BURN NOTICE -- Pictured: (l-r) Sharon Gless as Madeline, Bruce Campbell as Sam, Jeffrey Donovan as Michael Westen, Gabrielle Anwar as Fiona -- USA Network Photo: Glenn Watson

The Futon Critic reports that USA Network’s Burn Notice will return with the second half of its third season on Thursday January 28, 2010 at 9pm and that it will be paired with the second half of the freshman season of White Collar, which will air at 10pm.  White Collar finishes its first half-season on December 4.

Psych is expected to return on Friday January 29 at 10pm with the second half of its fourth season.

Update: The Futon Critic has added the following to its original post:

[UPDATE: A spokesperson for USA has subsequently indicated that its January dates have not been decided. The aforementioned information however is deemed accurate at this time by internal sources.]

AMC’s remake of classic series “The Prisoner” trapped 2.2 million viewers (1.7 household rating) during its two-hour debut Sunday evening.

By comparison, last week’s “Mad Men” finale pulled in 2.3 million viewers (1.8 household rating)

via THR.com.

Wrestling will continue its long run as a staple of cable programming after World Wrestling Entertainment announced a new deal Monday to remain on the USA network for another four years.

The new deal will extend the run of the signature WWE show “Monday Night Raw” through 2014.

via NYTimes.com.

Here is the USA press release:

Read the full story

TLC is billing next week’s episode as the series finale of Jon & Kate Plus 8.   A month ago, TLC officials said that the show would be ending in mid-to-late November, after originally announcing in September that the show would live on as Kate Plus 8.  But I guess diminishing ratings, an ugly divorce and having to deal with the antics of Jon Gosselin suing the network proved too much.

I think more likely though it’s just promoting next week as the series finale both as a “let the dust settle” move and perhaps in an effort to boost the ratings.

Even ratings that were way, way off the highs still proved to be TLC’s highest-rated show.  What does that mean?  It means like it or not, we have not yet seen the last of the Gosselins.

Update: Jon tempting fate with his kids on ATVs.

Here’s the blurb about tonight’s episodes from TLC along with the note about next week being the show’s series finale.

TONIGHT – 9pm on TLC
JON & KATE PLUS 8 – Back-to-back new episodes

Gymnastics & Baseball – While a lot has changed for the family, Jon and Kate still strive to give each of their children a normal childhood. For the Gosselin kids, it’s time for some sporty fun! Kate enrolls all the kids in gymnastics classes and the tumbling begins and Jon takes the kids to a local minor league baseball game.
Never Before Seen -Kate shares never before seen footage from season 5. The family decides to get passports for a big trip, Kate celebrates her 10th wedding anniversary with the kids, Jon tries to train the dogs and Kate hits the road for her book signing. Viewers get a chance to see what hit the cutting room floor.

NOTE: NEXT MON –  A Special 1-hr SERIES FINALE of Jon and Kate plus 8.

Though down a bit from last week’s episode in overall viewers, with the ad-centric adults 18-49, which matters much more,  it was up a bit.

Last night’s amazing 90 minute episode averaged 3.38 million and a 1.9 adults 18-49 rating, making it basic cable’s most watched show in primetime with adults 18-49.  Here are some more details via FX:

Sons of Anarchy was basic cable’s #1 ranked show in primetime (8-11P) among Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54 on Tuesday night, delivering 2.50 million A18-49 (1.9 rating), 2.32 million A25-54 (1.87 rating) and 3.38 million total viewers (2.06 rating).

Last night’s 90-minute episode (10-11:30P) of SOA also ranked #1 for the night in basic cable in delivery of Men 18-49 (1.52 million, 2.32 rating), Men 25-54 (1.37 million, 2.23 rating), Women 25-54 (946,000, 1.51 rating), and Men 18-34 (821,000, 2.39 rating).

During the 10-11PM time period, Sons was the #1 show – broadcast and cable – in delivery of A18-34, M18-34 and M18-49.

Through 10 episodes of SOA’s second season, the series is averaging 2.54 million A18-49, 2.38 million A25-54, 1.33 million A18-34, and 3.62 million total viewers.  In calendar year 2009-to-date, SOA is basic cable’s #1 ranked scripted series in delivery of A18-49.  Compared to its season one average, Sons has posted increases of:

+74% – A18-49;  +75% – M18-49;  +72% – W18-49

+66% – A18-34;  +71% – W18-34;  +64% – M18-34

+79% – A25-54;  +82% – W25-54;  +77% – M25-54

+64% in total viewers

And my favorite Tweet of the day came from SOA creator and executive producer Kurt Sutter in regards to fan complaints about there being too many commercials (the episode had a 30 minute longer air time, but only ~13 minutes of more content, leading to a few more ads than normal):

To all you fucking whining about the commercials last night-90 minute ep is a seven act structure. More act breaks, more ads. It ain’t hbo.

I completely agree, of course, I have a DVR.  But even if I didn’t I think I’d find 13 extra minutes worth the 10% or so (over the whole 90 minutes) more commercials than normal.

via press release – please note the premiere was simulcast across TNT, TBS and truTV and these numbers are the aggregate.

TBS’s LOPEZ TONIGHT Welcomes 3.2 Million Viewers to Simulcast Premiere of Late Night’s Big Party

Last night, TBS’s new series LOPEZ TONIGHT got the late-night party started in a big way, scoring 3.2 million viewers and 1.8 million adults 18-49.  The series premiere, which was simulcast on TBS and sister networks TNT and truTV, featured host George Lopez chatting with guests Ellen DeGeneres, Eva Longoria-Parker and Kobe Bryant, and musical guest Carlos Santana.

Read the full story

I wrote about Mad Men’s finale averaging 2.3 million already, but The Wrap’s Josef Adalian spins it in its proper context, noting that it couldn’t keep pace with a two-hour wedding special episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians

A two-hour wedding episode, airing from 8-10 p.m., drew nearly 3.2 million viewers– the most in “Keeping Up” history. It also scored a massive 3.92 rating among women 18-34, becoming the most-watched E! broadcast ever in that demo.

more on The Wrap

The season three finale of Mad Men “Shut the Door. Have a Seat” averaged 2.3 million, the most of any season three episode since the premiere.

It truly was a great episode and if you have access to AMC On Demand, even if you’ve never watched an episode of Mad Men and never plan to, I’d recommend looking at the finale anyway.  A lot of its richness will be lost, but the “caper” elements of the show (if you liked movies like Oceans 11) will be entertaining for you anyway.

Though in general, from a compelling story perspective Sons of Anarchy has kicked Mad Men’s ass in my opinion, the Mad Men team fired on all cylinders with the finale and for a change, it was extremely plot-driven.

And if  you like to dabble in all things Mad or want to hear it from a real critic read Alan Sepinwall’s dissection and Maureen Ryan’s deconstruction.