The death of TV

Looks like TV has some serious ratings issues...

NEW YORK - Whether it was the upcoming religious holidays, nice spring weather, school vacations or just plain boredom with their choices, many television viewers took a siesta from their sets last Thursday.

CBS' comedy "The Big Bang Theory" had its smallest audience of the season for a new episode, the Nielsen Co. said. ABC's "Missing" had a series low. All the originals on NBC's lineup — "Community," ''30 Rock," ''Up All Night" and "Awake" — had season lows.

The NBC showing is particularly eye-opening, especially considering the network's former "must-see TV" status on Thursday nights.

Only "Community" reached 3 million viewers. The comedies "30 Rock" had 2.79 million, "Up All Night" had 2.58 million and "The Office" had 2.52 million for a repeat episode. The hourlong drama "Awake" had 2.56 million viewers, Nielsen said.

On the same first Thursday in April 10 years ago, NBC reached 28.5 million viewers for "ER" and 22.6 million for "Friends."


While the talking heads try to explain the drop in all of these ratings, I think I have the reason. With the internet, I can watch any of these shows online at my own convenience. I'd rather be running, playing video games or doing some work when the show originally airs. Prime-time of 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. is my time, not televisions time.

Also throw in that I can watch anything I want to watch, Facebook, the 300 channels I have on DISH and the numerous You Tube clips or internet apps I can play - when new episodes pop up, I'm not going to make my schedule around them. I'm going to watch them when I have an opening.

With this kill TV? I dunno ask how mass media is going for newspapers. People are just being more and more specific with their tastes in entertainment. However, you know eventually who's going to pay for the splintering of all these entertainment interests? Us. Look for the pay-per-view model to get more and more common.

What the hell is wrong with these Cable Channels...

Due to a recent career change, I find myself with lots of free time to watch TV. One thing I've noticed is that there's a buttload of crappy television going on during the day. Let me explain...

ESPN - They're showing live video of their radio shows... yep, radio shows. I love radio, but these guys are sitting in a studio in front of a mic. Whoop-de-freakin' doo. Might as well show Erin Andrews chewing gum... oh wait... I'd watch that.

The History Channel - I'm cool with the History Channel when they show history. When they show middle-aged men collecting bicycles and getting their jollies off... well that just wont do.

Comedy Central - Cedric the Entertainer has not had the best of movie careers. So why are you running a marathon of his movies?

Local Public Cable - The Spokane Real Estate Show? Isn't the housing economy a gaping hole of sadness and broken dreams?

WGN - Scrubs is on 20 other cable channels, don't know why it has to be on your station.

VS. - During the day, it's a bunch of MMA highlight shows, which is about as entertaining as watching goats fall down.

FSN - Wonderful! A replay of this year's Washington High School 3A Football Championship Game?!?! Well, at least it's better football than the Washington State Cougars.

Food Network - "Places you wouldn't believe serves food because they violate so many health codes"  ... not my favorite show.

TLC - Fat American needs a tummy tuck. Small person needs tall person knees. Fat broke mom needs to cash in on a reality show to pay bills. Generally annoying home improvement keep babbling about a house color scheme. Ladies and Gentlemen! Your lineup on TLC.

TBS - The George Lopez Show? Oh hell no...

So as you can see, I've been watching a lot of DVDs.

New shows for CBS you haven't heard about

Alright, so that's a photo of NCIS, but here's a smattering of shows that CBS should be premiering to make their geriatric, slightly jaded viewing audience happy. And keep in mind that these shows won't air during Bingo time.

CSI: Spokane - While most CSI shows take place in state-of-the-art labs, Spokane's version of the show will take place in the STA Bus Plaza and at Zips. Ahhh, Zips.

Washed up celebrity #8 gets his own sitcom - Which Seinfield cast member is going to give it another go? Anyone? And by the way, has anyone seen Two and Half Men, good stuff.

Stories from the Financial Crises - A heartbreaking drama about how Wall Street Brokers are having to fill their jets with regular fuel, and making the tough decision about whether or not to buy out companies with their bail-out money or spend it on a sexy party.

The Quadminifier - In the same line as "The Closer" and "The Goat Farmer" ... this show sucks.

That one cop show where there look up old 1970s crime cases - Giving viewers plenty of recreations on the time period on a shoe-string budget. Don't question the show when you see a Ford Focus in 1973.

With a line up like this, what could go wrong? Really? At least it isn't FOX.