Welcome to CraveOnline's Idiot Box Updates, where we run down all the latest TV news and separate the facts from the rumors and nonsense on and about the small screen.
Here's a list of the top 20 prime-time network shows by viewership numbers, compiled by Nielsen Media Research for Dec. 28-Jan. 4. Listings include the week's ranking and viewership.
1. NFL Football: Cincinnati vs. N.Y. Jets, NBC, 16.33 million.
2. College Football: Florida vs. Cincinnati, Fox, 15.53 million.
3. "Desperate Housewives," ABC, 15.35 million.
4. "60 Minutes," CBS, 14.84 million.
5. "Sunday Night NFL Pre-Kick," NBC, 14.16 million.
6. "NCIS," CBS, 12.87 million.
7. "Rose Bowl Postgame," 11.91 million, ABC.
8. "The OT," Fox, 11.51 million.
9. "Two and a Half Men," CBS, 11.09 million.
10. "Criminal Minds," CBS, 11.06 million.
11. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," ABC, 10.98 million.
12. "CSI: NY," CBS, 10.89 million, 10.89 million.
13. "Brothers & Sisters," ABC, 10.78 million.
14. "America's Funniest Home Videos," ABC, 10.15 million.
15. "Football Night in America," NBC, 10.13 million.
16. "The Big Bang Theory," CBS, 9.94 million.
17. "NCIS" (Sunday), CBS, 9.91 million.
18. "Kennedy Center Honors," CBS, 9.63 million.
19. "CSI: Miami," CBS, 9.49 million.
20. "The Simpsons," Fox, 8.55 million.
Say it aint so, NBC! A highly exciting report claiming NBC was canceling "The Jay Leno Show" yesterday prompted a response from the network:
“Jay Leno is one of the most compelling entertainers in the world today. As we have said all along, Jay’s show has performed exactly as we anticipated on the network. It has, however, presented some issues for our affiliates. Both Jay and the show are committed to working closely with them to find ways to improve the performance.”
It's no shock to anyone by now that Jay Leno has become a cancer not only on the 10pm time slot on network television, but the "Tonight Show" itself by refusing to go away and let the next, deserving generation take over. NBC made a major mistake in throwing Leno the 10pm bone, and instead of owning up to the boat-rocking failure they're digging their heels in. And now, according to TMZ, Conan may be headed for the unemployment line.
From TMZ:
We've learned Jay's 10:00 PM show will go on hiatus February 1. After the Olympics, Jay will take back his 11:30 PM time slot. What has not been decided -- whether Jay's show will be a half hour, followed by Conan, or whether Jay's show will be an hour and NBC says sayonara to Mr. O'Brien.
We're told Jay and Conan have both been told of the changes. As for Jay, interestingly, he'll get what he always wanted -- his 11:30 PM time slot.
This is a damned shame, and as awesome as NBC's comedy block is, a boycott of the network over this late-night atrocity isn't entirely outside the realm of reason if this turns out to be true. Conan doesn't deserve this. America doesn't deserve this.
[UPDATE: Leno jokes about the rumors on his show - video]
The cast of "Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains" has been announced. The show, which debuts Feb. 11, is sure to be the pinnacle of survivalism-spat television history, and suck our souls even further into a pit of hopelessly superficial purgatory. But damned if it aint great for ratings! For the full cast list, head to Thrfeed.
The hysterically anticipated upcoming Season 8 (aka Day 8) of "24" follows the apparently-immortal Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) getting embroiled in an assassination plot made public during a peace conference between President Allison Taylor of the United States and President Omar Hassan (Anil Kapoor from Slumdog Millionaire) of the Islamic Republic of Kamistan.
Day 8 also brings viewers back to CTU New York (which was previously shut down) and introduces us to some new characters who work for the agency including Freddie Prinze, Jr. and Katee Sackhoff. "24" Season 8 kicks off January 17th with a 2-day, 4-hour premiere. Will you be watching?
