Last night’s Glee episode, an emotional send-off of tragic star Cory Monteith‘s character Finn, drew a 2.8 rating in adults 18-49, 2.9 in 18-34 and 7.4 million viewers. That was up +75% from last week in 18-49, up 81% in 18-34 and up 68% in total viewers. Written by Glee creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan, “The Quarterback” was the series’ highest-rated episode in 18-49 and 18-34 in more than a year. In 18-49, it tied ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy in the 9 PM hour. At 8 PM, The X Factor (1.9) was down a tenth.
Related: Ryan Murphy Exclusive On Cory Monteith Memorial Episode
The Wonderland rabbit hole was no match for the black hole the ABC 8 PM slot has become, swallowing a slew of newcomers over the past few years. In its debut, spinoff Once Upon a Time In Wonderland (1.7 in 18-49) couldn’t conjure the magic of the original series, down 23% from the premiere of new defunct Last Resort in the Thursday 8 PM hour last fall and just above the opener of fellow casualty My Generation in fall 2010 (1.6). Grey’s Anatomy (2.8) was down 7% from its fast national last week. Scandal (3.1) was down 14% from its record-setting season premiere last week and again the top-rated Thursday drama.
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NBC’s Thursday lineup is flat-lining with an average 1.1 rating. Parks And Recreation (1.2) was down a tenth from its fast national last week (flat with the final) for the best retention on the network by a mile. Its 1.2 actually was the highest rating of the night on NBC, tied by The Michael J. Fox Show (down a big 29%) and Parenthood (down 20%). In their second week, Welcome To The Family (0.8) and Sean Saves The World (1.0) tumbled from their underwhelming premieres, down 27% and 29%, respectively.
CBS’ The Millers held up much better in its second airing (3.1), down 6% from its premiere for the best Week 2 retention by a new series this fall. (Its fast national includes a minute of The Big Bang Theory overrun.) Big Bang (4.9, 17.2 million) was off just by a tenth (2%) from last week’s fast national and again the top program of the night in 18-49 and total viewers. The Crazy Ones (2.4) posted a second double-digit week-to-week decline, down 17%, while veteran Two And A Half Men (2.3) was off by a tenth, as was Elementary (1.9) and the CW’s The Vampire Diaries (1.2). CBS won the night in total viewers and 18-49.





So basically all Ryan Murphy has to do is kill off the remaining cast to ensure another year in the Broadcast Top 20.
Last night’s episode was a beautiful and touching tribute to a fallen legend. Cory is the most tragic figure of the 21st century. He is my generation’s James Dean. His star just burned too bright.
See you on the other side, Cory.
I’m not sure if I should laugh or cry. And if there is “the other side,” what makes you think celebrities will want to see you there?
I resent your comparisons to James Dean.
Although I am unsure about what generation you’re referring to, but as a fan of both Cory Monteith and James Dean, you seem to be forgetting about Heath Ledger. The loss of Ledger was a talented actor whose achievements far exceeded the success Monteith experienced on a single TV show. Like Dean, Ledger was nominated for an Oscar after a tragic death (and won). Although I wouldn’t compare Ledger to James Dean just yet, I am just saying that Monteith’s career was much more in the early stages (re: success and critical acclaim) and is nowhere near such icon status.
Monteith was no James Dean–by any account. Maybe it’s just my opinion–but there is an obvious flaw in your (and your generation’s) definition of a legend.
“legend?”
Cory Monteith a legend ? Most tragic figure of the 21st century ?
Put down the crack pipe and step away. Cory was a junkie with limited acting skills. I’m sorry he commited suicide but after that-the rest is silence.
I suspect Joseph Hipps is being facetious. If he’s serious, that’s an entirely different concern. Glorifying a drug-addict as a “legend” and a “tragic figure” takes away from the fact that the kid made very deliberate choices in his life, knowing full-well the consequences. I’m just sorry he couldn’t–or wouldn’t–get the help he obviously needed.
As to Whit Caulker’s unseemly, trollish comment: gross.
Um, the kid was only ever on a melodramatic tv show. I’m part of “this generation” and trust me when I saw the majority of us aren’t affected. Sure, it’s sad he died too soon, but don’t hold him up on the worlds largest pedistal because of it. Trust me, in two years we won’t be talking about this, unlike James Dean.
We lose a great every twenty years. Each one barely had the opportunity to shine but was well known for an impressive body of work before their deaths There are only three on that list and Cory Monteith is not close to being one of them. First was James Dean. Second was River Phoenix. Third and unfortunately not the last based upon statistics was Heath Ledger. All were but Dean were junkies and suffered the consequences of their actions but they were memorable. Monteith was forgotten almost immediately.
