Ratings: Golden Globes and '24' return from exile

Two programs derailed by last year's writers strike returned Sunday to considerably smaller ratings than when they were last seen in 2007, yet both the Golden Globes and Fox's "24" managed to draw competitive audiences.

The 66th annual Globes averaged 14.6 million viewers across its three hours on NBC, earning a 4.8 rating among adults 18-49 and an 11 share.

That’s down 26% in the adult demographic compared with two years ago (last year's short Globes press conference is not considered comparable) and marks the lowest-rated Globes since NBC took over the telecast in 1996. A red carpet special served as lead-in (7.7 million, 1.8/5).

The Globes were upstaged in the 9 p.m. hour by a drama series that was shut out from this year's nominations -- ABC's "Desperate Housewives" (13.8 million, 5.2/12), which ranked as the top-rated entertainment program of the night. 

On Fox, "24" (12.5 million viewers, 4.2/9) returned to face the similarly strike-exiled Globes head on. The action-drama came in second place at 8 p.m., but slipped into third when the "Housewives" stepped in. The "24" rating is up 5% from November’s prequel "Redemption" movie, but down a sharp 31% from the program's 2007 series premiere. This is the lowest-rated "24" debut in the adult demo, though not among total viewers.

Though the declines may seem striking, they’re not out of line with how most shows are performing nowadays compared with two years ago. 

Reviews of the Globes: "A safe, notably apolitical show that delivered a three-hour feel-good respite to a depressed nation," writes THR. Best/worst moments from EW. "Was actually good this year," writes Newsday. THR live blogs the Globes from backstage. Complete list of winners.

Reviews of "24:" "God may have rested on the seventh day, but Jack Bauer will receive no such luxury," writes THR. “Now that his show seems back on track, [Bauer is] rolling at top form,” writes USA Today. "The first four hours of '24' are self-conscious and self-referential about the issue of torture," writes Time.

Despite all the fireworks among these heavy hitters, CBS actually won the night because of some high-rated NFL overrun early in the evening. CBS also had "60 Minutes" (15.6 million, 4.0/9), "Cold Case" (12.4 million, 3.0/7) and "The Unit" (10.4 million, 2.7/7). NBC was second with the Globes. ABC placed third and had "Extreme Makeover" (10.3 million, 3.4/8) and "Brothers & Sisters" (9.1 million, 3.4/8) included in its lineup. Fox was close behind in fourth with "24" and repeats.

Comments

[Brooke]

When will the Hollywood elite learn that the "normal" Americans are bored with their self-absorbed attitudes. All movies coming out of Hollywood are junk---no values, no love of country, no hope. Who wants to watch these films? Not the heartland!!!

[Amin Hamdy]

24 is obviously joining the leftist bandwagon with their female president and Jeanine Garofolo.

[JB]

I couldn't believe they put Janeane Garofalo in this show. All I can do is hope they make her the traitor as the season progresses.

[pomoc]

If anything hurt 24 it was the introductory little movie they had it was not good it had a great message but it was not 24 last night was great it was 24.GO GET'M JACK TAKE NO PRISONERS.

[Doug]

Amin... in what way does having a female president make 24 "leftist?" Was McCain leftist for choosing Palin?

[jo]

Doug
Amin... in what way does having a female president make 24 "leftist?" Was McCain leftist for choosing Palin

++++++++++++
lets see, hiring an unfunny "leftist" hollywood elitest? succumbing to "leftist" ideals toward terrorism?

[tom]

Yes, SHAME on 24 for hiring/paying/using Janeane Garofalo. Hope they kill her character off tonight.

[rob]

I disagree with the Female president having anything to do with being leftist. After all, she seems to be a hawk anyway. Jeanene Garafalo is a huge disapointment. She does need to go ASAP.

[Dimi]

Hey Amin, the president that she defeated was a democrat! It was Palmers VP, and assuming that Palmer is democrat like his brother, that would make him a democrat as well! So either some third party candidate prevailed, or more likely, shes actually a republican!

[Heliograph]

Yes, they're caving to the Hollywood Left. Notice no bad Fundamentalist Moslems? It is "we become what we attemtp to fight" nonsense and boring. Yes, folks its the 1,127th rogue CIA operation on TV this year.

Nice and safe. The bad guys have no ethnic lobby and so can't urge a boycott of the network.

[eleanor rigby]

It would be great if Janeane Garofola dies a horrible death on 24.

Hollywood movies are garbage. It's the same thing every year, a gay movie, an anti-religion movie, and a Nazi / holocaust movie. How do these guys get tax breaks to make this garbage.

[dforsmark]

It seems to me that all the worries that Jack was going liberal because he wanted the public to know what had been done to protect them was misplaced. He actually seemed to be saying he trusted people out in Palin Land to appreciate what was necessary even if liberal pols do not.

[Guy Ritchie]

I refused to watch the Golden Globes because Tom Cruise was nominated for his "comedic" performance in Tropic Thunder and basically I think the whole show is a gigantic joke with "celebs" patting themselves on the back. Remember when a celebrity was someone that was celebrated? You're just actors people, drop the bad egos.

[MarkFu]

All the hand wringing on "24" about torture was torture for me. It was kind of funny to see Madame President slap down the Secretary of State for doing some of that hand wringing. But he wasn't the only. How about the sniveling wuss senior FBI agent. Obviously he has the hots for his female subordinate, (and who wouldn't) I think may have been getting aroused as Jack was about to plunge a Bic pen in the bad guy's melon.

But really! Bringing back Tony from the dead and now he turns evil. Sounds like a story line from WWE. From "face" to "heel". Tonight's show is going to make or break it for me. Is it me, or does Jack look tired of it all. His slap down of the Senator was good. Too bad they couldn't have found someone that looked and sounded like Harry Reid.

[MarkFu]

Almost forgot. I had a hard time seeing Janine Garofalo on 24. I had to check my station to make sure I wasn't watching an episode of "Ugly Betty".

[magpie333]

Amen to that Brooke! They obviously don't know where or what the Heartland is!

[D Squared]

Brooke said it all. Hooray for Brooke!!! Hasn't Hollywood got the message yet? We, the American people, DON'T CARE about their hoopla over the anti-American movies they make or who's wearing who or what they're wearing or the stupid TV shows that are passed off as comedies that are forced down our throats. I don't why "they" (Hollywoodites) call shows like "My Name is Earl", "The Office", "30 Rock", "Two and Half Men", and so on comedy, let alone, entertainment. What a fool Rene must of felt like when she saw the Tabloids this morning. Doesn't she have any friends that can honestly tell her what she looks like before she steps onto the "Red Carpet"? Poor Rene.

[jkcinsalem]

My thoughts exactly.

[Robin]

So you watched all these movies and tv shows and don't feel like they reflect your values?

[Kelly Hughes]

Is this post linked to Drudge today or something?

[Bob]

So that is Jeanine Garofolo? Ugly little twit, isn't she? Maybe she'll get her head cut off or be tortured or maybe she'll get run over by a roto-tiller or something else sharp.

Hmm..maybe this could be a whole new direction for 24! Get Barney Frank on for a couple of episodes and ram a pole up his ***.

I'd pay a dollar to see that! hahahahahahahahha!!

[f-a-f]

.... Momentary interruption of the rants saying the appearance of Garofalo is a sign the show is turning left:

It was Joel Surnow's (creator of the show and self-professed "right wing nut job") idea to hire Garofalo. He confirmed it at Jon Cassar's charity auction in October 2007. He said she was hired.............................. wait for it .............. because she was a fine actress.