Nielsons

[Scoops]

By Gary Levin, USA TODAY
•I do. The season finale of ABC's The Bachelor claimed 15.5 million viewers Monday, the biggest finish for the reality series since 2003. And thanks to bachelor Jason's last-minute switcheroo, the After the Final Rose special did even better, with a series-high 17.5 million.

•Rules not broken. The third-season premiere of CBS comedy Rules of Engagement drew 11.8 million Monday, better than any episode of its predecessor, Worst Week.


•Model looks. CW's America's Next Top Model returned for another round with 3.9 million viewers Wednesday, improving a bit over its last two starts. And Reaper returned for a second (and final) season with 2.3 million Tuesday.

•Bad is good. AMC's Breaking Bad returned for a second season with series-high 1.7 million viewers Sunday, up from 1.4 million last year, a big increase among young male viewers.

Swift lift. CBS' CSI (20.9 million) had its biggest number in two months thanks to a guest appearance by Taylor Swift.

•G'night Knight. NBC's Knight Rider remake stalled with 5.7 million viewers for Wednesday's series finale.

•Cable returnees. E!'s Keeping Up with the Kardashians (1.7 million Sunday); Bravo's Make Me a Supermodel (a low 1.1 million Wednesday in Top Chef's slot); and History Channel's Ax Men (1.5 million Monday).

•Finale time. USA's Burn Notice wrapped up its season with an impressive (and series-high) 6.1 million viewers Thursday, while MTV's America's Best Dance Crew stepped out with a season-high 3.4 million. FX's Nip/Tuck signed off with a less-stellar 2.4 million Tuesday. Other finishers: Sci Fi's Ghost Hunters International (2.2 million Wednesday); VH1's Tool Academy (1.8 million Sunday); and Showtime's The L Word (756,000 for Sunday's series finale).

[Scoops]

By The Associated Press – 20 hours ago

Prime-time viewership numbers compiled by Nielsen Media Research for March 2-8. Listings include the week's ranking, with viewership for the week and season-to-date rankings in parentheses. An "X" in parentheses denotes a one-time-only presentation.

1. (1) "American Idol," (Tuesday), Fox, 24.31 million viewers.

2. (1) "American Idol," (Wednesday), Fox, 22.78 million viewers.

3. (X) "American Idol Thursday Special-3/5," Fox, 21.5 million viewers.

4. (4) "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," CBS, 20.88 million viewers.

5. (X) "Bachelor: After the Final Rose," ABC, 17.47 million viewers.

6. (27) "The Bachelor," ABC, 15.48 million viewers.

7. (11) "Two and a Half Men," CBS, 15.47 million viewers.

8. (6) "NCIS," CBS, 13.67 million viewers.

9. (9) "Desperate Housewives," ABC, 13.65 million viewers.

10. (14) "CSI: Miami," CBS, 13.42 million viewers.

11. (10) "60 Minutes," CBS, 13.31 million viewers.

12. (8) "The Mentalist," CBS, 12.63 million viewers.

13. (24) "Cold Case," CBS, 12.62 million viewers.

14. (25) "Eleventh Hour," CBS, 12.05 million viewers.

15. (17) "Survivor: Tocantins," CBS, 11.85 million viewers.

16. (20) "Rules Of Engagement," CBS, 11.82 million viewers.

17. (20) "24," Fox, 11.14 million viewers.

18. (42) "How I Met Your Mother," CBS, 11.09 million viewers.

19. (32) "Ghost Whisperer," CBS, 11.09 million viewers.

20. (X) "Bachelor: After the Final Rose 2," ABC, 10.9 million viewers.

[Scoops]

By Gary Levin, USA TODAY 3-11-2009

TV is watching a reality rebound.

Amid declines by many scripted series, ABC's Dancing With the Stars returned for an eighth season Monday with 22.8 million viewers, its biggest opening yet. The Bachelor last week finished its highest-rated season since 2003. NBC's The Biggest Loser is up 21%, even though it airs opposite reality kingpin American Idol. And last week's season opener of America's Next Top Model topped the CW show's two previous starts.

Though Idol is down 9%, TV's top show has widened its lead over top scripted series. And CBS' Survivor and The Amazing Race are down just slightly from recent editions, despite steep declines for dramas such as Heroes, House and Lost.

