Ratings drop in the second week

The premiere of 2 Broke Girls brought in 19.15 million viewers last week, but the ratings dropped by 7.55 million viewers for the second episode. It appears that the first episode of 2 and a Half Men this season brought more viewers to the network. It came as no surprise when the ratings dropped in the second week.

I enjoyed the second episode of “Broke Girls” titled “And the Break-Up Scene.” Caroline steals Max’s final break-up scene with her cheating ex-boyfriend, which infuriates Max. The two girls decide to split ways once again.

But after Caroline drunkenly apologizes and confides in Max the two rekindle the friendship. Max convinces the “drunken” Caroline to sign a contract stating she will stay out of Max’s relationships. Max starts to take their dream cupcake business more seriously when Caroline admits that it was all she had to look forward to in the future.

The characters develop more in the second episode. Max and Caroline start to form a bond, which creates a more natural atmosphere. But the other characters in the show still haven’t made an impact. The cook, owner and cashier at the diner have no real part in the story. I hope in future episodes they become a bigger part of the story.

The humor remains raunchy in the second episode. Caroline sneaks into Max’s bedroom at night because she hears noises outside. After a brief argument, Max agrees to let Caroline sleep in her bed. Later that night, Max’s ex uses a key for the apartment to get in, and finds the girls in bed. A few cracks were made about Max turning into a lesbian. She promptly takes the key from her ex and kicks him out of the apartment.

Max complains to Caroline about the smell of the horse crap in the back yard. Caroline says it is just the smell of Brooklyn. Dressed in her white chenille outfit, Caroline walks outside to see the horse and slips in the crap ruining her only clothes. Unfortunately for her, street crews shut off the water to the apartment.  Max takes Caroline to her rich bosses house to shower where Caroline falls asleep in the bosses bed. The boss finds Caroline’s hair in the bed and thinks her husband is cheating, which of course he is but not with Caroline.

Caroline infiltrates Max’s life; something Max hates. But the two work out their differences. The episode creates a strong foundation for the girls as friends. The series begins with a great start.

I think the ratings will even out in the few weeks with a strong following around 11 million viewers. Not too shabby compared to other series that premiered this fall. I expect to see it again next season.

 First week results---19.15 million; 7.1 shares

Second week---11.6 million; 4.5 shares

Loss of 7.55 million; 2.6 shares

2 Broke Girls Preview

The new fall sitcom, 2 Broke Girls, premieres Monday, September 19, at 8:30 p.m. CBS scheduled the program in between two successful shows, How I Met Your Mother and 2 and a Half Men. I believe CBS made a great choice for the new sitcom because people will definitely tune in for the revamped 2 and a Half Men featuring Ashton Kutcher. The time slot for “Girls” is a highly desired spot for any sitcom.

2 Broke Girls stars Kat Dennings (Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist) and Beth Behrs (American Pie Presents: The Book of Love), who meet at a sleazy diner where Dennings’ character, Max, waitresses. Dennings plays the sassy, streetwise New Yorker and Behrs plays the uptown trust fund brat. Behrs character, Caroline, comes in the diner to apply for a job. Max tells the boss not to hire Caroline, but he does anyway. The girls become friends regardless of their differences. Then Max offers to let Caroline move in with her. The two end up combining their skills to start a cupcake business.

 The show follows the familiar format of an odd-couple living together despite their evident differences. The characters are well-cast, but, historically speaking, female-led sitcoms don’t fare well. Producers Michael Patrick King (Sex and the City) and Whitney Cummings (Comedy Central’s Roast regular) use raunchy humor and strong female leads to create a modern day Laverne and Shirley.

One scene shows a customer snapping his fingers at Max to get service, and she not-so-kindly explained that “this is the sound that dries up my vagina”, while snapping her fingers in his face. I have watched the fall preview and I must say every time I see that clip I crack up. Kat Dennings fits the character extremely well.

“Girls” demonstrates the current financial climate for most 20-somethings in America today. People of this generation can relate with being broke and working at a job they hate to make ends meet. I know I do.

Sex in the City is one of my favorite shows and I love sitcoms. I expect “Girls to be just as funny as Cummings with the entertainment I enjoyed from Sex and the City. Critics expect 2 Broke Girls to be one of the best new shows this fall. I hope they are right. I miss the days when sitcoms were king.

Characters:

Max Black - Kat Dennings
Caroline Channing - Beth Behrs
Earl - Garrett Morris
Han Lee - Matthew Moy
Oleg - Jonathan Kite