Today ABC revealed its 2008-2009 schedule, where many fan favorites were listed as returning, along with some disappointing cancellations. Every year, though, there's one show that stands out in that list of returning shows; a show that, nearly every time its name is uttered here, gets slammed and ridiculed, boggling minds as to why, oh why, is it getting yet another season. That show is, of course, According to Jim.Once again, According to Jim gets to continue on ABC for another season. If you read the comments here, though, it's not as though anyone is particularly happy about it. "WTF" and "you've got to be kidding me" are common reactions to this news. So, I have to wonder: if so many people seem to hate this show, despise it so much as to make it the brunt of many TV-related jokes, and to be shocked -- SHOCKED, I tell you -- that the network could continue to allow such an atrocity to linger on, then who is watching it?
Joel asked this question before, but now I want to know. After the jump I've put a poll in place to get some idea of who's behind the ratings that keep breathing life into Jim Belushi's career.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-13-2008 @ 1:18PM
lucyfan62 said...
UGH! It would have been nice for ABC to give a really funny show like CARPOOLERS a chance than give ATJ yet another season on the air! Jim Belushi must have some serious dirt on someone at ABC!
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5-13-2008 @ 1:23PM
khamel said...
ausiello did something about this. its getting extended because no matter how few people watch it, it will make guaranteed syndication money. something about affiliates being required to pay for shows after X number of episodes. they know nobody watches it but its a money decision.
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5-13-2008 @ 1:38PM
Donna said...
I actually do watch it, but I admit I mostly watch it as reruns on a local channel. It's on a regular time each day and part of my chill-out time after a hard day a work (along with King of Queens).
I have not been as good about watching it on the network, though. I think it's been on when other stuff as been on, or maybe the network has not kept it on the same schedule or something, 'cause I haven't been real consistent like I am on the daily reruns.
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5-13-2008 @ 1:42PM
Carissa said...
You left out an answer on the poll....I watched it once upon a time, many many seasons ago, but it has long outlasted its welcome. That's my vote!
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5-13-2008 @ 1:54PM
Adrienne said...
I watch reruns between the news and primetime with my husband. It's not THAT terrible of a show and beats ET or Wheel, IMHO.
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5-13-2008 @ 2:02PM
AutomagV said...
So many good shows have come and gone and yet this remains on the air. I'll never get the networks
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5-13-2008 @ 2:04PM
Derek said...
There'll always be a place for a family friendly sitcom like ATJ. I've seen an episode or two, and there was nothing particularly annoying about it, but it wasn't funny enough to make me want to watch it. I don't resent it having space in the schedule though.
I'd rather see all reality shows and soaps canceled than ATJ.
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5-13-2008 @ 3:57PM
Charles said...
I agree that sitcoms>reality, though I want to quickly dispute one notion.
Based on the cumulative ten mites I've watched (spread over many years in 30 to 60 second bursts), I questioned the "Family Friendliness" of it. I'm not part of the "family friendly" crowd, mind you. I just couldn't see it getting their stamp of approval.
So I bopped over to ParentsTV.org, the group that encourages folks to write letters protesting swear words on shows they don't watch. They give "According to Jim" a red light (don't let your kids watch it). See for yourself:
http://www.parentstv.org/ptc/shows/main.asp?shwid=44
5-13-2008 @ 5:58PM
kevjohn said...
Good find, Charles. Their ratings system, and the descriptions of the shows, is hilarious! I was surprised to see one of my favorites, the syndicated Still Standing, only managed to get a yellow light. That show is one of the edgier "family friendly sitcoms" I can think of. Seemed like every third episode or so featured one of the teenaged children trying to hook up with a crush. Also getting the yellow light: The Office, The Bernie Mac Show, 30 Rock (where Tracy is still working to perfect his porno videogame).
Well, now that I know ATJ is red-rated like House, American Dad, and Arrested Development maybe I'll look into it. I mean it's probably just as good as those shows right?
(by the way, this was meant to poke fun at that stupid site and the organization behind it, not anyone here)
5-13-2008 @ 7:19PM
ac said...
This is what I got from that PTC link:
"The show contains some sexual humor, with one of the episodes this season explaining how one of Jim’s goals to be accomplished before his ten year wedding anniversary was to have sex in all “Big Ten” states (referring to the college athletic conference). Episodes consistently contain some harsh language like “crap”, “damn”, “hell”, and occasionally “ass”. There are sporadic instances of violence, usually playful, like Cheryl smacking Jim on the arm when he makes a silly comment."
I just have to start off by saying WTF?!?! Crap, damn and hell isn't harsh language. Hell is a place. And anyone who says playful smacking on the arm is violence should be punched in the face as an example of what real violence is. Fucking idiots (now thats harsh language)!
As for who watches AtJ, I dont know anyone who does. It doesn't look funny and when I surf past it I wind up moving to another channel every time.
5-13-2008 @ 2:08PM
MosquitoControl72 said...
I never watch tv "because there is nothing else on." Usually I'm only in front of the TV about an hour a day, and during those hours there's probably an episode of Scrubs, Seinfeld, Simpsons or Good Eats on. No reason to watch some crap.
So I've never seen this. Never wanted to. Couldn't be paid to.
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5-13-2008 @ 2:26PM
Jimmy said...
I've just never liked Jim Belushi. I figured his brother's coattails would have worn out years ago.
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5-13-2008 @ 3:02PM
Darren said...
The show isn't that bad - it's a non thought show - you can watch, laugh and waste some time. I'm very happy it's picked up!
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5-13-2008 @ 3:10PM
dean said...
If it wasn't making money for ABC, they wouldn't keep it on the air. It's obviously got an audience.
Just because we (the online community) don't watch, or find it funny... well, that doesn't mean a thing. A lot of people here probably loved Arrested Development, and that got canned.
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5-13-2008 @ 5:11PM
jds65 said...
I've decided on a TV Squad (and TV discussion forums in general) version of Godwin's Law:
"As a discussion about the cancellation of a show grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Arrested Development approaches one."
5-13-2008 @ 3:21PM
MERVE-THE-PERVE said...
It really doesn't matter if any of us watch it or not. It's those damn Nielsen family dipshits that are keeping the crap on the air. Until the ratings system is reformed, you can bet 75% of tv is gonna continue to be crap that most of us don't like.
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5-13-2008 @ 3:33PM
R said...
Doesn't ABC stand for "All 'Bout Cash". If it's not an ABC owned show, then you don't stand much of a chance. If it makes money and it's crap, it's OK for ABC. Check out some of the shows that didn't get picked up or were only picked up for 13. Bitter about "Boston Legal" only getting 13 episodes pick-up. It's owned by David E. Kelley, not ABC.
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5-13-2008 @ 3:35PM
JW said...
I watch it. It's one of the half decent shows left to watch anymore. Fox cancelled Back to You, and I am wondering when all the other sitcoms will be cancelled. It seems like every network but CBS has good sitcoms. It's all about the reality shows and non family oriented shows.
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5-13-2008 @ 7:00PM
Nathaniel said...
I'm sorry... did you just say every network BUT CBS has good sitcoms? I think you have that backwards.
5-13-2008 @ 3:40PM
RC said...
The people who watch According to Jim are the people who aren't ranting on TV Squad message boards. Believe it or not WE are in the minority. If the people here were a true representation of the TV watching public then we wouldn't be sending various items to network headquarters every other week to keep our favorite shows on the air.
I'll admit I've caught a couple of episodes of Jim in syndication when I get home from work. It's not bad. It reminds me of the family friendly sitcoms of the 80s that are pretty much extinct. Can kids watch anything after 8 anymore?
http://bitsmack.com
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