Ratings update: ‘The Rickey Smiley Show’ breaks records for TV One
Rickey Smiley has a reason to feel good after strong ratings for his new sitcom on TV One Tuesday. CREDIT: Getty Images
Loading ...Atlanta-based “The Rickey Smiley Show” sitcom drew about 900,000 viewers for its debut appearance on TV One Tuesday night over its first two episodes.
That isn’t all that impressive compared to shows like VH1’s “Love & Hop: Atlanta” or TLC’s “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo.” But for TV One, these are big numbers, the biggest debut in the history of the network.
Atlanta’s Roger Bobb, who produced the show and used to work with Tyler Perry, said oin an interview today that TV One has never gotten this type of market share before. “They’re extremely happy, as am I,” Bobb said.
He notes that these numbers aren’t as large as Perry’s sitcoms on TBS, but TBS is in nearly twice as many households. (TV One is seen in 57 million households vs. 100 million for TBS.)
Bobb also said Smiley’s acting improves steadily from episodes one to 10.
He is hopeful for a second season pickup but TV One has to see if the initial audience sticks around the next few weeks before it makes that commitment.
If Smiley gets a second season, it might be 13 or 26 episodes, not 90 like Perry wrangled from TBS and FX received from “Anger Management.”
“While the model was successful for us,” Bobb said, when he was working with Perry, “it doesn’t always benefit the networks financially. It’s a tremendous gamble, an unnecessary gamble. You don’t know if the 90th episode will be as good as the second or third or 40th.”
- VH1’s “T.I. & Tiny” Monday slipped to 1.76 million viewers from 2 million last week and 4 million for its season debut.
- CBS’s “Survivor” – which features “Facts of Life” star Lisa Welchel, MLB retired player Jeff Kent and two players who grew up in metro Atlanta: Sarah Dawson and Malcolm Freberg – drew 11.2 million viewers, up 7 percent from a year ago’s debut, proving the resilience of this reality show program. But it’s aging. Its 18-49 demo rating fell from 3.3 to 3.1. “The X Factor” improved from last week when it was competing against “The Voice” and brought in 9.4 million viewers and a 3.4 rating. “The Big Brother” finale hit a series low for a season finale with 7.4 million and a 2.5 rating 18-49.
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By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
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65 comments Add your comment
SweetSwag
September 20th, 2012
5:21 pm
like the idea but unfortunately it falls short like the other black sitcoms on TV now, Soul Man, House of Payne, Between the Lines etc.
Tired of Garbage on TV
September 20th, 2012
5:28 pm
I was sadly one of the 900,000 that watch it. The show is horrible! I’d rather watch the wind blow.
1st mate
September 20th, 2012
5:43 pm
I dont like the lineup, J Anthony Brown is obnoxious. The acting is horrific..
Not impressed
September 20th, 2012
5:58 pm
The show is horrible. I hate that it is no good but why waste airspace. It wont last more than 26 episodes. It might only need 13 episodes. I’m not impressed with the actual radio show either. Acting is not for Rickey !!
Former Atlantian now in D.C.
September 20th, 2012
6:01 pm
Too much hate in the comments for the positive brother Rickey Smiley. Keep doing your thing bruh. I’m listening to you in the morning on 92.3 in Maryland and watching you at night on TV One.
Lady Vee
September 20th, 2012
6:01 pm
The acting on this show was horrible! the kids not funny at all (I will no longer watch this show )!!
Daughter of Sammyy Davis Jr, Jr
September 20th, 2012
6:29 pm
Unable to watch the show due to having Dish Network
but anyway, i want to watch it online as soon as they upload the full episodes. Please have them to look at online views number as well, Rickey! I’ll be watching online as they upload them!!!
Shauna
September 20th, 2012
6:31 pm
I liked it!!! Give it a chance people!!!!
HoppedUpOnClarity
September 20th, 2012
6:52 pm
I have to be honest. Ricky Smiley – good dude. Standup positive guy. I did tune into the show for a bit and have to say that I didn’t really enjoy it. It actually told my wife, “I don’t know if it is because we are just in a reality show mindset so much now, but this show just seems to move so SLOW!” Now I am not a consumer of “reality TV” too much. I mostly watch news programs. So I had to go back in my mind to the days of watching things like the “Cosby Show”, “Good Times” or even something like”Martin” or “Roc”. Ricky’s show just did not keep me interested or moved the same way that those did. It’s tough to top those. I guess we are just in a different time.
