Heavenly Ratings For God

files/pictures/picture-35.jpgThe new NBC animated series, GOD THE DEVIL AND BOB, received heavenly ratings in spite of the devilish controversy surrounding the sitcom. After being axed or shifted by a total of nine NBC affiliates due to religious concerns, GOD, THE DEVIL AND BOB garnered time slot-winning scores of 14.42 million viewers, a 7.3/19 rating in adults 18-49 and 8.0/23 in adults 18-34. However, the show's premiere, positioned between the network's top shows FRIENDS and FRASIER, lost about 30% of the viewers from its FRIENDS lead-in. Yet, the show did best among teens, retaining 91% of its FRIENDS lead-in audience. Still, the support for GOD THE DEVIL AND BOB isn't even coming from parts of the "liberal" press. Caryn James of the NEW YORK TIMES said, "Beneath its supposedly risky premise, the series is just one more benign and stale family sitcom." Ramin Zahed of THE DAILY VARIETY was a little more kind saying it was a "smart toon," but wondered "whether it can keep its devilish spark after the initial 13 episodes." After its premiere the show will be moved to its regular time slot at 8:30 pm on Tuesdays, up against ABC's sensation WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONARE and the relaunch of Fox's FAMILY GUY. Some heavenly intervention may be needed for its survival, watch and decide.