Despite diminishing ratings since its premiere, including a 2.0 adults 18-49 rating in the final numbers for last night, NBC has already announced it is picking Southland up for 13 episodes, according to reports from The Hollywood Reporter and Variety.
I mentioned this elsewhere, but it belongs here. One of the articles says this will be a Fall show. I don’t see how with the content. It’s not a 9 p.m. show; regardless of quality.
David, I don’t think NBC is probably particularly worried about sticking show’s like Southland and L&O: SVU on at 9pm.
Guess I’m behind the times. Sure don’t feel that old. I remember when Hill Street Blues was a questionable 10 p.m. show.
Will biggest loser be just an hour then?
Color me shocked.
WB is probably doing a happy dance that NBC’s upfronts are so soon compared to other nets, based on the ratings trend of SOUTHLAND.
How low is it going to go in two weeks, against GREY’S ANATOMY’s two-hour finale (I’m assuming the second hour will air against SOUTHLAND)?
lopan, I could be wrong, but I don’t see them changing things with The Biggest Loser — and its best hour has been 9p-10p and that’s one of NBC’s best hours of the week. So if you’re going to break it up, or even shorten it, you’re still going to want to air it at 9pm. Who knows, perhaps L&O: SVU won’t air until the winter.
This has to be at least somewhat of a positive sign for Chuck, if NBC is willing to bring back a show with free-falling ratings that are lower than Chuck’s in a less competitive time slot. I hope so, anyway. And Southland will surely be in a 9pm slot while I see Chuck probably competing for an 8pm slot.
I dont know much about how things work but when I saw the title my heart sank thinking since 1 hour is now devoted to southland thats 1 less chance chuck will get renewed.
Maybe they will renew chuck for 13 episodes since southland is only 13 … thats a full season with both shows added together right?
Like Robert mentioned, SVU could air during the winter from Jan-May for 18 episodes, or go into June if NBC wants to have a full 22 episodes. I can see NBC pairing it with LO (logical) when it comes back mid season.
>>> This has to be at least somewhat of a positive sign for Chuck
The way SOUTHLAND’s ratings are going south in a hurry, in a week or two we could joke this renewal is a positive sign for KNIGHT RIDER or LIFE
>>> Maybe they will renew chuck for 13 episodes since southland is only 13
Oftimes, a network will order 13 episodes, then if the show does well, order 9 more for a full season.
I am beginning to think Eric Bischoff is running NBC.
hahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahaha. Why is NBC doing bad?!
Look above the the renewal.
NBC and “Earl” producer 20th TV are in negotiations for a full-season pickup. Odds are also in favor of renewals for “Medium,” probably as a midseason replacement again, and for veteran “L&O.” “Chuck” also is still in contention.
Don’t joke about Life, some of us actually liked the show a lot! And will miss it of course…
There’s no way SVU will be a winter show.
SVU has the second highst demo for a scripted show on NBC, it repeats very well, and it can be an a good lead-out for a crime procidural next season.
I’m so sick of the put downs of Southland by Chuck fans, I hope Chuck is canceled. And I never felt that way until I read the trash talking on the ‘net.
>> Don’t joke about Life, some of us actually liked the show a lot!
I’ve seen every episode, and enjoyed the series.
However, it’s ratings certainly are worthy of joking about! (Unfortunately)
Very happy for Southland.
I hope they renew Medium and Law & Order. 2 of the most intelligent show on their schedule. On the other hand, i think it’s time to go for My Name Is Earl.
I’m thinking NBC might try to split the difference with The Biggest Loser, and make it 90 minutes while trying to piggy-back a new comedy with it.
I’m so happy for Southland, it’s a great show.
I hope Medium will be renewed
My Name Is Earl should be cancelled
Yay for Southland; hopefully it will bounce back now. Southland is an awesome show; it shows why cop shows can be extremely awesome. !!! Hurray!!!
So, are these good or bad news for Chuck?
I dont know, Im kinda stressed. Too many shows are being renewed already. On the other hand, cancelling Chuck seems just stupid. If southland with worse ratings and worse competition gets picked up…
Also, I dont really like some of the articles on the internet and their nature, as if Medium is probably renewed, L&O is probably renewed, MNiE is probably renewed and Chuck may, or may not come along.
