Comments on: Wednesday Ratings: Talent Tops Dance, But Fox Wins Night

By: Capnbob

Capnbob — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 09:51:14 +0000

Why do people call shows like Wipeout, ISAJGS or Talent (or even Idol) reality TV when these are all competitions – straight continuations of the game/quiz/talent shows of the past. To me, reality TV is a different genre, as exemplified by Real World XYZ, Jon & Kate (and 90% of TLC), Idiot Housewives of Wherever, all the celebrity “following” shows (Osbornes, Hogans, Simmons’ etc.). I’ll admit there is a crossover where the talent shows spend more time focusing on the background or current lives of their contestants (e.g. UK Big Brother with its saturation coverage), but still – reality filler to a televised competition. By this definition, there is hardly any “Reality” on the broadcast nets.
No one calls Documentaries (an endangered species on US TV – if you discount those based on the flapping heads of puffed up “anchors”) Reality TV – even if they are the closest thing short of the PBS Newshour to actual reality on the boob tube.

Overall, I guess my point is that making a virtual dichotomy out of “Scripted vs. Reality” is pointless and counter-productive in understanding the trends in programming and viewership.

PS I love all kinds of scripted shows but also Wipeout – ironically, when they hit the balls/mud/water – that is pretty real (give or take the sound-effects) unlike most so called “Reality TV”

By: Vinny

Vinny — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:34:35 +0000

RJ dont you think it nwould work out way better like this.

ABC on Wednesday night.

8 pm I survived a Japenese game show (N)

9 pm Wipeout (N) even though it is going against (america’s got talent it will stilld o good.)

10 pm Primetime Specials (N) it probably, and hoepfully gain wiews, with wipeout being its lead in.

By: brian

brian — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:47:35 +0000

Watched “I Survived a Japanese Game Show” with my wife on DVR last night. It’s pretty much awesome, and filled with win. Love it.

By: Mumbo

Mumbo — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:46:04 +0000

I still don’t get why NBC insists on keeping America’s Got Talent as a one-hour show rather than a two-hour show.

“Wait, wait, then Conan won’t be able to make jokes about us being fourth anymore!”

By: RJ

RJ — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:30:19 +0000

It should be this for ABC:
8:00 – Wipeout (R)
9:00 – Wipeout (N)
10:00 – Primetime (N)

Sure the 8pm hour will be weaker, but the 9pm hour will increase, thus helping 10pm increase. With Wipeout at 8pm, its only helping 8pm.

R=Repeat
N=New

By: R.G

R.G — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:54:57 +0000

Wipeout is a good show. I’m glad it garnered a small amount of viewership this week with their Couples special.

By: Visan

Visan — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:44:36 +0000

Ouch! The Philanthropists’ ratings are painful!

By: Master Moron

Master Moron — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:25:24 +0000

Last night’s episode of The Philanthropist was kind of boring compared to the first two. I think Never Campbell was the problem. Her character is incredibly dull. I expect the ratings will sink lower next week.

By: Royal H

Royal H — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:04:46 +0000

I tried to watch Wipeout. It’s okay, but mostly it makes me miss American Gladiators.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:11:09 +0000

Reality TV wins big. Good thing I’m not trying to break in as a narrative TV writer… AW, CRAP!

By: J. Norman

J. Norman — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:06:34 +0000

Wipeout is a pretty entertaining show. The commentators help to make it even more entertaining. I’ve followed Japanese Game Show since it started. It is mildly entertaining. I kind of channel surf between the actual games. The behind the scenes interviews are a snooze and only one or 2 of the contestants are interesting. Judge Bob is the best part of the show.

By: rob

rob — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:03:43 +0000

ABCHasProblems, i dont see ur logic why ABC should do that. the ratings for Wipeout will probably decrease if it was on at 9.

And Primetime: Crime is better than the Philanthropist.

By: ABCHasProblems

ABCHasProblems — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:51:53 +0000

ABC should move Wipeout to 9:00 and JGS to 8:00 solely because of ratings. Wipeout is a very competitive show (an ideal fall show for ABC) and would perform well @ 9:00. I think JGS would get similar numbers @ 8:00 to what its already receiving @ 9:00. I’m very surprised that Primetime: Crime won the 10:00 hour, on the other hand.

By: gmyers

gmyers — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:46:49 +0000

Wipeout couples was great. They were lucky in that they got that moose pair which made for some funny jokes and really entertaining commentary from the Johns.

By: rob

rob — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:41:27 +0000

wow ABC is having a pretty good week. came in 1st on monday, and 2nd on tuesday and wednesday. wipeout beat so you think you can dance in viewers but they do that every week but so you think you can dance did way better than Talent in viewers 18-34.

By: The1337

The1337 — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:22:26 +0000

Wipeout Couples got .2 more for 18-49 than last week. I watched it and it wasn’t that much different than usual.

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:20:48 +0000

Nothing good on last night.