medialifemagazine.com
An afterlife for 'Oblongs' among teens
By Toni Fitzgerald
Jun 16, 2006, 01:10
Less than two years after spinning off from Cartoon Network, Adult Swim is increasingly the place where animated series that failed on broadcast find new life.
In the case of "Family Guy," it did so well, its Adult Swim ratings skyrocketing, that Fox brought it back. There are now reports of a rebirth for the similarly popular "Futurama."
Might WB’s late oddball series "The Oblongs" be the next Adult Swim hit?
It’s certainly possible, judging by its popularity among teens. The series has been popping into the top 30 in recent weeks among teens 12-17, an audience that the new CW is expected to court, more than five years after it left broadcast.
The 11 p.m. Monday, June 5, episode of "The Oblongs" ranked No. 28 on all of basic cable and broadcast last week, averaging a 2.3 rating and 560,000 viewers.
It finished behind only a handful of broadcast shows, including ABC’s NBA finals games and Fox’s "The Simpsons" and "Family Guy," but ahead of usual teen-pleasers "WWE" on UPN, "War at Home" on Fox and everything on the WB.
What’s interesting is that "Oblongs" is more popular among teens than it is among Adult Swim’s target demo, 18-34s. "Oblongs" didn’t make the top 50 in that demo. The network says it does not track teen viewership and offers no reason why the show has become popular in that demographic.
One reason is likely that 12-17s are just now finding out about "Oblongs," which they were too young to understand during its brief stint on the WB in 2001. At the time, it was quite controversial.
The Oblongs live in a valley polluted with toxic waste, and because of it they’ve suffered deformities. Dad Bob has no arms or legs, alcoholic wife Pickles is bald, sons Biff and Chip are Siamese twins, and youngest daughter Beth has what is politely called a stalk sticking out of her head.
The series, despite showcasing the formidable vocal talents of comedian Will Ferrell and "Designing Women’s" Jean Smart, lasted just a few episodes in spring 2001 before the WB yanked it. The network received lots of criticism for poking fun at the disabled, but creator Angus Oblong, who based the characters on his children’s book "Creepy Susie," has long insisted that the show intended to give an honest, unpatronizing look at the disabled.
Still, the program was pulled in the middle of its first episode in Australia three years ago after protest groups raised a ruckus. It joined Adult Swim in 2002 and has bounced on and off the schedule since then, including a run on TBS as well. It usually airs Sundays at 1:30 a.m. on Adult Swim but occasionally fills in other timeslots such as last Monday’s.
Meanwhile, in other broadcast and basic cable ratings for younger viewers for the week ended June 11:
Among teens 12-17: Fox led with a 1.9, followed by ABC at 1.1, NBC and UPN at 1.0, the WB and Univision at 0.8, CBS at 0.7, and Telefutura and Telemundo at 0.1.
Among kids 2-11: Fox led with a 1.5, followed by Univision at 1.1, ABC at 1.0, NBC at 0.9, CBS at 0.7, UPN at 0.6, the WB at 0.4, and Telefutura and Telemundo at 0.1.
The top five shows among 9-14s: 1. “Danny Phantom’s Reality Trip” (Nickelodeon, Friday 8 p.m.); 2. “Drake & Josh” (Nickelodeon, Monday 5:30 p.m.); 3. “Ned Declassified” (Nickelodeon, Wednesday 6 p.m.); 4. “Drake & Josh” (Nickelodeon, Wednesday 5:30 p.m.); 5. “Ned Declassified” (Nickelodeon, Tuesday 6 p.m.)
The top five shows among 12-17s: 1. “Family Guy” (Fox, Sunday 9 p.m.); 2. “So You Think You Can Dance” (Fox, Thursday 9 p.m.); 3. “Family Guy ” (Adult Swim, Wednesday 11:30 p.m.); 4. “Family Guy” (Adult Swim, Sunday 11 p.m.); 5. “Deal or No Deal” (NBC, Monday 8 p.m.)
