Despite the complaints that there are hardly any real stars on I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here, the reality series managed to top the ratings during the night of its premiere. The show led NBC to tie for the win among adults aged 18-49. It was also deemed broadcast TV’s #1 program in primetime Monday night among adults aged 18-34. While it seems as though the series has its merits, one can’t help but question the numbers.
I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here premiered at 8pm on Monday for a 2-hour episode, debuting to 6.4 million viewers overall. Was it curiosity that brought the audiences in? Perhaps they were all wondering how the survival story of Speidi and the rest of the cast would unfold, testing the waters to see if the series really is worth the hype.
The first episode of the show sent the celebs to Jungle Joe’s Diner, which is as frighteningly literal as it sounds. Even though the public didn’t expect much, I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here provided enough drama to fill in the gaps of emotion in viewers’ lives. Maybe that’s why the show managed to beat ABC’s The Bachelorette in ratings.
Other than being curious to the series’ outcome, another reason why that many people tuned in is that the program will be broadcast live for 4 nights a week. It sounds like such an impossibility, but there’s something about hearing that that draws you in.
While we may have thought that the jungles of Costa Rica were being broadcast directly to our small screens, we’re proven wrong. Apparently, “live” means the hosts are talking live through edited footage.
Anyway, I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here even increased its 18-49 rating by 36 percent, its adult 18-34 rating by 50 percent and its men aged 18-34 rating by 100 percent. Could it be that the Spencer and Heidi temper tantrums hauled more unsuspecting viewers in?
The humiliation that these celebrities are subjected to must be that interesting, especially since they had to eat the most appalling dishes. It’s almost like a program on the Discovery Channel. From bugs to campsite rugs, I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here is a unique form of entertainment supported by millions. Don’t forget to catch a new episode tonight at 8pm on NBC.
-Maria Gonzalez, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: NBC, TV by the Numbers
(Image Courtesy of NBC)
Staff Writer, BuddyTV
