Kutcher's Two and A Half Men debuts to monster ratings

Two and a Half Men" had its most-watched episode ever Monday -- without Charlie Sheen.

The sitcom drew 27.8 million total viewers to its Season 9 premiere, which introduced Ashton Kutcher as Sheen's replacement, according to early data from Nielsen.

It was the best number ever for "Men," which suffered a shortened eighth season earlier this year after producers fired Sheen, who had engaged in a public war of words with his bosses. In fact, viewing was so high for "Men," it put a noticeable dent in the ratings for ABC's season premiere of "Dancing With the Stars," which averaged 18.6 million for the night. The two-hour "Dancing" was strong enough to power ABC to a win for the night in viewers, however, thanks in no small part to curiosity over the introduction of Chaz Bono, the series' first transgender contestant.

Kutcher was introduced mid-episode in "Men" as Walden Schmidt, a lovelorn Internet billionaire who had tried to commit suicide by walking into the ocean near the Malibu beach house once owned by Charlie Harper (Sheen). The episode's opening revealed that Harper had died after a girlfriend had learned of his infidelity and, it was assumed, pushed him in front of an oncoming train.

Monday's "Men" outing wasn't just the best-rated in the sitcom's history. It was also the highest-rated season premiere for a scripted series since "Desperate Housewives" premiered six years ago, according to ew.com.

In the adults-age-18-to-49 demographic often sought by advertisers, "Men" delivered a gigantic 10.3 rating/24 share.

Emmy Winners!

The winners at Sunday’s 63rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards presented by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences:

 

Drama Series: “Mad Men,” AMC.

Actress, Drama Series: Julianna Margulies, “The Good Wife,” CBS.
Actor, Drama Series: Kyle Chandler, “Friday Night Lights,” DirecTV/NBC.
Supporting Actor, Drama Series: Peter Dinklage, “Game of Thrones,” HBO.
Supporting Actress, Drama Series: Margo Martindale, “Justified,” FX.
Writing, Drama Series: Jason Katims, “Friday Night Lights,” NBC.
Directing, Drama Series: Martin Scorsese, “Boardwalk Empire,” HBO.
Comedy Series: “Modern Family,” ABC.
Actor, Comedy Series: Jim Parsons, “The Big Bang Theory,” CBS.
Actress, Comedy Series: Melissa McCarthy, “Mike & Molly,” CBS.
Supporting Actress, Comedy Series: Julie Bowen, “Modern Family,” ABC.
Supporting Actor, Comedy Series: Ty Burrell, “Modern Family,” ABC.
Writing, Comedy Series: Steven Levitan and Jeffrey Richman, “Modern Family,” ABC.
Directing, Comedy Series: Michael Spiller, “Modern Family,” ABC.
Miniseries or Movie: “Downton Abbey” (“Masterpiece”), PBS.
Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Kate Winslet, “Mildred Pierce,” HBO.
Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Barry Pepper, “The Kennedys,” ReelzChannel.
Supporting Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Maggie Smith, “Downton Abbey” (“Masterpiece”), PBS.
Supporting Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Guy Pearce, “Mildred Pierce,” HBO.
Directing, Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special: Brian Percival, “Downton Abbey” (“Masterpiece”), PBS.
Writing, Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special: Julian Fellowes, “Downton Abbey” (“Masterpiece”), PBS.
Reality-Competition Program: “The Amazing Race,” CBS.
Variety, Music or Comedy Series: “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart,” Comedy Central.
Directing, Variety, Music or Comedy Series: Don Roy King, “Saturday Night Live,” NBC.
Writing, Variety, Music or Comedy Series: “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart,” Comedy Central.

My Emmy Predictions!

The 63rd Annual Emmy Primetime Emmy's are tomorrow night, so I'm weighing in on my predictions on who will be taking home the gold.

First let's look at the comedy categories.

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

This is going to be a "Modern Family" category, no doubt.  Eric Stonestreet won it last year for his performance as Cameron.  Much was made of Ed O'Neill being snubbed last season, this year he received a nomination. Although I think that Ty Burrell's performance as Phil is much more Emmy worthy,  O'Neill will be the winner.


Best Support Actress in a Comedy Series

This category could also be a "Modern Family" category.    We have Sophia Vergara and Julie Bowen both being nominated.  Both of these actresses are Emmy worthy, Bowen perhaps a little more so.  But I think they may split the votes and Emmy host Jane Lynch will win her second consecutive Emmy for her role as Sue Sylvester on "Glee."    Honestly, any one of these 3 could win, but I think it's going to be Lynch.


Best Actor in a Comedy Series

This is going to be a very tough category.  We have the two leads from 'Big Bang Theory," Johnny Galecki and Jim Parsons being nominated.  The very underrated Matt Leblanc for "Episodes." We also have Steve Carrell as Michael Scott in "The Office."  While Parsons is the most deserving here, this will be the voters last chance to recognize Carrell for his work on "The Office" and I think he wins it.

