Good Guys, Not Good Ratings

By Robert Wilonsky Tue., Jun. 15 2010 at 12:11 PM

Categories: From the RTF Dept.

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If nothing else last night's Good Guys made me crave some of the city's best barbecue -- see Mac's sign behind Bradley Whitford.

Last night's episode of The Good Guys, "The Broken Door Theory," is on the other side for those who missed it -- and, says Uncle Barky, quite a few of you most definitely did not tune in. Writes Ed, the shot-here FOX series, which last night featured the Hotel Palomar and Clarice Tinsley and a quick glimpse of Mac's Barbecue, ain't doing so hot in the local ratings, drawing just 128,940 total viewers -- a significant drop-off from lead-in Lie to Me's 183,230. It came in behind CBS reruns.

The national numbers aren't in yet, but if you'll recall the pilot placed fourth when it sneak-peeked last month. FOX, of course, likes the show -- enough to extend its run from 13 to 20 episodes, which means cast and crew are at least scheduled to return in late August following a brief break once they wrap the initial order next month. But can Matt Nix's series hang on that long?

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Hey guys, i'm from Msk Russia, and i absolutely love this show) maybe you just want to look clever, saying it blows. its really funny, i'm serious)
There are several Dallas landmarks clearly visible in the first Robocop. Crozier Tech, the Southland Building, Dallas City Hall, the Old City Hall that's about to be the new UNT Law School, etc. Also, Dan Starks!
@Robocop - Dallas was where the first film was made. RoboCop 2 was filmed in Houston. The 3rd was in Georgia according to IMDB.
Uh, Robocop 3 was filmed in Houston, so how does Dallas have a part of the Robocop franchise?
Just re-watched last night's episode. Was it foreshadowing when rival detective told Stark & Bailey "Vending Machine Huh. Keep at it guys. One of these days she might bump you up to newspaper dispensers?"
Why ain't Bradley and/or Hanks out and about doing pub for this show. I only know about the show because of Big Bob here
I liked seeing The Caravan too. I was hoping it would be the one on Jacksboro Highway near me, but no such luck. The Caravan signs are the same.
@Robert, Um, I think you better keep quiet...isn't it like a FEDERAL offense to mess with one of those paper boxes? Freedom of the press, or some such? (Of COURSE Houston doesn't like the show...it's shot in Dallas!!)
This show blows. What happened to Billy Zane and his bald head on the other show? Oh yeah, that one sucked too. At least you'll always have RoboCop, Big D.
"Big Tex says: Any show that features the Caravan Motel is top shelf in my book. Not the Palomar. The CARAVAN MOTEL! If those sheets could talk." If they could talk, they would say 'Wash Me!! Wash Me!! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, WASH ME!!!!' I enjoy the show as well.
GREAT show -- it's so funny I watch it a second time on my TiVo.
"Let's bust some punks!"
I watch this show for the same reason I watch Cheaters: it's fun to see how many local places you can recognize. Ought to make a drinking game out of it.
It also shows on Monday nights on FX - the previous week's episode I think.
Any show that features the Caravan Motel is top shelf in my book. Not the Palomar. The CARAVAN MOTEL! If those sheets could talk.
I agree with the sentiment that this would fit right in on USA and love the show but my folks watched the pilot and declared they had no further interest.
Actully, Mi esposa y me really like the show. I love the music. I like the local color. I'm with Sanquine. I like the over the top tongue in cheek vibe. Actually, its one of the few things I see on tv (I don't watch a ton) that I laugh out loud. I think its pretty clever. Robert, could you convince them to work in a story line about defecating on a bridge by a local journalist? Bound to help local ratings.
Good show and well worth the time.
Very funny show! Hope FOX sticks with it.
What was the line? - "I had to pee and it felt like fire. That's what I get for picking up a girl at a Foghat concert" Hilarious.
Could the show be 'too high brow' for Fox Watchers??
I love the show and told Bradley that when he wandered by my booth at the end of The Dallas Flea Saturday afternoon at Southside on Lamar. Got to meet his dog Izzie too. Nice guy. Cute dog. Funny show.
I LOVE this show! Funny, fun, and how great is it that the show is shot in DFW? Bradley Whitford is hysterical! His (dare I say?) chemistry with Collin Hanks resonates. Keep watching, y'all, so the ratings increase and the show stays!!
I thought the storyline moved WAAAY too slow in the second episode. As much as I loved seeing the Palomar on the tee vee, part of me kept thinking "move it along, I'm getting bored."
DVR picked it up b/c Mondays is comedy class/superbeer night in the Ellslum. I totally dig this show and its vibe. Even got the manfriend all over it. Huge points for shooting at my apartment (er, law office?!).
My wife and I watched the first episode and found it boring. We haven't watched it since.
It has it's moments, but just moments, nothing sustained. The main characters tend to wear on you as the episode develops. Think Big Bang reruns deliver more funny for the time invested.
Spent a little while this morning talking to teevee execs who say that FOX is very likely going to cut the show some slack. It's doing OK here, not well at all in Houston, better in other markets, critics like it just fine, and, well, it's also summer -- meaning, viewership drops off, habits change, new shows on the sked, lots of shuffling, and FOX likes it enough to be patient regardless of the early numbers. So there's that.
I love the show, but it so desperately belongs on USA behind Psych instead of a network. Maybe if Fox drops the hammer on it USA will throw Nix a bone and pick it up.
Mrs. Merkin controls the TV during the week therefore I catch this show on DVR with her. It is fun to watch and I hope it sticks around. BTW have they started to include veiwer whose DVR tunes the show to record or are those numbers still live audience only
I have followed this show development from the onset..so am tuned to it; however, as I talk about it my office colleagues have never heard of it...once they watch most love it. Dallas Observer has offered terrific coverage..what marketing opportunities are being missed?
I also enjoy this show. A lot. There's definitely major potential for this to become a cult classic. I just hope that Fox gives them a few years to develop the show and put it into the fall lineup.
I think the show is entertaining - and I'll support it. But, now that I've seen 'The Hard Times of RJ Berger', I'll likely be watching 'The Good Guys' via reruns.
All I know is: Seven more episodes till they destroy a Dallas Observer box. And I mean, destroy. Wondering now if I should have told the higher-ups I gave the producers the OK to go ahead with that.
I've been playing catch-up on this show, and I'll admit, I like it. Is it great, no, is it good, yes. Plus, it beats most of the reality show crap programming out there during the summer. Also, I give Nix some summer cred for Burn Notice alone. Finally, between Whitford cracking me up, seeing local sites, and the soundtrack, it's going to start becoming a staple around my place.
I've enjoyed the first 3 episodes, though I'm not sure if I would even know it exists if I lived anywhere else. I spend as much time playing "do you recognize that?" (for instance, the duplex I used to live in years ago, at Worth and Fulton) as I do paying attention to the show itself.
A show that constantly is winking at the audience "We know it's ironic, it's too cool", plus it stars a minor talent from West Wing and the wooden Hanks kid. Exactly what is there to like about this show?
As much as I love watching model-hot "doctors" bitch each other out while standing over a gaping chest wound, this show is witty and fun. It's appointment beer-tv. That is the highest compliment I can imagine.
I LIKE the show! It's nothing award-winning, but the tongue-in-cheek tone, over the top action, retro feel, and Bradley Whitford make the show a fun diversion.