Another of NBC’s new Summer series, The Philanthropist, got off to a moderately successful start in the ratings but has been losing steam quickly. Should NBC show some charity and keep it around or should they just cancel it already?
The Philanthropist tells the story of Teddy Rist (James Purefoy), a billionaire playboy who is haunted by the death of his only child. After rescuing a young boy from a hurricane, Rist begins using his wealth to help those in need. The show also features the talents of Jesse L. Martin, Neve Campbell, Michael K. Williams, Lindy Booth, Bonnie Henna, Dominique McElligott, and James Albrecht.
The drama premiered on June 24th and attracted an average of 7.41 million viewers and a 2/6 rating/share of the 18-49 demographic. For a Summer series, that looks like pretty decent performance on the surface but less so when you look at the specifics.
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The show lost 35% of the audience from the last half hour of the successful America’s Got Talent lead-in. What’s more, many viewers tuned out before the premiere of Philanthropist was over. That’s not a good sign and a sure indication that those viewers probably won’t be back the following week.
The second week, the Philanthropist ratings dropped significantly to 5.69 million viewers and a 1.4/4 rating/share in the demo. Week three fell further and by week four, Philanthropist fell to 4.28 million and a dismal 1.1/4. Last week’s viewer numbers perked up a little to 4.74 million but the all-important demo remained dismally the same.
With numbers like these, there’s not much hope that NBC will feel charitable and renew the series for a second year. On the positive side, with just three episodes left to air, the network will surely let the short season play out.
What do you think? Is the show worth saving or should NBC have cut their losses and cancelled it already?
Image courtesy NBC.
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The Philanthropist
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Please don’t cancel this show!!!!! It’s a great intellectual stimulating show.
I deeply enjoy watching The Philanthropist. This series shows that not all rich people are stingy with their money. “Teddy” gives his money to needy people and i like watching about people that give their money to people that really need it. this is a very interresting show that i believe should stay on air for a long time.
I think that The Philanthropist is a good show. A show that doesn’t show a rich person doing something stupid with their money, and that not all rich people are stingy with their money either. The Philanthropist is a real life show about someone that uses their money for something good. and to see that teddy goes without consent from the company to help these people is a good change in tv
I would be very sorry to see it go off the air-It had integrity!
77% voted not to cancel…so what is wrong with NBC? I love The Philanthropist. The writing, directing, and acting on all parts is wonderful, exciting and thought provoking. NBC has also cancelled Southland. Last year ABC was cancelling great shows too and people must have quit watching as this year they are putting some decent shows on. So far they are not cancelling the ones I like and have only gotten ride of Defying Gravity. So is NBC pulling the same crap that ABC pulled last year? I am really sorry to see The Philanthropist go. It was a great show.
This is an excellent show, it’s relatively honest and reveals the world in a truthful light. Unlike so many other shows these days, please keep this show on the air. It’s worth keeping.
It’s an excellent show! It has the perfect mix of comedy, action and relevant issues. They just need to push it a little more regarding the marketing of the show. I think word of mouth is slowly making it popular.
Keep it! Excellent show!
We need a second season of The Philanthropist! It is a unique show with a great cast and a compelling story line. Perhaps if it was not buried in the summer it would have a better following – just don’t put it up against American Idol….
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