TV Ratings for "Beast"

[Chlollie]

TV Ratings for "Beast"

[ClarkyBoy14]

I hope the numbers will rebound from last week's ratings. The trailer was very intense, so I hope that can get some extra people to tune in.

Unfortunately, this week hasn't been so hot for the CW yet. Both Gossip Girl and One Tree Hill were dangerously flirting with the under two million viewers mark, and both Reaper and 90210 were under two million. :\

[Supsfan]

I am guessing the ratings will slightly bounce back, but in the 3.5M range.

I am guessing the ratings will get progressively better during the final 4 episode run.

[marcella]

3.3

[Night_Hawk90]

smallville will rebound but not by much the competition is just to strong, i say 3.2

[wingster55]

3.6

[davidbrenton]

I am going to say 4.0. I'm doing it again...I'm voting high. I hope this doesn't backfire on me.

--Last week's episode was good enough to generate positive buzz, so I hope this week's episode is up.

[LordOnox]

Last 3 eps should bring in a lot more viewers!

[luvinChlark]

Idk what the ratings will be, please let it be good ;)
I actually saw the promo during ANTM tonight, so hopefully that means they've been promoting Beast more this past week. Stiletto got barely any promotion.

[OkiyaShuichi]

around 2.8

CW didn't put much effort to promote ''Beast''.

[ColdPlay3r]

3.2

[costas22]

Bones and the Playoffs will be against Beast so i am not too optimistic. 3.0-3.4 i would say.

[Supsfan]

Bones and the Playoffs will be against Beast so i am not too optimistic. 3.0-3.4 i would say.

I doesn't have the disadvantage of coming right after the break, so I don't think the rating will be as low as last week. But 3.1-3.5ish sounds about right, I am guessing though it will at least gain 0.2M viewers

[costas22]

Yes Supsfan. No return after a break this time. It will go up but probably not over 3.5.

[Clark/Lois-fan]

I'll predict 3.5

[Jaderoyale]

I'm not getting my hopes up.
They were thrown out of the window with Stiletto's ratings.

[AgentChaos]

around 2.8

CW didn't put much effort to promote ''Beast''.

It got more promotion than Stiletto did.

[Ella]

I'm not getting my hopes up.
They were thrown out of the window with Stiletto's ratings.
Hey, as long as the ratings don't go down, I'm happy. A steady increase until the finale would be great. This episode a 3.4, next week a 3.8, and hopefully the finale will break 4.00 and I'd bet 4.5ish.

[SparkleforSmallville]

I'm going with 3.75 mil. Sure hope it's higher than last week.

[nic25]

Every show except My name is Earl had a drop in ratings last week,so far things seem to have gone back up a bit.So i think it will probably go back around 3.2 mil.

[ClarkyBoy14]

I just hope things don't go down. I'll predict 3.25 for now, but I'm hoping for at least 3.5.

[Doomsday44]

around 2.8

CW didn't put much effort to promote ''Beast''.


Actually I've seen more promotion than usual this week. I saw the trailer for Beast on VH1 which a lot of people saw I'm sure. So I'm thinking ratings will be better than last week. Maybe like 3.4-3-6 million.

[LegendaryU2K]

I hope 4.0 million

[consti2tion]

Everyone is worried about the swine flu, no time for Television people! Ha..

[Ella]

Everyone is worried about the swine flu, no time for Television people! Ha..
Actually isn't that keeping people inside? So I say that more people would be watching TV, IMO. I live in Texas and actually in the city where the first person died in the US and I've been a tad bit scared (not too much though) about going out when I don't really have to.

[consti2tion]

The thing is people die from the regular Flu every year and we don't board up the windows and doors. If you're sick or thing you have the symptons go to the Hospital.

It's just another thing to be blown out of proportion though, it's tragic that it has happened but it's being taken a step overboard.

[batfinx]

I'd say 3.5 or higher.

[smallvillerocks45]

I can't believe I'm hoping for 4.0 million (my goal this season was to see the ratings reach 5 million)- but really I'll take anything higher than last week's ratings. What a bummer that was. Smallville is just getting too good, and too interesting to miss these days!

[costas22]

3.1-3.5

[dreammaster]

3.5

[asha14]

http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/content_display/community/programming-insider/newsletters/e3i88d85d8ede4fd0afb1b19ca5de5c0e62 2.1/4 competitive second in the 8 p.m. hour was Fox’s underrated Bones (5.9/10), followed by ABC’s Ugly Betty (4.7/ 8), NBC sitcoms My Name is Earl (3.3/ 6) and Parks and Recreation (3.3/ 5), and the CW’s Smallville (2.1/ 4), which dipped by a noticeable 28 percent from the year-ago telecast on May 1, 2008 (2.9/ 5). As for Parks and Recreation, is this show really a comedy? Ugly Betty, meanwhile, is an improvement over recent occupants In the Motherhood and Samantha Who?

[costas22]

I think that last week it was 1.3/4. Does that mean that the rating has risen?

----- Added 3 Minutes later -----

Of course it would dip compared to Apocalypse. It was an iconic episode that didn't have Bones against it.

[asha14]

http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/content_display/community/programming-insider/newsletters/e3i55fbb4c9063b301d824cf034763c2b0b last week 2.2/4

[Night_Hawk90]

wow so this episode could possibly be under 3 million viewers ouch

[costas22]

Thanx for the clarification asha. I am scared to think we might be in for another low one.

[marcella]

Hoping for a ratings increase...

[costas22]

Same here Marce. In my wild imagination i wish that Smallville starts rising its rating week after week with Doomsday surpassing the 4 mil mark. It might be a lot to ask for. The competition this week was the same as last week.

[fan of the man]

I wonder what going on with network TV, it looks like everyone is feeling the pain, all 5 networks, something up, could it be the economy? I am puzzled!

[costas22]

Maybe it's the playoffs? I haven't watched the ratings closely before, but i would suspect they take away a big chunk of the audience. Especially the males.

[Night_Hawk90]

Maybe it's the playoffs? I haven't watched the ratings closely before, but i would suspect they take away a big chunk of the audience. Especially the males.

there was only one playoff game on when smallville was airing and that boston vs chicago very entertaining game went to triple overtime possibility of that taking some of the audience

[costas22]

there was only one playoff game on when smallville was airing and that boston vs chicago very entertaining game went to triple overtime possibility of that taking some of the audience

Yeah i heard about that! Hopefully Chicago will win the final game :D! The problem i have is that i can't speak in detail about what's against Smallville because i don't live in the US. But i do know that Bones will have new episodes against Smallville until the finale. That alone is a negative factor. Obviously NBA's playoffs go on until June but i don't know how many games will air against SMallville from now on.

[myankskent]

Smallville (Viewers: #5, 3.26 million; A18-49: 1.4/ 4), which continues to lose steam.

http://pifeedback.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/63310451/m/814109702

[Kevin24]

The Boston-Chicago game ran until the opening credits of Smallville in California. I watched the entire game and missed the first few minutes of the episode. That series is one of the best series I have every seen in the NBA playoffs.

If it lowered Smallville's ratings I don't mind because that game deserved to be enjoyed by millions.

