Social Wit List: October 2016

NEW YORK: Of all the new programs to launch globally in October, FOX’s The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do The Time Warp Again generated the most buzz on social media, according to The WIT.

The reimagining of the campy horror feature film The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which continues to play in theaters around the world 40 years after its release, saw some 209,000 comments on Facebook and Twitter about its broadcast. While there were some #Dividing thoughts about the event special, many commenters did think it was #Engaging and #Stylish and gave kudos to the #TalentedCast, which includes the #AmazingLaverneCox.

Surviving Compton: Dre, Suge & Michel’le, which aired on Lifetime, garnered around 187,000 tweets, ranking it number two on the list of the top ten most-buzzed-about new shows in social media last month. The authorized biopic charts the rise of R&B singer Michel’le, and shows the darker side of her violent relationship with Dr. Dre and some of hip-hop’s biggest names. There was much talk on Facebook and Twitter about the #Shocking and #HeartBreakingStory, with many comments about #MichelleSurvivor against #AbusiveDrDre.

From La 1 in Spain, OT: El Reencuentro had around 139,000 comments made about its debut. The three documentaries lead up to the big reunion concert of the very first class of the talent search format Operación Triunfo, coinciding with the brand’s 15th birthday. Comments were made about the #Euphoria video and the #GrownUpContestants, while there was also some #DavidBisbalBashing.

The debut of I Medici on Rai1 in Italy stirred up some 126,000 social-media comments. The period drama set in 15th century Florence, starring Dustin Hoffman and Richard Madden, chronicles the rise of the Medici family, from simple merchants to power brokers who sparked an economic and cultural revolution. There were comments being made on Facebook and Twitter about the #HollywoodCast, #SexyVibe and #HighProductionValues.

There were around 117,000 tweets sent surrounding Netflix’s worldwide release of Haters Back Off. The comedy series starring YouTube’s Colleen Ballinger is based on her most popular character, Miranda Sings, an incredibly confident, totally untalented star on the rise. The #OverExcitedCrowd took to Facebook and Twitter to discuss the #Hilarious series, which had #FansAskingforMore.

The PBS special Hamilton’s America debuted in the U.S. to some 108,000 tweets. The documentary follows the production of the megahit hip-hop musical Hamilton during the two years leading up to its Broadway opening. Many #HardcoreFans were commenting on social media, but there was also #UnanimousApplause from the overall #FascinatedAudience.

TV Globo’s debut of A lei do amor in Brazil generated around 69,000 comments. The telenovela tells the story of a girl who gets pregnant by a young heir destined to become a powerful politician. The young man’s family succeeds in separating the couple and in concealing the existence of the child, but fate will reunite them several years later. Many of the comments about the #GoodClassicMelodrama mentioned the #ExcellentProductionValues and #GorgeousCouple at the center of the series.

Around 54,000 tweets were sent about the debut of MasterChef Profissionais on Rede Band in Brazil. The local adaptation of the cookery contest MasterChef: The Professionals, a spin-off of the MasterChef format that pits professional chefs against each other. The #WittyJudges stirred up some chatter, though there were many other comments that the show was #Disappointing with the #LackofTalent.

The National Geographic broadcast of Before the Flood saw some 45,000 tweets. The documentary produced by Leonardo DiCaprio, Fisher Stevens, Brett Ratner and James Packer and executive produced by Martin Scorsese sought to bring climate change discussions to the forefront before the U.S. Presidential Election. Many on social media gave #KudostoLeo for the #Inspiring and #Powerful doc, with many #Hopeful that it can bring awareness to the cause.

Capping off the list at number ten is Anne, which debuted on Star TV in Turkey. The local adaptation of the Japanese scripted format Mother tells the story of a woman who responds to an abused girl’s silent cries for help. There were some 41,000 comments made about the debut on social media, with many giving #Kudos to the #StarActresses and to the series’ #Realistic depiction of #StrongSocialIssues.

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