The top five shows among 12-24s: 1. “Family Guy” (Fox, Sunday 9 p.m.); 2. “NBA Finals-Game 2” (ABC, Sunday 9 p.m.); 3. “So You Think You Can Dance” (Fox, Wednesday 9 p.m.); 4. “So You Think You Can Dance” (Fox, Thursday 9 p.m.); 5. “NBA Finals-Game 2” (ABC, Thursday 9 p.m.)
Cable shows making the top 10 among 18-24s: 5. “MTV Movie Awards” (MTV, Thursday 9 p.m.); 9. “Real World XVII” (MTV, Tuesday 10 p.m.); 14. “Real World/Road Rules: Fresh Meat” (MTV, Monday 10 p.m.)
|
TOP 30 PROGRAMS - BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
Adults 18-49
Week Ended June 11, 2006 |
|
|
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In Millions |
|
1 |
DEAL OR NO DEAL-MON |
NBC |
5.6 |
7233 |
|
2 |
NBA FINALS ON ABC-GM 2(S)-06/11/2006 |
ABC |
5.3 |
6864 |
|
3 |
NBA FINALS ON ABC-GM 1(S)-06/08/2006 |
ABC |
4.8 |
6186 |
|
4 |
SO YOU THINK CN DANCE-WED |
FOX |
4.4 |
5746 |
|
5 |
APPRENTICE 5 |
NBC |
4.4 |
5741 |
|
6 |
SO YOU THINK CN DANCE-THU |
FOX |
4.1 |
5328 |
|
7 |
LAST COMIC STANDING 4 |
NBC |
4.0 |
5251 |
|
8 |
CSI: MIAMI |
CBS |
3.5 |
4530 |
|
9 |
HOUSE |
FOX |
3.4 |
4419 |
|
10 |
WINDFALL |
NBC |
3.4 |
4365 |
|
11 |
CSI |
CBS |
3.3 |
4268 |
|
12 |
WITHOUT A TRACE |
CBS |
3.0 |
3845 |
|
13 |
FAMILY GUY |
FOX |
3.0 |
3834 |
|
14 |
FOX NASCAR NEXTEL CUP |
FOX |
2.9 |
3726 |
|
15 |
DATELINE-WED |
NBC |
2.9 |
3701 |
|
16 |
COPA MUNDIAL 2006 7-UNI(S)-06/11/2006 |
UNI |
2.8 |
3580 |
|
17 |
CSI: NY |
CBS |
2.8 |
3574 |
|
18 |
SIMPSONS |
FOX |
2.8 |
3568 |
|
19 |
HOUSE-TUE 8P |
FOX |
2.7 |
3452 |
|
20 |
MY NAME IS EARL TH 8:30 |
NBC |
2.7 |
3442 |
|
21 |
MY NAME IS EARL |
NBC |
2.6 |
3398 |
|
22 |
SO YOU THINK CN DNCE-6/8(S)-06/08/2006 |
FOX |
2.6 |
3390 |
|
23 |
FOX NASCAR NEXTEL-POST |
FOX |
2.6 |
3324 |
|
24 |
MY NAME IS EARL 9:30 6/8(S)-06/08/2006 |
NBC |
2.5 |
3260 |
|
25 |
LAW AND ORDER |
NBC |
2.5 |
3237 |
|
26 |
OLD CHRISTINE |
CBS |
2.5 |
3211 |
|
27 |
48 HOURS MYSTERY TUE SP(S)-06/06/2006 |
CBS |
2.4 |
3172 |
|
28 |
SO YOU THINK CN DNCE-6/7(S)-06/07/2006 |
FOX |
2.4 |
3154 |
|
29 |
TWO AND A HALF MEN |
CBS |
2.4 |
3153 |
|
30 |
LAW AND ORDER:SVU |
NBC |
2.4 |
3096 |
|
Source: MTV Networks, based on data from Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 30 PROGRAMS - BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
Adults 18-34
Week Ended June 11, 2006 |
|
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In Millions |