[DGirlLois4Clark]

Well, at least its over 3 million.lol.

[costas22]

Triple extra time games are show stealers Kevin.

Thanks Matt. I guess it's an improvement. Maybe the Final rating will reach 3.3-3.4 and next week Injustice will do 3.6. That would give the show a platform to reach the 4.0 mark with Doomsday.

[miks]

It's still an improvement from last weeks episode. Even with the basketball game going overtime.

[tyson08]

I was switching between the Celtics and Smallville, I'm sure many others were too.

At least the ratings went up, although only slightly.

[SparkleforSmallville]

At least the Rating and the Demo didn't go down from last week.:/

[costas22]

Off topic guys but i can't find the details. Is the 7th game in Boston and will Garnett play? Last time i will go off topic.

----- Added 1 Minutes later -----


At least the Rating and the Demo didn't go down from last week.:/

No need to put the season 8 ratings this week either. They will also be depressing ;).

It will probably end up being the second lowest rated eppie of the season and the series.

[myankskent]

Off topic guys but i can't find the details. Is the 7th game in Boston and will Garnett play? Last time i will go off topic.


It is in Boston and I don't think that Garnett is playing.

As far as the ratings go, I don't see the finale getting to 4 million. There would have to be a huge increase and I don't see that happening this time of the year.

[tyson08]

Off topic guys but i can't find the details. Is the 7th game in Boston and will Garnett play? Last time i will go off topic.

----- Added 1 Minutes later -----



No need to put the season 8 ratings this week either. They will also be depressing ;).

It will probably end up being the second lowest rated eppie of the season and the series.

Yes, Game 7 is in Boston but as of today Garnett will not play.

[costas22]

It is in Boston and I don't think that Garnett is playing.

As far as the ratings go, I don't see the finale getting to 4 million. There would have to be a huge increase and I don't see that happening this time of the year.

Thanx for the info. Chicago has a chance!

Anyway. Matt what if by some miracle Smallville avoids any more playoff games until the finale? Wouldn't that allow a portion of the audience that was watching sports to shift its focus back to the show? That's where my hope that we will get 4 mil lies.


Yes, Game 7 is in Boston but as of today Garnett will not play. <!-- / message -->

Thank you too.

[Kevin24]

Off topic guys but i can't find the details. Is the 7th game in Boston and will Garnett play? Last time i will go off topic.

Game 7 will be played tomorrow on TNT at 8:00pm Eastern time. It will be held in Boston and Kevin Garnett will not play for the entirety of the playoffs. He is out with a bad knee.

Anyway, Can someone explain to me what the Demo ratings represent? I really have no clue.

[tyson08]

"Injustice" looks amazing and put out a great trailer. If there's no playoffs games on thursday at that time, I believe they gain significant numbers.

[myankskent]

Thanx for the info. Chicago has a chance!

Anyway. Matt what if by some miracle Smallville avoids any more playoff games until the finale? Wouldn't that allow a portion of the audience that was watching sports to shift its focus back to the show? That's where my hope that we will get 4 mil lies.


I don't really think that the playoffs are the reason why Smallville isn't getting 4 million. I just don't think that many people watch tv this time of the year. It's always possible that the finale gets 4 million, but I think that a more realistic total would be somewhere around 3.6 or 3.7 million.

[costas22]

Lets not forget that Eternal had Bones and no games against it and managed to get 3.8 or something like that. So if Smallville avoids the playoffs in the last 2 games, there is a chance that Injustice and Doomsday will reach and maybe surpass that number.


I don't really think that the playoffs are the reason why Smallville isn't getting 4 million. I just don't think that many people watch tv this time of the year. It's always possible that the finale gets 4 million, but I think that a more realistic total would be somewhere around 3.6 or 3.7 million. <!-- / message -->

You could be right. We will have to wait and see. I hope there is a chance to put that theory to the test. Also, a trailer for the last 3-4 episodes might have helped a bit.

[Ella]

Smallville (Viewers: #5, 3.26 million; A18-49: 1.4/ 4), which continues to lose steam.

http://pifeedback.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/63310451/m/814109702

So how much did it increase from last week?

[tyson08]

.16 million... but these aren't the final numbers so it could increase by even more. :)

[costas22]

Compared to last week's initial numbers, it has increased by 0.21. As Tyson says, lets wait for the finals.

[Ella]

Oh man, I really hope that the finale isn't hurt by this awful ratings. Does anyone know if other shows have continued to be affected? I'm curious to know what exactly is causing the drop in ratings. If it was just Smallville, I'd focus more internally but it's obvious something external that is affecting most shows. :\

[costas22]

Oh man, I really hope that the finale isn't hurt by this awful ratings. Does anyone know if other shows have continued to be affected? I'm curious to know what exactly is causing the drop in ratings. If it was just Smallville, I'd focus more internally but it's obvious something external that is affecting most shows. :\

I don't live in America, but i have heard that this ratings drop has to do with 2 factos:the playoffs in baseball and baskeyball and the fact that less viewers watch TV at this time of the year. From what i have heard most shows' ratings dropped yesterday as well.

[Jaderoyale]

At least it wasn't a decrease =/

[wingster55]

some cw affiliates (including mine) switched channels this past monday and many didn't know...so that also hurt the ratings
if i wasn't so obsessed with watching the ep i never would have found out either

[LegendaryU2K]

I heard most people was watching basketball, because of the overtime, but thats no excuse, i think alot of people was turn off by that lana bs, i know i was, but i kept watching, but i can't speak for other people.

Lets hope the ratings goes back up next week.

[Jack-El49]

Upward is always better. Not as good as we'd like to see but upward nevertheless.

[Dresden]

Upward is always better. Not as good as we'd like to see but upward nevertheless.

Well an increase was always expected since this episode had what Stiletto did not have, and that's a new episode from which to build up from. Stiletto had a three week break to follow, a week whose rerun was the episode Requiem which scored, if I remember correctly, an 1.8 in the ratings, one of the lowest if not THE lowest ratings for a rerun all season long.

So it's very clear now that those who were blaming the ratings on Lois Lane last week were wrong. Unless Lois Lane was hiding down in the basement with Davis, I think it's clear that the ratings are suffering all around because of the playoffs and because of the general time of the season.

The only thing we can do now is hope that the ratings continue to increase onto the finale by leaps and bounds, although I'm personally not holding my breath on that one.

[rep4clark]

If you look at the ratings the entire season 8 in the beggining the ratings were consistanly going up and that is for two reasons.

(1) People were liking the moonlighting tension that was being projected in the show with lois and clark.
(2)the steam in viewership was building because viewers were starting to program there brains that every thursday there was a new smallville episode.

AND THEN THE CW IN ALL THERE INFINITE WISDOM DECIDED TO THROW ALL THOSE HIATUS IN ALONG WITH LANA ARC'S, BY THE TIME THE RETURNING VIEWERSHIP STARTED TO RETURN THEY WERE CONFUSED THINKING THEY HAD MISSED TO MUCH PROBABLY DIDNT WANT TO BOTHER CATCHING UP WITH SMALLVILLE.

