matt.mitovich

Ratings for Race Finale, Leverage Debut and More

Just a few Sunday snippets, as CBS' procedurals took a knee: 7 pm/ETThe CW's first rerun of Jericho delivered 1.13 million total viewers. 8 pmNBC's football coverage won the 8 o'clock hour and averaged 12.18 million viewers for the night (down 10 percent from last week). Extreme Makeover (10.35 mil) dropped 890 thou, while the finale of Amazing Race 13 (10.57 mil) performed eight percent better than the close of Cycle 12. TNT's The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice averaged 5.44 mil over its two-hour run. 9 pmHousewives flirted with an audience of 16 million, up 370K. 10 pmRising 480K to 10.67 mil, Brothers & Sisters enjoyed its largest audience since the season opener. TNT's Leverage premiered to five mil and gave the cabler its "best delivery ever of adults 18-49 for an original series telecast during the broadcast season," says the press release. (Don't miss cast member Gina Bellman's TVGuide.com celebrity blogs.)

Mon, Dec 8, 2008

Ratings for Race Finale, Leverage Debut and More

Chuck Preview: Will Anna Wu Land Her Man?

Where in the world is Anna Wu? Chuck fans have asked where she's been hiding, and we found her. Following a few conspicuous absences from the Buy More staff meetings, Julia Ling reveals where her sassy salesgirl has been, and what she's up to in the coming weeks. (NBC's Chuck airs Mondays at 8m pm/ET.) TVGuide.com: First off, I want to apologize. In last week's Mega Buzz column, I said that you had been "Wu-fully underused" this season, prompting one reader to tell me that my comment was "very offensive" and full of "prejudice."Julia Ling: That was you?! My publicist sent me that article, and I wrote her back to say that whoever wrote that was so funny! I even sent that along to one of my writer friends to say, "This is the kind of stuff that I love."  TVGuide.com: Does it make you feel glad to know that people notice when Anna goes "missing"?Ling: It's definitely nice for them to notice. I myself sometimes worry, "Where did Anna go?" But I have a certain number of episodes in which ...

Mon, Dec 8, 2008

Chuck Preview: Will Anna Wu Land Her Man?

Ratings: Whisperer Quiets Down Some

How Friday's fare fared: 8 pm/ETGhost Whisperer topped the hour with an audience of 9.7 million total viewers, down 15 percent from its last fresh outing. ABC's broadcast of Jim Carrey's Grinch placed second with 5.7 mil, followed by 5th Grader (5.45 mil). 9 pmA Numbers repeat was No. 1 with 8.45 mil, a full 27 percent less than what the warmed-over NCISes were doing in the time slot. (Reminder: A new season of Flashpoint fills this spot starting Jan. 9.) Behind the Mean One, Lyrics did 5.2 mil, followed by Lipstick Jungle (3.59 mil, up eight percent). 10 pmNumbers delivered 9.73 mil, down 13 percent from its last new entry. It was followed by 20/20 (6.42 mil, dipping nine percent) and Dateline (3.8 mil).

Sun, Dec 7, 2008

Ratings: My Name Is Earl, and My Numbers Are Low

Thursday's ratings rundown: 8 pm/ETSurvivor topped the hour with a typical 12.8 million total viewers, followed by Ugly Betty (8.47 mil). Placing third, My Name Is Earl dropped 10 percent week-to-week to hit 6.09 mil (it's second-smallest audience of the season), while lead-out Kath & Kim (4.88 mil) toppled 11 percent. 9 pmCSI (17.4 million viewers) and Grey's Anatomy (15.15 mil, No. 1 in demos) both dipped five percent. NBC's The Office (8.34 mil) and 30 Rock (7.14 mil) also slipped a bit. 10 pmBarbara Walters proved to be especially fascinating, delivering an audience of 13.2 million viewers - most of whom, I must assume, had you-know-who pegged for the No. 1 spot. Eleventh Hour placed second with 10.9 mil (showing a slight uptick from its previous outing), while ER (8.23 mil) dropped 10 percent.

