Glory Be: People Are Finally Watching 30 Rock
Good news is rare in these worrisome times, but here among the rubble is a little ray of sunshine (mixed metaphors!) Critically-beloved 30 Rock is finally performing healthily in the US ratings.
Variety puts its comforting hand on our shoulder and reports that, there there, nothing is so bad after all. The Tina Fey tour de force is earning about 7.7 million viewers a week, up about 21% from last season. It’s also hitting demo sweet spots, as most of its viewers are between 18-49, with nice growth in the lower (and more valuable) end of the spectrum.
The crazy thing about these sitcom-starved times is that those numbers, which would never really be considered high, make it the seventh most popular comedy on television right now. In the heady days of the power Tuesday and Must See TV Thursday sitcom blocks, an average of 7.7 million viewers would put a series significantly lower on the laffs totem pole. Lower even, for 1995-1996, than something called Can’t Hurry Love, which starred Scott Baio.
Ah well. Now isn’t the time for negativity. 30 Rock is a success, and has managed to still be consistently funny, so at least, if nothing else, we have that.
Comments (AU Comments | US Comments)
HORNBERGER!
It's still behind Two and a Half Men, though. You're hurting me, America.
It was only a matter of time, Richard, before the rest of America caught on to Tina Fey's utter irresistibility, Alec Baldwin's haughty avuncalarisms, Tracy Morgan's affable misunderstoodedness, Jane Krakowski's endearing self-centeriority, Jack McBrayer's disarmingatiliative aloofiness, and other greatnessisms about the bestesest show on broadcasted televisionville. Blerg!!!
Things are looking up for ol' Liz Lemon!
SammyFayBakker
@Monkeyrash: I had to clear all the coinage with Tina first. :-)
@aLostLady: This is a good habit which you should bolster by watching 30 Rock all. Day. Long. On Hulu, of course.
Effin Lizbians.
@Aaron Altman: I love that Tracy essentially plays a more famous version of himself. I could watch this show all. day. long.
That's (relatively) good news. I'm Lizzing! I'm Lizzing!
Cheruth
@Aaron Altman: Aaron,this post was up a full seven minutes before you commented. I'm worried that your Tina love is waning.
@Aaron Altman: Because we're aliens. And that's how we roll.
@Aaron Altman: It is some pretty impressive coinage.
@aLostLady: Haha, now do Stewie. :-)
@Aaron Altman: and 30 Rock-- for those of us living in Little Chechnya-- thanks for putting us on the map [ducking from bullets].
Banjo-Sea Kitten
I don't think it's fair? For me to judge ratings? Cause I can read people's thoughts.
And the gratuitous backlash starts ... NOW.
ginger rant
30 Rock is actually The Muppet Show
Liz Lemon - Kermit
Kenneth - Scooter
Jenna - Miss Piggy
Jack - Sam the Eagle
Tracy Jorndan - Fozzy/Gonzo
Dr Spacemen - Dr Bunsen
Frank & Toofer - Statler & Waldorf
Grizz or Dot Com - Sweedums
sweet they are up until Obama decides to do another unnecessary press conference.
Lincolnsbeard33
@It's twue! It's twue!: Seems like you and Kenneth see the world through the same eyes.
Omelas
I just wanna do all kinds of filthy things to Kenneth.
Sounds like a Lemon Party is in order. Who wants to invite Ol' Dick?
mentir
@Monkeyrash: They're quite a mouthful. :-)
One of the worst "comedy" shows there is.
@HitOrMs: "You look like a baby."
are friends electric?
@Aaron Altman: One of us should be blushing.
@Creasy: You strike me as an "According to Jim" fan. Am I right?
Tina Fey causes nice growth in the lower (and more valuable) end of my spectrum.
Well not really, but if she resembled Rob Dyrdek more then she probably would.
@Guy_Whitey_Corngood: YES! HORNBERGER!
@Monkeyrash: That's what she said?
@Aaron Altman: She would have, but her mouth was full.
@Monkeyrash: oh shit, did I just say that out loud?
@SammyFayBakker: Is this about a boy, Lemon?
Good god, you don't even know his name!
[insert 30 Rock quote here]
@Creasy: DADDY'S NOT DEAD!
@ginger rant: "Hey dummy!"
@Creasy: I've tried watching this three times, and I've come away not impressed every time, dispite my love of Tina Fey. I've discovered Two and a Half Men in the past year, and I'll stick with that for a while.
SteverMan
@+ Watch video
Did someone just publicly admit they watch ... and LIKE ... Two and Half Men?
@Monkeyrash: Lemme see your hands. :-)
Tracy would just stand in the hallway yelling RATINGS! RATINGS! RATINGS! Until Grizz and Dot Com brought him some.
PromQueen
I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together.
See how they run like pigs from a gun, see how they fly.
I'm crying.
@Aaron Altman: Please, I'll never watch this show and I'm tired of Tina Fey
TemporalOutLaw
So why are TV ratings down so much? Cable competition?
@It's twue! It's twue!: You've just written an episode for them.
question. do these numbers take into account the number of viewings online? or, even the downloads from itunes? please advise!
ciaomanhattan
I'm just getting caught up, I've recorded the entire season and so far I'm up to sometime in January. I just started watching it a month or so ago (Season 1 & 2) on Netflix Instant View on my Roku (which totally rocks).