[Mickey_Bickey]

Disappointing, but not surprising. They're not much better than last week, but the reality is basketball, especially in this neck of the woods is more important to a lot of viewers, especially when you can just record the episodes and watch them later.

Well, we know that even with a heavily promoted Doomsday storyline it didn't do much better than Stiletto. So much for the idea that Stiletto lost ratings because Lois Lane was wearing a sexy outfit.

I hope we see some improvement next week and especially with Doomsday. Oh well.

[Supsfan]

About what I expected. I figured the show would take a slight bump upwards but not go over 3.5M. The show needs to learn how not to have breaks in the future. Next year they should have 8 episodes before Xmas, then do a run of 14 straight after Xmas

I am guessing the final will be slightly over 3.3M, then injustice will go over 3.5M, if lucky the final might draw close to 4M

[Ritza]

AND THEN THE CW IN ALL THERE INFINITE WISDOM DECIDED TO THROW ALL THOSE HIATUS IN ALONG WITH LANA ARC'S, BY THE TIME THE RETURNING VIEWERSHIP STARTED TO RETURN THEY WERE CONFUSED THINKING THEY HAD MISSED TO MUCH PROBABLY DIDNT WANT TO BOTHER CATCHING UP WITH SMALLVILLE.

Quoted for truth. I get irritated when we get low ratings and it's blamed on the episode because or the season being poor. The season is overall great (minus a few arcs, you know which ones) yet the ratings have been on the decline and to me it's beyond obvious that it's all the breaks in between. This is the first season that has had so many breaks and that has to affect the ratings. No way around it.

[costas22]

Quoted for truth. I get irritated when we get low ratings and it's blamed on the episode because or the season being poor. The season is overall great (minus a few arcs, you know which ones) yet the ratings have been on the decline and to me it's beyond obvious that it's all the breaks in between. This is the first season that has had so many breaks and that has to affect the ratings. No way around it.

Actually this season we have had less breaks than the previous two. 3 breaks as opposed to 4. The ratings would have declined anyway, but Bones added to the misery.

[Ella]

Actually this season we have had less breaks than the previous two. 3 breaks as opposed to 4. The ratings would have declined anyway, but Bones added to the misery.
But isn't that worse though because the breaks are so long that people forget. I know I'd rather have 4 2-week breaks than 3 3-week breaks if that's what's been happening. But I personally don't think it's just the breaks. It's the breaks and the fact that the season has been so disjointed. And then add to this all the other factors and you get the lowest ratings of the series so far in two consecutive weeks. :(

[halvor311]

Even though these ratings are low for the series, they're still very high for the CW. Hopefully the ratings will pick up with the Finale. I'll bet the finale gets over 4 million.

[Ella]

So it's very clear now that those who were blaming the ratings on Lois Lane last week were wrong. Unless Lois Lane was hiding down in the basement with Davis, I think it's clear that the ratings are suffering all around because of the playoffs and because of the general time of the season.

Or those saying it was Lana's departure. If that were true then the ratings right after her arc, from Infamous up to Eternal, would have shown this type of decline. Instead, the episodes following the Lana arc started off low, which considering the three week break wasn't unexpected, and then slowly increased up to a 3.85 for Eternal, which was pretty good.

And the ratings didn't really take a nose dive into the worst ratings of the series until after the second three week break which came right before Stiletto. Not to mention that Smallville was one of 11 shows that had ratings lows last week.

So this is not exclusive to Smallville and I really wish that people would stop saying that it is. Anyone who studies the overall data can see that the ratings in general for most shows are suffering.

[costas22]

But isn't that worse though because the breaks are so long that people forget. I know I'd rather have 4 2-week breaks than 3 3-week breaks if that's what's been happening. But I personally don't think it's just the breaks. It's the breaks and the fact that the season has been so disjointed. And then add to this all the other factors and you get the lowest ratings of the series so far in two consecutive weeks. :(

Yup. The 8 week break after Bride killed the momentum. Yet Legion did respectable ratings. 4.30 i believe. Higher than Bride! The Christmas break is always a long one. It's just that in seasons past they have stuck an episode all by itself in December so that we are not left without an episode for 2 months as it happened this year. But as you said, it's more than just the breaks. And it's not even Bones or the Playoffs. For me the biggest problem is that, asyou said, the season is disjointed. The first 10 episodes(with the exception of Prey and Abyss) revolved mostly about the same plots. Then we get the Power arc putting Clois, RBB and Doomsday on the shelf until Unfamous. And after than we have been getting Clois/RBB episodes one week and Doomsday ones the other. Sometimes it's like watching 2 different shows. Beast was 90% a continuation of Eternal. The only thing that Stiletto added to Beast's plot was AJ's body. At the same time, Eternal felt out of place between Hex and Stiletto. Next year they would be better served to trim down the cast and have them all appear in at least 18 episodes. It will be the only way that they will get a consistent season.


Or those saying it was Lana's departure.

Exactly. It's never about one character and personally i have never blamed a character for a bad rating. Lets not forget that Power, as bad as it was, still has the highest rating after Legion.

[Ella]

Exactly. It's never about one character and personally i have never blamed a character for a bad rating.

Same here. But I've seen it being done and I've seen people enjoy themselves way too much in the ratings failures of certain episodes. It's just rather petty and a bit sad, too. I mean, in the end, we're all fans of the show and when the ratings take a dive I view that as a personal hit and not as some kind of way to make other people feel bad or responsible.

[marcella]

I'm glad the ratings went up. Hoping for 4 million for the finale

[loistickyfingerz]

My CW station in central Illinois was color squares and black screen. I had to download it to watch it. I know I wasn't alone around here wanting to watch the show and not being able to.

[Doomsday44]

I think Smallville should move to a less competitive day for season 9. We have to deal with big shows every week. Still I'm glad the ratings went up a little. next week it should continue to rise, and hopefully we can get about a solid 4 million for Doomsday.

[Heilige]

When will the Season Finale be??

[costas22]

May 14th

[ClarkyBoy14]

Smallville (Viewers: #5, 3.26 million; A18-49: 1.4/ 4), which continues to lose steam.

http://pifeedback.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/63310451/m/814109702

Well, it's still the second lowest rated episode in Smallville history, but at least the ratings went up, rather than down. I hope that trend will continue for the rest of the season. I also hope that the final numbers will put this episode in the 3.3 million range.


Anyway, Can someone explain to me what the Demo ratings represent? I really have no clue.

It means that Nielsen estimates that 1.4% of all people aged 18-49 in America (with a television) were watch Smallville, and 4% of all people aged 18-49 that were watching television last night from 8-9 PM ET were watching Smallville. ;)


"Injustice" looks amazing and put out a great trailer. If there's no playoffs games on thursday at that time, I believe they gain significant numbers.

I hope we can see the ratings rise again next week, at least around 3.5 million. It should since, as you said, the trailer was good.


I don't really think that the playoffs are the reason why Smallville isn't getting 4 million. I just don't think that many people watch tv this time of the year. It's always possible that the finale gets 4 million, but I think that a more realistic total would be somewhere around 3.6 or 3.7 million.

I agree about the reason why the ratings are low. Sure, the competition is a factor (as well as the show's age), but the weather is nice outside and the sun is up longer, so people naturally stay out longer.

