Summer reality TV series ratings update

Summer is peak period for the major US networks to introduce original non-fiction series to replace re-runs of their usual Fall-Winter fictional series lineups. Here is how the Summer reality series that have debuted so far fared last week (ending July 26) with audiences (ranked on viewership levels based on the Nielson ratings). The viewership figures are in thousands. By comparison the average series rating as just over five million (5,070).

1 AMERICA'S GOT TALENT-TUE 13750
2 AMERICA GOT TALENT-WED 9P 11260
8 SO YOU THINK CN DANCE-THU 8420
9 AMERICA GOT TALENT-TUE 8P 8270
10 BACHELORETTE, THE 8040
13 SO YOU THINK CN DANCE-WED 7360
16 HELL'S KITCHEN SP-7/21 9P 6950
18 WIPEOUT 6430
19 BIG BROTHER 11-THU 6390
20 DATING IN THE DARK 6150
21 HELL'S KITCHEN 6090
22 BIG BROTHER 11-SUN 6080
24 BIG BROTHER 11-TUE 5720
36 SMARTER THAN 5TH GRADER 4780
49 I SURVED-JAPANESE GM SHOW 3760
53 WIPEOUT-SAT 8PM 3500
54 GREAT AMERICAN ROAD TRIP 3460
59 SUPERSTARS, THE 3150

Summer reality TV series ratings update

Summer is peak period for the major US networks to introduce original non-fiction series to replace re-runs of their usual Fall-Winter fictional series lineups. Here is how the Summer reality series that have debuted so far, fared last week (ending July 19) with audiences (ranked on viewership levels based on the Nielson ratings).

Summer Series Scorecard (In Order of Total Viewers):

America’s Got Talent (NBC) - Tuesday 9 p.m.
Viewers: 13.51 million (#2), A18-49: 3.7/11 (#2)

America’s Got Talent (NBC) - Wednesday 9 p.m.
Viewers: 11.64 million (#3), A18-49: 3.0/ 9 (#4)

The Bachelorette (ABC) – Monday 8 p.m. (two hours)
Viewers: 8.01 million (#9), A18-49: 2.7/ 8 (#5t)

Wipeout (ABC) - Wednesday 8 p.m.
Viewers: 7.69 million (#12), A18-49: 2.6/10 (#8t)

So You Think You Can Dance (Fox) – Thursday 9 p.m.
Viewers: 7.20 million (#17), A18-49: 2.6/ 8 (#8t)

So You Think You Can Dance (Fox) – Wednesday 8 p.m. (two hours)
Viewers: 6.95 million (#19), A18-49: 2.6/ 9 (#8t)

Big Brother – (CBS) – Tuesday 9 p.m.
Viewers: 6.16 million (#22t), A18-49: 2.1/ 6 (#11t)

Big Brother – (CBS) – Thursday 8 p.m.
Viewers: 5.63 million (#26t), A18-49: 1.9/ 7 (#15t)

Big Brother – (CBS) – Sunday 8 p.m.
Viewers: 5.57 million (#28), A18-49: 1.9/ 6 (#15t)

Here Come the Newlyweds (ABC) – Monday 10 p.m.
Viewers: 4.70 million (#43), A18-49: 1.9/ 5 (#15t)

I Survived a Japanese Game Show (ABC) – Wednesday 9 p.m.
Viewers: 3.79 million (#58), A18-49: 1.4/ 5 (#34t)

The Superstars (ABC) – Tuesday 8 p.m. (90 minutes)
Viewers: 3.62 million (#59), A18-49: 1.1/ 4 (#48t)

The Great American Road Trip (NBC) – Monday 8 p.m.
Viewers: 3.32 million (#63), A18-49: 0.9/ 3 (#68t)

61st Annual Primetime Emmy Award nominations:

The 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Award nominations were announced today.