|
1 |
SO YOU THINK CN DANCE-WED |
FOX |
5.0 |
3313 |
|
2 |
NBA FINALS ON ABC-GM 2(S)-06/11/2006 |
ABC |
4.9 |
3234 |
|
3 |
DEAL OR NO DEAL-MON |
NBC |
4.6 |
3052 |
|
4 |
NBA FINALS ON ABC-GM 1(S)-06/08/2006 |
ABC |
4.6 |
3011 |
|
5 |
SO YOU THINK CN DANCE-THU |
FOX |
4.1 |
2694 |
|
6 |
LAST COMIC STANDING 4 |
NBC |
4.1 |
2682 |
|
7 |
APPRENTICE 5 |
NBC |
3.9 |
2544 |
|
8 |
FAMILY GUY |
FOX |
3.6 |
2341 |
|
9 |
SIMPSONS |
FOX |
3.1 |
2068 |
|
10 |
HOUSE |
FOX |
3.0 |
2004 |
|
11 |
COPA MUNDIAL 2006 7-UNI(S)-06/11/2006 |
UNI |
2.9 |
1885 |
|
12 |
SO YOU THINK CN DNCE-6/7(S)-06/07/2006 |
FOX |
2.7 |
1806 |
|
13 |
SO YOU THINK CN DNCE-6/8(S)-06/08/2006 |
FOX |
2.7 |
1780 |
|
14 |
HOUSE-TUE 8P |
FOX |
2.6 |
1693 |
|
15 |
WINDFALL |
NBC |
2.5 |
1651 |
|
16 |
WAR AT HOME |
FOX |
2.5 |
1649 |
|
17 |
2006 MTV MOVIE AWARDS |
MTV |
2.4 |
1574 |
|
18 |
DATELINE-WED |
NBC |
2.4 |
1568 |
|
19 |
FEA MAS BELLA WED |
UNI |
2.4 |
1556 |
|
20 |
CSI: MIAMI |
CBS |
2.3 |
1539 |
|
21 |
CSI |
CBS |
2.2 |
1466 |
|
22 |
WWE ENTERTAINMENT |
USA |
2.2 |
1447 |
|
23 |
FEA MAS BELLA THU |
UNI |
2.2 |
1439 |
|
24 |
RW/RR FRESH MEAT |
MTV |
2.1 |
1401 |
|
25 |
MY NAME IS EARL |
NBC |
2.1 |
1399 |
|
25 |
LAW AND ORDER:SVU |
NBC |
2.1 |
1399 |
|
27 |
ALWAYS SUNNY PHL-FOX 6/11(S)-06/11/2006 |
FOX |
2.1 |
1389 |
|
28 |
LAST COMIC STANDING4 6/6(S)-06/06/2006 |
NBC |
2.1 |
1383 |
|
29 |
MY NAME IS EARL 9:30 6/8(S)-06/08/2006 |
NBC |
2.1 |
1364 |
|
30 |
MY NAME IS EARL TH 8:30 |
NBC |
2.0 |
1338 |
|
Source: MTV Networks, based on data from Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 30 PROGRAMS - BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
Adults 18-24
Week Ended June 11, 2006 |
|
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In Millions |
|
1 |
NBA FINALS ON ABC-GM 1(S)-06/08/2006 |
ABC |
3.9 |
1080 |
|
2 |
SO YOU THINK CN DANCE-WED |
FOX |
3.7 |
1035 |
|
3 |
NBA FINALS ON ABC-GM 2(S)-06/11/2006 |
ABC |
3.6 |
1008 |
|
4 |
FAMILY GUY |
FOX |
3.3 |
931 |
|
5 |
SO YOU THINK CN DANCE-THU |
FOX |
3.1 |
867 |
|
5 |
2006 MTV MOVIE AWARDS |
MTV |
3.1 |
867 |
|
7 |
SIMPSONS |
FOX |
2.9 |
796 |
|
8 |
DEAL OR NO DEAL-MON |
NBC |
2.8 |
777 |
|
9 |
REAL WORLD XVII |
MTV |
2.7 |
739 |
|
10 |
HOUSE |
FOX |
2.5 |
707 |
|
11 |
SO YOU THINK CN DNCE-6/8(S)-06/08/2006 |
FOX |
2.4 |
682 |
|
12 |