Anyway, we know for sure that one of the shows mentioned above are cancelled, right? Or is there possibility that all of them will be picked up?
It’s weird considering it seems that Southland has been caught in a Kings death spiral. WB must have almost given them the show for free.
All the negative comments by Chuck fans directed at other shows is going to bite Chuck in the behind. The more you, Chuck fans, wish ill towards other shows, the more it’s going to affect your show in a negative manner.
And now I’ve read on ausiellofiles that decision might not be made in time (may 4th). I really, really dont like this:(
TomSD, I agree 100% that SVU won’t be held for midseason. I think every original episode has scored higher than even the highest Southland episode. And in addition to its solid demo #s, SVU scores very well with 18-34.
I don’t know Southland but i really hope that Chuck is gonna be renewed too, that would be so unfair if not.
And please, not every chuck fan criticize the others shows. Don’t generalize, please!
Jane and Alana,
it’s okay for Chuck haters to put the show down but when Chuck roots for other shows being cancelled it’ wrong? I don’t jknow what’s more annoying, all the support for the show or all the whining about it.
i watched Southland and thought it was horrible… its like a scripted Cops or as someone else termed it an ER styled drama with cops…
seriously, if ppl like that show and think thats so good (or good enough for a renewal) i understand why The Unusuals is doing so poorly…
I’m happy for Southland fans and I happen to be a big Chuck fan also. But to be fair, in the past week I’ve seen so many articles pitting NBC shows against one another that I don’t find the rivalry and backlash surprising (I think even this site has a cage match forum for Chuck vs. Medium). That being said, we should all be focusing our ire on NBC and their Leno plan which is taking up 1/3 of the prime time real estate, thus forcing fans to defend their favorites. If not for Leno, all the quality programs such as Southland, Chuck, Life, and Medium would probably be back next year without question.
I actually commented on TWOP that I’d hate to see Chuck get a renewal amidst the current schadenfreude atmosphere. If the fans are percieved poorly, then we’ll have trouble recruiting new viewers for fall and that’s the next step in the Chuck survival guide. Renew…then replicate. Actually…that last step is crucial for any of you trying to save a show…take the time to spread the word so the numbers are stronger come fall for your fave.
Congrats to Southland and good luck to the rest of us.
Very happy and not surprised. Even though it took a beating this week, it’s been in NBC’s top 3 (and was number 1 for 2 weeks) for the last 3 weeks
SOUTHLAND is a definate keeper for NBC?wow
Im very surpirsed by this-seems to be losing numbers and its not that great hasnt found its footing.
WOW NBC is all over the map
seems like every network is scrambling
shows i dont think will be picked up are and shows i think should stay arent
and im not just talking shows i like
i m talking shows the numbers say arent working
NBC must not have too much faith in this show considering it’s only a 13 episode order. It’s looking like NBC doesn’t have faith in very much with a lot of 13 episode orders. This makes me wonder if they think they have some pilots that they expect to fair better next year. Should be an interesting upfront on Monday.
I don’t get it. I like the show and it’s good to see it get renewed, but I don’t know why NBC did it. This show has very low ratings, even by NBC standards. The execs must be really desperate.
I’m not too surprised by this renewal. I am surprised by how early NBC decided to announce it before any other shows. I wonder why NBC decided to single out Southland compare to the other TV series.
I like the show personally. I do wish the show show focused more on the patrol cops more than the detectives, since I do not find there back story very interesting.
For those feeling bad about the renewal of southland and NOT chuck, please check and READ again the name of the article. If your not happy that southland is renewed, then go somewhere else like Eonline’s save one show(SOS) and vote for chuck under endangered(extinct?) tv series for u to help the future of ur fave show and not here ecause we’re rejoicing SOUTHLAND is renewed.
NBC may figure that once Office and 30 Rock perk back up the lead-in numbers will siphon more viewers into Southland. Didn’t both of those shows hit season lows this week? The early renewal announcement may have been that extra show of confidence to keep viewers tuned in and the negative press at bay. I suppose if the bottom drops out next week they can still cancel it, they’ve got plenty of pilots, even without renewing their bubble shows.
Ok, with Leno getting 5 of the fifteen hours in a week, that leaves 10 left for everything else right?
So, Southland is 1 now.. 9 left.