Set out below are interesting stats and nominations in selected categories:

Most nominated networks

HBO 99
NBC 67
ABC 55
CBS 49
Fox 42
Showtime 29
PBS 26
AMC 23
Comedy Central 13
Bravo 11
FX 11
TNT 10

Most nominated series

30 Rock 22
Mad Men 16
Saturday Night Live 13

List of Selected 2009 Emmy Nominations

Outstanding Comedy Series

Entourage • HBO
Family Guy • FOX
Flight Of The Conchords • HBO
How I Met Your Mother • CBS
The Office • NBC
30 Rock • NBC
Weeds • Showtime

Outstanding Drama Series

Big Love • HBO
Breaking Bad • AMC
Damages • FX
Dexter • Showtime
House • FOX
Lost • ABC
Mad Men • AMC

Outstanding Miniseries

Generation Kill • HBO
Little Dorrit • PBS

Outstanding Made For Television Movie

Coco Chanel • Lifetime
Grey Gardens • HBO
Into The Storm • HBO
Prayers For Bobby • Lifetime
Taking Chance • HBO

Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Series

The Colbert Report • Comedy Central
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart • Comedy Central
Late Show With David Letterman • CBS
Real Time With Bill Maher • HBO
Saturday Night Live • NBC

Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Special

Chris Rock - Kill The Messenger • HBO
Kathy Griffin: She’ll Cut A Bitch • Bravo
The Kennedy Center Honors • CBS
Ricky Gervais: Out Of England – The Stand-Up Special • HBO
Will Ferrell: You’re Welcome America. A Final Night With George W. Bush • HBO

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series

Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory • CBS
Jemaine Clement, Flight Of The Conchords • HBO
Tony Shalhoub, Monk • USA
Steve Carell, The Office • NBC
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock • NBC
Charlie Sheen, Two And A Half Men • CBS

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series

Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad • AMC
Michael C. Hall, Dexter • Showtime
Hugh Laurie, House • FOX
Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment • HBO
Jon Hamm, Mad Men • AMC
Simon Baker, The Mentalist • CBS

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie

Kevin Kline, Cyrano de Bergerac (Great Performances) • PBS
Brendan Gleeson, Into The Storm • HBO
Sir Ian McKellen, King Lear (Great Performances) • PBS
Kevin Bacon, Taking Chance • HBO
Kiefer Sutherland, 24: Redemption • FOX
Kenneth Branagh, Wallander: One Step Behind • PBS

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures Of Old Christine • CBS
Christina Applegate, Samantha Who? • ABC
Sarah Silverman, The Sarah Silverman Program • Comedy Central
Tina Fey, 30 Rock • NBC
Toni Collette, United States Of Tara • Showtime
Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds • Showtime

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series

Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters • ABC
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer • TNT
Glenn Close, Damages • FX
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit • NBC
Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men • AMC
Holly Hunter, Saving Grace • TNT

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie

Chandra Wilson, Accidental Friendship • Hallmark Channel
Shirley MacLaine, Coco Chanel • Lifetime
Drew Barrymore, Grey Gardens • HBO
Jessica Lange, Grey Gardens • HBO
Sigourney Weaver, Prayers For Bobby • Lifetime

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series

Kevin Dillon, Entourage • HBO
Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother • CBS
Rainn Wilson, The Office • NBC
Tracy Morgan, 30 Rock • NBC
Jack McBrayer, 30 Rock • NBC
Jon Cryer, Two And A Half Men • CBS

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series

William Shatner, Boston Legal • ABC
Christian Clemenson, Boston Legal • ABC
Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad • AMC
William Hurt, Damages • FX
Michael Emerson, Lost • ABC
John Slattery, Mad Men • AMC

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie

Ken Howard, Grey Gardens • HBO
Len Cariou, Into The Storm • HBO
Bob Newhart, The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice • TNT
Tom Courtenay, Little Dorrit • PBS
Andy Serkis, Little Dorrit • PBS

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series

Kristin Chenoweth, Pushing Daisies • ABC
Amy Poehler, Saturday Night Live • NBC
Kristin Wiig, Saturday Night Live • NBC
Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock • NBC
Vanessa Williams, Ugly Betty • ABC
Elizabeth Perkins, Weeds • Showtime

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series

Rose Byrne, Damages • FX
Sandra Oh, Grey’s Anatomy • ABC
Chandra Wilson, Grey’s Anatomy • ABC •
Dianne Wiest, In Treatment • HBO
Hope Davis, In Treatment • HBO
Cherry Jones, 24 • FOX

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie

Marcia Gay Harden, The Courageous Heart Of Irena Sendler (Hallmark Hall Of Fame Presentation) • CBS
Jeanne Tripplehorn, Grey Gardens • HBO
Shohreh Aghdashloo, House Of Saddam • HBO
Janet McTeer, Into The Storm • HBO
Cicely Tyson, Relative Stranger • Hallmark Channel

Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series

Beau Bridges, Desperate Housewives • ABC
Justin Timberlake, Saturday Night Live • NBC
Steve Martin, 30 Rock • Gavin Volure • NBC
Jon Hamm, 30 Rock • NBC
Alan Alda, 30 Rock • NBC

Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series

Edward Asner, CSI: NY • CBS
Ted Danson, Damages • FX
Jimmy Smits, Dexter • Showtime
Ernest Borgnine, ER • NBC
Michael J. Fox, Rescue Me • FX

Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series

Christine Baranski, The Big Bang Theory • CBS
Gena Rowlands, Monk • USA
Betty White, My Name Is Earl • NBC
Tina Fey, Saturday Night Live • NBC
Jennifer Aniston, 30 Rock • NBC
Elaine Stritch, 30 Rock • NBC

Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series

Sharon Lawrence, Grey’s Anatomy • ABC
Ellen Burstyn, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit • NBC
Brenda Blethyn, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit • NBC
Carol Burnett, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit • NBC
CCH Pounder, The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency • HBO

Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality-Competition Program

Phil Keoghan, The Amazing Race • CBS
Ryan Seacrest, American Idol • FOX
Tom Bergeron, Dancing With The Stars • ABC
Heidi Klum, Project Runway • Bravo
Jeff Probst, Survivor • CBS
Padma Lakshmi and Tom Colicchio, Top Chef • Bravo

Outstanding Special Class Programs

81st Annual Academy Awards • ABC
Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony • NBC
Carnegie Hall Opening Night 2008: A Celebration of Leonard Bernstein (Great Performances) • PBS
George Carlin: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize • PBS
The 62nd Annual Tony Awards • CBS

Outstanding Children’s Program

Hannah Montana • Disney Channel
iCarly • Nickelodeon
Wizards Of Waverly Place • Disney Channel
Outstanding Children’s Nonfiction ProgramGrandpa, Do You Know Who I Am? With Maria Shriver • HBO
Nick News With Linda Ellerbee Coming Home: When Parents Return from War • Nickelodeon

Outstanding Nonfiction Special

The Alzheimer’s Project: Momentum In Science (Parts 1 & 2) • HBO
Farrah’s Story • NBC
Michael J. Fox: Adventures Of An Incurable Optimist • ABC
102 Minutes That Changed America • HISTORY
Roman Polanski: Wanted And Desired • HBO

Outstanding Nonfiction Series

American Experience • PBS
American Masters • PBS
Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations • Travel Channel
Biography • BIO
Deadliest Catch • Discovery Channel
This American Life • Showtime

Outstanding Reality Program

Antiques Roadshow • PBS
Dirty Jobs • Discovery Channel
Dog Whisperer • NGC
Intervention • A&E
Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List • Bravo
MythBusters • Discovery Channel

Outstanding Reality – Competition Program

The Amazing Race • CBS
American Idol • FOX
Dancing With The Stars • ABC
Project Runway • Bravo
Top Chef • Bravo

Summer reality TV series ratings update

Summer is peak period for the major US networks to introduce original non-fiction series to replace re-runs of their usual Fall-Winter fictional series lineups. Here is how the Summer reality series that have debuted so far, fared last week (ending July 12) with audiences (ranked on viewership levels based on the Nielson ratings).

Summer Series Scorecard (In Order of Total Viewers):

1 AMERICA GOT TALENT-WED 9P 11910 4.1

3 AMERICA'S GOT TALENT-TUE 10570 3.6

11 WIPEOUT 8190 2.8

12 SO YOU THINK CN DANCE-THU 7890 2.7

13 BACHELORETTE, THE 7710 2.7

15 SO YOU THINK CN DANCE-WED 7590 2.6

18 BIG BROTHER 11-THU 6590 2.3

19 AMERICA GOT TALENT-WED 8P 6320 2.2

21 BIG BROTHER 11-SUN 6290 2.2

26 SMARTER THAN 5TH GRADER 5700 2.0

39 GREAT AMERICAN ROAD TRIP 4630 1.6

43 JUST FOR LAUGHS 4380 1.5

44 HERE COME THE NEWLYWEDS 4360 1.5

48 SUPERSTARS, THE 4120 1.4

52 I SURVED-JAPANESE GM SHOW 3900 1.3

Summer reality TV series ratings update

Summer is peak period for the major US networks to introduce original non-fiction series to replace re-runs of their usual Fall-Winter fictional series lineups. Here is how the Summer reality series that have debuted so far, fared last week (ending July 5) with audiences (ranked on viewership levels based on the Nielson ratings). The first set of ratings data is for all viewers and the second is for the key demo.Summer Series Scorecard (In Order of Total Viewers):

