LIVE FROM THE NATPE CONFERENCE IN LAS VEGAS

Prime-Time Metered Market Monday Ratings:

TV Trivia Time:

Note: The Ratings Box Section will return on Friday, Jan. 29.  

Prime-Time Metered Market Monday Ratings:

Fox Wins; Impressive Castle on ABC

              HH
          Rtg/Shr

CBS   6.1/ 9

NBC   3.9/ 6

-Note: Comparisons to the year-ago evening were not available today.

House (Fox), The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love (ABC), Two and a Half Men R (CBS), The Big Bang Theory R (CBS), Castle (ABC)

-Yesterday’s Losers (excluding repeats):

Heroes (NBC), The Jay Leno Show (NBC)

Note: The fast affiliate results for Monday will be posted at PIFeedback by 12 p.m. ET. Go to the website, click on Ratings Box (the first category), then Last Night’s Results, and Monday, January 25, 2010.   

Fox led this final January Monday in the overnights, beating second-place ABC by 1.1 rating points. Third overall was a night of all repeats on CBS, followed by distant NBC and The CW. House opened the evening for Fox with a 9.7 rating/14 share, which comparably was the highest rated show of the evening. Hugh Laurie, in fact, will be here for a Q&A today at NATPE. Next on Fox was veteran 24 at a third-place 7.6/11 at 9 p.m. Retention for 24 out of the second half of lead-in House (9.9/14 at 8:30 p.m.) was 77 percent. 

ABC’s The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love was on the map with a 7.5/11 in the overnights from 8-10 p.m., which will certainly translate into success among the target female audience. Take a look at the half-hour breakdown:

The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love (ABC)

Castle, ABC’s first successful crime solver in recent years, closed the evening with a dominant 7.4/12 at 10 p.m. Comparably, retention out of the 9:30 p.m. portion of The Bachelor was a solid 89 percent. This is the first time Castle is an official “winner.”  

Third-place CBS was on the map despite airing all repeats with its combination of How I Met Your Mother (#4: 4.2/ 6), which has been picked-up for a sixth season, Accidentally on Purpose (#4: 3.9/ 6), Two and a Half Men (#1: 8.3/12), The Big Bang Theory (#2: 7.5/11) and CSI: Miami (#2: 6.3/10). As I said here at NATPE at my Modern Family session yesterday, both The Big Bang Theory and Modern Family are responsible for the expected resurgence of comedies. Guess what? The sitcom is fat from dead!

Over at NBC, Chuck continues to have a cult following with a third-place 5.0/ 7 at 8 p.m. The bottom line: it could be better, but it could also be worse. Next was waiting-to-be-canceled Heroes (#4: 3.4/ 5), followed by failed The Jay Leno Show at a last-place 3.3/ 5 at 10 p.m.

The CW capped off the evening with veteran One Tree Hill (#5: 1.9/ 3) and week two of the critically acclaimed Life Unexpected (#5: 1.8/ 3). Comparably, Life Unexpected dipped from it’s week-ago series-opener (2.1/ 3 on Jan. 18) by 14 percent, which is typical for any new series. Let’s wait and see what the demos look like before passing any judgment. 

Source: Nielsen Media Research data

Note: The Ratings Box section will return on Friday, Jan. 29.

On the Air Tonight:
Prime-Time Programming Options

10:00 p.m. The Good Wife (R)

10:00 p.m. The Jay Leno Show

TV Tidbits:

Notes of Interest

-CBS Pick-Ups:

CBS has renewed veteran non-scripted franchises Survivor and The Amazing Race for next season. The Eye net has picked-up two more editions of Survivor, marking the 21^st and 22^nd installments, with a green light for the 17^th edition of The Amazing Race. The Amazing Race 16 returns on Sunday, Feb. 14 at 8 p.m. ET, while the next edition of Survivor, themed Heroes vs. Villains, begins three days earlier on Thursday, Feb. 11 (one week after a special series retrospective clips edition). In scripted sitcom news, CBS has also renewed Monday anchor How I Met Your Mother for a sixth season. 

-Sad News:

Pernell Roberts, the final surviving member of classic western Bonanza, died of cancer at his Malibu home on Sunday. He was 81.  Known, of course, for his long-running role as Dr. John “Trapper” McIntyre on MASH spin-off Trapper John, M.D., Roberts prematurely exited Bonanza six seasons into its 13 and-a-half year tenure in search of greater opportunities. Like David Caruso, who also managed to rebound years after leaving a hit series, Roberts stayed with Trapper John., M.D. for its entire run. His third regularly scheduled series venture was as host and narrator of ABC’s FBI: The Untold Stories from 1991-93. In between series, Roberts made countless guest star appearances on series like The Girl from U.N.C.L.E., The Wild Wild West, Gunsmoke, The Big Valley, The Name of the Game, Hawaii Five-O, The Virginian, Night Gallery, Marcus Welby, M.D., Mission: Impossible and Mannix. His final TV appearance was a guest spot in a 1997 episode of Diagnosis Murder.   

