S8 Discussion Thread

[Tensor]

I can't agree with the reasoning here Chrismo.   While it has hit a four season low, you have to remember that since 2011, Broadcast TV has lost 38% of its audience, TBBT has lost 15%.   Last week, the 25th highest series had a 1.6 demo.  Not to mention, this week ratings for just about everything have crashed.   There were only three (count them, three) series that made it to a 3.0.  Big Bang has slipped, there is no doubt about that, but it is still carrying a average demo of over a 4.5, only one other series can make that claim, and that is a new series (Empire), and in viewers, it's still number one.  I think the reduction in TBBT ratings this year have more to do with the reduction of total viewers, than any one thing that has happened this year.   

[Chrismo]

Could it have something to do with the weeks without a new episode? Out of sight out of mind.

ion the other side you would think people would be stoked to see a new episode for the first time in three weeks.

[Tensor]

The last couple of years, the show after Basketball had lower than normal numbers.  Also, this year has Easter and Passover the weekend after the episode, and there are a lot of schools who's spring break is happening this week.  Add all that up and it explains why this week, overall, was so low.   I also expect a lower number on April 30th as that is the start of the National Football League's annual collegiate draft.  Last year the draft brought TBBT it's first sub 4 demo since 2011.

 

 

   I still think this year will finish about a 4.4, which will still make it the third highest comedy season since 2000 (and we really don't have the 18-49 demo numbers prior to that).  

ion the other side you would think people would be stoked to see a new episode for the first time in three weeks.

 

Viewers tend to be creatures of habit.  What a lot of us here forget is that the majority of the viewers are no where near as hardcore as those here on the forum, so they don't keep track of when shows are on as much as we do.

[Chrismo]

Tensor, I can't disagree withwhat you are saying. I still there may be still be other contributing factors other than what you have mentioned. I guess we have 5 more episodes to find out.

Edited April 4, 2015 by Chrismo

[Tensor]

Tensor, I can't disagree withwhat you are saying. I still there may be still be other contributing factors other than what you have mentioned. I guess we have 5 more episodes to find out.

 

Look at it this way, there were those, who preferred a sleazy Howard, and an unattached Sheldon, who were convinced that season four's drop was due to the addition of Amy and Bernadette.  I'm not saying that the lack of Lenny hasn't contributed, but there are those who have said the humor isn't there this season, and there are several other factors (more competition on Mondays, the jerk around of nights, and the lower amount of people actually watching on broadcast television) that have far more effect on the numbers than a lack of Lenny would have.   

[ajond]

Look at it this way, there were those, who preferred a sleazy Howard, and an unattached Sheldon, who were convinced that season four's drop was due to the addition of Amy and Bernadette.  I'm not saying that the lack of Lenny hasn't contributed, but there are those who have said the humor isn't there this season, and there are several other factors (more competition on Mondays, the jerk around of nights, and the lower amount of people actually watching on broadcast television) that have far more effect on the numbers than a lack of Lenny would have.   

I'm one of those that preferred the sleazy Howard and the unattached, socially bereft Sheldon and bemoan the lack of Lenny. I suppose the ratings the show is getting compared to other sitcoms is a more relevant number than actual bums on seats in front of the TV. Not sure what this is, relying on you here Tensor.

[phantagrae]

Is there any evidence that the general viewing audience is paying attention to how much story time any particular character is getting? Or are there other factors involved?

Most viewers don't seek out spoilers and don't know from one week to the next whether or not Lenny will get more screen time than Shamy or whatever.

[Tensor]

I'm one of those that preferred the sleazy Howard and the unattached, socially bereft Sheldon and bemoan the lack of Lenny. I suppose the ratings the show is getting compared to other sitcoms is a more relevant number than actual bums on seats in front of the TV. Not sure what this is, relying on you here Tensor.

 

​Look at it this way, in the late 90s, early 2000s,  there could be 50-70 million people watching broadcast TV depending on the night and time.  Between the internet (and I'm not talking about watching TV on the internet, I'm simply talking about spending time on the internet, instead of watching TV)  and the proliferation of cable channels, At 8:00 PM, this past Thursday, there were 32.5 million viewers, with TBBT getting just short of 14 million.  That's about 43% of the available viewers.   43% of the 50-70 million would be approximately 22-30 million.    

