Social Wit List: December 2016

NEW YORK: Of all the new programs that launched globally last month, Netflix’s Chasing Cameron generated the most buzz on social media, according to The WIT.

On Twitter and Facebook, Chasing Cameron saw some 616,000 comments. The reality series follows Vine star Cameron Dallas and his fellow famous friends (all boys in their 20s with mass social media followings) as they embark on a new tour of meet-and-greet events around Europe. #EcstaticFans fans were #BingeWatching the show on Netflix, and the #CameronCraze had social media buzzing.

Hairspray Live!, a one-off on NBC, generated around 513,000 comments on social media. The live musical is based on the cult 1988 John Waters movie turned into a Tony-winning Broadway musical and a 2007 feature film. The #FlawlessCast and #OriginalBroadwayCrew created a #SingAlong event with an #InspiringMessage.

The broadcast of La grande régalade de Baba Noël on C8 in France had some 66,000 social-media tweets. In the program, Cyril Hanouna (aka Baba) and the crew of his popular talk show Touche pas à mon poste give viewers extraordinary gifts such as encounters with stars or holidays of a lifetime. Viewers were talking about the #ImpressiveGifts and #Emotional undertones, with much #FanPower being felt on social media.

There were around 64,000 comments about the debut of Star on FOX in the U.S. The comedy drama charts the story of three young women, all with hopes of making it big in the music business, and the choices they’re faced with along the way. The series was #ApprovedbyEmpireFans on the internet, with much buzz about the #GreatCast and the show’s #PotentialtoBeEpic.

Number five on the list of the most buzzed-about new programs in December is A Pentatonix Christmas Special. The special, which aired on NBC in the U.S., saw Grammy Award-winning and multi-platinum recording group Pentatonix perform some of their holiday favorites. With around 54,000 comments, #EmotionalFans on social media were talking about the #AmazingSpecial that made for quality #FamilyTime and the singers who had #AngelsVoices.

House Party debuted on Canale 5 in Italy and garnered around 39,000 tweets with its premiere. The music entertainment show sees renowned artists and hosts meet in a villa for a few hours. They share stories about their careers and perform on stage. There was a lot of #FanPower on display across social media, with buzz about the #FunnyVibe of the show but some were saying it is #NotAsGoodAsCasaMikaonRai2.

There was much social-media buzz about the E! docuseries Mariah’s World, which takes viewers beyond the flashbulbs and fame and into the private life of one of the most celebrated pop divas of all time: singer, songwriter and mega-producer Mariah Carey. Around 26,000 tweets went out about the show during its premiere, with a lot of #FanPower for the singer. Some commenting thought the debut was an #ImprovableEdition but also harkened back to #OldFashionedReality.

GAC in the U.S. aired Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund in December. The special was meant to raise money for Dolly Parton’s charities in the wake of this fall’s wildfires in the entertainment icon’s home area of Sevier County, Tennessee. Parton and a number of her friends, including Reba McEntire, Kenny Rogers and Alison Krauss, performed. Social media saw some 24,000 comments about the #EmotionalConcert, with many #CountryFans saying #ThankYouDollyParton.

Around 22,000 comments were made about FOX’s Showtime at the Apollo one-off broadcast. Reviving the classic talent showcase, Steve Harvey was joined by some of the biggest stars in comedy and music in this special. Twitter and Facebook comments focused on the #Nostalgia of the #Legendary show, with many #EpicFlashbacks but perhaps #NotSoMuchTalentNow.

Nemicamatissima on Rai1 in Italy comes in at number ten on the list. The variety entertainment show hosted by Heather Parisi and Lorella Cuccarini, 30 years after they first worked together, features dancing and singing performances and numerous guests. There were some 22,000 comments on Facebook and Twitter, where there were many #NostalgicTweets. Some were talking about the #StarHosts and #NiceScenograph while others were saying they are a bit #SickofPlaybackSinging.

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