Tepid returns for new first-run and off-network strips (updated)

To no one’s surprise, the five first-run strips that debuted yesterday got off to a mixed start, with only one (Steve Wilkos) up from its lead-in and all down from year-ago time period averages. Here’s a metered-market ratings rundown of the five new syndicated first-run strips from Monday: Program Rtg/Shr Lead-in 9/06 TP Best performer TMZ 2.0/4 1.9/4 1.9/4 St. […]

Homer hits a homer

No D’ohing here: The Simpsons Movie was a big box-office success this weekend, opening at the top with an amazing $72 million, which is the fifth best opening of the year. The movie, based on the long-running sitcom on Fox, succeeded thanks to a strong marketing campaign (from longtime partners 7-Eleven and Burger King) and turnout from die-hard fans and […]

Fox at TCA

It’s Fox’s turn at the mic at TCA press tour. Among the nuggets: – The first of Fox’s new fall lineup to roll out will be on August 30 with the season premiere of Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? with Cops and America’s Most Wanted following on Sept. 8 and Kitchen Nightmares on Sept. 13. – Fox has […]

D’oh! Vermont wins?

Just one television show has ever been based in Vermont, and that was Newhart. And so, the state known for maple syrup lands the premiere of The Simpsons Movie, due out in theaters July 27. It barely beat out other top contenders including Illinois and Oregon. No word on whether or not Larry, Darryl, and his other brother Darryl will […]

Oh Thank Heaven for the Kwik-E-Mart

Twelve 7-Eleven convenience stores – including one here in Chicago – have converted themselves into “Kwik-E-Marts” – the real-life prototype of the store Apu runs on The Simpsons. In the stores you will find prototypes of products that are seen on the animated show, including Buzz Cola, Krusty O’s, and Squishees (really Slurpees). But you won’t find four week-old hot […]

NBC’s prime-time costs WTMJ 10 p.m. win

WISN-TV, Hearst-Argyle’s ABC affiliate in Milwaukee, beat NBC affiliate WTMJ-TV at 10 p.m. for the first time in seven years in the recent May sweeps, proving once again that prime time on NBC these days is a drag on its local stations. Meanwhile, Bart is also watching The King of Queens in Milwaukee, because the off-network sitcom beat The Simpsons […]

Minnesota to The Simpsons: Get Lost

Leave it to Minnesota to spoil The Simpsons‘ fun: While sixteen other Springfields are vying for the free preview screening for the new Simpsons movie (including Illinois and Missouri), the Springfield in Minnesota turned the producers down. Maybe they should stick to doing what they do best: boo A.J. Pierzynski. And as for the “lady” quoted at the end of […]

The Ten’s ratings problem exposing problems at another station

WFLD-TV’s new 10 p.m. newscast called The Ten is clearly struggling in the ratings – but the program is skewing younger, and is exposing problems at crosstown rival WBBM-TV with their 10 p.m. newscast. According to an article in the Sun-Times today, The Fox-owned station’s newscast has surprisingly beat the CBS-owned station’s late newscast in the household ratings on some […]

Deconstructing Feder

Robert Feder’s column in the Sun-Times today: – WCIU-TV is taking advantage of WFLD-TV’s move of The Simpsons to 10:35 p.m. by taking out billboards proclaiming that “Now Bart can watch The King of Queens at 10 p.m.” Somehow, I envisioned Bart watching Futurama on Adult Swim instead… – Meet WKQX-FM’s (or Q101) spokesman: retiring Price is Right host Bob […]

Bart Simpson’s Week 16 NFL picks

Bart Simpson: (c) Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp. All rights reserved. That’s right. You heard me. Bart Simpson this week is picking NFL games on FoxSports.com. (If you’re a gambling man, don’t take his advice. He thinks the Chiefs play in St. Louis.) He said he once drove to Cincinnati (no doubt to loot in the 2001 race riots), and […]

"King of the Hill" is back on at 7:30 Sundays. Central Time.

Yes! Fox’s King of the Hill is back in its original time slot where it launched in January 1997, the plum slot after The Simpsons. This means that American Dad, which has occupied that slot, is moving back to its 8:30 pm (Central Time) slot, all effective January 28. Family Guy’s time slot remains unchanged. King of the Hill will […]