T Dog’s Grab Bag: “Closer” finale draws 9.1 million able bodies

The Genesis Convention Center in Gary.

We’ve got items on The Closer, NBC’s ratings results for its fall preview shows, and more:

– According to Chicagoland Radio & Media, WJYS-TV’s new late night talk show strip Seven On Ridge has now nailed down a temporary location while it searches for a permanent home in the downtown Chicago area – the Genesis Convention Center in Gary, Ind. Dinner seating and reservations are now being taken. Studio seating costs only two bucks, while premium seats are $20, with Dinner seating costing anywhere between $24 and $57. For reservations, click here.

This is not the first time the Genesis Convention Center has hosted a television production; the 2001 and 2002 Miss USA pageants were produced here and broadcast on then-rights holder CBS, thanks to pageant owner Donald Trump, who also owned two riverboat casinos in Gary at the time.

Hosted by Michael Essany, Seven on Ridge premieres September 17 at 10:30 p.m. on WJYS. If successful, there’s a possibility the show could be syndicated. However…

– Arsenio Hall’s new late night talk show from CBS Television Distribution has now cleared 85 percent in the country, including stations in the Sinclair, Raycom, Belo, Post-Newsweek, and Cox groups, among others giving the show clearances in all fifty largest markets. Earlier, Tribune, CBS and Local TV LLC groups made a deal to air Arsenio’s show, including WGN-TV locally, beginning in September 2013.

– TNT’s season finale of The New Dallas – which contained more twists than a pretzel and more surprises than in (or at) Jack In The Box- drew 4.3 million viewers on August 8, with 1.8 million of them in the adults 25-54 demo. The revival of Dallas has been renewed for a second season with an expanded order of fifteen episodes, up from ten the first season.

As for the show itself, the revival has been quite impressive. J.R. proves once again he is the best antagonist in television history, and hasn’t lost a beat. Though there were some cliched scenes (e.g. John Ross slamming an replica oil model onto the floor in a for of anger), the storylines were easy to follow and more importantly, interesting. Can’t wait for season two – and who knows? We might see an appearance from original cast members Sasha Mitchell and Victoria Principal. Make this happen, Time Warner!

Meanwhile, the controversial series finale of The Closer drew 9.1 million viewers on Monday night, while spin-off Major Crimes drew 7.2 million, making it cable’s top new series launch so far this year.

– In more ratings news, the series “preview” of Matthew Perry’s Go On  out of NBC’s Olympics coverage on August 8 drew 16.1 million viewers and a 6.7 rating in adults 18-49. As bad as the promos were, Go On received generally positive reviews from critics (a 69 score on Metacritic) and from Twitter. Go On debuts in its regular day and time period on Tuesday, September 11 at 8 p.m. Central Time. My thoughts?

And how about that Animal Practice? NBC interrupted the final minutes of the Closing Ceremonies Sunday night to bring us this travesty. The show drew 12.8 million viewers and a 4.1 rating among adults 18-49 and lower than Go On’s premiere. The series debuts on Sept. 26. Animal Practice already has a seat waiting for them in The T Dog Media TV Hall Of Shame (you’ve probably been asking, “when is The Shame going to be updated?” Soon, my friends.)

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