Gifted and Talented
September 20th, 2012
7:18 pm
It is amazing when there is a positive show on television; acting is the first line of criticism. However, we will watch our community being degraded and parade around half naked without a script and call it television. How many people who have commented are single parents and have an 18 year old who thinks he/she is grown (a scene from the series)? Let’s look at the message that is being sent forward and stop the bashing. Grant it this show is not like the Jefferson’s, Good Times, or the Cosby Show and so forth – those shows were based around two parent households and had trained actors (sorry Ricky); but I like the show’s foundation, ethics and morals. With Mr. Smiley’s following; this show could teach some of our young single parents something. Again, let’s look at the message and wait for the acting to get better. As Mr. Bobb said, the acting gets better and I’ve seen Roger Bobb’s previous work; therefore I trust it will get better. As for not supporting this show, I think we should continue to support the positive shows and turn off the straight garbage like Single Ladies, Real Housewives of anything, and for heavens sake, somebody please take off Basketball Wives and Love and Hip Hop Atlanta. These shows are deplorable to the human race. Let’s stop jumping judging so fast and give the show a chance.
LS
September 20th, 2012
7:20 pm
I love Ricky Smiley on the radio and doing standup but the show……..I didn’t laugh out loud not one time. Sorry Ricky.
Reign
September 20th, 2012
7:33 pm
I forgot to tune in, I don’t listen to Mr Smiley’s radio show, but I would have given his show a try. I think he’s a really positive and progressive minded individual, so I’ll give his show a chance. Good luck Mr Smiley, our world is being dumb downed so it might be a challenge for your show if it’s positive.
k dog
September 20th, 2012
7:37 pm
The RIcky Smiley Show is terrible. I’m not hating. I’m black. The show is not funny. The Bernie Mac show was great. I wish the best for Ricky but this show will not last.
HoppedUpOnClarity
September 20th, 2012
8:22 pm
Well @Gifted and Talented, you should not draw such conclusions about people and speak from such a narrow minded perspective. I will have you know in my own personal situation I can boast of rearing a 19 year old Pre-Med major at a prestigious University born to me and my wife of 22 YEARS (you do the math there), which we are both two “white collar” accomplished professionals.
If someone doesn’t feel it, they don’t feel it. I will take news or a “Cousin Jeff” documentary over a sitcom any day. We tuned in and wanted to give a chance obviously. I have an opinion of it. People are not monolithic. Let’s get beyond the whole “breaking a Black law” thing.
HoppedUpOnClarity
September 20th, 2012
8:25 pm
…and maybe that’s why I have the perspective that I do @Gifted, because I don’t have that situation, though I do understand. I only chose to respond because you included specific text from my post. No hard feelings though. They just need to improve the show. We’ll see if they can do it.
Former Atlantian now in D.C.
September 20th, 2012
9:00 pm
People forget how the first few episodes of Martin was called not funny. Like the old people say, my spirt agrees with Rickey Smiley.
netradiojock
September 20th, 2012
9:12 pm
TV One wasted production time and money into this project. This show was horrible.
are you guys serious?
September 20th, 2012
11:13 pm
Rickey, the show seemed rushed and the actors seemed like they wanted to film it quick so they can get back to their day jobs. Borderline dinner theater and high school qulaity acting skills from Ray Jay. J. Anthony couldn’t quite capture his comedic timing either. Call the writers from the Bernie Mac show for some help with the thin scripts. On the bright side you did a good job hyping the show up on your radio show. But the way it was pumped up people were expecting Rakim but you gave us Lil Wayne. Keep trying bruh.
Lady mua
September 20th, 2012
11:54 pm
This show was just not funny, I remember it sending a good message, but it failed to capture my attention. This show may go down hill, just like Rickeys on stage performance’s…google ticket master reviews for his live stand up….not good at all!!!!! I’m not bashing…it’s just an honest opinion.
Danny
September 21st, 2012
2:02 am
I got it boot leg from my cousin Ray-Ray.
Fulton
September 21st, 2012
6:08 am
Stop with the ‘hatin’ nonsense! How about if people just don’t like something because it’s NOT ANY GOOD! It’s great that it’s a positive show but if it’s not funny & the acting is bad, what’s the point?
Brian
September 21st, 2012
6:33 am
Love Rickey Smiley morning show, didn’t care for the trailers for the Sitcome, so I didn’t watch, put me to much in the mind of the Tyler Perry shows for which I do not watch, not naturally funny, but did watch Are we there yet on TBS and The Exs on TV Land, they are funny didn’t care for Soul Man… and surprisedly I like The Big Bang Theory…they will eventually get it right…Bring back Run’s House!!! VH1..
Mark
September 21st, 2012
7:19 am
Who cares. Not watching that crap. Just tell me when “Unsung” has new shows……
This is wack!!!
