ABC has decided to run the season (likely series) finale of Detroit 1-8-7 this Sunday, March 20th, at 10pm. The freshman drama is airing on a special night because it was pre-empted by a 20/20 special featuring an interview with Charlie Sheen a couple weeks ago.
Detroit 1-8-7 is, of course, highly unlikely to return for season two. The TV series’ ratings have been terrible and just about anything else the network has put on in its place has performed better. It’s currently averaging a very disappointing 1.5 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 5.64 million viewers. That makes Detroit 1-8-7 the lowest-rated scripted series still on the network. Tuesday’s installment registered just a 1.2 in the demo.
Here’s the finale description from ABC:
SEASON FINALE
FITCH FACES OFF AGAINST HIS RUTHLESS NEW YORK ADVERSARY, ALBERT STRAM, WHILE HIS LIFE, THAT OF HIS SON AND THE REST OF THE SQUAD HANG IN THE BALANCE, ON THE SEASON FINALE OF ABC’S “DETROIT 1-8-7” Michael Imperioli’s Real Life Son, Vadim, Continues in His Guest Starring Role as Fitch’s Son, Bobby
“Blackout” – Fitch’s past comes back to haunt him when his old New York nemesis, Albert Stram, makes his presence known in Detroit just as the veteran detective is enjoying spending time with his son, Bobby. Stram’s not so subtle threats shake the usually unflappable Fitch. Meanwhile, the other detectives are called to the scene of a horrific homicide to find an entire family brutally murdered. Fitch tries to put the pieces of the puzzle together and it leads him to a devastating conclusion. With his back against the wall, Fitch asks Washington to protect Bobby, then leads Longford and Mahajan on an extremely dangerous mission to trap Stram; but which side of the law will he come down on in order to save his family and those in the squad? Meanwhile, Longford has second thoughts about his retirement; but is it too late? It’s a crucial turning point in the lives of all the detectives, on the Season Finale of “Detroit 1-8-7,” SUNDAY, MARCH 20 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.
Note: This program replaces “Brothers & Sisters: Call Mom” which moves to March 27.
“Detroit 1-8-7” stars Michael Imperioli as Detective Louis Fitch, James McDaniel as Sergeant Jesse Longford, Aisha Hinds as Lieutenant Maureen Mason, D.J. Cotrona as Detective John Stone, Jon Michael Hill as Detective Damon Washington, Shaun Majumder as Detective Vikram Mahajan, Natalie Martinez as Detective Ariana Sanchez and Erin Cummings as Dr. Abbey Ward.
Guest starring in “Blackout” are Vadim Imperioli as Bobby (“Oprah Winfrey Presents: Mitch Albom’s For One More Day”), Megan Dodds as Jess Harkins, Tommy Flanagan as Albert Stram, Carl Lumbly as Vincent Lawrence, Tessa Thompson as Lauren Washington, Troy Winbush as Deputy Chief Johnson, Clifford McGhee as Tyrell Hayes and Jason Wells as Wendell/personnel director.
“Blackout” was written by Jason Richman and directed by Kevin Hooks.
“Detroit 1-8-7” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound. A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.
This episode of “Detroit 1-8-7” will be available on ABC.com the day after airing on the network for users to watch online. For more information on “Detroit 1-8-7” please visit ABC.com.
What do you think? Why do you think this TV series didn’t catch on? What worked? What didn’t?
Image courtesy ABC.
This is the best cop show since NYPD blue premiered. Imperlioni’s character ranks as one of the best cops characters ever. It didn’t succeed because it was never really given a chance to find an audience. I hope TNT or FX will pick it up ala “Southland”. I’d hate to think that I’ve seen the last of Louis Finch.
I am so sick and tired of watching good quality television shows like this one going down the toilet. This was the best drama this season hands down, but the main networks do not cater to a mature audience anymore. It’s all reality TV or shows that are all kitch, or follow more of a music video style. If HBO, Showtime, or any of the premium cable channels picked this show up, and others like, “Journeyman”, “My Own Worst Enemy”, “FlashForward”, and yes “Smith” (2006), I would definitely subscribe.
This is one of the best shows on air currently. ABC is making a grave error not picking up this hip, gritty drama by not simply promoting more or switching the night. Not to mention it’s the best thing to happen in Detroit in years. Good luck coming up with a show of this caliber cast and writing if ABC actually does cancel. Shame on them for not trying harder to find a way to make it work.
My husband and I love this show. We record every week, so we dont miss an episode. I read that its destined to be cancelled. What an injustice to the cast and writers. The chraracters and stories are well written. Im sick to death of reality shows. Bring back good shows like Detroit 187 that mirrors Streets of SanFranciso. Michael Imperioli, James McDaniels, Jon Michael Hill and Aisha Hinds present excellent performances every week. We’re hoping another network picks up this show for a second season.
This is a wonderful show with great story lines and acting. It is in the same great tradition of cop stories as NYPD Blue. It had the misfortune of being on at the same time as The Good Wife which is so highly rated. Also, I don’t think the network ever really got behind the show. They pre-empted it one week for an interview with Charlie Sheen who is just another drunk, drug addicted actor. I hope another network picks up this excellent show the way TNT did with Southland which I also watch faithfully.
Its a travesty if this show is cancelled or is not picked up by another network. It is truly one of the best crime drama shows in the last 20 years. ABC really screwed this one up. I wa floored when I saw the ratings for this show! I guess people would rather watch crap than a quality show like this.
Great show. Please bring it back another season.
You finally get something on TV that’s good and exciting and it’s cancelled! It’s too bad.
One of the best shows, best casts and writing on television.
Can only hope ABC cares as much as its audience.
why is it when you finally produce a series with some quality and excellent actors with actual substance it is cancelled? why do you pander only to a group of morons who are so self involved they would rather watch reality rubbish of the classless society we have to live in daily.can’t any of the so called executives for once keep a show on for the average consumer with an average intelect.please answer that.I can’t beleive that your station hasn’t received millions of requests pleading for this show to be picked up for next season.the BATCHlOR really .you’ve got to… Read more »
Great writing and acting. Much better than the reality shows. I also hope it will find a better home with a non-network. TNT would be great for it.
I love this show!!! I agree with the opinion of others that matched against The Good Wife and Parenthood the show never had a chance. The story is just beginning to flesh out and the characters developing into someone you want to see again next week. I really hope to see this series renewed.
great show. i love the self contained episodes of law and order, but this show seemed to have the right balance between wrapped up and ongoing episodes. this show had a
powerful emotional feeling much like HOMICIDE and good story telling. i agree with some of the other commentors about how the show may have been a better fit on another station. in fact, this show is much better than most (not all) of the shows they keep on USA and TNT.
I am a fan….big-time of this show. Fitch is exemplary in his portration of a real cop. This I know. The other characters are very worthy. Why the low ratings? I don’t know. I just know that this show was very good. Sad to see it go.
I can’t believe Detroit 1-8-7 will be cancelled. I look forward to this show every week and have patiently waited for it to come back when preempted by other less worthy offerings (I mean really…Charlie (way over exposed) Sheen???? Why in the world are there 500 different offerings of “Housewives of…..” and this excellent show is going to be cancelled? I just want ABC to know that they should give this show another season…maybe things will pick up…Really…..