"It was only when the smoke cleared I realized just how lucky I am, because even after all that, I still have a family that loves me. That's why they're not here tonight," he continued. "They've seen me in jail. They've seen me rushed to emergency rooms. They've seen me dragged into court. But seeing me on basic cable would kill them."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/20 ... z1YUz5WU5l

The debut of CBS’ Two and a Half Men with new star Ashton Kutcher lived up to the hype ratings-wise. The veteran sitcom’s ninth season premiere last night drew 27.7 million viewers and posted a 10.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic, numbers rarely seen for a scripted show these days and all series highs by a large margin. Men dominated the opening night of the 2011-12 season, giving CBS an early lead. But, because of the big curiosity factor associated with the public firing of former Men star Charlie Sheen and his replacement with Kutcher, the show was expected to open very well. The question is where it will settle when the novelty ears off. MORE

This was HUGE last night.



http://www.deadline.com/2011/09/two-and ... 8-million/

This was the only episode I ever watched during its actual time slot (As I'm sure many did, should have no trouble being the highest rated show of the week and possibly season) But I thought it was awful. And the laugh track may have been the most obnoxious I've ever heard it. I will be surprised if this doesn't plummet to under 10 million viewers before the season is out.

8 Simple Rules lasted about a season and a half without John Ritter (Sadly no his choosing though) This is entirely a different show without Sheen, and its honestly not a good one except for a few jokes at Sheen's expense and a couple of sex jokes.

Even Joey managed a about 24 million viewers its first episode, I think it was by 5 by the end of the season. I could see this going to the teens the next two weeks, then to 12, if it drops under 12 by the 5 episode, it might get another season but it'll need to stabilize.

I doubt the roast did that much, The Comedy Central roasts haven't been good since the 90s. The comics involved are pure trash now. Oh how I miss Dean Martin.

Back then 24 million was a disappointment. Today 27 million for a TV show is science fiction basically. It won't drop under 10 million. CBS's Monday block is too strong and CBS's viewers seem like creatures of habit.

'Men's' premiere was the highest-rated, most-watched scripted season premiere since the September 25, 2005 season two premiere of Desperate Housewives (28.36 million).

I thought BKB said this would flop? Oh well.

Charlie Sheen roast sets ratings record
Comments 2
By Ann Oldenburg, USA TODAY Updated 5h 5m ago
Charlie Sheen speaks onstage at Comedy Central's Roast of Charlie Sheen held at Sony Studios on Sept. 10, 2011 in Los Angeles.

While Ashton Kutcher was pulling in record ratings for CBS on his Two and a Half Men debut, Charlie Sheen's roast Monday night was drawing record numbers for Comedy Central.


According to USA TODAY's Gary Levin, 6.4 million viewers tuned in to see Charlie take verbal abuse, which makes him the channel's biggest highest-rated roastee yet, ahead of previous record holder Jeff Foxworthy (6.2 million, also in 2005).

Sheen's snarkfest also drew at least 2 million more viewers than the recent roast of Donald Trump in March and the skewering of David Hasselhoff in August 2010.

Quite a feat.

I had forgotten Desperate Housewives was once that big. Wow.

Two and a Half Men went the other way, down 0.2 points to a 5.0 adults 18-49 rating. Although that was 19% above the comparable Monday night last season.

5.0 is not "measly." That's one of the highest demos on television right now. And the show is still up over the numbers it was doing (yes, with Charlie Sheen) at the same point last season.