Already guarantees:
Heroes (1)
30 Rock (.5)
Office (.5)
My Name Is Earl (.5)
Parks & Recreation (.5)
Law and Order: SVU (1)
Biggest Loser (let’s say 1.5)
Dateline (1)
So 6.5 pretty well set. Adding southland, 7.5.
They have a commitment to “The Marriage Ref” which as a Seinfield property is guaranteed a slot, whether it’s a .5 or a 1 who knows yet. I have a feeling if it’s a full hour Biggest Loser just drops to an hour. So, you’re at 8 with 2 hours left. Does Chuck get one of those slots? Who knows.
I’m wondering if this wasn’t set before the numbers from this week….
As for the time difference, I can see Southland and SVU working at 9, but I’m not sure they could put either at 8 without getting some protests, which leaves some questions. Will they split Loser into two nights and schedule SVU and Southland after it? Will one be put on Monday? I can’t imagine either being cheap enough for Friday.
Chris, don’t kid yourself. The Biggest Loser will be 2 hours. But unless there was some news I missed over the past few days while I’ve been mostly offline, My Name is Earl is not guaranteed, so it works out to the same. Of course that half hour spot on Thursday will definitely go to a comedy, so there’s only 2 hours available on the schedule. If Heroes and Day One share a timeslot in fall/spring, that means means NBC can pick up one new show and there are still 2 hours available. I assume The Marriage Ref will either be paired with Celebrity Apprentice in the spring or fill up time on Fridays (where NBC will not put a scripted drama that is not heavily subsidized). Since it’s Seinfeld, I’m betting Sundays in spring. If you discount the one hour on Friday not taken up by Dateline, there’s really only one hour left in the fall. Either NBC only premieres one new drama in the fall, or Chuck will not be on the fall schedule.
Thats a bit simplisctic, as there are summer and winter schedules, Cancellations, different episode orders etc.
It could be estimated there are 16.5 hours worth in the Renew/Cancel index, 7.5 have already been cancelled. So that would leace 2.5 hours of new shows.
I don’t see them cancelling any further shows, just on smaller episode orders. They may have a bit more money due to leno’s costs, so they could have a few more hours of new episodes in the schedule
this made my day iam happy know
I’m not surprised they’ve decided to renew Southland and I suspect the deal was probably done before this weeks numbers, whether NBC is now questioning the wisdom of picking it up his early is another matter entirely and if they aren‘t they should be. I’d also guess that this being a John Wells production has helped to speed up the renewal process and get NBC on board. As it is I quite like the show, I think it still needs some work one its focus and pacing in particular but the bare bones for a very good show are in place and its just a question of building on them.
In terms of where the hell this goes on the schedule who knows! Wednesday at 9 seems like the only open slot in the fall unless NBC decides to try scheduling Friday’s…
“it’s okay for Chuck haters to put the show down but when Chuck roots for other shows being cancelled it’ wrong? I don’t jknow what’s more annoying, all the support for the show or all the whining about it.”
All I’ve seen is Chuck fans making every show thread, here and elsewhere, about Chuck. I haven’t seen all this “hate” for Chuck you’re talking about, but I’ve seen the show’s fans wishing for cancellation for just about every other show on NBC. I don’t think most people care about Chuck one way or another (I know I don’t, and have never actively wished for it to go away, at least until now), nor have I seen a lot of posts hoping for its demise. But the fans are turning me off the whole thing. This is supposed to be a thread about Southland’s renewal, not yet another campaign site for the “Chuck is the Bestest Show in the World” club.
If Chuck gets canceled, it will be because Chuck has had two or three years to find an audience, and it hasn’t. Southland has had three weeks in a timeslot that’s changing. So, if you want to get people to watch Chuck, quit with the nasty jabs at shows other people actually enjoy and get a more positive message out there about the show itself.
There are also rumours that this pick up might eventually be part of Warner “big deal” with NBC:
“There’s also chatter at this late hour that Warners is in the midst of a big ol’ deal with NBC that includes “Southland” plus a third-season renewal for “Chuck” and greenlight for David E. Kelley pilot “Legally Mad” — after all three projects took a slight haircut in budget. But that’s just email chatter at this point, no confirmation yet. (Sorry all you “Chuck” devotees.)”
http://weblogs.variety.com/on_the_air/2009/05/southland-picked-up-by-nbc-and-maybe-emphasize-maybe-chuck-too.html
I’d also speculate that this could be a result of poor screenings by Legally Mad and another shows whose name I cannot remember. NBC has a quality show here, but not great numbers. This could be bet hedging. It could also signal NBC’s move to multiple shows of short season orders. With the Olympics in the Winter, NBC gets a Fall launch and a Winter/Spring launch – 13 in the Fall and 18 in the Winter/Spring. Some shows are bound to fail in the Fall, and if they have break away hit in the Fall, then a slight change in schedule could fix that. Renewing Southland falls right in with this wild, and completely unsubstantiated, guess.
