Watching the Fall TV Season

File Under: TV Scoop

Every year, dozens of new programs premiere on network television, with only a handful ultimately surviving for an entire season. Some get canned after a few weeks, and in rare cases, some get canned after just one or two airings. You may be wondering: are there any programs that people are actually watching this season? The answer is a loud, resounding yes! Here are a few highlights:

Bones (FOX) - The "light-hearted X-Files meets CSI" had a strong opener when it debuted Tuesday at 8 pm ET, pulling in 10.7 million viewers, and a average 3.9 in the 18-49 demographic. It doubled FOX's 8 pm audience from last fall, and it was the most-watched Tuesday drama since FOX debuted 24 in late 2001. House, which follows Bones, had a impressive 15.9 million viewers watching the new season.

Prison Break (FOX) - Last week Monday's episode averaged 8.5 million viewers, which isn't too shabby. The serialized drama may not be the runaway hit that FOX was anticipating, but it certianly isn't anything to look over either. Already a couple weeks into it's run, expect a formal announcement that it's been picked up for renewal in a couple weeks.

Supernatural (WB) - The program, which first debuted on the internet, drew in 5.7 million viewers and 2.6 in the 18-34 demo. When paired together with popular lead-in Gilmore Girls, the due posted a 2.7 rating in the key demo, the networks highest rating in that demo in more than a year. And that's very advertiser friendly!

The Biggest Loser, Season II (NBC) - 7.8 million people tuned in for the second season of this succesful program. The numbers are off from it's October 2004 debut, but they're still pretty good numbers for the peacock network. (for those unfamiliar with the program, it's about a group of people who work hard to lose weight. The goal is to be the "biggest loser" of weight.)

Head Cases (FOX) - What, putting on a program about a couple of idiots doing idotic things turns out to be... idiotic? Wha.....? Only 6.4 million viewers watched it. At first. Apparently, the ratings dropped as the show went on. Ouch!

I'll try to update with more information on more shows as the numbers become avaliable. I meant to set a tape for Bones on Tuesday night... It does look interesting.

REMINDER: Season 2 of Lost premiers NEXT WEDNESDAY, September 21st, at 8 pm ET. It will be 2 hours long, and we WILL find out what's inside the hatch. And thank goodness for that! Paranormanl drama Invasion premieres at 10 pm. (but it's not about the paranormal activity, ABC says. It's about the family. Yeah, uh-huh...)

TDI will still watch Invastion, though. Of all the X-Files/Lost hybrids premiering this season, Invasion has the most interesting premise. (after a hurricane, strange things happen. Like, alien activity!)