COPA MUNDIAL 2006 7-UNI(S)-06/11/2006 |
UNI |
2.4 |
677 |
|
13 |
LAST COMIC STANDING 4 |
NBC |
2.4 |
675 |
|
14 |
RW/RR FRESH MEAT |
MTV |
2.3 |
636 |
|
15 |
FEA MAS BELLA WED |
UNI |
2.3 |
630 |
|
16 |
HILLS, THE |
MTV |
2.2 |
608 |
|
17 |
HOUSE-TUE 8P |
FOX |
2.2 |
602 |
|
18 |
FEA MAS BELLA THU |
UNI |
2.1 |
583 |
|
19 |
WAR AT HOME |
FOX |
2.0 |
549 |
|
20 |
FEA MAS BELLA MON |
UNI |
2.0 |
543 |
|
21 |
EVERWOOD - WB |
WB |
1.9 |
542 |
|
22 |
OLD SCHOOL(S)-06/11/2006 |
TBSC |
1.9 |
536 |
|
23 |
SO YOU THINK CN DNCE-6/7(S)-06/07/2006 |
FOX |
1.9 |
530 |
|
24 |
WITHOUT A TRACE |
CBS |
1.9 |
527 |
|
25 |
FEA MAS BELLA TUE |
UNI |
1.9 |
526 |
|
26 |
REP DEP MUNDIAL 2 6/11(S)-06/11/2006 |
UNI |
1.9 |
519 |
|
27 |
ALWAYS SUNNY PHL-FOX 6/11(S)-06/11/2006 |
FOX |
1.8 |
503 |
|
28 |
APPRENTICE 5 |
NBC |
1.8 |
496 |
|
29 |
WWE VS ECW RAW SPECIAL(S)-06/07/2006 |
USA |
1.8 |
495 |
|
30 |
FAMILY GUY |
ADSM |
1.7 |
487 |
|
Source: MTV Networks, based on data from Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 30 PROGRAMS - BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
People 12-24
Week Ended June 11, 2006 |
|
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In Millions |
|
1 |
FAMILY GUY |
FOX |
3.4 |
1785 |
|
2 |
NBA FINALS ON ABC-GM 2(S)-06/11/2006 |
ABC |
3.4 |
1768 |
|
3 |
SO YOU THINK CN DANCE-WED |
FOX |
3.3 |
1744 |
|
4 |
SO YOU THINK CN DANCE-THU |
FOX |
3.3 |
1715 |
|
5 |
NBA FINALS ON ABC-GM 1(S)-06/08/2006 |
ABC |
3.2 |
1691 |
|
6 |
2006 MTV MOVIE AWARDS |
MTV |
3.1 |
1619 |
|
7 |
DEAL OR NO DEAL-MON |
NBC |
2.9 |
1543 |
|
8 |
SIMPSONS |
FOX |
2.9 |
1507 |
|
9 |
FAMILY GUY |
ADSM |
2.4 |
1247 |
|
10 |
FAMILY GUY |
ADSM |
2.4 |
1244 |
|
11 |
FAMILY GUY |
ADSM |
2.4 |
1241 |
|
12 |
WWE ENTERTAINMENT |
USA |
2.3 |
1222 |
|
13 |
SO YOU THINK CN DNCE-6/8(S)-06/08/2006 |
FOX |
2.3 |
1202 |
|
14 |
HOUSE |
FOX |
2.3 |
1184 |
|
15 |
REAL WORLD XVII |
MTV |
2.2 |
1163 |
|
16 |
FAMILY GUY |
ADSM |
2.2 |
1161 |
|
17 |
FAMILY GUY |
ADSM |
2.1 |
1128 |
|
18 |
LAST COMIC STANDING 4 |
NBC |
2.1 |
1112 |
|
19 |
COPA MUNDIAL 2006 7-UNI(S)-06/11/2006 |
UNI |
2.1 |
1094 |
|
20 |
WAR AT HOME |
FOX |
2.1 |
1085 |
|
21 |
RW/RR FRESH MEAT |
MTV |
2.1 |
1080 |
|
22 |
HILLS, THE |
MTV |
2.0 |
1056 |
|
22 |
WWE VS ECW RAW SPECIAL(S)-06/07/2006 |
USA |
2.0 |
1056 |
|
24 |
FEA MAS BELLA WED |
UNI |
2.0 |
1027 |
|
25 |
WWE ENTERTAINMENT |
