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Ratings: 'Dancing With the Stars' stays strong, 'Chuck,' Heroes' continue to decline

Oct 7, 2008, 02:46 PM | by Aubry D’Arminio

Categories: Ratings, TV Biz, TV Ratings

Brookeburke_l Dancing With the Stars took Monday night’s top spot once again, even with fan-favorite dance team Misty May-Treanor and Maksim Chermkovskiy officially out of the competition (she hurt her Achilles tendon). The series suffered a mere 2 percent decline from last week's performance show, attracting an average of 18.8 million viewers, according to overnight data, and winning the night for ABC. Dancing’s follow-up, Boston Legal, also performed well, attracting 9.5 million viewers in the 10 p.m. hour (a 50 percent decline from its lead-in, but still above its last-season average of 8.9 million). 

Meanwhile, CBS' Monday night comedy block held steady against Dancing: The Big Bang Theory (9.3 million), How I Met Your Mother (9.0 million), and Two and a Half Men (13.9 million) experienced slight increases over last week’s averages. Only the Eye’s freshman comedy, Worst Week fared a little, well, worse: Ratings were down 515,000 from last week, topping out at 8.8 million. CBS won the 10 p.m. hour, however, with CSI: Miami's 13.6 million viewers stealing the spotlight from both Boston Legal and NBC’s Life (5.8 million).

Life wasn’t NBC’s only letdown, though. Chuck continued to struggle, averaging 5.9 million viewers at 8 p.m. (an 11 percent decline from last Monday’s disappointing premiere), and Heroes tallied just 8.2 million at 9 p.m., a loss of about a million viewers from last week, and well below last year’s 11.6 million average. 

Lastly, Fox’s 8 p.m. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and 9 p.m. Prison Break kept pace with previous weeks this season, earning 5.6 and 5.4 million viewers, respectively, though both shows are trailing their previous-year averages (9.8 million and 7.5 million) when they aired in opposite time slots (Terminator at 9 p.m. and Break at 8 p.m.).

The CW aired reruns of Privileged and Gossip Girl last night.

More TV news:

Dancing With the Stars recap

Heroes recap

15 reasons to love Dancing With the Stars

Heroes season 2 best and worst

Another Boston Legal vet returns

CSI: Miami season premiere: Realism not included


ryan Mon, Apr 20, 2009 at 08:45 PM EST

Everybody start watching Chuck its obviously the best show ever and i will cry if it ends after the 2nd season. GO CHUCK!

Matt Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 10:08 PM EST

The first season of Chuck was "awesome" Even though it was a little far fetched, the sexual tension between Chuck and Sarah was so realistic I couldn't wait to tune in. This season is still good.. It has slipped a fraction. But overall, way better then the other shows out there. I agree the heavily competitive time slot has not helped.. They need to give the show a chance to get it's legs. Remember sienfeld was almost cancelled until they found they right slot. I"m not comparing the two shows by any means. But Chuck is a worthy show deserving of some time/day slot experimentation.

missy Wed, Oct 22, 2008 at 11:47 PM EST

i love chuck it is the best show ever!!!!!!

Greg Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 11:03 PM EST

Again, why do the networks put their best options on the same days at the same times. Especially the similar genre shows. All the sci-fi / action shows up against each other when they can be spread out throughout the week, and EACH can get a strong audience. The only 2 nights I watch tv are Monday and Thursday because everything else is crap, yet they still stack the good shows on those days.

Raven_Moon Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 05:35 PM EST

I love "Chuck" & "Life." I hope they don't get cancelled (as well, as "Pushing Daises & "Dirty, Sexy, Money") just because the networks were stupid enough not to put them into production after the writer's strike.

PT Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 12:17 PM EST

Please start TV Watches on Chuck.

Leigh Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 11:37 AM EST

What is with all the good shows airing Monday at 8:00 pm? Four of my favorite shows all air at the same time (DWTS, Chuck, Terminator, and Gossip Girl)...my dvr will only record two of those, so I'm stuck watching the rest online. I don't want to see any of these shows go so I hope Chuck or Terminator gets a new time slot.

thevisitor967 Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 11:02 AM EST

CHUCK is amongst my 3 fave TV shows on the air right now. Essentially, they're the only shows I watch (or have time to watch). The other two are MAD MEN and PUSHING DAISIES. Now that MAD MEN won the Emmy, I'm not too worried about that show getting canceled. I hope ABC keeps DAISIES and NBC keeps CHUCK.