 

 

Now lets go back to the number of people watching one show.   TBBT is pulling in about 43% of the viewers for it's broadcast time.   Friends did the same percentage and for that show alone,  would give you almost the total number of viewers, for all networks,  that we had this past week when TBBT was broadcast.     It was worse Thursday at 9:00 PM as there were only 25 million viewers and finally at 10 PM there were only 15.3 million viewers for broadcast TV, only about 1.5 million more total viewers than TBBT had at 8:00 PM.   When talking about number of viewers, I always like to bring up the MASH final.  It average 111 Million viewers over the two and a half hours it was on, and at one point hit 125 million viewers.  The only thing that gets those kind of numbers these days, is the NFL for the two conference championships and the Super Bowl.

 

Now, remember, networks don't compare their show to other networks to determine if they will be cancelled, the compare them to other shows on the network.  If you do that, TBBT will have a 4.4 (my guess for the end of the year), the highest other comedy would be Mom with a 2.3.  Mike and Molly will be around 2.0 and 2 Broke Girls will be at 2.2.  The Odd Couple's ratings are dependent on TBBT.  It's only averaging 2.8, even with TBBT lead in.  Last year, the Millers had a 2.6 demo, with considerably higher TBBT lead in.  When The Millers was moved out from behind TBBT, it dropped to a 1.7 and was cancelled after five shows.      So, when compared to other shows on CBS, TBBT is almost double all the other comedies, not to mention better than all the other comedies on all the other networks.  The only non-sports things that beat TBBT are "Empire" and "The Walking Dead" and even then, TBBT beats them both in total viewers.   

Is there any evidence that the general viewing audience is paying attention to how much story time any particular character is getting? Or are there other factors involved?

Most viewers don't seek out spoilers and don't know from one week to the next whether or not Lenny will get more screen time than Shamy or whatever.

 

Phanta, there is some anecdotal evidence that even those who are not like the posters here, have noticed the the diminished role that Lenny have had this year.  There is even less evidence (even anecdotal) that any but a very few no longer watching the show because of it.  As there is no uprising generally for any particular reason, that leaves the general abandonment of long running shows as to the best guess as to what is occurring.  

[meka3000]

I'm not saying that the lack of Lenny hasn't contributed, but there are those who have said the humor isn't there this season, and there are several other factors (more competition on Mondays, the jerk around of nights, and the lower amount of people actually watching on broadcast television) that have far more effect on the numbers than a lack of Lenny would have.   

 

If you want to throw in what some people might think about Penny's haircut and how it hasn't been well received that's another factor.  But I consider that just a nickel or dime that added to a bigger pile. Not to mention the job change (even though I thought the job change was handled in a believable manner, but some disagree) Also I'm wondering how that job change would be received by some people if Penny still had long hair?

 

Also I've been rewatching the beginning of the season, and it was absolutely GALLING how much of a karma houdini Sheldon was when he came back.  There were no consequences for his actions.  Amy, barely mad at him to be considered consequential.  Caltech, made him a junior professor along with his new field study which worked to HIS FAVOR when no one came to his class, so he got what he wanted in the end.  It made Sheldon leaving at the end of season 7 feel absolutely pointless in the grand scheme of things.  Alot of dramatic posturing with no drama to come of it.

Edited April 4, 2015 by meka3000

[phantagrae]

If you want to throw in what some people might think about Penny's haircut and how it hasn't been well received that's another factor.  But I consider that just a nickel or dime that added to a bigger pile. Not to mention the job change (even though I thought the job change was handled in a believable manner, but some disagree) Also I'm wondering how that job change would be received by some people if Penny still had long hair?

 

Also I've been rewatching the beginning of the season, and it was absolutely GALLING how much of a karma houdini Sheldon was when he came back.  There were no consequences for his actions.  Amy, barely mad at him to be considered consequential.  Caltech, made him a junior professor along with his new field study which worked to HIS FAVOR when no one came to his class, so he got what he wanted in the end.  It made Sheldon leaving at the end of season 7 feel absolutely pointless in the grand scheme of things.  Alot of dramatic posturing with no drama to come of it.

I REALLY don't think Penny changing jobs and getting a haircut would have had a major effect on the ratings. From what I've seen on IG, for example, people might object to her haircut, but not enough to stop watching the show.

As for Sheldon in the season opener, you're assuming that he did something horrible. Amy was mad at him, but though he ran off without telling her first (and what would be the point of having a breakdown if he was calmly telling everyone what he was planning), they spoke at least at the beginning of his journey. And Leonard did say that he managed to get a sabbatical from the university, so he wasn't ditching work.

Since he had been petitioning the university to change his field of study before he left, his desire to change wasn't news to them. He's considered an asset to the university (funding, reputation, etc.) so they want to give him reasons to stay rather than jump ship and possibly go to another university (as he mentioned at the beginning.)

But most importantly of all, the show isn't doing drama and they're not going to make any of the characters go through some kind of heavy drama. And I think they also did t want to have to write about Sheldon teaching students all the time. We don't really know if he's still teaching that class or working as a junior professor.

