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Archive for the ‘Television’ Category

It’s the end of a year that, well, could have been better in many ways. But there were some highlights in television, movies and books that I wanted to share in case I can inspire someone for 2019.

MOVIES

I dug into movies as I usually do, but a few stood out by the end of the year as worthy of your time and money.

[Photo Credit: Reed Morano/Sundance Institute]

Eighth Grade

Bo Burnham did a stellar job in capturing an awkward girl in eighth grade trying to navigate her life.  Rueben’s already highlighted how Elsie Fisher is good in this role, and it’s true. The whole movie is raw and made me uncomfortable in a good way.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor

If you don’t cry at a story about Mister Rogers, I don’t know what your life was like, but it needs Mr. Rogers. Once a staple of children’s television watching, this movie gives new details on the way in which Fred Rogers was a trailblazer and reminded me of how much we all need empathy for each other.

Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse

This animation is amazing! The story is heartfelt and brings in so many good Spider-memes from years gone by. Miles Morales is the next Spider-Man we need on screen and this movie tells you why.

TELEVISION

Many of my favorite shows this year are repeats of years before (The Good Place is quality always) but I do want to take note of two new series and one episode that stood out as amazing.

The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

Netflix’s series based on the Archie comic is dark, but in the best way. As a kid I loved the version on ABC, but this keeps the world with dark magic, darker villains and less of a laugh track. Kiernan Shipka is stoic when she needs to be but also confused and expressive of Sabrina’s awkward position in life.

The Bodyguard

Brought to America via Netflix, this ITV drama is a thriller based off the complicated life of a Personal Protection Officer who gets tangled in a plot against the Home Secretary. Starting Richard Madden, the show pulls off so many twists and turns but with an end that feels right given the looming threat of terrorism in the show’s conceit.

The Good Place’s Janet(s)

D’Arcy Carden is a gift to us all! She played at least seven characters (including characters pretending to be other characters) in twenty-two minutes of jam-packed television. If she doesn’t win an Emmy in 2019, we’ve all been robbed.

BOOKS

Normally I’m so bad about books in the end of the year. That’s not to say I’m not reading, but I tend to read quickly and find few stick with me weeks later. I’m so glad to find that more than a few books did stay with me this year.

Ship It

Britta Lundin currently writes for The CW series Riversdale, and that affects so much of Ship It‘s story.  When a fangirl raises the question about why two male leads on a show can’t be shipped in a convention panel, the fangirl’s life changes in numerous ways. First, she’s asked to be part of the rest of the promotional tour for the show, but that means being around the cast – not all of whom get shipping. But the book is more than just a book about fan’s interacting with the creative team, as the heroine has to figure out so many other things about herself in the process.

If you’re a fan of enough TV and ship an unconventional couple, this book is for you.

The Wedding Date and The Proposal

Jasmine Guillory turned out two books this year with something I rarely see: an African-American heroine. The two books are interconnected, but reading a book with a character who looks like me is something I rarely find. For that alone, these each stuck with me. Plus, they’re each funny but relatable stories of finding love in some very awkward situations.

Mackenzi Lee’s The Gentlemen’s Guide to Vice and Virtue and The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy

For YA books, there’s always a hook I need to be drawn into books. This time it was historical fiction with action and adventure with some dysfunctional family dynamics mixed in. There’s not a great way to talk about each book without spoiling so much, but if you’re sold on watching teens having to use their brains to get through Europe without money, then these Mackenzi Lee books are perfect!

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It was a night filled with repeats, news, sports, music and comedies with only one primetime drama airing a new episode; a special premiere of a Thursday night drama.

Here is how that lone Sunday night drama fared in the overall ratings:

8 PM Show:
The Orville (FOX) [NEW – Season Premiere] – 4.7 million viewers

What did you watch on TV last night. Please share.

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Here is the list of the programming options to expect on TV this holiday week:

On January 1, the final season of A Series of Unfortunate Events will air on Netflix and that same night the annual Christmas special of Doctor Who will actually air as a 90-minute New Year’s Day Special on BBC America at 7 PM. As the New Year begins, a terrifying evil is stirring from across the centuries of Earth’s history. Will the Doctor, Ryan, Graham and Yaz be able to overcome this threat to Planet Earth?

Also on January 1, the winter premieres of Lethal Weapon and The Gifted will air on FOX at 8 and 9 PM respectively.

SEAL Team and Criminal Minds will both air their winter premieres on CBS on January 2 at 9:01 and 10 PM respectively.

On January 3, the season finale of the CBS All Access series Tell Me A Story will air; and S.W.A.T. will air its winter premiere at 10 PM on CBS. That same night Gotham will air its 5th season premiere on FOX at 8 PM followed by the time slot premiere of The Orville at 9 PM and the 6th season premiere of The Blacklist will air on NBC at 10 PM [special night and time] also on January 3.

The winter premieres of MacGyver, Hawaii Five-0 and Blue Bloods will all air their winter premieres on CBS on January 4 at 8, 9 and 10 PM respectively; and that same night the time slot premiere of The Blacklist will air on NBC at 9 PM.

On January 5, the Hallmark Channel movie Winter Castle is expected to debut at 9 PM, starring Emilie Ullerup and Kevin McGarry. Born and raised in sunny California, Jenny is thrilled when her sister Meg decides to have a destination wedding at an ice hotel. Jenny is immediately entranced by the magical décor of the hotel and also finds herself instantly smitten with Craig, the handsome best man. Will the romance of the gorgeous wintry hotel bring them together?