Some say robust reality ratings reflect the sour economy. "People in a recession era are looking to TV to provide some escapism," says Victoria Dummer, co-head of ABC's unscripted programming. She says The Bachelor provides familiar "comfort food" that's "a more easily digestible meal" than some scripted series.

"Dramas are so downbeat and crime-focused that while they offer escapism of a different sort, it's rarely, if ever, uplifting," says John Rash of Minneapolis ad firm Campbell Mithun.

NBC reality chief Paul Telegdy chalks up the gains to the after-effects of last winter's writers' strike, which crippled series but left unscripted programs intact. "These shows and their stories endured uninterrupted at a time when there was a paucity of scripted content," he says.

Compelling contestants and expanded "stories" have helped: Loser is regularly a two-hour event, building audience throughout the night, and currently ranks as NBC's top-rated show. Dancing and Idol air double-length episodes for half their runs, along with weekly results shows.

The added length fills weaker time SPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAM and has "allowed people more time to get attached to the characters," Dummer says.

ABC did its part: When Bachelor (and single dad) Jason Mesnick dumped his chosen one, Melissa Rycroft, for a second-choice pick, Rycroft conveniently resurfaced a week later on Dancing as a replacement for one of two injured contestants.

[Susan]

I know my viewing is probably 95-98% reality TV....the rest is sports. I think Brothers and Sisters is my only scripted show....and I rarely watch it anymore.

[ChicagoDiva]

The only one I watch is DH. I'm surprised with the season this year it is still in the top 10 though.

[Jinh]

Yack...I watched one out of 20 (Sixty Minutes)...hmmmm

[lavender]

************************************************** *********

QUOTING FROM POSTER: ChicagoDiva;1846790 (Post Number)

The only one I watch is DH. I'm surprised with the season this year it is still in the top 10 though.

************************************************** *********
ITA CD, this season the show's scripts are not up to par, the storylines are getting sillier than usual, I still watch, lol........... BTW Nicollette will not be returning to the show
as per Felicity H. on R&K.

[Mia]

Edie is dying, Lavender. I think it has to do with a car accident and then she gets electrocuted or something like that.

I liked Nicolette on Knots Landing. Not so much here.

[lavender]

Mia I must have missed the episode about Edie dying, sorry to hear that. The story line about Orson stealing is awful. I like his character, why can't he and Brie have a happy marriage? The men are all doofuses? Looks like it!

[SavhLaney]

************************************************** *********

QUOTING FROM POSTER: Mia;1846912 (Post Number)

Edie is dying, Lavender. I think it has to do with a car accident and then she gets electrocuted or something like that.

I liked Nicolette on Knots Landing. Not so much here.

************************************************** *********

I could not stand Nicolette as Paige, but have loved her as Edie.

I will miss her on DH.

[Monicauf]

************************************************** *********

QUOTING FROM POSTER: Jinh;1846893 (Post Number)

Yack...I watched one out of 20 (Sixty Minutes)...hmmmm

************************************************** *********

I love 60 minutes, I also love Law and Order, ( original and SVU) Grey's Anatomy, Monday night comedies on CBS- as for reality tv my must see are Survivor and Amazing Race. I watch a couple other reality tv shows such as American Idol, but not considered must see tv....

[Jinh]

************************************************** *********

QUOTING FROM POSTER: Monicauf;1846980 (Post Number)

************************************************** *********

QUOTING FROM POSTER: Jinh;1846893 (Post Number)

Yack...I watched one out of 20 (Sixty Minutes)...hmmmm

************************************************** *********

I love 60 minutes, I also love Law and Order, ( original and SVU) Grey's Anatomy, Monday night comedies on CBS- as for reality tv my must see are Survivor and Amazing Race. I watch a couple other reality tv shows such as American Idol, but not considered must see tv....

************************************************** *********

We are into 'Big Love'...really good writing this year...anybody watch?

[lavender]

I do enjoy Big Love alas it's opposite DH Sun 9 PM ET. Hard to break the DH habit.

Great HBO runs the show several times during the week (tonight at 10 ET).


The acting is top notch, the storyline different, excellent show!

[Jules]

Can't believe Big Bang Theory wasn't on that list. That show is genius!