September 21st, 2012
7:32 am
I don’t get Rickey Smiley’s type of humor. To me he’s not a funny comedian like Eddie Griffin or Kevin Hart. He’s mediocre at best. I’ve seen way funnier local comedians at Uptown’s or the Laughing Skull. His prank calls are very funny but his stand-up isn’t. Actually his stand-up is wack. Only reason he’s been getting away with it for so many years is because he makes so many references to church. I didn’t watch the show and I will not watch it. Anything co-staring Willie Norwood Jr. aka Ray J I cannot support.
Mrb62
September 21st, 2012
8:13 am
Eddie Griffin is funny? When did that happen? Oh you must mean Peter Griffin? Or maybe Meg Griffin? Or Stewey? Or Brian Griffin? You could not have possibly meant Eddie’s corny…
KF
September 21st, 2012
8:29 am
I watched both episodes and must say that a bit disappointed, but that’s only because we all hold Mr. Smiley’s comedic ability is such high regard, we immediately expected it to transfer into the show. All shows need time for the actors to get a sense of timing and cohesiveness with each other, before you can really tell how well it will play out. Just support the positive. Because in the end, I would rather see mediocre acting showing positive roles in our community, than complete NO-TALENT, pseudo-scripted “reality” junk that makes us ashamed of where we live.
MelDee
September 21st, 2012
8:32 am
I tried to watch it…two times and I haven’t laughed yet. J Anthony Brown tries toooooooo hard to be funny and Ray J. in my opinion is not a good fit. Sorry Rickey – - – you’re better heard and not seen.
MizzMarj
September 21st, 2012
8:59 am
LOVE THE SHOW….Go Rickey Smiley, love to show, I laughed and laughed and could relate, I enjoyed RAY J character…the show if very funny…Lots of Love
lauren
September 21st, 2012
9:01 am
The show had a stage like presence it was like i watching a very bad play.
blkshepherd
September 21st, 2012
9:04 am
I am going to be honest. When it comes to comedy I am a tough critic be it white black or hispanic. Born in the mid 50s, introduced to TV in the early 60s and growing up as a teen in the 70s when they had shows like Good Times, The Jeffersons and later Cosby and Fresh Prince
.Although I LOL many times at the Fresh Prince(a young talented Will Smith) I never really laughted that much at the Cosby Show and both Good Times, Jeffersons were funnier than the Cosbys.
Still later sitcoms, Living Single, Girlfriends..I managed a few LOL..but I also liked the drama of those shows.
Todays, House of Payne, The Browns(worst acting sitcom ever) and a few new ones that wont even capture my interest to even watch the pilot..(are we there yet?) is way over the top..very stereotype and
the Buffoonary is not entertaining to me at all and to be totally honest I got more laughs out of old 50s and 60s 70s shows like the Honymooners, Lucy, Mary Tyler Moore, Benson and Taxi. which were all pretty funny and you didnt have to pull a laugh out.
Men putting on dresses to be funny is very much old and tired and Played out. Flip Wilson was the first black comic to dress in drag with Geraldine to get some Strong laughter out of me..but thats about it.
Tyler Perry’s Madea was funny at first but thats been stretched wayyyyyyyyy to thin and is by no means funny to me
The fate of the Black Sitcom..is very much in queston. .
Miss A
September 21st, 2012
9:23 am
I watched the show and even though it wasn’t very funny, I will continue to watch and support the brother. We always complaining about not having representation of “us” on TV, but when we do, we are our harshest critics. But, we are quick to watch black folks acting a fool, fighting, cursing, jumping on tables, etc. on those crappy reality shows. I think the first episodes of many shows were not that great. I remember hearing that Cheers was doing so bad the first year, they didn’t think the show would last. It is one of the best and longest lasting shows ever. So, let’s give Mr. Smiley a chance. I think as time goes on, the shows will get better and his acting will improve. Let’s just call this his “probation period”.
Wanted it to work
September 21st, 2012
9:26 am
To – Gifted and Talented it’s not that we are hating and not supporting Mr. Smiley actually it’s the opposite. I really wanted the show to work. Unfortunately it’s was really bad. Aside from the attempted family message the show was not creative. It’s not just acting, is writing, delivery, pace everything that makes a show entertaining. With so many gifted unemployed writers out there I’m really disappointed this show couldn’t have been better. I wanted to like it and attempted to watch both shows however I’m certain I would probably not tune in again. Unfortunate!
DOIN ME
September 21st, 2012
10:20 am
I watched for about 15 minutes…….I have to agree, the acting could be much better. I will try to watch again next week but if it’s the same, I probably won’t waste my time. It’s just like those Tyler Perry shows……….not so good but you watch anyway.
StnMtn Rick
September 21st, 2012
10:22 am
I’m going to give the show a chance because I did see an improvement between the first and second episode. I’d like to see them dive into more real/serious issues mixed with the comedy. That’s what House of Payne did. Let’s see what happens.
