So much for those promises of peace. V destroyed the competition last night.
The drama’s long-awaited arrival drew nearly 14 million viewers, making it the second most-watched series premiere of the season (behind NCIS: LA’s 18.7 million).
Although NCIS grabbed the total viewers crown (19.4 million), V easily walked off with the night’s highest adult 18-49 numbers. In fact, V marked ABC’s best 18-49 performance in the time period in three years.
Did you watch? Will you keep watching?
PHOTO CREDIT: Bob D’Amico/ABC
Comments (1-30) of 245 Add your comment
Definitely keep watching. I loved the first ep, and can’t wait to see where it goes.
It was decent, the pacing was HORRENDOUS. I guess they had to keep the A.D.D. mass audience watching (like a shiny object for a fish) but why do they have to try and squeeze 4 episodes into the pilot?? It felt so rushed. at lease they couldve made the premiere 2 hours. There was no time for suspense to build. The son’s character is awful, I hope the blonde alien goes Species on him soon.
ADD does not equal stupidity. I’m a professor and I can prove it.
Having said that, I can personally assure you that this fish was entertained.
The pace of the pilot was necessary to set up the series. I highly doubt subsequent episodes will continue along the same pace. If they did, the entire series could be finished in about ten episodes.
I think they revealed way too much in the pilot episode. I understand they have to capture an audience in just one hour, but I thought they gave away way too much.
They gave away WAY too much especially for just being an hour long. It would have been better if they pushed back the they are among us, they are attacking, and the surprising connection of how close one of them is to our main lead to at least you know next week. To spell it all out in the first hour seams more like a miniseries with just a 4 hour run, not a 22 ep season or 4 year show.
The pacing was insane, much like the ridiculous “let’s cram 8 episodes of story into a 1-hour pilot” pacing of Glee. I REALLY hope it doesn’t become anymore of a trend.
Rather dumb comment, Matthew. And I hope that you have a PhD if you are throwing around the professor word.
Rather bitchy comment, Jill.
The only reason they fit so much in was because, since this is a remake, people knew some of the things to come. Rather than delay the expected, they just got it out of the way.
Also, I thought it was an excellent pilot. Anna creeps me out.
Agreed. This was a good start and I’m looking forward to see where they will go with the story, as they will probably build up to a mini cliff hanger before they go on the break til after the Olympics
Glad to hear others had a problem with the pacing. I thought everything was way too rushed. Really think that they missed a golden opportunity to build a great foundation for the length of the show.
Not too sure how much I like the BSG-like premise that they have infiltrated humanity (ala the Cylons) but visually it’s great. The acting is pretty good as well.
Initially I wasn’t thrilled to see this re-imagining but it wasn’t terrible or a complete copy of the ‘83 series. I’ll give it thru the first run and see where it leaves us.
I’m hooked! Congrats to ABC on another fine addition to their Fall lineup (along with FlashForward and Modern Family).
Will definatly keep watching. What can i say it was amazing
The reason for the pacing is because it is obvious that these aliens are not friendly and not of peace. It would be so boring to watch 2-3 episodes of the people falling in love with characters we KNOW are evil. It’s not like it’s a shock that they are bad and they want to destroy us. Besides, I would venture to say that a lot of people have seen the original (and as one of those people) i’m glad they didn’t drag it out.. It seems like dragging out would be dumbing it down.
Exactly. You nailed it on the head.
I’m so excited by this. I haven’t watched the episode (being in the UK and, you know, what’s the point of rushing if there’s a long wait after a few episodes) but this is so Goddamn awesome.
Hope it keeps steady.
Yes I watched and I’m definitely hooked! I just wish these rating would convince the network not to take a hiatus until March after the first four episodes. I feel like that hiatus could easily lose viewership for the show.
I feel the same way, but unfortunately there’s no choice now. They’ve only filmed four episodes and don’t start production again until January.
They stopped production of the show and it won’t resume until January or so, so I think they won’t have any new episodes to show until they return in March.
Love, the show, but I am worried about losing momentum with a long break…
I agree..the wait is long…the show was good..not great
Show was good – not spectacular – hope they put a time limit on it(number of seasons) so that it is a focussed effort
I thought I read someplace that they are really thinking of making it a 4 year run. I’d like that…
Ended up missing it but VERY excited to catch on Hulu.
I can’t wait to watch it! Will do when I get home from work =)
I thought V would affect wonderful NCIS’s ratings big time but not really! Only from 21 to 19, that’s not much (= Will watch V though, but I’ll download it.