America’s Got Talent (NBC) - Tuesday 9 p.m.
Viewers: 13.15 million (#1), A18-49: 3.7/11 (#1)

America’s Got Talent (NBC) - Wednesday 9 p.m.
Viewers: 11.44 million (#2), A18-49: 2.9/ 9 (#3)

Wipeout (ABC) - Wednesday 8 p.m.
Viewers: 8.00 million (#14), A18-49: 2.7/10 (#5t)

The Bachelorette (ABC) – Monday 8 p.m. (two hours)
Viewers: 7.94 million (#16), A18-49: 2.7/ 8 (#5t)

So You Think You Can Dance (Fox) – Wednesday 8 p.m. (two hours)
Viewers: 7.73 million (#17), A18-49: 3.0/10 (#2)

So You Think You Can Dance (Fox) – Thursday 9 p.m.
Viewers: 7.23 million (#19), A18-49: 2.3/ 8 (#8t)

Here Come the Newlyweds (ABC) – Monday 10 p.m.
Viewers: 4.70 million (#35), A18-49: 1.7/ 5 (#21t)

The Superstars (ABC) – Tuesday 8 p.m. (90 minutes)
Viewers: 3.97 million (#53), A18-49: 1.3/ 4 (#31t)

I Survived a Japanese Game Show (ABC) – Wednesday 9 p.m.
Viewers: 3.54 million (57#), A18-49: 1.3/ 4 (#31t)

2009 Dora Winners

The Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) presented the 30th Annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards on Monday, June 29 at the Winter Garden Theatre. While long running big budget musicals "The Sound of Music" (Mirvish Productions) and "Jersey Boys" (Dancap Productions) received nods, the biggest winner was Agokwe, a small production mounted at Buddies in Bad Times theatre. It won a leading six awards, including outstanding production of a play and best new play. Agokwe was written by and stars by Ojibwa First Nations artist Waawaate Fobister. It is a tale of star-crossed love between two teenage boys on neighbouring reserves.

2009 Winners
GENERAL THEATRE PRODUCTION DIVISION


Outstanding New Play
Waawaate Fobister, Agokwe

Outstanding New Musical/Opera
Abigail Richardson (Composer) & Marjorie Chan (Librettist), Sanctuary Song


Outstanding Production of a Play
Agokwe, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre

Outstanding Production of a Musical
The Sound of Music, Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Ian, David Mirvish


Outstanding Direction of a Play
Ed Roy, Agokwe

Outstanding Direction of a Musical
Des McAnuff, The Jersey Boys


Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Principal Role – Play
Waawaate Fobister, Agokwe

Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Principal Role – Play
Alison Sealy-Smith, A Raisin in the Sun


Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Principal Role – Musical
Jeff Madden, Jersey Boys

Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Principal Role – Musical
Elicia MacKenzie, The Sound of Music


Outstanding Performance in a Featured Role in a Play or Musical
Raven Dauda, Miss Julie: Freedom Summer

Outstanding Set Design
Robert Jones, The Sound of Music


Outstanding Costume Design
Erika Iserhoff, Agokwe

Outstanding Lighting Design
Kimberly Purtell, Agokwe


Outstanding Sound Design/Composition
John Gzowski, It’s a Wonderful Life

Outstanding Musical Direction
Anne Manson, A Midsummer Night’s Dream


Outstanding Choreography in a Play or Musical
Denise Clarke/Peggy Baker, Radio Play

Outstanding Touring Production
Black Watch, Luminato presents The National Theatre of Scotland



INDEPENDENT THEATRE PRODUCTION DIVISION

Outstanding New Play or New Musical
Anton Piatigorsky, Eternal Hydra


Outstanding Production
Eternal Hydra, Crow’s Theatre

Outstanding Direction
Chris Abraham, Eternal Hydra


Outstanding Performance by a Male
David Ferry, Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me

Outstanding Performance by a Female
Maja Ardal, You Fancy Yourself


Outstanding Set Design
Gillian Gallow, Appetite

Outstanding Costume Design
Gillian Gallow, Appetite


Outstanding Lighting Design
John Thompson, Eternal Hydra

Outstanding Sound Design/Composition
Waylen Miki, An Inconvenient Musical

Big Brother 11

CBS has announced plans for the 11th season of Big Brother, premiering on Thursday, July 9 at 8PM ET.