Lastly, God Friended Me, NCIS: Los Angeles and Madam Secretary will all air their winter premieres on CBS on January 6 at 8, 9 and 10 PM respectively; and that same night the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards will air at 8 PM on NBC.

Mark your calendars!

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Trying to figure out what to watch tonight? Be it new episodes of the TV season, reairs of cable series or a movie, here are some suggestions:

NOTE: There will be a marathon of Doctor Who episodes on BBC America today.

5:35 PM:
Kingsman: The Golden Circle movie on HBO

6 PM:
Marley & Me movie on Lifetime

6:16 PM:
Game of Thrones on HBO2 (Reair)

7 PM:
Outlander on Starz (Encore)
A Heavenly Christmas movie on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries (Reair)
Walking Tall movie on Reelz

7:15 PM:
Game of Thrones on HBO2 (Reair)

8 PM:
A Shoe Addict’s Christmas movie on Hallmark Channel (Reair)
A Walk to Remember movie on Lifetime
Atomic Blonde movie on Cinemax
Rampage movie on HBO

8:15 PM:
Game of Thrones on HBO2 (Reair)

9 PM:
Reunited at Christmas movie on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries (Reair)
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle movie on Starz

9:50 PM:
Ready Player One movie on HBO

9:55 PM:
The Bourne Identity movie on Cinemax

10 PM:
A Midnight Kiss movie on Hallmark Channel (Encore)

Enjoy!

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Much like the Faces of 2018, there are always entertainers of note to be on the look-out for in the new year or those who made great waves throughout the current year who will, undoubtedly, be big stars in the new year. The new faces of 2019 appear below in no particular order:

1. Kiki Layne – Kiki’s first role was in a 2016 episode of Chicago Med, but it will be her role in thismonth’s If Beale Street Could Talk box office movie that will turn people’s heads. She will be seen in the 2019 movies Captive State with Vera Farmiga and John Goodman and Native Son with Nick Robinson, Sanaa Lathan and one of last year’s faces of 2018 Margaret Qualley.

2. Elsie Fisher -The breakout star of Bo Burnham’s indie hit Eighth Grade, Fisher has been earning raves since the movie’s Sundance debut earlier this year. She appeared in the 2015 movie McFarland, USA alongside Kevin Coster and has provided the voice for Agnes in the Despicable Me franchise. She will next be heard in the upcoming animated film The Addams Family.

3. Zazie Beetz – An Emmy nominee for Atlanta, Beetz stole scenes in Deadpool 2 and will reprise the role of Domino in the X-Force spin-off. She has a number of films in the works including Noah Hawley’s Pale Blue Dot alongside Natalie Portman, Dan Stevens and Jon Hamm; The Joker alongside Joaquin Phoenix and Robert De Niro; High Flying Bird with Zachary Quinto and Kyle MacLachlan and Against All Enemies with Kristen Stewart and Vince Vaughn.

4. Henry Golding – He made his film debut as the leading man of Crazy Rich Asians and starred alongside Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick in A Simple Favor. He will next be seen opposite Emilia Clarke in Last Christmas and in Toff Guys alongside Kate Beckinsale, Matthew McConaughey and Hugh Grant.

5. Cameron Cuffe – Cameron had a small role in the box office film Florence Foster Jenkins followed by appearing in an episode of the short-lived series Time After Time and the British series The Halcyon. He is now the star of the Syfy drama Krypton, playing Superman’s grandfather.

6. Storm Reid – She got her first big break in the box office movie 12 Years a Slave, but it was her lead role in A Wrinkle in Time that turned heads. Storm will next appear in the Netflix mini-series Central Park Five that will include among its cast Vera Farmiga, Kylie Bunbury, Felicity Huffman, Blair Underwood and Joshua Jackson.

7. Letitia Wright – While Letitia has been acting since 2011, but it was turn as Shuri in both Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War. She also had a role in this year’s Ready Player One. Next year she will appear in Guava Island, appearing alongside Donald Glover, Rihanna and Nonso Anozie and she will reprise her role in the next Avengers movie.

8. Thomasin McKenzie – This Kiwi actress turned heads at Cannes as the daughter of a damaged US military vet in the indie hit Leave No Trace and she will appear in the following 2019 films: The King with Timothee Chalamet, Joel Edgerton and Robert Pattinson; The True History of the Kelly Gang with Charlie Hunnam, Russell Crowe and Nicholas Hoult and Jojo Rabbit with Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson and Rebel Wilson.

9. Lana Condor – Lana had roles in the 2016 box office movies X-Men: Apocalypse and Patriots Day, but it was this year’s Netflix teen rom-com To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before that has garnered her the most attention. She isn’t stopping there, though, as she appear in next year’s new Syfy series Deadly Class alongside Benedict Wong and the box office film Alita: Battle Angel – which includes the ensemble cast of Jennifer Connelly, Michelle Rodriguez, Mahershala Ali, Christoph Waltz, Jackie Earle Haley, Eiza Gonzalez and Rosa Salazar.

10. Indya Moore – The Bronx native has modeled for GQ, Gucci and Christian Dior, has appeared in Vogue and OUT and she turned heads in the role of Angel in Ryan Murphy’s FX TV series POSE.

11. Brooklynn Prince – This young actress broke hearts and won a Best Young Performer Critic’s Choice Movie Award in the Willem Dafoe-led 2017 box film The Florida Project. She will next provide her voice in the upcoming animated movies The Angry Birds Movie 2 alongside Awkwafina, Dove Cameron, Peter Dinklage, Sterling K. Brown, Rachel Bloom, Jason Sudeikis, Bill Hader, Josh Gad and Danny McBride and The One and Only Ivan that will feature voices provided by Angelina Jolie, Sam Rockwell, Helen Mirren, Bryan Cranston and Danny DeVito.

