Zap2it's Year in Review: The least-watched shows of fall 2008
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This fall has not been a great one for television, as has been widely both here and elsewhere. Ratings are down across the board, and with the exception of CBS' The Mentalist, which started strong and has stayed that way, there are no new hits to be found anywhere. Including in this post.
As we did at the end of 2007, we shine a spotlight on the least-watched programs of the 2008-09 season thus far, from The CW's Easy Money -- which holds the non-honor of having the smallest audience of any show on ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC or The CW -- to the late and very much unlamented Do Not Disturb, the first cancellation of the season.
Here's how we did it: We looked at every show that's aired more than once on the five aforementioned networks between the start of the season in September and Dec. 14 (the last week for which ratings are available). We looked only at the regularly scheduled airings of each series -- so Saturday reruns of Knight Rider, say, or America's Next Top Model encores weren't eligible.
Then, so the list isn't just (mostly) a reprint of The CW's schedule (less awareness and availability in fewer homes drives its numbers down), we included the three smallest shows from each network. So while Gary Unmarried (which ranks 52nd out of 130 shows) is nowhere near the bottom of the overall rankings, relative to the rest of what CBS airs it's not doing especially well.
Take a look at this year's list, then come on back and share your thoughts on how or why they got there.
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I can't comment on the actual qquality of the shows because I never watched them myself, but it does suggest that interest in reality shows and sitcoms are dwindling.
Also in all fairness, the lowest shows are on the CW which also has the least number of viewers overall, presumably due to number of affiliates (Smallville is usually at the bottom of the ratings in its timeslot but it's also one of the network's most watched shows).
I actually really liked Easy Money (and so did a fair number of critics). It just did not even remotely fit in on the CW. I would say I wish it were given a chance, but its ratings were beyond horrible. It would have been better suited for FX or Spike.
I actually really liked Easy Money (and so did a fair number of critics). It just did not even remotely fit in on the CW. I would say I wish it were given a chance, but its ratings were beyond horrible. It would have been better suited for FX or Spike.
I have actually enjoyed watching Cruso, ive found it fun to watch ( although he has more visitors to his Island in one episode than Gilligan had to his Island in the 3 years it was on )
Gary Unmarried is very funny and its growing throughout the year. This will be a full-time hit by its 3rd or 4th season.
i haven't seen according to jim in a long time
i didn't realize it was still on
I Gary Unmarried, I hope it gets a chance to develope.
Crusoe is the most absurd series with the best production values. Eric above pin-pointed its most glaring problem, so the problem is actually one of concept... why a "series?"
Take that money and put it into a mini-series actually based on the Defoe novel, and you might have had what NBC loves to hype as "event TV."
Right now, it's well-produced silliness.
Hey, I'd like to send a memo of the following to ABC.
Did you notice Eli Stone on that list? No? What about Pushing Daisies? I thought not. Maybe Dirty Sexy Money is somewhere to be found on it? What? That's not either? Hmmm...
Oh! According to Jim is there - one show on your network.
Wait...you cancelled the other three but are running new episodes of Jim in the spring?
Makes a lot of sense...
You said The Mentalist is the only new hit show. Why don't you consider Eleventh Hour (which is also on CBS) a hit? So far, for the season it ranks 16th second only to The Mentalist in new shows. Pretty darn good for a freshman. I love it!