The Cape: NBC Cuts Episode Order; Cancellation Next?

The peacock network has decided to cut their season order of The Cape from 13 to 10 episodes. Production of the TV series will shut down this week, the latest sign that the show will be cancelled.

The Cape follows Vince Faraday (David Lyons), an honest cop who finds himself framed for a series of murders and presumed dead. Fueled by a desire to reunite with his family (Jennifer Ferrin, Ryan Wynott) and to battle the criminal forces that have overtaken their home city, Vince becomes “The Cape” — a vigilante and his son’s favorite comic book superhero. Others in the cast include James Frain, Keith David, Summer Glau, Dorian Missick, Martin Klebba, and Vinnie Jones.

The series has been a disappointment for NBC in the ratings and Monday’s numbers were the worst so far. The TV series debuted on January 9th with a special two-hour event that attracted a decent 2.6 in the 18-49 demographic and 8.45 million total viewers. Eight days later, episode three of The Cape dropped a huge 30% in the demo, to a 1.8 rating and 6.22 million. Episode four’s ratings fell another 11% to a 1.6 demo rating and 5.84 million viewers. Monday’s hit a new low with a 1.5 and 5.343 million.

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The show currently averages a 1.9 in the demo and 6.46 million viewers. After just five episodes, it’s become one of the lowest-rated scripted series on the network, tying with Chuck.

For months, NBC has had The Event slated to return to the Mondays at 9pm timeslot on February 28th. When that happens, only eight episodes of The Cape will have aired. Word is that the network is considering delaying The Event for another week to finish off The Cape’s season. If that doesn’t happen, it seems unlikely that NBC will find a place to air the leftover pair of episodes.

It’s even more unlikely that The Cape will be renewed for a second season or end with any kind of resolution.

What do you think? Is The Cape doomed to be cancelled? What could have been done differently? Is it better than The Event?

UPDATE: NBC has delayed the return of The Event by one week. Episodes nine and 10 of The Cape are expected to air on February 28th, finishing the season.

Image courtesy NBC.

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