That is a very strong comparison you’re making. I’d agree with another poster and say Heath Ledger. Heath was beyond amazing as an actor and had SO MUCH potential. Cory hadn’t made the leap Heath had and probably wouldn’t have.
And next week will be a “wrecking ball” because Glee will be back to the same old mess it has been since Season 2.
Forgive me, when the show returns in November it will be back to those 1.6 ratings
Its not even going to be on next week, welcome to Glee’s month long hiatus and yes episode 4 is right back to McKinley and the newbies so basically right back down in the ratings.
I wonder if the Glee writers had stayed decent, written for the vets (all of them) and the “older group” (Will, Emma, Sue, even Kurt/Finn’s parents) if the ratings would still be higher than they are now with awful newbies and awful writing at least they tried last night.
No. The ratings went into free fall during season 3, way before the newbies even showed up.
Sure they did BUT lets be real here season 4 and 5 have hit harsh lows.
No surprise here.
Television audiences love to watch people in pain, whether it be from grief, physical injury, medical conditions, mental instability, humiliation or, merely, social awkwardness.
that’s basically the definition of drama. essential you’ve stated people like drama. good for you.
Will have to agree GLEE has not lived up to the promise of Season 1. Seems the series is more about short-term stunt casting and a ADHD-style of storytelling than solid long-term stories and character development and any degree of realism… it’s a coloring book… but the musical numbers are entertaining and there is no denying the talent involved. And the show did spark a cultural movement to that end. The Farewell, Finn ep Thursday was done well, I thought.
Apparently the NBC numbers for the night are SCARILY bad.
I feel for NBC on Thursdays but the web squandered all that away a decade ago without development of new sitcom fare (all those generic forgettable programs and the embarrassing Betty White vehicle!) and prepping for that dismal nightly Jay Leno show. The sitcoms are not horrid — tho not original — still I can watch them. Was hoping the quality PARENTHOOD at least would be stronger than its Tuesday runs. SCANDAL is too hot and out front, it appears. Should NBC try to ID a night with weaker competition for these comedies? shame football takes up all of Sunday. we are not laughing that day and I would think a couple of sitcoms at 7 would beat that is-it-still-on-really FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS show on ABC!
“Should NBC try to ID a night with weaker competition for these comedies?”
They might not have it in them to admit, but they have to move. Community and Parks isn’t strong enough ratings wise to save the night (even though they’re my favorite comedies). Move it to Wednesday when it’s only comedy competition is the family oriented ABC.
I thought it was dreadful.
With the “I should have hugged him more” scene, they implied it had been a suicide.
And the “RememberingCory” hashtag was really crass.
I thought it was uneven, with the music being a let down compared to some very thoughtful and well written expressions of grief, particularly on the part of the family. I would say that Finn’s death took everyone by surprise but nobody was reacting as if he had committed suicide. On a show that was suppose to be about remembering Finn, #Rememberingcory was odd and disconcerting.
Crass? Really? you are unbelieveable
Glee has not been able to create a memorable character since what….season 2. Do u know anyone who cares about any of the Glee kids who aren’t originals? If they would have been able to create some interesting characters they would have let the rest of the original Glee kids graduate last season.
Being an actor in this industry and knowing how this machine works, I think it is just sad to know that there is grieving family out there and a death is being sensationalized to talk about numbers. I am not pointing fingers at anyone. Just a sad truth.
Goodbye, Tal Rabinowitz! It’s like I hardly knew you.
HEY Simon X Factor SUCKS, WORTHLESS Z LIST NO NAMES AND NO TALENT JUDGES to judge talent what a JOKE, one big guffaw.
You forget to add that Cheryl Cole would save everything if she wouldn’t be fired… LOL. And americans would fall in love with her after 3 shows and she would become A-Lister in USA…
Why don’t they just move Shark Tank to Thursdays at 8 p and burn off Wonderlans on Fridays or nice to Sundays at 7 pm?
Why don’t they just move Shark Tank to Thursdays at 8 p
^^^This.
If us mere mortals can figure this out for free, then why can’t ABC fat cat execs?
I’d imagine the numbers for Crazy Ones, Sean Saves the World, and Michael J. Fox all took a hit from Glee last night and will all rebound next week. (Sean Saves the World, in my opinion, seems to have improved in quality from the pilot). Smart money, though, is on Welcome to the Family getting the ax today.
Sorry, keep dreaming. Sean Saves the World and Michael J Fox will not last past Season 1. Both shows are really bad!
