So how much watercooler buzz did Sunday night’s episode of “Breaking Bad” generate in your office? It was quite a talker here — and, based on the ratings for Sunday night’s episode, America is finally paying attention to a series that’s only now attracting huge cable viewership as its heads into the home stretch with only two episodes remaining before its series finale.
Sunday’s episode, “Ozymandias” — which saw the death of series hero Hank Schrader (Dean Norris), Jesse’s (Aaron Paul) near death and Walt Jr. (RJ Mitte) finally learning the truth about his beloved dad (Bryan Cranston)— averaged a series-best 6.4 million viewers. And, through the first six episodes of this final season, “BB” is averaging 5.2 million viewers — a whopping 102 percent increase over last summer’s eight-episode season. These are viewership numbers you never see for AMC’s “Mad Men” (and around half the viewers of an average episode of the network’s “The Walking Dead”).
And if, like me, you had no idea what “Ozymandias” means, I can clarify (thanks to a co-worker): It’s the title of an 1818 poem written by Percy Bysshe Shelley.
The show’s entire cast — Norris, Paul, Mitte, Cranston, Anna Gunn, Bob Odenkirk, Betsy Brandt and Jonathan Banks — in addition to series creator Vince Gilligan — will appear together, for the first time, on TBS’ “Conan” Sept. 23 — six days before the “BB” finale.
Told you so (no, I didn’t)
Pass me a piece of that humble pie … So what do I know? I told anyone who asked that Arsenio Hall’s new talk show wouldn’t make a dent.
There’s still a long way to go of course, but after one week on the air, “Arsenio” didn’t only make a dent — it blasted its way onto the scene. “Arsenio,” which airs here at 11 p.m. on Ch. 11, was late-night’s top-rated talk show last week (Sept. 9-13) in adults 18-49 — and also tied Jay Leno’s “Tonight Show,” which begins at 11:35 p.m., in adults 25-54.
And though it’s in a different daypart — late night vs. daytime — “Arsenio” premiered to the best adults 18-49 and 25-54 numbers for any syndicated talk show since “Rachael Ray”in 2006.
Last, but not least…
Jerry Seinfeld will join SNY’s coverage of Tuesday’s Mets-Giants game, first with Bob Ojeda (his personal fave) and Chris Carlin on their pre-game show (6 p.m.) and then with Keith Hernandez, Gary Cohen and Ron Darling in the SNY booth. Seinfeld has tweeted his admiration of Ojeda … CBS is offering a Krav Maga (Israeli-developed tactical martial arts system) event at the Central Park Bandshell Tuesday (5-6 p.m.) to promote its new series “Hostages” (Tate Donovan, Toni Collette, Dylan McDermott). Series co-start Mateus Ward will be there. “Hostages” premieres Sept. 23 … Keyed up: “Late Show” bandleader Paul Shaffer, Chevy Chase and Roberta Flack will all play piano at The Steinway Soiree Benefit on behalf of Borough of Manhattan Community College next Wednesday, Sept. 25 (6:30-9 p.m.) in the college’s Shirley Fiterman Art Center (245 Greenwich St.)