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[03/02/10 - 01:34 PM]
TV Guide Network's "25 Biggest TV Blunders" Special Delivers 3.3 Million Viewers and Becomes #1 Rated Special Among Women 25-54
TV Guide Network spins the numbers for Sunday, February 28.

[via press release from TV Guide Network]

TV GUIDE NETWORK'S "25 BIGGEST TV BLUNDERS" SPECIAL DELIVERS 3.3 MILLION VIEWERS AND BECOMES #1 RATED SPECIAL AMONG WOMEN 25-54

One-Hour Special Brings TV Guide Network Back to its Brand As the True Television Insider for Passionate TV Fans

LOS ANGELES (March 2, 2010) - TV Guide Network today announced that the combined Sunday telecasts of "25 Biggest TV Blunders" special, which premiered on February 28, delivered 3.3 million viewers (persons 2+). In addition, "25 Biggest TV Blunders" became the network's number one rated special among women 25-54 in 2010. For the 8:00 p.m. ET/PT premiere, the special delivered a .5 coverage rating (377,000 HH), a triple digit increase (100 percent) with women 25-54 and a double digit increase (74 percent) over prior year.

"Our '25 Biggest TV Blunders' special achieved what we wanted it to - that is, bring TV Guide Network back to a brand that speaks to fans and people who love TV shows," said Diane Robina, Executive Vice President, Development, Acquisitions and Programming Strategy at TV Guide Network. "We're pleased that the special resonated with the TV fans who have come to rely on TV Guide as a source for what to watch on television today."

On Sunday, February 28, TV Guide Network counted down the top 25 blunders in the history of television, premiering the special on the eve of Jay Leno's return to late night. The show crowned Jay Leno's move to the 10:00 p.m. primetime slot as the number one blunder on television. The full list included:

#25- When Sexual Tension was Lost�along with the show: Who's the Boss lost its muster after Angela and Tony fell in love, and the lights went out on Moonlighting when David and Maggie finally slept together.

#24- Sinead on SNL: Rips up picture of the Pope, yelling, "Fight the real enemy!"

#23- Life with Lucy: TV pioneer and the Queen of Comedy, Lucille Ball, tanked with her 1986 comedy, Life with Lucy.

#22- Series based on Commercials: The Geico Cavemen taught us that buying insurance is easy enough for a Caveman, but audiences were uninterested in watching them for longer than 30 seconds.

#21- XFL- an injury prone spin off of the NFL: With players who sport jersey names like "HeHateMe" and dog pile coin tosses, this experimental made-for-TV football league folded after its inaugural season.

#20 - Bad Remakes: American Gladiators and Knight Rider are proof positive that some shows should just be left alone.

#19- Felicity Cuts her Hair: The adorable Keri Russell has her trademark locks chopped short after Felicity breaks up with her boyfriend. The show's ratings took a nosedive and never recovered.

#18- Roseanne's 9th Season: Once America's favorite family, the relatable and hard-working Conner family won the Lottery and abandoned the main concept of the show-- along with its audience.

#17- Joanie Loves Chachi: But nobody loved Joanie Loves Chachi.

#16- Failed Talk Shows: Actors including Megan Mullally had their ill-fated attempts at late night, but Chevy Chase takes the cake with his 1993 flop The Chevy Chase Show. The show lasted just six weeks.

#15- Secret Diary of Desmond Pfeiffer: This sitcom featuring Lincoln's butler reminded us that slavery still isn't funny.

#14- Norville Replaces Pauley: The Today Show replaces Jane Pauly with the younger Deborah Norville, causing a media backlash. The show falls behind Good Morning America and much of the blame is placed on Norville. She was replaced by Katie Couric while on maternity leave and never returned.

#13- Cop Rock: This ill-conceived 1990 TV musical about law enforcement was no GLEE. It's routinely cited as one of the worst show concepts of all time.

#12- Dennis Miller/NFL: Reading the fake news on Saturday Night Live didn't prepare him to be a sports commentator for Monday Night Football.

#11- NBC cancels Baywatch: After moving to syndication, Baywatch becomes the most popular show in the world.

#10- Losing leading ladies: When producers let their leading ladies slip away, the shows never remain the same; such is the case of Suzanne Somers on Three's Company and Farrah Fawcett on Charlie's Angels.

#9- Premature Exits: David Caruso left NYPD Blue and Brian Dunkleman left American Idol for bigger and brighter dreams�which never materialized.

#8- "Cousin Oliver": His addition tothe Brady Bunch couldn't save the show. Six episodes after his arrival, the beloved series was cancelled.

#7- Erasing Johnny Carson: NBC erases the first decade of the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson�in order to save tape stock.

#6- Project Runway: In the height of its popularity, the show switches networks and moves to L.A. On top of a mega-lawsuit featuring some of Hollywood's biggest players, fans were confused and became uninterested.

#5- Stars who turned down hit roles: Paul Shaffer never returned a call offering him the roll of George Costanza in Seinfeld, and Dana Delany turned down the role of Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City.

#4- Quiz Show scandal of the '50's: Herb Stempel's scripted loss on the game show Twenty-One was a huge scandal that caused Congress to pass a law in 1960 to ensure game shows were legit.

#3- 2000 Election Flip Flop Coverage: Several news channels announced Al Gore the winner of Florida, and thus the election. Then FOX News called the state for George W. Bush and the other networks followed suit. After more votes were counted, they all moved back to undecided, leaving Americans completely confused as to who was gong to be the next president. The snafu caused news outlets to change the way they report on election night.

#2- Nipplegate - Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" at the Superbowl during her performance with Justin Timberlake was the boob seen 'round the world.

#1- NBC moves Jay Leno to the 10pm slot: Less than a year in his new spot, the network decides to return the Tonight Show to Leno, setting off a hailstorm between Jay, Conan, and the entire network.

About TV Guide Network

TV Guide Network is the true entertainment insider and the only network that celebrates Hollywood, its stars and the shows that fans adore. Committed to buzz-worthy, breakout programming and a rich, multi-platform viewing experience, TV Guide Network is seen in more than 80 million homes nationwide and online at TVGuide.com, a one-stop fan destination serving 21 million unique users per month. TV Guide Network is home to some of America's fan-favorite series including "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Ugly Betty" and "American Idol Rewind." The network also takes fans behind-the-scenes of Hollywood with original programming that delivers the latest news on entertainment and pop culture, as well as live coverage of the industry's biggest events such as the Red Carpet at the Academy Awards� and Primetime Emmy� Awards. TV Guide Network, TVGuide.com and the TV Guide brand are owned by Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), the leading next-generation studio and producer of award-winning series "Mad Men" and "Weeds," and One Equity Partners, the private equity arm of JPMorgan Chase.





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