The Unusuals: Debut Numbers Disappointing; Keep It or Cancel It?

The UnusualsLast night, ABC’s The Unusuals debuted in the post-Lost timeslot. The network’s had high hopes for the quirky crime drama but many critics have deemed it to be “usual” fare at best. What do viewers think?

The Unusuals revolves around a unique group NYPD detectives that all have secrets. They also have twisted senses of humor, which is helpful since every day could be their last. The series stars several TV show veterans like Amber Tamblyn (Joan of Arcadia), Adam Goldberg (Head Cases), Harold Perrineau (Oz), and Terry Kinney (thirtysomething), as well as Jeremy Renner, Kai Lennox, Josh Close, and Monique Gabriela Curnen.

Last night, the Unusuals premiere attracted 6.84 million viewers and a 2.2/6 rating/share in the 18-49 demographic. That’s better than last week’s Life on Mars finale in overall viewers (5.86 million) but it’s essentially the same rating/share in the demo. These aren’t the numbers that ABC was hoping for.

On top of that, there was a significant drop off midway through the episode. There were 7.44 million watching when the episode began and by 10:30, 1.19 million had dropped off. That’s not a good indication that those people will return next week.

Considering that a premiere typically represents a show’s best numbers, none of this is a very good sign for the show’s future.

Did you watch the show and if so, will you be back for more? Worth keeping or time to let it go already?



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{ 291 comments… read them below or add one }

1 sue brandenberger November 10, 2009 at 3:58 pm

i loved the unusuals. why did it go off the air. it hardly had enough time to capture an audience. bring it back, pleaseeeeeeeeeee.

2 kayla fischer November 16, 2009 at 9:51 pm

I LOVE THE UNUSUALS! ITS NICE TO HAVE A COP SHOW THAT ISNT SO DARK AND CAN KEEP YOU LAUGHING AND ENTERTAINED! BRING IT BACK ABC!!!!!!!!!

3 Frank M November 20, 2009 at 12:46 pm

Better than most shows ABC has aired this year and many that’s it’s kept way past their predictable cancellation.
Won’t miss the weird duo though, but liked the other characters.
A much better season than NYPD blue’s last and more tolerable than Life on Mars.

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