Are there any actors or actresses who you think are the faces to watch in 2018? Please share.

TOMORROW: Closing Out 2018

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Trying to figure out what to watch tonight? Be it new episodes of the TV season, reairs of cable series or a movie, here are some suggestions:

NOTE: There will be a marathon of Doctor Who episodes on BBC America today.

6 PM:
A Midnight Kiss movie on Hallmark Channel (Encore)

6:30 PM:
Game of Thrones on HBO2 (Reair)
Toy Story 2 (animated) movie on Disney

6:55 PM:
Iron Man 2 movie on EPIX

7 PM:
Rocky Mountain Christmas movie on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries (Encore)
Downton Abbey on PBS (Reair)
Casablanca (classic) movie on TCM
Good Morning, Vietnam movie on VICE

7:03 PM:
Outlander on Starz (Encore)

7:30 PM:
Game of Thrones on HBO2 (Reair)

8 PM:
Outlander on Starz (NEW)
Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa movie on Hallmark Channel (Encore)
Little Women on Masterpiece on PBS (Encore)
National Treasure movie on A&E
Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl movie on FX
The Secret Life of Pets (animated) movie on FXX
The Bourne Ultimatum movie on TMC
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 movie on TNT

8:23 PM:
Game of Thrones on HBO2 (Reair)

9 PM:
Berlin Station on EPIX (NEW)
Counterpart on Starz (NEW)
Romance at Reindeer Lodge movie on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries (Encore)
God Friended Me on CBS (Reair)
Victoria on Masterpiece on PBS (Reair)
Easy A movie on Encore

10 PM:
Dirty John on Bravo (NEW)
Berlin Station on EPIX (Encore)
Outlander on Starz (Encore)
Pride, Prejudice & Mistletoe movie on Hallmark Channel (Encore)
Victoria on Masterpiece on PBS (Reair)
The Secret Life of Pets (animated) movie on FXX
Quantum of Solace movie on Showtime 2

Enjoy!

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The following list highlights the actors and actresses on television and on the big screen who really caught viewers’ attention throughout this year. They appear in no particular order:

[Photo Credit: Frazer Harrison-Getty Images]

1. Noah Centineo – Noah got his start in several episodes of Austin & Ally and later took over the role of Jesus Adams Foster on the recently cancelled Freeform drama The Fosters. It was this summer that put him even more on the radar by his role of Peter Kavinsky in the widely popular Netflix film To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. He also appeared in the other Netflix summer film Sierra Burgess Is a Loser. Next up is his role in the box office remake of Charlie’s Angels.

[Photo Credit: JSquared Photography-Getty Images]

2. Kelly Marie Tran – While Kelly has been a working actress since 2011, it was her turn as Rose Tico in 2017 Star Wars: The Last Jedi that garnered her a lot of attention. She also appeared alongside Elizabeth Olson in the Facebook drama Sorry For Your Loss. Kelly will also reprise her role in the next Star Wars movie that is current in production. She also had a moving op-ed piece in The New York Times, speaking out about online bullying.

[Photo Credit: Christopher Polk-NBC-NBCU-Getty Images]

3. Tiffany Haddish – It’s been a big year for Tiffany after her head-turning role in the box office comedy Girls Trip in 2017. Throughout this year, she has appeared in Tracy Morgan led comedy The Last O.G. and the box office films Uncle Drew, Night School and Nobody’s Fool. She also has a very busy year to come with voice roles in the box office films The Secret Life of Pets 2 and The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part and comedy The Kitchen that will also star Melissa McCartney, Elizabeth Moss, Common and Domhnall Gleason.

[Photo Credit: (Matt Crossick-PA Images via Getty]

4. Timothee Chalamet – Timothee appeared in a several episodes of Royal Pains and had a recurring role in the second season of Homeland in 2012, but it was his role in the independent hit Call Me By Your Name that garnered him a lot of attention and awards. He has also appeared in the box office films Lady Bird with Saoirse Ronan, Hostiles with Christian Bale and Rosamund Pike and Beautiful Boy with Steve Carell. Among his upcoming film work includes Woody Allen’s A Rainy Day in New York, a new adaptation of Little Women, The King, a new adaptation of Dune and a sequel to Call Me By Your Name.

[Photo Credit: NBC]

5-6 and 7. Hannah Zeile, Niles Fitch and Logan Shroyer – This talented trio portray Randall, Kate and Kevin in the hit NBC series This Is Us. For Hannah, this is her first big role; Niles has appeared in episode of Army Wives and Mistresses as well as the box office films St. Vincent with Melissa McCartney and Bill Murray and Roman J. Israel, Esq. with Denzel Washington; and Logan who has appeared in a couple episodes of the Nickelodeon series The Thundermans and an episode of the comedy Speechless.

[Photo Credit: Gregg DeGuire-WireImage]

8. Awkwafina – The actress born Nora Lum, appeared in the 2016 Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising and a few episodes of the streaming series Future Man, but it’s been her roles in the box office hits Ocean’s 8 and Crazy Rich Asians that really catapulted her to the top. She will appear in next year’s box film Paradise Hills alongside Emma Roberts, Eiza Gonzalez and Milla Jovovich and she is one of the many voice actors to be featured in the next animated movie The Angry Birds Movie 2.

[Photo Credit: Camera Press]

9. Gemma Chan – Gemma got her start in episodes of Doctor Who, Sherlock, Secret Diary of a Call Girl and Bedlam before landing a leading role in the British series Humans that aired on AMC in the States. She has appeared in the box office films Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, Transformers: The Last Knight and a little movie called Crazy Rich Asians. She can currently be seen in the box office film Mary Queen of Scots alongside Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie as well as the much anticipated 2019 film Captain Marvel.

