CBS Entertainment President Has Future Plans For The Big Bang Theory

[Superbowl]

At the TCA (Television Critics Association) Winter tour CBS Entertainment President, Nina Tassler, was asked about the success of The Big Bang Theory this season. Here is an account of her answer :

And so one of the questions reporters asked CBS' President Nina Tassler at the TCA conference in Los Angeles this morning: why do you think Big Bang Theory has taken off this season? Is it a matter of scheduling, or has the show just gotten -- to borrow a phrase from HIMYM's Barney -- awesome?Tassler's theory: it's all in the writing, yes, but particularly in the supporting characters. "One of the things great showrunners do," she said, "is ensure that they fully dimensionalize the supporting characters. And so there have been episodes with Koothrappali and Wolowitz this season that have been truly hysterical." By opening up a show's story potential by enriching the lives of not just the leads but of all of its characters, a writer/showrunner like Chuck Lorre is constructing a template for a comedy whose comedy will hold up even "into its later seasons."

The most important words are her last words that are quoted, "into its later seasons". That tells you the plans CBS has for their newest hit sitcom. This show could have a long, long run on CBS.

[ryan423]

Yeah, there's no doubt we're safe for next year. I just wish we knew how many episodes we can expect this year...22 or 24. I'd figure like Chuck Lorre's other hit "Men", we'd get 24 as do they.

[JulieSomoski]

At the rate this show's going, I think it's safe for the next few seasons, if not more.

[Superbowl]

At the rate this show's going, I think it's safe for the next few seasons, if not more.

Yup, with her saying in "into its later seasons" she is certainly implying that she thinks the show will have a long run.

[Superbowl]

Yeah, there's no doubt we're safe for next year. I just wish we knew how many episodes we can expect this year...22 or 24. I'd figure like Chuck Lorre's other hit "Men", we'd get 24 as do they.

Pavan stated a while back that BBT has a 24 episode order.

[robyrob]

i'm likin it.

[R.jsheedy]

At the rate this show's going, I think it's safe for the next few seasons, if not more.

I'm seeing this show on at least til at least 2012.

[tv star collector]

Currently, it is my favorite sitcom.

[JulieSomoski]

BBT is easily my favorite sitcom on the air. It's got originality to it, and with good writing, which makes it so good. It's becoming a very strong part of CBS's lineup, and helps to jumpstart Monday nights for CBS. Because of CBS, people are once again making sitcoms must-see TV.

[Superbowl]

BBT is easily my favorite sitcom on the air. It's got originality to it, and with good writing, which makes it so good. It's becoming a very strong part of CBS's lineup, and helps to jumpstart Monday nights for CBS. Because of CBS, people are once again making sitcoms must-see TV.

Well, I hope it is "must see TV", but we will find out how "must see TV" it is for people starting Monday when they have to choose between BBT and House. :rolleyes:

[JulieSomoski]

Well, I hope it is "must see TV", but we will find out how "must see TV" it is for people starting Monday when they have to choose between BBT and House. :rolleyes:

Yeah. But positively, while BBT is getting more live viewers every week, House is getting less live viewers but more DVR hits. Personally, I think BBT will hold its own very well.

[Superbowl]

Yeah. But positively, while BBT is getting more live viewers every week, House is getting less live viewers but more DVR hits. Personally, I think BBT will hold its own very well.

I hope you're right. I am a little nervous about this one. House is a show that is very young skewing, and could have a lot of the same viewers BBT has right now. I would hate for those viewers to have to choose between the two.

[robyrob]

I hope you're right. I am a little nervous about this one. House is a show that is very young skewing, and could have a lot of the same viewers BBT has right now. I would hate for those viewers to have to choose between the two.
House is so heavily syndicated it is impossible to miss an episode for very long - I will probably DVR it, but if I miss an episode I know that it isn't a big deal.

[Will and Grace Fanatic]

that sounds great for the show, i do hope it last for at least 6 seasons. I have not been into a sitcom since Will and Grace. And this show just cracks me up

[JulieSomoski]

House is so heavily syndicated it is impossible to miss an episode for very long - I will probably DVR it, but if I miss an episode I know that it isn't a big deal.

That's a good point. Let's hope BBT can maintain its ratings growth this Monday!

[ryan423]

House repeats new episodes a week and a half aftwer they air, Friday nights at 11:00 on USA. This means episode 5.12 "Painless" which is set to air tomorrow, will air January 30th at 11 on USA. Thats where I plan to watch House so I don't miss BBT and HIMYM.

[JulieSomoski]

House repeats new episodes a week and a half aftwer they air, Friday nights at 11:00 on USA. This means episode 5.12 "Painless" which is set to air tomorrow, will air January 30th at 11 on USA. Thats where I plan to watch House so I don't miss BBT and HIMYM.

Where Big Bang Theory has nowhere to repeat - you can only watch it when it airs on TV. I think things are looking up for CBS tonight - can't wait to see how the ratings make out.

[Superbowl]

I saw The Big Bang Theory got 11.03 million viewers, and a 4.0 18-49 demo rating in its first episode up against Fox's House. Really good showing against tough competition. The show held up remarkably well. :)

[JulieSomoski]

I saw The Big Bang Theory got 11.03 million viewers, and a 4.0 18-49 demo rating in its first episode up against Fox's House. Really good showing against tough competition. The show held up remarkably well. :)

It also got more viewers than How I Met Your Mother. I think with Monday's airing, this show is officially a bonafide hit. Since December, when we saw a pretty good spike in the ratings, it was up against no competition. But with House getting 14 million in the slot, BBT held up very well, only shedding a few hundred thousand viewers from the week before.