-Twentieth Television Announces Don’t Forget the Lyrics in First-Run:

Don't Forget the Lyrics, the recent Fox game show hosted by Wayne Brady, has a new home effective this fall: first-run syndication. The distributor will launch a half-hour version of the musical quiz show with recording artist and former Extra anchor Mark McGrath as host (Brady, of course, is currently hosting the network revival of Let's Make a Deal). Don't Forget the Lyrics has been sold to the Fox Television Stations in the top 10 markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and Washington, D.C.

In addition to running in syndication, Don't Forget the Lyrics will air on VH1 and, in prime-time, on MyNetworkTV, where it will be paired on Tuesday with returning Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?

-Coming Up From Debmar-Mercury:

Debmar-Mercury, home of The Wendy Williams Show, will team up with producer ITV Studios for a U.S. version of U.K. talker The Jeremy Kyle Show in a limited, multi-week on-air preview later this year. If all goes well, the distributor will launch it nationally in 2011. Unlike entertainment-driven Wendy Williams, Jeremy Kyle is known for confronting guests to attempt to solve serious issues. 

The distributor has cleared 180 hour-long episodes of The True Hollywood Story (THS), once a staple on E!, in approximately 65 percent of the country. Represented station groups include CBS, Fox, Capitol, Landmark, Scripps, Sunbeam and Weigel. 

-Program Partners Partners with Knowlera Media:

Program Partners has announced an alliance with “how-to” video supplier Knowlera Media to develop 21^st century program offerings for stations on a cash and barter basis. The goal is to find cost effective turn-key solutions for stations to provide high quality video content for local programs, news features and video content. And the programming is aimed at building the broadcaster’s share of local spot advertising budgets by expanding sponsorship opportunities. 

After weeks of literally begging distributors for information on upcoming new show listings, here is the final set for fall 2009:

Steven and Chris (One hour)

Program Partners / Barter (6 minutes national/8 minutes local)

Hosted by Canada’s “designer guys,” Steven Sabados and Chris Hyndman, the focus is on approachable, practical and fun ways to improve your lifestyle, home and diet. The inventory will be a combination of old episodes from the Canadian series and new installments.

The Jeremy Kyle Show (One hour)

The confrontational U.K. talk show host comes to the U.S. in this limited, multi-week on-air preview this spring or summer. 

Dr. Phil, Rachael Ray and Dr. Oz may have another corporate sibling from parent Oprah Winfrey, with this new lifestyle driven hour hosted by interior designer Nate Berkus, a frequent Oprah guest. At press time, there are no clearances reported.

Don’t Forget the Lyrics (Half-hour)

Twentieth Television. / Barter (3.5 minutes national/3.5 minutes local)

The prime-time Fox game show heads to first-run syndication a la Are You Smarter Than a 5^th Grader? in this half-hour hosted by Mark McGrath.

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Entertainment Studios, Inc. / Barter (3.5 minutes national/3.5 minutes local)

Presided over by controversial Judge Kevin A. Ross, a former radio show host, the emphasis is on forcing wrong doers to reflect on the consequences of their actions. At press time, there are no announced clearances.

All Media Partners / Half-hour / Barter (3.5 minutes national/3.5 minutes local)

Bigger-than-life Texas litigator Brian Loncar presides over this half-hour of court that promises to crackle with humor and decisive fairness. At press time, there are no announced clearances.

Trifecta Entertainment / Half-hour / Barter (3.5 minutes national/3.5 minutes local)

With more than 26 years of legal experience (and 17 years on the bench), no-nonsense Judge Anthony Heckemeyer will avoid any spins and get right to the truth in this straight-up court strip. At press time, there are no announced clearances.

Litton Entertainment / Barter (3.5 minutes national/3.5 minutes local)

Sony Pictures Television may have swung the axe on the half-hour presided over by Judge Karen Mills-Francis after just one season in 2008-09, but Litton has resurrected it from the dead at the urging of the Sinclair Station Group. 

CBS Television Distribution / Barter (4 minutes national/3.5 minutes local)

Airing in back-to-back half hours and sold in an initial two-year window, HLN host Nancy Grace will trade the gavel and robe for an arena where legal and medical experts will be used in an ongoing basis. Clearances to-date represent 90 percent of the country.