[Photo Credit: IMDB]

10. William Catlett – William has an impressive resume of roles in video shorts, short films and TV shows, but it has been his roles in the popular new series Black Lightning – where he plays Lala – and the OWN drama Love Is __ that have garnered him a lot of attention. He is also currently working on a feature film adaptation of the documentary 12 O’Clock Boys.

11. Lucas Hedges – Lucas got a lot of attention from his role in the Oscar-winning film Manchester By the Sea back in 2016, following that up with roles in the 2017 films Lady Bird and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. This year he has had three big roles in the box office films Boy Erased with Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe, Ben Is Back with Julia Roberts and the Jonah Hill written and directed film Mid90s. He also has two projects underway: Honey Boy with Shia LaBeouf and Laura San Giacomo and Waves with Sterling K. Brown.

Who are some of the faces from this year who caught your attention either on television, in music or in film? Please share.

TOMORROW: New Faces of 2019

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This past week the TV landscape has been filled with repeats, holiday specials and reality with no new episodes of any major network dramas airing except for one last primetime drama last night.

Here is how those lone Friday drama fared in the overall ratings:

8 PM Show:
Midnight, Texas (NBC) [NEW – Series Finale] – 2.4 million viewers

What did you watch on TV last night. Please share.

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Trying to figure out what to watch tonight? Be it new episodes of the TV season, reairs of cable series or a movie, here are some suggestions:

NOTE: There will be a marathon of Doctor Who episodes on BBC America today.

6 PM:
Reunited at Christmas movie on Hallmark Channel (Encore)

6:05 PM:
Atomic Blonde movie on Cinemax

6:22 PM:
Game of Thrones on HBO2 (Reair)

7 PM:
Christmas Bells Are Ringing movie on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries (Encore)
NCIS on USA Network

7:15 PM:
Game of Thrones on HBO2 (Reair)

7:30 PM:
Road House movie on AMC

8 PM:
A Midnight Kiss movie on Hallmark Channel (DEBUT)
God Friended Me on CBS (Reair)
9-1-1 on FOX (Reair)
I, Robot movie on IFC
When Harry Met Sally… movie on Showtime
Braveheart movie on Showtime 2
NCIS on USA Network

8:06 PM:
Game of Thrones on HBO2 (Reair)

9 PM:
Northern Lights of Christmas on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries (Encore)

10 PM:
Winterfest Movie Special on Hallmark Channel (Special)
NCIS on USA Network

Enjoy!

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TV ratings are the life’s blood of every series on the major and cable networks. The success or failure of every show is at the mercy of their ratings. As has been the case for FAR too long, the networks put far too much value on the viewing habits of 18-39 year olds, basically ignoring anyone over the age of 40 – and especially overlooking senior viewers, who are the driving force of the buying market, but heaven forbid that those of us older viewers are forgotten about in order to focus on the young.

As has been my preference for a VERY long time, it is my mission for year to focus only on the overall viewership (the millions of viewers who watched each show) of the major and cable network dramas.

Each section below will feature a list of all the dramas (and dramas only) from highest to lowest and an explanation of the time period for which each list covers.

Here we go…

The first list is the major network dramas that aired from January through approximately June, covering the last half of the 2017-2018 TV season:

NCIS (CBS) – 13 million viewers
Bull (CBS) – 10.7 million viewers
This Is Us (NBC) – 9.7 million viewers (their Super Bowl episode earned 43 million viewers)
The Good Doctor (ABC) – 9.1 million viewers
Blue Bloods (CBS) – 8.9 million viewers
NCIS: New Orleans (CBS) – 8.7 million viewers
NCIS: Los Angeles and Hawaii Five-0 (both CBS) – 7.9 million viewers
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) – 7.3 million viewers
MacGyver (CBS) – 6.9 million viewers
Chicago Med (NBC) – 6.6 million viewers
Chicago P.D. (NBC) – 6.5 million viewers
9-1-1 (FOX) – 6.3 million viewers
SEAL Team and Madam Secretary (both CBS) – 6.2 million viewers
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC) – 6 million viewers
Wisdom of the Crowd (CBS) – 5.9 million viewers *
Chicago Fire (NBC) – 5.8 million viewers
S.W.A.T. (CBS) and The Blacklist (NBC) – 5.7 million viewers
Criminal Minds (CBS) – 5.5 million viewers
Empire (FOX) – 5.4 million viewers
Scorpion (CBS) * and Station 19 (ABC) – 5.3 million viewers
Scandal (ABC) – 4.8 million viewers *
Good Girls (NBC) – 4.6 million viewers
Rise (NBC) * and The Resident (FOX) – 4.5 million viewers
Lethal Weapon and Star (both FOX) – 4.1 million viewers
The X-Files (FOX) * and How to Get Away with Murder (ABC) – 3.7 million viewers
The Brave (NBC) *; The Crossing (CBS) * and Designated Survivor (ABC) * – 3.6 million viewers
Deception (ABC) – 3.5 million viewers *
Blindspot (NBC) – 3.2 million viewers
The Gifted and Lucifer * (both FOX) – 3.1 million viewers
Timeless * and Taken * (both NBC) and For the People (ABC) – 2.6 million viewers
Ransom (CBS) – 2.5 million viewers
Ten Days in the Valley (ABC) – 2.4 million viewers *
Kevin (Probably) Saves the World (ABC) * and Gotham (FOX) – 2.3 million viewers
Once Upon a Time (ABC) – 2.2 million viewers *
The Flash (The CW) – 2.1 million viewers
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC) – 2 million viewers
Supergirl (The CW) – 1.8 million viewers
Supernatural and Black Lightning (The CW) – 1.7 million viewers
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow (The CW) – 1.4 million viewers
Riverdale and Arrow (both on The CW) – 1.2 million viewers
Valor (The CW) – 973,000 viewers *
iZombie (The CW) – 805,000 viewers
Dynasty (The CW) – 722,000 viewers
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (The CW) – 660,000 viewers
Jane the Virgin (The CW) – 653,000 viewers
Life Sentence (The CW) – 606,000 viewers *