That’s because the 20 million oldsters watching NCIS don’t know how to change the channel on all these fancy new TV sets.
Thanks to DVR I don’t have to choose! I plan to keep watching NCIS and watch V.
crispy, didn’t your mama teach you to respect your elders? Apparently not.
Actually, NCIS still managed to get 4.2 demo – that’s CBS’ best. Please, stop talking like only people dying of old age watch this show. Tell me how many regular network shows can say that they regularly get 4.2+ demo these days?
She tried, kaydevo. But I threatened to put her in a home.
NCIS still won the night that’s all the matters.
To tell you the truth, NCIS draws all ages. I am not old, unless 27 years old is old. I just think V is overhyped and rather watch NCIS.
I love my DVR, because I could watch both. Oh…I’m 25 so I don’t think I fall into the category of “20 million oldsters”!
I don’t care Tuesday night is NCIS night at my place and for as long as the season lasts this year it will continue to be so and I’m not old 22 in fact
K, I’m 18, guess I’m one of the oldsters huh? And – wow you can change the channel on the tv!? I had no idea, I thought CBS was the only channel!
Honestly, I found it kind of dull, with the sci-fi allegory more than a little heavy-handed. Pleased as I am to see Morena Baccarin and Alan Tudyk onscreen again, it’ll have to get better if I am going to be hooked.
I was soooooo happy to see Alan Tudyk’s name in the credits. I let out a little screech, like I was a teenager again. It was good to see Wash and Inara on TV again!
Being the slow person that I am, I didn’t realize it was Inara until I looked it up on line. Long live Firefly
I almost did a happy dance when I saw “Wash” on screen. Even if they aren’t on screen together seeing Morena Baccarin and Alan Tudyk in the same show gave me a bit of a thrill.
I groaned when I saw Alan Tudyk’s name. He’s just not that good of an actor. Morena Baccarin I do like, though…it’ll be interesting to see how her character compares to ‘Diana’s character.
I kind of hated it and could barely get through the full hour. Clearly I’m in the minority here….but the characters were such stereotypes. Rebellious teenage son. The wise religious figure. Slick broadcast journalist. The guy who has “given up his dirty past” and has changed. Tough FBI agent who’s not afraid to “go at it alone.” YAWN.
Who the heck are Wash and Inara??
To be honest I have to watch the show online…because I watch NCIS at 8 every tuesday….but it looks very good
Watched it and will continue to watch!
I haven’t watched it yet but it’s on my dvr and I will be watching it today. I am so excited and am pleased it got such good ratings. I’m really concerned about the no new episodes until next year though. That didn’t work too well with Lost and I don’t think they are doing themselves any favours by adopting the same strategy here.
Watched! Hooked! I am there!
doesn’t this prove that putting something else thats big on the same night doesn’t really affect the ratings of NCIS? I’m wondering if people will stop saying that the only reason it gets ratings is because its the only thing on Tuesday nights. P.S. I’ve never watched an episode of NCIS. Just pointing out a pretty glaring fact now.
I watched and I will continue to watch!
Didn’t NCIS: LA draw larger audience numbers for a series premiere? The 18-49, I would imagine, is the largest for a series premiere but I think that the LA offshoot premiered in the 18 million range.
You’re correct. NCIS:LA drew at least 18 million for the premier. Not that I think it particularly deserved it, but it did draw more than 14 million.
No disagreement with you there. Hate the show.
Didn’t the article already mention that fact. But hey, you know, thanks for bringing it up again on a blog that isn’t even about that show.
I’d watch Elizabeth Mitchell in a remake of King of Queens, playing the dumpy guy lead role…that’s how much I love her. There’s no question I’ll keep watching this.
I’d watch her swim in a pool full of yogurt, but that’s just me.
You’d like that wouldn’t you pervert.
Hey, I’m not the one with the nickname Big Boobs McGee!
I love Elizabeth Mitchell and the only reason I’m watching V is for her. But they haven’t even decided on an airdate for Australia yet so it’ll be a few months until I can watch it
If the network wants to keep it high rated and a staple show after the next episode and ratings hold, they would be STUPID not to keep running it past the 4 episodes immediately,instead of shelving it until spring?
What was that about NCIS only being #1 because it had zero competition? Oh, it was crap? Yeah, that’s what I thought.
Not interested, waiting for The
Prisoner mini-series on AMC.
