DIY finale

Home Improvement (Pearl, 6.50pm) is ending its eight-year run and it is likely few people in Hong Kong will notice. However, it was a different story in the United States when the 90-minute finale of the show was aired in May.

According to the ABC television network the programme was seen by an estimated 35.5 million viewers in the country, making it the top-rated programme of its week and the fourth highest-rated finale of the decade behind Seinfeld last year, Cheers (1993) and The Cosby Show (1992).

The programme, based on stand-up routines of comedian Tim Allen, had been a ratings winner in the US since it debuted in 1991.

The three sons on the show (Zachery Ty Bryan, Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Taran Smith) were pin-up fodder for the US teeny-bop magazines, virtually guaranteeing an audience of young girls. The numerous buxom Tool Time girls who appeared on the show (Pamela Anderson made several pre-Baywatch appearances) helped to attract a large male viewership.

Allen, who made US$66 million (HK$511 million) when the show went into syndication in 1996-1997, according to Forbes magazine, was wise to end the programme as it had run out of steam several years ago.

The Detroit native is currently filming the sci-fi comedy Galaxy Quest with Sigourney Weaver and will reprise his role as the voice of Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story 2.