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SizzleTV by Mark Stone
Jay Leno's primetime experiment isn't sitting well with NBC affiliates (photo contributed)
Ever since The Jay Leno show debuted last month, there has been nothing but bad buzz about the one-hour primetime program. All issues of quality aside, Jay’s show isn’t doing much to help the local NBC affiliates. In fact, many of the local stations are very unhappy with what the experiment is doing to their late night news ratings.
The LA Times has an interesting piece on the effect the move is having for the network and its affiliates. For instance, in Jay’s home state of Massachusetts, Boston station WHDH’s late-news ratings have fallen 17% compared with last October. Craig Allison, vice president and general manager of KSHB in Kansas City, Mo., wasn’t scared to speak out against the show. “I’m not pleased with what Leno is doing. I don’t think anybody is,” he said. His late news is off slightly from where it was a year ago, and he’s anxious about the months ahead. “I don’t think any NBC affiliate wanted to wake up in the fall with a weaker lead-in to their late news.”
The report even suggests several drastic scenarios, one of which is to move the show to 8 pm. Industry insiders are all telling us to wait, as Jay’s show has only been on for about a month now. But how long are people who have a financial stake in this supposed to hang around? Does anyone honestly believe that the ratings for Jay’s shows are going to get any better? Last night’s ratings almost hit a ratings low. Unless NBC does a complete overhaul of the program, things aren’t going to change. Jay seems like a nice enough guy, but right now his experiment isn’t working and I think it’s time for NBC to make some drastic decisions. Jay’s show is just one small part of a big problem for the struggling network, and everyone currently in a position to do something about it is just sitting back and playing the waiting game. Will anyone step up to save it?
Wanna get whipped into shape by Jillian Michaels?
Speaking of NBC, the network has just ordered eight episodes of a series called “Losing It with Jillian” that will take the intense trainer and wellness expert away from the Biggest Loser set and into people’s homes. Each episode will chronicle a week Michaels spends with a family, helping put them on the path to a healthy lifestyle. Losing It With Jillian is scheduled to premiere in 2010, likely in spring or summer.
If you can’t wait for the show, you can always buy Jillian’s new training game for the Nintendo Wii, which will likely do a better job of whipping you into shape. My sister in law tells me that she uses it almost every day, and has seen some incredible results.
With this new show, Biggest Loser, training videos and games, do you think that Jillian is in danger of becoming overexposed? Probably not – as long as she doesn’t take the title to the adult entertainment industry. Cause if there were ever a porn equivalent of the show, she wouldn’t need to change the title.
Big Bang Theory having breakout year
CBS comedy Big Bang Theory is doing what many TV analysts had predicted before the season started: the show is getting the best ratings of its relatively brief existence. Last night BBT was the highest rated show in the coveted 18-49 demographic. That’s an impressive achievement given the competition of Dancing With The Stars, baseball playoffs, House and CSI: Miami.
Do you watch Big Bang Theory? It’s a pretty solid comedy, and arguably the best of CBS’s Monday comedy block (How I Met Your Mother is hard to resist). Another question: did you watch HIMYM last night? Were you offended by the constant digs at Canada?
What’s on tonight
Tonight on the tube, it’s a pretty light night for must-see shows. Dancing With The Stars, NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles, The Good Wife and The Biggest Loser are sure to do well in the ratings, but I won’t be watching.
Tonight’s best bet – and what I am sure to be watching – is the season finale of Shark Tank, which may not have brought in the big ratings, but has succeeded in improving on the pace and excitement of its Canadian counterpart, Dragon’s Den. I hope Shark Tank gets renewed for next season; it’s probably the best hour of reality TV right now. Tonight’s show features an unusual business proposal from a urologist. Hopefully it won’t be a toilet training package for toddlers with a name like Urine Trouble Now. Shark Tans airs on ABC at 8 pm.
Sports fans can catch the Montreal Canadians hosting the Atlanta Thrashers in NHL action on TSN at 4:30 and Game Four of the ALCS baseball playoffs on Fox at 5 pm. The Angels pulled one out last night and hopefully their momentum can continue tonight to even up the series. Say NO to A-Roid and the Yankees.
On latenight, Jimmy Kimmel is the only show with a new episode tonight, and features Edward Norton, Paul Shaffer and the latest bootee from Dancing With The Stars.
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How is this “Jay Leno’s fault”?
Jay was #1 in his 11:30 p.m. ET time slot for YEARS, and the moronic hierarchy at NBC decided to move him into prime time! From what I remember, he was reluctant to take that spot, but I guess they offered him enough $ to do so.
Meanwhile, Conan O’Brien, Leno’s 11:30 p.m. replacement, continues to struggle in the ratings!
So why not place the blame where it belongs (with Jeff Zucker, or whomever, at NBC), and move Leno back to late night, do something with O’Brien, and find something else for NBC prime time? Sure, someone is at fault here, but it is NOT JAY LENO!!!!!
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Hey Missy,
This is not in any way Jay’s fault.
From what I hear, the blame should be placed on Jeff Zucker. I’m amazed he’s still there. Until he goes, NBC will continue to struggle.
Please continue discussion on the forum: link