Fri, Dec 5, 2008

Ratings: My Name Is Earl, and My Numbers Are Low

Eliza Dushku Bares (Almost) All in Wild Film, Previews Fox's "Extraordinary" Dollhouse

The bad news: Tru Calling is still cancelled. The good news: Fans of Eliza Dushku have two big reasons to be excited. Not only has the Buffy alum reteamed with Joss Whedon to create Dollhouse for Fox (premiering Feb. 13), but she also rocks a rather wild role in a twisty indie hitting theaters on Friday. Nobel Son stars October Road's Bryan Greenberg as Barkley, the son of a newly christened Nobel Prize winner (Alan Rickman) and a police psychologist (Mary Steenburgen). On the eve of jetting to Sweden for dad's big night, Barkley has an electric and amorous liaison with Dushku's character, named City Hall. That marks just the beginning of the film's very wild ride. Dushku spoke with TVGuide.com about her Nobel endeavor, as well as shared an update on Dollhouse, which she touts as being "cool and hot and different." See what she had to reveal, after the jump.

Thu, Dec 4, 2008

Eliza Dushku Bares (Almost) All in Wild Film, Previews Fox's "Extraordinary" Dollhouse

Ratings: Law & Order and Life Come to Life

This Wednesday, as Bones, Christine, Gary, K.I.T.T., the Criminal Minds and the CSIs of NY took a rest.... 8 pm/ETCBS' Rudolph shiny-nosed his way to the top of the pack, delivering 11.7 million total viewers and dominating the demos. NBC's coverage of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting came in second with 10.35 million. Placing third was Fox's Secret Millionaire, which premiered to an audience of 7.37 mil. Pushing Daisies followed with 4.9 mil, a 10 percent bump from its previous outing. 9 pmIn a four-horse race, Life took advantage of Criminal Minds's absence by surging 52 percent, to a season-high 8.1 million viewers. Trailing Secret Millionaire's second hour, Private Practice (7.84 mil) saw a 26 percent gain. CBS' Grammy noms special placed fourth with 7.15 mil. 10 pmMonopolizing this Wednesday's crime-drama audience, Law & Order soared 80 percent week-to-week, claiming a season's best 11.27 million viewers. It was followed by CBS' Victoria's Secret Fashion Show (8.73 mil, up 17 percent year-over-year) and Dirty Sexy Money (up a hair, to 5.7 mil).  

Thu, Dec 4, 2008

Ratings: Law & Order and Life Come to Life

Exclusive Smallville Video: Someone's Dream Is "Doomed"!

Previously, on the CW's Smallville.... Chloe and Jimmy's wedding was spectacularly crashed by the arrival of dreamy Davis Bloome's nightmarish alter ego, Doomsday. Large and in-charge and sporting the latest in bony protrusions, the creature grabbed the bride and spirited her away to the Fortress of Solitude. Once she came to, it became evident that Chloe Sullivan Olsen was not herself. What's next in this harrowing tale, starring one of Superman lore's most formidable baddies? This exclusive video, narrated by Sam Witwer's Davis, should give you a tantalizing taste — and in a small way, help you get through the next six weeks, until fresh episodes of Smallville return on Jan. 15. Check out the hot new promo, after the jump.

Thu, Dec 4, 2008

Exclusive Smallville Video: Someone's Dream Is "Doomed"!

Daisies Boss Bryan Fuller Pushing Closer to Heroes Return

Now that Pushing Daisies has been clipped, Bryan Fuller is in talks to ink a two-year, seven-figure deal with Universal Media Studios, as part of which he will return to NBC's Heroes in an as-yet-undetermined capacity. Find out just how soon Fuller might make his mark on the struggling sci-fi drama, after the jump.

Thu, Dec 4, 2008

Daisies Boss Bryan Fuller Pushing Closer to Heroes Return

NBC Schedules Medium, Large Apprentice, Super-sized Office and ER Finale

Just days after unveiling "Phase 1" of its plan — which in part brought back Friday Night Lights and set a start date for Nigel Lythgoe's Superstars of Dance — NBC has followed through with the continuation of its midseason tweaking. Of most immediate important to many of you, I imagine, is the return date — Feb. 2 — for Medium, which will air Mondays at 10 pm/ET. There, it will cap a night featuring fresh episodes of Chuck (which returns with a 3-D episode) and Heroes (which will be launching its new "Fugitives" volume). The other headline here is ...

