Rev. Al Sharpton does not equal ratings
Monday night’s episode of Raw, which was hosted by Rev. Al Sharpton, was by far the lowest-rated Raw since WWE introduced the guest host format three months ago.
The show did a 3.1, which is down from last week’s 3.4, and is the lowest-rated Raw since the Nov. 17 episode did a 2.9. The poor showing has to be especially disappointing to WWE because it was the go-home show for Sunday’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view.
Yes, “Monday Night Football” always takes a bite out of Raw’s ratings, and this week’s game featured the Dallas Cowboys, who are a big draw nationally. But Raw held up pretty well against “MNF” the previous two weeks (back-to-back 3.4’s), so I attribute the low number mostly to Sharpton. As evidenced by the hostile reception that Sharpton got at the arena on Monday’s show, he is a polarizing figure whose detractors are quite passionate.
Comments
I think the ".1" was Tawana Brawley .
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | September 30, 2009 7:29 PM
Kev:
Did the Summerslam buy rate come in? I'm curious because of the partnership with 7-11 leading up to SS. 7-11 Big Gulp cups were themed in SS, there was point of sale in all stores, and they were selling collectible cups with Cena, Edge, UT, HHH, & Kelly Kelly.
Was interested to know if that promotion increased the buy rate vs. 2008.
RESPONSE FROM KE: I haven't seen the numbers.
Posted by: Matt | September 30, 2009 7:32 PM
I understand it's RAW's go home show but Friday Night SmackDown is going to be THE go home show. I'm really looking forward to that. The 8 man tag team match should be epic. HBK, HHH and Undertaker all on one team, that has to be unprecedented. Should be intresting.
I wonder if they'll be any kind of tension between UT and Michales steming from their WM match.
Posted by: Andre the Midget | September 30, 2009 8:29 PM
While Rev Al Sharpton may not have been a ratings success, I feel he had a very important idea and message to convey! I commend WWE for bringing in Rev Sharpton as a guest host!
Posted by: Bill Simering | September 30, 2009 8:30 PM
I attribute the low ratings to the same garbage every week........
Posted by: Chris | September 30, 2009 9:57 PM
I don't think entire blame should go onto Rev. Sharpton. "Bad writing" also contributed in RAW's downfall.
Posted by: Kunal | September 30, 2009 10:13 PM
I didn't watch - now I don't know whether these ratings include Canadian viewership (I doubt it, but I'd love clarification) but I'm sick and tired of RAW. I'm sick of Orton vs. Cena, and I'm tired of Cena vs. Orton. Yes, I know I said it twice, but there's only so much of that feud that I can take. It's much like Edge - for two years, he was in the title picture on Smackdown...and I may seem like a douche for saying it (and I'm sorry for that, I guess) but I was glad that he was injured because that gave someone else the chance to shine in the spotlight...and CM Punk has been running with that ball, and doing a great job with it.
In my eyes, Smackdown is the "A" show, and ECW is the the "B" show. RAW? THat's not a show I care to "C" right now, if you'll pardon the bad pun.
Posted by: Oliver (Winnipeg FTW!) | October 1, 2009 1:31 AM
I don't think Al Sharpton had that much to do with the ratings, I think it's knowing it's the same crap every week and it's getting really really tiring. I don't really care for Al Sharpton, but I was curious to see what material he would do so I still tuned in, but the wrestling is boring.
Seems like they're starting to worry about the lower ratings now that they are doing 2 3-hour Raws this year. And according to JR's blog, the Rock talked about hosting Raw, if they coupled that with a 3-hour Raw, I bet their ratings would be in the high 4s or 5s.
Posted by: Bret | October 1, 2009 2:09 PM
...wasn't it you, Kevin, who brought up the theory recently that this week's rating actually says more about last week's show? who was guest host then?
Posted by: Philip | October 1, 2009 3:00 PM
Speaking of ratings, Kev - I realized that I have posted on your blog at least 400 times. Kudos to you man! Looks as if your blog is more popular than Raw!
Posted by: rob the barber | October 1, 2009 5:15 PM
"rob the barber" - 400x eh ?? ...... I'm zeroing in :)
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | October 1, 2009 5:43 PM
as a viewer from Ireland can i ask why Rev.Al Sharpton got such a bad reception??
Posted by: conan curley | October 1, 2009 6:00 PM
Al Sharpton was a huge asset to WWE. People don't care about education. They rather stay ignorant and let people from other nations out score us and take all of our jobs. Al Sharpton want's us to be educated dummies.
Posted by: Jameszina | October 2, 2009 3:49 PM
Al Sharpton speaks the truth. People rather be lied to. I watched the show because of Rev Al. I love him.
Posted by: Jamie | October 2, 2009 3:56 PM
To Conan Curley and Jamie - for starters , look @ comment #1 and "google" same .
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | October 3, 2009 8:30 AM
I keep want to start this comment with ‘good’ or ‘nice’ or ‘great’ but none of these seems strong enough, or appropriate enough for what you just posted.Just fantastic and mind blowing blog keep it up..!!!
Posted by: curcuma | November 9, 2009 2:08 AM