Goodbye Welcome to the Family and Sean Saves the World. Your NBC experiment seems to be at an end. Now NBC can go back to smart comedies that will, at the very least, be seen by someone.
Expect WTTF to be kicked off the schedule and Community to be put in at 8 (while parks will be moved to a different half-hour on Thursday). NBC will most likely have to keep Sean around til mid-season due to them not having another show to put in it’s place. But believe me, it won’t get a back 9 or a second season.
Community will take the ratings beat down against BBT (but still pull in better numbers than Parks at 8), Parks will be moved to either 8:30 or 9, and MJF will be kept in the hopes of a better lead boosting the ratings.
Yeah that makes sense Derek. Put on more expensive single camera comedies to burn off on Thursdays. You should have a network job. NBC needs to realize that it’s a tough night and they are burning MJF and SSTW.
It’s better than there plan this year. I feel NBC needs to move there comedy nights to Wednesday, but that’s just me. And SSTW is horrid. It’s reviews (via metacritic) are worse than failed NBC comedies of recent memory like Go On, Animal Practice, and Whitney, and it has half the ratings of The office from last year (October 11th of last year had a presidential debate, so I’m comparing it to deadlines numbers for October 18 of last year). Kill it with fire, it’s no Big Bang Theory or Modern Family.
So yes, it’s a tough night, but filling it with crap sitcoms that are pulling in worse numbers than the CW, is clearly not a good sign. I advise you from never working at a tv network.
Interesting how having horrible grammar undercuts any point you’re making.
I admit my grammar needs work. I often type there when I mean their, and my punctuation skills are less than adequate. But why does that defeat my point? Maybe you’re not aware, but last night’s ratings are tied for the lowest NBC Thursday ever. My point, no matter how it’s spelled out, is valid.
I really wish Parenthood would get the audience it deserves. It’s one of my favorite shows.
Series ran out of juice last year.
Parenthood worked better on Tuesdays.
Besides Big Bang 2.5 men is the only other comedy worth watching on Thursday
That’s an awfully weird spelling of Parks and Recreation.
Your comment’s hilarious…and correct. :)
They should have picked up Brenda Forever. I saw it. Smart and funny. People would have watched. Does anyone know if they’re still reshooting it? And what happened with Assistance and I am Victor? I thought they were still in contention.
Too much of a bad thing = Once Upon a who-gives-a-shit…
cbs comedy nightmare continue. Put Person of interest to reruns until crazy one is below 2.0 – may be next week. Than move TAHM for last season on monday and bring back Person of interest to thursday at 9.
ABC is blowing it by not having Derek Shepherd take his shirt off every week.
I felt the same way after Amy Winehouse died and they were comparing her musical talent to that of Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix and John Lennon. All she was, was a druggie, drunk with minimal talent to get on the charts with a single hit song. 1 hit wonder in my eyes.
Oh, so the spin off of a semi-successful series didn’t work. What a surprise.
I thought I’d have to wait until November to say TOLDJA! But, NOOOO! LOL. As I said in May when Paul Lee announced the crapload of girl power fluff he was bringing to the network this fall, ABC has a solid shot at “0” hits this fall. And with the unveiling of Lee’s last new fall entry its all over. EPIC FAILURE- three years running, ABC. Not one new hit tv show for ABC in three years, he’s just renewing mediocrity as well as solid flops, THE NEIGHBORS, REVENGE, SUBURGATORY, ONCE UPON A TIME, etc, just for the sake of renewing his shows all while killing off more popular older shows. At this rate ABC will swap places with the CW as the worst broadcast entertainment channel in another year or two. It’s like he orders shows from every quirk/loser on the block, not giving legitimately sounding work by top notch collaborative teams a second look.
To be perfectly honest, I stopped watching Glee the moment it started relying on big name celebrities to grab ratings, and I haven’t watched it since. It is indeed a tragedy what happened to Cory Monteith, but would I compare him to James Dean? Of course not. In fact, James Dean’s early death was more tragic because he was younger than Cory. Anyway, my advice for the writers and producers would be to stop depending on so many of these star celebs and go back to what made the show special during the first season… a teacher and group of outcast students coming together and rising above ridicule, mockery, and bullying.
Well from now on Glee will fall and fall every week. I wonder with what ratings it will end in spring. There is absolutely no reason to watch it now. I was watching it occasionally. 2 episodes now, then catch up in two months to what I missed. But I was watching last season finale I understood that I don’t care about any character anymore and with what will happen to them. At all. There is no reason to watch it. I saw Ep 1 of new season and Ep 3. And I don’t plan to watch it further.