Wed, Dec 3, 2008

NBC Schedules Medium, Large Apprentice, Super-sized Office and ER Finale

SNL Makes Another House Call with Host Hugh Laurie

The doctor is in, again. House star Hugh Laurie has been tapped to host Saturday Night Live's final show of 2008, airing Dec. 13. Laurie previously lorded over Studio 8H in October 2006. Following a monologue about the differences between British and American humour, Laurie participated in sketches about paranormal experts' interpretation of fart noises, the silly demands of ...

Wed, Dec 3, 2008

SNL Makes Another House Call with Host Hugh Laurie

Ratings: Mentalist Hits Yet Another High, Somehow Even Besting According to Jim

Tuesday's tallies: 8 pm/ETNCIS topped the hour with its second-largest audience ever, 18.54 million total viewers. House led the demos, but dipped a bit in viewers, to 12.4 mil. ABC's Santa Claus came to town and found nearly nine million folks waiting for him, while Biggest Loser placed fourth with about eight mil in its first hour. 9 pmThe Mentalist continues to see bigger and bigger audiences, hitting yet another series high: 18.77 million viewers (a week-to-week surge of 18 percent). And that was with According to Jim (a fourth place-worthy 5.8 mil) now in the mix! In third (behind Biggest Loser's rear end), Fringe slipped a hair, to 8.69 mil. 10 pmWithout a Trace (12.2 million viewers) and SVU (10.3 mil, No. 1 in demos) both enjoyed gains of about 18 percent. Eli Stone sank to 4.93 mil, a 28 percent plunge from its previous, pre-cancellation outing. TVGuide.com Asks: Why do you like/love The Mentalist? Tell us what you see in the freshman series, after the jump.

Wed, Dec 3, 2008

Ratings: Mentalist Hits Yet Another High, Somehow Even Besting According to Jim

VIDEO: "Juicy Stuff" Ahead During Dirty Sexy's Final Days

Dirty Sexy Money may be "down," but it's not out. Yet. And it is in that spirit that I bring you this video Q&A with William Baldwin and Seth Gabel, aka Patrick and Jeremy Darling. Addressing the seeming incongruence of a series about the super-rich having appeal during our current economic downturn, Baldwin says, "You might think, 'What the heck do I have in common with these people?' But when you get into the relationships, the drama ... you can identify." "Some people call [DSM] a 'guilty pleasure,' Baldwin goes on to say. "If it is

Wed, Dec 3, 2008

Mega Buzz on NCIS, 90210, Ghost Whisperer and More!

Senior editors Matt Webb Mitovich and Mickey O'Connor answer your questions. As always, you may direct your own spoilery needs to megascoop@tvguide.com. Is Ziva's father going to make a return on NCIS this season? — MorganMatt: My moles at the CBS hit may be tight-lipped about the Ziva-Tony romance (a very popular topic in the Buzz box), but on this matter they did let slip some intel: Eli David, played by Michael "What a Feeling" Nouri, will be seen again, and possibly before the end of this season. The gay character on 90210 has to be the guy who starred in the musical with Annie. He's tall, handsome, well-dressed and —mannered, and he loves musical theater ... hello! — JasonI'm thinking that it's Ty, Annie's Spring Awakening costar. We haven't seen him in forever. — KathrynMickey: Rampant trading in gay stereotypes aside, this is an educated guess. But if Ty does come out of the closet ...

Wed, Dec 3, 2008

Mega Buzz on NCIS, 90210, Ghost Whisperer and More!

Exclusive: Samantha Who's Mom Has a Secret Sister?

Samantha Who's mother, Regina, has a secret sister —  and she's being played by Tony-winning actress Christine Ebesole, TVGuide.com has learned exclusively. Whoa, what, Who? A "secret sister"? Well, it's complicated. It turns out that Regina ...

Wed, Dec 3, 2008

Exclusive: Samantha Who's Mom Has a Secret Sister?

ABC Midseason: Castle Storms Monday, Cupid Targets Tuesday, and More Dancing

The latest salvo in ABC's multi-pronged midseason announcement details the premiere dates for four new series, while leaving the fates of three "lame ducks" in question. Get all the details after the jump.

