WeTV's 'Sunset Daze' is a hit with its core audience but fails to attract youth

WeTV's new reality show "Sunset Daze" (think "Golden Girls" meets "Jersey Shore") was a hit with older viewers, but efforts to sex up the greatest generation for folks under 50 didn't pay off.

About 311,000 people tuned in to the 10 p.m. premiere Wednesday of the show, which got a ton of publicity including a front-page story in the New York Times, as well as some solid reviews. While 311,000 viewers doesn't sound like much, for WeTV it is a big number.

That was the good news. The not-so-good news was that the audience dropped in the second half, losing more than 40,000 viewers, and that is never a good sign. Also, the show performed poorly with the 18-49 demographic. Women made up about 80% of the audience.

The median age of the show was a little over 60, which is about 15 years older than the channel's average.

-- Joe Flint

Comments

[Deanna]

Yo, WE TV....

Newsflash: If your executives think 18-49 is really your demographic for this show, you've got bigger problems than you think.

Because, frankly, 18-49 year olds don't want to think about wrinkly bits, much less see someone else's. Get a freaking clue.

[Lady In Red]

WE spelled backwards is EW! And thats all I could say as I watched this show, Sunset Daze- ewwwww! If you want to imagine your parents having sex than Sunset Daze is for you. But if you are grossed out by horny old people as 99% of people are, do NOT get caught watching Sunset Daze on WE TV!! You will possibly throw up a little in your mouth! This looks like a WEAK attempt at knocking off Golden Girls, but this is even grosser.This may be a hit at the senior citizens homes, but NOBODY will be watching this geriatric-porn. EWWWWWW.
WE TV, what are you trying to prove??? You canceleld The Locator and put this on in it's place??? Are you f-ing drunk???

[KATE]

What I think is just hilarious is that the young think THEY created sex .. they forget about Adam and Eve .. OR that Mom and Dad OR Grammy and Grandpa were once their young "sexy" age! AND they just do not have a clue that a part of their maturing process will be recognition that "inside" we remain youthful and sexy .. IF we thought we were sexy when young! That IF we were bored/hated sex at 30 .. we will be bored/hate sex at 70 or 80! BUT if we loved sex at age 30 .. Honey .. we're going to love it all through life! I had a wonderful "Wise Elder" in my life who told me that very thing when she was age 73 .. I was a bit surprised .. but delighted! Now at age 69 .. WOW .. I've found out she is absolutely correct! If you are lucky enough at this age to have a partner who still thinks you are gorgeous and sexy .. that is ALL that matters in life .. YOU (young people) I just hope will be so lucky to have that special person in your life .. someday when you are older .. a special person who looks at you with delight .. love .. and YES lust! You should be SOOOOO lucky! Choose well your life partner .. choose lovingly .. and I wish you happiness then and now!

[AZ Kim]

I'm 35 and think this show is great. It is nice to be exposed to the fun to be had when we hit our golden years. I live in Arizona and always thought of Sun City as the place to go before you die. Now that I've seen this show I can't wait to move there when I hit 65. :) It's good fun and a nice break from, The Hills, The Bachelor and American Idol.

[Marie Hannon]

While at the pool, I overheard a discussion about "Sunset Daze." It appears that WE TV has finally realized that the show should have been named "Sunset Sleaze" and canceled it. Whatever made them air it in the first place?

My experience has proven that the lifestyles of a wide circle of friends is the antithesis of what has been portrayed by the cast of "Sunset Sleaze." Unfortunately, it appears the show has now broad brushed sleaze over all the 55 and over developments. Kudos to the management of Sun City Grand for refusing to grant permission to allow the film crew access to the common grounds within our community. Did the Management Companies for Sun City, Sun City West and Traditions actually grant permission to film on their common grounds. I would imagine regrets are plentiful.

It is unfortunate that the absence of maturity on the show is perceived as "reality" by many. Would a mature, responsible mother celebrate her daughter's graduation from a Substance Abuse Rehab Group by taking her out drinking with her elderly friends? The misogynistic male who views himself as a "Romeo" serves as a reminder to all single women what they should avoid.

My first foray into "Reality TV" was an eye opener. Does the viewing public actually care to watch a massive hairy abdomen being shaved, someone vomiting into a bag and expecting his date to hold it, or vanity issues of an aged "beauty queen wanna-be?"

The double entendres in the hot air balloon was what you would expect of a pimple faced, hormonally challenged adolescent. The sex starved woman talking about her "battery operated boyfriend" offered far too much information.

Kudos to the ex nun. Her values and conduct on the show were exemplary. One can only imagine her dismay when she learned of the behaviors of her other "cast members."

I did watch it, ... people in my community were in the show and it was like watching a tornado wipe out a city... but it was a slow moving and very boring tornado.

Yes, I've watched a few episodes and when I heard the show was canceled I was delighted. WE TV has trashed our community with "Sunset Sleaze" and I hope it has put this trash in the trash can where it belongs.