'The Bachelor' Finally Upends Liberal 'West Wing' in TV Ratings

E Online ^ | Nov. 12, 2002 | Joal Ryan

[ewing]

Forget Congress, a sluggish economy and terorrism. President Bartlet has bigger headaches. Namely, Aaron Buerge.

ABC's The Bachelor after nipping at Barlet's wingtips all season, finally upended NBC's The West Wing in the TV week ended Sunday.

The marriage minded reality series, featuring the photogenic Buerge and his quest for an equally photogenic bride, attracted a season high 16.3 million viewers for last Wednesday's outing, landing the show in lucky 13th place.

[ewing]

Never seen 'The West Wing' and I am glad for it..

[JW488N8]

same here, Ive never seen one episode.. I would Never watch anything with Martin Sheen in it.

[LetsRok]

I've never watched it either. The show is a fantasy land for liberals. Watch C-SPAN or Fox News Channel if you want to see real politics. It is much more entertaining.

[That Subliminal Kid]

Dear God, I'd much rather be known as a viewer of the Left Wing than that horrifically shallow, boring, mindless pap "The Bachelor". Anyone who watches that show should be shot.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

The West Wing is liberal trash designed for the Barbara Streisand and Maureen Dowd crowd.

If you gotta watch something on the boob tube, watch "24." President Palmer is more presidential than commie Bartlett anyday.

[RooRoobird14]

"The Bachelor"--sleazy, mindless "reality TV"--apparently has some redeeming value!!! You have to applaud any show for smacking "The West Wing" around.

(Psst--West Wing fans...... Martin Sheen only plays the president......he's really just an actor.....really...check it out for yourselves.....)

[Paul Atreides]

I don't know of anyone who has ever mentioned watching that show. I have not watched the first episode. It's bad enough that the Clinton years will be whitewashed in the textbooks, I don't need to voluntarily see Clintonism presented as "entertainment."

[Helms]

GWB's performances are beginning to put them in the cellar

[Paul Atreides]

Personally, I have never watched either show. However, given the choice, it certainly wouldn't be The West Wing (and, I don't even know what The Bachelor is about).

[1Old Pro]

I've never watched it either. The show is a fantasy land for liberals

Ditto that.

[ewing]

I have the same feeling, the election must have really signaled that people are sick of the Dims preaching if it is getting whooped by the 'Bachelor.'

[John Lenin]

Read that West Wing is losing ratings faster than Christina Aguilera is losing her clothes.

[ewing]

Hmm..I wonder why?

[Deb]

Dennis Miller was hysterical the other night with Jay Leno, as he trashed every Democrat he could think of. He was practically screaming when he came to California Dems and said something about the insanity of our legislature for calling for a "moment of silence" in honor of the DEAD "West Wing" secretary!!!

[tort_feasor]

The train wreck factor on The Batchelor is hard to duplicate. Additionally the goal of the show is to find someone to Marry. While not up in the list of conservative TV shows, I suggest everyone take a peek.

[Deb]

Besides over-reacting just a tad, you couldn't be more wrong. The thing that will kill "The West Wing" fastest is the migration of the most valued "young demos" (especially young women) who have left in droves to watch "The Bachelor".

The 18 to 35 age group is the only group that matters to advertisers and the only group NBC cares about. Losing them is HUGE and you should cheer The Bachelor on.

[YourAdHere]

Sigh. I guess this means "The Amazing Race" is coming in third? I love that show.

[husky ed]

How can anyone watch that crap.
Couldn't stand 8 years of Clinton so why would I sit through a hour a week of someone even worst.
The reality shows are nothing but candy for the trailer crowd.

[KsSunflower]

Yeah! A young, handsome, conservative banker from Springfield, Missouri beats up on ol' Martin. Wahoo! Is this what happens when the Republicans control the country??

[ewing]

I wont tell anyone except my closest friends that I watch 'The Bachelor' it is so addictive there should be a warning label.