Social Wit List: December 2017

Of all the new programs that launched globally in December, USA Network’s Psych: The Movie stirred up the most buzz on social media, according to The WIT.

In the list of the top ten most-buzzed-about new shows in social media last month, going by the number of Facebook and Twitter comments during the premiere broadcast, Psych: The Movie ranks first. The TV movie picks up three years after the Psych series finale. Lassiter, Juliet and Henry come together during the holidays after a mystery assailant targets one of their own. Around 68,000 tweets were sent, pointing out the #GoodOldVibe from the #GoodOldCast, leading many to say they #NeedAFullSeries.

A Christmas Story Live! on FOX in the U.S. garnered around 54,000 comments. The live musical holiday event is inspired by the classic film A Christmas Story and the Tony Award-nominated Broadway production A Christmas Story: The Musical. The audience was divided between #LoveorHate, with some saying there were #TooManySongs and that #AClassicHasBeenRuined, while others thought it was a #WonderfulNewTake.

TED Talks India: Nayi Soch, which launched on Star Plus in India, saw some 47,000 tweets. The society magazine show is hosted by Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan (SRK). The TV adaptation of the international franchise sheds new light on great ideas and social issues. There was much buzz around the #Inspiring and #Brilliant broadcast, which had a lot of anticipation (#FinallyHere) and praise for the host (#KudostoSRK).

Around 27,000 tweets were sent about M. Pokora and Friends on France’s M6. The special focused on French singer M. Pokora before his sabbatical year and was recorded at the Sports Palace in Paris. The internet was abuzz with #FanCraze, with viewers #SoEmotional about the #GreatShowandGuests and not wanting M. Pokora to go on hiatus: #DontLeave.

Ranking fifth on the list is Gwen Stefani’s You Make It Feel Like Christmas, which aired on NBC in the U.S. Around 17,000 went out about the one-off broadcast, which saw performer, songwriter and recording artist Gwen Stefani deliver a modern take on traditional Christmas specials with music performances and fun holiday-themed sketches. Some comments were about the #DazzlingVintageFeel and #GreatVibe while others pointed out that there was #TooMuchFlesh and were left wondering if the broadcast should have been for #AdultsOnly?

Netflix released Bright, a fantasy movie set in an alternate present-day where humans, orcs, elves and fairies have been coexisting since the beginning of time, starring Will Smith and following two cops from very different backgrounds. Around 14,000 tweets accompanied the premiere, with #DividedReviews. Some commenters found it #Entertaining and thought Netflix #ShouldMakeASeries; others found it #Decent and some found it #Unbearable.

BBC Two’s The League of Gentlemen saw some 11,000 social-media comments. Three special episodes of the critically acclaimed comedy were aired marking the 20th anniversary of its initial BBC Radio debut. Those tweeting about the #Cult hit said it was #StillDisturbing and #StillHilarious.

CBS in the U.S. aired The Carol Burnett 50th Anniversary Special one-off, which garnered around 10,000 tweets. The special celebrating the 50th anniversary of Carol Burnett’s classic, award-winning comedy series, The Carol Burnett Show, had the internet buzzing about the #ComedyGoddess and #AwesomeCrew that made for #GoodTimes and #GreatMemories.

The debut of Tolgshow on Fox in Turkey also saw some 10,000 comments. The improvised entertainment show sees actor Tolga Çevik receive guests for comic scenes directed by an unseen director and set to music by a pianist who adapts to scripts spontaneously created on stage. The premiere inspired much #Happiness and #Laughter with its #Friendly vibe.

Number ten on the list, Le Grand Babaoké, premiered on C8 in France to around 10,000 tweets. The new spin-off of the hit talk show Touche pas à mon poste takes the form of a prime-time special with a karaoke competition bringing together all the regular panelists. The #Anticipation was high among the #EngagedAudience, who were left questioning #IstheGameforReal?

Want this info in your inbox every month? Sign up for the Social Wit List from World Screen and The WIT here.