For ‘Best Time Ever,’ a tougher time
Neil Patrick Harris show slides into earlier timeslot on NBC
October 13, 2015
“Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris” can do well behind a strong lead-in. It proved that during its first three weeks, airing after “America’s Got Talent” and then “The Voice,” two of the top-rated reality programs on broadcast.
But this week “Time’s” assignment gets a lot tougher.
It moves from 10 p.m. Tuesday to 8 p.m., where it will face much strong competition without any big lead-in.
And last week’s rating suggests that may be difficult for the variety show.
In its first three weeks, “Time” averaged a 1.9 adults 18-49 Nielsen rating with the strong lead-in. But last week, when “Voice” was a repeat and so its rating was down sharply from the previous week, “Time” managed just a 1.3.
That suggests the show is very lead-in dependent, even in a 10 p.m. timeslot where it faced minimal competition. CBS’s “Limitless” skews older, and ABC has been airing repeats in the hour.
Now, in its regular 8 p.m. slot, “Ever” will face this fall’s No. 2 new show, ABC’s “The Muppets,” and CBS’s top drama, “NCIS.”
It’s possible Harris’ stumble last week was just a fluke and the show will do well at 8 p.m. But it’s more likely that the variety genre simply isn’t that interesting to viewers. Many other broadcast variety programs have tanked over the past two decades, and while Harris is charming, his show is not yet consistent.
Viewers may not wait around to see if it can become consistent when it lacks that great timeslot.
A look at this week’s top TV draws |
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13 |
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Time |
Network |
Program |
Description |
8 p.m. |
NBC |
“Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris” (T) |
The variety show finally moves to the 8 p.m. timeslot. |
8 p.m. |
BET |
“2015 Hip Hop Awards” (A) |
Snoop Dogg hosts, with performers including T.I., Fetty Wap and DJ Premier. |
9 p.m. |
ESPN |
“30 for 30” (N) |
Season premiere. The documentary series’ third season begins with a look at Pete Carroll’s tenure at USC. |
9 p.m. |
WGN |
“Manhattan” (D) |
Season premiere. Charlie takes on a new role as the atomic bomb race heightens. |
10 p.m. |
NBC |
“Chicago Fire” (D) |
Season premiere. Casey takes on an undercover case that quickly turns dangerous. |
10 p.m. |
Investigation Discovery |
“Killer Confessions” (N) |
Series premiere. New show begins with a murder case revolving around a pastor’s secret. |
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14 |
|||
Time |
Network |
Program |
Description |
8 p.m. |
GSN |
“Steampunk’d” (R) |
Season finale. The finalists compete for the $100,000 prize. |
8 p.m. |
ESPN2 |
“WNBA Basketball” (S) |
The fifth and deciding game of the WNBA Finals between Indiana and Minnesota. |
9 p.m. |
ABC |
“Modern Family” (C) |
Claire has some ideas for work but is afraid to pitch them to her dad. |
9 p.m. |
MTV |
“Teen Mom 2” (R) |
A look at unseen footage from season six. |
9:30 p.m. |
Disney XD |
“Star Wars Rebels” (K) |
Season premiere. Ahsoka sends the crew to recruit a former war hero. |
10 p.m. |
PBS |
“The Brain with Dr. David Eagleman” (N) |
Series premiere. New show looking at the complexities of the human brain, beginning with how it shapes reality. |
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15 |
|||
Time |
Network |
Program |
Description |
8 p.m. |
Fox |
“Bones” (D) |
Brennan and Booth return to their jobs as human remains are found at a fish farm. |
8:25 p.m. |
CBS, NFL Network |
“Thursday Night Football” (S) |
An NFC South matchup between the Saints and the undefeated Falcons. |
9 p.m. |
ABC |
“Scandal” (D) |
Someone from the past shows up to help deal with the media firestorm. |
9 p.m. |
Lifetime |
“Project Runway” (R) |
The designers are tasked with creating looks using 3D printing technology. |
10 p.m. |
Comedy Central |
“Nathan For You” (C) |
Season premiere. Nathan faces off with a corporation while trying to help a small electronics store. |
10 p.m. |
TNT |
“NBA Basketball” (S) |
A preseason game between the Rockets and defending champion Warriors. |
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16 |
|||
Time |
Network |
Program |
Description |
8 p.m. |
Fox |
“Major League Baseball” (S) |
Game one of the American League Championship Series. |
8 p.m. |
Disney Channel |
“Jessie” (C) |
Series finale. Jessie goes to Los Angeles for a role in a movie, and the kids follow. |
8:30 p.m. |
NBC |
“Truth Be Told” (C) |
Series premiere. New sitcom focusing on two couples. |
9 p.m. |
Discovery Channel |
“Gold Rush” (R) |
Season premiere. The reality show’s sixth season starts with a two-hour episode. |
10 p.m. |
Cinemax |
“The Knick” (D) |
Season premiere. Dr. Edwards makes moves in an effort to become chief of surgery. |
10 p.m. |
USA |
“Satisfaction” (D) |
Season premiere. Adriana tries to keep Neil and Grace apart. |
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17 |
|||
Time |
Network |
Program |
Description |
3:30 p.m. |
CBS |
“College Football” (S) |
No. 9 Texas A&M hosts No. 10 Alabama in an SEC matchup. |
3:30 p.m. |
ESPN |
“College Football” (S) |
Big Ten in-state rivalry game between No. 7 Michigan State and No. 12 Michigan. |
4 p.m. |
NBC |
“Premier Boxing Champions” (S) |
Bouts include a 12-rounder between welterweights Lamont Peterson and Felix Diaz. |
7 p.m. |
ESPN |
“College Football” (S) |
Yet another good SEC matchup, this one between No. 6 LSU and No. 8 Florida. |
8 p.m. |
TBS |
“Major League Baseball” (S) |
Game one of the National League Championship Series. |
10 p.m. |
HBO |
“Amy Schumer: Live From the Apollo” (C0 |
The comedian and actress performs a special in New York. |
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18 |
|||
Time |
Network |
Program |
Description |
7 p.m. |
TBS |
“Major League Baseball” (S) |
Game two of the National League Championship Series. |
8 p.m. |
OWN |
“Belief” (R) |
Series premiere. New documentary series focuses on faith and spirituality. |
8:20 p.m. |
NBC |
“Sunday Night Football” (S) |
The Patriots try to keep their undefeated streak alive against the Colts in Indianapolis. |
9 p.m. |
Fox |
“Bob’s Burgers” (C) |
Halloween episode airs in the usual “Family Guy” timeslot. |
9 p.m. |
AMC |
“The Walking Dead” (D) |
Just when things start to seem “normal,” a new issue hits Alexandria. |
10:30 p.m. |
HBO |
“Doll & Em” (C) |
Season finale. The play is threatened by Doll and Em’s late script revisions. |
A = awards show or special, C = comedy, D = drama, DD = daytime drama, G = game show, K = kids, M = movie, N = news/documentary, R = reality, S = sports, T = talk/variety show. |
Tags: best time ever with neil patrick harris, neil patrick harris, new shows, tuesday tv this week, tv this week, variety shows
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