In a truly strange twist, NBC has ordered three additional episodes of their Monday night medical series, Trauma. The show was confirmed as essentially cancelled late last month when the network opted not to order any additional installments. What happened?
Trauma revolves around a group of first responder paramedics in San Francisco. The high-action series is populated by an ensemble cast that includes Derek Luke, Cliff Curtis, Anastasia Griffith, Kevin Rankin, Aimee Garcia, Billy Lush, Jamey Sheridan, and Taylor Kinney.
Earlier today, Hollywood blogger Nikki Finke reported that NBC was considering ordering three additional installments and that news has now been confirmed.
What isn’t clear is the reason why. Finke and several other sources are claiming that the expensive show’s ratings have improved. One only needs to look at the numbers to see that’s not true.
Trauma debuted to lackluster ratings of a 2.2 in the 18-49 demo and 6.68 million total viewers. The second week, they dropped significantly to a 1.7 and 5.36 million. Trauma’s numbers have fluctuated a bit since then but haven’t broken past a 1.9 in the demo or 5.82 million viewers.
As far as a “recent ratings rise,” there hasn’t been one. This week’s episode attracted a 1.8 in the demo (just like last week) and the total viewers were down, from 5.35 million to 5.18 million. What’s more, Heroes beat Trauma in the demo by almost 20% and neither’s figures are impressive.
This decision to order a trio of additional episodes is likely more of an indication of NBC’s other ratings problems than new-found faith in Trauma. The execs may not feel like they have enough original programming to last them until the Winter Olympics or they might not be feeling very confident about their mid-season shows.
Whatever the reason, the Trauma’s ratings are still not good and need help. While three additional episodes are a nice little gift for fans, unless the show’s ratings start rising, it’s just delaying the inevitable.
What do you think? Why did NBC order three more episodes of Trauma? Do you think they’ve changed their minds about cancelling it or just delaying the inevitable?
Image courtesy NBC.
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Trauma was a great show. Great characters, great plots. I can never figure out why the shows I like get cancelled and others I don’t like stay. i.e. Heroes, Fringe, Castle, etc…
I agree, all the good shows are cancelled and all the reality shows are still on. We have enough reality in real life, why would we want to watch it on TV.
I agree Lin, it was a great show, my hubby and i were so excited to sit and watch it monday nights, something finally that peeked our interests, unlike all the re-runs on tv. I also can never figure out why all those pointless shows ever stay, and the ones we seem to really enjoy get cancelled! Too bad!
I loved the show and have missed it since it hasn’t been on! The good “expensive” shows always get the boot! Loved the Unit too and they got the boot!
I am so upset with the cancellations of all these good shows… They are realing blowing TV for me that’s for sure..It to me was one of the best shows out there..
I agree with all of you, I thought the show was excellent and I think there are alot of shows that should go before Trauma.
I definitely would pick Trauma over Heroes (same time slot) any day.
Well, I was sitting here at home wondering why Trauma wasn’t on and I was very upset with the fact that yet again NBC you cancel another good tv show. I was such a huge fan of The Black Donnellys another show you had and you cancelled that.. I find it is so funny that you would put your money into some of these reality show’s and not into good tv drama anymore… It is a said thing that you would cancel such a great show! Keep it up, becuase in the end people are going to stop watching show’s on your network!
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