Oh Jane, be fair.
I’m a huge Chuck fan, but I’m not wanting EVERY nbc show besides it to fail!
I tried to watch Southland, but while it seemed like it had a good show, it wasn’t a show I really cared for. The fact it’s already down to 6 million viewers….not looking good.
And Chuck has only had 1.5 years to “draw an audience.” Most of my friends haven’t even heard of the show, and when I show them the Season One dvds, they fall in love. Chuck reminds me a lot of “How I Met your Mother.” A show that took like 3 years before it wasn’t “on the bubble.”
Anyways, good for Southland fans (are there any?)!
Yay, I’m happy for Southland!
Is there a site where we can find what the NBC execs thought of the new pilots? Like Legally Mad, Day One etc..?
There are Southland fans out there and they’re happy for the show. They’re just more mature than the Chuck fans who have nothing better to do than to invade any board that talks about ratings and badmouth shows that they see as a rival of Chuck’s.
People who are fans of shows that aren’t Chuck are turned off by tvbythenumbers since Chuck fans have taken over everything here. Just look at what they’ve done to this thread.
i agree holy both are too mature for that kind of time change.
they would get alot of flak for it..imo
really surprised at this, but I don’t think it will affect Chuck too much, as obviously it needs to be at 9. I’m guessing wednesdays or fridays.
The way I see it, I love Chuck but NBC already gave it a second chance returning this year, Southland will probably have a broader appeal in terms of the 18-49 demo, even though it is waning it could grow. To be honest I feel like NBC isn’t going to renew Chuck, for 3 months (Dec-Feb) Chuck seemed like a lock for renewal but it began to decline, even though in the last few episodes it trended upwards NBC isn’t going to be as leniant with Chuck as it is Southland, but i hope i’m wrong and chuck returns.
SVU and SL on the same night, makes the most sense
Not surprising, since it won’t be airing at 10 don’t be shocked if it lands on fridays, but I doubt it will return midseason.
Actually Southland sucked this past week and as such the numbers reflected it, its got promise but its still trying to find its self, a full 13 show ark will allow the writers to develop the character lines more. My take is it will become a study in these various cops lives on and off the job, which frankly doesn’t interest me too much.
Chuck will be renewed, so everyone just relax, but quite frankly if I bash another show its because it needs it. I watch just about everything atleast once and have done this for 35 odd years or so, so I know when a show is good or not.
The ratings system is flawed, the people within the Nielsen system suffer from chronic bad taste, this is not new its been this way forever. And as such NBC renews a struggling show, why because the ratings are simply not the only deciding factor, in the big picture over time they are considered but NBC knows they are going to score low so the bar is set low to begin with.
There is talk NBC is unofficially for sale, maybe WB should buy it, who knows, but it would be interesting.
I’m sorry some of you are put off by the chuck discussion, but this site is a discussion site, free speech is a bitch isn’t it. They could turn off the comments but that is kinda self defeating since this is more a discussion site then a repository of numbers. I spend about an hour on this site daily, no comments, 5 minutes tops, so the creators of this website keep it open, they’re probably loving it, controversy is always good for ratings, heh even in the website game.
ment holly not holy
and hudson check the http://futoncritic.com/home.aspx#pilots
Southland is a great show but does anyone else think there are way too many characters of the show — personally I think the show should center on rookie cop Ben McKenzie who can get an emmy nod.
It’s one of the best new shows on tv — the best show being ABC’s Castle.
To be honest I didn’t mind this weeks episode of Southland but then I quite like the female detective character and think along with the rookie beat cop she’s probably the best character in the show. I agree with the general assessment that the show’s finding its feet, developing its characters and story arcs though. It needs time to develop and as a fan of the show I’m happy NBC is going to give it another 13 episodes to do that but the numbers trend is awful so the pressure is going to be on for those 13 episodes.
