I am very disappointed. Although it does not come as a huge surprise considering how the network executives pick their winners, namely the Nielsen ratings.
I am still deeply disappointed that The Good Guys has been canceled. If I remember correctly, it started as a summer show, something without much expectations, designed to fill out the dead summer season. Surprisingly, it turned out to be a funny, innovative, well written and acted show. Kudos are in place for Bradley Whitford, Colin Hanks, Jenny Wade and Diana Maria Riva.
As well, I am sad to see Human Target let go and Fringe on the maybe-to-be-canceled position. I guess next in line is Lie to Me. It looks to me that as soon as you see two episodes in a row of any given show, you should take it as the harbinger of cancellation.
Just in case you were wondering what shows made the top of Nielsen rating, take a look and decide for yourself if it reflects or not the growing trend of an uneducated, trailer-park mentality crowd dictating what’s for us to watch.
Nielsen rating for the week of January 4, 2011, demographics 18-49. The numbers are in millions of viewers.
1. NFL Playoffs: Jets/Colts
NBC
15.5 millions
2. Fox NFC Wildcard Post-game
FOX
12.4
3. Simpsons
FOX
7.5
4. Modern Family
ABC
6.4
5. Family Guy
FOX
6.2
6. Two and a Half Men
CBS
6.1
7. Bob’s Burgers
FOX
6.0
8. The Big Bang Theory
CBS
5.8
9. Grey’s Anatomy
ABC
5.5
10. Desperate Housewives
ABC
5.1
* How I Met Your Mother
CBS
5.1
12. Wipeout (Thur.)
ABC
4.9
13. Mike & Molly
CBS
4.8
14. Cleveland Show
FOX
4.7
15. Rules of Engagement
CBS
4.5
16. CSI
CBS
4.4
17. Biggest Loser
NBC
4.3
18. Cotton Bowl: LSU/Texas A&M
FOX
4.2
19. The Mentalist
CBS
4.0
What stands out from the list? Top of the list: sport. Second most viewed: stupid shows like Two and a half men, featuring actors like Charlie Sheen, linked to domestic violence and porn stars. Good examples to follow?
The one notable exception is The Simpsons, which is a very smart and cynic show. I am quite surprised that it’s understood by the same people watching Charlie Sheen’s show and all that NFL games. Or maybe not.
Anyway, it looks like my other favorite show, Fringe, is feeling the wrath of cancellation. The move to Friday to make room for American Idol may not be quite beneficial. I can only hope that The American Idol will go tits up following the new format. I am not going to watch it for the simple reason that I can’t stand Jennifer Lopez. And because without Simon Cowell the magic is gone.
My last thought: Bob’s Burgers made the list and Human Target will be canceled… seriously?