* denotes all those shows that have since been cancelled or came to a planned ending

The second list covers all of the cable network dramas from that same time period – January through the early part of July:

The Walking Dead (AMC) – 7 million viewers
Fear the Walking Dead (AMC) – 2.7 million viewers
Major Crimes (TNT) – 2.3 million viewers *
The Haves and the Have Nots (OWN) and When Calls the Heart (Hallmark Channel) – 2.2 million viewers
Vikings (History Channel) – 2.1 million viewers
Good Witch (Hallmark Channel) – 2 million viewers
The Alienist (TNT) – 1.8 million viewers
Westworld (HBO) – 1.6 million viewers
If Loving You Is Wrong (OWN) – 1.5 million viewers ^
The Librarians (TNT) – 1.3 million viewers *
American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace (FX) and Homeland (Showtime) – 1.2 million viewers
Knightfall (History Channel); Suits (USA Network) and Into the Badlands (AMC) – 1.1 million viewers
The Terror (AMC) – 892,000 viewers
Billions (Showtime) – 875,000 viewers
Waco (Paramount Network) – 839,000 viewers *
Krypton (Syfy) – 787,000 viewers
Nashville (CMT) – 759,000 viewers
The Chi (Showtime) – 705,000 viewers
The Magicians (Syfy) – 696,000 viewers
The Americans (FX) – 662,000 viewers *
Siren (Freeform) – 661,000 viewers
The Expanse (Syfy) – 607,000 viewers *
Damnation (USA Network) – 592,000 viewers *
Trust (FX) – 587,000 viewers ^
Happy (Syfy) – 575,000 viewers
The Fosters (Freeform) – 555,000 viewers
The Quad (BET) – 493,000 viewers *
Killing Eve (BBC America) – 491,000 viewers
Van Helsing (Syfy) – 477,000 viewers
In Contempt (BET) – 470,000 viewers ^
Legion (FX) – 431,000 viewers
Imposters (Bravo) – 425,000 viewers *
The Arrangement (E!) – 420,000 viewers *
The Royals (E!) – 401,000 viewers *
Shadowhunters (Freeform) – 398,000 viewers
Here and Now (HBO) – 378,000 viewers *
Counterpart (Starz) – 368,000 viewers
Genius: Picasso (FX) – 363,000 viewers
Falling Water (USA Network) – 349,000 viewers *
Ghost Wars (Syfy) – 338,000 viewers *
Channel Zero: Butcher’s Block (Syfy) – 308,000 viewers
Mary Kills People (Lifetime) – 299,000 viewers ^
McMafia (AMC) – 295,000 viewers
UnReal (Lifetime) – 270,000 viewers
Famous in Love (Freeform) – 254,000 viewers *
Beyond (Freeform) – 229,000 viewers *
Patrick Melrose (Showtime) – 220,000 viewers ^
Bellevue (WGN America) – [approximately] 201,000 viewers ^
Hap & Leonard: The Two-Bear Mambo (Sundance TV) – 200,000 viewers *
Mosaic (HBO) – 197,000 viewers ^
Sweetbitter (Starz) – 164,000 viewers
Vida (Starz) – 130,000 viewers
Strike Back (Cinemax) – 120,000 viewers
Rellik (Cinemax) – 97,000 viewers ^

* denotes all those shows that have since been cancelled or came to a planned ending
^ denotes those shows that have yet to be renewed

NOTE: The ratings for the following shows could not be tracked down: Call the Midwife (PBS); Ice (DirecTV); Private Eyes (ION), Shoot the Messenger (WGN America); Unforgotten (PBS); and Victoria (PBS).

The third list covers the dramas that aired on the major networks over the summer from about the middle of March through about mid-September:

Instinct (CBS) – 6.8 million viewers
Code Black (CBS) – 5.6 million viewers *
Elementary (CBS) – 3.8 million viewers
Take Two (ABC) * and Shades of Blue (NBC) * – 3.2 million viewers
Quantico (ABC) * and Salvation (CBS) * – 2.7 million viewers
Reverie (NBC) – 2.2 million viewers *
The 100 (The CW) – 978,000 viewers
The Originals (The CW) – 837,000 viewers *
Burden of Truth (The CW) – 774,000 viewers
The Outpost (The CW) – 663,000 viewers

* denotes all those shows that have since been cancelled or came to a planned ending

The fourth list covers all of the dramas that aired on the cable networks over the summer from about the end of May through the first couple weeks of October:

Yellowstone (Paramount Network) – 2.2 million viewers
Fear the Walking Dead (AMC) – 1.9 million viewers
The Haves and the Have Nots (OWN) – 1.8 million viewers
Better Call Saul (AMC) – 1.5 million viewers
Power (Starz) – 1.4 million viewers
Animal Kingdom (TNT) – 1.3 million viewers
Sharp Objects (HBO) * and Suits (USA Network) – 1.2 million viewers
Queen Sugar (OWN) and The Sinner (USA Network) – 1.1 million viewers
Queen of the South (USA Network) – 1 million viewers
Love Is (OWN) – 903,000 viewers
Preacher (AMC) – 852,000 viewers
Six (History Channel) – 755,000 viewers *
Shooter (USA Network) – 731,000 viewers *
Nashville (CMT) – 724,000 viewers *
Younger (TV Land) – 670,000 viewers
Colony (USA Network) – 665,000 viewers *
The Fosters (Freeform) – 625,000 viewers *
Pose (FX) – 645,000 viewers
Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger (Freeform) – 608,000 viewers
Succession (HBO) – 603,000 viewers
The Affair (Showtime) – 519,000 viewers
Wynonna Earp (Syfy) – 476,000 viewers
Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce (Bravo) – 454,000 viewers *
Killjoys (Syfy) – 427,000 viewers
Lodge 49 (AMC) – 413,000 viewers
Hit the Floor (BET) – 383,000 viewers ^
Dietland (AMC) – 366,000 viewers *
American Woman (Paramount Network) – 364,000 viewers *
Humans (AMC) – 352,000 viewers
The Bold Type (Freeform) – 310,000 viewers
12 Monkeys (Syfy) – 290,000 viewers *
Howard’s End (Starz) – 244,000 viewers *
CB Strike (Cinemax) – 137,000 viewers ^
Outcast (Cinemax) – 106,000 viewers *

* denotes all those shows that have since been cancelled or came to a planned ending
^ denotes those shows that have yet to be renewed

NOTE: Ratings for the following show could not be tracked down: 100 Code (WGN America); Condor (DirecTV); Deep State (EPIX); Endeavour (PBS); Mr. Mercedes (DirecTV); Private Eyes (ION); The Tunnel: Vengeance (PBS); and X Company (Ovation).

The fifth list covers the cable network dramas that aired from approximately August to mid-December:

The Walking Dead (AMC) – 5.2 million viewers
American Horror Story Apocalypse (FX) – 2 million viewers
The Haves and the Have Nots (OWN) – 1.8 million viewers ^
Vikings (History Channel) – 1.8 million viewers ^
Chesapeake Shores (Hallmark Channel) and Mayans, M.C. (FX) – 1.6 million viewers
Greenleaf (OWN) – 1.3 million viewers
Dirty John (Bravo) – 1.2 million viewers ^
The Last Ship (TNT) – 1.2 million viewers *
The Purge (USA Network) – 1.1 million viewers
Ray Donovan (Showtime) – 1 million viewers ^
Outlander (Starz) – 970,000 viewers ^
Doctor Who (BBC America) – 873,000 viewers
You (Lifetime) – 611,000 viewers
Escape at Dannemora (Showtime) – 539,000 viewers ^
Z Nation (Syfy) – 446,000 viewers ^ *
Nightflyers (Syfy) – 395,000 viewers
Van Helsing (Syfy) – 392,000 viewers ^
The Little Drummer Girl (AMC) – 308,000 viewers
Channel Zero: The Dream Door (Syfy) – 265,000 viewers **
Carter (WGN America) – [approximately] 242,000 viewers **
Counterpart (Starz) – 210,000 viewers ^
Heathers (Paramount Network) – [approximately] 98,000 viewers **

* denotes all those shows that have since been cancelled or came to a planned ending
^ denotes all the shows missing at least one episode aired during the last week of December
** denotes the shows that have yet to be renewed

NOTE: Ratings for the following shows could not be tracked down: Berlin Station (EPIX); Clique (POP); Durrells in Corfu (PBS); Mr. Mercedes (DirecTV); Poldark (PBS); The Miniaturist (PBS); The Woman in White (PBS); Versailles (Ovation) and X Company (Ovation).

The sixth and final list covers all of the major network dramas that aired during the first half of the 2018-2019 TV season, covering September to approximately mid-December:

NCIS (CBS) – 12 million viewers
FBI (CBS) – 9.3 million viewers
This Is Us (NBC) – 8.9 million viewers
God Friended Me and Blue Bloods (both CBS) – 8.5 million viewers
Chicago Fire (NBC) – 8 million viewers
Chicago Med (NBC) – 7.9 million viewers
NCIS: New Orleans (CBS) – 7.8 million viewers
Hawaii Five-0 (CBS) – 7.5 million viewers
NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS) and The Good Doctor (ABC) – 7.4 million viewers
Manifest (NBC) – 7.3 million viewers
Chicago P.D. (NBC) – 6.9 million viewers
New Amsterdam (NBC) – 6.8 million viewers
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) – 6.7 million viewers
Bull (CBS) – 6.5 million viewers
9-1-1 (FOX) – 6.4 million viewers
MacGyver and Madam Secretary (both CBS) – 6.2 million viewers
Magnum P.I. (CBS) – 5.9 million viewers
SEAL Team (CBS) – 5.6 million viewers
S.W.A.T. (CBS) and Station 19 (ABC) – 5.2 million viewers
Empire (FOX) – 5.1 million viewers
The Resident (FOX) – 4.8 million viewers
Criminal Minds (CBS) – 4.7 million viewers
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC) and The Rookie (ABC) – 4.4 million viewers
Star (FOX) – 3.9 million viewers
A Million Little Things (ABC) – 3.6 million viewers
How to Get Away with Murder (ABC) – 3.1 million viewers
Lethal Weapon (FOX) – 3 million viewers
Blindspot (NBC) – 2.6 million viewers
The Gifted (FOX) – 2.2 million viewers
Midnight, Texas (NBC) – 2.1 million viewers ^ *
The Flash (The CW) – 1.8 million viewers
Supernatural (The CW) – 1.5 million viewers
Supergirl and Arrow (both The CW) – 1.4 million viewers
Riverdale (The CW) – 1.3 million viewers
Charmed; Black Lightning and Legacies (all The CW) – 1.1 million viewers
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow (The CW) – 1 million viewers
All American (The CW) – 715,000 viewers
Dynasty (The CW) – 649,000 viewers
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (The CW) – 437,000 viewers

NOTE: The Orville will return for the start of its second season on FOX on December 30.