About the finale's ratings, I'm not holding my breath for four million. I don't think it's impossible though. In season six, "Prototype" had hit a series low of 3.43 million viewers, and "Phantom" bounced back the next week to have over 4.1 million. So, it could happen.

[Supsfan]

About the finale's ratings, I'm not holding my breath for four million. I don't think it's impossible though. In season six, "Prototype" had hit a series low of 3.43 million viewers, and "Phantom" bounced back the next week to have over 4.1 million. So, it could happen.

Season 6 is a wierd season to compare to(at least the second half). Right after Promise the ratings got progressively worse and worse each week up till Prototype. My guess is alot of Clana fans got feed up and started to tune out of the show because they figured it was going nowhere but they did tune in for the final episode

[Polomontana]

No more Lois centered episodes.

I said last week that Lois and Stiletto hurt the show. It's too late in the season for filler episodes.

Lois & Clark is a side story on Smallville. Smallville is about Clark becoming Superman.

The Stiletto episode would have been better placed near the beginning of the season. You have to come out of the break with a bang this close to the finale.

[Kevin24]

It means that Nielsen estimates that 1.4% of all people aged 18-49 in America (with a television) were watch Smallville, and 4% of all people aged 18-49 that were watching television last night from 8-9 PM ET were watching Smallville. ;)


Now it all makes sense. I can finally understand what all the ratings mean and how demographics are. Up until now I only cared about the millions of viewers and not the demos. I can finally appreciate it all now.

Does anyone have the final ratings yet?

[ClarkyBoy14]

Season 6 is a wierd season to compare to(at least the second half). Right after Promise the ratings got progressively worse and worse each week up till Prototype. My guess is alot of Clana fans got feed up and started to tune out of the show because they figured it was going nowhere but they did tune in for the final episode

Yah. I'm just sayin' that an episode can rebound from a previous episode's ratings if it's promoted well enough. And the CW had better do a fantastic job promoting the season finale. They have so much that they can advertise for it.

----- Added 33 Seconds later -----


Now it all makes sense. I can finally understand what all the ratings mean and how demographics are. Up until now I only cared about the millions of viewers and not the demos. I can finally appreciate it all now.

I'm glad you can understand it now. :)

[Supsfan]

Does anyone have the final ratings yet?

http://pifeedback.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/63310451/m/814109702/p/7

Smallville
- 3.234 million viewers
- 2.0/3 HH
- 1.4/4 A18-49
- 1.5/5 A18-34

[bizzaroboy9]

final number yet?

----- Added 33 Seconds later -----

man it went down! :(

[costas22]

Down? Oh well...

[Supsfan]

Down? Oh well...

This week's number I guess just shows that last week's number had little or nothing to do with Lois being featured in an episode. Hopefully the final 2 episodes can pick up the slack. And I am even more hopeful the producers take a long hard look at everything they did wrong between the first half and second half for next season.

[Night_Hawk90]

This week's number I guess just shows that last week's number had little or nothing to do with Lois being featured in an episode. Hopefully the final 2 episodes can pick up the slack. And I am even more hopeful the producers take a long hard look at everything they did wrong between the first half and second half for next season.

:lol: sorry dude but come on theres no chance of that happening, i try to be optimistic with this show but after 8 years of the same stuff its nearly impossible

[costas22]

This week's number I guess just shows that last week's number had little or nothing to do with Lois being featured in an episode. Hopefully the final 2 episodes can pick up the slack. And I am even more hopeful the producers take a long hard look at everything they did wrong between the first half and second half for next season.

Lois was never a factor for me. They have to look at what they did wrong. Next year they won't have any excuses. They will be more experienced(lets not forget that it was their first try at planning a whole season) and they won't be carrying any burdens from Season 8. If the final 2 episodes air without any playoff games against them, then they might reach 3.7 and 4.0 respectively.

[rosalba]

No more Lois centered episodes.

I said last week that Lois and Stiletto hurt the show. It's too late in the season for filler episodes.

Lois & Clark is a side story on Smallville. Smallville is about Clark becoming Superman.

The Stiletto episode would have been better placed near the beginning of the season. You have to come out of the break with a bang this close to the finale.
I rather have more Lois centered episodes than Chloe centered episodes.
and Lois and Clark is not a side story is THE STORY OF THE GRATEST LOVE OF ALL
i DON'T LIKE A SHOW ABOUT SOMEBODY THAT IT'S NOT EVEN THE STAR OF THE SHOW...LEADING LADY? GIVE ME A BREAK.

[Polomontana]

There's nothing wrong with a Lois centered episode early in the season. We are headed to the finale and nobody wants to see Lois and the red blue blur. That might be a major arc next year but they should have came out of the break with a bang.

They also promoted Stiletto and nothing.

It's to late in the season to worry about Stiletto. I know some people said what? They probably thought they brought back the wall of weird.

Bad move this late in the season and this could hurt the final episodes.

[Supsfan]

They also promoted Stiletto and nothing.

I saw more promotion for Beast and it hardly did better

[SparkleforSmallville]

Ratings So Far:
*Smallville S8 Finals:
#1 Odyssey ~ *4.34 mil & Live+7= 4.80 mil.

#2 Plastique ~ *4.18 mil. & Live+7= 4.78 mil.

#3 Toxic ~ *4.05 mil. & Live+7= 4.61 mil.

#4 Instinct ~ *4.12 mil. & Live+7= 4.71 mil.

#5 Committed ~ *4.18 mil. & Live+7= 4.73 mil.

#6 Prey ~ *4.16mil. & Live+7= 4.75 mil.

#7 Identity ~ *4.32 mil. & Live+7= 4.99 mil.

#8 Bloodline ~ *4.46 mil. & Live+7= 5.02 mil.

#9 Abyss ~ *3.56 mil. & Live+7= 4.38 mil.

#10 Bride ~ *4.19 mil. & (No Live+7 available, ever!)

#11 Legion ~ *4.30 mil. & Live+7= 4.89 mil.

#12 Bulletproof ~ *3.85 mil. & Live+7= 4.54 mil.

#13 Power ~ *4.21 mil. & Live+7= 4.94 mil.

#14 Requiem ~ *3.93 mil. & Live+7= 4.60 mil.

#15 Infamous ~ *3.57 mil. & Live+7= 4.22 mil.

#16 Turbulence ~ *3.49 mil. & Live+7= 4.09 mil.

#17 Hex ~ *3.80 mil. & Live+7= 4.49 mil.

#18 Eternal ~ *3.85 mil. & Live+7= 4.55 mil.

#19 Stiletto ~ *3.10 mil.

#20 Beast ~ *3.23 mil.

[BadToad]

We are headed to the finale and nobody wants to see Lois and the red blue blur.

"Nobody"? Are you sure you want to go with that statement? Do you really feel qualified to speak for ALL SV fans? Because, I'm actually willing to bet that there are fans who wanted to see Lois and the red blue blur.

To me, that certainly has as much to do with Clark becoming Superman then what we saw last night, which featured FAR less of Clark, and seemed to be about a lot of people deciding whats best for Clark, or lecturing him on whats best

Though personally, IMO, we haven't really seen a Clark-centric episode since Infamous, and yes, I do think thats a problem.