This is good news! Last week’s episode was carried by Regina King, but they need to focus on the beat cops more!
“I’m a huge Chuck fan, but I’m not wanting EVERY nbc show besides it to fail!
I tried to watch Southland, but while it seemed like it had a good show, it wasn’t a show I really cared for. The fact it’s already down to 6 million viewers….not looking good.
And Chuck has only had 1.5 years to “draw an audience.” Most of my friends haven’t even heard of the show, and when I show them the Season One dvds, they fall in love. Chuck reminds me a lot of “How I Met your Mother.” A show that took like 3 years before it wasn’t “on the bubble.”
Anyways, good for Southland fans (are there any?)!”
I rest my case. And it’s looking fine: Southland got renewed.
“I’m sorry some of you are put off by the chuck discussion, but this site is a discussion site, free speech is a bitch isn’t it. They could turn off the comments but that is kinda self defeating since this is more a discussion site then a repository of numbers. I spend about an hour on this site daily, no comments, 5 minutes tops, so the creators of this website keep it open, they’re probably loving it, controversy is always good for ratings, heh even in the website game.”
Actually, this thread was set up as a Southland renewal discussion, not as a forum for more Chuck whining, so take it up with the site’s owner and explain free speech to him.
@Jake
anything is better than Castle, even the moldy CBS procedurals, that is really not a compliment.
For chuck fans out there.
http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b121695_chuck_decision_delayed_week_more.html
Is it me, or does NBC have a better track record of saving marginal shows and putting them in lineups where they do exceptionall well? I’m just thinking of the Cheers case here guys (just look it up on Wikipedia, it was dead last its first season among ALL shows, then it was moved to Thursday where it became such a huge hit). I’m not saying that with Southland at all. If anything, the partial season order is an indicator that NBC is hedging its bets. They’re going to try it in a different lineup. If it performs better, it gets a full season, if not, it’s gone after a half season.
Frankly I imagine they’re going to do this more with their bubble shows. Don’t be surprised if you see partial season orders for Chuck and Medium.
NBC is a hedge fund not a entertainment company.
Anyone else notice that at the end of the Southland apisode (the one with Tom Sizemore)a week ago, they previewed the wrong upcomming episode? It had something like’next Thursday- the accident is just the beginning..city is on lockdown, etc’ but instead they showed the ‘Sally in the Alley’ episode.
Then this past Thursday, after the ‘Sally’ episode, they ran the same preview as the week before.
If they keep giving us crappy content like the most recent order this short order won’t last long.
Jeffster’s Fan,
Yes, they clearly flipped episodes. I was curious about that, too.
so much for all the arguments about how its all about ratings
say what, paul?
“There’s no way SVU will be a winter show.
SVU has the second highst demo for a scripted show on NBC, it repeats very well, and it can be an a good lead-out for a crime procidural next season.”
American Idol is a winter show. ‘Nuff said.
I feel as though NBC no longer cares about the ratings. Leno has already put a damper on their idea of programming. The thing is, they’re ATTEMPING to change the rules, but the rules AREN’T changing for them. I honestly think they’re going for advertising — they’re keeping shows that have *niche* audiences like Heroes and 30 Rock, putting Leno at 10pm because they know they’ll get advertisers, and betting on cheap procedurals to fill the void.
Shane, I wouldn’t say that NBC doesn’t care about ratings, but it’s clear that their priorities have shifted away from ratings and towards more financial measures of “success”.
This news tells me that NBC does not have faith in their pilots or other shows. How can you make an honest assessment about a show (any show) with only four episodes? Heck ABC hasn’t made a decision on Castle or Surviving Suburbia (both mid-season replacements) and probably won’t for another few weeks and yet NBC goes ahead and renews Southland, after only 4 episodes, for at least 13 episodes? Considering that the ratings continue to plummet at double-digit rates, this doesn’t ultimately bode well for the NBC. I can see NBC committing to it and the show continuing to plummet and NBC throwing more money down the drain, but yet this shouldn’t really surpise anyone because they have been doing that for years. It has been proven that up against tough competition (Private Practice and Criminal Minds) the show goes into a free fall. Another “wise” decision for NBC (ROTFLMAO)
LOL…doesn’t surprise me at all!
Shane, those “niche” audience shows you highlight are among NBC’s best 5 shows with adults 18-49.
