For the most part, FOX has really been struggling this season. When it comes to new shows, Empire is a hit and Gotham’s doing okay but Utopia, Mulaney, Gracepoint, and Red Band Society were dismal failures in the ratings and have already been cancelled. How’s Backstrom doing? Will it survive to see a second season?
On Backstrom, an offensive, irascible yet brilliant detective (Rainn Wilson) is brought back from exile to run Portland Police Bureau’s Special Crimes Unit. The rest of the cast includes Genevieve Angelson, Dennis Haysbert, Kristoffer Polaha, Page Kennedy, Beatrice Rosen, and Thomas Dekker.
With American Idol as a lead-in, the series debuted on January 22nd with a 1.9 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 7.98 million viewers. That was an okay start but there wasn’t much serious competition on the other networks.
In week two, Backstrom had to start competing with Scandal on ABC and the ratings dropped more than 30%. In week three, NBC’s The Blacklist moved to Thursdays at 9pm and Backstrom dropped another 30% or so once again, falling to a 1.0 in the demo and 3.64 million.
In week four, the FOX series bounced back to a 1.2 in the demo and 4.39 million. Last week’s installment took another big tumble and Backstrom landed at a 0.9 in the demo and 3.54 million.
It’s pretty clear that, while Backstrom may have some devoted viewers, it’s not priority viewing for most people on Thursday nights. It’s pretty consistently in fourth place in its 9pm timeslot and is now FOX’s lowest-rated drama.
With numbers like these, it’s hard to imagine that FOX will renew Backstrom for a second season. FOX has some serious schedule problems but this show doesn’t seem to be a solution. There are eight episodes left in the season (only five are scheduled) so Backstrom has some time to prove itself with better ratings. This seems unlikely but sometimes miracles do happen. Backstrom could certainly use one.
But, what do you think? Do you like Backstrom? If you ran the network, would you cancel or renew this series for a second season? Would you change anything to attract more viewers?
My favorite show!!! Best cop show ever!
Our whole family (ages 21-48) love the show! When one of us has to work we DVR it so that no one misses it! Great cast and even tbough I wasn’t a big fan of Rainn Wilson before I am now. I love the catch phrase “I’m you…” cancel American Idol and give Backstrom that time slot and it would get more viewers.
REALLY trying to like it. Loved Rainn in Office and Super. Has the potential to be a good show. The House of Police dramas. They just have to stop dumbing it down. If fox wants more viewers, don’t treat them like they are mentally impaired (insert joke about Fox News viewers here). Too much bashing over the head with the obvious, and way over the top with all the exposition. “I’m you” is unnecessary, annoying and a terrible catch-phrase. Give the audience some credit – when he sits down, looks a perp in the eye and starts saying “I’m X…”… Read more »
I love this show, please don’t cancel it!! Love the cast, the way they play off each other, their differences, and the whole damn show!! Love it!!
The show is a jewel! The characters clicked from the beginning. I am excited to see where the stories go. Please take a chance and don’t cancel it. It’s not your standard cop show and I love it!
Don’t cancel the show, It’s fast becoming one of my favorites.
Keep backstrom the writing is great and the cast is fantastic
Keep backstrom I love the writing and the cast is fantastic
Please don’t cancel the show. My mom and I watch Backstrom every Thursday night. We love all the characters and plots. Please, please, please give it a second season!!
Dumb show, really disappointed. Clearly Dwight was all writers skill, sorry rainn.
Just discovered it. watched 6 episodes in 2 days. loving it,
Don’t usually watch tv on Thursdays, now I will
Keep Backstrom! It is great fun to watch and great acting!
keep it–i look forward to watching it !
Keep Backstrom!!!!!! The way it has grown on me reminds me of The Big Lebowski. Oh, I always liked it, and the more I watched it, the Dude just infiltrated my soul. Rainn Wilson has something special…… let it grow!
Please dont cancel Backstrom! My husband and I love the show!