Leave it to the mind of actor
Seth Green to bring together Lex Luthor, Cobra Commander, Mumm-Ra
and Skeletor. In an episode of his new animated series “Robot
Chicken,” the four are carpooling when Skeletor suddenly lets rip
a big belch. “Feel the gaseous stench of Skeletor's breakfast
burrito!” he says.
That may be all you want to know about “Robot
Chicken,” an animated series of random acts of comedy. But it's
certainly to the taste of the older-skewing audience of Adult Swim,
as one of its top series behind “Family Guy” and “Futurama.”
And this after only a few months.
Among 18-34s, "Robot Chicken" has grown from
732,000 for its February premiere to 943,000 for the most recent
episode on June 12, finishing the week at No. 18 in that demo on
cable.
But “Robot Chicken” has also found an audience
among teens. Last week the show attracted 646,000
12-17s, tying for No. 9 in the demo. That's up from 522,000 back in
March, when it tied for No. 17.
That kind of teen response is significant. The show
airs at midnight on Sundays and often references characters from
cartoons of earlier times, well before those of today’s teens. How
many 15-year-olds have ever seen an episode of “The Smurfs,”
much less know who Voltron is?
But “Robot Chicken” compensates with a brand of humor
that while juvenile succeeds in placing pop icons in outrageous and
often hilarious situations. Optimus Prime gets a rectal exam in one
skit while the Olsen twins battle a pimple-faced dragon in
another.
“Robot Chicken” also runs at a frenetic pace, billing
itself as the show designed for the ADD generation. It’s only 15
minutes long and features several short skits with differing themes.
If you don’t get one joke, a second is coming at you shortly. No
skit lasts longer than two minutes.
The name “Robot Chicken?” It a dish in a Chinese
restaurant where Green and co-creator Matthew Senreich used to order
food from. So totally random.
Meanwhile, in other ratings for younger viewers for the
week ended June 12:
Among teens 12-17: Fox led with a 1.9
rating and 7 share, followed by UPN at 1.5/6. ABC was third with a
1.4/6, then the WB at 1.1/4. At fifth was CBS with a 0.9/4 and NBC was
sixth with a 0.7/3
Among people 12-34: Fox led again with a 2.2/8, followed by
ABC at 1.9/7, NBC at 1.4/5, CBS at 1.3/5, UPN at 1.2/4 and the WB at 1.0/4
The top five shows among 9-14s were all on Nickelodeon: “Fairly
OddParents
Movie: School’s Out,” “Drake & Josh” (Friday 3:30 p.m.),
“Jimmy Neutron,” “Drake & Josh” (Saturday 8:30 p.m.) and
“Zoey 101.”
The top five shows among 12-17s were: “Family Guy” (Fox),
“The Simpsons” (Fox, Sunday 8:30 p.m.), “2005 MTV Movie Awards”
(MTV), “American Dad” (Fox),” “The Simpsons” (Fox, Sunday 8
p.m.)
The top five shows among 12-24s were: “Family Guy” (Fox),