Katherine, NBC’s timeline was shorter because of their upfront schedule, they had to make a decision. As for ABC, we have no idea whether they have made a decision on Castle or Surviving Suburbia. We know they haven’t *announced* a decision, but that’s a big difference.
Great move as this just made my weekend after the low ratings for SouthLAnd the other night. SouthLAnd’s slide in the ratings this past week can be attributed to the all-important PROCEDURAL vs PROCEDURAL theory since it went up against CBS’ Criminal Minds repeat this week which did really well taking away some of SouthLAnd’s audience.
NBC has to make sure this airs on Monday Nights away from CBS procedurals whether its 8pm or 9pm. I would like for them to use SVU as a lead-in at 8pm on Mondays.
Jane I agree.
Variety’s Cynthia Littleton has heard chatter that NBC is negotiating for an overall deal with the WB, which is why their WB renewal schedule is all messed up and not happening with their up/infronts.
My buddy called me at work last night to tell me this got picked up. I guess nobody at NBC bothered to look at the ratings for the 4th episode…
“Southland” is going to tank big time in a new time slot. Once it gets some real competition (and by that, I mean something more than a “Criminal Minds” repeat), it’s toast. The only minor chance it has is Sundays 10:00 in January. There’s no way in hell they will air it at 8:00, and it will get murdered like a white man walking around at night in South Central in a 9:00 slot.
So now that it looks like Chuck fans will have to wait another week before they know if their show is renewed or not, they’ll have another full week to bash other shows.
Yeah, I’ve been hearing that NBC is negotiating a deal to bring a few things back, including Chuck, with each show their working on taking some budget cuts and such. That’s the reason for the hold up.
you seriously can’t change the graphic for Southland so it doesn’t repeat? Lazy blogger! Use this: http://www.nbc.com/app2/img/500×495xS/scet/photos/270/2969/81_NUP_134651_0162.jpg
What happened to DAY ONE? Don’t network also announce mid-season pickups at the same time as the fall pickups?
Maya, I know, I’m soooo freaking lazy to be posting at 10:15pm on a Friday night and then trying to be quick about it!
But I agree, when the picture is used in consecutive featured posts, it is unsettling. Happy now?
No!
, another week with Chuck comments on every thread 
Southland has been pretty well received by critics and Regina King and Benjamin McKenzie, have been getting praised too in their roles. Also, people keep ripping on Southland because it has less competition than Chuck, but then again, its a 10pm series, and its the first show on 10pm since Medium to build in the half hour. It had a stable audience for the first two weeks (way above 9mil in fact), and while it’s going down, it still building off a weak lead-in. And to give an example of how NBC usually does with 10pm shows, here is a list (from TheFutonCritic) with every 10pm show on NBC (within the last 10 years) that premiered at 10 and failed:
“Cold Feet”
“UC: Undercover”
“Boomtown”
“Kingpin”
“Hunter”
“The Lyon’s Den”
“LAX”
“Medical Investigation”
“Heist”
“Inconceivable”
“The Book of Daniel”
“Conviction”
“Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip”
“Kidnapped”
“The Black Donnellys”
“Journeyman”
“quarterlife”
“My Own Worst Enemy”
“Law & Order: Trial by Jury”
“The Others”
So the fact that Southland even premiered to pretty decent ratings and held most of its audience in the second outing is surprising for NBC. Also, Chuck has been for two seasons, Southland has had four episodes. The comparisons arent fair. Maybe paired with another stronger drama, Southland could do better, instead of having to build off 30 Rock (which I love) every week. Variety and Hollywood Reporter have both suggested that NBC may do a SVU/Southland line-up on Wednesday, or possibly another night. While I dont consider SVU an 8pm series, I’m sure if they had a “Viewer Discretion Advised” warning, then it wouldnt really matter (since thats what FOX does with its shows too).
Also, while I like Chuck, every NBC related thread about another show shouldnt turn into a Chuck forum. Its annoying.
And when it comes to NBC fall pilots: dramas Legally Mad and Lost & Found tested poorly; while dramas Trauma and Parenthood, along with the comedy, Community, tested pretty high. And I completely agree. The scripts for the latter three were all great, while Lost & Found was awful, and Legally Mad could have been better. Though its interesting that not much as been mentioned about Day One recently.
