Beijinhos *****
Flora

These big networks want killer instant ratings out of the box for EVERY show. It’s a shame. The days of putting on a quality program, nurturing it, and watching the viewers build is over. At least the cable networks are willing to stick with something that looks promising and has compelling storylines. The first season of Damages on FX was absolutely riveting. But, a show like that wouldn’t stand a chance on CBS. The same goes for The Closer, Monk, Mad Men, and any other show on FX, USA, or TNT. The big networks, CBS in particular, try to “brand” everything they air as their type of show. Why can’t they just allow the creative minds to create? Everything has to be tweaked and homogenized to the point that many of the shows look and feel the same. No wonder all of the ground breaking television happens on the small cable nets. The big 4 need to get a clue.

Yes, yes. I know Supernanny is a cheaper show to produce, but it still begs the question to ABC: Was it worth it?

Interesting. I would say I’m a moonlight fan and was VERY surprised that it got cancelled as a “peoples choice award” winner. I must say the premise of the ex-list is stupid. Can’t imgagine going a full season of that. Makes her look very promiscuous. Never was interested.

I also think that those of you here who attack or make fun of the moonlight fans are kind of low class people. why else would you make fun of them?

If you mean “not get a second season”, yes.

If you mean “not last past November sweeps”, maybe.

Regardless of how anyone felt about the show, Moonlight had a predominantly female audience – the same audience that CBS is trying to lure with The Ex List. But due to the abrupt handling of Moonlight’s cancellation and the negative comments by CBS heads directed at that show’s fans, I suspect those viewers are unattainable for CBS in the near future. As I have not watched one single show on CBS since last May, I count myself as one of them. And, yes, I am in the desired 18-49 demographic. But, no, I am not some “crazed” Moonlighter, trolling the net for places to post my vitriol toward other shows’ fans. Moonlight was a genre show that fit well behind Ghost Whisperer. The fact that the show CBS has replaced Moonlight with is doing very poorly one year later, is worthy of discussion. It has been pointed out all over the industry just how popular the vampire genre currently is with various books, movies, and TV shows in production. Most of the other networks gave last season’s moderately rated shows a chance, due to the strike. Granted, some of those shows are not doing so well this season. As has been discussed so many times ad nauseum, why wouldn’t CBS follow the same model? Especially with a show whose genre has gained popularity and growth within the desired demo (women). Some have even proclaimed 2008 as the “Year of the Vampire”. IMO, CBS was foolish to cancel the ONLY genre specific show that they aired, especially one with a ratings base of 7.5 million somewhat rabid fans (90% of whom were probably female heads of household). It was a bad decision in May, and given Ex List’s poor premiere numbers, it’s an even worse decision now. And after the way “I” as a loyal viewer, was treated by the CBS, I think it is fair to allow the Moonlight fans to gloat just a little bit.

Much of the discussion about Moonlight’s 7.5 million viewer finale leave out the fact that at that time, the show had already survived 5 showrunners, serious meddling from CBS brass, and a 4 month writers’ strike. The Ex List has already lost its creative leader in Diane Ruggiero, who claims network interference for her departure. She was the best thing that the show had going for it.

CBS better hope that Harper’s Island is ready BEFORE mid season. It looks like they’re going to need it.

In a nutshell, we think that availability of eyeballs rather than “how much cash they spend” drives the focus on the under 50 crowd.

Melinda, you seem to be confused about something. It’s not us here on this site who think the 18-49 demo is the one advertisers want. It’s fact that that is what advertisers want. They have done extensive market research and found that the over 49 year olds are not the ones spending the most, even if you and others have the extra cash. There are various reasons for this (saving for retirement, spending money on their kids’ college education, brand loyalty is pretty well solidified by that age, etc.) but the fact remains the same.

Vampire stories have been done before and done better, Angel, Dark Shadow than what Moonlight was proposing. People who matter for the TV business, those with Nielsen box, have cast their votes and send Moonlight packing. It will not come back on CBS or any other Networks. Really, have asked yourself this question: if Moonlight was so popular and had the potential to be the next Star Trek, which I doubt, why hasn’t ANY Networks be it one of the big four, CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, or any of the cable channels picked it up?

Moonlight is done, no matter what you do it isn’t coming back. You don’t watch CBS because of it? Fine but do not believe for one second that will have any impact on their ratings unless you have that Nielsen box. Of all the big four Networks CBS is doing fine with or without the Moonlight fans, thank you.

It is really great that Warner Borhters has given the loyal fans of Moonlight a DVD set. Maybe something will come of that.

There was a post I read that talked about the romance in Moonlight and how good it was to see some of this on TV today amd there many of us out here that really agree about this aspect also. Even though I too so not fall between 18-49, I would believe like ScarecrowMrsKing wrote, that people of our age 50’s & 60’s watch more television and have more spending money than the 18-49 age bracket as our children are all groown. The Oil of Oley was funny, but true and the networks are loaded with face/wrinkle cream adds !!

The Ex List is really a bad show, no matter what time slot it is on. Anyone know how old Nina Tassler is????

CBS still has 9 or 10 of the Top 20 shows – its doing rather well. Very few Moonlight fans will actually stop watching CBS permanently – they arent insane enough to think that boycotting CBS will bring it back.