With a name like "Mr. Meaty," Nickelodeon’s latest kids’ show seems sure to tick off vegetarians.
It is. Online petitions have been springing up since its Sept. 23 debut demanding cancellation of the show, which is about a pair of puppets who work at a fast food restaurant at the mall that sells sandwiches like Fillet-O-Seal.
But if animal lovers are irate, kids are hooting. "Mr. Meaty" is already a hit with kids 2-11, ranking in the top 11 on cable and broadcast its first two weeks following an intense prelaunch push online by Nickelodeon.
For its first and second episodes, airing Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. in week one and 10:30 in week two, "Mr. Meaty" averaged a 4.5 rating among 2-11s, which ranked it ahead of other top Nickelodeon shows like "Avatar," "Ned Declassified" and "Fairly OddParents."
Part of that can be attributed to its lead-in, "SpongeBob SquarePants," the top-rated show among 2-11s. But "Mr. Meaty" was well on its way long before it was paired with "SpongeBob." The cartoon, Nick’s only new fall series, began as a series of 17 shorts on Canada’s CBC network.
Nickelodeon put the shorts on its broadband site, TurboNick, where they were such a success that the network asked series creators Jamie Shannon and Jason Hopley to do a half-hour series. The two also voice the puppets. Before the series premiered, Nickelodeon made "Mr. Meaty" available on iTunes.
"Mr. Meaty" goes heavy on gross-out gags involving meat, snot and various bodily functions.
Shannon and Hopley, in the sort of obligatory statement to be expected when content offends, say the series is intended as a spoof of the fast food industry and not a slight to vegetarians.
Vegetarians find none of it funny, beginning with the "Mr. Meaty" tagline: "All God’s creatures fresh off the grill." They object to the glorification of meat eating in general and specifically to the manner in which "Mr. Meaty" makes fun of another restaurant at the mall, the vegan hangout Soy What.
The show has been hotly debated in various vegetarian and TV chat rooms. "It's really horrible and I can't stand how discriminatory that is against vegetarians and vegans. It's just so sick," reads one petition at petitiononline.com, which has 149 signatures.
Meanwhile, in broadcast and basic cable ratings for younger viewers for the week ended Oct. 1:
Among teens 12-17: ABC led with 1.9, followed by Fox and the CW tied for second with 1.7, CBS and NBC tied for fourth with 1.5, Univision at 1.1, Telefutura and Telemundo tied at 0.2 and Azteca in last at 0.0.
Among kids 2-11: ABC was first with 1.4, followed by three-way tie for second among Univision, CBS and NBC at 1.1, tied Fox and CW at 0.9, Telemundo at 0.2 and a last-place tie between Telefutura and Azteca at 0.1.
The top five shows among 9-14s: 1. “Zoey 101” (Nickelodeon, Sunday 8 p.m.); 2. “Ned Declassified” (Nickelodeon, Sunday, 7:30 p.m.); 3. “Fairly Odd Parents” (Saturday, 10 a.m.); 4. “Avatar” (Nickelodeon, Saturday, 11:30 a.m.); 5. “Spongebob” (Nickelodeon, Saturday, 9:30 a.m.);
The top five shows among 12-17s: 1. “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC, Thursday 9 p.m.); 2. “House” (Fox, Tuesday 8 p.m.); 3. “Desperate Housewives” (ABC, Sunday 9 p.m.); 4. “CSI” (CBS, Thursday 9 p.m.); 5. “Family Guy” (Fox, Sunday 9 p.m.)
The top five shows among 12-24s: 1. “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC, Thursday 9 p.m.); 2. “Desperate Housewives” (ABC, Sunday 9 p.m.); 3. “House” (Fox, Tuesday 8 p.m.); 4. “Simpsons” (Fox, Sunday 7:59 p.m.); 5. “Family Guy” (Fox, 9 p.m.)
Cable shows making the top 10 among 18-24s: 7. “NFL Regular Season” (ESPN, Monday 8:32 p.m.)