KB, you can add “Southland” to that list. It premiered at 10. And it failed.
AMEN, KB.
Can’t Chuck fans please lock themselves all in a room, away from everybody else. And go out only after an announcement is made? Please?
“KB, you can add “Southland” to that list. It premiered at 10. And it failed.”
I didn’t know we could make that pronouncement after so few episodes. NBC evidently doesn’t think so, and that’s the opinion that matters. I wonder what other hit shows started off slowly, maybe even moved time slots, and ended up doing well. Anyone have stats on that? Someone above mentioned Cheers. I recall reading that Hill Street Blues was a critical darling/ratings dog its first year, and NBC stuck by it because of the praise it garnered.
I’m just happy the show will be around for another 13 episodes. I’ll worry about what’s comes at the end of those 13 if the show continues to entertain me, and if I feel it deserves to be renewed once again.
I meant “what comes at…”
Riff Raferty,
One. Obviously it didnt fail, because it JUST GOT RENEWED FOR A SECOND SEASON. Two, look at the ratings:
Episode 1: 9.86 million viewers/3.2 demo
Episode 2: 9.58 million viewers/3.1 demo
Episode 3: 8.40 million viewers/2.5 demo
Episode 4. 6.68 million viewers/2.1 demo
The first two episodes did great, not only that, the show grew in each half hour, something that is rare for a new 10pm series. The last two episodes of the show faced greater competition, therefore it is down, but its ratings average is still higher than Chuck this season. Southland didnt premiere with American Idol or Dancing With The Stars as a lead-in, it was a midseason show, and the fact that those were even its initial ratings, on a 4th place network, is not expected. Its done way better than Cupid or The Unusuals. The show has potential. As seen with The Office, 30 Rock, Friday Night Lights, and even Chuck, NBC likes to give shows second chances. And no offense, Chuck has already had its chance. I hope it comes back, but there is no reason to suggest that Southland is a failure or that it doesnt deserve to come back.
KB: “its a 10pm series, and its the first show on 10pm since Medium to build in the half hour”
Southland did not build in the half hour. In fact, it dropped:
http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/05/01/thursday-ratings-abc-wins-southland-continues-to-head-south/17815
10- 6.875 2.2
1030 6.490 2.0
Heck, in the finals Southland got a 2.0 in the demos. It build in total viewers, but that’s meaningless to advertisers. The demos from 30 Rock (2.9) to Southland fell 0.9, that’s not “building in the half hour”.
Jane wrote, “I wonder what other hit shows started off slowly, maybe even moved time slots, and ended up doing well.”
Not this one.
“Anyone have stats on that? Someone above mentioned Cheers.”
I’m pretty sure “Cheers” grew over the course of its first season, since, you know, it’s hard not to when you start at the very bottom of the ratings. I’m also pretty sure if it lost a third of its premiere audience over the course of 2 weeks, it wouldn’t have run 11 years.
“I recall reading that Hill Street Blues was a critical darling/ratings dog its first year, and NBC stuck by it because of the praise it garnered.”
“Bay City Blues” garnered praise, too. You know how long NBC stuck by that? A month.
VYuci,
I meant that Southland built in the half hour for its premiere and the following episode. If it dropped in the latter two, its due to heavier competition. But SL seems like a show that could do better if paired with another stable drama, aka Law & Order.
KB wrote, “One. Obviously it didnt fail, because it JUST GOT RENEWED FOR A SECOND SEASON.”
W@W! What incredible logic! I guess that means “Lipstick Jungle” and “Life” must be SMASH HITS!!
The viewers have already spoken. Much like the other 2 NBC shows I mentioned (which, lo and behold, both premiered at 10), the viewers will speak more when it is relocated.
KB, Southland’s first two episodes were fine. But it’s competition was almost non-existent. As soon as it went up against PP, it plummeted. Dropped again the next week. How will it do next season when it’s likely to be placed in a 9pm slot? The competition is far more fierce and the format isn’t a perfect fit. I’d guess that SL would drop even more. I’m a newbie, but it doesn’t look to me like it can hold it’s viewers in any case.
Riff Rafferty,
I never said Life or Lipstick Jungle were smash hits. But obviously, you cant call a show a failure if its been renewed for a second season. If Southland does poorly in its second season and gets cancelled, then you can call it a failure. I could just make the argument that obviously after two seasons, viewers just dont care about Chuck and that its a FAILURE, but I’m not going to resort as being as annoying.
