Overnights
'Samantha Who?' builds its audience
By Toni Fitzgerald
Oct 30, 2007 - 11:34:43 AM

It’s been a long time since ABC had a promising new sitcom, and “Samantha Who?” is looking better each week. The critically lauded Christina Applegate show posted a series best among adults 18-49 last night, again holding a good chunk of its “Dancing with the Stars” lead-in and performing particularly well among women.

“Samantha” averaged a 4.9 in 18-49s, according to Nielsen overnights, up 7 percent over last week’s 4.6 and holding 84 percent of “Stars’” final half hour lead-in at 9 p.m., which was up 0.1 over the previous week.

The amnesia comedy’s third episode also hit a series high among total viewers with 15.4 million, 1 million more than the previous week.

The show’s big strength is among women. With women 18-49, “Samantha” averaged a 7.1, besting NBC’s second-place “Heroes” in the 9:30 p.m. timeslot by 2.2 points.

While “Stars” has certainly helped “Samantha,” it’s not the only reason for the show’s success. ABC hasn’t launched a breakout new comedy in years, even those it attempted to air behind “Stars.” “Help Me Help You” and “Crumbs” both lasted only a handful of episodes the past two seasons despite having a “Stars” lead-in.

“Samantha’s” strong showing helped ABC win the night yet again in 18-49s, rising in the demo for the second straight week.

The network had a 4.7 average overnight rating and a 12 share for the night. CBS was second at 4.3/11, NBC third at 3.3/8, Fox and Univision tied for fourth at 1.7/4, and CW sixth at 1.0/2.
 
At 8 p.m. ABC led with a 5.0 for its first hour of “Stars,” followed by CBS with a 3.5 average for “How I Met Your Mother” (3.3) and “Big Bang Theory” (3.6). NBC was third with a 2.7 for “Chuck,” Fox fourth with a 2.1 for a repeat of “House,” Univision fifth with a 1.0 for “Amar sin Limites” and CW sixth with a 0.9 average for “Everybody Hates Chris” (1.0) and “Aliens in America” (0.8).
 
ABC led again at 9 p.m. with a 5.3 average for the last half hour of “Stars” and “Samantha” (4.9), with NBC second with a 4.9 for “Heroes.” CBS was third with a 4.6 average for “Two and a Half Men” (5.1) and “Rules of Engagement” (4.2), Univision fourth with a 2.4 for “Destilando Amor,” Fox fifth with a 1.3 for a repeat of “K-Ville” and CW sixth with a 1.1 average for “Girlfriends” (1.0) and “The Game” (1.1).
 
CBS took the lead at 10 p.m. with a 4.8 for “CSI: Miami,” while ABC slipped to second with a 3.8 for “The Bachelor.” NBC was third with a 2.4 for “Journeyman” and Univision fourth with a 1.8 for “Cristina.”
 
Among households, ABC led the night with an 11.3 average overnight rating and a 17 share. CBS was second at 7.7/12, NBC third at 4.7/7, Fox fourth at 3.3/5, Univision fifth at 2.3/3 and CW sixth at 1.6/2.