USA |
1.9 |
1002 |
|
26 |
HOUSE-TUE 8P |
FOX |
1.8 |
960 |
|
27 |
DRAKE & JOSH |
NICK |
1.8 |
947 |
|
28 |
SO YOU THINK CN DNCE-6/7(S)-06/07/2006 |
FOX |
1.8 |
934 |
|
29 |
FEA MAS BELLA TUE |
WB |
1.8 |
928 |
|
Source: MTV Networks, based on data from Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 30 PROGRAMS - BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
Teens 12-17
Week Ended June 11, 2006 |
|
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In Millions |
|
1 |
FAMILY GUY |
FOX |
3.5 |
854 |
|
2 |
SO YOU THINK CN DANCE-THU |
FOX |
3.4 |
849 |
|
3 |
FAMILY GUY |
ADSM |
3.3 |
813 |
|
4 |
FAMILY GUY |
ADSM |
3.2 |
786 |
|
5 |
DEAL OR NO DEAL-MON |
NBC |
3.1 |
766 |
|
6 |
FAMILY GUY |
ADSM |
3.1 |
761 |
|
7 |
NBA FINALS ON ABC-GM 2(S)-06/11/2006 |
ABC |
3.1 |
760 |
|
8 |
2006 MTV MOVIE AWARDS |
MTV |
3.0 |
752 |
|
9 |
WWE ENTERTAINMENT |
USA |
3.0 |
747 |
|
10 |
FAMILY GUY |
ADSM |
2.9 |
715 |
|
11 |
NED DECLASSIFIED |
NICK |
2.9 |
714 |
|
12 |
SIMPSONS |
FOX |
2.9 |
711 |
|
13 |
SO YOU THINK CN DANCE-WED |
FOX |
2.9 |
708 |
|
14 |
DRAKE & JOSH |
NICK |
2.8 |
697 |
|
15 |
FAMILY GUY |
ADSM |
2.7 |
670 |
|
16 |
NARUTO |
TOON |
2.6 |
647 |
|
17 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
2.6 |
636 |
|
18 |
NED DECLASSIFIED |
NICK |
2.5 |
621 |
|
18 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
2.5 |
621 |
|
20 |
NBA FINALS ON ABC-GM 1(S)-06/08/2006 |
ABC |
2.5 |
611 |
|
21 |
DRAKE & JOSH |
NICK |
2.4 |
594 |
|
21 |
DRAKE & JOSH |
NICK |
2.4 |
594 |
|
23 |
NED DECLASSIFIED |
NICK |
2.4 |
588 |
|
24 |
WWE ENTERTAINMENT |
USA |
2.4 |
583 |
|
25 |
DRAKE & JOSH |
NICK |
2.3 |
574 |
|
26 |
DANNY PHANTOM |
NICK |
2.3 |
566 |
|
27 |
WWE VS ECW RAW SPECIAL(S)-06/07/2006 |
USA |
2.3 |
561 |
|
28 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
2.3 |
559 |
|
28 |
OBLONGS, THE |
ADSM |
2.3 |
559 |
|
30 |
D PHANT REALITY TRIP |
NICK |
2.3 |
558 |
|
Source: MTV Networks, based on data from Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 30 PROGRAMS - BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
Kids 9-14
Week Ended June 11, 2006 |
|
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In Millions |
|
1 |
D PHANT REALITY TRIP |
NICK |
5.1 |
1245 |
|
2 |
DRAKE & JOSH |
NICK |
4.8 |
1183 |
|
3 |
NED DECLASSIFIED |
NICK |
4.8 |
1171 |
|
4 |
DRAKE & JOSH |
NICK |
4.7 |
1159 |