|
TOP 30 PROGRAMS - BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
Adults 18-49
Week Ended Oct. 1, 2006 |
|
|
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In Millions |
|
1 |
GREY'S ANATOMY |
ABC |
9.5 |
12.44 |
|
2 |
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES |
ABC |
8.6 |
11.27 |
|
3 |
CSI |
CBS |
8.0 |
10.45 |
|
4 |
CBS NFL NATIONAL |
CBS |
7.4 |
9.63 |
|
5 |
NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL |
NBC |
6.7 |
8.69 |
|
6 |
E.R. |
NBC |
6.1 |
8.02 |
|
7 |
HOUSE |
FOX |
6.1 |
8.01 |
|
8 |
NFL REGULAR SEASON |
ESPN |
6.0 |
7.87 |
|
9 |
HEROES |
NBC |
5.9 |
7.71 |
|
10 |
SURVIVOR: COOK ISLANDS |
CBS |
5.9 |
7.69 |
|
11 |
CSI: MIAMI |
CBS |
5.8 |
7.61 |
|
12 |
EXTREME MAKEOVER:HOME ED. |
ABC |
5.7 |
7.48 |
|
13 |
BROTHERS & SISTERS |
ABC |
5.3 |
6.87 |
|
14 |
DANCING WITH THE STARS |
ABC |
5.2 |
6.79 |
|
15 |
CSI: NY |
CBS |
5.2 |
6.79 |
|
16 |
20/20 SP EDITION |
ABC |
5.2 |
6.73 |
|
17 |
LAW AND ORDER:SVU |
NBC |
5.0 |
6.48 |
|
18 |
UGLY BETTY |
ABC |
5.0 |
6.48 |
|
19 |
FOX NFL SUNDAY-SINGLE |
FOX |
4.9 |
6.37 |
|
20 |
CRIMINAL MINDS |
CBS |
4.9 |
6.34 |
|
21 |
TWO AND A HALF MEN |
CBS |
4.8 |
6.31 |
|
22 |
SUNDAY NIGHT NFL PRE-KICK |
NBC |
4.6 |
5.97 |
|
23 |
WITHOUT A TRACE |
CBS |
4.4 |
5.68 |
|
24 |
STUDIO 60 |
NBC |
4.2 |
5.53 |
|
25 |
SHARK |
CBS |
4.2 |
5.44 |
|
26 |
SIX DEGREES |
ABC |
4.1 |
5.36 |
|
27 |
DANCING W/STARS RESULTS |
ABC |
4.1 |
5.33 |
|
28 |
CBS NFL REGIONAL |
CBS |
4.0 |
5.26 |
|
29 |
AMAZING RACE 10 |
CBS |
4.0 |
5.18 |
|
30 |
COLD CASE |
CBS |
3.9 |
5.15 |
|
Source: MTV Networks, based on data from Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 30 PROGRAMS - BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
Adults 18-34
Week Ended Oct. 1, 2006 |
|
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In Millions |
|
1 |
GREY'S ANATOMY |
ABC |
8.8 |
5.86 |
|
2 |
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES |
ABC |
7.4 |
4.96 |
|
3 |
CBS NFL NATIONAL |
CBS |
6.7 |
4.48 |
|
4 |
NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL |
NBC |
5.9 |
3.94 |
|
5 |
CSI |
CBS |
5.7 |
3.79 |
|
6 |
HEROES |
NBC |
5.6 |
3.72 |
|
7 |
HOUSE |
FOX |
5.4 |
3.59 |
|
8 |
NFL REGULAR SEASON |
ESPN |
5.3 |
3.52 |
|
9 |
E.R. |
NBC |
5.0 |
3.32 |
|
10 |
SIMPSONS |
FOX |
4.6 |
3.08 |
|
11 |
FAMILY GUY |
FOX |
4.5 |
3.02 |
|
12 |
FOX NFL SUNDAY-SINGLE |
FOX |
4.5 |
3.02 |
|
13 |
EXTREME MAKEOVER:HOME ED. |
ABC |
4.5 |
2.99 |
|
14 |
DANCING WITH THE STARS |
ABC |
4.4 |
2.95 |
|
15 |
BROTHERS & SISTERS |
ABC |
4.2 |
2.81 |
|
16 |
SUNDAY NIGHT NFL PRE-KICK |
NBC |
4.2 |
2.79 |
|
17 |
SIX DEGREES |
ABC |
4.2 |
2.78 |
|
18 |
OFFICE |
NBC |
4.1 |
2.76 |
|
19 |
SURVIVOR: COOK ISLANDS |
CBS |
4.1 |
2.74 |
|
20 |
UGLY BETTY |
ABC |
4.1 |
2.73 |
|
21 |
20/20 SP EDITION-9/27(S) |
ABC |
4.1 |
2.70 |
|
22 |
CSI: MIAMI |
CBS |
3.9 |
2.59 |
|
23 |
CBS NFL REGIONAL |
CBS |
3.8 |
2.56 |
|
24 |
CSI: NY |
CBS |
3.8 |
2.55 |
|
25 |
PRISON BREAK |
FOX |
3.6 |
2.41 |