Tue, Dec 2, 2008

ABC Midseason: Castle Storms Monday, Cupid Targets Tuesday, and More Dancing

CBS Midseason Plan Targets Flashpoint for Fridays

Leaving only ABC and the CW to show their hands, CBS unveiled its laundry list of midseason tweaks on Tuesday, and outside of naming an "official" replacement for The Ex List, there's little to raise an eyebrow at. In fact, only four days of the week — the Saturday wasteland included — are touched.Get all the details, after the jump.

Tue, Dec 2, 2008

CBS Midseason Plan Targets Flashpoint for Fridays

Exclusive: Diahann Carroll Collars Role on USA Pilot

Diahann Carroll has been added to the cast of White Collar, the USA Network pilot starring Tim DeKay and Matthew Bomer, TVGuide.com has learned. DeKay  (Carnivale) plays an FBI agent, and Bomer (Traveler) is a top-shelf con man recruited by the feds to help bust similarly crafty criminals.  Carroll will play June, a classy ...

Tue, Dec 2, 2008

Exclusive: Diahann Carroll Collars Role on USA Pilot

Ratings: Samantha Stumbles sans Her Dancing Partner

Monday's ratings recap: 8 pm/ETShrek and the Grinch gave ABC the win for the hour, averaging 11.44 million total viewers. Repeats of Big Bang ("Pants must be worn at all times in the time machine!") and Mother (each drawing over eight mil) placed second. Chuck claimed third with 7.25 mil, gaining 10 percent on this night of lighter competition, while Sarah Connor truly seized the moment, surging 26 percent to 5.83 mil, its largest audience since Sept. 22. Gossip Girl (3.08 mil) inched up 200K from its Nov. 17 season low. 9 pmHeroes flirted with eight mil (and won the back half of the hour), gaining 100 thou week-to-week. With her flashy Dancing lead-in now gone, Samantha Who? stumbled to the tune of 43 percent, averaging just 6.8 mil across back-to-back episodes. Prison Break (5.8 mil) added 550K, while the first of Privileged's Monday "try-outs" delivered 2.2 mil, up 40 percent from its most recent Tuesday outing. 10 pmEven opposite a CSI: Miami repeat (see news story on Khandi Alexander's return visit), Boston Legal (8.4 mil, -300K) and Worst Enemy (4.03 mil, -220K) each slipped.

Tue, Dec 2, 2008

Ratings: Samantha Stumbles sans Her Dancing Partner

Vance, Davenport Flash Forward in New ABC Thriller

Courtney B. Vance (Law & Order: Criminal Intent ) and Jack Davenport (Pirates of the Caribbean, Swingtown) have joined the cast of Flash Forward, an ABC pilot based on  Robert J. Sawyer's sci-fi novel and fancied as a possible "companion show" to Lost. Exec-produced by David S. Goyer (Blade) and Brannon Braga (Threshold), Flash Forward depicts the events that follow when everyone in the world ...

Tue, Dec 2, 2008

Vance, Davenport Flash Forward in New ABC Thriller

Eleventh Hour Clocks in with Additional Script Orders

CBS has greenlit five additional scripts for Jerry Bruckheimer's Eleventh Hour, bringing the drama's freshman run to 18 total episodes. To date, Eleventh Hour has averaged a decent 12 million viewers in its après-CSI berth. That said, the thinking is that CBS came up shy of a full-season pick-up because ...

Tue, Dec 2, 2008

Eleventh Hour Clocks in with Additional Script Orders

Exclusive: Will Everwood's Ephram Be Eli Stone's Last Client?

Quite possibly. This much is certain — Everwood alum Gregory Smith is among the ensemble of guest stars on board for the 13th episode of Eli Stone's second season. Given recent events and scheduling announcements made by ABC, that outing would appear to be the Greg Berlanti-created legal drama's swan song. Though unconfirmed, it appears that Smith will be playing ...

Mon, Dec 1, 2008

Exclusive: Will Everwood's Ephram Be Eli Stone's Last Client?

Mega Minute: Grey's Gossip, Big Bang Buzz and More

Now playing in this week's Mitovich Mega Minute: • Will Grey's Anatomy cut deep into a major character's mysterious past? • Does Leonard's mom got it going on? Big Bang Theory's Johnny Galecki names the actress he longs to call "Ma." • Former 24 good guy Eric Balfour turns up on a Law & Order — but which one? Watch this week's video and get all the scoop after the jump.

Mon, Dec 1, 2008