Maybe it’s just me, but I would have thought that “The Challenger Disaster,” simulcast last Saturday on both Science Channel and Discovery Channel, would have drawn more than the 1.9 million viewers who tuned into the premiere. The flick, which told how Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman (William Hurt) almost single-handedly determined what caused the January 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger explosion — which killed all seven astronauts 73 seconds into the mission — averaged 730,000 viewers on Science Channel and 1.2 million viewers on Discovery Channel at 9 p.m. It was just the third-most-watched telecast in Science Channel’s history, tying “Firefly: Browncoats Unite” but was the network’s top-rated telecast of 2013 (so there’s that).
This isn’t a slam at the movie itself, which I reviewed for The Post and really enjoyed (top-notch performances all around, including Brian Dennehy and Bruce Greenwood). I’m just surprised it didn’t draw more initial viewers, based on the promotional push Science Channel undertook.
“From a Science Channel perspective, we’re happy with the results,” a network spokesman told me. “Between the critical reception and the ratings, we feel the results are proof positive that there is a place for scripted drama on Science Channel.”
At least “The Challenger Disaster” was something fresh to watch amid the avalanche of JFK assassination specials. If you’re not yet totally sick of it, History is streaming a slew of JFK assassination info (history.com/shows/jfk-specials) to commemorate the 50th anniversary (Nov. 22). And Wednesday’s “Costas Tonight Special” (11 p.m./NBC Sports Network) presents “No Day for Games: The Cowboys and JFK,” examining the tragedy through the eyes of the ’63 Dallas Cowboys, who played in Cleveland on Nov. 24, 1963.
A Python reunion? Meh
So the surviving members of the “Monty Python” troupe are set to announce a reunion — but is that really such great news? I wonder.
Listen, I’m as big a “Python” fan as the next person, but this one might fall into the “Let’s leave well enough alone” category. The guys are reportedly about to announce that they’ll reunite for a stage show and TV special, but do you really want to see John Cleese, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and Eric Idle — all in their 70s now — cavorting on stage? Collectively and singularly they’ve created some of the best TV comedy ever (including Cleese’s “Fawlty Towers”).
Isn’t that enough?
Last, but not least…
Archie Kao (“Chicago PD”) supporting Filipino-American restaurateur Billy Dec’s Typhoon Haiyan Fundraiser at Sunda in Chicago last weekend . . . NY1’s Budd Mishkin emcees the National Philanthropy Day lunch hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals-NYC Chapter, Nov. 25.