I wouldn't call what happened at the end of S7 dramatic posturing. I think that most of the supposed drama came from the fans making more out of Sheldon's behavior than was really there.

[rachelshamyfan]

Not sure how much longer the show would of gone on with the same old same old

Melissa and Mayim added something extra to it and made the show fresh again

[djsurrey]

The last couple of years, the show after Basketball had lower than normal numbers.  Also, this year has Easter and Passover the weekend after the episode, and there are a lot of schools who's spring break is happening this week.  Add all that up and it explains why this week, overall, was so low.   I also expect a lower number on April 30th as that is the start of the National Football League's annual collegiate draft.  Last year the draft brought TBBT it's first sub 4 demo since 2011.

 

Good point. In fact no one was home at my house at the time TBBT airs because it was Holy Thursday.

I would have watched the new episode tonight but my cable provider has been tardy in getting it onto VOD. This may be due to Good Friday being a statutory holiday in Canada. I'm guessing it will be up some time tomorrow.

[vasu]

Not sure how much longer the show would of gone on with the same old same old

Melissa and Mayim added something extra to it and made the show fresh again

what kind of logic is this???

Now it has been long time since those two were added....so now in the next season new characters should be added

according to you to make this show fresh again....lol

Edited April 4, 2015 by vasu

[djsurrey]

 Possibly. I can't keep up with the schedule for BBT on my local station in Australia because of all the breaks and rescheduling ( different days, different times). I watch a lot 'online' these days and miss the ads so I wouldn't know when the next episode was on if I was watching it on network TV. But 2 million is a lot.

 

Confusion over the schedule was the thing that lead me to seek out this forum. Fortunately for me Canada is on the same schedule as the US.

Back in the days I was watching Stargate SG-1 we were two years behind on the broadcast schedule even though the thing was filmed here.

[djsurrey]

what kind of logic is this???

Now it has been long time since those two were added....so now in the next season new characters should be added

according to you to make this show fresh again....lol

 

Looks like good logic to me.

What are you talking about? They do this all the time to keep it fresh. Amy and Bernadette have stuck because they fit in so well but we had Alex, Lucy and Emily and now Howard's brother. We expect to see Emily back some more.

[rachelshamyfan]

what kind of logic is this???

Now it has been long time since those two were added....so now in the next season new characters should be added

according to you to make this show fresh again....lol

I never said that, putting words on doesn't make you funny or clever

[tallin]

I don't know if I would watch today if it wasn't for Mayim and Melissa to be honest. Probably not, I was starting to get a little tired in S 3/4 of Howard's same old creepy jokes, Sheldon's predictable behavior and Penny's life revolving just around the guys - not really having life on her own. Don't get me wrong I love early seasons, watching them all the time, but it just needed fresh wind to last this long, every sitcom does I would say. Mayim and Melissa brought new storylines, showed other personality aspects of characters, expanded show to be more variable and accessible to even wider audience. IMO they made already amazing show even better. And yes as djsurrey said they're bringing new characters all the time, these two stayed because writers saw potential in them. There will be new characters also in the future, if some of them will fit in and stay like Mayim and Melissa, well...that's a question...

[Guest]

I REALLY don't think Penny changing jobs and getting a haircut would have had a major effect on the ratings. From what I've seen on IG, for example, people might object to her haircut, but not enough to stop watching the show.

As for Sheldon in the season opener, you're assuming that he did something horrible. Amy was mad at him, but though he ran off without telling her first (and what would be the point of having a breakdown if he was calmly telling everyone what he was planning), they spoke at least at the beginning of his journey. And Leonard did say that he managed to get a sabbatical from the university, so he wasn't ditching work.

Since he had been petitioning the university to change his field of study before he left, his desire to change wasn't news to them. He's considered an asset to the university (funding, reputation, etc.) so they want to give him reasons to stay rather than jump ship and possibly go to another university (as he mentioned at the beginning.)

But most importantly of all, the show isn't doing drama and they're not going to make any of the characters go through some kind of heavy drama. And I think they also did t want to have to write about Sheldon teaching students all the time. We don't really know if he's still teaching that class or working as a junior professor.

I wouldn't call what happened at the end of S7 dramatic posturing. I think that most of the supposed drama came from the fans making more out of Sheldon's behavior than was really there.

I've really got NO problem with Penny's hair. Honestly, her new job and new look isn't affecting her acting. (Just want to establish that). As for lack of ships and whatnot, people watch for the comedy, not the romance, not like us.

