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Guess a lot of people are checking in to A&E Network’s Bates Motel. The premiere of the Psycho prequel series last night pulled in 3 million viewers for its 10 PM debut. Bates Motel garnered 1.599 million viewers int the adults 18-49 demographic and 1.633 million in adults 25-54. Those numbers make the series the most-watched original drama in the key demos in the network’s history. The previous demo drama high was the debut of Breakout Kings on March 6, 2011, which received 1.564 million viewers in 25-54 and 1.522 million in 18-49. Bates Motel ended up drawing 4.6 million viewers overall Monday, with an encore airing after the original premiere; put together, that gave Bates 2.5 million adults 25-54 and 2.4 million adults 18-49. The series details the dark backstory of Norman Bates (Freddie Highmore) and how deeply intricate his relationship is with his mother Norma (Vera Farmiga).
Deadline's Dominic Patten - tip him here.
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Unfortunately I had no time or extra space on my DVR for Bates Motel. I was too busy watching Continuum, Bones, Being Human, Lost Girl, and Castle.
It was rather good, though I was bummed that they modernized it. Norman had an iPhone and he seemed rather smart and extroverted. Couldn’t he just Wikipedia Oedipus complex and realize that he was on a dangerous path? The characterization of Norman was awful, but the episode was delightfully twisted and very tense.
Psycho was made in 1960- so if this was the prequel it should be in the late 40′s, early 50′s. so that was a bummer. Its not a modern day story. so whoever had that brainstorm , they’re an idiot.Guess it was cheaper to do it modern then when it should have been shot.
That and dumb Americans can’t handle anything period anyway. Mad Men is/was a fluke. There’s a reason why everybody passed on it at first.
Wrong. American Horror Story Asylumn
Agreed.
Solely a budgetary, short-sighted decision to modernize it. Obviously the marketing dept. realized this as all the ads – TV and print – DO make it look like a period piece.
It’s a contemporary prequel, set in the modern day. Think Casino Royale. Shows us how Bond starts out but is set in the present day. Also Batman Begins; shows us the start of Batman yet it’s set in the present.
Setting it in the late ’40s would’ve isolated many young viewers in a key demo anyway.
Interesting pilot,
but what’s with the increasing ubiquity of rape scenes on cable shows?
It was an interesting pilot, but I finished it thinking: I’m not sure it’s enough to pull me in every week. But unlike Lisa, I have lots of room on my DVR, so will give it a few more views.
Agreed. Do I want to see more? If so, what would it be? Pretty underwhelming.
I was entirely disappointed by the show. It was in no way a prequel but a complete reimagining. It in no way ties into Hitchcock’s film, its sequels or the original novels. It could’ve been so much better. I expect the ratings to steadily fall over the next 9 episodes.
I doubt ratings will sink.
I disagree Rob. See my comment below: there are at least 10 specific links to Hitch’s Psycho.
Guess you where wrong Huh? LOL.
People tuned in for the curiosity value, but it wasn’t involving for the long haul. Too bad they exploited the brand name and didn’t instead come up with something new that didn’t have a predestined arc.
I was very pleased with the pilot. Freddie and Vera are fantastic actors and are dynamic with their portrayal. The creators said multiple times that despite the fact it is a prequel to Psycho, it doesn’t share any other characteristics.
The pilot was f***ing GREAT! Performances, direction, casting, script, etc. I feel this gut-twisting tension in my sympathetic rooting for the dorky, likeable teen Norman … and knowing the monster he’ll become! I’m totally hooked!!!
The ratings will sink next week. The show was not very interesting
I wanted to love it, but did not. I was expecting a prequel, so they lost me at iPhone. I did not need the graphic rape scene either. I will give it a chance though. I know the 1st couple episodes there is a lot of groundwork to lay. The preview for next week looks interesting. Norma was awesome, but I will need to let Norman grow on me.
They really should have placed it in a historical context. How hard is it to make some grubby small town look like the late 40s or so? Just ditch the iPhones and park an old Packard or two on the street. The costume and hairdressing depts do their jobs a bit differently. How is that gonna break the budget?
This was AWESOME! Vera Farmiga is amazing and Highmore is great as well. So well-done! Farmiga better get an Emmy or something for this. I actually think she will. I won’t hesitate to say this is the best horror-themed show on TV right now after this pilot episode. I was never THIS crazy about The Walking Dead or American Horror Story and neither hooked me off the bat like this. A lot of times you have to give a show a couple episodes, sometimes more, before they hook you. Not this one. I will admit I didn’t know it was set in modern times so that kind of threw me, but I don’t mind. Could be interesting. Regardless I cannot wait for more and waiting a week will feel like torture. I’m glad ratings were killer (ha) and I hope it keeps them up enough to continue for quite some time. Best pilot in ages, IMO.
Boring!
Amazing and suspenseful. I’m sure once the other characters are introduced , especially the older step brother , Dylan, things will open up and suck millions more in .
Anyone that finds this show boring is related to the Pinball Wizard. DEAF,DUMB AND BLIND
Not bad, I watched it, and will continue to DVR it- I, as opposed to Lisa, have a DVR expander, with a 1TB hard drive, but I STILL have to adjust my viewing and scheduling so as to not go over my limit-I can fill up alot of shows in a week, lol! I wonder if the Bates have a DVR-besides his Mp3, I didnt see many other modern gadgets in that 40′s style set!
BATES MOTEL’s pilot was a brilliant beginning of the origin story of Norman Bates. Contrary to most comments above, I was not offended by the modern touches (iPod, smartphones, liberated girls) because the show actually seems to exist in a timeless universe where the interiors of the Victorian house up on the hill and the seedy motel feel right. Those who know Psycho well (I’ve seen it over 100 times since I saw it on opening day in 1960 and immediately sat through it again to see the shower murder), so many touchstones were included: Norman’s bedroom and his stuffed bear, the kitchen, Mother’s bedroom, wrapping the stabbing victim in a cloth, cleaning up the blood after a murder, dumping the corpse in the water, the weird cop — and so many new things to savor: Norman’s attraction to the girls and them to him, Mother killing father (c’mon, Norman finds his father’s bloodied body and Mother’s in the shower cleaning off), the kitchen knife stabbing of the nasty rapist, Mother’s overt sexuality, making Norman her “boyfriend”, the sudden unsettling rages, Mother’s self doubts and self loathing. I thought Highmore did a fine job with a very interior character and Famiga was brilliant. And who will ever forget her sitting on the hood of her car with the Psycho house in the background sending off sex sparks rocketing at her son? Can’t wait for the next episode.
I have been waiting since I first heard about it to watch! It was a must see to me. And I loved it! I am looking forward to the full season. I loved how intense it already was. I will definitely recommend it!
did not see this one coming – very unique. Wonderfully acted and directed with just enough disturbing moments to keep me coming back for more. Hats off to whoever came up with the idea to turn it into a series.
The story of Norman Bates is just not that interesting when you explain everything…
I miss mystery in mystery stories.
I don’t need to know everything.
Pilot looked great though. Props to the designing team and A&E for spending the money.
I thought it was good! But I never saw the fist Bates Motel by Hitchcock’s movie. I will continue to watch!