[Ella]

You know, I was really hoping that people would stop blaming Lois Lane for the episode ratings but I guess that was too much to ask for. Even though the overwhelming evidence suggest that her character isn't responsible for the ratings failure I guess that isn't enough for some people. :\

[tyson08]

Chloe/Lois/Oliver/Jimmy/Tess... none of these characters make or break an episode. It's all about Clark and the storyline. All those characters are just adding to what's going on in the episode. People tune in for Clark Kent/Superman and whatever the storyline is.

[Mickey_Bickey]

I watch Smallville no matter what. I may hate some episodes, but the majority of them I enjoy watching. I think the major problem is the NBA playoffs. I hope that the ratings go up next week and for the finale. Either way, I'll tune in.

[Kschreck]

I think people are just getting tired of Clark not progressing into Superman. The earlier episodes this season really suggested that Clark was about to become Superman and then we get stuff like Lana and what not and Clark has put his destiny on hold once again. It's a drag on serious Smallville fans and it's even worse for people who watch this show randomly.

[ywm]

ur rite

[badraven]

Ratings So Far:
*Smallville S8 Finals:
#1 Odyssey ~ *4.34 mil & Live+7= 4.80 mil.

#2 Plastique ~ *4.18 mil. & Live+7= 4.78 mil.

#3 Toxic ~ *4.05 mil. & Live+7= 4.61 mil.

#4 Instinct ~ *4.12 mil. & Live+7= 4.71 mil.

#5 Committed ~ *4.18 mil. & Live+7= 4.73 mil.

#6 Prey ~ *4.16mil. & Live+7= 4.75 mil.

#7 Identity ~ *4.32 mil. & Live+7= 4.99 mil.

#8 Bloodline ~ *4.46 mil. & Live+7= 5.02 mil.

#9 Abyss ~ *3.56 mil. & Live+7= 4.38 mil.

#10 Bride ~ *4.19 mil. & (No Live+7 available, ever!)

#11 Legion ~ *4.30 mil. & Live+7= 4.89 mil.

#12 Bulletproof ~ *3.85 mil. & Live+7= 4.54 mil.

#13 Power ~ *4.21 mil. & Live+7= 4.94 mil.

#14 Requiem ~ *3.93 mil. & Live+7= 4.60 mil.

#15 Infamous ~ *3.57 mil. & Live+7= 4.22 mil.

#16 Turbulence ~ *3.49 mil. & Live+7= 4.09 mil.

#17 Hex ~ *3.80 mil. & Live+7= 4.49 mil.

#18 Eternal ~ *3.85 mil. & Live+7= 4.55 mil.

#19 Stiletto ~ *3.10 mil.

#20 Beast ~ *3.23 mil.


Guys- I'm not really sure why we do this every episode. People go round and round trying to place or find some deeper significance to the ratings. "See, this proves..." or "look this shows..." which is nearly impossible to know or prove. The simple answer is there is no simple answer. Why does one episode get great ratings and another not; there are several possible reasons and I just don't get why we go round and round when we just end up at the same place everytime.

Now let's talk about what we do know. We know that for the first seven seasons of the show the ratings have gone down in the back half (maybe third) of the season. Every season of the show. We also know that, although ratings at the start of the season (S8) were near mid 4 million range that was lower than any other season. Knowing these 2 pieces of information it was safe to assume that: one- ratings of the back end of season 8 were going to go down and two- that since we started at lower ratings that we would get some of the lowest rated episodes of the series during this part of season 8. Simple. Nothing to be alarmed at. Nothing to get worked up about. It is the cycle that SV has done every year since season 1.

Now let's remember two other things: one- the penetration of DVRs and the effect that has had on ratings on every show (not just SV) and two- that for fans, IMO, ratings are a means to an end, not an end in of themselves.

First: the effect of DVRs on TV ratings is huge. So huge in fact that for at least the last couple of seasons there has been an effort to track how many people record their programs and then watch them later. To my knowledge these viewers had previously not been counted toward the ratings total of programs. Once this "Live+7" data began to be counted ratings went up for almost all programs, with SV being no different. By looking at the "Live+7" data that SfS finds out and posts for all our information nearly every week (thanks BTW :)) it is easy to see that ratings for SV this season are actually quite good and well within what we expect to see from our favorite (at least it's mine) show.

Second: that, IMO, ratings for fans are means to an end, not any end in of themselves. Of course for network suits ratings are the end. The more people that watch the show the more money they get to charge for their ~30 second ads and thus the more money they can potentially make. A simple and very sensible proposition for TV network execs. After all, they are trying to make a profit. But for fans, why should we really care? To me the only reason to care about ratings is that if they are too low, or just not good enough, that means we don't get more episodes of the show(s) we like. Again a simple and sensible proposition. To me ratings are the means, the end is getting more episodes. As long as they are good enough to get me more episodes I'm fine with them. Of course ratings have all kinds of effects on shows (if SV were pulling in say 8 million viewers a week I'm sure we would have a bigger budget.) And of course I would love to have as many people as possible watch a show (SV in this case) that I think deserves to be watched but again at the end of the day if ratings are good enough to get me more episodes...which this season has accomplished, SV has been renewed for a ninth season...why then the need to endlessly debate or find deeper significance to ratings.

Now I'm not saying we shouldn't talk about ratings. Quite the opposite but let's remember that ratings, IMO, rarely prove anything when it comes to quality. I've loved shows that have been watched by almost no one and I've railed against the masses for not recognizing their quality, for "not understanding." I've cheered along with the majority as shows I've liked have gone on to huge ratings success and scoffed at those that "just didn't get it." Which time was I right? What was the deeper significance? In the end we see what we want to see. I saw what I wanted to see. S8's ratings have been good enough to get me more of what I wanted- more episodes of SV. And I'm happy with that.

[Lis]

Guys- I'm not really sure why we do this every episode. People go round and round trying to place or find some deeper significance to the ratings. "See, this proves..." or "look this shows..." which is nearly impossible to know or prove. The simple answer is there is no simple answer. Why does one episode get great ratings and another not; there are several possible reasons and I just don't get why we go round and round when we just end up at the same place everytime.

Now let's talk about what we do know. We know that for the first seven seasons of the show the ratings have gone down in the back half (maybe third) of the season. Every season of the show. We also know that, although ratings at the start of the season (S8) were near mid 4 million range that was lower than any other season. Knowing these 2 pieces of information it was safe to assume that: one- ratings of the back end of season 8 were going to go down and that since we started at lower ratings that we would get some of the lowest rated episodes of the series during this part of season 8. Simple. Nothing to be alarmed at. Nothing to get worked up about. It is the cycle that SV has done every year since season 1.

Now let's remember two other things: one- the penetration of DVRs and the effect that has had on ratings on every show (not just SV) and two- that for fans, IMO, ratings are a means to an end, not an end in of themselves.

