Now that the upfronts have been presented, it's time to start handicapping the ratings (although Jeff Zucker doesn't think Nielsens matter that much anymore). Nevertheless, some are looking at next fall's schedule and predicting a big-time battle royale on Thursday night at 8 o'clock. Which reality show will emerge at the Nielsen number one -- CBS's Survivor or Fox's The Moment of Truth? According to Hollywood Reporter, Fox is taking aim at CBS. When asked at the upfront about positioning The Moment of Truth -- and Hell's Kitchen right behind it -- on that night was a strategic move, the executive was diplomatic at first. He said Fox isn't looking for a battle; they're doing their own thing. But then said of Survivor, "Look, it's eroding. It's an older show. Its eventually going to give up and were trying to accelerate that."Hmm, sounds like fighting words to me. The Moment of Truth and Hell's Kitchen are two of Fox's three premiere reality shows, behind only American Idol in the ratings. Anyway you slice it, Thursday night is going to be a night to drive TV fans crazy. While Fox and CBS are leading with reality shows to start the night, ABC will offer Emmy winner and critic's darling, Ugly Betty, NBC will serve up its Emmy winner(s) and critic's faves, My Name Is Earl and 30 Rock, and the CW will bring back the venerable fan fave, Smallville. And that's not even considering what the rest of the networks have planned.
Will CBS continue to own Thursday with the Survivor/CSI double dip, or is Fox going to overtake CBS? Can scripted shows like Ugly Betty, My Name Is Earl, The Office and Smallville hope to grab a big enough piece of the Nielsen pie to stay in the game? These are legitimate questions, especially in light of Zucker's contention that demographics matter as much -- or more -- than ratings.
While all shows across the board have shown a decrease in Nielsen numbers -- the result of fragmentation caused by the sheer volume of choices TV viewers have thanks to digital cable and satellite -- a show like Survivor has remained popular, winning its time slot and giving CSI a strong lead in. Still, next fall it will broadcast its 18th edition (with a 19th in the spring). Has Survivor's novelty worn off, as Fox suggests?
One thing for certain; fans of sitcoms and dramas better do all they can to support the likes of Earl and Betty or risk future TV schedules with even less fictional fodder.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-18-2008 @ 12:34PM
Darren said...
Survivor will win HANDS down!
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5-18-2008 @ 1:22PM
Sam McConnell said...
After this last season, I wouldn't call Survivior erroding. In fact, it was fantastic.
Moment of Truth actually gets quite boring very quickly. It takes to long, and the gimick wears off. Oddly, I don't think it can last in this short attention span sesame street generation.
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5-18-2008 @ 1:06PM
Ed said...
God I hate the networks more and more each day! I think I'm gonna give my sympathies to places like HBO and Showtime, who JUST GET ON AND PRODUCE GOOD TELEVISION!
Fox in particular (Arrested Development, Futurama, etc.) is on it's last straw with me.
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5-18-2008 @ 1:26PM
GL said...
Fox would think "novelty" was the reason Survivor has done well for this long.
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5-18-2008 @ 1:27PM
Vincent said...
The Fans vs. Favorites edition of Survivor shows why it's one of the best reality shows on television. And the next edition is in HD? I know what I'll be watching.
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5-18-2008 @ 1:56PM
Oreo said...
Moment of Truth was a joke that made people feel better about themselves. It no longer has Idol as a lead in so it will be crushed.
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5-18-2008 @ 1:59PM
Simon Says said...
How Many Will It Take Till Someone Does Something? 1. Top 20 Finalist (Andy Zulla) is an engineer on Clay Aiken, Kelly Clarkson, Diana DeGarmo CD's. 2. Top 20 Finalist
(Windy Wagner) is a backup singer on the NEW Clay Aiken CD. 3. Top 20 Finalist (Ryan Gillmor) wrote the theme song for the Fox television show "Unhitched". 4. Top 20 Finalist
(Dan Yessian) wrote jingles for Ford Motors. 5. Top 20 Finalist (Luke Ebbin) is a producer on Austalian Idol 1st place runner-up Shannon Noll's CD. 6. Top 20 Finalist (Regie
Hamm) is a co-writer on the new Clay Aiken CD and he's also a co-writer of the winner of 2007's American Idol Songwriting Contest Scott Krippayne......Anybody see a pattern yet?
2 of the 2008 American Idol Songwriting Contest Top 20 songwriters get credit on Clay Aikens NEW CD. Out of thousands and thousands of entries 2 out of 20 work with Mr. Aiken.
americanidolexposed@weebly.com
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5-18-2008 @ 2:08PM
jmt said...
Survivor is still a great show. One of the few reality shows that the family can watch. TMOT is the exact opposite, its a horrible show that spotlights the most despicable moments of peoples lives. I know that survivor will out-class, out-perform, and out-live that show.
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5-18-2008 @ 2:14PM
Dragulf said...
Isn't MoT a game show? Fox, stop following NBC down into the gutter. Keep spinning NBC. Soon, no one will flip over to your channel. I know I don't.
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5-18-2008 @ 9:32PM
Michael white said...
I think the show and Fox are less than honest iin their presentation. It has always been made clear that polygraphs are open to opinion, and it is very much to their advantage that a person is disqualified, especially when they are going for a large amount of money.
I'll admit to watching a few times, but after seeing people literally risk humiliating and ruining personal relationships or their jobs, literally, how could they be so consistently deceitful when the $$$$ get up there.
I'd be shocked if they haven't been sued or at least made financial settlements with "gag" clauses with disgruntled contestants.
Maybe here is something TMZ could look into "out of the gutter" with their smug, obnoxious know nothings besides almost assualting innocent children, and others just trying to live their lives.
But, then again, TMZ is syndicated on Fox stations. Harvey Levin and his moron minions would hardly have the guts to bite the hands that feed them.
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5-18-2008 @ 2:40PM
Leota said...
Hell's Kitchen vs. Survivor makes me sad. Thank god for time shifting!
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5-18-2008 @ 2:56PM
lucyfan62 said...
I think Hell's Kitchen is on at 9:00, Survivor is at 8:00.
5-18-2008 @ 9:03PM
Leota said...
That's what I thought at first but then I read this from the original article:
"In the fall, Fox puts “The Moment of the Truth” against “Survivor.” In the spring, the newly resurgent “Hell’s Kitchen” goes into the spot."
5-18-2008 @ 2:57PM
lucyfan62 said...
It will be interesting to see if the switch to high def does anything for Survivor.
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5-18-2008 @ 5:48PM
Jeff N. said...
I think it will help Survivor in this next season that they have decided to go HD.
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5-18-2008 @ 8:10PM
Bash said...
Yeah I finally will be able to see all those nasty bites and gashes in HD ;-)
You know I wonder why they were unable to produce it in HD before - they are able to produce Dirty Jobs in HD so they should be able to carry enough HD cameras around on survivor with their 200+ people entourage.
5-20-2008 @ 1:30AM
Lynda said...
There is no hard decision for me.
There is NO other show like Survivor!
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