Not only that but it’s promoted pretty heavily. I would expect NBC to be pretty skeptical at this point regarding a second season pick-up.
Jon L,
I think Southland can only survive next season if its paired with Law and Order: SVU. Other than that, than I think it could fall in the ratings. There’s no real audience flow from 30 Rock to Southland, so I think thats mainly hurting show. It needs a stable drama lead-in.
“Not this one.”
We’ll see. In the meantime, it’s been renewed, and renewed in advance of the rest of the lineup announcement. I’ll take it.
“Bay City Blues” garnered praise, too. You know how long NBC stuck by that? A month.”
And yet, NBC has still renewed Southland. I’ll take it.
I think it’s pretty clear that Southland has shown when faced with competition it’s numbers dissolve.
If this show gets 13 episodes then Chuck should at least get 13 episodes!
Southland didnt premiere with American Idol or Dancing With The Stars as a lead-in, it was a midseason show, and the fact that those were even its initial ratings, on a 4th place network, is not expected.
Southland premiered in ER’s vacant timeslot, which drew 16.3 million viewers and a 6.0 18-49 a week before, and had about a dozen Southland ads throught the two hour ER finale. It went up against ABC reruns, Harper’s Island, and FOX 10:00 news for its first two weeks. That seems like a “cushy” timeslot to me.
Southland was fortunate to have weak competition for its first two weeks, but then again, Chuck, Heroes, My Own Worst Enemy, had tons of promotion during the one of the most watched Olympics in years and I think its fair to say that they premiered to disappointing ratings, and Chuck/Heroes/Medium returned after the Superbowl, yet eventually dropped again. Even when CBS is in comedy repeats or FOX airs House repeats, Chuck (or Heroes) dont jump up much, if any, in the ratings.
All I’m saying is that the fact that it held up so steady for the first two weeks, show that viewers were interested. NBC just needs to find a way to keep (or bring back) that audience next season. Southland is getting unneccessary hate because people are pissed that their favorite show might get cancelled. But its done better than any other new NBC drama this season.
Monday: Heroes, Day One
Tuesday: the Biggest Loser
Wednesday: ???, Southland
Thursday: New Comedy, Parks&Rec, the Office, 30 ROCK
Mid Season: Law&Order, SVU, Medium
Remember HEROES is officially not airing in the Fall.
Also if SOUTHLAND pulls another 2.0 or worse next week, you know they’ll renew CHUCK. Because they’ll need it after they cancel SOUTHLAND.
Where did you hear about heros not airing in the fall Nick C.
NBC HAS RENEWED CHUCK, MEDIUM, AND LAW & ORDER FOR NEXT SEASON!!!!
From http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/nbc-renews-chuck-medium-law-order/
^^^^I hope that at least 1/3 of that is true. With the 1/3 of it hopefully being Chuck.
“Southland” needs a makeover. Life in Southland is depicted as hopeless, futile, dreary, grim, grimy, etc. It’s a cop show and yet there is no justice. This show rip half a page out of the L&O playbook in the way it takes a year’s worth of the worst headlines in L.A. and condense them all into one episode. The second half of the page it didn’t copy from L&O is the most important: punishment for the criminal, justice for the victims, and hope for viewers. I think that’s why the ratings is going through a sinkhole in Southland. It’s so unsatisfying to watch.
The story is told in a very chaotic way. The cast is too large. The acting is like “Heroes”, that I’m-so-serious-because-I’m-saving-the world pomposity.
KB wrote, “But obviously, you cant call a show a failure if its been renewed for a second season.”
So you’re not calling “Lipstick Jungle” and “Life” failures? I guess you wouldn’t since you, as noted, have incredible logic. If the over/under for success or failure is 1 season/2 seasons, that must mean “Oprah’s Big Give” failed, since, you know, it only lasted one season.
“If Southland does poorly in its second season and gets cancelled”
Change “If” to “When” and you’ve got it.
“then you can call it a failure.”
No, thanks. I can call it a failure now.
“I could just make the argument that obviously after two seasons, viewers just dont care about Chuck and that its a FAILURE, but I’m not going to resort as being as annoying.”
Rest assured, even without that, you’re way more annoying.
NICE!