First: the effect of DVRs on TV ratings is huge. So huge in fact that for at least the last couple of seasons there has been an effort to track how many people record their programs and then watch them later. To my knowledge these viewers had previously not been counted toward the ratings total of programs. Once this "Live+7" data began to be counted ratings went up for almost all programs, with SV being no different. By looking at the "Live+7" data that SfS finds out and posts for all our information nearly every week (thanks BTW :)) it is easy to see that ratings for SV this season are actually quite good and well within what we expect to see from our favorite (at least it's mine) show.

Second: that, IMO, ratings for fans are means to an end, not any end in of themselves. Of course for network suits ratings are the end. The more people that watch the show the more money they get to charge for their ~30 second ads and thus the more money they can potentially make. A simple and very sensible proposition for TV network execs. After all, they are trying to make a profit. But for fans, why should we really care? To me the only reason to care about ratings is that if they are too low, or just not good enough, that means we don't get more episodes of the show(s) we like. Again a simple and sensible proposition. To me ratings are the means, the end is getting more episodes. As long as they are good enough to get me more episodes I'm fine with them. Of course ratings have all kinds of effects on shows (if SV were pulling in say 8 million viewers a week I'm sure we would have a bigger budget.) And of course I would love to have as many people as possible watch a show (SV in this case) that I think deserves to be watched but again at the end of the day if ratings are good enough to get me more episodes...which this season has accomplished, SV has been renewed for a ninth season...why then the need to endlessly debate or find deeper significance to ratings.

Now I'm not saying we shouldn't talk about ratings. Quite the opposite but let's remember that ratings, IMO, rarely prove anything when it comes to quality. I've loved shows that have been watched by almost no one and I've railed against the masses for not recognizing their quality, for "not understanding." I've cheered along with the majority as shows I've liked have gone on to huge ratings success and scoffed at those that "just didn't get it." Which time was I right? What was the deeper significance? In the end we see what we want to see. I saw what I wanted to see. S8's ratings have been good enough to get me more of what I wanted- more episodes of SV. And I'm happy with that.

Well said!

[marcella]

It went down:eek:

[ChlarkerFan]

It went down:eek:

Huh? What are you talking about? The ratings went up.

[Inkpen23]

Thank God this episode, which was a good episode, did better than last week's crapfest.

[marcella]

Huh? What are you talking about? The ratings went up.

I meant the finals

[Kid Collins]

Some good news. Got this from another site. At least the all important demos went up from last week. That is what CW really cares about. They make more in ads when a show does well in the 18-34 demos.


Stiletto finals:
- 3.103 million viewers
- 2.0/3 HH
- 1.3/4 A18-49
- 1.3/5 A18-34

Beast finals:
- 3.234 million viewers
- 2.0/3 HH
- 1.4/4 A18-49
- 1.5/5 A18-34

In 18-34, Beast went up 200,000 viewers which is good improvement in the demo week-to-week. Moreover, the episode skewed young, which is what the CW wants and lastly, the 1.5 in 18-34 (the CW's key demo) is equivalent to the demo ratings for several S7 Spring episodes so it's not down year-to-year which is good. Sure, it'd be nice if the demos for Eternal were as good as the Fall demos, but the show always goes down in the Spring so that is difficult to achieve.

[ClarkyBoy14]

Guys- I'm not really sure why we do this every episode. People go round and round trying to place or find some deeper significance to the ratings. "See, this proves..." or "look this shows..." which is nearly impossible to know or prove. The simple answer is there is no simple answer. Why does one episode get great ratings and another not; there are several possible reasons and I just don't get why we go round and round when we just end up at the same place everytime.

Now let's talk about what we do know. We know that for the first seven seasons of the show the ratings have gone down in the back half (maybe third) of the season. Every season of the show. We also know that, although ratings at the start of the season (S8) were near mid 4 million range that was lower than any other season. Knowing these 2 pieces of information it was safe to assume that: one- ratings of the back end of season 8 were going to go down and two- that since we started at lower ratings that we would get some of the lowest rated episodes of the series during this part of season 8. Simple. Nothing to be alarmed at. Nothing to get worked up about. It is the cycle that SV has done every year since season 1.

Now let's remember two other things: one- the penetration of DVRs and the effect that has had on ratings on every show (not just SV) and two- that for fans, IMO, ratings are a means to an end, not an end in of themselves.

First: the effect of DVRs on TV ratings is huge. So huge in fact that for at least the last couple of seasons there has been an effort to track how many people record their programs and then watch them later. To my knowledge these viewers had previously not been counted toward the ratings total of programs. Once this "Live+7" data began to be counted ratings went up for almost all programs, with SV being no different. By looking at the "Live+7" data that SfS finds out and posts for all our information nearly every week (thanks BTW :)) it is easy to see that ratings for SV this season are actually quite good and well within what we expect to see from our favorite (at least it's mine) show.

Second: that, IMO, ratings for fans are means to an end, not any end in of themselves. Of course for network suits ratings are the end. The more people that watch the show the more money they get to charge for their ~30 second ads and thus the more money they can potentially make. A simple and very sensible proposition for TV network execs. After all, they are trying to make a profit. But for fans, why should we really care? To me the only reason to care about ratings is that if they are too low, or just not good enough, that means we don't get more episodes of the show(s) we like. Again a simple and sensible proposition. To me ratings are the means, the end is getting more episodes. As long as they are good enough to get me more episodes I'm fine with them. Of course ratings have all kinds of effects on shows (if SV were pulling in say 8 million viewers a week I'm sure we would have a bigger budget.) And of course I would love to have as many people as possible watch a show (SV in this case) that I think deserves to be watched but again at the end of the day if ratings are good enough to get me more episodes...which this season has accomplished, SV has been renewed for a ninth season...why then the need to endlessly debate or find deeper significance to ratings.

Now I'm not saying we shouldn't talk about ratings. Quite the opposite but let's remember that ratings, IMO, rarely prove anything when it comes to quality. I've loved shows that have been watched by almost no one and I've railed against the masses for not recognizing their quality, for "not understanding." I've cheered along with the majority as shows I've liked have gone on to huge ratings success and scoffed at those that "just didn't get it." Which time was I right? What was the deeper significance? In the end we see what we want to see. I saw what I wanted to see. S8's ratings have been good enough to get me more of what I wanted- more episodes of SV. And I'm happy with that.

Thank you so much for this post! There is so much truth in it. :) It seems like every year since S6 I keep reading, "People are abandoning the show because they didn't like this!" or "People are abandoning the show because they didn't like that!" But I keep pointing out that this is just a normal trend.

I think, looking at the ratings for every episode, we can agree that the ratings really start to turn south around March.

Here are some averages from the past seven seasons to show that the big ratings drop is just a normal trend, and it's not due to one certain storyline.

Season One
October - February episodes (1-13) - 6.56 million viewers
March - May episodes (14-21) - 6.16

Season Two
September - February episodes (1-17) - 8.13
April - May episodes (18-23) - 6.78

Season Three
October - February episodes (1-15) - 6.02
March - May episodes (16-22) - 4.80

Season Four
September - February episodes (1-15) - 5.29
March - May episodes (16-22) - 4.47

Season Five
September - February episodes (1-15) - 5.72
March - May episodes (16-22) - 4.47

Season Six
September - February (1-15) - 4.78
March - May episodes (16-22) - 3.97

Season Seven
September - February episodes (1-12) - 4.43
March - May episodes (13-20) - 3.75

Sure, I think that there could be some people who stop watching because they don't like something, and they decide that they'll try again next season. But I think that the two biggest factors for these big drops for the last several episodes are due to (1) scheduling and (2) spring.