^ denotes the shows missing at least one episode aired during the last week of December
* denotes all those shows that have since been cancelled or came to a planned ending

The final analyses of all these ratings for both the major and cable networks for the entire year are as follows:

1. As has been the case for many years now, NCIS is still the reigning champ on TV. Of course, CBS is still the top network overall with more dramas in the top 10 than any other network. The top new drama for CBS is FBI while Elementary and Criminal Minds are the lowest rated shows for the network throughout this year.

2. The Good Doctor returns as the top drama on ABC for the whole year. The lowest rated dramas for the network are Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and How to Get Away with Murder.

3. The FOX drama 9-1-1 has taken over the top ranking from previous champ Empire while Gotham and The Gifted are the network’s lowest rated shows.

4. This Is Us is still the ratings earning for NBC with Chicago Fire and Chicago Med vying for second place. Unfortunately, for a second year Blindspot is the lowest ranked show on NBC.

5. Supergirl and The Flash are close competitors for the top dramas on The CW with Jane the Virgin and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend taking turns as the lowest ranked dramas.

6. As for the cable networks, The Walking Dead still holds the top spot while Yellowstone on the Paramount Network was the top summer cable drama. On the other end, Heathers on the Paramount Network and Rellik on Cinemax were the lowest rated cable dramas overall.

The final list – which is VERY long – covers all of the made-for-TV movies, mini-series, event series and specials that aired during 2018 on both the major and cable networks for which ratings could be tracked down.

Here is the LONG list:

Jesus Christ Superstar (NBC) – 9.3 million viewers

Christmas at Graceland (Hallmark Channel) – 4.7 million viewers
A Shoe Addict’s Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 4.2 million viewers
It’s Christmas, Eve (Hallmark Channel) – 4.2 million viewers
Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa (Hallmark Channel) – 4 million viewers

Mingle All the Way (Hallmark Channel) – 3.9 million viewers
Pride, Prejudice and Mistletoe (Hallmark Channel) – 3.9 million viewers
Homegrown Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 3.8 million viewers
Christmas in Love (Hallmark Channel) – 3.7 million viewers
When Calls the Heart: The Greatest Christmas Blessing (Hallmark Channel) – 3.7 million viewers
Christmas at Pemberley Manor (Hallmark Channel) – 3.6 million viewers
Christmas Everlasting (Hallmark Channel) – 3.5 million viewers
Christmas Made to Order (Hallmark Channel) – 3.5 million viewers
Christmas Joy (Hallmark Channel) – 3.4 million viewers
Welcome to Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 3.4 million viewers
Christmas at the Palace (Hallmark Channel) – 3.3 million viewers
Jingle Around the Clock (Hallmark Channel) – 3.3 million viewers
Timeless (NBC) [2-Hour Movie/Series Finale] – 3.3 million viewers
My Sweetest Valentine (Hallmark Channel) – 3.1 million viewers
One Winter Weekend (Hallmark Channel) – 3 million viewers
Reunited at Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 3 million viewers

Royal Matchmaker (Hallmark Channel) – 2.9 million viewers
Love on the Slopes (Hallmark Channel) – 2.8 million viewers
The Beach House (Hallmark Channel) – 2.8 million viewers
A Gingerbread Romance (Hallmark Channel) – 2.7 million viewers
All of My Heart: The Wedding (Hallmark Channel) – 2.7 million viewers
Entertaining Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 2.7 million viewers
Marrying Mr. Darcy (Hallmark Channel) – 2.7 million viewers
Road to Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 2.7 million viewers
Truly, Madly, Sweetly (Hallmark Channel) – 2.7 million viewers
A Majestic Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 2.6 million viewers
Frozen in Love (Hallmark Channel) – 2.6 million viewers
Love, Of Course (Hallmark Channel) – 2.6 million viewers
Love on Safari (Hallmark Channel) – 2.6 million viewers
Once Upon a Prince (Hallmark Channel) – 2.6 million viewers
Royal Hearts (Hallmark Channel) – 2.6 million viewers
Winter’s Dream (Hallmark Channel) – 2.6 million viewers
Good Witch: Tale of Two Hearts (Hallmark Channel) – 2.4 million viewers
Season for Love (Hallmark Channel) – 2.4 million viewers
Under the Autumn Moon (Hallmark Channel) – 2.4 million viewers
Very, Very Valentine (Hallmark Channel) – 2.4 million viewers
A Summer to Remember (Hallmark Channel) – 2.3 million viewers
Harry & Meghan: A Royal Romance (Lifetime) – 2.2 million viewers
Love, Once & Always (Hallmark Channel) – 2.2 million viewers
Love at Sea (Hallmark Channel) – 2.2 million viewers
Love In Design (Hallmark Channel) – 2.2 million viewers
The Sweetest Heart (Hallmark Channel) – 2.2 million viewers
Faith Under Fire: The Antoinette Tuff Story (Lifetime) – 2.1 million viewers
Falling For You (Hallmark Channel) – 2.1 million viewers
Home By Spring (Hallmark Channel) – 2.1 million viewers
Love at First Dance (Hallmark Channel) – 2.1 million viewers
Northern Lights of Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 2.1 million viewers
Once Upon a Christmas Miracle (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 2.1 million viewers
Pearl of Paradise (Hallmark Channel) – 2.1 million viewers
The Perfect Bride: Wedding Bells (Hallmark Channel) – 2.1 million viewers
Wedding March 3: Here Comes the Bride (Hallmark Channel) – 2.1 million viewers
Wedding March 4: Something Old, Something New (Hallmark Channel) – 2 million viewers
Wedding of Dreams (Hallmark Channel) – 2 million viewers
Royally Ever After (Hallmark Channel) – 2 million viewers