Waiting for “The Walking Dead” on AMC whenever Frank Darabont gets it off the ground!
AMC did post an interview with the creator of the series last week so that’s a good sign the series is going through. But it won’t be until late 2010 or early 2011 until The Walking Dead starts. 2010 already has Rubicon, Breaking Bad and Mad Men. If they can get Mad Men to end in October like the first season then The Walking Dead could air in October 2010 in time for their Halloween movie marathons.
I’m anxiously waiting on The Prisoner too… but I’ll be shocked to see it get more than a passing mention on EW.com.
Ken Tucker will probably have brief post about his thoughts. Anyway, can’t wait!
I enjoyed the show a lot, and will be coming back for sure. Whether that means a week from now, or stupid four months from now. As long as they don’t lose the topical political commentary… that was half the fun.
I’ll keep watching, but, in my opinion, it’s not as good as the original. Of course, I was a kid when the original came out and I will always have a soft spot in my heart for it.
Yeah…but I thought that the original fell apart quickly. Here’s hoping that the updated version learns from its mistakes because I found it extremely promising.
I hope NBC is taking notes. They could’ve used a series such as “V” instead of wasting viewers/affiliates time with this Jay Leno debacle!
Maybe they’ll do a remake of “Mork and Mindy”!
KC: That’s funny because NBC was the network that the orignal V miniseries and series aired on back in the 80s. And by the way, the SyFy Channel aired both miniseries and the one season TV series on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.
..or ALF!
My cat just read that and hid.
hahahahahhah
Maybe they’ll do the promised miniseries/movie to get an actual ending to Alf. Hey there’s an idea, whichever network owns Alf should just show the old shows and then create a tv movie to end it. Lots of money made, very little spent.
seems like a better a miniseries. liked it though. morris chestnut was bad@ss. Not sure about the hiding among us plotline… already saw that done on battlestar. still, a fun ride!
The original V had the “they are among us” plotline before Battlestar ever came out..and they are staying close to the original right now.
The original V had the aliens already living among us long before Battlestar was made, and the pilot was pretty true to the original.
Unless you know of a novel V was based on that most people don’t, you’ve got your facts wrong. BSG bowed in 1978, V in 1983.
Sorry dohrayme. While your facts are correct, the original BSG didn’t have cylons that looked human. So the “they live among us” concept wasn’t introduced into BSG until the 2000’s. So yes, V was first. (between these two shows. I’m sure some other show or novel had that concept as well)
RJ, I realized that last night and gave myself a good slap to my head. Perhaps next time I goof so badly I’ll claim to be related to the late Emily Latella, R.I.P.!
seemed dull and I am going to have to force myself to give another hour.
The premier episode probably needed to be a 2 hour affair like the series premier of Lost back in the day.
There’s something about him that doesn’t work for this show.
I don’t like him. He strikes me as a wannabe Michael J. Fox, or a human Ken doll. Flat and uninspired. Eh, maybe they’ll kill his character off. They killed off the female version of his character in the original, so I can hope. I did quite like the episode otherwise though.
He has a gigantic forhead. It creeps me out.
I LOVED THIS SHOW!!!!! It fills my BSG void…love Elizabeth Mitchell I would watch her in anything
One of the best pilots in a long time!
Loved it! Will keep watching. Hope people come back next week and don’t draw their conclusions about the show just from the pilot. Most pilots are a little off. Lost was the only pilot I have ever seen that kicked A**. Plus the V previews for upcoming episodes looked amazing and action packed.
It was okay, but that’s maybe because I absolutely loved the original mini-series and it’s sequel. I do like how the journalist is more skeptical, unlike Christine in the original who just played into Diana’s hands. I like how Anna is very media savvy, although a little too savvy for someone from another planet should be. Elizabeth Mitchell is wonderful as always and I loved how Alan Tudyk turned out to be a visitor. Also loved how Morris Chestnut is actually a member of the Fifth Column. What I don’t like is Mitchell’s son. He’s way to glassy eyed and stupid looking. I know he’s supposed to be the type who’d fall into the alien’s clutches, like Brian in the original, but there’s something that tells me he’s supposed to be the Zac Efron of this show- a good looking guy who’ll get the teeny boppers to watch, but not really a good actor.
Agreed Jane! I love the original mini-series. I couldn’t get myslelf to watch the remake last night.
I agree about the actor playing the son. His acting was by far my least favorite part of the show.