Belle Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 09:44 AM EST

I live in the New Orleans area and Heroes and Chuck didnn't come on because of the Saints game and they weren't reaired at a later time. So that might have something to do with the drop in viewers.

Janna Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 09:39 AM EST

My husband and I love Chuck. It is the only show that we watch together, PLEASE people start watching it. It's funny, has action and something for the guys and girls to look at! It's the first show I really look forward to since Friends.

Chris Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 09:29 AM EST

I love Chuck. It is a very good show and hope NBC sticks with it. Heroes has gotten a lot better. TV viewing overall has been in the dumps. The Writers' Strike last season turned off a lot of viewers who just have not come back. Now with the report of a possible Screen Actors Guild strike, this could kill a lot of major network shows if this is a long and drawn out thus killing another season of tv.

Saramarg Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 09:27 AM EST

My son and I love Chuck and would be devastated if it is canceled, but because I also watch DWTS and my son watches Sarah Connor Chronicles, we have to tape Chuck on a VCR(!) or watch it online. According to TV Guide, Chuck was repeated last Saturday night, but when I DVR'd it, I got Knight Rider! My suggestion: please move it away from Monday night. Monday and Tuesday are the only nights we have this problem. We would love to watch Big Bang and HIMYM also, but 4 shows at one time is impossible.

Jackie Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 08:44 AM EST

The other networks need to move those shows out of the those time slots. Chuck is a great show and so is HIMYM. I watch DWTS online now but Terminator had to fall by the wayside unfortunately. Luckily Gossip Girl is repeated on Sunday's so my teenagers watch it then. Heroes is just so poorly written I've almost given up. I will be really peeved if Chuck gets cancelled.

MaryUtah Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 07:56 AM EST

People should be watching Chronicles, it's entertaining - but there is so much competition at that time slot- mondays and thursdays are best nights on TV it seems.

Liam Halls Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 02:28 AM EST

Chuck is great and i love it. I can't Believe people actually watch the Big Bang Theory, what a bunch of crap and it's not even that funny. I'm a guy and love Chuck so please help me save it.

Crystal Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 01:15 AM EST

Chuck & Life are both excellent and have loyal (though small) followings. It's not like NBC has something better in the pike, they should stick with these two and have a little patience.

hallie22 Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 11:58 PM EST

So um...Joebob, if you have more important things to do, why are you condescending to hang out on this comment page with the rest of the proletariat?

(Assuming, of course, you know what "proletariat" means.)

professorfarnsworth Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 11:55 PM EST

Can I just point out the stupidity of Joebob? Guess what buddy...obviously you're "one of those people that read this tripe" too. Seriously.

Donetta Stanley Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 10:36 PM EST

I love Dancing With The Stars and Cloris Leachman is extremely funny but I think its an insult to the Pros and the other stars to keep her on please people they need to have a little dancing skills

graeme Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 09:59 PM EST

So can CBS please move back Old Christine back to Mondays? That's where it belongs. They tried a 2nd night of comedy, and it didn't work. So move the best sitcom on TV back to Monday where its audience liked it.

Patricia Vela Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 08:56 PM EST

I can't watch Chuck live anymore cause stupid TimeWarner and KXAN won't come to an agreement. Argh!!!!!!!

Otis Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 08:48 PM EST

Very tough time slot. Even a good show will fail to generate big numbers there. Like going up against Idol or an NFL playoff game. Can't win. And, Chuck can be seen in repeats and on TiVO while like sports ... Dancing is live and is far more immediate. Thus the very high ratings for DWTS, Idol and shows like them. Be interested to see Chuck's numbers after all the sources of viewing are in. A worthy show.

Anne Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 07:17 PM EST

Chuck was replaced by Senate Debate here in Denver, on NBC. I had to watch it on myTV.

Rob Grizzly Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 07:16 PM EST

watch Terminator!

Joebob Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 05:57 PM EST

Who? In important news, There are trillions of money just sitting as cash as internationally people have lost faith in the US system thanks to people like you who read this tripe instead of minding your finances.

Tina Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 05:52 PM EST

The rating system does not account for TIVO/DVR recordings. The networks use the ratings to sell commercial air time. You can only sell commercial time if people are actually watching the commercials.

