Based on last week's ratings, "The Starter Wife" is shaping up to be television's first hit of the summer. Last week's 2-hour season premiere of the mini series averaged 5.4 million viewers and scored big with women in the 18-49 demographic, beating out reruns of Shark and Grey's Anatomy.
The series still has 4 more installments to follow, but the network is already toying with the idea of turning The Starter Wife into a regular series, depending on how well it does during the rest of its run. I'm a little skeptical about the idea of stretching the storyline beyond the novel, but hey - whatever works for the network.
Personally, I thought the show got off to a great start, and am interested to tune in for the rest of the story. I have to wonder, though: What exactly caused such excellent ratings? The show's massive marketing campaign? Debra Messing's charm? Or simply the fact that it's the summertime and our options are limited?
What do you think?
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Diane von Furstenberg
Andy Warhol for Levi's
Tripp
great- i liked it and Debra Messing is awesome. Love to see her on tv regularly.
1good thoughts buzz.
2maybe it's debra...she's very cool. i think most girls can relate to her.
I LOVED the premiere. It's on my series recording list even tho it is a mini-series. hah. I'd love for it to be a regular series!
3loved it...intriguing and compelling!
4Yeah summer doesn't have a lot options, but this show definitely held its own. I was impressed by the writing (not so much the psychologist bits with Judy Davis, though it was funny). Little jabs like "Of course I'm grumpy I haven't eaten in twelve years!" always hook me!
5I thought it was great, and I think the reason for the huge ratings is due to the great marketing they did for the show. I felt like I couldn't go anywhere without seeing or hearing about its premiere. It worked--I watched and will continue watching.
6I didn't watch it when it premiered, I watched it online today and I have to say I really enjoyed it! I didn't expect to either. I'll probably end up watching the whole series online, I can't ever keep track of what show airs on what night.
7I had never seen previews for it on tv nor heard about it until I saw ads for it here. I love Debra, so I thought it might be good. There is never anything good to watch in the summer, so I tivoed the first episode (which i guess was actually the first two). I never watch anything at it's original time, I'm always too busy! Don't know what I would do without TIVO! When I did finally watch it, I did like. I think I will continue to watch it this summer- it's better than watching reruns! But I'm not sure if I would have watched it had it not been in the summer time. I tivo too many shows as it is. And without Debra, I'm not sure how intersted I'd be, even as a summer show.
8This is such a fresh show! Truly funny and all the characters are great! The hunky beach god to the alcoholic best friend. Too funny! I think anyone can relate to this show really!
9I love it!!! it was amazing the way all things fall into place. i just don't care for the "handsome guy", and i was praying that the Loui character wasnt the one who will eventually SPOILERS SPOILER *****die*****SPOILERS SPOILERS.
i;M HOOKED
10I thought it was mildly interesteing but I don't think it'll work as a full-run series.
11I think its because the book was so good, and the author has written excellent articles for popular women's magazines as well.
12Personally, I tuned in because of Debra. I missed seeing her on tv since Will and Grace.
13no kidding about the massive marketing! some serious advertising dollars to build momentum for the premiere. it sure got people talking about it.
14I do like Debra, but I didn't watch the show
15I personally loved it! I will probably have to go get the book too.
I think the large ratings due to all the reasons you listed Buzz. There are certainly limited choices in the summer, but Debra is just so great.
I can't wait to see the rest.
16I didn't catch of of the many showings this past Saturday, but I'm glad to hear I can catch it online, especially given the good reviews!
17I say (D) all of the above.
I definitely perked up when the ads came on, and since there was nothing else on last week, I tuned in. I have to say, however, that I was really less than thrilled with the overall show. Of course, I haven't read the book, so I might be giving it an unfair analysis. I'm definitely watching again this week - I just hope it's a little less boring this time.
18the publicity on blogs like this one really helped, i think
19i think i'll go read the book since i cant watch it.
I liked it, it was a pretty good intro to the story. I can't wait to see how it turns out. I am already rooting for Debra's character.
20I guess I'm the only one not enjoying this show. I thought that the husband would come out or something.
21I did see the advertising and I TIVO'd it. I am also a big fan of Debra Messing. I thought it was cute and I will continue to watch the other parts of the mini series.
22Loved what I saw so far. DVR'ed it and saw the first hour. This may be my pic for the best summer show so far
23I loved it. Even my boyfriend is looking forward to the next episode.
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