|
26 |
LAW AND ORDER:SVU |
NBC |
3.6 |
2.40 |
|
27 |
WAR AT HOME |
FOX |
3.5 |
2.36 |
|
28 |
STUDIO 60 |
NBC |
3.5 |
2.35 |
|
29 |
NBC NFL SUNDAY POST |
NBC |
3.5 |
2.32 |
|
30 |
STANDOFF |
FOX |
3.5 |
2.31 |
|
Source: MTV Networks, based on data from Nielsen Media Research |
TOP 30 PROGRAMS - BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
Adults 18-24
Week Ended Oct. 1, 2006 |
|
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In Millions |
|
1 |
GREY'S ANATOMY |
ABC |
6.9 |
1.97 |
|
2 |
CBS NFL NATIONAL |
CBS |
5.2 |
1.48 |
|
3 |
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES |
ABC |
4.9 |
1.40 |
|
4 |
SIMPSONS |
FOX |
4.8 |
1.38 |
|
5 |
FAMILY GUY |
FOX |
4.7 |
1.34 |
|
6 |
HOUSE |
FOX |
4.3 |
1.24 |
|
7 |
NFL REGULAR SEASON |
ESPN |
4.1 |
1.18 |
|
8 |
SIX DEGREES |
ABC |
4.0 |
1.13 |
|
9 |
NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL |
NBC |
3.9 |
1.10 |
|
10 |
CSI |
CBS |
3.4 |
0.97 |
|
10 |
FOX NFL SUNDAY-SINGLE |
FOX |
3.4 |
0.97 |
|
12 |
HEROES |
NBC |
3.4 |
0.95 |
|
13 |
FLAVOR OF LOVE 2 |
VH1 |
3.3 |
0.95 |
|
14 |
UGLY BETTY |
ABC |
3.2 |
0.91 |
|
15 |
TIL DEATH SP-10/1 8:30P |
FOX |
3.2 |
0.90 |
|
16 |
TIL DEATH SP-10/1 7:30P |
FOX |
3.1 |
0.88 |
|
17 |
WAR AT HOME |
FOX |
3.0 |
0.87 |
|
18 |
DANCING WITH THE STARS |
ABC |
3.0 |
0.84 |
|
19 |
EXTREME MAKEOVER:HOME ED. |
ABC |
2.9 |
0.83 |
|
20 |
CBS NFL REGIONAL |
CBS |
2.9 |
0.82 |
|
21 |
PRISON BREAK |
FOX |
2.7 |
0.78 |
|
22 |
BROTHERS & SISTERS |
ABC |
2.7 |
0.76 |
|
22 |
WIFE SWAP SP |
ABC |
2.7 |
0.76 |
|
24 |
AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL |
CW |
2.6 |
0.75 |
|
25 |
CSI: MIAMI |
CBS |
2.6 |
0.75 |
|
26 |
NBC NFL SUNDAY POST |
NBC |
2.6 |
0.74 |
|
27 |
NIP TUCK |
FX |
2.6 |
0.74 |
|
28 |
CSI: NY |
CBS |
2.6 |
0.73 |
|
29 |
E.R. |
NBC |
2.5 |
0.71 |
|
30 |
SUNDAY NIGHT NFL PRE-KICK |
NBC |
2.5 |
0.71 |
|
Source: MTV Networks, based on data from Nielsen Media Research |
TOP 30 PROGRAMS - BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
People 12-24
Week Ended Oct. 1, 2006 |
|
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In Millions |
|
1 |
GREY'S ANATOMY |
ABC |
5.9 |
3.15 |
|
2 |
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES |
ABC |
4.8 |
2.55 |
|
3 |
HOUSE |
FOX |
4.5 |
2.39 |
|
4 |
SIMPSONS |
FOX |
4.3 |
2.28 |
|
5 |
FAMILY GUY |
FOX |
4.3 |
2.27 |
|
6 |
CBS NFL NATIONAL |
CBS |
4.1 |
2.19 |
|
7 |
CSI |
CBS |
3.7 |
1.95 |
|
8 |
NFL REGULAR SEASON |
ESPN |
3.5 |
1.88 |
|
9 |
NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL |
NBC |
3.4 |
1.82 |
|
10 |
WAR AT HOME |
FOX |
3.3 |
1.77 |
|
11 |
HEROES |
NBC |
3.2 |
1.69 |
|
12 |
UGLY BETTY |
ABC |
3.2 |
1.68 |
|
13 |
EXTREME MAKEOVER:HOME ED. |
ABC |
3.0 |
1.62 |
|
14 |
TIL DEATH SP-10/1 8:30P |
FOX |
3.0 |
1.62 |
|
15 |
FOX NFL SUNDAY-SINGLE |
FOX |
3.0 |
1.59 |
|
16 |
FLAVOR OF LOVE 2 |
VH1 |
2.9 |
1.57 |
|
17 |
SIX DEGREES |
ABC |
2.9 |
1.55 |
|
18 |
SURVIVOR: COOK ISLANDS |
CBS |
2.8 |
1.49 |
|
19 |