1 - Around this time of year, the scheduling just gets crazy. One week, there's a new episode, the next week there isn't. This is due to the need to stretch a small amount of episodes over a larger period of time. I think that the CW could fix this by ending the season early, thus reducing the amount of weeks that the episodes need to be stretched out over. Or, they could just have two or three big groups of episodes for the season--each promoted very well and each having a very good premiere and finale.

2 - Around this time of year, the time changes, the weather gets warmer, and, naturally, people want to be outdoors, enjoying the awesome weather.

[Polomontana]

Smallville has run it's course. It pains me to say this because I'm a fan of the show.

Season 9 should be the last season.

Smallville can't become about Lois & Clark because it's no longer Smallville.

They should bring Annette O'Toole back for the last season. Maybe they could tie some political scandal with her return.

They need to send Clark off in the finale and go out with a good 9 year run.

[Kid Collins]

If anyone's interested. I lined up S7 and S8's episodes based on they aired.

A lot of people complaining about breaks, well, this season SV had it good compared to S7, let's just say that.

I'm assuming that all the playoffs/finals all occurred at about the same time each season.

Airdates /Ratings
S7 S8

1)Odyssey 4.34 9/18/08

1)Bizarro 5.18 9/27/07 2)Plastique 4.59 9/25/08
2)Kara 4.59 10/4/07 3)Toxic 4.05 10/2/08
3)Fierce 4.82 10/11/07 4)Instinct 4.12 10/9/08
4)Cure 5.18 10/19/07 5)Committed 4.18 10/16/08
5)Action 4.65 10/25/07 6)Prey 4.16 10/23/08
6)Lara 4.38 11/1/07 7)Identity 4.32 10/30/08
7)Wrath 4.64 11/8/07 8)Bloodline 4.46 11/6/08
8)Blue 4.51 11/15/07 9)Abyss 3.56 11/13/08
BREAK 27 DAYS 10)Bride 4.19 11/20/08

9)Gemini 3.71 12/13/07
BREAK 48 DAYS BREAK 24 DAYS
11)Legion 4.30 1/15/09
12)Bulletproof 3.85 1/22/09

10)Persona 3.81 1/31/08 13)Power 4.21 1/29/09
11)Siren 4.01 2/7/09 14)Requiem 3.93 2/5/09
12)Fracture 3.67 2/14/08 BREAK 21 DAYS
BREAK 27 DAYS
13)Hero 3.81 3/13/08 15)Infamous 3.57 3/12/09
14)Traveler 3.44 3/20/08 16)Turbulence 3.49 3/19/09
15)Veritas 3.86 3/27/08 17)Hex 3.80 3/26/09
BREAK 20 DAYS 18)Eternal 3.85 4/2/09
BREAK 21 DAYS
16)Descent 3.61 4/17/08
17)Sleeper 3.62 4/24/08 19)Stilletto 3.10 4/23/09
20)Beast 3.23 4/30/09
BREAK 13 DAYS
18)Quest 3.96 5/8/08 21)Injustice 5/7/09
19)Arctic 3.85 5/15/08 22)Doomsday 5/14/09

[Supsfan]

Some good news. Got this from another site. At least the all important demos went up from last week. That is what CW really cares about. They make more in ads when a show does well in the 18-34 demos.

Let me guess you got it from TWOP :P

Looking back at this season I think the biggest mistake was the placement of the Lana arc, it should have been done the first 5 episodes and over with, then they could move on to the rest of the season. I am guessing thought that the producers used the first 10 episodes to try prove Lois could work and sold the CW on that and also figured they could keep the Lana fanbase interested till she comes back.

[costas22]

Andrew thanks for doing this. It clarified a lot. Not to mention that this season, Smallville has had more competition in Bones since the turn of the year.

[Supsfan]

Andrew thanks for doing this. It clarified a lot. Not to mention that this season, Smallville has had more competition in Bones since the turn of the year.

Going through this whole season ratings it's fairly easy to see why most ratings went down(Bones, break, etc) the only real anomaly is Abyss. While I didn't expect it to match Bloodline(especially with the NY market blacked out) the rating still should have been high 3Ms if not just creeping over 4.

[costas22]

Going through this whole season ratings it's fairly easy to see why most ratings went down(Bones, break, etc) the only real anomaly is Abyss. While I didn't expect it to match Bloodline(especially with the NY market blacked out) the rating still should have been high 3Ms if not just creeping over 4.

Abyss was a black hole ratings wise wasn't it? I think it had to do with the NY market but that should have evened itself out with the Live+DVDr thing shouldn't it? When you look at Legion and the fact that it surpassed Bride, i think that proves that sometimes breaks don't play a part. Of course, it was a goods episode some back with but so was Infamous.

[Supsfan]

Abyss was a black hole ratings wise wasn't it? I think it had to do with the NY market but that should have evened itself out with the Live+DVDr thing shouldn't it? When you look at Legion and the fact that it surpassed Bride, i think that proves that sometimes breaks don't play a part. Of course, it was a goods episode some back with but so was Infamous.

I figure the NY market is anywhere from 200k-375k lost viewers depending on how many people are blacked out(anywhere from 10M-25M). I was fully expecting with the forward momentium of the ratings in the early part of the season for Bride to break 4.5M(especially with Lana set to come back), so I have to say Brides rating was somewhat dissapointing as well(although one of the better ones still this year)

The Legion rating didn't suprise me, It attracted alot of the comic book geek fanbase, plus the fact I am pretty sure it went against a bunch of repeats. From what I understand both Infamous and Turbulence were backed out in some cities for College basketball so that probably plays a little fact into them being a bit lower. It's hard to explain the past 2 episodes though dropping so low, but the fact it's been 2 weeks and both in the similar range against the same obsticles(NBA playoffs, drop in ratings for all shows) does makes it a constant thing.

I know the CW(I won't blame the producers) will make the same mistake next season but I hope they space out the shows better. Have 8 before Xmas, then do a run of 14 nonstop after Xmas starting in Feb. I remember reading in the Summer they would put new episodes of Reaper on insyead of Smallville repeats, looking back they should have did that

[costas22]

8 + 14 is a good idea but you never know. This season's plan might have also worked if the show had some consistency. Until Bride it was a straightforward show. After that, it was like watching 3 different shows: one was about Lana, another was about RBB/Clois and another was about Chlavis. So i think the ideal thing for them to do, is trim down the cast so that everyone gets 18-22 episodes and follow all the arcs in every episode. That should help keep viewers more interested. You are right about the last 4 episodes. Apart from Bones they had either March Madness or Playoffs against them. The last episode to have an easy night was Power and look how good it did.

[SparkleforSmallville]

Thanks everyone for these interesting Stats. Y'all have been busy. LOL
What stands out to me is how similiar S7 & S8 ratings are on the same days of the year.
That is strange. Couldn't be because of Characters or storyline. As I've always thought
other factors affect the ratings more.

