Back in the fall, we posed the "Who ya got?" question with regard to the CSI-Grey's Anatomy smackdown. As it's turned out, both shows have come out OK -- my guess is there's not a tremendous overlap between the two audiences, so it's pretty common for both shows to draw 20 million or so viewers (last night, for instance).

My sense is that come Monday, though, viewers will have a harder choice to make, for Monday is when Heroes returns to NBC -- directly opposite 24 on FOX. The fanaticism of 24 fans is well-documented, and Heroes is approaching Lost-like levels of devotion among its audience, who love them some Claire and Hiro and HRG.

Here are the numbers: Heroes is averaging 15.3 million viewers a week and a 6.8 rating in the adults 18-49 demographic. Over its first four hours, 24 is about the same: 15.7 million viewers and a 6.0 in the demo.

My feeling -- and it's only a feeling, based on a handful friends and colleagues who like both shows -- is that a lot of DVRs are going to get cranked up on Mondays for the rest of the season. Me? I'm sticking with Heroes live, partly because I recap it but also because, having been through 24 five times already, it's more familiar and therefore not quite as urgent to me. But I'll definitely be recording it each week.

But what about you, dear reader? in the Heroes-24 faceoff, who gets your live-viewing vote? Who ya got?

Comments

Well, since I live in Canada I can watch both back to back (and to back of Prison Break on top of that) since the same channel picks up both Heroes and 24 (and Prison Break). For the record, Heroes will be the show simulcast with 24 airing at 10pm at least on this coming Monday - who knows if this will switch in the following weeks, depending on which show has stronger ratings (on both sides of the border).

Also, I've decided to skip 24 this year and just watch it all at once on DVD rather than watch it as an encore viewing when I purchase the DVD.

Rishi | Jan 19, 2007 2:12:13 PM | #

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I guess I don't count because I never started watching 24. I missed it the first few episodes of the first year, than just figured it would be too hard to figure out. I'm involved in too many serials right now with Heroes, Lost, Battlestar Galactica and Veronica Mars too. Just don't have the energy to start another. So for me it's Heroes (which, along with Battlestar, has become my favorite drama on t.v. - can't wait 'till Monday!)

Sue | Jan 19, 2007 4:00:35 PM | #

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Well, I will watch "Heroes" and record "24."

But while watching "Heroes" I will be changing the channel every now and then during the first half hour to catch "Two and a Half Men."

Obviously I don't have Tivo or a DVDR, but I will soon.

Hector | Jan 20, 2007 10:19:47 AM | #

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I'll probably be watching Heroes live just because everyone at my school watches it. And to Sue who said it might be to hard to get into 24, it's not really. This is my first year watching it (It's AMAZING! My new "Alias") and it wasn't at all hard to follow. I think you just have to be really intuitive and focused.

But seriously, I think Monday is becoming just like Thursday, hype-wise.

Jeffrey | Jan 20, 2007 4:58:05 PM | #

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I never liked 24, but i LOVE heroes, so i just watch Heroes on Mondays and Lost on Wednesday, but i don't think 24 will be in my schedule.

Bryan | Jan 20, 2007 7:48:15 PM | #

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I don't have a DVR, so I'll be watching 24 and reading recaps to keep up with Heroes for now. I think Heroes does clip shows every once in a while, which are normally kind of annoying but may come in handy for this time slot.

I've watched 24 since it started, and I have to be able to speak on behalf of my favorite show at the water cooler!

Brandon | Jan 21, 2007 12:47:34 AM | #

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I'll probably watch Heroes live and tape 24. That's probably just because my mom watches Heroes and it's one of the few shows that I have in common with her, and she likes to have me watch with her because she's bad at keeping track of everything that's going on. I agree with Jeffrey, because I just started watching 24 last season (also my new Alias). It's pretty easy to pick up on.

Sarah | Jan 21, 2007 6:00:46 PM | #

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I will definately be watching Heros, I just love it!! As for 24, I never did get into watching it!!

