When Alcatraz debuted, it looked like the show had a very good chance at being renewed for a second season. But how do things look now? Will the TV series be cancelled after all?
Alcatraz follows police detective Rebecca Madsen (Sarah Jones) and Dr. Diego Soto (Jorge Garcia) as they try to solve the mystery of how 340 prison inmates and guards disappeared in 1963 and are now reappearing in modern day. The cast also includes Jonny Coyne, Parminder Nagra, Jason Butler Harner, and Sam Neill.
The TV show debuted with a solid 3.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 10.05 million total viewers. In week two, the demo slipped 9% to a still respectable 3.0 rating with 9.03 million. New shows typically fall 15-20% in their second week so this was a good sign. Week three dropped another 7%. That wasn’t positive but not horrible either.
Unfortunately, the ratings have just kept falling. In February, NBC kicked off the second season of The Voice and Alcaraz took a big hit, dropping 18% on February 6th and then another 17% on the 13th. And the numbers just keep going down. Last week’s episode was a series low with a 2.1 in the demo.
For the first time in many years, the big networks all have really strong programming on Monday nights and FOX has ended up on the bottom. House, which is in its final season, keeps dropping and so does Alcatraz.
Alcatraz’s season average is currently a 2.3 in the demo with 7.1 million. On our FOX report card — which ranks the network’s shows based on demo averages — Alcatraz has a “C.” Terra Nova, which has already been cancelled, had a better demo average and has a “C+”. When a show that was performing better than yours has been cancelled, that’s not a good sign.
Alcatraz is definitely on the bubble but, in light of the downward ratings trend, I expect it to be cancelled by May. There’s just no reason to expect that the series will do any better if given a second season.
But, what do you think? Do you think Alcatraz will beat the odds and be renewed for a second season? Should it be cancelled?
Image courtesy FOX.
Why are all the good shows cancelled? My husband and I both enjoy Alcatraz, so it is nice to watch it together. I hate reality t.v. Give people who hate reality tv a choice of something interesting to watch.
Don’t cancel. Give it at least another season and switch to another night for better ratings. As far as tying it together in the end.. They did it with “Lost” didn’t they? That is what writers are for. I would really miss if canceled. It is a good show.
I watched all episodes of Alcatraz. I certainly hope the series is continued. What about viewers who do not care for reality shows?? Please make an effort to entertain everyone in the TV audience or you will lose a large portion of your faithful viewers. Please don’t cancel.
Bring it back. It was a little rocky at first but the characters are believeable and the actors have done a first rate job of creating them. The premise is awesome. Give it another chance. It sure beats some of the reality crap that is the mainstay of cable these days. I don’t want another Snooki, J-wow or other fake ‘stars;’ I want my TV to take me away from reality and give me something different to think about. Please save Alcatraz
This is a show with great promise. Give it one more season and tie it all together.
Don’t cancel another good show. The only ones I watch right now on your network are Alcatraz and family guy.
I love Alcatrez, it is so different form all these other cop shows.
Please do not cancel
I think Alcatraz should be renewed, getting totally bored with all the reality shows. Alcatraz make me look forward to the next story. Everytime you guys get something good you take it off the air. Wake up boys- Most people have dvrs, I do and if I can’t watch it I record it. I like to get two or three episodes then I can really enjoy it.!!
This show keeps you guessing in a good way. Keep it coming!!!!!!!
Alcatraz is a great show. I really hope they bring it back for a second season to answer some questions.
Yeah the show may seem interesting, but one of the fear is how will they tie it all together at the end and if they even will? Its easy to create mysteries by showing unlikely stuff. Writers can fly their imaginations especially if they don’t have to tie them up at the end. Remember “Lost”, I think the main director of Alcatraz is the same guy…..
Awesome show. Keep good programming on TV not reality shows.
I only saw the last two episodes and now I greatly regret not seeing the show from the beginning. Also, the episodes I did watch were recorded on my DVR so, all the DVR users should be taken into account.
Fox Alcatraz is a good show. Please Don’t cancel. Switch days and ratings will get better……
Finally a program with some depth. Anymore all you see on television are reality shows! Where are all the writers? Finally had some good stuff with Alcatraz! Hope CBS keeps them on…Makes you coming back for more!!!
Please don’t cancel the show! I think it’s fantastic , and it would really be a bummer to end it like this. Fox needs more regular TV shows- I’m sick of the reality ones; they’re just mind numbing.