Dancing With The Stars and American Idol, actually count as 10.

So, it looks to me like the sitcom was displaced by reality shows. I don’t know that a reality show attracts the same audience as a sitcom (I certainly get my fair share of laughs in during a reality show, but most of these reality shows are competition-based.) However, I’m reminded of the old adage that the hardest thing to create is a good comedy show. Maybe the networks have taken that to heart and would rather spend their money on reality.

]]> By: Outlander http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/04/26/we-look-back-at-the-top-tv-shows-of-2002/3513#comment-18612 Outlander Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:38:37 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/04/26/we-look-back-at-the-top-tv-shows-of-2002/3513#comment-18612 I think the biggest difference between the Top 20 shows in 2002 and the Top 20 shows in 2008 is the percentage of reality tv. The two Survivors were the only reality shows in the Top 20. <br><br>In 2008, year to date, the top 20 shows include 7 reality shows -- which, because of multi-day airings for Dancing With The Stars and American Idol, actually count as 10.<br><br>So, it looks to me like the sitcom was displaced by reality shows. I don't know that a reality show attracts the same audience as a sitcom (I certainly get my fair share of laughs in during a reality show, but most of these reality shows are competition-based.) However, I'm reminded of the old adage that the hardest thing to create is a good comedy show. Maybe the networks have taken that to heart and would rather spend their money on reality. I think the biggest difference between the Top 20 shows in 2002 and the Top 20 shows in 2008 is the percentage of reality tv. The two Survivors were the only reality shows in the Top 20.

In 2008, year to date, the top 20 shows include 7 reality shows — which, because of multi-day airings for Dancing With The Stars and American Idol, actually count as 10.

So, it looks to me like the sitcom was displaced by reality shows. I don't know that a reality show attracts the same audience as a sitcom (I certainly get my fair share of laughs in during a reality show, but most of these reality shows are competition-based.) However, I'm reminded of the old adage that the hardest thing to create is a good comedy show. Maybe the networks have taken that to heart and would rather spend their money on reality.

]]> By: Rado http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/04/26/we-look-back-at-the-top-tv-shows-of-2002/3513#comment-10686 Rado Sat, 26 Apr 2008 15:02:36 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/04/26/we-look-back-at-the-top-tv-shows-of-2002/3513#comment-10686 Just 4 years ago E.R. was still a hit! I miss Friends and Raymond but don't care about West wing and JAG! And Fox is missing from the top.. Just 4 years ago E.R. was still a hit!
I miss Friends and Raymond but don’t care about West wing and JAG! And Fox is missing from the top..

]]> By: Rado http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/04/26/we-look-back-at-the-top-tv-shows-of-2002/3513#comment-18611 Rado Sat, 26 Apr 2008 15:02:36 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/04/26/we-look-back-at-the-top-tv-shows-of-2002/3513#comment-18611 Just 4 years ago E.R. was still a hit! <br>I miss Friends and Raymond but don't care about West wing and JAG! And Fox is missing from the top.. Just 4 years ago E.R. was still a hit!
I miss Friends and Raymond but don't care about West wing and JAG! And Fox is missing from the top..

]]> By: dave http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/04/26/we-look-back-at-the-top-tv-shows-of-2002/3513#comment-10684 dave Sat, 26 Apr 2008 14:46:42 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/04/26/we-look-back-at-the-top-tv-shows-of-2002/3513#comment-10684 Wow, has the sitcom fallen from grace. NBC Thursday's comedy block is better in quality today than it was when Friends anchored it, but look it the ratings difference. My theory is that sitcoms target today's non-TV watching youth. Everybody I know under 25 watches the office.(albeit illegally downloaded or on HULU) If sitcoms targeted a slightly older demo they would be wildly successful again. Samantha Who and Two and Half Men are the only network sitcoms whose star characters aren't in their 20's. Wow, has the sitcom fallen from grace. NBC Thursday’s comedy block is better in quality today than it was when Friends anchored it, but look it the ratings difference. My theory is that sitcoms target today’s non-TV watching youth. Everybody I know under 25 watches the office.(albeit illegally downloaded or on HULU) If sitcoms targeted a slightly older demo they would be wildly successful again. Samantha Who and Two and Half Men are the only network sitcoms whose star characters aren’t in their 20’s.

]]> By: dave http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/04/26/we-look-back-at-the-top-tv-shows-of-2002/3513#comment-18610 dave Sat, 26 Apr 2008 14:46:42 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/04/26/we-look-back-at-the-top-tv-shows-of-2002/3513#comment-18610 Wow, has the sitcom fallen from grace. NBC Thursday's comedy block is better in quality today than it was when Friends anchored it, but look it the ratings difference. My theory is that sitcoms target today's non-TV watching youth. Everybody I know under 25 watches the office.(albeit illegally downloaded or on HULU) If sitcoms targeted a slightly older demo they would be wildly successful again. Samantha Who and Two and Half Men are the only network sitcoms whose star characters aren't in their 20's. Wow, has the sitcom fallen from grace. NBC Thursday's comedy block is better in quality today than it was when Friends anchored it, but look it the ratings difference. My theory is that sitcoms target today's non-TV watching youth. Everybody I know under 25 watches the office.(albeit illegally downloaded or on HULU) If sitcoms targeted a slightly older demo they would be wildly successful again. Samantha Who and Two and Half Men are the only network sitcoms whose star characters aren't in their 20's.

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