Desperate Housewives Tornado Kills the Competition

Doug Savant by Bob D'Amico/ABC

OK, after watching Sunday's episode, I get it: Marc Cherry's plum is ripe for the watching again. So I don't blame Nielsen's families for tuning in in droves to learn that Tom Scavo (presumably) got swept away by a natural disaster. The dramedy was watched by 20.6 million 18- to 49-year-old viewers, giving it a 7.7 rating/17 share in the demo and its best overall numbers since November sweeps 2006. ABC kicked ass before and after the whirlwind, too, winning at 8 pm/ET with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (14.5 million, 4.9/11) and at 10 with Brothers & Sisters (12.7 million, 4.8/12). Only at 8:30 did Fox surge ahead: Its Bowl Championship Series Selection Show, while down from last year, tackled 10.8 million viewers for 4.3 rating and a 10 share.

Speaking of twisters, the first night of the cabler's wack Wizard of Oz revamp blew away the competition to become its most-watched broadcast ever. Attracting more than 6.3 million viewers, it did even better than Steven Spielberg Presents Taken, the previous record-holder. — Ben Katner

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Posted by

Matt Webb Mitovich

Dec 4, 2007 8:49 AM

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Hey Matt, How did Friday Night Lights do ratings & demo wise? I'm seriously hoping the ratings improve for this show because it is my new fav. Thanks!
Posted by LuvGems Dec 4, 2007 10:04 AM Report Abuse

Matt, Do you know something the rest of us don't? Other reports and spoilers give no indication that Tom Scavo has shuffled off this mortal coil.
Posted by tdean Dec 4, 2007 10:21 AM Report Abuse

It took you until Sunday to realize DH was must-see TV again?? The amazing season 4 premiere is what sold me on that... and has yet to disappoint!
Posted by tknowzbest Dec 4, 2007 10:23 AM Report Abuse

Oh my goodness, is Tom dead? I must have missed that. I watched it and Tivoed it as well. I stopped watching DH last season, but this season got me hooked.
Posted by yossielena Dec 4, 2007 11:07 AM Report Abuse

This blog item was posted by Ben, not Matt.
Posted by RachelScribbles Dec 4, 2007 11:12 AM Report Abuse

The husband that died was the Mayor, not Tom.
Posted by cappittsboro Dec 4, 2007 11:39 AM Report Abuse

Tom is alive and well - buried under tons of rubble!
Posted by Ranger99 Dec 4, 2007 11:57 AM Report Abuse

Surprised to see the usually astute Matt Webb Mitovitch proclaim that Tom was blown away UNLESS you know something we don't, Matt? All we know now is that the house where he was hiding in the basement with his kids and Ida, has been demolished. Too bad we have to wait until the writers' strike ends to find out what happens. I for one am still at a loss to figure out who the woman/friend was, unless the fact a man and a woman were to die has nothing to do with the voiceover about a husband and friend. Guess we'll just have to wait and see. Hope we're not disappointed. Show's been so fantastic, again, finally this season!

Posted by Dorjean

Dec 4, 2007 12:51 PM

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love my desperate housewives! The other older lady has to be the dead friend..Ida....Karen McCluskey made a big deal all show about how she was a real friend to her, its gotta be her!
Posted by KareBear Dec 4, 2007 1:10 PM Report Abuse

I assumed the "husband" that died was Victor. Still officially married to Gabby he flew out the door. I'm thinking Tom is still around?
Posted by vannabug Dec 4, 2007 1:23 PM Report Abuse

Like RachelScribbles said, Ben wrote this, not Matt. Pay attention. Matt has been writing very few of these pieces lately. I keep asking why but no one responds. He must have taken on other duties, and we are being kept in the dark or something.
Posted by mdjones Dec 4, 2007 1:33 PM Report Abuse

Hello, Victor did not fly out the door, but rather was impailed by wooden fence slat! Didn't you watch the show?
Posted by tunie13 Dec 4, 2007 1:33 PM Report Abuse

Ben, Could you please, please get the numbers for FNL? I was curious at first because it was such a good episode, but now it is driving me crazy! Yeah, I know, I am on the internet, I guess I could find it somewhere else. THANKS!!
Posted by TVchiq Dec 4, 2007 1:44 PM Report Abuse

The masthead says Edited by Matt Webb Mitovich. The DH post says Posted by Matt Webb Mitovich. Why are you people being so snarky about it?
Posted by tdean Dec 4, 2007 1:49 PM Report Abuse

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