“American Dad” (Fox),” “The Simpsons” (Fox, Sunday 8:30
p.m.), “2005 MTV Movie Awards” (MTV), “The Simpsons” (Fox,
Sunday 8 p.m.)
Cable shows in the top 15 among 18-24s were: “2005 MTV
Movie Awards” (MTV), “Real World Road Rules Challenge: Inferno
II” (MTV), NBA Playoffs (TNT), “2005 MTV Movie Awards Post Show”
(MTV), “Real World XVI: Austin: 7 New Stars” (MTV)
|
TOP 30
PROGRAMS - BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
Adults 18-49
Week Ending June 12, 2005 |
|
|
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In
Millions |
|
1 |
DANCING WITH THE STARS |
ABC |
4.8 |
6.25 |
|
2 |
NBA FINALS ON ABC-GM
2(S)-06/12/2005 |
ABC |
4.5 |
5.89 |
|
3 |
NBA FINALS ON ABC-GM
1(S)-06/09/2005 |
ABC |
4.4 |
5.66 |
|
4 |
PRIMETIME LV SP
EDTN-6/7(S)-06/07/2005 |
ABC |
4.2 |
5.47 |
|
5 |
FAMILY GUY |
FOX |
4.1 |
5.36 |
|
6 |
CSI |
CBS |
4.0 |
5.21 |
|
7 |
NBA PLAYOFFS |
TNT |
3.9 |
5.09 |
|
8 |
SIMPSONS-SUN 8:30P |
FOX |
3.8 |
4.98 |
|
9 |
TWO AND A HALF MEN
10PM(S)-06/06/2005 |
CBS |
3.7 |
4.81 |
|
10 |
TWO AND A HALF MEN
1030PM(S)-06/06/2005 |
CBS |
3.7 |
4.78 |
|
11 |
HIT ME BABY ONE MORE
TIME |
NBC |
3.7 |
4.76 |
|
12 |
TWO AND A HALF MEN |
CBS |
3.5 |
4.51 |
|
13 |
HELL'S KITCHEN |
FOX |
3.5 |
4.51 |
|
14 |
TWO AND A HALF MEN
9PM(S)-06/06/2005 |
CBS |
3.4 |
4.46 |
|
15 |
AMERICAN DAD |
FOX |
3.3 |
4.33 |
|
16 |
FIRE ME PLEASE |
CBS |
3.3 |
4.31 |
|
17 |
HOUSE |
FOX |
3.2 |
4.14 |
|
18 |
LAW AND ORDER:SVU |
NBC |
3.2 |
4.10 |
|
19 |
SIMPSONS |
FOX |
3.1 |
4.02 |
|
20 |
FOX NASCAR NEXTEL CUP |
FOX |
3.1 |
3.97 |
|
21 |
CSI: NY |
CBS |
3.0 |
3.86 |
|
22 |
TWO AND A HALF MEN
830PM(S)-06/06/2005 |
CBS |
2.9 |
3.75 |
|
23 |
SATURDAY NIGHT |
NBC |
2.8 |
3.62 |
|
24 |
JOEY 8:30 |
NBC |
2.7 |
3.48 |
|
25 |
LAW AND ORDER:CRIM
INTENT |
NBC |
2.7 |
3.46 |
|
26 |
EVERYBODY LOVES
RAYMND-8P(S)-06/06/2005 |
CBS |
2.6 |
3.42 |
|
27 |
LAW AND ORDER |
NBC |
2.6 |
3.40 |
|
28 |
MEDIUM |
NBC |
2.6 |
3.39 |
|
29 |
LOST |
ABC |
2.6 |
3.35 |
|
30 |
DATELINE FRI |
NBC |
2.6 |
3.32 |
|
Source: MTV Networks,
based on data from Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 30 PROGRAMS
- BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
Adults 18-34
Week Ending June 12, 2005 |
|
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In
Millions |
|
1 |
FAMILY GUY |
FOX |
5.3 |
3.49 |
|
2 |
SIMPSONS-SUN 8:30P |
FOX |
4.3 |
2.82 |
|
3 |
AMERICAN DAD |
FOX |
4.3 |
2.82 |
|
4 |
NBA PLAYOFFS |
TNT |
4.2 |
2.74 |
|
5 |
NBA FINALS ON ABC-GM
1(S)-06/09/2005 |
ABC |
4.2 |
2.74 |
|
6 |
NBA FINALS ON ABC-GM
2(S)-06/12/2005 |
ABC |
4.2 |
2.72 |
|
7 |
DANCING WITH THE STARS |
ABC |
3.7 |
2.44 |
|
8 |
HELL'S KITCHEN |
FOX |
3.4 |
2.24 |
|
9 |
SIMPSONS |
FOX |
3.4 |
2.20 |
|
10 |
2005 MTV MOVIE AWARDS |
MTV |
3.3 |
2.14 |
|
11 |
PRIMETIME LV SP
EDTN-6/7(S)-06/07/2005 |
