Tuesday night’s episodes of HBO’s “In Treatment” averaged a minuscule 238,000 viewers, which is really low, even for the bottom end of HBO’s ratings scale. That number is likely to rise, at least a little, with “Live Plus 7” data factored in, but still . . .
On the other hand, “In Treatment” has never been a ratings-grabber, which makes you wonder why it continues to be renewed. It averaged 278,000 viewers its first season; that number jumped to 368,000 viewers last season, according to Nielsen.
Gabriel Byrne stars in the series as Dr. Paul Weston; Debra Winger plays one of his three patients this season (down from the usual four patients of seasons past).
Night 3 of “Conan,” meanwhile, pulled in 2.7 million viewers in its third night on TBS Wednesday — down from 2.8 million on Tuesday and 4.2 million for Monday’s series opener.
Speaking of comics, “The Daily Show” writer/correspondent John Oliver opens a five-show run tonight at Comix (335 West 14th) . Oliver will do two stand-up shows tonight and tomorrow (7:30 and 10) and a show on Sunday (7:30 p.m.). He’s got a recurring role on NBC’s “Community” and has his own Comedy Central series, “John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show.”
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Joe Bastianich will be at Flatotel this morning for the second-season auditions for “MasterChef.” He’ll be taste-testing the dishes of aspiring chefs; masterchefcasting.com has more info.
More food: Visitors to palisades.com can vote for their favorite Joisey diner through Dec. 7 — and win the chance to meet “Ace of Cakes” chef Duff Goldman.
Last, but not least:
* Former talk show host Gordon Elliott walking in the promenade underneath 30 Rock yesterday . . . Steve Schirripa and Robert Funaro will be at Tuesday’s “Plan to Party” book launch (Henri Bendel). The book’s written by Elizabeth Mascali and Dawn Sandomeno . . . Cablevision has a new, free, interactive gaming service for iO TV customers. It’s available on Ch. 610 . . . “GMA” technology reporter Becky Worley, will host the 62nd Annual Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards Jan. 6 in Las Vegas. They’ll be integrated into the annual Consumer Electronics Show . . . Season One of TV Land’s “Hot in Cleveland” is out on DVD Jan. 11. The series stars Valerie Bertinelli, Wendie Malick, Jane Leeves and Betty White.