When a young programming executive at the History channel first pitched the idea of following a group of Louisiana Cajuns who hunt alligators, "the poor guy got laughed out of the room," says the network's president, Nancy Dubuc. But instead of dropping the idea, he kept bringing it up — and kept getting laughed at.
"But by the fourth meeting, you had to pause," Dubuc says. "If somebody is as passionate as he was about something, what's the harm in letting them run with it?" That germ of an idea turned into Swamp People, an unlikely hit that ...
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Fist pumps still rule! Jersey Shore was the year's most-watched prime-time series on basic cable.
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Just two years ago, MTV was struggling to find its footing. Network staple TRL had ended, onetime hit The Hills was on its way out, and ratings were in a downward spiral. MTV faced its biggest identity crisis yet — then along came Snooki and Co.
Now, led by the crass stars of prime-time phenomenon Jersey Shore, MTV can easily be crowned the biggest winner of the summer of 2011. Jersey Shore's Season 4 premiere averaged 8.8 million viewers, and the show landed five of the top seven cable telecasts of summer. "Thank God for Jersey Shore," says MTV programming head David Janollari. Those ratings translate to big advertising bucks for MTV, notes Horizon Media analyst Brad Adgate. "I think in the 30-year history of MTV, this has been...
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Between the cop shows, medical dramas and reality farces, Americans watched more television than ever in 2010 (and we here at TVGuide.com thank you for your patronage).
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A new Nielsen report indicates that total viewing of broadcast and cable channels rose 1 percent to an average of 34 hours per person per week, according to The New York Times.
CBS was the most-watched network among all viewers for 51 out of 52 weeks, with three of its freshman series — Hawaii Five-0, Blue Bloods and Mike & Molly — landing in the top 20 for the year. (Incidentally, they were also the ...
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Men of a Certain Age
10/9c TNT
Bond on the run: Best buds Joe, Owen and Terry continue bonding while running through the challenging twists, turns and zigzags of midlife. The dramedy's second season progresses when Joe sets out to finalize his divorce, but while doing so he digs up interesting information about his teen daughter. As for Owen, he gears up for a car convention, then receives unexpected news from his father. Meanwhile, Terry discovers that his past work in a TV commercial is now coming back to affect his life. Penelope Ann Miller guest stars. — Dean Maurer
Read on for previews of College Basketball, Monday Night Football, American Masters, American Pickers, American Chocolate Championship and Mario Lopez: Saved by the Baby.
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