|
5 |
NED DECLASSIFIED |
NICK |
4.7 |
1153 |
|
6 |
DRAKE & JOSH |
NICK |
4.6 |
1139 |
|
7 |
NED DECLASSIFIED |
NICK |
4.6 |
1131 |
|
8 |
NED DECLASSIFIED |
NICK |
4.4 |
1079 |
|
9 |
DANNY PHANTOM |
NICK |
4.4 |
1077 |
|
10 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
4.3 |
1050 |
|
11 |
FAIRLY ODD PARENTS |
NICK |
4.2 |
1034 |
|
12 |
FAIRLY ODD PARENTS |
NICK |
4.2 |
1031 |
|
13 |
DANNY PHANTOM |
NICK |
4.1 |
1012 |
|
14 |
DRAKE & JOSH |
NICK |
4.1 |
1009 |
|
15 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
4.1 |
1005 |
|
16 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
4.0 |
995 |
|
17 |
DRAKE & JOSH |
NICK |
4.0 |
983 |
|
18 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
4.0 |
976 |
|
19 |
FAIRLY ODD PARENTS |
NICK |
3.8 |
928 |
|
20 |
FAIRLY ODD PARENTS |
NICK |
3.8 |
926 |
|
21 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
3.7 |
911 |
|
22 |
JIMMY NEUTRON |
NICK |
3.7 |
910 |
|
23 |
JIMMY NEUTRON |
NICK |
3.6 |
887 |
|
24 |
DANNY PHANTOM |
NICK |
3.6 |
883 |
|
25 |
FAIRLY ODD PARENTS |
NICK |
3.6 |
876 |
|
26 |
NED DECLASSIFIED |
NICK |
3.6 |
875 |
|
26 |
DEAL OR NO DEAL-MON |
NBC |
3.6 |
875 |
|
28 |
ZOEY 101 |
NICK |
3.5 |
864 |
|
29 |
FULL HOUSE |
NAN |
3.5 |
858 |
|
30 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
3.5 |
857 |
|
Source: MTV Networks, based on data from Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 30 PROGRAMS - BROADCAST & BASIC CABLE TV
Kids 2-11
Week Ended June 11, 2006 |
|
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
In Millions |
|
1 |
D PHANT REALITY TRIP |
NICK |
5.8 |
2320 |
|
2 |
FAIRLY ODD PARENTS |
NICK |
5.4 |
2139 |
|
3 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
5.3 |
2115 |
|
4 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
5.3 |
2097 |
|
5 |
FAIRLY ODD PARENTS |
NICK |
5.2 |
2076 |
|
6 |
DRAKE & JOSH |
NICK |
5.1 |
2019 |
|
7 |
JIMMY NEUTRON |
NICK |
5.0 |
1978 |
|
8 |
FAIRLY ODD PARENTS |
NICK |
4.9 |
1969 |
|
9 |
DRAKE & JOSH |
NICK |
4.9 |
1967 |
|
10 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
4.8 |
1931 |
|
11 |
DRAKE & JOSH |
NICK |
4.8 |
1921 |
|
12 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
4.8 |
1915 |
|
13 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
4.8 |
1912 |
|
14 |
FAIRLY ODD PARENTS |
NICK |
4.7 |
1859 |
|
15 |
SPONGEBOB |
NICK |
4.7 |
1858 |
|
16 |