Tuesday, September 2, 2014

'Houdini' conjures 3.7 million viewers

While we review the facts (and fictions) of Night One, HISTORY and A+E Studios are focused on the fact that matters most to them -- Houdini pulled in a lot of viewers! Here's a press release:

HOUDINI MESMERIZIES 3.7 MILLION VIEWERS

Part One of HISTORY’S® Miniseries Event Starring Academy Award Winner® Adrien Brody

is Cable’s Top Miniseries Premiere of the Year and History.com’s Best Movie Premiere of 2014

NEW YORK, NY – September 2, 2014 –Part one of HISTORY’s miniseries event HOUDINI starring Academy Award® winner Adrien Brody as The Great Harry Houdini, mesmerized 3.7 million Total Viewers last night, making it cable’s number one miniseries premiere of 2014. HOUDINI, which follows the epic tales of the master escape artist as he emerges as the world’s first bonafide superstar, also averaged averaged 1.5 million Adults 25-54 viewers and 1.2 million Adults 18-49 viewers in its 9:00pm time period, according to Nielsen Fast Cable Ratings.

At History.com, HOUDINI ranks as the site’s best scripted premiere of 2014 for visits, and top three of all time, trailing only The Bible and Hatfields & McCoys (source: Adobe Analytics).

Houdini concludes tonight at 9/8c.
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14 comments:

  1. AnonymousSeptember 2, 2014 at 3:14 PM

    There was no doubt it would have a lot of viewers, they advertised it over 50 times a day, and this site promoted it heavily too. Judge Judy garnishes 6.6 Million viewers each day. However, I'd rather watch the Tony Curtis movie 10 times in a row than watch the first half of this garbage again.

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    1. John CoxSeptember 2, 2014 at 3:33 PM

      Does Judge Judy really get 6.6 million viewers a day?

      No wonder all networks eventually get into the crap business.

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  2. MantooSeptember 2, 2014 at 3:17 PM

    Wildabouthoudini.com should get some back end gross.

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  3. acSeptember 2, 2014 at 6:41 PM

    I was interested in seeing Adrien Brody as Houdini and the methods they used to make him appear short and muscular. I was not swayed by the commercials. I've always had an affinity for him because he was "real". I liked it a lot and just couldn't take my eyes off the tv. I know it was a bit exaggerated for the sake of tv, but it was good and I found this site afterwards. It's a win all the way around.

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    1. John CoxSeptember 2, 2014 at 7:28 PM

      Glad you enjoyed it and glad you found our little home here. Hope you enjoy Night Two.

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  4. AnonymousSeptember 2, 2014 at 8:22 PM

    I thought Adrien Brody was fantastic in this movie--but the script left a lot to be desired. I watched both nights and I'm also glad I found this site. I have been a Houdini fan since I was a kid.

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  5. MormonYoYoMan@gmail.comSeptember 3, 2014 at 3:54 AM

    I have the feeling that the numbers were even larger on the second night.

    I also know that these numbers are what Houdini would have cared about, and that his legend has been "goosed" for yet another generation.

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  6. UnknownSeptember 3, 2014 at 4:19 AM

    Although the history was not correct I believe Houdini would have loved it.
    He is still being talked about and honored more than 100 years after his death. It has its flaws but I watched it twice. In the end I liked it and the public watched it in great numbers.

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    1. John CoxJanuary 17, 2016 at 4:56 PM

      I've heard people say that a lot -- "Houdini would have loved it." And while I certainly agree that Houdini would love the idea that he's still so famous, this miniseries portrays him as a serial adulterer and suggests incest between him and his mother. I don't think he would have loved that at all. I think he would put acid in Nick Meyer's bathtub.

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    2. MormonYoYoMan@gmail.comJanuary 17, 2016 at 9:08 PM

      I am pretty sure most of us meant that Harry loves still (STILL!) being the most famous magician. No, I doubt he's happy about being portrayed as an immoral monster. But every fan wants the object of their devotion to be like themselves.

      Now if one wants to accused him excessive insecurity and excessive ego (simultaneously!) I have no sufficient defense. He's already a near-superman; that should be enough without embellishments.

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    3. John CoxJanuary 18, 2016 at 9:02 AM

      Good points, Grandpa Chet.

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  7. rhmjrJanuary 17, 2016 at 12:24 PM

    Enjoyed the show, though as a historian there is much about which to quibble. Some of the outright fictions make the story flow and the timeline translations better. I believe Houdini would have enjoyed it. I'm an early aviation historian who has thoroughly researched Houdini. I've made several presentations to aviation groups about "Houdini - Pioneer Aviator." I also found an unknown photo of Houdini and pioneer aviation giant, Glenn Curtiss hidden in the Library of Congress files. Sent link to the Houdini Museum and the Glenn Curtiss Museum. Roy Mize www.workpans.com

    Note: A summary of one of my presentations @ http://www.pacificcoastairmuseum.org/files/newsletters/newsletters2015/2015-April-Straight-Scoop.pdf

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    1. John CoxJanuary 17, 2016 at 4:49 PM

      Loved your link. Thanks Roy. Hope to hear your lecture some day.

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