ABC |
3.1 |
2.03 |
|
12 |
CSI |
CBS |
3.0 |
1.98 |
|
13 |
HIT ME BABY ONE MORE
TIME |
NBC |
3.0 |
1.97 |
|
14 |
HOUSE |
FOX |
3.0 |
1.94 |
|
15 |
RWRR CHALLENGE INFERNO
II |
MTV |
2.9 |
1.90 |
|
16 |
FIRE ME PLEASE |
CBS |
2.9 |
1.90 |
|
17 |
LAW AND ORDER:SVU |
NBC |
2.7 |
1.78 |
|
18 |
TRADING SPOUSES |
FOX |
2.7 |
1.76 |
|
19 |
SATURDAY NIGHT |
NBC |
2.5 |
1.66 |
|
20 |
THAT '70S SHOW |
FOX |
2.3 |
1.53 |
|
21 |
2005 MOVIE AWARD POST SH |
MTV |
2.3 |
1.50 |
|
22 |
FEAR FACTOR |
NBC |
2.3 |
1.48 |
|
23 |
CSI: NY |
CBS |
2.2 |
1.45 |
|
24 |
TWO AND A HALF MEN
10PM(S)-06/06/2005 |
CBS |
2.2 |
1.45 |
|
25 |
JOEY 8:30 |
NBC |
2.2 |
1.45 |
|
26 |
WWE ENTERTAINMENT |
SPIKE |
2.2 |
1.44 |
|
27 |
KING OF THE HILL |
FOX |
2.2 |
1.42 |
|
28 |
TWO AND A HALF MEN
9PM(S)-06/06/2005 |
CBS |
2.2 |
1.42 |
|
29 |
LAS VEGAS |
NBC |
2.2 |
1.40 |
|
30 |
RW XVI AUSTIN 7 NEW
STARS |
MTV |
2.1 |
1.40 |
|
Source: MTV Networks,
based on data from Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 30
PROGRAMS - BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
Adults 18-24
Week Ending June 12, 2005 |
|
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In
Millions |
|
1 |
FAMILY GUY |
FOX |
5.7 |
1.58 |
|
2 |
AMERICAN DAD |
FOX |
4.7 |
1.32 |
|
3 |
SIMPSONS-SUN 8:30P |
FOX |
4.3 |
1.20 |
|
4 |
2005 MTV MOVIE AWARDS |
MTV |
4.3 |
1.20 |
|
5 |
RWRR CHALLENGE INFERNO
II |
MTV |
3.7 |
1.03 |
|
6 |
NBA PLAYOFFS |
TNT |
3.6 |
1.01 |
|
7 |
NBA FINALS ON ABC-GM
1(S)-6/9/ |
ABC |
3.6 |
0.99 |
|
8 |
NBA FINALS ON ABC-GM
2(S) 6/12 |
ABC |
3.4 |
0.96 |
|
9 |
SIMPSONS |
FOX |
3.4 |
0.94 |
|
10 |
2005 MOVIE AWARD POST SH |
MTV |
3.3 |
0.92 |
|
11 |
HELL'S KITCHEN |
FOX |
2.9 |
0.80 |
|
12 |
TRADING SPOUSES |
FOX |
2.8 |
0.77 |
|
13 |
RW XVI AUSTIN 7 NEW
STARS |
MTV |
2.7 |
0.75 |
|
14 |
THAT '70S SHOW |
FOX |
2.6 |
0.74 |
|
15 |
DANCING WITH THE STARS |
ABC |
2.3 |
0.63 |
|
16 |
HOUSE |
FOX |
2.3 |
0.63 |
|
17 |
BEAUTY AND GEEK - WB |
WB |
2.3 |
0.63 |
|
18 |
MEET THE BARKERS |
MTV |
2.2 |
0.62 |
|
19 |
SATURDAY NIGHT |
NBC |
2.2 |
0.62 |
|
20 |
2005 MOVIE AWARDS
PRESHOW |
MTV |
2.2 |
0.61 |
|
21 |
CSI |
CBS |
2.2 |
0.60 |
|
22 |
BRITNEY & KEVIN
CHAOTIC |
MTV |
2.2 |
0.60 |
|
23 |
FAMILY GUY |
ADSM |
2.1 |
0.60 |
|
24 |
FAMILY GUY |
ADSM |
2.1 |
0.59 |
|
25 |
FAMILY GUY |
ADSM |
2.1 |
0.58 |
|
26 |
FAMILY GUY |
ADSM |
2.1 |
0.58 |
|
27 |
KING OF THE HILL |
FOX |
2.1 |
0.57 |
|
28 |
I WANT A FAMOUS FACE |
MTV |
2.0 |
0.55 |
|
29 |
WWE SMACKDOWN! |
UPN |
1.9 |
0.54 |
|
29 |
RWRR CHALLENGE INFERNO
II |
MTV |
1.9 |
0.54 |
|
Source: MTV Networks,
based on data from Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 30 PROGRAMS
- BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
People 12-24
Week Ending June 12, 2005 |
|
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In