The Crook and Chase Hour (One hour)

All Media Partners / Barter (7.5 minutes national/7.5 minutes local)

The “Regis and Kelly of country music,” Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase, host this weekly hour of celebrity-driven country music.

Telco Productions / Cash plus barter (3.5 minutes national/3.5 minutes local)

Targeted to kids aged 12 and under, the non-adult sector is informed and educated about saving energy, recycling and protecting the environment. 

Showplace Television Syndication / Barter (2.5 minutes national/2.5 minutes local)

Targeted to three-to-five year olds, the focus is on singing and dancing with a culturally diverse cast of kids and puppets who hang out in the courtyard on their block. 

Showplace Television Syndication / Barter (3.5 minutes national/3.5 minutes local)

Former Different World star Jasmine Guy headlines this original sitcom targeted to teens and focused on the humorous side of mixed blended family life. Debbie Allen is the executive producer. 

Telco Productions / Cash plus barter (3.5 minutes national/3.5 minutes local)

Practical and affordable green living ideas as a daily way of life is the focus of this weekly magazine. 

Entertainment Concepts International / Barter (3.5 minutes national/3.5 minutes local)

The coolest and most unusual collections around the world are unveiled as host Elliot Bambrough shares the joy with sellers as they part with their “treasures.”

Pitched as the male version of Steve Irwin, zoologist and botanist Dr. Linda Conner will take you through the wilds of the Africa jungle exploring wildlife. 

Entertainment Studios, Inc. / Barter (3.5 minutes national/3.5 minutes local)

A look inside the best and the brightest under the age of 18 in our country (including artists, scholars, athletes and entrepreneurs) is the focus of this FCC “educational and informational” weekly series. 

Showplace Television Syndication / Barter (3.5 minutes national/3.5 minutes local)

The five-time NBA champion features tips for teens on how to improve their athletic abilities. 

World’s Funniest Moments (One Hour)

MGM / Barter (deal points to be determined)

The funniest video shorts -- silly accidents, parodies, crazy commercials, hidden camera stunts, etc. – are the focus of this ongoing and new to first-run syndication comical half-hour.

TV Trivia Time:

What famous entertainer did Roseanne and Dan Conner go to see in Las Vegas in an episode of classic comedy Roseanne?

The answer to the last question…

Remember Topo Gogio, the cute little Italian mouse? What show did he make over 50 appearances on?

Is: a) The Ed Sullivan Show. For a blast from the past, click here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=garNxavx8gY

-Current kudos goes to:
Suzanne Ackley, Dave Aiken, Joanne Albrecht, Pauline Aridas, Anne Bannon, Janice Barney, Mikki Beno, Barbara Berman, Randy Blake, Lisa Blatt, Barbara Bloomfield, Jim Brams (3x), John Brooker, Al Canaletich, Shelia Collins, Tom Condosta, Harold Cooper, Kay Copeland, Jacqueline Cutler, Audrey Davis, Reid Davis, Sue Doron, Pam Euper, John Ferlazzo, Albert Fisher, Renee Foley, Claire Franks, Julie Friedlander, Adam Giagni, Bob Goldman, Maureen Goldman, Geoffrey Gordon, Peter Grad, Vicky Gregorian, Scott Hamula, Kevin Harlan, Barb Hemberger, Brad Hight, Heidi Hoffmeister, Michael Holland, Kerry Hughes, Bob Ingersoll, Tony Intelisano, Greg Janover, David Johnson, Ken Jobe, Kevin Jones, Mary Kalnin, Marie LeFevre Karp, Tom Kilgallon, Irene Kirschner, Mark Krause, Andi Kupersmith, Steven Kurtzer, Howard Lieboff, Patty Lynch, Kathy Martin, Scott Masterson, Ann McAleer, Lisa Menin, Richard Millhauser, Jim Moore, Tony Naldrett, Stephen Narissi, Aaron Paquette, Pat Patton, Alan Perris, Sheldon Perry, Alex Petrilli, Greg Phelan, Amy Preisendefer, Jr. David Primuth, Francine Purcell, Con Rigg, Alan Rosenfeld, Colleen Roth, Joe Rubi, David Ruckman, Paul Rule, Marilyn Rutkowski, Ron Salmon, Maxine Schulman, Robert Sells, Sonya Shaw, David Shearer, Tracy Speed, Mindy Staley, Michelle Stanton, Phyllis Stewart, Joe Swaney, Ronnie Tallant, Margaret Thomas, Trenna Underhill, Rick Vosk, Larry Weinstock, Diane Werner, Tammy Wiard, Abbott Wool, Ed Yergeau, Ged Young, Damon Zaleski, Ted Zawislak