Nacho Mama Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 05:11 PM EST

I watched the premiere of Chuck on Bravo (I think it was Bravo) this past Sunday. So happy to find it since I missed it last week. Chuck is the best! I'd take Chuck over Brice.

amber Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 05:04 PM EST

i agree - chuck is very corny, which is why my husband cannot stand it. i realize it's corny, and wish it wasn't AS corny as it is, but I still watch it and find it amusing.

does Chuck really have a male audience?

Janeway Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 04:52 PM EST

I love Chuck too. Maybe it is the time slot- it is hard to go against a juggernaut like Dancing with the Stars. I hope they give it a chance and move it if they have too. NBC must keep Chuck!

Nikki Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 04:39 PM EST

Chuck is corny and that's why people don't watch it. Heroes is terrible and that's why people don't watch it.

Alicia Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 04:25 PM EST

Please watch Chuck. It is really funny and a great show. Give it a chance, please?! I would be very depressed if it was cancelled.

Jaime Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 04:12 PM EST

I know lots of people that LOVE the Big Bang Theory. It was my favorite new show of last season.

As for Heroes, while I still watch it, I've been pretty lost because of the big break the show took, since it didn't come back after the writer's strike. I bet that lost it some viewers.

Kate Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 04:08 PM EST

I do watch The Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother when they are on TV, and then watch Chuck later online. This is mostly attributed the the fact that NBC has a better website for watching shows online. So far I haven't seen that The Big Bang Theory is even available, and it's always hard to get How I Met Your Mother to play. So I guess for CBS it pays to have a poor quality website.

brandon hopkins Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 04:07 PM EST

i think its weird that the big bang got more viewers than himym, that has not happens since they switched time slots

Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 03:59 PM EST

Terminator better not get cancelled. Darn MNF ruins everything.

Jennifer Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 03:53 PM EST

It's possible some of the loss of viewers came because those of us in the Denver area didn't get to watch it! I raced home to watch Chuck, only to find it wasn't being shown due to a senatorial debate. I'll have to catch Chuck online this week.

jennaroo Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 03:49 PM EST

Can I just say that I love CHUCK! But I also love BIG BANG THEORY. Maybe the reason the ratings are down is because people are tuning into watch BIG BANG THEORY. They are on at the same time but you can't watch BIG BANG THEORY online-at least I haven't found a way to yet. CHUCK is great and I can watch it on NBC later. If I had to choose between the two I'd pick CHUCK for sure.

Bruce Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 03:41 PM EST

I love Chuck too..I'm can't believe it didn't do so well in the ratings! I love the comedy/Action combo.

SAS Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 03:27 PM EST

NOOOOO! I love Chuck-it's my favorite show! This show has some of the best lines and chemistry on television (Chuck and Sarah are MUCH steamier than McSteamy and Grey). Come on people--watch it! I can't keep the show on all by myself....

Chris Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 03:08 PM EST

How do so many people watch Big Bang Theory? Even for a sitcom it's terrible. The fact that less people watch the hilarious ensemble cast in How I Met Your Mother is amazingly disappointing.

DJ Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 03:03 PM EST

I was hoping Chuck's rating would go up, given that last week's episode was previewed a week earlier online and it was going up against a new Gossip Girl. It seems to not have mattered... :(

freeagent Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 03:02 PM EST

life better not get cancelled :(

Jill Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 03:02 PM EST

I can't believe people would choose to watch the DWTS drivel over Chuck. Record DWTS and watch later without commercials and all the "live" bs. Chuck is hilarious and interesting and I'll be so bummed if it's canceled.

mwatcher Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 02:58 PM EST

It's unfortunate that Chuck is not getting the great ratings it should be. At least we're getting a full season's worth of episodes.

Nicole Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 02:56 PM EST

It may not account for the decline last week, but we had no NBC shows last night here in New Orleans, b/c of Monday night football.

Liddy Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 02:52 PM EST

I sure hope NBC is factoring in online/TIVO numbers into Chuck's ratings. Seriously if it gets cancelled, I'm not investing in another show. I'll only watch The Office and Arrested Development reruns.

Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 02:40 PM EST

Both Heroes and Chuck are nerd shows - I bet their online views are a higher than the others. They should start incorporating these ratings somehow.

Amy Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 02:31 PM EST

A factor in NBC's lower ratings at least this week might be due to the fact that the NBC affiliates owned by LIN TV in several cities were pulled off Time Warner Cable last Thursday because they weren't able to reach a transmission agreement. I'm in Austin, Texas and have no access to NBC now except online.

t.t Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 02:23 PM EST

chuck better not get cancelled!


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