WHAT WENT DOWN LAST WEEK:
(This is just a run-down of the debate over the ratings that occurred last week. If you want to see this week’s analysis, scroll down and skip this part)
I posted a simple Season 5 Viewing Trend Chart showing a downward trend in viewership for Season 5 – highlighting obvious drops around Dan and DB-centric episodes last week.
Following that analysis, a DB fan posted: http://blairwaldorfs.livejournal.com/991456.html where all previous seasons of Gossip Girl were considered.
If you follow my Tumblr, you will have seen my civil response http://ourlittlenugget.tumblr.com/post/17847113471/this-is-how-you-conduct-a-civil-debate
You may or may not want to see that person’s response, but here it is: http://lokiyan.tumblr.com/post/17866514096/ourlittlenugget-this-is-how-you-conduct-a-civil-debate
AN ANALYSIS OF “CROSS RHODES”:
After the horrible episode last week; and with many angry CB fans vowing not to watch; it was interesting to see the initial drop in ratings was actually on trend with previous losses (10.62%). That said, the loss still meant approx. 120,000 viewers (shippers and/or casual) were sending a clear message to the show-runners that they are not connecting with the current storytelling.
What should be concerning for the show-runners and the network, however, is that halfway through the actual episode, a further 20.8% of viewers sent the same message - leaving only approx. 800,000 viewers who actually watched the episode from start to finish *.
PROJECTION FOR NEXT WEEK:
The average loss per episode since the past was declared a “prologue” in “G.G” is 10.1%.
On the assumption that the final viewing numbers for “Cross Rhodes” is correct at 800,000; projected viewership for “The Princess Dowry” will be approx. 719,200.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
Basically viewers – both shippers and/or casual – are not connecting with the storytelling!
Purely CB speaking, “Crazy, Cupid, Love” saw Chuck and Blair share 3 lines of dialogue and only seconds of screen time together, so you could not really call that a CB-centric episode. The Valentine’s episode focused on Blair’s developing feelings for Dan; and implied tension between Serena and Blair as a direct result of it. And of course that kiss (which Bart so kindly warned us about). Therefore; any loss as a result of this episode cannot be the responsibility of a shared CB arc.
Leading into “Cross Rhodes” was a DB-centric promo, flaunting the many kisses they would share in the episode. Obviously that did not work to draw in more viewers – shipper and/or casual. Furthermore, halfway through the actual episode where Blair’s feelings for Dan are confirmed; an additional 20.8% of viewers (210,000!!!) chose to speak with their remotes and tune out.
As much as this will ignite debate from the DB fanbase, the message is loud and clear – this story is not a popular one and does not connect with shippers and/or casual viewers either!
CONCLUSION:
At this stage no amount of math, logic or common sense will reverse the damage that has been done. , or will be done, as a result of the current direction of the show.
DB fans: If you used the same energy and passion that you exhaust in sucking up to the GG Writers, Bart and Norman; to convince your friends and other fans to watch, maybe it wouldn’t be getting the worst ratings ever in the history of the show!
Personally, as a CB fan, I REFUSE to suck up to anybody just to get some decent storytelling out of the show – despite the GG Writer’s ‘masked threat’ today when referring to the finale. Any showrunner that holds the QUALITY of their show hostage, due to criticism, should really evaluate whether they are in the right industry in my opinion.
* http://www.hitfix.com/articles/tv-ratings-smash-drop-continues-but-the-voice-keeps-nbc-in-monday-lead
My fucking hero
The GG writers can go to hell, that is all~
(via allyouneedislovechair)
