Filed under: Industry, Family Guy, Commercials, Reality-Free

The relationship between the viewer and the network is one that requires a delicate balance. As the numbers for DVR penetration continue to climb, it’s pretty clear that a great many of us are successfully dodging more and more commercial breaks. And the networks continue to push back, trying different things to get eyeballs on ads. Some are merely annoying. For instance, as much as I like both Kyra Sedgwick and The Closer, I’m annoyed every time Brenda walks out of the corner of my screen while I’m watching another show on TNT.

While that one is annoying, this latest adventure from TBS crosses a line. During an episode of Family Guy (video after the jump), Bill Engvall walks out on the screen, much like the Brenda spots for The Closer. The difference is that Bill holds up a remote and actually pauses the episode before heading into his pitch for his show. When he finishes, he unpauses the show, which runs for two more seconds before going to the regular commercial break. Please, if it’s not too much trouble, strap on your sturdiest combat boots and join me in sending a theoretical kick to the crotch of anyone at TBS that didn’t think this was the dumbest idea since starting everything at five minutes past the hour.

Continue reading TBS pauses a show for a commercial - VIDEO

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Filed under: Industry, Family Guy, Commercials, Reality-Free

The relationship between the viewer and the network is one that requires a delicate balance. As the numbers for DVR penetration continue to climb, it’s pretty clear that a great many of us are successfully dodging more and more commercial breaks. And the networks continue to push back, trying different things to get eyeballs on ads. Some are merely annoying. For instance, as much as I like both Kyra Sedgwick and The Closer, I’m annoyed each time Brenda walks out of the corner of my screen while I’m watching another show on TNT.

While that one is annoying, this latest adventure from TBS crosses a line. During an episode of Family Guy (video after the jump), Bill Engvall walks out on the screen, much like the Brenda spots for The Closer. The difference is that Bill holds up a remote and actually pauses the episode before heading into his pitch for his show. When he finishes, he unpauses the show, which runs for two more seconds before going to the regular commercial break. Please, if it’s not too much trouble, strap on your sturdiest combat boots and join me in sending a theoretical kick to the crotch of anyone at TBS that didn’t think this was the dumbest idea since starting everything at five minutes past the hour.

Continue reading TBS pauses a show for a commercial - VIDEO

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Filed under: Industry, Programming, Ratings, Reality-Free

Here are the weekly cable ratings, by number of viewers.

The huge news I guess is that this week, in between all of the NBA Playoffs and the usual slots taken up by SpongeBob and wrestling, is that the debut episode of USA’s In Plain Sight hit number 6 in the ratings. With the NBA Finals on ABC, next week’s cable ratings should look a lot different.

1. NBA Playoffs - Lakers/Spurs (TNT)
2. NBA Playoffs - Lakers/Spurs (TNT)
3. NBA Playoffs - Celtics/Pistons (ESPN)
4. NBA Playoffs - Celtics/Pistons (ESPN)
5. NBA Playoffs - Celtics/Pistons (ESPN)
6. In Plain Sight (USA)
7. The Andromeda Strain - Part 2 (A&E)
8. The Andromeda Strain - Part 1 (A&E)
9. SpongeBob SquarePants (Nickelodeon)
10. Monday Night RAW (USA)

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