"The Shield" - NOW what?

Well, that was a messy ending to season 5.0 of "The Shield."  In just three weeks, they'll start taping the next 10 episodes -- "season 5.5," as insiders are calling it -- which will air later this year or maybe 2007. And then who knows what.

The outcome of "The Shield" may be turning on another program that aired last night. "The Unit," from "Shield" creator Shawn Ryan plus David Mamet, scored what CBS is promoting as a significant share of its previous week's rating (85%), given the fact that last week's had a "NCIS" first-run lead-in and this was a rerun.

If "The Unit" keeps putting up decent numbers, the temptation would be strong for Ryan to make these next 10 episodes of "The Shield" the last. He intimated as much in an interview last week on public radio.

March 22, 2006

 

ON ITS THIRD MISSION, "THE UNIT" OVERCOMES A REBROADCAST LEAD-IN AND STILL RETAINS 86% OF LAST WEEK'S ADULT 18-49 RATING AGAINST "AMERICAN IDOL"

 

"NCIS" Rebroadcast is a Solid Second in Viewers and Key Demos Against First-Run Competition

 

"The Amazing Race" Hits the Mat Second in Key Demos

 

            The third episode of THE UNIT retained 86% of last week's adult 18-49 delivery and 85% of its viewer tally with a rebroadcast lead-in and competition from an extended "American Idol," according to preliminary Nielsen ratings for Tuesday, March 21.

 

THE UNIT posted a 9.7/14 with 15.27m viewers, 5.7/12 in adults 25-54 and 4.2/09 in adults 18-49 -- second behind an extended episode of FOX's "American Idol".   Compared to last week, THE UNIT retained 85% of both viewers (from 18.07m) and adults 25-54 (from 6.7/14) and 86% of adults 18-49 (from 4.9/11).  Note:  Last week's episode had a first run NCIS as a lead-in.

 

A rebroadcast of NCIS was second in households (7.5/11), viewers (11.55m), adults 25-54 (3.7/08) and adults 18-49 (2.6/07) against primarily first-run competition.

 

THE AMAZING RACE delivered a 6.0/10 with 9.39m viewers, 3.0/09 in adults 18-34, 3.9/10 in adults 18-49 and 4.6/11 in adults 25-54.  THE AMAZING RACE was second in adults 25-54, adults 18-49 and adults 18-34.   

 

For the night, CBS was second in households (7.7/12), viewers (12.07m), adults 25-54 (4.6/10) and adults 18-49 (3.6/09) -- all behind FOX's two hours of "American Idol".

 

            Final Tuesday ratings will be available this afternoon.

 

Comments

[Tammy Ames]

When it comes to ratings, I have to say that there are more people that watch CBS and NBC dramas and reality shows than FX or Fox even WB so the competition is fierce. I was stunned by last nights episode and thought it fueled the makings of the next season (whenever FX airs it) this was by far the most intense season of The Shield but if Ryan wanted more substantial viewers and loyalty among viewers then more regular season premiers and season finales with long droughts in between make it hard for viewers to switch back and forth.

I for one will drop everything for the next season of The Shield ~ let's hope the reruns on Spike TV will garner more viewers for a gritty drama that has me hooked.

The Shield viewer in Maine.
Tammy

[Jerry in Phoenix]

Ratings can be and always will be finicky.
With that said, it must be remembered that each network is reaching to different demographics. Sure the CSI franchise does extremely well while Idol continues to drive in viewers.

Last week, I understand the top 5 programs included 2 from CBS, two from FOX and one from NBC.
Yes, the competition is fierce.

Last I looked, Neilsen doesn't mix "over the air" channels with cable channels.
To mix FX in with CBS, NBC, FOX or the late WB would actually skew the results.

As for The Shield, when I found that Shawn Ryan pitched and sold The Unit to CBS, the hand writing began to appear on the wall. Especially now that The Unit is doing so well, perhaps "season 5.5" could be the final for Vic and the Barn? Personally, I hope it lives for season's 6 and 7.
At the same time, I don't wish for it to become a "copy" of it's former self in the form of the "A-Team" where the Strike Team is arrested and forced to work for the government.

Kenny Johnson will be missed as Lem.
May Lem find and rest in the peace he desparately was looking for.

[Opforsoldier]

I have been patiently waiting for The Shield and in the down season I have re-watched all of seasons 1-4 (waiting for the 5th to come out on DVD) looking for those subtle hints that we may have missed the first time, did not realize would play out later or just plain forgot about in the years past.

I seriously hope that this is not the last season and think they could get this to season 7 with relative ease. Of course after that is anyones guess as they will be fishing for story lines.

Sean Ryan and the entire crew have done a spectacular job on this show. I do have to point out though that Sean Ryan is not the creator of The Unit, although he is an executive producer. David Mamet is along with retired Army CSM Eric Haney (who was an original member of the elite Army unit SFOD-D, or Delta Force for the layman).

Either way you slice it I am anxious for the new season of The Shield to get going but my gut tells me that with Lem gone (my favorite character) this is the final season and it is going to end with Shane choking down one big poop sandwich, as he very much deserves.