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Want to Know what People are Watching… “Better Call Saul”

Staff — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 18:52:56 +0000

When Better Call Saul debuted on AMC (February 6, 2015) it broke cable viewing records. Becoming the most watched premiere in cable history, getting close to 7 million viewers, with 4.4 million among the coveted 18-49 demographic. The numbers get even loftier when DVR watchers are included, with a total viewer count reaching close to 10 million.

Any industry skeptics who thought Better Call Saul was just getting a “coattail effect” because it debuted after the mid-season premiere of The Walking Dead, with its audience of 15.6 million viewers. They were forced to take notice, when the third episode of Better Call Saul, took the top spot in Mondays cable ratings. Sure the numbers are a bit more back to earth, with a combined 3.2 million viewers. But so far, early on, it’s a bona fide ratings success.

For those not up on the Better Call Saul legacy this article from Dan Snierson of Entertainment Weekly, might help you catch up.

And on the seventh day, he objected: Tonight at 10 p.m., America’s favorite fishy lawyer, Saul Goodman, will return to TV as AMC finally unveils the first episode of Better Call Saul, the Breaking Bad prequel centering on Bob Odenkirk’s breakout character. Set in 2002—well before the rise of meth lord Walter White (Bryan Cranston)—the show presents Goodman, whose real name is Jimmy McGill, as a hustling small-potatoes attorney whose career is a mess and whose soul is still up for grabs. The story of how Better Call Saul transformed from a joke on the Breaking Bad set into one of the year’s hotly anticipated shows can be read right here and in this week’s issue of EW. Before you sit down and lawyer up, closely read the fine print below, which contains all sorts of bonus quotes from the Saul cast and series co-creators Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, among others.

It still might be a bit early to tell with the jury still out, but if these numbers hold up the AMC executives have to be thrilled.

The post Want to Know what People are Watching… “Better Call Saul” appeared first on Digital Bucket.

Hollywood Is Losing The Battle To Epic TV — Like ‘Game of Thrones’

Staff — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 03:01:16 +0000

Digital Bucket says:

We’ll get to the epic and wonderful Game of Thrones in a second, but first let’s get something straight. With Hollywood movie revenues down more than 5% in 2014, we here at Digital Bucket maintain that there are three very good reasons for the continuing plummet in receipts at the box office. So here goes.

#1.) Increasingly unoriginal content: SIX of the top ten highest grossing films in 2014 were either sequels or direct derivatives of existing franchises. Hollywood movie moguls desperately fear risk. And less risk taking has resulted in precious few fresh ideas in recent years, leaving little adventure for today’s more “mature” movie goers.

#2.) Home theater revolution: Falling LED TV prices and affordable Dolby surround sound audio options have made staying home to watch your favorite flick - or TV series -more appealing than ever. As a result, fewer people are making the journey to the multiplex.

#3.) A renaissance in epic television programming: From AMC’s Breaking Bad to House of Cards on Netflix to FX’s Fargo, TV has never been better or more block-bustier. And at the top of this writer’s must-see TV list is HBO’s Game of Thrones. There is nothing else on television – or in theaters for that matter – that matches Game in terms of writing, acting and overall Hollywood blockbuster-lever production value. Having watched all four seasons TWICE, I can tell you there’s no one more excited to settle in, at home, for season 5 of Game.

Bonus problem #4.) Character development in a typical Hollywood movie runs 90 to 120 minutes. It’s hard to get to know, much less fall in love with any character that quickly. The real beauty of epic TV like Game of Thrones is that your affection – or loathing – for characters builds over hours and hours of quality viewing time, leaving the audience deeply invested in the trials and tribulations of multiple characters across multiple story lines. Which is exactly why it hurts so much more when a character you’ve grown to love is unexpectedly taken from you. Yeah, I’m talking to you Season 3, episode 9.

Bottom line, Hollywood’s movie moguls better step it up and figure their future out fas because they can’t rely on sequels and watered-down derivatives forever. Not in the age of epic TV.

By the way, f you haven’t watched Game of Thrones yet, take my word for it: Do. And for the rest of the Game of Thrones uber fans out there, as you prepare for the return of Game, here are the top 10 crazy things you can expect in Season 5 of the best show on TV.

From Orzzzz.com:

After the incredibly intense finale of season 4, Game of Thrones’ fifth season is the most anticipated yet. With major cliffhangers set up for just about every major character, there’s a lot for season 5 to expect, especially when the trailer came out.

Takes a look at 10 crazy things to expect in Game of Thrones season 5.

Spoilers coming up, you have been warned!

Fair Warning: BINGE WATCHING Can Bum You Out

Staff — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 17:00:56 +0000

Digital Bucket says:

Getting hooked on an outstanding new show is one of life’s best guilty pleasures. Especially when you’re late to the game and find yourself an entire season or two, or three or four behind. Binge watching has become the new great American pastime.

Always on the lookout for a new favorite show, I’ve binged on AMC’s Breaking Bad, FX’s Fargo, HBO’s Game of Thrones and Netflix’s House of Cards over the past eighteen months – and can hardily recommend you do the same. But fair warning, a new study suggests that much like eating too much cake, consuming too much of the show you love too quickly also has repercussions. In fact, BINGE WATCHING can lead to depression and loneliness. Deadline has the story.

from Deadline.com:

A new study sheds some light — or darkness — on the modern habit of binge-watching. Researchers at the University of Texas found that the more lonely and depressed a person is, the likelier he or she is to sit through a marathon of their favorite TV show.

The study, titled “A Bad Habit For Your Health? An Exploration Of Psychological Factors For Binge-Watching Behavior,” asked 316 people ages 18-29 how often they watch TV; how often they had feelings of loneliness, depression and self-regulation deficiency; and how often they binge-watched TV. It found that people who are lonely or depressed were more inclined to binge watch, using the activity to move away from negative feelings.

“Even though some people argue that binge-watching is a harmless addiction, findings from our study suggest that binge-watching should no longer be viewed this way,” said Yoon Hi Sung, who conducted the study with Eun Yeon Kang and Wei-Na Lee. “Physical fatigue and problems such as obesity and other health problems are related to binge-watching, and they are a cause for concern.”