[Superbowl]

It also got more viewers than How I Met Your Mother. I think with Monday's airing, this show is officially a bonafide hit. Since December, when we saw a pretty good spike in the ratings, it was up against no competition. But with House getting 14 million in the slot, BBT held up very well, only shedding a few hundred thousand viewers from the week before.

Yes, it got 340,000 more viewers than How I Met Your Mother. It was a very, very fine showing considering this was the toughest competition it ever faced. It actually was its third highest rating ever for the series. Simply amazing.

[Pavan]

I think Dancing with the Stars is more competition than House for Big Bang. I knew big Bang wouldn't be affected much, but didn't think it could get 11 million still.

[Superbowl]

I think Dancing with the Stars is more competition than House for Big Bang. I knew big Bang wouldn't be affected much, but didn't think it could get 11 million still.

I totally disagree. Dancing With The Stars is an older skewing women's show. House is a young skewing show. It has plenty of the same viewers that BBT has. House is by far and away the most competition for BBT. In fact, Chuck actually competes for more of the BBT viewers than DWTS.

Anyway, by the time DWTS comes back in March it will be daylight savings time, and BBT's ratings will be sinking anyway.

[Pavan]

You may think that, but why is that Big Bang exploded after Dancing ended? Looking at the older demos, Big Bang has gone up in those since December. Some of the older audience of Dancing have migrated to Big Bang it seems.

[Superbowl]

I actually think Chuck leaving the time slot has as much to do with it than DWTS. Chuck's audience may be smaller, but it has the same geek crowd that BBT has. It also is that the show has simply grown by word of mouth. I run into loads of people that are now watching because they were recommended to the show by other viewers recently.

BBT's ratings have actually only gone up about 1 million since DWTS left. The reason I do not think they are only DWTS viewers is because the 18-49 demo has shot up, too. If they were older viewers it would have stayed the same. I would be lying if I did not say I thought DWTS has some effect on BBT, but I do think House and maybe even Chuck have more of an effect.

[JulieSomoski]

You may think that, but why is that Big Bang exploded after Dancing ended? Looking at the older demos, Big Bang has gone up in those since December. Some of the older audience of Dancing have migrated to Big Bang it seems.

I have to disagree - while BBT's audience did increase significantly, its demo numbers, along with HIMYM, have as well.

But, I also think viewers sampled the show out, and are now sticking with it. Even in March, when DWTS comes back and daylight savings time hits the 8pm shows, BBT should still be able to stay at 10 million at this point. It's proven to be a strong show.

[Superbowl]

I have to disagree - while BBT's audience did increase significantly, its demo numbers, along with HIMYM, have as well.

But, I also think viewers sampled the show out, and are now sticking with it. Even in March, when DWTS comes back and daylight savings time hits the 8pm shows, BBT should still be able to stay at 10 million at this point. It's proven to be a strong show.

I completely agree. If it was getting mostly older DWTS viewers than the viewers would go up, and the demo would stay the same. The demo has risen with the total viewers. That means it is getting many new, younger viewers. I think the DWTS viewers are now watching The Bachelor.

It is amazing how this show's popularity has increased. If you go to TV forums, bloggers and spots like Twitter BBT is now talked about constantly. Lots of people say how they recently started watching because others have recommended the show to them. This show has a building fan base. It has proven much stronger than any of us thought.

[JulieSomoski]

I completely agree. If it was getting mostly older DWTS viewers than the viewers would go up, and the demo would stay the same. The demo has risen with the total viewers. That means it is getting many new, younger viewers. I think the DWTS viewers are now watching The Bachelor.

It is amazing how this show's popularity has increased. If you go to TV forums, bloggers and spots like Twitter BBT is now talked about constantly. Lots of people say how they recently started watching because others have recommended the show to them. This show has a building fan base. It has proven much stronger than any of us thought.

All season, it's ratings have been a huge improvement from its ratings last season. This show is definitely building a fanbase, and word is spreading about BBT - new people are tuning in every week. it's become a very strong show this season. CBS definitely made the right move by moving it to 8pm - it's perfect for leading off the night, and really, it seems to be getting HIMYM's and Men's ratings up.

[Pavan]

The Bachelor is skewing young. Not sure sure how that is Dancing's viewers? You may think Dancing is "older-female," but it has the broadest audience of any show. It gets 20 million total viewers, while only 40% or so of that is 18-49, it gets a good 6-11, 12-17 number as well (more than Big Bang) and does great for 55+...very broad show. I am just saying Dancing has more of an affect on Big Bang than House. And Chuck also of course, for the reasons you gave.

[Superbowl]

The Bachelor is skewing young. Not sure sure how that is Dancing's viewers? You may think Dancing is "older-female," but it has the broadest audience of any show. It gets 20 million total viewers, while only 40% or so of that is 18-49, it gets a good 6-11, 12-17 number as well (more than Big Bang) and does great for 55+...very broad show. I am just saying Dancing has more of an affect on Big Bang than House. And Chuck also of course, for the reasons you gave.

I think there is a lot of various reasons for BBT's growth the past few months. I don't really think it is simply one show entering or leaving the time slot. I think it is a combination of things. The one thing I do think, however, is this show is showing remarkable strength and popularity among different competition. I thought House was a huge test of this show's strength. It passed with fly colors. For it to hold 11 million viewers was a real show if this shows' popularity.

[JulieSomoski]

Not only that, but the show has been fantastic this season in quality - people want to watch BBT because it's a good show, not because of competition, or what and what isn't airing against it.