The season will feature a "kickin' it old school" format as the 12 houseguests are sectioned into four familiar high school cliques -- "popular, athletes, brainiacs and off beats". These four teams will battle in food, luxury and eviction competitions. The 12 houseguests will also be joined by a thirteenth "mystery houseguest" whose identity won't be revealed until the premiere.

Following its premiere, Big Brother 11 will settle into a regular thrice-weekly broadcast schedule, with Sunday night episodes airing at 8PM ET beginning July 12 and Tuesday night episodes airing at 9PM ET beginning July 14. As in previous Big Brother seasons, the Thursday episodes will serve as the eleventh season's live eviction shows.

The Big Brother house has been modified into a green eco-friendly structure where waste will be monitored and the HOH room has been designed to resemble the seaside in Big Sur, CA.

The identities of the 12 announced Big Brother 11 houseguests are:

- Braden Bacha, a single 28-year-old surfer from Santa Monica, CA
- Casey Turner, a married 41-year-old father, fifth-grade teacher and DJ from Lakeland, FL
- Chima Simone, a single 32-year-old freelance journalist from West Hollywood, CA
- Jeff Schroeder, a single 30-year-old advertising salesman from Norridge, IL
- Jordan Lloyd, a single 22-year-old waitress from Matthews, NC
- Kevin Campbell, a single 29-year-old graphic designer from Chula Vista, CA
- Lauren Crosby, a single 21-year-old bikini model from Atlanta, GA
- Lydia Tavera, a single 24-year-old special effects make-up artist from Torrance, CA
- Michele Noonan, a married 27-year-old neuroscientist from Pasadena, CA
- Natalie Martinez, a single 24-year-old Tae Kwon Do champion from Gilbert, AZ
- Ronnie Talbott, a married 30-year-old gamer from Belpre, OH
- Russell Kairouz, a single 24-year-old mixed martial arts fighter from Walnut Creek, CA

Summer reality TV series ratings update

Summer is peak period for the major US networks to introduce original non-fiction series to replace re-runs of their usual Fall-Winter fictional series lineups. Here is how the Summer reality series that have debuted so far fared last week (ending June 28) with audiences (ranked on viewership levels based on the Nielson ratings). The first set of ratings data is for all viewers and the second is for the key demo.

Summer Series Scorecard (In Order of Total Viewers):

Wipeout (ABC) - Wednesday 8 p.m.
Viewers: 7.80 million (#10), A18-49: 2.8/ 9 (#4)

So You Think You Can Dance (Fox) – Wednesday 8 p.m. (two hours)
Viewers: 7.62 million (#11), A18-49: 2.9/ 9 (#3)

So You Think You Can Dance (Fox) – Thursday 9 p.m.
Viewers: 6.89 million (#18), A18-49: 2.5/ 8 (#5t)

The Bachelorette (ABC) – Monday 8 p.m. (two hours)
Viewers: 6.76 million (#19), A18-49: 2.3/ 7 (#7t)

I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! (NBC) – Wednesday 8 p.m. (season finale)
Viewers: 4.33 million (#45t), A18-49: 1.4/ 5 (#35t)

I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! (NBC) – Tuesday 8 p.m.
Viewers: 4.33 million (#45t), A18-49: 1.5/ 5 (#25t)

The Superstars (ABC) – Tuesday 8 p.m. (premiere, 90 minutes)
Viewers: 4.27 million (#48), A18-49: 1.5/ 5 (#25t)

I Survived a Japanese Game Show (ABC) – Wednesday 9 p.m.
Viewers: 3.99 million (#56), A18-49: 1.5/ 5 (#25t)

Here Come the Newlyweds (ABC) – Monday 10 p.m.
Viewers: 3.89 million (#57), A18-49: 1.4/ 4 (#35t)

CHCH Sold

CanWest Global announced today that it is selling two major market TV stations to Channel Zero (operator of cable specialty stations Movieola and Silver Screen Classics). The stations, in Montreal and Hamilton, were scheduled to close in the Fall, if not sold. Channel Zero apparently paid minimal consideration.

Channel Zero, said it plans to change the format of Hamilton's CHCH Channel station to an all-news format throughout the day while running movies in the evening. (The Montreal station operates as a multicultural channel.) The new format heralds a return to CH’s historical roots when it was known for airing North American TV premieres of box office hit movies and as the home of news personalities like Norm Marshall, Tom Cherington and weatherman Bill Lawrence (later of CBC Toronto).