DANCING WITH THE STARS |
ABC |
2.7 |
1.42 |
|
20 |
CSI: MIAMI |
CBS |
2.6 |
1.39 |
|
21 |
AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL |
CW |
2.6 |
1.38 |
|
22 |
PRISON BREAK |
FOX |
2.5 |
1.36 |
|
23 |
TIL DEATH SP-10/1 7:30P |
FOX |
2.5 |
1.33 |
|
24 |
BROTHERS & SISTERS |
ABC |
2.5 |
1.31 |
|
25 |
WIFE SWAP SP- |
ABC |
2.4 |
1.26 |
|
26 |
GILMORE GIRLS |
CW |
2.3 |
1.25 |
|
27 |
E.R. |
NBC |
2.3 |
1.21 |
|
28 |
CBS NFL REGIONAL |
CBS |
2.3 |
1.20 |
|
28 |
ONE TREE HILL |
CW |
2.3 |
1.20 |
|
30 |
WWE ENTERTAINMENT |
USA |
2.2 |
1.18 |
|
Source: MTV Networks, based on data from Nielsen Media Research |
TOP 30 PROGRAMS - BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
Teens 12-17
Week Ended Oct. 1, 2006 |
|
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In Millions |
|
1 |
GREY'S ANATOMY |
ABC |
4.8 |
1.18 |
|
2 |
HOUSE |
FOX |
4.7 |
1.15 |
|
3 |
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES |
ABC |
4.6 |
1.15 |
|
4 |
CSI |
CBS |
4.0 |
0.99 |
|
5 |
FAMILY GUY |
FOX |
3.7 |
0.93 |
|
6 |
SIMPSONS |
FOX |
3.7 |
0.91 |
|
7 |
WAR AT HOME |
FOX |
3.6 |
0.90 |
|
8 |
SURVIVOR: COOK ISLANDS |
CBS |
3.6 |
0.90 |
|
9 |
ZOEY 101 |
NICK |
3.3 |
0.83 |
|
10 |
EXTREME MAKEOVER:HOME ED. |
ABC |
3.2 |
0.79 |
|
11 |
UGLY BETTY |
ABC |
3.1 |
0.77 |
|
12 |
HEROES |
NBC |
3.0 |
0.74 |
|
13 |
NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL |
NBC |
2.9 |
0.71 |
|
13 |
TIL DEATH SP-10/1 8:30P |
FOX |
2.9 |
0.71 |
|
15 |
NFL REGULAR SEASON |
ESPN |
2.9 |
0.71 |
|
16 |
CBS NFL NATIONAL |
CBS |
2.9 |
0.71 |
|
17 |
NARUTO |
TOON |
2.8 |
0.69 |
|
18 |
WWE ENTERTAINMENT |
USA |
2.6 |
0.65 |
|
18 |
CSI: MIAMI |
CBS |
2.6 |
0.65 |
|
20 |
TWO-A-DAYS |
MTV |
2.6 |
0.64 |
|
21 |
AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL |
CW |
2.5 |
0.63 |
|
22 |
FOX NFL SUNDAY-SINGLE |
FOX |
2.5 |
0.63 |
|
23 |
FLAVOR OF LOVE 2 |
VH1 |
2.5 |
0.62 |
|
24 |
LAGUNA BEACH |
MTV |
2.5 |
0.61 |
|
25 |
WWE ENTERTAINMENT |
USA |
2.5 |
0.61 |
|
26 |
FAIRLY ODD PARENTS |
NICK |
2.4 |
0.61 |
|
26 |
AVATAR |
NICK |
2.4 |
0.61 |
|
28 |
GILMORE GIRLS |
CW |
2.4 |
0.60 |
|
29 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
2.4 |
0.60 |
|
30 |
PRISON BREAK |
FOX |
2.3 |
0.58 |
|
Source: MTV Networks, based on data from Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 30 PROGRAMS - BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
Kids 9-14
Week Ended Oct. 1, 2006 |
|
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In Millions |
|
1 |
ZOEY 101 |
NICK |
6.2 |
1.53 |
|
2 |
NED DECLASSIFIED |
NICK |
5.4 |
1.34 |
|
3 |
FAIRLY ODD PARENTS |
NICK |
4.9 |
1.20 |
|
4 |
AVATAR |
NICK |
4.8 |
1.17 |
|
5 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
4.7 |
1.14 |
|
6 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
4.4 |
1.08 |
|
7 |
DRAKE & JOSH |
NICK |
4.3 |
1.05 |
|
8 |
MR MEATY |
NICK |
4.2 |
1.03 |
|
9 |
NED DECLASSIFIED |
NICK |
4.2 |
1.02 |
|
10 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
4.1 |
