THE PRIMETIME AUDIENCE IS SHRINKING

(Courtesy of Google Images)


Ratings for some of TV's best shows are down in especially in the 18-49 demographic according to an article by Bill Carter in THE NEW YORK TIMES. During the Spring time hits like "American Idol", "Modern Family", and "Glee" have seen new ratings lows. Even cable's viewership has declined during the Spring season.

As a matter of fact, networks like ABC, CBS, and FOX have been losing viewers ever since March 19th. According to the article, "NBC lost an average of 59,000 viewers (about 3 percent) in that 18-to-49 age category compared with the same period last year, CBS lost 239,000 (8 percent), ABC lost 681,000 (21 percent) and Fox lost 709,000 (20 percent)."    

In the article, Mr. Carter gives some reasons for the decline in viewership including:

1. The Use of DVR's and people watching what they've recorded and not watching things live.
2. The nice weather of springtime which encourages people to do outdoor activities.

In my opinion, the best conclusion is offered by fomer head of entertainment at NBC, Jeff Gaspin who said that people have built-up libraries of shows that they watch on DVR, DVD, and Netflix so they don't have to watch every episode when it originally airs anymore or worry about commercials.

Mr. Gaspin gives an example of how he and his teenage son watched the first two seasons of "The Walking Dead" on DVR and Netflix to catch up for the season finale. The episodes they saw on DVR and Netflix made them feel all the tension and terror of the series. He notes that when he watched the season finale with his son on AMC, the tension was broken by all the commercials.
Mr. Gaspin saisd that he would not be watching "The Walking Dead" on AMC again.

I think that Mr. Gaspin's point is valid. Ever since the invention of DVD's and DVR's the audience's viewing habits have changed. People like watching their shows without commercials. Commercials are the lifeblood of the TV industry going back to the 40's and 50's. Now with this new change in habits, Will Product Placement become even more prevalent in TV shows? Will TV feature more reality shows? Only time will tell.

The Professor

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES TRAILER TO RUN BEFORE AVENGERS MOVIE

According to ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY, the Avengers movie will carry the "Dark Knight Rises" Trailer when it debuts in theaters on May 4.

A smart move by Marvel piggy backing on the first big comic book movie to promote the latest Batman movie. The real question will be: Which one will make more money?

If you like this blog, let me know and follow me on twitter @SEMSCORPIO.

THE PROFESSOR

R.I.P. DICK CLARK

(Image Courtesy of Google Images)

Dick Clark passed away last week at the age of 82. I first came to know Dick Clark as the host of the $64,000 Pyramid. But he was so much more. His impact on culture and race relations through music and "American Bandstand" is still being felt today.

Thank you Mr. Clark. You will never be forgotten.

The Professor

BROCK VS. CENA AT EXTREME RULES

(Image Courtesy of WWE.COM)

WWE announced on RAW Monday night that Brock Lesnar will face John Cena at Extreme Rules. It's yet to be seen what lasting impact Brock will have on WWE but it should be fun to watch.

The Professor

WRESTLEMANIA 28 RESULTS

(Image Courtesy of Google Images)

Hello Class,

Today I'm posting the Wrestlemania 28 results courtesy of  THE BALTIMORE SUN. I didn't actually order the PAY PER VIEW so I won't make any comments.

RESULTS

Match Rundown
Sheamus d. Daniel Bryan to win the World Heavyweight Championship

Kane d. Randy Orton

Big Show d. Cody Rhodes to win the Intercontinental Championship

Kelly Kelly and Maria Menounos d. Beth Phoenix and Eve

Undertaker d. Triple H in Hell in a Cell

Team Laurinaitis d. Team Long

CM Punk d. Chris Jericho to retain the WWE Championship

The Rock d. John Cena

Class Dismissed,
THE PROFESSOR

DC: A LESSON IN IRONY

On June 12, 2012 DC will release a DVD called, "SUPERMAN VS. THE ELITE". This DVD is based on Superman #775 entitled, "What's So Funny About Truth, Justice and The American Way?" by Joe Kelly.

In the 1990's there was a comic called "The Authority" (who are described in an article on the BLEEDING COOL website that you can read HERE ) as a "team of self-appointed moral guardians of the planet, saving it from the bad guys. In a possibly too subtle note, the lead characters were the bad guys themselves, just up against something worse." Joe Kelly in his story created "The Elite" a version of "The Authority" in DC Comics. A group of bad guys who fight worse evils than themselves and are considered the "good guys."


(THE JUSTICE LEAGUE OF DC'S NEW 52)

DC Comics has even turned "The Justice League" into a version of "The Authority" starting in issue # 7 according to Bleeding Cool which says about the contents of the issue, "They act independently of government, even when suckling on its teat. They are autonomous weapons of mass destruction, that the American government distrusts and fears. And despite the good that they do, and the reaction of the audience, they are sloppy, lazy, self assured and… well, basically, the bad guys. It’s just there are worse things out there."

I guess you could call it ironic, that the behavior that DC is condemning in one project, they are supporting with their comic book line.

I'm reminded of a quote from Walt Whitman who said, "Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes."

I will be watching the "SUPERMAN VS. THE ELITE" DVD and the "JLA: DOOM" DVD's and posting a review for each.

CLASS DISMISSED,
THE PROFESSOR

ROCK VS. CENA AT WM 28 AND I DON'T CARE

THE ROCK AND JOHN CENA courtesy of Google Images

Wrestlemania occurs on April 1st, and the main event that WWE is building on is John Cena vs. THE ROCK. Some are comparing this fight to the match that THE ROCK had at Wrestlemania 18 with Hulk Hogan but I think this is a bad comparison.



ROCK VS. HOGAN-WM18 courtesy of Google Images

First of all, ten years ago Hulk Hogan had just returned to WWE after a ten year absence after leaving WWE for WCW. During that time, he went from being Hulk Hogan to Hollywood Hulk Hogan and creating the NWO with Kevin Nash and Scott Hall. With this Hogan was apart of The Monday Night Wars with WWE until WCW closed in April of 2001 after being bought by WWE.

During Hogan's absence, Vince McMahon launched "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and THE ROCK into superstardom with THE ROCK equaling Hogan's accomplishments not only with titles in wrestling but with appearances in Movies and TV.

It was truly Wrestling's ICON of the 80's vs. the ICON of the Attitude Era. That is what made me and millions of other fans care about this event.


THE ROCK AND JOHN CENA courtesy of Google Images

This match, I don't really care about. John Cena is already the biggest star in WWE. He doesn't need The Rock to solidify his status in the company. Cena says he's fighting THE ROCK because he's fighting for all of the wrestlers who live and breathe the business while Rock went to Hollywood and forgot about the wrestling business.

Frankly, it's a lame motive for a wrestling match. THE ROCK left because he took the business to new heights and then went on for bigger opportunities in Hollywood. I can respect that decision. By the time THE ROCK left , the business was in decline as the lack of a viable competitor, like WCW hurt WWE.

I know this match will mean big money for WWE because it's taking place in Miami where THE ROCK grew up. WWE will probably gross over 1 million buys on Pay-Per-View with this match, but I think there are more deserving stars that could use this type of publicity like CM PUNK.

WWE may market this match as the biggest match in Wrestlemania history but it's not. Whoever wins or loses between THE ROCK and John Cena, the WWE won't change much. Cena will go on to win more championships and THE ROCK will make more movies. So  why should I care?

If you like this blog let me know @SEMSCORPIO.

Class Dismissed,
THE PROFESSOR