SHeldon leaving is important- he comes home changed. He realizes 'Hey! I need to be nicer to my friends, especially Leonard!' And 'Hey! I should try to make my girlfriend happy!' And we've seen these changes. He's been so much better in comparison to other seasons- and he's getting better. Sure, he's had his hiccups - come on, it's SHELDON we Are talking about- mr flaws himself- but it's getting better.

(Please, please, do not take this to be that I am saying Sheldon is perfect and has no flaws, blah, blah, blah… he's not perfect and has made pretty big mistakes.)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited April 4, 2015 by CarG131

[phantagrae]

what kind of logic is this???Now it has been long time since those two were added....so now in the next season new characters should be addedaccording to you to make this show fresh again....lol

The logic is that by adding these two characters they opened up the potential for more story lines.

Bernie and Amy are both scientists, so they allow for story lines involving other aspects of science, if need be, and because of Bernie they had an alternative for Penny to do something besides work as a waitress.

And on top if that, the two girls provide potential stories for just the girls and also, of course, for the couples.

They are apparently adding Emily, at least on some level, and once again opening up the potential for new stories, this time on Raj's side as well as potentially with the girls.

[Tensor]

what kind of logic is this???Now it has been long time since those two were added....so now in the next season new characters should be addedaccording to you to make this show fresh again....lol

It's very good logic. The majority of the shows that ran for more than 10 years had cast changes throughout the series, allowing the writers to explore different story lines and charachter developments. For example, here are three longest running live action sitcoms that ran on American Broadcast Televison. The first, which ran four 14 years, was "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet". Where the two boys went to college(with the introduction of new characters), later they got married(again, with the intro of new characters, their girlfriends and wives).

"My Three Sons", which ran for 12, as I've detailed here before, changed several characters at the four year point. Moved from Missouri to Southern California in season seven, and introduced wives for two of the sons(one of which had triplets, male), and a wife for the father, in season 9-10. It was still going strong(top 20) in 1971. It was supposed to be broadcast on Saturday, at 8 PM. However, CBS wanted a new series there and moved the family show, MTS, to 10 PM Tuesday, where, up against dramas, it fell of so dramatically, it was cancelled. That new series was "All in the Family".

Two thirds of the way through its run of 12 years, "Two and a Half Men" changed one of the leads. Now you can claim the last years of the show were crap, but it still was a top 20 show( Ozzie and Harriet only hit top twenty once, but it's the longest running) MASH, Cheers, and several others also made cast changes. The one anamoly was "Friends", which kept the same cast.

Cast changes, location changes (My Three Sons was previously mentioned and I Love Lucy moved from the city to the country) allow for different plots, different interactions, different reactions that keep the show fresh. TBBT's problem is that there isn't room to introduce new characters any longer,( I suppose the could break up a couple and bring new people in, but I really don't see that happening). I thought that they would move the guys to another place this season, as that would give them some fresh stories(and also minimize the cost of a set change), but that hasn't happened. If they decide to go past 10, the could go with a location change at the end of season 9, and still get value out of such a change. But that would take a leap of faith, and I'm not sure production or CBS have that faith.

[Judge-Apatow]

Is there a taping this week?

[rachelshamyfan]

No

They have table read on Wednesday though

[MTBigBangTheoryFan]

There hasn't been casting changes on Big Bang Theory. Only new cast members were added.

The Big Bang Theory is one of the few long running shows who has not seen any casting changex. All of it original 5 Cast Members are still with the show going into season 9 and will be for as long as the show on the air.

That is a great achivement.

Cheers for all of it casting changes through out it 11 Seasons went out on top when it left the air

[djsurrey]

[snip]

Cast changes, location changes (My Three Sons was previously mentioned and I Love Lucy moved from the city to the country) allow for different plots, different interactions, different reactions that keep the show fresh. TBBT's problem is that there isn't room to introduce new characters any longer,( I suppose the could break up a couple and bring new people in, but I really don't see that happening). I thought that they would move the guys to another place this season, as that would give them some fresh stories(and also minimize the cost of a set change), but that hasn't happened. If they decide to go past 10, the could go with a location change at the end of season 9, and still get value out of such a change. But that would take a leap of faith, and I'm not sure production or CBS have that faith.

 

I guess you mean regular characters that appear every week? Is there any reason they can't have new characters that appear only on occasion (like Stuart, Wil W, B. Kripke, Emily...).

 

If it goes to 12 seasons some my move on possibly or they could even try to spin off a new series.

[Earnie]

People do not watch TV the way they used to lets wait until we get the live plus 7 numbers before we judge how many fans are watching this time of year a lot of people go on spring break and DVR the show or watch it online later fans today do not have to watch the show live anymore they have so many other options