Moonlightaholics

It amazes me that those shows get such huge numbers. Though, I have heard a lot of people say that The Mentalist is deserving of it's rank.

According to criminalmindsfanatic.blogspot.com this past ep "Conflicted" pulled in 13.3 million viewers (second to "Idol"). That's a little lower than a few recent eps. This one was directed by Jason Alexander.

Fleur de Lisa wrote:It amazes me that those shows get such huge numbers. Though, I have heard a lot of people say that The Mentalist is deserving of it's rank.

This will get me in a lot of trouble, but....

I've watched the original CSI and NCIS since they started. A lot of the CBS dramas that have fared well have ensemble casts (all of the CSIs, NCIS, CM, the Mentalist, Without a Trace, Cold Case). The original structure of each show had a strong lead among the ensemble, then a second tier of strong supporting characters, with a third tier of peripheral supporting characters. Periodically, one of the second tier of strong supporting characters would get the spotlight, then the series would return to the original formula.

I've about given up on NCIS this season as the support characters have become dominant, but in a silly sort of way. The strong lead basically waltzes in on his fellow cast members, scowls, barks and order then leads them off to find the corpse de jour. Mark Harmon could do his character in his sleep.

William Petersen left CSI and William Fishburne has replaced him in the cast, but as a novice to the group, not a leader, so the dynamic is out of whack. The third tier of supporting characters has nearly taken over the show, as two of the second tier of supporting characters were written out. I like Fishburne's character, but the show's ratings are beginning to slip.

The premise of The Mentalist was enticing, and the ensemble has good chemistry (only one tier of supporting cast here), but they've gotten away from the story line that initially attracted a lot of viewers, again, allowing the supporting characters a lot of exposure. My guess is that they'll get back to the original storyline in time for the May sweeps, but what'll they do next season?

Fleur de Lisa wrote:It amazes me that those shows get such huge numbers. Though, I have heard a lot of people say that The Mentalist is deserving of it's rank.

As long as the cast is interesting, the story basis intriguing, procedurals do well because you don't HAVE to follow tham every single week. You can view once, miss a few and come back later and not miss a beat. With a show like Lost, for example, you miss a week or two and you are TRULY Lost! Besides, procedurals draw in both male and female viewers. The more serialized dramas tend to only draw the female crowd.

I like CM but it's not my fave. I've watched enough to get the idea of who does what and what usually transpires, but it doesn't keep me riveted. It will, however, have my undivided attention on April 29th!!

Remember, only Nielsen box people get rated; they extrapolate from there the "actual" numbers.
Let's hope there are a few ML fans who are Nielsen families and who weren't already watching CM.

That being said; I would love to see Alex's ep jump up CM's numbers that week. That would show that interest in Alex had a positive effect on CM's ratings.

Who knows? It may very well be one of the factors in choosing TR over other pilots. You know, the old "all things being equal----" Alex makes the difference.

And let's hope that for that particular week, American Idol doesn't have some dramatic showdown that sucks half of America into its inanity...

wpgrace wrote:And let's hope that for that particular week, American Idol doesn't have some dramatic showdown that sucks half of America into its inanity...

Damn that show! Hopefully they take that into consideration! That is another show I just don't get! After all these seasons---doesn't it start to get old??

Don't hate me, but me and my family watch AI together! We hadn't for a year or 2, but we do this season. It is a family event here---and I loved Scott--the legally blind kid. I am such a sap and really rooted for him.

it isnt great tv--but it's one of the few things we can all watch and enjoy/laugh at together.

Fleur de Lisa wrote:Don't hate me, but me and my family watch AI together! We hadn't for a year or 2, but we do this season. It is a family event here---and I loved Scott--the legally blind kid. I am such a sap and really rooted for him.

it isnt great tv--but it's one of the few things we can all watch and enjoy/laugh at together.

Oh the horror!

I love you my Fleur... but gag moi. We DID watch it when the kids were more little... but even my 8 year old got sick of it about 2 years ago... and I must admit I never made it past the Clay Aiken season... that done it for me...

But it has retained surprising numbers this many seasons in... tho it doesn't seem to be able to produce a top recording artist anymore. But I TRULY hope they don't have any important showdowns on Alex's night... and that Paula hasn't slept with another contestant that particular week...

Well, they did produce Chris Daughtry--who has some decent music out.

Fleur de Lisa wrote:Well, they did produce Chris Daughtry--who has some decent music out.

Yeah... and Kelly... but they were both some years ago... I'm not dissing it per se (tho I admit I don't enjoy it)... just saying it's gotten kinda old and, the last few years, not producing big hit-makers anymore. And the non-winners, like Daughtry and that Archeleta guy, seem to do a bit better than the actual winners anymore.

I notice they have a new judge on there this year... she any good??

WHICH... to get back on topic... is probably what CBS is worried about with a lot of THEIR programming. Still getting ratings but they are dropping and the shows are getting a bit stale... when do you stop such a thing? At what point do you cancel???

I am hoping they cancel quite a few "old" shows to make room for the new... but I don't know that CM is in that boat at this point...

The new judge is good. She helps prop up Paula--who is spaced out. But making more sense this year, so, her meds must be adjusted better.........

And go Alex-----in a lame attempt to stay on topic.

wpgrace wrote:

Fleur de Lisa wrote:Well, they did produce Chris Daughtry--who has some decent music out.

Yeah... and Kelly... but they were both some years ago... I'm not dissing it per se (tho I admit I don't enjoy it)... just saying it's gotten kinda old and, the last few years, not producing big hit-makers anymore. And the non-winners, like Daughtry and that Archeleta guy, seem to do a bit better than the actual winners anymore.

I notice they have a new judge on there this year... she any good??

WHICH... to get back on topic... is probably what CBS is worried about with a lot of THEIR programming. Still getting ratings but they are dropping and the shows are getting a bit stale... when do you stop such a thing? At what point do you cancel???

I am hoping they cancel quite a few "old" shows to make room for the new... but I don't know that CM is in that boat at this point...

I haven't heard anything to make me think that CM is in trouble, but they did start cutting back costs by firing 5 writers. Ouch! Who knows what else they'll have to do to keep viable in CBS's eyes?

As for when long running shows finally leave the air, hopefully they do so under their own steam and don't wait to feel the swing of the axe.

If CM gets 14 million viewers, it is probably safe. Those are big numbers.

CM is not one of the CBS bubble shows. Their entire Tuesday night lineup is doing very well. The ones which have been mentioned are The Unit, Cold Case, and Without a Trace. The Unit definitely looks like it's dead but the other two are showing some signs of life. CBS has asked all their shows to reduce their budgets. So whichever show doesn't toe the line may find itself off CBS's schedule. So we may see a surprise or two come May 20.

Amy V.