----- Added 3 Minutes later -----

I actually really liked the way they scheduled breaks this Season. The 1st ten
was a smart decision. If we have to have breaks, then having 4, new episode blocks. worked well enough.

[Supsfan]

I actually really liked the way they scheduled breaks this Season. The 1st ten
was a smart decision. If we have to have breaks, then having 4, new episode blocks. worked well enough.

I am a all at once kind of guy. Most other shows I watch do it that way and I find it much easier to enjoy that way. I would have much rather then done a run of 12 then 4 episodes, 4 weeks off, 4 episodes, 2 weeks off, 4 episodes. Worse case scenerion do 12 bunched together and make take 2 seperate 1 week breaks

[Dee]

Let me guess you got it from TWOP :P

Looking back at this season I think the biggest mistake was the placement of the Lana arc, it should have been done the first 5 episodes and over with, then they could move on to the rest of the season. I am guessing thought that the producers used the first 10 episodes to try prove Lois could work and sold the CW on that and also figured they could keep the Lana fanbase interested till she comes back.

Still blaming the Lana-arc? Right, even though those episodes got about a million more viewers than what the ratings have been lately. When in doubt, let's blame Lana!

Shelby's missing- Lana's fault!!! Martha's off in Washington- blame Lana!!! Chloe falling for Davis- damn Lana had something to do with it! Season 9 rating dipping close to 2 million- it was because Lana's name was mentioned. This use to be annoying, but it just makes me laugh.

Why are the ratings low? People are busy, the CW doesn't market the show or its network very well. Perhaps the reason is because this isn't 2001, and the teenagers and adults who use to watch back then, have more important things to do.

[Supsfan]

Still blaming the Lana-arc? Right, even though those episodes got about a million more viewers than what the ratings have been lately. When in doubt, let's blame Lana!

Not as much Lana, more inconsistent storytelling. The show the first half was telling a very consistent story then all of a sudden Lana comes back and it was like a completely different show which could have ruined any positive momentium of the first half.

If Lana can back the first 5 episode they could have did her story then episode 6 on would be Clark moving on with his life. Instead we get Clark moving on with his life for the first 12 episodes, then 2 episode that completely ruined any forward momentium in his character as well as the story those first 12 episodes were telling

[Superfreakon]

Great post. I have only seen a few episodes this year on the actual day it aired. I normally watch later on itunes or the following week on The CW's website. Us aging Smallville fans have busy lives these days and 7:00/8:00 is pretty early to run home just to watch a TV show you can watch at almost any time. The ratings are getting to be a bit overrated.



And, to blame them on plot at this point is premature and kinda silly and uneducated.

[ClarkyBoy14]

Not as much Lana, more inconsistent storytelling. The show the first half was telling a very consistent story then all of a sudden Lana comes back and it was like a completely different show which could have ruined any positive momentium of the first half.

Comparing ratings from this part of the season to the earlier part of the season is pointless. ;) :)

[Kid Collins]

Let me guess you got it from TWOP :P

:lol:



Looking back at this season I think the biggest mistake was the placement of the Lana arc, it should have been done the first 5 episodes and over with, then they could move on to the rest of the season. I am guessing thought that the producers used the first 10 episodes to try prove Lois could work and sold the CW on that and also figured they could keep the Lana fanbase interested till she comes back.

No. PS3 said that they had the Lana arc planned way ahead. They knew exactly when they wanted her to come back. I think the reason why they didn't write in Lana's return in the beginning was because they wanted to set a tone for the season which is Clark working at the DP, setting up his relationship with Lois and introducing the Doomsday storyline. Having Lana come back in the season premier would take away the attention from that. And Lana returning also set up to delay, stall the Clois this season.

[smallvillerocks45]

Great post. I have only seen a few episodes this year on the actual day it aired. I normally watch later on itunes or the following week on The CW's website. Us aging Smallville fans have busy lives these days and 7:00/8:00 is pretty early to run home just to watch a TV show you can watch at almost any time. The ratings are getting to be a bit overrated.



Truer words just can't be said. Next season (i.e. my next semester) will be my busiest. I have a class on Thursdays from 6-650pm. Which by the time I'm done packing up my stuff, getting my ride situated, and finally get home - I'll have missed half of the episode. I never thought there'd be a day when my schedule would catch up with my Smallville habits, but it finally has - and now I'm going to have to rely on the VHS (because I don't have TiVo/DVR yet) and/or CW's website that takes a lot longer to update than I'd like. I think this is the summer I buy a DVR. I don't like having to wait to see my favorite show. Luckily, I'm not a Nielsen family, so I don't have to worry about my delayed viewing to negatively affect the show, but still... I want to see the show live whenever possible, and this is the last season, I can't believe I won't be able to see it unfold in real-time!

...That being said - I want Smallville to have stellar ratings next season. I want it to end with a bang - show the history books that this little engine that could was loved by millions of viewers and deserved more attention than it ever got.

I know that's probably not going to happen - but I would love to see Smallville reach 5 million viewers again. Actually the perfect scenario is that the show's last episode gets the same numbers as it's premiere - come full circle and really end with a bang. It will be the saddest and probably proudest moment for me... and even if the ratings don't reflect such greatness, should scheduling work out like it did this year, the finale will be during finals week, and I will be able to watch. I don't know what I'm going to do that final day! It really will be a sad day for me... I get misty-eyed just thinking about it.

[Supsfan]

No. PS3 said that they had the Lana arc planned way ahead. They knew exactly when they wanted her to come back. I think the reason why they didn't write in Lana's return in the beginning was because they wanted to set a tone for the season which is Clark working at the DP, setting up his relationship with Lois and introducing the Doomsday storyline. Having Lana come back in the season premier would take away the attention from that. And Lana returning also set up to delay, stall the Clois this season.

I personally think the Lana arc would have made more sense though at the beginning of the season, then were it was placed. As some other point out the 2nd half has been very inconsistent in terms of storytelling and it goes beyond Lana. They probably had a few different reasons(actor schedules, trying to get a season 9 without KK, etc) to place the Lana storyline where they did, but it was completely out of place

The first 12 episode were very consistent in terms of storytelling(and Clark being the main focus as well) but then we get 2 Lana centric episodes, Lois/Clark episode, Davis episode, Chloe as Lois episode, Davis episode, Lois episode, Chlavis episode. Keeping a consistent story going will probably keep viewers more attached to the show

[Clois86]

I personally think the Lana arc would have made more sense though at the beginning of the season, then were it was placed. As some other point out the 2nd half has been very inconsistent in terms of storytelling and it goes beyond Lana. They probably had a few different reasons(actor schedules, trying to get a season 9 without KK, etc) to place the Lana storyline where they did, but it was completely out of place

The first 12 episode were very consistent in terms of storytelling(and Clark being the main focus as well) but then we get 2 Lana centric episodes, Lois/Clark episode, Davis episode, Chloe as Lois episode, Davis episode, Lois episode, Chlavis episode. Keeping a consistent story going will probably keep viewers more attached to the show

Totally Agree