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.
Alcatraz is yet another example of a potentially great episodic show that has good writing and takes the time to establish the story line and the characters. It assumes that the viewer has some intelligence, does not need to be beaten over the head with a mindless plot and has the patience and curiosity to see the story through. Because of this, it is not a show that you will immediately love after one episode and cannot, because of a dated and short sighted rating system, show it’s true popularity until it has been cancelled. Case in point Star Trek,… Read more »
Bring it back!!!!!!!!!! I’m not usu a regular program watcher so put this on record so I could watch it later if I forgot or boyfriend watching something else. I know other people that are looking forward to more episodes.
I loved Alcatraz and every time I find a program I like it is canceled. Why don’t they take all the reality shows and cancel them. The same with the dancing shows and sing off shows. If I had to watch them i would not watch any tv any more. They all stink I don’t care who is hosting them.
do not cancel alcatraz …its amazing ,,best show in years
I agree too, it seems to me that the only reason this show seems to be failing is because most of us can’t watch it when it comes out. My wife loves reality TV so our family room is usually hogged by her and her friends Monday nights, but I’m a Sci-Fi guy all the way. So while they enjoy watching a bunch of people compete for a recording contract from a company I’ve heard of; I get stuck waiting ’til midnight with our lowly computer. Just so I can watch some of the shows I like, Alcatraz included. Canceling… Read more »
Had great potential, but lost interest a few episodes in. Tries to follow the steps of List but lacks the suspense and interesting plot to draw people back. Casting is average too.
it will be chopped. That is inevitable.
Gl
i love Alcatraz and Terra Nova….this sucks I am getting tired of not seeing a show once the first season is over with. Both shows are great, Alcatraz keeps me on edge the whole time I love the show. It would be a shame to take away a good show, if they do the only thing on fox I might watch is Bones but that’s it
If Alcatraz is canceled I won’t start watching a new show ever again!!! I am tired of this bull crap. Why watch a new show, get into it and find out it won’t return for a second season.. The TV stations are ruining themselves.
PLEASE DON”T CANCEL ALCATRAZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good Show. Took a while to get enough clues to figure out enough of what was going on to find interesting. Acting somewhat questionable, but like the plot, prison environment and the psychological development of the past/present criminals. Not surprised it’s struggling due to deep sub plot. Missing a couple of shows would lose you.
I watch Alcatraz on satellite here in Scotland and we’re up to episode 6 ofthe first season (airing on Tuesday nights at 9pm). I think it’s one of the best shows to come out of the states in recent years and it would be criminal not to continue it.
Alcatraz is a great show, it keeps you on the edge of your seat until the end and wanting more the next week. Please do not cancel it. I agree with others switching days may change the ratings when giving it a 2nd season.
Loving Alcatraz keeps you guessing every time ! Cant wait to see the next episode different from the usual tv mysteries please……………… dont cancel.
I love Alcatraz!! I am going to be extremely bummed if they cancel this show! I was jus can’tt saying I wait for this show to take off and I can buy the whole season! I really can’t Stand a lot of other shows that are on now a days. Please don’t cancel!!! I watch this show allllllllllllllllll l the time!!! I had class on Monday nights and anticipated to watch it on HULU every weekend.
I agree with most, reality TV sucks, if I want reality, I open my front door, Reality is hard which is why we immerse ourselves in Sci-Fi programmes just for that one hour a week
I am getting sick of it. I don’t understand how they decide what shows to cancel. It is not fair! The number of audiences that follow a show is only a small percentage of the viewing public. Like me what about all of us who record shows on a DVR. I record all my shows and watch them at my leisure. Also PLEASE NO MORE REALITY SHOWS!