1.00 |
|
11 |
NED DECLASSIFIED |
NICK |
4.1 |
1.00 |
|
12 |
NED DECLASSIFIED |
NICK |
4.0 |
0.97 |
|
13 |
DRAKE & JOSH |
NICK |
3.9 |
0.96 |
|
14 |
FAIRLY ODD PARENTS |
NICK |
3.8 |
0.94 |
|
15 |
DRAKE & JOSH |
NICK |
3.8 |
0.94 |
|
16 |
SURVIVOR: COOK ISLANDS |
CBS |
3.8 |
0.94 |
|
17 |
FAIRLY ODD PARENTS |
NICK |
3.8 |
0.93 |
|
18 |
DRAKE & JOSH |
NICK |
3.7 |
0.91 |
|
19 |
NED DECLASSIFIED |
NICK |
3.7 |
0.91 |
|
19 |
AVATAR |
NICK |
3.7 |
0.91 |
|
21 |
AVATAR |
NICK |
3.7 |
0.91 |
|
22 |
EXTREME MAKEOVER:HOME ED. |
ABC |
3.7 |
0.90 |
|
23 |
JIMMY NEUTRON |
NICK |
3.6 |
0.90 |
|
24 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
3.6 |
0.87 |
|
25 |
HOUSE |
FOX |
3.4 |
0.85 |
|
26 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
3.4 |
0.83 |
|
27 |
MR MEATY |
NICK |
3.4 |
0.82 |
|
28 |
NARUTO |
TOON |
3.3 |
0.82 |
|
29 |
JIMMY NEUTRON: BOY GENIUS |
NICK |
3.3 |
0.82 |
|
30 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
3.3 |
0.80 |
|
Source: MTV Networks, based on data from Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 30 PROGRAMS - BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
Kids 2-11
Week Ended Oct. 1, 2006 |
|
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In Millions |
|
1 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
5.9 |
2.37 |
|
2 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
5.9 |
2.35 |
|
3 |
FAIRLY ODD PARENTS |
NICK |
5.5 |
2.21 |
|
4 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
5.3 |
2.14 |
|
5 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
5.0 |
1.99 |
|
6 |
JIMMY NEUTRON |
NICK |
4.7 |
1.87 |
|
7 |
DRAKE & JOSH |
NICK |
4.5 |
1.81 |
|
8 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
4.4 |
1.77 |
|
9 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
4.3 |
1.74 |
|
10 |
FAIRLY ODD PARENTS |
NICK |
4.3 |
1.73 |
|
11 |
MR MEATY |
NICK |
4.3 |
1.73 |
|
12 |
DRAKE & JOSH |
NICK |
4.3 |
1.71 |
|
13 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
4.3 |
1.70 |
|
14 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
4.2 |
1.69 |
|
15 |
AVATAR |
NICK |
4.2 |
1.68 |
|
16 |
DRAKE & JOSH |
NICK |
4.2 |
1.66 |
|
17 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
4.1 |
1.63 |
|
18 |
NED DECLASSIFIED |
NICK |
4.0 |
1.61 |
|
19 |
ZOEY 101 |
NICK |
3.9 |
1.58 |
|
20 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
3.9 |
1.56 |
|
20 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
3.9 |
1.56 |
|
22 |
FAIRLY ODD PARENTS |
NICK |
3.9 |
1.56 |
|
23 |
JIMMY NEUTRON |
NICK |
3.9 |
1.55 |
|
24 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
3.9 |
1.55 |
|
25 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
3.9 |
1.55 |
|
26 |
FAIRLY ODD PARENTS |
NICK |
3.8 |
1.53 |
|
27 |
DRAKE & JOSH |
NICK |
3.7 |
1.50 |
|
28 |
NED DECLASSIFIED |
NICK |
3.7 |
1.49 |
|
29 |
AVATAR |
NICK |
3.7 |
1.48 |
|
30 |
FAIRLY ODD PARENTS |
NICK |
3.7 |
1.47 |
|
Source: MTV Networks, based on data from Nielsen Media Research |