Best Actress in a Comedy Series 

This category, in my opinion, is a complete toss-up.  Any one of the actresses nominated are worthy.  Edie Falco is always an Emmy favorite and first time nominee Martha Plimpton is generating lots of buzz for her role on "Raising Hope."  However I'm going with Amy Poehler for her role on "Parks and Recreation."  Just a gut feeling.


Best Comedy Series

For me, there is only one nominated show worthy of being called the best and that's "Modern Family."  It delivers the laughs week after week and is the most consistently funny show on TV.  Not to mention it boasts the best ensemble cast of any comedy currently on the air.  This is a no-brainer.


Now let's take a look at the Drama Categories.


Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Another tough category.  Although with last years winner, Aaron Paul from 'Breaking Bad' being ineligible this year (the show didn't air during the required time period), the category is wide open.  Walton Goggins is very much deserving of a win here for his role as Boyd on "Justified," but I think the winner here will be John Slattery as Roger Sterling from "Mad Men."  Again, this is a very tough category, but Slattery is overdue for a win as well and should take home the prize.


Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

 I would love to see Christina Hendricks win for her role as Joan on "Mad Men," but i just don't think its going to happen.   Last years winner in this category, Archie Panjabi from "The Good Wife" is nominated again and is probably the favorite to win.  But the buzz has been building for Margo Martindale for her role as Mags on "Justified."   I will be rooting for Hendricks to pull off the upset, but I think Martindale will be the winner.


Best Actor in a Drama Series

Bryan Cranston of "Breaking Bad" has won this award for the last 3 years.  However, "Breaking Bad" was ineligible for Emmy consideration this year.  That makes this a very interesting category.  Kyle Chandler from "Friday Night Lights" is the sentimental favorite here.  Fans of the show have begged and pleaded every year for the series to get some recognition.  This will be their final chance.  Unfortunately, I don't think it's going to happen.  Steve Buscemi is another fan favorite here for "Boardwalk Empire,"  But this year, this category belongs to one person.  With In my opinion, this award is Jon Hamm's to lose.  His performance as Don Draper on "Mad Men" was the best on TV this past season.  He should and will win on Sunday night. 


Best Actress in a Drama Series

As with the lead actor category, "Friday Night Lights" fans are hoping for the upset here.  Hoping that Connie Britton can pull it off and win.  She will have a tough task.  Elizabeth Moss from "Mad Men," Mariska Hargitay from "Law and Order: SVU," and newcomber Mirielle Enos from "The Killing" are all worthy nominees and all could win.  Kathy Bates, in my opinion, is a long shot, "Harry's Law" is just not a very good show.  I think Julianna Margulies pulls of the win here among very tough competition for "The Good Wife."


Best Drama Series

"Friday Night Lights" has been getting lots of whispers lately that it could pull off the upset here.  It would be nice to see, and very well deserved.  "The Good Wife"  is also a critical favorite and would surprise no one if it won.   However, I think the award here is going to be between "Boardwalk Empire" and "Mad Men."    Both had very strong seasons.  "Boardwalk Empire" in it's first season garnered much critical acclaim and was last years Golden Globe winner for Best Drama Series. "Mad Men" is a past winner and has always been a favorite of the voters.  I think the past season of "Mad Men" was stronger, but I think "Boardwalk Empire" pulls it off and wins this category.  I hope i'm wrong because "Mad Men" deserves to win.


That's it.    Those are my picks.  I think "Mad Men' and "Boardwalk Empire" will be the big winners. Let's see who the winners will be on Sunday night.  The show is on Fox at 8 pm.  Enjoy the show!

Rachel Reilly wins Big Brother 13

After being locked away from the outside world for 75 days, "Big Brother" veteran Rachel Reilly emerged Wednesday as the winner of CBS' voyeuristic reality TV competition. The show's seven-person jury selected the 26-year-old cocktail waitress from Los Angeles to win the $500,000 grand prize over 23-year-old newbie contestant Porsche Briggs from Miami.

At the beginning of the 13th season, the flame-haired Reilly entered the "Big Brother" abode with fiance Brendon Villegas, a 31-year-old graduate student. The pair met last summer as competitors on the show's 12th edition. The ups and downs of their relationship - and the game - resulted in frequent emotional outbursts from Reilly throughout the summer.

"Oh, it's going to be a very hard decision," Villegas joked as he cast his vote for his fiance.

Reilly, who secured four of the seven-person jury's votes, dominated the 13th season by winning several competitions with her veteran alliance and openly targeting the batch of newbie players. She was never able to keep Villegas safe though. He was voted off the show twice after a game-changing twist allowed him to return during the fifth week of competition.