WOW
September 21st, 2012
11:20 am
It is 1000% more positive than Love and Hip Hope, Fake wives of Atlanta, etc. The main character goes to work and comes home to his children. The mother of the kids isn’t a stripper or gold digger.
I’ll take this over anything BET and VH1 has. It’s sad to have so few positive shows.
FAMUAKA
September 21st, 2012
11:35 am
My kids and I watched the show together and we really enjoyed it. I love the message that it brought across. I will continue to support The Rickey Smiley Show!
Slick Willie Johnson
September 21st, 2012
11:36 am
I like Rickey as a comedian/prankster, but it was painful to start watching and even more painful to keep watching this crap the other night.I won’t admit to seeing it publicly. I don’t support the “Real Wives of anything” (other than they all need to get a “real” job) and should stop glorifying being a house ‘ho’. These shows sat black people back decades and they were better than the Rickey Smiley show. Good luck on your next endeavor brother. This ain’t it. Peace out.
Gifts
September 21st, 2012
11:39 am
I agree, Rickey is a positive dude. However, as my folks used to tell me, “everything ain’t for everybody.” People should exercise their gifts. Nowadays it seems that once someone is labeled an entertainer/celebrity of ANY genre, they attempt ALL genres… singing, acting, television, stage, and let’s not forget the all important clothing line. Sometimes it’s better to do one thing and do it well.
kym
September 21st, 2012
1:19 pm
Ohh such negative comments but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Give the show a try and the numbers are great since TV One isnt in all households like VHI and BET. anyway…remember it took awhile to get into Bernie Mac show and it impoved over time and this will too. Rickey and others even said it himself.his acting improves. be positive and encouraging to the show and its cast it will get better.
Daniel
September 21st, 2012
1:21 pm
I did not see the show but I will say to anyone, watch a few episodes before making your decision. I remember the first 3 or 4 episodes of Seinfeld, I was like, I don’t know about this. But they got into a groove and made history. Do a search on the shows or rent them to see. Those first few episodes were NOTHING like the show became.
kym
September 21st, 2012
1:23 pm
Is tvone going to bring love that girl back….I loved that show. PPl complan about not enough positive shows on tv for AA and when they get them on the air ppl dont tune in because they ‘ dont like the show”. ! PPl talked garbage about LHHATL and RHOA but do they stop tuning in…..NO. the only way to get trashy shows of the air is to not tune in.
I love sitcoms
September 21st, 2012
2:01 pm
I watched the show and while the message was positive, the acting needs some improvement. I will continue to watch to support the show with hopes that it gets better. Rickey is funny so I can see him getting better. Roz Ryan was pretty funny though. Maybe different kids would make it better. Or simply different scripting for their lines. I am not sure where the idea of sassy kids, talking back and being borderline disrespectful came from but it’s not cute. At all. I understand the children are to represent his children in life. And the stories he tells about his children are often funny. Maybe the writers do not know who to script the scenarios for them because unfortunately they do not pull off funny. Kids in successful black comedies of the past were quick witted but stayed in a kids place. Kids in shows of today are smart mouthed. And that just does not translate to funny. I wish Rickey much success and hope the show quickly becomes an all time favorite.
I love sitcoms
September 21st, 2012
2:10 pm
I did a little research and the writer for the Rickey Smiley show also wrote for House of Payne and Meet the Browns, not so funny shows. Maybe Rickey should be writing more and using less of this other guy. IJS
Rodney Ho
September 21st, 2012
2:15 pm
Roger Bobb worked closely with House of Payne and Meet the Browns before starting his own production company so it’s not surprising he’s using a similar pool of writers. And as we all know, you frequently get what you pay for. I can’t imagine his writers are getting paid the same as those on, say, TV Land’s “Soul Man” (which is stronger) or the ol’ “Bernie Mac Show.” Perhaps as Rickey Smiley gets more inured to the conventions of the sitcom world, he’ll be able to punch up the humor given his own skill sets. As we all know, a good sitcom relies on several factors: concept, writing, acting, pacing being among the big ones.
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Thereal
September 21st, 2012
6:46 pm
The acting is HORRIBLE . Worst show ever aired , tv1 is waisting its time & money showing it! I get irritated just by the commericals
Why Not BET!?
September 21st, 2012
9:07 pm
900,000 Viewers, that is all!!! Wow! And everybody seems to hate the show. in two weeks, this show may be down to 400,000 viewers and it will be AXED! The biggest rating ever in TvOnes history means that nobody really watches TVone! BET takes all TvOne shine. Maybe BET needs to pick up that show.
Disappointed
September 21st, 2012
9:19 pm
Ricky Smiley, I am upset at you for having anythng to do with the TRASH NORWOOD FAMILY WHO HELPED KILL WHITNEY!