Michele | Jan 21, 2007 6:31:31 PM | #

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Heroes!

| Jan 22, 2007 12:02:48 AM | #

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I have a feeling that Heroes will keep the younger audience (under 30 years old), while 24 will keep the older viewers (30-49 year olds). Heroes has more storylines aimed at younger viewers, like Claire and Micah.

Personally, I never really got 'into' Heroes. I have been hooked on 24 since season 4. There's no contest for me-- I'm watching 24 live and will catch up on Heroes with encore airings (Sci-Fi network) and recaps.

Sandi | Jan 22, 2007 7:35:41 AM | #

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I'll watch 24, and then watch Heroes on NBC.com the next day.

Jedidiah J Palosaari | Jan 22, 2007 1:45:08 PM | #

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Heroes!

Live viewing: Prison Break, Heroes, Studio 60, with a nightcap of the four CBS comedies on the DVR.

Mondays are a lot of work.

Jim W | Jan 22, 2007 3:37:38 PM | #

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guess i'll have to dust off the old VCR and find a tape!!!

Darrell McDaniel | Jan 22, 2007 4:44:08 PM | #

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yup i agree 24 is pretty gay.. and heroes beats it by a landslide 24 has no point... nor do i care to see one after the first couple episodes, it got lame

bam | Jan 23, 2007 7:38:05 AM | #

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I'm in Canada also, so I can watch Heroes and 24 back to back from 9 - 11. I also watch How I met your Mother and the Class at 8. Then I record the W. Coast feeds of Prison Break and Studio 60. 5 hours out of a possible 6. Not bad.

Rasheed | Jan 23, 2007 1:04:21 PM | #

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I'll be watching 24 and recording Heroes. 24 is the better show by far. Heroes has too many plot issues. They need to clean it up. I honestly dont know what the big deal is about this show. 24 wins hands down.

Neka | Jan 24, 2007 4:55:55 AM | #

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It's 24 all the way!!! 24 is genius. The fact that it's in its sixth season and still going strong speaks for itself. The fanbase just keeps growing. Heroes is only in it's first season and is already getting weird. 24 is greatly underappreciated (unlike overhyped shows such as Grey's Anatomy- and now Heroes.) All hail the power of Bauer :-)

Jackisback! | Jan 24, 2007 12:37:06 PM | #

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Two popular shows. One is 24, the non-stop action packed thriller about saving the world from terrorism. The other is Heroes, about the special powers that several people possess, protecting their own. And my choice is...2 1/2 Men, the People's Choice Award winner for TV comedy. That kid Jake is great!

Shaun | Jan 25, 2007 11:09:38 PM | #

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I LOVE both shows, 24 probably more though. but i'm watching heroes on tv and recording 24. i hate having to watch the commercials during 24, it's too intense for commercial breaks!! so this really works out better for me to have two shows!

Laura | Jan 26, 2007 1:27:54 PM | #

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Heroes! I'm still on the DVDs of season 2 of 24, so lots of catching up to do...

Hiro lover | Jan 28, 2007 12:10:09 PM | #

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I'm also on the DVDs of 24 so heroes it is! But if I was caught up with were 24 is then without doubt I would watch it but i'm only on season 4. Heroes is good but not in the same league as 24 or lost. It is overhyped and overrated but it is alright!!

Matt | Jan 29, 2007 3:20:16 AM | #

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I am a huge 24 fan, but when Heroes came to the same spot, I completely dropped 24. I mean, who cares, we all know how its going to end. Heroes is so much newer and fresher. I love it.

Patrick | Feb 6, 2007 4:40:48 PM | #

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HEROES!!!!!
me and a friend of mine have the "Heroes v. 24" argument all the time... great to see so many other Heroes fans out there!
And heroes definitely appeals more to the younger demographic, which can often help in the ratings

Tom | Feb 15, 2007 6:02:50 AM | #

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I'll be watching 24 all the way, but i wont even be watching heoroes, why becasue its crap.

Scott | Apr 24, 2007 9:55:54 AM | #

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All you Heroes fanboys are saying that 24 is crap and all. Win some Emmys and Golden Globes and last for 6+ seasons and then start talking.

Richard | Jul 19, 2007 10:15:38 AM | #

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