Millions |
|
1 |
FAMILY GUY |
FOX |
5.4 |
2.83 |
|
2 |
AMERICAN DAD |
FOX |
4.5 |
2.34 |
|
3 |
SIMPSONS-SUN 8:30P |
FOX |
4.4 |
2.33 |
|
4 |
2005 MTV MOVIE AWARDS |
MTV |
4.3 |
2.25 |
|
5 |
SIMPSONS |
FOX |
3.5 |
1.83 |
|
6 |
NBA PLAYOFFS |
TNT |
3.1 |
1.63 |
|
7 |
NBA FINALS ON ABC-GM
1(S)-06/09/2005 |
ABC |
3.0 |
1.58 |
|
8 |
NBA FINALS ON ABC-GM
2(S)-06/12/2005 |
ABC |
3.0 |
1.57 |
|
9 |
RWRR CHALLENGE INFERNO
II |
MTV |
2.9 |
1.52 |
|
10 |
2005 MOVIE AWARD POST SH |
MTV |
2.9 |
1.50 |
|
11 |
FAMILY GUY |
ADSM |
2.5 |
1.33 |
|
12 |
FAMILY GUY |
ADSM |
2.5 |
1.33 |
|
13 |
RW XVI AUSTIN 7 NEW
STARS |
MTV |
2.5 |
1.29 |
|
14 |
KING OF THE HILL |
FOX |
2.4 |
1.27 |
|
15 |
HELL'S KITCHEN |
FOX |
2.4 |
1.27 |
|
16 |
FAMILY GUY |
ADSM |
2.4 |
1.25 |
|
17 |
THAT '70S SHOW |
FOX |
2.3 |
1.23 |
|
18 |
FAMILY GUY |
ADSM |
2.3 |
1.22 |
|
19 |
WWE SMACKDOWN! |
UPN |
2.3 |
1.20 |
|
20 |
FAMILY GUY |
ADSM |
2.3 |
1.19 |
|
21 |
WWE ENTERTAINMENT |
SPIKE |
2.2 |
1.18 |
|
22 |
DANCING WITH THE STARS |
ABC |
2.2 |
1.17 |
|
23 |
FUTURAMA |
ADSM |
2.2 |
1.15 |
|
24 |
FAMILY GUY |
ADSM |
2.2 |
1.14 |
|
25 |
TRADING SPOUSES |
FOX |
2.2 |
1.14 |
|
26 |
MEET THE BARKERS |
MTV |
2.2 |
1.13 |
|
27 |
BEAUTY AND GEEK - WB |
WB |
2.1 |
1.09 |
|
28 |
ROBOT CHICKEN |
ADSM |
2.1 |
1.09 |
|
29 |
I WANT A FAMOUS FACE |
MTV |
2.1 |
1.09 |
|
30 |
BRITNEY & KEVIN
CHAOTIC |
MTV |
2.0 |
1.07 |
|
Source: MTV Networks,
based on data from Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 30 PROGRAMS - BROADCAST & BASIC
CABLE TV
Teens
12-17
Week Ending June 12, 2005 |
|
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In Millions |
|
1 |
FAMILY GUY |
FOX |
5.1 |
1.25 |
|
2 |
SIMPSONS-SUN 8:30P |
FOX |
4.6 |
1.13 |
|
3 |
2005 MTV MOVIE AWARDS |
MTV |
4.3 |
1.05 |
|
4 |
AMERICAN DAD |
FOX |
4.2 |
1.03 |
|
5 |
SIMPSONS |
FOX |
3.7 |
0.90 |
|
6 |
FAMILY GUY |
ADSM |
3.1 |
0.76 |
|
7 |
FAMILY GUY |
ADSM |
3.1 |
0.75 |
|
8 |
FAMILY GUY |
ADSM |
3.0 |
0.73 |
|
9 |
KING OF THE HILL |
FOX |
2.9 |
0.70 |
|
10 |
FUTURAMA |
ADSM |
2.9 |
0.70 |
|
11 |
FAMILY GUY |
ADSM |
2.7 |
0.67 |
|
12 |
WWE SMACKDOWN! |
UPN |
2.7 |
0.66 |
|
13 |
FAMILY GUY |
ADSM |
2.7 |
0.66 |
|
14 |
WWE ENTERTAINMENT |
SPIKE |
2.7 |
0.66 |
|
15 |
ROBOT CHICKEN |
ADSM |
2.6 |
0.65 |
|
15 |
FAMILY GUY |
ADSM |
2.6 |
0.65 |
|
17 |
FUTURAMA |
ADSM |
2.6 |
0.64 |
|
18 |
NBA PLAYOFFS |
TNT |
2.5 |
0.62 |
|
19 |
FUTURAMA |
ADSM |
2.5 |
0.62 |
|
20 |
FAIRLY ODD PARENTS |
NICK |
2.5 |
0.61 |
|
20 |
NBA FINALS ON ABC-GM 2(S)-06/12/2005 |
ABC |
2.5 |
0.61 |
|
22 |
WWE ENTERTAINMENT |
SPIKE |
2.4 |
0.60 |
|
23 |
MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE |
FOX |
2.4 |
0.59 |
|
24 |
NBA FINALS ON ABC-GM 1(S)-06/09/2005 |
ABC |
2.4 |
0.59 |
|
25 |
FRESH PRINCE OF BEL AIR |
NAN |
2.3 |
0.57 |
|
25 |
|