A Godwink Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.9 million viewers
Christmas at Honeysuckle Lane (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) 1.9 million viewers
A Veteran’s Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.8 million viewers
Cocaine Godmother: The Griselda Blanco Story (Lifetime) – 1.8 million viewers
Cooking with Love (Hallmark Channel) – 1.8 million viewers
The Simone Biles Story (Lifetime) – 1.8 million viewers

Time for Me to Come Home for Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.8 million viewers
Yes, I Do (Hallmark Channel) – 1.8 million viewers
Christmas at Grand Valley (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.7 million viewers
Christmas Bells Are Ringing (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.7 million viewers
Freaky Friday (Disney) – 1.6 million viewers
Garage Sale Mystery: Murder in D Minor (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.6 million viewers
A Christmas For the Books (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.5 million viewers
An Aurora Teagarden Mystery: The Disappearing Game (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.5 million viewers
Garage Sale Mystery: Pandora’s Box (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.5 million viewers
Garage Sale Mystery: Picture a Murder (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.5 million viewers
Garage Sale Mystery: The Mask Murder (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.5 million viewers
Hailey Dean Mystery: A Will to Kill (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.5 million viewers
Return to Christmas Creek (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.5 million viewers
Reap What You Sew: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.5 million viewers
Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Altar (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.5 million viewers
Christmas Wonderland (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.5 million viewers
Marrying Father Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.4 million viewers
Small Town Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.4 million viewers
A Christmas in Tennessee (Lifetime) – 1.3 million viewers
A Twist of Christmas (Lifetime) – 1.3 million viewers
An Aurora Teagarden Mystery: Last Scene Alive (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.3 million viewers
Hailey Dean Mystery: 2+2=Murder (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.3 million viewers
Hope at Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.3 million viewers
Life-Size 2 (Freeform) – 1.3 million viewers
The Morning Show Murders: Mortal Mishaps (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.3 million viewers
Christmas Around the Corner (Lifetime) – 1.2 million viewers
Every Day Is Christmas (Lifetime) – 1.2 million viewers
Hailey Dean Mystery: Marriage Made for Murder (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.2 million viewers
Memories of Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.2 million viewers
Past Malice: An Emma Fielding Mystery (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.2 million viewers
Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Road Less Traveled (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.2 million viewers
A Very Nutty Christmas (Lifetime) – 1.1 million viewers
Christmas Pen Pals (Lifetime) – 1.1 million viewers
Deadly Deed: Fixer Upper Mystery (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.1 million viewers
Fahrenheit 451 (HBO) – 1.1 million viewers
Last Vermont Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 1.1 million viewers
Santa’s Boots (Lifetime) – 1.1 million viewers
Hometown Christmas (Lifetime) – 1 million viewers
Poinsettias for Christmas (Lifetime) – 1 million viewers
The Christmas Pact (Lifetime) – 1 million viewers
The Morning Show Mysteries: Murder on the Menu (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1 million viewers

My Christmas Inn (Lifetime) – 990,000 viewers
Christmas Lost and Found (Lifetime) – 989,000 viewers
A Christmas Arrangement (Lifetime) – 967,000 viewers
Christmas Harmony (Lifetime) – 939,000 viewers
Tale of Two Careys (Lifetime) – 885,000 viewers
Jingle Belle (Lifetime) – 823,000 viewers
The Christmas Contract (Lifetime) – 814,000 viewers
Darrow & Darrow: Body of Evidence (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 775,000 viewers
Every Other Holiday (Lifetime) – 715,000 viewers
Christmas Perfection (Lifetime) – 677,000 viewers
No Sleep Til Christmas (Freeform) – 602,000 viewers
My Dinner with Herve (HBO) – 597,000 viewers
The Truth About Christmas (Freeform) – 562,000 viewers
Behind the Movement (TV One) – 352,000 viewers
Christmas with a Prince (UP TV) – 327,000 viewers
Icebox (HBO) – 236,000 viewers
Down for Whatever (TV One) – 180,000 viewers
Dinner for Two (TV One) – 136,000 viewers

Ratings for the following made-for-TV movies could not be tracked down or weren’t available in time for this post:

A Midnight Kiss (Hallmark Channel)
A Christmas in Royal Fashion (ION)
A Snow White Christmas (ION)
A Wedding for Christmas (ION)
Anne of Green Gables: Fire & Dew (PBS)
Call the Midwife Holiday Special (PBS)
Chandler Christmas Getaway (UP TV)
Child in Time (PBS)
Christmas Catch (UP TV)
Christmas Cupid’s Arrow (ION)
Christmas on Holly Lane (UP TV)
Christmas on the Coast (UP TV)
Country Christmas Album (ION)
Darrow & Darrow: In the Key of Murder (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)
Hometown Holiday (UP TV)
Little Women (PBS)
Man in an Orange Shirt (PBS)
Rent-An-Elf (ION)
Runaway Romance (UP TV)
The Christmas Switch (UP TV)

What shows, made-for-TV movies, mini-series and/or specials have you enjoyed the most throughout the year? Please share.

TOMORROW: Faces of 2018

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