There was a time — like, in the era of NBC’s Friends — when the post-Super Bowl spot was the most-watched telecast on broadcast television besides, well, the big game itself. (Can you believe Friends drew 52 million in its post-Bowl performance?) And while the spot isn’t quite as lustrous as it once was (the American Idol finale seems to be a the lead-in du jour), let’s get real: Everyone wants a piece of the nearly 100 million viewers the Super Bowl draws. So this year the Super Bowl is on CBS, and the Hollywood Reporter has identified four potentials for the plum programming: The Big Bang Theory, The Mentalist, NCIS: Los Angeles, and Survivor.
Basically, we’ve got a youthful sitcom option, two procedural drama options, and a reality-stalwart option. From where I’m sitting — as a rather young person, which the networks want to draw — the only remotely appealing of the four is The Big Bang Theory, which has become one of TV’s great comedies in its three seasons on the air. While it’s definitely doing well in the ratings (Bang drew 12.7 million viewers last week), the show could use the bump in exposure — even more folks need to discover this show and help it take down Two and a Half Men as TV’s top comedy!
But that’s just my opinion. PopWatchers, who should get the super post-Super Bowl spot? Answer in the poll below! (And please tell me in the comments if you’ve got other ideas about what other CBS show should fill the slot — and why!)
More from EW.com:
‘The Mentalist’ review
‘The Big Bang Theory’ review
‘Survivor’ on PopWatch
Comments (1-15) of 111 Add your comment
HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER!!!!! comeon! it could be Legen… wait for it… dary!
I know, right?! Bi Bang Theory already gets enough exposure and the coveted spot behind Two & a Half Men. Don’t get me wrong, I love The Big Bang Theory, but How I Met Your Mother is the underrated show that could benefit the most from that kind of lead in.
I think it would be great, they could do a 1 hour special like they did with the Office last year. Plus, though I do enjoy the Big Bang Theroy, I am getting so sick of Lenord (just realized I do not know how to spell that) whinning about Penny.
I really don’t want to stay up through the game, the post-game show, the post-game awards ceremony, the post-game awards ceremony wrap up, the obligatory 10 minute montage featuring the names of everyone on the staff… Since I watch TBBT but not HIMYM, I’m cool with HIMYM getting that slot. I just don’t want to miss a TBBT episode.
I am in agreement on HIMYM. It would come down to that and TBBT for me. It would be great promotion for both. I know I have gotten about 20 of my friends into both shows, and I am sure more would follow after the Post Super Bowl spot.
OMG…so what i was going to say!
Speakins as an ORIGINAL “How I Met Your Mother” fan back when I as 14 I prey they put anything else than HIMYM. I’m sorry but that show has turned into such a piece of S***! it is mind boggling…boy how I miss the quality of seasons 1-3. Find the mother already and get this disappointing turd off the air
thank you! Finally, someone else sees that the show was only good in the first three seasons. Actually, the fourth season started off strong (“Three Days of Snow” is my absolute favorite episode), but as soon as Alyson Hannigan and Cobie Smulders began to show their pregnancies, it started to go downhill. It’s time for HIMYM to wrap up.
HIMYM no questions asked.
Big Bang Theory should easily be the choice – HIMYM is overhyped yuppie trash. I’m glad doogie howser is getting his rebound in fame and Willow is back on tv, but the show is a little too self aware of how “cool” they are. Big Bang is plain funny, not pretentious. I would also like to suggest the Mentalist. Big Bang and the Mentalist are easily the best quality shows on CBS.
Agree – big bang and the mentalist are the best shows on CBS and along with 30 Rock and Legend of the Seeker the best shows on tv
AGREED! Best comedy on TV! Still criminally underrated
How I Met Your Mother should definitely get that spot! The show was nominated, but it could really use some more viewers. And you know the writers would have so much fun with a post super bowl time slot.
Oops! Forgot to write “Emmy.” The show was nominated for an Emmy.
I completely agree with HIMYM!! Survivor got the top spot in 2001, and did well, but its been on for a while. HIMYM deserves it. They even did an episode about the superbowl (they all missed the game, and wanted to remain spoiler free until they could watch it together).
How I Met Your Mother is the only show on CBS I watch (now that Harper’s Island is gone), so I’d vote for that one.
The Big Bang Theory or How I Met Your Mother.
How I Met Your Mother or NCIS
I like BBT but it’s not nearly deserving of all the hype it gets. HIMYM is much better. But I hope Survivor gets the nod–it’s an All-Star edition compiling players from all the way back to season 2, so it might be a good way to reignite old viewers. Besides, it could provide the show a nice boost (even though it still wins its time slot decisively each week).
Survivor All-Stars 2 for sure. It will get back some old viewers who haven’t watched in a while, and as Anth said, has players from the first post-Bowl Survivor in Australia.
Agree with you on Big Bang Theory. I saw the show once because of all of the praise and didn’t find it funny at all.
HIMYM…now that’s funny.
The New Adventures of Old Christine. If any show can make fun of the ridiculous fat-assed American orgy of advertiser circle jerking that is the Superbowl, it’s Old Christine, the smartest, funniest show on CBS right now. But I have a feeling the knuckle draggers watching the SB won’t be interested in actual good television, so it’ll probably be NCISCSI: Tacoma.
Duh! It should totally be HIMYM!!!
The Amazing Race!! Just make sure it’s an episode where there’s a task involving uncooperative animals who calmly ignore the manic yelling of the season’s most obnoxious teams.
I agree with Amazing Race. It’s a critical darling but could use more viewers.
But the season will already be over without a new season in the can.
How I Met Your Mother deserves this hands down.
OBVIOUSLY, How I Met Your Mother
NCIS
How I met your Mother! I can’t believe you left it out of the poll!
I am going with BBT!! Lately How I Met Your Mother has sucked!!! I still watch it but just not into it as much as I used to.
I say NCIS: Los Angelos if they want to introduce the new show big time. I remember the last time CBS had the show they gave it to Criminal Minds. Maybe something different needs it right now. Something less dark. So I say something like Big Bang Theory or NCIS Los Angeles. BBT would bring funny back to the slot.
Although I am typically a procedural fan, I think that it should be either HIMYM or TBBT. I love dramas, but I think it should be something lighter that you don’t have to pay 100% attention to following the Super Bowl.
Whatever it is, I really hope that they don’t do too much crap after the Super Bowl before starting the following show. I don’t want it starting crazy late if possible!