Ratings Report: The Positive Edition!

New ratings for syndicated game shows from the week ending January 24th are in and it was a good week for nearly everyone.  I’m well aware that my writing isn’t the most upbeat, praise-heavy stuff.  If something’s good, I’ll say it is.  If something sucks or is dumb, I’ll say so.  I prize this place on brutal honesty.  However, and especially more recently since we’ve had more crappy news than good news, it can be a bit cynical.  I also noticed that for things like the ratings report the comments seem to be more doom-and-gloom than anything, with any small tick down in the ratings equaling the end of the show.  So in an effort to try something new, let’s have an All Positive Edition of the ratings report!  It’s not even sarcastic niceness.  It’s genuine positive comments.  We’ll all try to avoid saying anything negative about the shows or any adjustments, and it won’t be hard given the most recent ratings.

At the top, as always, is Wheel of Fortune.  It rose 7% to a 7.5 rating.  It’s a rating most broadcast networks would dream for these days.   In slot two is Jeopardy!, up 2% to 6.4.  I started on this idea a bit ago, but I think it can be brought up again.  I truly think these two shows could be the only shows that never get canceled.  I don’t think people necessarily watch for the hosting.  Both are hosted by true pros and are hard to even think of replacing, but I think people watch it for the game.  It’s almost like a Law and Order episode; if you get started you’re going to get sucked in.  Wheel is especially great in finding small little twists they can throw in each season to keep it fresh without making people run away from change.  It’s due to the brilliant producing by Harry Friedman.  These shows have absolutely no end in sight.

In third place for game shows is my personal favorite, Who Wants to be a Millionaire, which is up 8% to a 2.7 rating.  It’s the same rating the show has been averaging for a very long time, and it’s a pretty good area to be at.  People have accepted the changes by now, and I see no reason not to.  None of the lifelines, except the removal of Phone A Friend, have changed the show that much beyond a few circumstances.  I mean sure I’d love to see more big winners.  However, let’s face it: the bad economy hit essentially every show this season.  The fact that they gave away the million in some form with the Tournament of Ten was good enough for me.  It’s still incredibly enjoyable to watch, it’s still my favorite game out there currently, and apparently people still love watching it.

Fourth place went to Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? which had a 6% boost to a 1.7 rating.  I say a lot of positive things about this show often so I’ll keep it to the basics: they managed to turn this game into a really fun afternoon quizzer.  It was initially a bit scary but it worked out better than I could have ever expected.  Fifth was Family Feud up a nice 7% to 1.5.  Again, it’s another show I say endless positive things about because it deserves it.  It’s sad to see John O’Hurley leave this season, but I’ve got a good feeling about new host Steve Harvey in the 12th season.  It’s amazing the show has lasted longer than any other American version.  In last place is the soon-to-be-departed Deal or No Deal, flat at 1.2.  The one big positive we have about this show is they managed to make it a more engaging game than the primetime version.  The bank offers make you think more, it’s a quick version, and when the big parts for the show come it usually produces some of the most exciting moments on television.