Network TV ratings and show biz buzz

For the week of October 10, CBS holds the #1 slot with Thursday night's CSI. Other CBS shows in the top 25 include Without a Trace, CSI: Miami, Survivor, NCIS, CSI: NY, Cold Case and Criminal Minds. In a way, I'm surprised that a 4th CSI did not show up on the fall schedule. CBS' sitcoms Two and a Half Men and Out of Practice are generating big numbers as well. Although CBS has lost Everybody Loves Raymond, they still are strong on Monday nights. ABC holds the second and third positions with Desperate Housewives and Lost. These 2 shows have resurrected the once struggling network and have helped to garner big numbers acting as lead in programs for Grey's Anatomy and Invasion. Monday Night Football and Commander in Chief are also big hits for the alphabet network. The only 2 shows from Fox to make the top 25 for this week were major league baseball games. Hits for NBC included Law and Order: SVU, My Name is Earl, ER, Las Vegas, and Medium. Sunday night have turned into a horse race between CBS and ABC. CBS does well with 60 Minutes and Cold Case, while ABC thrives with Desperate Housewives, Extreme Makeover Home Edition and Grey's Anatomy. I think that a large reason for the success of Desperate Housewives is the fact that it went on the air just as Sex and the City was going off. They attract the same demographic.

Thankfully, the Rock Star Van Halen story, mentioned in my last blog entry, was just a rumor. Another rumor was circulating regarding Alice in Chains using the show to find a new lead singer, but that has proven to be false as well. There must be a better way to find a lead singer than to go on a cheesy reality show.

Speaking of reality, or maybe fabricated reality, is anyone else watching that trainwreck of a show-Breaking Bonaduce on VH1? The Partridge Family alum, Danny Bonaduce spends much of the show in therapy with his wife, drinking excessively and shooting up with steroids, and who knows what else. I know that he has had issues with addiction in the past, but one must wonder how much of this is grandstanding for the cameras in order to add drama to the show. After all, if it was about one big happy family, would they make a show out of it? I think not. I also wonder about the ethical questions of televising therapy, which should be a private matter. Reality shows like this one, the Surreal Life, and the one with Chritopher Knight , a.k.a. Peter Brady, have provided work for many "celebrities" whose career options are limited. So these has-beens hope that the reality TV trend never dies.

Look out Martha Stewart, here comes Rachael Ray! She just launched a new magazine called Everyday with Rachael Ray. The Food Network star, who has 4 shows and countless cookbooks she has authored, will have her own talk show starting next fall. She talked about it with David Letterman this week. Oprah Winfrey will help to get the show off the ground. Maybe Oprah can produce the same kind of success for Rachael as she did for Dr. Phil.

*Source for some material in this article:Entertainment Weekly magazine