WINTER TV SEASON UPDATE - WEEK 6

WINTER TV SEASON PREMIERES CONTINUE

Trouble lies ahead in TV Land as the Winter premieres wind on down. The networks have to start making decisions now and the future isn't looking bright for some programs and even entire Networks. My predictions proved right in my scathing review of NBC's DO NO HARM, the network has canceled the series after only 2 episodes!!!! (ouch, imagine what the cast feels like right now ahahah). But that isn't the end of NBC's woes, on top of losing Chevy Chase on COMMUNITY, the end of it's top series 30 ROCK, and a slate of lack luster underperformers, Christina Applegate has announced that she is quitting UP ALL NIGHT. The show wasn't doing well and was being constantly retooled including a switch from a one camera to a three camera production (think switching from The Office to Everybody Loves Raymond stylistically). Fed up with all the changed, she up and left and NBC STILL ISN'T CALLING IT QUITS! Now they want Lisa Kudrow to replace her????? (I think America will notice, don't you). TNT's new drama MONDAY MORNINGS premiered very well though, if you like medical shows, this one will give you your fix but also take you somewhere much much darker. The primary focus is on death, death, and more death providing for some intense moments and a great slate of acting moments. SNL hit lackluster ratings with it's Justin Bieber episode and for good reason, it was AWFUL. The cast did their best, big props to Cecily Strong, but nothing could make up for Bieber's awful acting and someone please tell him to pull up his pants, gross. On a different note, I saw John Carter this weekend on a date night with the Mr. and I finally understand what all the whoopla was about: it was probably one of the worst movies I've ever seen. Don't watch it, it's trash (puke). Enough bad news though, the Grammy's are tonight, The Walking Dead returns to AMC, and we have a few more premieres to try so let's get into it!

*THE WAY TV WORKS

It's no secret that without advertising, TV wouldn't exist. TV shows are measured through ratings in age demographics with the biggest money maker in the 18-34 range. This raises some common questions:

Why all this focus on 18-34 and 18-49 year olds! It's the people over 50 who have all the money. Why be ageist?

I know it is counter-intuitive for some people, but the focus on the younger age demographics isn't a function of spending power or ageism, it's a function of advertisers desire to reach younger viewers, and relative availability. It's much, much easier to reach a 60 year old than a 25 year old via television advertising because on average a higher percentage of 60 year olds watch a higher percentage of television than 25 year olds.

Relatively speaking, the 60 year old is easy to reach and the 25 year old far more scarce. The relative scarcity of younger viewers increases both the focus and advertising premiums paid for younger viewers.

Whether this is good, bad, right or wrong, I can't really say. I can say, at least for now, that's the way it is.

It's really not just about how old you are or how much money you have to spend.  It's also about how easy it is to reach you. The easier it is to reach you, the less advertisers are willing to pay for you, the harder it is to reach you, the more they are willing to pay.

*The Returners denotes that your fav show is back with new episodes

Sunday - February 10th

*SPECIAL EVENT Make sure to tune in for THE GRAMMY'S! They are this Sunday on CBS and the competition is super thick so check it out!

*Special note that ABC and FOX are still airing new episodes of their lineups during the GRAMMY'S.

*HOT RETURNER - AMC's monster hit THE WALKING DEAD returns for the second half of Season 3. More shocks and twists and in store for this top rated cable drama with the highest ratings outside of broadcast TV. Expertly done, cinematically beautiful, and grotesquely fun.

Monday - February 11th

*Cable is still hot!- Monday night doesn't hold any big network premieres so take a change and see what cable networks have to offer. Sometimes we don't want to sit down in front of a scripted comedy or drama, we just want to be entertained. These two new shows from Travel Channel and Cartoon Network might fit the bill for you. If you loved the Amanda Show, than the Incredible Crew is for you, as these mini-SNL players entertain you with digital shorts. For a sampling, check out their hit music video below (hilarious)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ4FWWnqrvU

The Returners: 

Tuesday - February 12th

*SOCIALLY IMPORTANT - All the networks will be dark tonight with reruns in between coverage of the STATE OF THE UNION address from our newly sworn in president. So if you are head online to catch the new episode of New Girl and find it's not there, don't say I didn't tell you.

*CABLE PREMIERE - Oxygen is launching THE FACE, an America's Next Top Model copycat that is sure to entertain...if you are one of the only people on the planet that even has Oxygen that is.

The Returners: The 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show will be on USA Network

Wednesday - February 13th

*HOT RETURNER - CBS's behemoth that is SURVIVOR is back with a Fans VS. Favorites set in Caramoan. Fans of last season brace yourselves for the return of super fine Malcolm and a whole lot of back stabbing sweaty dirty goodness.

The Returners: Also returning is TNT's cop drama SOUTHLAND.

Thursday - February 14th

*HOT Premiere- ABC hopes that ZERO HOUR, a delightful mystery show in the stylings of movies like The DaVinci Code can fill the vacant spot left by Private Practice and Last Resort. A team of cool National Treasure nerds work to save the planet by solving puzzles, I'll mos def be tuning in.

The Returners: 

Friday - February 15th

*DO IT ALREADY ABC's SHARK TANK wins the top spot on Friday again this week because it just took the crown as Friday's top rated show on TV period. This runaway reality show has captivated viewers and is now a bonafide hit and it's about time you gave it a chance.

The Returners:

Saturday - February 16th

*SPECIAL EVENT HBO is premiering a special documentary produced and codirected by Beyonce featuring... BEYONCE. This intimate look into the life story of the famous R&B diva will be airing on HBO and released on HBO GO at the same time. Check it out if you are still reeling from her fabulous performance at the Super Bowl!

*HOT EVENT- The NASCAR SPRINT cup is this weekend!

*SNL- CHRISTOPH WALTZ will be hosting and ALABAMA SHAKES will be performing on a new SNL this week!

Sunday - February 17th

*HOT RETURNER- The Emmy Winning THE AMAZING RACE is back on CBS with it's 22nd season around the World. This show is great fun especially with how inspired you will be to get up and see the World yourself.

*Also don't miss the season finale of Downton Abbey!

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK AS WE DELVE INTO THE BRAND NEW WINTER TV SEASON